Roland VP-9000 Variphrase Processor
The VP-9000 is a revolutionary new rackmount audio processor employing proprietary VariPhrase technology. Traditionally, when sampling an instrument, it has been necessary to record the same sound at different pitches in order to play it back across a range of keys. This process, known as multisampling, can be very time consuming and memory-intensive. Because the VP-9000 can adjust for formant shifting, it is now possible to play back a single sample across a wider range of keys while retaining the original sample’s tone, envelope, and tempo. This makes the user sampling process far less complicated than a sampler.
While some samplers are capable of matching tempos of multiple phrases, none can instantly match the key as well. The VP-9000 is the first audio processor that can instantly match multiple audio phrases with different keys and tempos to a new user-defined key and tempo. Trying different phrase combinations can be done as many times as desired; altering the pitch, key, and tempo from the middle of a phrase is easy as moving the pitch bend lever, greatly enhancing the “playability” of audio phrase samples. With VariPhrase, it’s possible to make literally any audio phrase work with another—you can even Groove Quantize an audio sample to make a straight rhythm loop swing, or sync it to MIDI clock without affecting pitch. Interactive song composing, arranging, rearranging, performing and even improvisation is now possible using audio phrases such as drum loops, bass guitar and vocal phrase samples, etc.
With VariPhrase technology, it is possible to timestretch/compress any audio source while maintaining the original sound quality. Unlike other products that alter the original audio waveform, the VP-9000 performs its timestretch/compression as realtime MIDI control, leaving the original audio sample untouched. This non-destructive form of timestretch enables the VP-9000 to achieve results that were never before possible.
The VP-9000 can make audio phrases behave like MIDI data being triggered from a keyboard or sequencer. This makes it possible to do things like pitch bend a chord being played from a single sample without any time differences between the different notes—perfect for creating realistic brass falls. Even a simple melody can be manipulated into something entirely different, complete with harmonies, and without destroying its formant. With VariPhrase technology, audio phrases behave like a tone on a synthesizer, capable of being played and manipulated from tame to bizarre in any way desired—all non-destructively in real time, and without distorting the original sound’s properties.
The Roland VP-9000 VariPhrase Processor represents a giant leap forward in audio processing and sample-based music-making technology. This revolutionary new product is capable of capturing audio and providing realtime manipulation of pitch, time, and formant using MIDI control while maintaining the original sample’s sound quality. With VariPhrase, audio becomes elastic, allowing it to be transformed in a completely non-destructive environment. So you can instantly match phrase loops from different sources to the same key and tempo, bend notes in realtime without changing the sample’s length, modify the duration of notes held within a phrase, add swing to a straight drum loop or even modulate the formant of a sample without affecting the pitch or tempo. Put simply, the VP-9000 will forever change the way musicians interact with audio.
- Elastic audio processing allows realtime sync of samples with different keys and tempo, while formant processing eliminates tedious multi-sampling
- Three knobs for realtime control over parameters such as pitch, time, formant, and groove
- Knobs control up to six samples simultaneously and transmit MIDI control change messages for sequencer-based editing
- Large icon-based graphic LCD for high-level wave editing and simplified operation
- 8 MB standard memory (expandable to 136 MB with optional SIMMs) provides 25 seconds stereo or 50 seconds mon
