📼 '80s reloaded: Roland VP-03 and the allure of the classic vocoder

video upload by SICK FOR SYNTHS

"Discover the Roland Boutique VP-03, the compact vocoder that recreates the legendary Roland VP-330, a key player in electronic music from the '70s and '80s. Used by artists such as Vangelis, Human League, and Laurie Anderson, this instrument defined the sound of an era with its 16-band vocoder, synthetic strings, and ethereal choirs. In this video, we'll explore how the VP-03 works, listen to its vintage sounds, and discover how Roland has captured the magic of a classic in a pocket-sized format.

Perfect for those who love retro synths, cinematic sounds, and the aesthetic of vintage electronics, the VP-03 is a unique instrument for bringing the charm of '70s and '80s productions back to life."

Yamaha CS-80

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

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Roland VP-330 | This Synth Made Vangelis Famous… But WHICH Version?

video upload by Andy Whitmore

"🎹 This Synth Made Vangelis Famous… But WHICH Version?

The Roland VP-330 is one of the most iconic vocoders and string machines ever created — made legendary by artists like Vangelis, 10cc, and Vince Clarke. But did the MKI and MKII versions sound the same? In this video, I compare the two side by side — same settings, same riffs, totally different vibe.

From lush choir tones to robotic vocoded phrases, you’ll hear the subtle — and not-so-subtle — differences that make each model unique.

The Roland VP-330, or Vocoder Plus, is one of the unsung heroes of the late '70s to early '80s synth world, being used on hits by the likes of Queen, Phil Collins, Stevie Wonder, Vangelis, and more recently, Dua Lipa.

As the name suggests, the Vocoder Plus combined a vocoder with chorused strings and a synthetic choir sound. Its recent resurgence in popularity has seen an official Roland Boutique recreation, an unofficial Behringer clone, and software emulations try to recreate its classic tones.

The VP-330 was the last and most famous of the Roland string synthesizers, a line that started in 1975 with the release of the Roland RS-101. This early string machine keyboard utilised divide-down technology, meaning that a single oscillator could have its pitch divided down to play any note on the keyboard, allowing polyphony at a much cheaper price point than traditional polyphonic synthesizers. These kinds of synths were named paraphonic.

⚠️ While Vangelis famously used the VP-330, this video doesn’t analyze his exact recordings — it’s a deep listen into the synth itself.

🎧 Best experienced with headphones!

👇 Let me know in the comments: Which version do YOU prefer?

0:00 – Intro
00:36 Queen Radio Ga Ga
00:43 Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight
00:50 Stevie Wonder I Just Called to Say I Love You
00:58 - Vangelis Blade Runner
01:10 - How the VP-330 Works
01:52 - Roland VP-330 MKI – Vocoder Sound
01:56 - Roland VP-330 MKII – Vocoder Sound
05:30 – Roland VP-330 MKI - String Sound
05:54 - Roland VP-330 MKII - String Sound
06:17 - Roland VP-330 MKI - Choir Sound
06:42 - Roland VP-330 MKII - Choir Sound
07:07 - Outro"

Vangelis - Chariots Of Fire * cover on ELKA X705 Space Organ

video upload by adamstan84

"Title theme by Vangelis from 1981 movie's soundtrack, played on analog ELKA X705 organ (slightly modified by me).
External effects - delay and reverb were used during this performance.
I hope you enjoy it :)"

3rd Wave 8M – First Look, Unboxing, Sound Demo & Full Walkthrough

video upload by Devin Belanger

"Purchase my Custom 3rd Wave Patches (confirmed to work on the 8M): https://shop.milesawayofficial.com/pr...

Miles Away gives you a world-first in-depth look at the 3rd Wave 8M, the new desktop version of the powerful wavetable synth from Groove Synthesis.

In this video, I unbox the unit, give a sound demo, and walk you through the key features, workflow, and what sets the 8M apart.

0:00 - unboxing
2:13 - playing factory patches
3:58 - making a patch from scratch
6:00 - pulse width modulation and circuit drift
7:08 - using samples as oscillators
8:50 - analog filter section
10:30 - wave envelope and jamming on our patch
12:49 - state variable filter and LFO section
14:28 - built in FX section
15:31 - Vangelis style reverb jam
16:55 - mod matrix
18:00 - multitimbrality
18:37 - loading different multisamples
19:42 - ambient live performance on Miles Away Custom Patch Vol 3
21:11 - if you want to hear even more 3rd Wave, click here!"

ICONIC Conversation with Jeff Blenkinsopp of The Analog Lab

video upload by Iconic Instruments

"This is a conversation with synthesizer genius, Jeff Blenkinsopp, from The Analog Lab (www.theanaloglab.com)."

CONTROl with co-founder Daren Ho makes an appearance at the end.

The video above comes in via an article on Jeff Blenkinsopp recently written up on Hell Gate. You can also find in on The Analog Lab's blog on their website here. Jeff is the man behind The Analog Lab which provides various resources for synth repair. The site is well worth a look.

From the intro to the article on Hell Gate, written by Adwait Patil:

Below: "Jeff Blenkinsopp after repairing the Beatles' VOX Continental organ, last used at their 1966 Shea Stadium show (The Analog Lab)"

"Jeff Blenkinsopp toured with Pink Floyd and Vengelis, repaired instruments for the Smiths and the Beastie Boys, but his greatest legacy might be his willingness to share his craft.

As one of New York's most meticulous and beloved vintage gear technicians, Jeff Blenkinsopp's legend precedes him. A North England native, he began repairing synthesizers in the late 1960s, worked his way into London’s disco scene as a live stage technician, and later took his talents on world tours with English rock giants Sweet and Pink Floyd, and Greek composer Vangelis. In 1978, he moved to New York, quickly gaining the trust and fixing synthesizers for bands like the Beastie Boys and the Smiths, and carved out a home for the nerds whose vintage gear obsessions were about to peak at the turn of the millennium with his workshop Expert Audio Repair Services, or EARS. At EARS, he devised hands-on methods to pass on his knowledge to some of the city’s most beloved musicians, all of whom came to learn from the guy who became Pink Floyd's synth technician at the age of 21.

Blenkinsopp’s career first took off in 1974, when he was working in London as an instrument repairman for General Electro Music. There he was introduced to Pink Floyd, who were looking for a technician, and met the criteria to join the band's French tour: he knew how to take care of a Hammond, and he had a passport. Blenkinsopp had never toured with a band, and now was in charge of setting up Richard Wright and Floyd's organs and synthesizers on a nightly basis. From then, he became a constant fixture for British bands who toured with a hefty load of keyboards, and that’s what initially brought him to New York City in 1978, touring with British glam rockers Sweet. A tour that changed his life."

KORG M1R + 2 CARDS - Original box, manuals & cables

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"Vintage Korg M1R in stunning cosmetic and fully working condition. This unit comes straight from the golden era of the ’90s, complete with its original box, manual, and audio/MIDI cables.

What's included :

Korg M1R
MSC-1S Card Set
Rack Ears
Original Box
Audio + MIDI Cables

Korg M1R

The Korg M1R is the rackmount version of the legendary M1 synth/workstation -- a machine that truly needs no introduction. It features Korg’s built-in AI Synthesis system, delivering full digital sound generation and processing using 4MB of PCM-based sampled and synthesized waveforms. These sounds can be shaped with analog-style editing for added flexibility. The M1R excels at producing clear acoustic instruments, rich digital tones, and punchy, buzzy techno sounds.

The M1R has been used by 808 State, Banco De Gaia, Ken Ishii, Depeche Mode, Fluke, The Cure, The Orb, The KLF, Plastikman, Bomb The Bass, Gary Numan, Robert Miles, Mike Oldfield, Kitaro, Rick Wakeman, Rod Argent, Joe Zawinul, Patrick Moraz, Pet Shop Boys, Vangelis, the Cranberries, Sin and Jellyfish.

'Variety' sound card set

The Korg MSC-1S "Variety" is the first expansion set released for the Korg M1 series in 1989. It includes two cards: the MPC-01 for program/combi data and the MSC-01 for PCM waveforms.

With this expansion, the M1 gains 100 new programs + 100 combinations, doubling the standard 50+50 offered by following expansions. The set offers a wide range of sounds including expressive orchestral strings (with aftertouch-controlled vibrato), punchy brass, mallet instruments like marimba and glockenspiel, flutes, organs, digital effects, and much more -- expertly programmed to take full advantage of the M1’s synthesis engine."

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The Crow Hill Company Introduces POCKET STRING no-barrier-to-entry-styled string library plug-in

video upload by CROW HILL XTRAS

Press release follows:

"The Crow Hill Company creates POCKET STRINGS as no-barrier-to-entry-styled string library plug-in produced without compromise… with added ‘synthy spice’

EDINBURGH, UK: having recently rebranded itself with an aesthetic that truly realises company co-founder and composer Christian Henson’s heartfelt dream of encouraging people to make music and help them on their journey, regardless of whatever point they were at and wherever their journey began, The Crow Hill Company continues its journeying into ‘Season Two’ as a producer of resources and tools to protect, inspire, support, and provide opportunities for music-makers the world over, believing that music is, and should remain, a wholly human experience, one that is by far one of the most powerful forms of expression, escape, comfort, and remembrance, of which its newly-created POCKET STRINGS — styled as a definitive string library plug-in that opens the doors to collaboration between anyone anywhere, creatively combining live cinematic orchestral recordings with some rarefied vintage synth classics made to measure for added body, depth, and character — readily represents the cornerstone of this ethos, as of July 10…

“A string library that’s accessible to all without compromise — a distillation of the last 25, nearly 30, years that I’ve been working as a media composer, which means that I write music for film, TV, and computer games, giving you the very basic necessities to write pro-end string arrangements. Whether that be adding to productions, songs, collaborating with others, or, indeed, creating professional film scores — whether that be to demo for an orchestra to play, or, indeed, to go to broadcast, there’s been no compromises here. But accessibility is the key — not just with the price point, but with usability.” So says Christian Henson himself, perfectly positioned — as The Crow Hill Company’s original founder, forging forward by building upon his extensive experience gained from founding Spitfire Audio to originally offer a palette of sounds he had created for his own use as a professional composer to his film world colleagues by invitation only, though the rest, as they say, is history — to proudly introduce POCKET STRINGS as a never-tried-before strings library plug-in that aims to bring broadcast-grade string possibilities to everyone.

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Brussels School Diaries, Day 2: "Sigma Orionis" | original electronic-music jam

video upload by No Lake

"'I am merely a conduit, a kind of big hairy tool. I am just a plastic funnel connected to a Moog.' (Vangelis)

The full description of the 'Brussels School' project can be found in Day 1.
This second jam offers a slightly different, more downtempo with a touch of atmospheric ambient.

Headphones 🎧 recommended"

Bandcamp : https://nolake.bandcamp.com/

BEYOND ANALOG 2 for MOOG ONE.

video upload by SMV Producer

"My new sound bank for the Moog One. Here some examples of what you will get. 45 new brand presets for this amazing synth.

Enjoy! Sound banks available for purchase at: https://gumroad.com/smvproducer

Other links:
Bandcamp : https://sergiomassimilianovarvazzo.ba...
Instagram: / smv_producer
Smartlink: https://ffm.bio/smv_producer"

TIMELINE
00:00 INTRO - MY BLADE RUNNER
00:56 16 Steps of darkness
02:09 3 OSC Squared
02:43 2 OSC Poly Alt Version
03:02 3 Different OSC Seq
03:54 3 OSC Reso
04:57 6 Steps Mixed Filters
05:38 Filter Mix Pad
06:34 8 Dark Steps
07:29 Ambient
09:42 Vangelis
11:30 Euro Gate
12:48 High passed 5th
14:12 New Choir
15:39 Interesting Seq
17:13 Irobot Opening Sequence
18:44 My Ele Piano
19:28 Obsessive Groove
20:32 Calm Seq
22:04 Fresh Keys

Top 86 Greatest Intros and Tunes on Sequential Prophet 6

video upload by jami.m

"Not all these were originally played on Prophet synths. These video clips are just for amusement - Enjoy -"

00:00 The Final Countdown - Europe
00:27 Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes
00:52 Save a Prayer - Duran Duran
01:19 Blinding Lights - The Weeknd
02:02 Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche mode

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5 reasons the Yamaha CS-80 is a Performer’s Dream

video upload by Jose's Vintage Keys

"The Yamaha CS-80 is more than a legendary analog synth — it’s a full-body performance instrument. In this video, we explore five features that made the CS-80 truly ahead of its time: from its expressive polyphonic aftertouch and velocity-sensitive keyboard to its iconic ribbon controller and real-time modulation controls.

Discover how a team of organ engineers created one of the most playable synths in history — and why no modern instrument has fully caught up.

Featuring:
• A deep dive into the CS-80’s unique keyboard and ribbon
• The story behind Crazy Horses and the Yamaha YC-30
• The return of poly aftertouch (finally!) in 2019
• How the CS-80 shaped the sounds of Vangelis, Toto, Springsteen and beyond"

Uranograph loves Vangelis

video upload by Giorgio Sancristoforo

Improv on Yamaha #cs80 and Hardware (!) Lexicon 224X

video upload by Jose's Vintage Keys

"It's just great to play the real thing - amazing how this almost 50 year old digital machine can sound. And great to have the true #vangelis combination! #bladerunner"

Also featured:
Roland JX10
Oberheim OB-X
Ymaha CP-70 w/ MIDI
Sequential Prophet-5
Fender Rhodes
Roland VP330
Moog Minimoog

05.22.25 Blade Runner for fun - Take 1

video upload by batchas

"Like with the precedent video, this one is to me therapeutic. And of course it's far to be comparable to Vangelis' masterpiece. I like synth sounds and I like the exercice of spending one hour a day per session.
It took only three sessions to get there, which makes me think that in two or three more sessions there'd be enough room to make a really cool song. If and only if I decide to spend more time on this piece. This I don't know. Time will tell!
Audio sources: Mos-Lab 2500, muSonics Minimoog, Roland Juno 60, Oberheim Matrix 1000, Waldorf Q.
Effects: Audiothingies Doctor A, Hologram Microcosm (very tiny bit of this one on one 2500 voice).
One take. Direct out to stereo."

Korg/Univox Poly Ensemble S PE2000/K5 Polyphonic String Synthesizer

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"Fully polyphonic 48 key analog string synth. Classic 70's string/ensemble synth sounds. Amazingly thick, and warm sounding- sounds huge and dreamy. Used by Jean-Michel Jarre, Tangerine Dream, Vangelis, Hawkwind.

Works great. Voice selection buttons/switch contacts recently cleaned, and working well. Built in case has new latches installed.

Treble eq control is very scratchy, but works once set. Some of the other pots may be slightly scratchy, but all work. Light on power button does not light up- power switch is functional- unit powers on/off, but light doesn't work. Scratches/nicks on top (top is great for stacking other gear on).

I've had the pleasure of owning this beast for 20 years- it's gotten a good amount of use, but has been well taken care of, and rarely taken out of the house.

Stacks 3 oscillators per key/voice in octaves- you can also turn two of the oscillators on or off to use two or one oscillator per key/voice. Can also detune two of the oscillators separately to create a thicker, layered sound. Buttons/switches for selecting sounds can be simultaneously pressed to stack sounds. Built in phazer sounds excellent."

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Vangelis The Bounty Theme ~ Vintage Synthesizer Cover

video upload by RetroSound

"(c)2007-25 by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

❤️ Support #RetroSound​ channel: https://retrosound.creator-spring.com

My favorite theme made by Vangelis
The Bounty (Closing Titles) by Vangelis from the album The Bounty (1984)

Featured the E-MU Emax SE sampling synthesizer

This cover song series contains my own recreations of my favourite songs from the last 50 years. The original music from which I take inspiration belong to their respective owners. I recreate tracks only for personal passion and to pay homage to these tracks.

My intention is not to create covers that sound exactly like the original (if you want to hear identical sounds, please listen the original). It's more of an inspiration with my sounds from the old synthesizers from the past and of course the great appreciation for the original performers and producers."

Do you like Vangelis?

video upload by RetroSound

"(c)2007-25 by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

❤️ Support #RetroSound​ channel: https://retrosound.creator-spring.com

My track 'Sunbeams' summarizes some stylistic elements that inspire me in the music of Vangelis.
I use the Roland VP330 Vocoder Plus for String and Choir Sounds and the Roland Juno-60 for all Synthesizer Sounds.

Even as child I liked the music of Vangelis. I loved the Cosmos series by Carl Sagan where the music could always be heard. Also in many documentaries about our world and nature. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in the year 1989, I bought all of Vangelis' albums and listened to them all the time. The music had a strong influence on me and is also one of the reasons why I started to get into electronic music and synthesizers."

Moog Matriarch, Super Gemini & OB-6 - cinematic synth performance

video upload by Devin Belanger

"Semi-improvised synthesizer jam on the Moog Matriarch (bass sequence), UDO Super Gemini (poly aftertouch Vangelis brass & arp) & Sequential OB-6 (pads). I absolutely love these 3 synths for in the moment inspiration like this, and have been writing tons of songs with this combo. Here's a little insight into my process of jamming over a simple sequenced progression to find little nuggets of inspiration."

La Danse du Feu (Vangelis, 1978) cover with 2 Yamaha CS80's

video upload by kovalmoog

"Technical info

Sergio Koval
Yamaha CS80 (Brass line)
ARP Odyssey (sequence, controlled by PC via Roland MPU-101)

Jordi Pascual Guasch
Yamaha CS80 (Main lead, originally played by Vangelis on a Hohner Clavinet)
ARP ProSoloist (MKII version, named ARP ProDGX but still with the ProSoloist's circuitry)
Zoom R-16 (digital 16-channel multitrack recorder)

Reverb effect by Digitech DSP-256XL
Percussion sounds placed on post-pro by Jordi

Produced on July 20, 2015 at Sergio Koval studio, Barcelona."