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"

Oberheim OB-X8 Explorations Vol 2 - Vid 4 of 4

video upload by Scott McAuley Sounds

"Patches will be available at https://www.orano.co.uk/shop or http://www.synthsounds.co.uk

The long awaited Explorations Volume 2, follows on from my last instalment of OB-X8 sounds, can you believe it has been 3 years since my last OB-X8 bank?! how time flies!

I am really proud of this bank, it really has been a labour of love with over 300 hours spent crafting this new bank, utilising many of the additional sonic features that OS2.0 brought to the table.

This bank will not disappoint, it is packed with inspirational sounds catering for any genre you prefer.

As always, thank you for checking these out,

and if you decide to grab them, Enjoy!

Scott.

© Scott McAuley. All rights reserved.
#custom #sounds #obx8 #oberheim"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Oberheim OB-X8 Explorations Vol 2 - Vid 3 of 4

video upload by Scott McAuley Sounds

"Patches will be available at https://www.orano.co.uk/shop or http://www.synthsounds.co.uk

The long awaited Explorations Volume 2, follows on from my last instalment of OB-X8 sounds, can you believe it has been 3 years since my last OB-X8 bank?! how time flies!

I am really proud of this bank, it really has been a labour of love with over 300 hours spent crafting this new bank, utilising many of the additional sonic features that OS2.0 brought to the table.

This bank will not disappoint, it is packed with inspirational sounds catering for any genre you prefer.

As always, thank you for checking these out,

and if you decide to grab them, Enjoy!

Scott.

© Scott McAuley. All rights reserved.
#custom #sounds #obx8 #oberheim"

CLICK FOR MORE »

AS Vocoder Improvisation – Full Session

video upload by Analogue Solutions

"Here’s the full video session showing an improvised vocoding performance with the Analogue Solutions AS Vocoder. This unit is built into a Colossus Classic, though it’s also available as a standalone module.

Deep, low-pitched speech runs directly into the vocoder, while Oscillator 1 provides the carrier signal.

The AS Vocoder features 12 sets of 4 band-pass filters, with flexible CV routing, muting, and re-patching options. A true sound design powerhouse."

Gladiolus Murielae

video upload by Ebotronix

"Waldorf Iridium with 4x CV ~ Gate in,
Doepfer R2m,A 174-2, A 185-2,
Mutable Instruments, Shades, Yarns,Peaks,
Ornament and Crimes,Arabian scale,
Roland Aira S1,
Hologram Electronics Microcosm Special Edition 2024,
Strymon Big Sky MX, controlled by,
ATO Faderbank 16 n , with Midi CC,
lab4 Enjoy,
22.08.2025
video # 2566"

Tom Oberheim: The Genius Behind the Greatest Sounding Synthesizers

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"Today, we’re at the home of Tom Oberheim — one of the original pioneers who shaped synthesizers and music history. Tom's legacy includes some of the most groundbreaking innovations: (a stand alone ring modulator, the first commercially available phase shifter pedal (my personal favorite), an early digital sequencer, the Oberheim DS-2, and the SEM the first commercially available polyphonic synthesizer made in 2, 4 and 8 voice models, followed by favorites such as the OB-X, OB-Xa, OB-8, Xpander, Matrix 12, DMX drum machine and more... of course, most importantly he gave us the unmistakable "Oberheim sound" on his entire collection of iconic synthesizers that have inspired compositions and performances on countless records by multiple generations of artists.

Joining me for this special interview is my friend Rob Rosen from Rosen Sound—talented musician and renowned expert in synth restoration and preservation, and someone who's worked closely for a while with Tom to keep Oberheim instruments and ALL vintage synthesizers alive for future generations of musicians.
We’ll also be joined by Marcus Ryle, who's done so much. Marcus began his career working closely with Tom, at Oberheim, was a session musician, designed dozens of affordable and accessible products for Alesis - including the ADAT multitrack recording, Quadraverb digital reverb, and HR-1 drum machine, and later co-founded Line 6 (creating innovative guitar effects and revolutionizing digital modeling technology). His insight into Tom’s innovations—and his own contributions in music history —makes this a rare, deeply meaningful conversation.
Let’s get into it."

https://oberheim.com/

https://anthonymarinellimusic.com

Trying the Novation Launch Control XL3 as a Hardware Hub in a Dawless Setup

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Discover the power of the Novation Launch Control XL3 — the ultimate Ableton Live controller and a flexible standalone MIDI controller for the Arturia AudioFuse 16 In this video, I’ll show you how to use the XL3 in a hybrid studio setup including the Dreadbox Nymphes and *Erica Synths LXR02*, giving you full hardware mixer control over up to 24 channels and a synth.

✅ Seamless integration with Ableton – plug it in via USB and Live recognises it instantly.
✅ Control up to 24 channels on the AudioFuse Rig 16 + X8 setup.
✅ Flexible setup options: USB or MIDI DIN for a fully computer-free rig.
✅ Real-world mixing example: faders, pans, sends, and mute/solo control at your fingertips.

Whether you’re a producer, live performer, or looking for hands-on hardware control in your hybrid studio, the Launch Control XL3 is a compact powerhouse."

⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps

0:00 – Intro: What is the Launch Control XL3?
2:23 – Quick Ableton setup demo
5:00 – Intro Demo Hardware Setup Explained
9:05 – Setting up MIDI Control
14:03 – Minor Niggles
15:21 – Hardware Connections
17:38 – Final thoughts

https://us.novationmusic.com/products/launch-control-xl

LD ZERO: Distorted Ambience

video upload by gotharman

"I have created the craziest instrument :)
Just a kick drum and a saw wave running through filters and effect."

www.gotharman.dk

ELGAM CRAZY BAND 48 : A unicorn Groove Box unearthed

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Chapters
..................
00:00 intro
00:35 specifications
01:37 drum machine demonstration
04:49 auto accompaniment demonstration
05:15 bass section
05:55 chords sections
06:49 auto melody
07:24 jamming
08:17 disco
08:58 one finger mode and sayonara

ELGAM CRAZY BAND 48 (1978)

After looking for years we finally found an ELGAM CRAZY BAND 48 about a year ago in a former communist country with great food - hunch hunch - and, without knowing if it worked or not, went straight to making the first and last V.A.I. unboxing video ever - we plugged it in and was rewarded a full blasted of hiss so loud the neighbors dog started barking : • UNBOXING THE ELGAM CRAZY BAND 48 [posted here]

The had arrived with a thick folder of docs - the manual and even the warranty and sales receipt - but better still : the original schematics.
Fixing it was surprisingly complicated but well, now it works and this is the first ever recorded video and probably audio of the ELGAM CRAZY BAND 48.

This is the machine Elgam created to follow up on the success of the ELGAM CAROUSEL.
It's what we like to call a "unicorn" - there are very few of these around.
It's a similar type of auto-accompaniment and analog drum machine as the ELGAM CAROUSEL but with an expanded drum section and more auto accompaniment sounds : instead of the arpeggiator of its predecessor the Carousel, we're blessed with a unique Auto-Melody generator.

The name Crazy Band 48 comes from the number of drum patterns - they're 48 rhythms in total since each of the 16 rhythm push buttons has 3 selectable variations.

The rhythm patterns span 2 bars instead of the more common single bar so we're well covered rhythmically here.

The Crazy Band 48 is comprised of 5 individual sections, each with a separate volume control.
Apart from the drum section, the stand-alone keyboard controller changes the tonality and harmony of the 4 auto accompaniment voices :
Bass, Chord 1, Chord 2 and Auto Melody.

The Auto Bass delivers 2 bass lines and a Auto Vari function that switches between the two.
It has 4 different Bass sounds compared to the Elgam Carousels' single sound.

Both chords divisions have two, unique sounds each, while the Auto Melody flexes three. The Auto Melody generates 16 half-tempo arpeggio type melodies that vary depending on the rhythm pattern engaged."

Want Clean audio with your Zoom L6 mixer?

Digitakt, Volca Drum and CB Onward: Silent Alchemist Power video upload by myVolts

"Want to hear the silence?
.
At myVolts, we're not just trying to power your gear, we want to give you the best possible audio output too.
.
You may not realise it, but isolation of your power sources keeps your output clean and as you intended.
Everything (including the L6 is powered via USB from the Silent Alchemist).
.
This is a clean feed recorded onto an SD card on the Zoom L6 Mixer.

Note especially between 27 seconds, when the Zoom recording is turned on (pressing the button that turns Red) and 32 Seconds when 'Play' is pressed on the Digitakt. Nice bit of silence right there, no rattle, no hum.

We're all about simplifying your process, with solutions that just work.
.
Setup info 1:
4 X USB Power ports used
1- Digitakt with 12V Step Up.
2-Korg Volca Drum 9V+ Step Up
3-Standard USB-C cable takes 5V and Powers the Zoom L6.
4. Chase Bliss Onward pedal with 9V Negative Step Up.

Audio setup:
Digitakt connected to Zoom L6
Volca Drum output sent through CB onward into Zoom L6.

Note: we would normally give a mixer/recorded it's own independent power source, this is probably the origin of the noise in the mix. However, with the Silent Alchemist, it's not a concern, isolation means no noise, even when sharing a power source.

If you would like to examine these setups,check out PowerMyGear, our free web tool for planning your power setup.
www.myvolts.com/powermygear

The Silent Alchemist is on pre-sale now through our website

www.myvolts.com/thesilentalchemist"