Roland VP-03 Owner’s Manual

VP-03

[4]

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Owner’s ManualVocoder

English

In order to use this device correctly, please carefully read “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (the “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” leaet) before use. After reading, keep these instructions at hand for immediate reference.

Introduction

The VP-03 is a sound module that uses cutting-edge modeling technology to faithfully model the Roland VP-330 which went on sale in 1979. In addition to its compact size, it allows battery-powered operation and contains a small speaker. It lets you enjoy full-edged vocoder sound anywhere. In the same way as on the original VP-330, you can use a combination of the vocoder section, the human voice section which electronically synthesizes a voice, and the strings section. To these sections, we’ve newly added a step sequencer and a chord memory function.

* The VP-03 can operate on batteries or on USB bus power. If you are using batteries, insert four AA batteries,

making sure that the batteries are oriented correctly.

* If you handle batteries improperly, you risk explosion and uid leakage. Make sure that you carefully

observe all of the items related to batteries that are listed in “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (leaet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY”).

* When turning the unit over, be careful so as to protect the buttons and knobs from damage. Also, handle

the unit carefully; do not drop it.

* When the batteries run low, the LED above the Ribbon Controller C1 blinks. Install new batteries.

Using the VP-03 in conjunction with the K-25m keyboard unit (sold separately) or DK-01 Boutique Dock (sold separately)

For installation, refer to the K-25m/DK-01’s Owner’s Manual.

Playing the VP-03 via MIDI or USB

You can also play the VP-03 via MIDI or USB. For details, refer to “Connecting Your Equipment.”

Connecting Your Equipment

* To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume, and turn o all the units

before making any connections.

Micro USB (O) port

Use a commercially available USB 2.0 cable (A-microB) to connect this port to your computer. & “Connecting via USB”

[VOLUME] knob

Adjusts the volume.

PHONES jack

Connect headphones (sold separately) here.

OUTPUT jack

Connect this jack to your amp or monitor speakers.

MIDI connectors

You can play the VP-03 by connecting a MIDI device via a commercially available MIDI cable.

A B C D E

MIDI INMIDI OUT

VP-03MIDI keyboard

Turning the Power On

[POWER] switch

This turns the power on/o.

* After you’ve made connections correctly, be sure to turn on the power in the order of the VP-03 rst, and

then the connected system. Powering-on in the incorrect order may cause malfunctions or damage. When turning the power o, power-o the connected system rst, and then the VP-03.

* Before turning the unit on/o, always be sure to turn the volume down. Even with the volume turned down,

you might hear some sound when switching the unit on/o. However, this is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

Connecting a Microphone

1. Connect the included microphone to the MIC IN connector.

2. Set the [PLUG-IN POWER] switch to “ON.”

Setting Explanation

OFF Commercially available dynamic microphone

Included mic (plug-in power) If this is ON, 3 V power is supplied via the MIC IN jack.

3. Use the VOCODER [LEVEL] slider to adjust the volume of the microphone.

Adjust this so that when loud sound is input from the mic, the red indicator does not light, but the green indicator stays lit.

* Pin assignment of the MIC IN connector

“Pitch Shift” “Connecting a Microphone” “Vocoder”

Strings

This provides a smooth and sustaining strings ensemble.

2 34 5

Controller Explanation

STRINGS switch Turns on/o the strings.

BALANCE [STRINGS] slider Adjusts the volume of the strings.

[ATTACK] slider Adjusts the attack of the sound.

[RELEASE] slider Adjusts the decay that occurs after you release the key.

[TONE] slider Adjusts the brightness of the sound.

“Human Voice” “Strings”

“Tuning”

“Chord Memory” / “Step Sequencer” / “Settings”

Human Voice

This is the human voice section which electronically synthesizes a voice.

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Controller Explanation

[MALE 8’] switch Turns male (male voice) 8’ on/o.

Turns female (female voice) 4’ (male 4’ in the lower region) on/o.

[FEMALE 4’] switch

[ENSEMBLE] switch Adds a chorus eect to the human voice.

BALANCE [HUMAN

VOICE] slider

VIBRATO [RATE] switch Determines the speed of the vibrato.

VIBRATO [DELAY TIME]

slider

VIBRATO [DEPTH] slider Determines the width of the vibrato pitch change.

[ATTACK] slider Adjusts the attack of the sound.

[RELEASE] slider Adjusts the decay that occurs after you release the key.

* This sound produces a female voice in the region (upper) above the split

point (default value: C4), and a male voice in the region (lower) below the split point. You can change the split point in “System Settings.”

Adjusts the volume of the Human Voice.

Species the time from when the tone sounds until the vibrato reaches its maximum amplitude.

1 2

Pitch Shift

1 2

5 6

1 2

Ribbon controller (C1/C2), 3[C1 MODE] switch

When using the VP-03 by itself

C1 Preview (notes)

C2 Octave shift

When a keyboard is connected

The ribbon controller C1 operates as a conventional pitch bend.

5 The pitch is controlled

5 When you release

5 You can change the

Modulation / Formant

Pitch shift switch

Pitch shift varies the pitch during the attack of the note, either automatically or manually (using controller C1). In particular when using the vocoder or human voice, this is an eective way to express a human feeling of unsteadiness at the beginning of the note.

Controller Explanation

Pitch shift switch

[TIME] knob Species the time over which the pitch changes when using the AUTO setting.

[PITCH SET] knob Species the starting pitch (variable range) of the pitch shift.

PITCH BEND PITCH SHIFT

up or down, with the center as zero.

your nger, the pitch returns to the center.

bend range in the system settings.

Refer to “System Settings”-”Ribbon Controller C2 Mode”

AUTO

MANUAL

OFF

[C1 MODE] switch settings

The ribbon controller C1 operates in the same way as the PITCH SHIFT slider of the

PITCH=0

DOWN

Auto pitch shift occurs at the speed specied by the

The starting pitch of the pitch shift is specied by the 6[PITCH SET] knob.

Example setting:

This is an example of pitch shift settings that realistically reproduce the character of a human voice. This is appropriate for use with the vocoder or human voice.

* The markings on the panel are general

Use

Set the

to “PITCH SHIFT.” Use the [PITCH SET] knob to set the range of pitch change.

Example setting:

You can use ribbon controller C1 to shift the pitch downward.

You can use CC4 (Foot Controller) messages from an external MIDI device to control the pitch. When the CC4 value is 64 or higher, the

pitch is as specied by the

original VP-330.

* It operates only when the

shift switch is in “MANUAL” mode.

5 The top is zero; the controller controls

the pitch only downward.

5 The value is held even if you release

your nger.

5 Use the

guidelines. The appropriate settings depend on the combination of other settings such as attack, so try dierent settings to get the sound that you want.

ribbon controller C1 to control pitch shift.

[C1 MODE] switch

[PITCH SET] knob to specify the range in which the pitch will change.

[PITCH SET] knob.

PITCH=0

DOWN

pitch

PITCH=0

ribbon

[TIME] knob.

DOWN

Vocoder

While vocalizing into the mic, play the keyboard (or ribbon controller).

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Controller Explanation

VOCODER switch Turns on/o the vocoder.

[ENSEMBLE] switch Adds a chorus eect to the vocoder.

BALANCE [DIRECT MIC]

slider

[LEVEL] slider

Peak indicator

[TONE] slider Adjusts the tone of the vocoder.

VIBRATO [RATE] slider Determines the speed of the vibrato.

VIBRATO [DELAY TIME]

slider

VIBRATO [DEPTH] slider Determines the width of the vibrato pitch change.

[RELEASE] slider Adjusts the decay that occurs after you release the key.

7 8 9 10

Adjusts the volume of the direct microphone. Raise this slider if you want the voice from the mic to be layered on the vocoder sound. Adjusts the volume of the microphone. Adjust this so that when loud sound is input from the mic, the red indicator does not light, but the green indicator stays lit.

Species the time from when the tone sounds until the vibrato reaches its maximum amplitude.

1 2

Vocoder performance example

1. Set the sliders as shown in the following gure.

2. Connect the microphone and adjust the level (refer to “Connecting a Microphone”).

3. While vocalizing into the mic, play the keyboard (or ribbon controller).

4. Adjust the [TONE] slider to get the desired sound.

5. Use the VIBRATO slider to adjust the vibrato.

Vocoder hold

You can use CC66 (Sostenuto Pedal) messages from an external MIDI device to hold the vocal character (formant) that is being input from the mic. The formant is held when the CC66 is 64 or higher. While vocoder hold is active, you can perform even without inputting your voice from the mic.

Formant (ribbon controller C2)

Refer to “System Settings”-”Ribbon Controller C2 Mode”

What’s a Vocoder?

The “vocoder” was invented by the physicist H. Dudley in 1939 as a technology for compressing a voice communication signal. Subsequently, musical instruments based on this technology were developed, allowing you to play melodies and harmonies using a human voice.

If we ignore dierences of loudness, pitch, and variation between individuals, the waveform produced by our vocal cords is essentially identical regardless of what you’re saying (e.g., “ahh” or “eeh”). We can distinguish spoken or sung words because of the various resonances (formants) created by our vocal tract (the shape of our throat and the movement of the larynx and mouth) and additional sounds called “fricatives,” “plosives,” and “sibilants” that are added in varying ways over time. The eect of the waveform created by the vocal cords actually has a rather minimal eect on what the listener hears.

A vocoder analyzes these time-varying changes, electrically synthesizes the shape of the throat and movements of the mouth (the formant movements), and uses these formants to modulate a musical signal (the carrier) rather than the waveform produced by the vocal cords.

Performance tips

Vocoder is constructed so that elements other than pitch are expressed by your voice via the microphone. You play the keyboard to control the pitch.

Vocoder won’t produce sound if you are only vocalizing into the microphone or only playing the keyboard. This means that in order to take advantage of Vocoder, the timing at which you play the keyboard and

vocalize into the microphone is extremely important.

Resonances (formants) produced by the vocal tract (shape of the throat and larynx) and movements of the mouth

Vocal cords (carrier)

Tuning

Adjusts the VP-03’s overall pitch.

Chord Memory

Chord memory is a function that lets you sound a previously-registered chord simply by playing a single key. The VP-03 lets you register 16 chord memories.

Using the chord memory function

1. Press the [MEMORY] button to make it light.

The VP-03 is in chord memory mode.

2. Press one of the [1]–[16] buttons to make it light.

The selected chord memory is active.

For details, refer to “VP-03 Chord Memory List” (PDF).

http://www.roland.com/manuals/

3. Play a single note on the keyboard.

You hear the chord that’s registered in the selected chord memory. If you’re not using the keyboard, you can also use ribbon controller C1 to perform.

4. To turn o the chord memory function, press the lit number button ([1]–[16]) to make it go dark.

Registering a chord memory

In addition to using the chord memory function to produce chords with the factory-set notes, you can also overwrite these with your own chords.

1. Press the [MEMORY] button to make it light.

The VP-03 is in chord memory mode.

2. Hold down the chord memory button ([1]–[16]) in which you want to register your own chord, and press

the [PLAY/STOP] button.

The selected button ([1]–[16]) blinks.

3. Play a chord on the keyboard.

Specify the chord that is heard when you play middle C (C4). While the button is blinking, you can press other notes to add them to the chord. Up to six notes can be registered in the chord.

4. To complete the chord memory registration, press the button that’s blinking ([1]–[16]) to make it light

steadily.

Connecting via USB

Use a commercially available USB 2.0 cable (A-microB) to connect this port to your computer. It can be used to transfer USB MIDI and USB audio data. You must install the USB driver when connecting the VP-03 to your computer. Download the USB driver from the Roland website. For details, refer to Readme.htm which is included in the download.

http://www.roland.com/support/

* Do not use a micro USB cable that is designed only for charging a device. Charge-only cables cannot

transmit data.

Using USB audio as the carrier/modulator

Carrier

The carrier is the signal (tonality and pitch) that is the basis of the sound. The sound of an external synthesizer that’s input via the USB port “CARRIER” can be used as the carrier.

Modulator

The vocal characteristics (formants) are extracted from the mic input, and these formants are used to modulate the carrier signal. The sound that’s input via the USB port “VOCODER” can be used as the modulator.

USB (O)

MIC IN

(Mac: 1, 2)

OUT

(Mac: 5, 6)

CARRIER Carrier

(Mac: 3, 4)

(Mac: 1, 2)

ModulatorVOCODER

OUTPUT

Step Sequencer

The step sequencer lets you input a note and voice at each of up to 16 steps, and play back the notes as a loop. You can change the number of steps between 1 and 16. Up to 16 patterns can be stored.

1. Press the [MEMORY] button, to make it go dark.

The VP-03 is in step sequencer mode.

* You can also operate the [PLAY/STOP] button even when the VP-03 is not in step sequencer mode.

Function Controller Play start/stop

Tempo

Set the gate time of all steps [PLAY/STOP] + C2 On/o status of each step [1]–[16] Enter a note [1]–[16] + C1 (or keyboard) Enter a voice [1]–[16] + [PLAY/STOP] + Voice input from the microphone Enter a tie Step button + Next step button (e.g.: [1] + [2]) Enter a gate time [1]–[16] + C2 Select a pattern (1–16) [MEMORY] + [1]–[16] Write the pattern (1–16) [MEMORY] + [1]–[16] (long-press) Pattern settings

Number of steps (1–16) Shue

Scale

Sample playback mode

Sequencer settings *1

Step order type

O step mode

*1 Sequencer settings return to the default setting when the power is turned o.

[PLAY/STOP]

[PLAY/STOP] + C1

[PLAY/STOP] + [1] [PLAY/STOP] + [2]

[PLAY/STOP] + [3]

[PLAY/STOP] + [4]

[PLAY/STOP] + [15]

[PLAY/STOP] + [16]

[1]–[16]

[4]–[12] (default: [8])

[1] [2]

[3]

(default: [2]) [1] NOTE + VOICE (default)

[2] NOTE only [3] VOICE only

[1] Normal (default), [2] Even/Odd reverse, [3] Odd only,

[4] Even only, [5] Odd only 0 Even only, [6] Even only 0 Odd only, [7] Random

[1] Rest (default), [2] Skip

Inputting steps

1. Hold down the step button ([1]–[16] buttons) at which you want to enter a note.

2. While holding down the step button, play the keyboard. Alternatively, use the C1 ribbon controller to

specify the note.

5 You can also enter chords as well as single notes.

5 To enter audio, hold down a step button ([1]–[16]) and the [PLAY/STOP] button, and input audio via the mic.

When sound enters the mic, recording starts automatically (the indicator is lit green). When the sound ends, recording also stops automatically.

5 To delete the audio from a step, hold down the button ([1]–[16]) and press the [PLAY/STOP] button, and

then release the [PLAY/STOP] button without inputting audio from the mic.

5 To specify the gate time, hold down the step button and use ribbon controller C2.

5 To delete the note at a step, turn o a step button ([1]–[16]) that contains a note (making the button go

dark).

3. Press the [PLAY/STOP] button to play back.

4. To save the pattern, hold down the [MEMORY] button and long-press the save-destination step button

([1]–[16]).

Restoring the Factory Settings (Factory Reset)

Here’s how to return the VP-03 to its factory-set state.

1. While holding down the [2] button, turn on the power.

The [PLAY/STOP] button blinks. If you decide to cancel the factory reset, turn o the power.

2. Press the [PLAY/STOP] button to execute the factory reset.

3. When all buttons blink, turn the VP-03’s power o, then on again.

Data Backup/Restore

Backup

1. Connect your computer to the VP-03’s USB port via USB cable.

2. While holding down the [MEMORY] button, turn on the power.

3. Open the “VP-03” drive on your computer.

The backup les are located in the “BACKUP” folder of the “VP-03” drive.

4. Copy the backup les into your computer.

5. After copying is completed, eject the USB drive and then disconnect the USB cable.

Windows

Right-click on the “VP-03” icon in “Computer” and execute “Eject.”

Mac OS

Drag the “VP-03” icon to the Trash icon in the Dock.

6. Turn the VP-03 power o.

Restore

1. As described in the procedure for “Backup” Step 1–3, open the “VP-03” drive on your computer.

2. Copy the VP-03 backup les into the “BACKUP” folder of the “VP-03” drive.

* If “Not Enough Space” message appears, delete all les in the “BACKUP” folder of the “VP-03” drive rst, and

then copy the VP-03 backup les into the “BACKUP” folder.

3. After copying is completed, eject the USB drive and then press the [PLAY/STOP] button.

4. After the LEDs have completely stopped blinking, turn o the power.

Settings

Portamento

Press the [MEMORY] button to make it light.

2. While holding down the [MEMORY] button, specify the value by using the C1/C2 ribbon controller.

Parameter Value setting Explanation Portamento

Switch Portamento

Time

C1 (OFF/ON)

C2 (0–100)

Creates a smooth change in pitch between one key and the next key played.

Adjusts the time required for the pitch change.

System Settings

1. Press the [MEMORY] button to make it light.

2. While holding down the [MEMORY] button, press one of the numeric buttons shown in the following

table to select the parameter.

* Keep holding down the [MEMORY] button.

3. Press a numeric button to select the value, and release the [MEMORY] button to conrm the value.

Parameter Select

Master Tune

MIDI Channel

MIDI Clock Source

Transpose*1[MEMORY]

Key Velocity*1[MEMORY]

Velocity Curve

Auto O

LED Demo

Octave Shift

Ribbon Controller C2 Mode

Bend Range

Mic Gain

Split Point

*1 Only when using the K-25m keyboard unit (sold separately)

[MEMORY] + [1]

[MEMORY] + [2]

[MEMORY] + [3]

+ [4]

+ [5]

[MEMORY] + [6]

[MEMORY] + [7]

[MEMORY] + [8]

[MEMORY] + [9]

[MEMORY] + [10]

[MEMORY] + [11]

[MEMORY] + [12]

[MEMORY] + [13]

Value setting

[1]–[16] (433–448 Hz)

[1]–[16] Species the MIDI transmit/receive channel (1–16).

[1] (AUTO)

[2]

[2]–[13] (-6–+5) Adjusts the velocity value that will be transmitted when you play the keyboard.

* The velocity of the VP-03’s own sound generator is always xed. [1] (TOUCH) Actual keyboard velocity will be transmitted.

[2] (64)

[3] (127)

Sets the keyboard’s touch.

[1] (LIGHT) Sets the keyboard to a light touch.

[2] (MEDIUM) Sets the keyboard to the standard touch.

[3] (HEAVY) Sets the keyboard to a heavy touch.

[1] (OFF) The power does not turn o automatically.

[2] (30 min)

[1] (OFF)

[2] (1 min)

[3] (3 min)

[4] (10 min)

[5]–[11] (-3–+3)

[1] (MOD) Modulation (default)

[2] (FORMANT)

[1]–[12], [13] (2 oct), [16] (OFF)

[1]–[16] (1–16)

Press the MIDI keyboard

Explanation

Species the master tuning. For the 440 Hz (default) setting, [8] is lit.

If MIDI clock is being input to the MIDI IN connector or the USB port, the VP-03’s tempo will automatically synchronize to MIDI clock (default). The VP-03 operates at the tempo specied on the unit itself. Choose

(INTERNAL)

the “INTERNAL” setting if you don’t want to synchronize to an external device. Transposes the keyboard range in semitones. For the ±0 (default) setting, [8] is lit.

A xed velocity value (64 or 127) will be transmitted regardless of how you play.

The power turns o automatically after 30 minutes (default).

* Auto O does not occur while USB-connected.

Species the time until the LED DEMO is shown.

Shifts the keyboard range in steps of one octave. For the ±0 (default) setting, [8] is lit.

Adjusts the formant. Negative (“-”) settings produce a masculine character; positive (“+”) produce a feminine character.

If the [C1 MODE] switch is set to “PITCH BEND,” this sets the pitch bend range of ribbon controller C1 in semitone units. (default: [2]) Adjusts the input gain of the mic. If the level of the connected mic does not reach the maximum even when the VOCODER [LEVEL] slider is maximized, raise the mic gain value. If the level of the connected mic is too loud, lower the mic gain value. (default: [8]) Species the split point for the human voice. (default: C4) All of the number buttons [1]–[16] are blinked. When you press the MIDI keyboard, the split point is set (the specied note is included in the upper), and you exit the setting mode.

Main Specications Roland VP-03: Vocoder

Power Supply Rechargeable Ni-MH battery (AA, HR6) x 4, Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4, USB bus power Current Draw 500 mA (USB bus power) Dimensions 300 (W ) x 128 (D) x 46 (H) mm 11-13/16 (W) x 5-1/16 (D) x 1-13/16 (H) inches Weight 940 g (including batteries) 2 lbs 2 oz

Accessories

Options

(sold separately)

* This document explains the specications of the product at the time that the document was issued. For the

latest information, refer to the Roland website.

Dedicated microphone, Owner’s Manual, Leaet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY,” Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4

Keyboard unit: K-25m, Boutique Dock: DK-01