just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

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weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by weathersten »

I picked it up this afternoon (Friday 24th April 2009), here in Australia, and what I have heard, playing with it this evening, has greatly impressed me. The Choirs sound real. So does the Strings and Brass ensemble sections, together with the other great sounds and features. The wonderful effects of the expression pedal on the ensemble sounds, and the Vocal Designer.
Great improvement over the VP-330 that I bought back when it was released - but technology has improved over the years and so has Roland by keeping up with these advancements, and allowing musicians to be able to create wonderful music.
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Artemiy
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Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by Artemiy »

Thank you very much for such an inspiring review!

I wonder how you find the 770's now-digital vocoder against the original 330's analog one? I know it may not sound as warm and juicy as 330, but still, how is it?
weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

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

Post by weathersten »

I find the Vocal Designer "more real". I think I could get away with just the VP-770 on its own, whereas in the past (and even with my DisCover5) the Vocoder section sounded best as "backing" under my solo voice.
As a "trained" singer, I find it very receptive to my nuances, and look forward to many hours of enjoyment. The keyboard is wonderful and having after touch is wonderful. {I am also an Organist - so the legato touch really helps} But I am not limited to just the classical style of music.
javaj_
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Re: just got my VP-770 (sound demos inside)

Post by javaj_ »

Could you share some mp3 samples of you singing with it- very interested in hearing this.
weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

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

Post by weathersten »

Just got up {early Saturday morning} and even before breakfast had to try some choir work [I notice that the time displayed is many hours - well I am "down under" before I actually sent this message (ten hours).]
I should state that after I "saw" details in January {clips etc} I "did my home work" on the internet, and placed a firm order, and then had to wait for delivery to Australia, nevertheless to my home town {which is four hours by car west of Sydney, or a quater of an inch on the map of Australia}. I was able to make my decission of my past knowledge of Roland and their products {I have been a fan since the 1970's}.
I felt that the manual for the VP-770 {when the pdf file was posted/released} was lacking in just a few details, so downloaded the owner's manual for the VP-550, which "shows" {on page 10} the position of the Percussion Sounds and {on page 30} a description of the Strings {Chamber Strings on VP-770}. Also, the Sound List {referred to in the VP-770 Owner's Manual} is on the back of the Safety Notes. The Notes (page 10 VP-550) are very helpful concerning Bass 1, 2, and 3 but there are added {on VP-770} six other bass "sounds". Would have liked a "list" of what the Factory Registrations are.
This morning I was very impressed when "singing" four part S.A.T.B. "live" (straight from a hymn book) and especially "mixing" "Classic A" in the Vocal Designer {vocoder - for want of a better term} with a softer (in volume/loudness) choir {using "No 71" Gregorian} in the Ensemble with the "vocal Expression" turned on {Ambience on Hall 1 (Church) at 10 past}.
weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

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

Post by weathersten »

Here quickly just a snippet in MP3 "live" no direct sound recorded on VP-770
Classic Vocal designer with softer Gregorian ensemble
weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

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

Post by weathersten »

Here quickly just a snippet in MP3 "live" no direct sound recorded on VP-770
Gospel Vocal designer with softer Gospel ensemble
weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

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

Post by weathersten »

Here quickly just a snippet in MP3 "live" no direct sound recorded on VP-770
Male & Female {stereo separation} Vocal designer with softer Mixed Choir ensemble
weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

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

Post by weathersten »

Another snippet recorded "live" in mp3 with no direct only the VP-770
Classic B (Vocal Designer) with SuperNATURAL Brass ensemble
weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

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

Post by weathersten »

Another snippet recorded "live" in mp3 with no direct only the VP-770
Classic A (Vocal Designer) with Chamber Strings ensemble
weathersten
Posts: 25
Joined: 09:08, 20 April 2009
Location: Orange, Australia

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

Post by weathersten »

Another snippet recorded "live" in mp3 with no direct only the VP-770
Male and Female (Vocal Designer) with Synth Strings ensemble
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 ellaborate more on its capabilities? For instance, can you split the keyboard? Is there any MIDI control available? Can you layer sounds and how many of them? How many types / groups of sounds does it have and which ones? (for instance strings, brass, woodwinds, choirs, ac. guitar, el. guitar, basses, etc. - you know what I mean)
I'd also want to know about voice harmony options and audio key. Especially if you can create / import wav files (and which bit rate and frequency) on / to the VP 770. That overdub option may be killer if it does not degrade sound quality.

LE: I hope the audio key' loop function is customizable (length in seconds/ beat / measure, metronome) and can be sync'ed to other stuff - that also would be great. Dunno if it's the same stuff on the RD-700GX / Juno Stage too, but the added functions on the VP can make it quite useful. (if it works the way I think)
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,
This is only Monday Evening {here in Australia}, as I only got the machine late Friday afternoon, and as I listed here in Roland Clan [Reference: Time 22:09 GMT 24th April 2009] ((QUOTE I should state that after I "saw" details in January {clips etc} I "did my home work" on the internet, and placed a firm order, and then had to wait for delivery to Australia, . . . I was able to make my decission of my past knowledge of Roland and their products {I have been a fan since the 1970's}. UNQUOTE)) So I am experimenting to "find out" for, and by, myself {and I did have to play for a Sunday Church Service (check hymn keys, range etc and pick Prelude; Offering, & Postlude to "match" readings) and "look after" My Mother 24/7 - as I am a full time Carer}, but what time I have had on the VP-770 has been very constructive. I am amazed at what paramaters can be changed - being software driven. Personally, I like "to do" everything "live", including the playing, so it doesn't sound too mechanical, and also allows for more freedom of expression. I feel that the VP-770 is a very specialised keyboard "With the latest technology onboard, the VP-770 allows a single musician to create realistic backing parts that range from futuristic electronic vocal textures to incredible emulations of large-scale gospel choirs and beyond."

Yes you can split the keyboard {Owner's Manual pages 54 and 83}; midi {pages 116 & 120 Owner's Manual Plus the 12 pages of Midi Implementation}; for complete list of sounds (some special to this unit) which are not included in the Owner's Manual {page 12 of the Using the Unit Safety}; Voice Harmony {page 36 & 37 Owner's Manual} using keyboard or the pitch of your voice; audio key {page 68}; Looper {page 74 to 76}; Metronome {page 75}; V-Link {page 118 to 119}; I really found the System Parameters very helpful {pages 97 to 101}.

Space wouldn't fit here for all your questions, Parsifal, so I would suggest that you download from the address below [as I had to do (but at least, I have given you the page numbers and references), also do a search for VP-550 manual as it is very helpful in explaining a few things overlooked in the VP-770 Owner's Manual].

http://www.roland.com/products/en/_supp ... iCncd=4939

The VP-770 is very receptive to your voice and/or by using an optional expression pedal. The Ensemble Strings and Brass sections are wonderful, also the choice of other sounds would be ideal for "live" performances, along with the solo Violin, Cello, and those Solo Instruments in the Brass section. I cannot speak too highly of the "choir" (vocal designer) with other variations possible to suite any musical style, limited only by your imagination, breathing and annunciation. {A knowledge of S.A.T.B.; S.S.A.A.; T.T.B.B.; etc harmony could be helpful when emulating large choirs (was it no consecutive octaves and fifths on the parts?), but this is not essential, as the VP-770 just sound "good".}
Parsifal
Posts: 475
Joined: 09:20, 6 March 2008

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

Post by Parsifal »



I still think there have been a shorter post of yours if you have just said "yes" or "no" to some of my questions :) I'm thankful for what you've said nevertheless. I'm halfway downloading them as I speak (type) but I'd prefer someone describing the piece of equipment in front of his/her eyes. Thanks again!
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,

I am sorry that I misunderstood your questioning ["can you please ellaborate more on its capabilities?"]. As there is "so much" under the hood of the VP-770 {not visible when "someone describing the piece of equipment in front of his/her eyes") it was not possible just to give you a simple "yes" or "no" answer.

The list of "sounds" ({as you now probably know from downloading the Unit Safety and on page 12} "How many types / groups of sounds does it have and which ones?") is 27 for the Vocal Designer; 76 for the Ensemble; 10 for the Bass and 1 for the Percussion [bottom octave - selectable on and off]; all the sounds are under the designated heading {Classic; Male&Female; Gospel; Pop; Back-ground; Vocoder; and in the Ensemble: Strings; Brass; Guitar; Others; Pad; Synth Strings; Choir; Jazz Scat} and easily (speedily) switched between.

The Voice Harmony options and Audio Key are not a simple answer. I am sorry but I have not yet tried to overdub - so cannot comment on the quality. The "sound grabs" that I put on this site were all recorded within the VP-770 as a wave file (to my USB memory stick) and then I converted in another programme to MP3 files.

The Audio Key is available through separate purchase of USB memory stick formated to FAT / FAT32 and files transferred from your own computer, using the Audio Key Utility 3 (provided with the VP-770).

Again, I am very sorry, if I couldn't give you a straight answer, but I am still learning myself, and really enjoying what I can produce both musically and as entertainment. As I am a sight reader, I have enjoyed playing and singing many vocal arrangements and to hear "how a choir should sing them" is a real pleasure. [I am an Organist and have conducted choirs and sung Arias as a Soloist.] This unit would be a wonderful suppliment to any choir, or on its own.

For what the VP-770 offers, I personally, feel that it is good value for the money, as it is a very specialist keyboard, yet manageable by a person with varying musical abilities.

Yours sincerely

Paul Weathersten
"Down Under"
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