just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Forum for VP-550, VP-770 and VP-7
Parsifal
Posts: 475
Joined: 09:20, 6 March 2008

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by Parsifal »

It's very refreshing to hear it's a friendly instrument... I may say I prefer to be a sight reader myself although I always return to the manual (or to the forum) to get enlightenment :)
I'm quite sure the audio key is no simple stuff... maybe it's been a rushed question and I certainly wasn't expecting all answers at once... we here lurk the forum at a constant rate and check new info regularly so there's no hurry... I, for one, I'm patient enough :)
weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by weathersten »

Dear Parsifal

thank you for the clarification concerning this Forum. I was wondering "how to" answer all your questions {and as a new/recent owner of the VP-770 . . . }.

While at Doctors {Wednesday afternoon} with My Mother, I studied the Owners Manual:
The Audio Key function {reference pages 68 to 73 Owner's Manual} allows audio files to be assigned to the lowest fifteen keys of the keyboard and to play these audio files by pressing the corresponding key. These files can be played repeatedly, or reserved to play next. {By allocating a code} Thus allowing: Intro; Theme; Break; or Ending; to be freely played in any order changing the structure of the song performance. OR, a different audio song could be assigned tp each of these keys, so that when played back one could accompany that particular song. [Not sure of maximum duration]

At the present, I have to produce a PowerPoint "Plus" {animations etc} Presentation {I average 139 separate graphics} for a full Sacrament Service that I am Officiating at {as a Uniting Church in Australia Lay Preacher} for this coming Sunday, so my experimentation time on the VP-770 is very limited. (Also, just found out have to play Organ for a funeral at the Anglican Church on Friday afternoon - I do get around different denominations [musically speaking])
javaj_
Posts: 881
Joined: 20:49, 7 January 2008
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Contact:

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by javaj_ »

I just wanted to say how I enjoy how open you are in your responses. It is quite fun to read your responses as you really do tell us a lot more than is needed (but I find it great as we get to know more about you that way). Most people tend to not give up so much personal info- it's refreshing to read your posts.
weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by weathersten »

Dear Javaj

thank you for your positive comments

I do believe that we all have a reason why, and how, we address "problems" {for want of a better word} in a certain way. My "baggage" {gained over the years} means that I approach in my own "unique" way, just as other people do. Some times we have to take a step back and question why? That is why I "add" the extras, so giving credability to my recommendation of the VP-770 as a specialist keyboard, based on years as a musician, singer, conductor etc {well, I have to keep something a little mystery}

My Mother who was an Organist {over 63 years} and Choir Conductor has accepted the VP-770, whereas originally back when I bought the VP-330 -- it was not "real" enough. Last night she actually sang along (she turned 90 June last year) and made some positive comments especially about the Ensemble String's "Chamber Strings"
Parsifal
Posts: 475
Joined: 09:20, 6 March 2008

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by Parsifal »

Weathersten, can you please make a demo of the sax sound(s) on your VP-770? Try not to layer it with anything else if possible.
weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by weathersten »

As requested here is a quick grab of the "Solo Atlo Sax" [sound list number 28] {as apart from the "Dynamic Alto Sax" voice [sound list number 29] } on its own with no layering etc. (I am using Ambiance Hall 1 set to ten past)
This is just the "solo" voice "played" manually on the VP-770 keboard with no "help" from the "Vocal Expression" nor the optional "expression Pedal" {these later two affect the sound's "tone"}
weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by weathersten »

Also, here is a quick grab of the "Dynamic Tenor Sax" [sound list number 27] {as apart from the "Solo Tenor Sax" voice [sound list number 26]} on its own with no layering etc. (I am using Ambiance Hall 1 set to ten past)
This is just the "solo" voice "played" manually on the VP-770 keboard with no "help" from the "Vocal Expression" nor the optional "expression Pedal" {these later two affect the sound's "tone"}
Also available in the Sax Family are: Solo Sop Sax; and Solo Bari Sax. All the Sax Family sounds are to be found in the Ensemble Brass.
Parsifal
Posts: 475
Joined: 09:20, 6 March 2008

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by Parsifal »

Thanks a lot! I can clearly say it sounds better than my fantom x patches (and so it should)!
argomax
Posts: 29
Joined: 20:00, 15 May 2009

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by argomax »

I am sorry, but listening to those snippets, the VP really sounds like a generic vocoder. Nothing else. I think if you intend to pass it for a real choir, ever, youre grossly mistaken. No much difference from the original VP330. I think your money was misspent.

A real evolution will happen when "virtual vocals" will be invented, at some point: a Frank Sinatra preset, and you sing with Sinatra's Voice and tone; a Bono preset, a Gangsta preset, and so on. Your lyrics and melody, their voice.
da-man
Posts: 1167
Joined: 07:48, 9 October 2005
Location: Australia

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by da-man »

A real evolution will happen when "virtual vocals" will be invented, at some point: a Frank Sinatra preset, and you sing with Sinatra's Voice and tone;

argomax,
You can already do this. All you need to do is play a Sinatra song and video record you lip syncing. Done.
weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by weathersten »

Dear Agromax,

Firstly, do you own a VP-330? Because I do {and still have, in full working order} and I can say that there is a "marked improvement" since it was originally released in 1979. If one wants vintage "vocoder" sounds these are available on the VP-770 [ten (10) varieties plus ext {only one on the VP-330 plus an ext}], but the Vocal Designer within the VP-770 uses the latest technology. Also, there is the choice of a total of twenty-six (26) sampled tones, plus an external input, so that you can modulate however you wish, but the choir samples are a great improvement on what I have heard in the past {on other machines}, especially in the top range for the sapranos.
Being a choir conductor, I know that by augmenting the VP-770 with a "real" choir will "fill in the gaps", also it allows the choir members to "hear" a final possible sound for them to strive for, especially when trained singers are not available [and one requires a seventh jump, or a chromatic modulation]. It would be wonderful to "help" in any religious service, or in a band {any style}, either supplemented or on its own. If you mix with "live"/"real" people it will add to the final sound. Also, by "softly" mixing in the Ensemble Choir sounds [at present I prefer the "Gregorian"] will not take away from your other musicians but will create a better (more fuller) sound.
I have to add, that I had only bought the unit two days before making the "snippets", and posted them here because other examples were just not available on the internet.
The more I practice [and we all have to practice], the more I am convinced that the VP-770 is the specialist keyboard for me and my musical styles — I am very very happy with my purchase.
da-man
Posts: 1167
Joined: 07:48, 9 October 2005
Location: Australia

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by da-man »

oh how I hate gear lust :)

I thought when I got the Fantom x that would be it. But then I realised a couple of SRX's would help.

Now this VP-770 sounds awesome.

Weathersten I can hear the potential of this from your samples so thanks for the effort to post them.

I could see the x and it woking side by side. Oh well, one thing is for sure. No matter how many options or sounds I get there is always another one I want.:)
motumbok
Posts: 10
Joined: 17:55, 27 August 2006

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by motumbok »

Does the VP-770 has an Organ sound to combine with the choir sound? How can I play the organ and use the VP at the same time during mass in my church? Thank you.
weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by weathersten »

Dear Motumbok,

no the VP-770 does not have "organ" sounds, they are more orchestral.
For last Sunday, I played the VP-770 and "sang" using the Vocal Designer for all the hymns and responses in full S.A.T.B., while the "regular organist" did her "normal thing", therefore boosting the sound of the whole congregation, while Officiating for the rest of the Service.
This coming Friday I have to "play" for a funeral service at a local Undertaker's Chapel. I will be playing their "piano" for the preliminary music and softly "under" for the Commital. The family has requested that I take the VP-770 for the Hymns. So I am planing to use: (1) either the orchestral "full" strings or the synth strings, for introduction then "pull" the volume down to be slightly (softer) under the "Classic B" Vocal Designer for verses 1 and 3 of "How Great Thou Art" (Bb) and then to switch to "Natural Brass" [in Unison Mode rather than Stack Mode, played slightly mezzo staccato rather than full legato] for verse 4 and finish with the "Sopranos" on top "F". (2) For "The Lord is My Shepherd" (Eb) {by Brian Boniwell} I plan "Chamber Strings" as the "under sound" (it is just like a small chamber orchestra). (3) For the Postlude, or Exit Music, I am planning for the tune "Finlandia" (F) with the words by Michael Rayner Thwaites "Fare well. We come to send you on the way." performed as if "a Cappela" using "Classic B" with a soft (volume about 20) of the Gregorian Choir.

I feel that you could "place" the VP-770 to the right of the organ, and play it with your right hand [sing into the supplied microphone] while the left hand and feet play the organ. {I used to do this for Wedding Receptions with my VP-330, in a set up with a Hammond L100 & PR40; Roland Electronic Piano; Roland Rhythm Unit; and a Roland Revo speakers}

regards

Paul Weathersten
"Down Under"
motumbok
Posts: 10
Joined: 17:55, 27 August 2006

Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by motumbok »

Thank you for answering to my question. I can imagine how beautiful it will sound at the funeral. Unfortunately I like to streamline things and this setup with the VP 770 to my right is not possible in my church. I do not have another organist to play with me (budget constraints) so I am not going to buy the keyboard just because they didn't put an Organ patch, I wonder, how can Roland eliminate such an important sound like the organ to mix with vocals and choirs. And this is NOT a cheap instrument. They should have implemented an expansion slot to put a card in it with some Organs. What do you think?
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