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Breaking down the V-Synth XT features and gives some great tips!
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Roland’s new V-SynthXT, the compact version of the 61 key V-Synth, offers all the same mind blowing sound shaping capabilities, with some useful new features.
For those already familiar with the V-Synth’s capabilities, the new features in the XT include a full color touch screen, a front panel combo XLR/Quarter inch plug input jack with mic pre (useful for V-Synths awesome vocal processing) and most impressively, the VC-1 D-50 card and VC-2 Vocal designer cards pre-installed. A “live switching” function allows the V-cards to be launched without rebooting.
One of the aspects making the V-Synth unique in the synth kingdom is it’s “variable oscillator” architecture, making it possible to build patches from many different waveform types. Besides using standard PCM waves, like those found in a digital piano or workstation keyboard, the V-Synth also uses analog modeling waveforms, similar to those used in synths like the JP-8000 and the Access Virus, as well as Variphrase waveforms, also known as “elastic audio”. Furthermore, these oscillator types, all of which are editable in real time, can be combined to create new sounds, in ways that no other hardware or software based synth can.
The Variphrase engine alone is worth the price if this synth. It gives you complete control over pitch, time, formant and groove feel of waves and sampled grooves or phrases. All are tweakable in real time. Here’s how it works: Imagine having a vocal phrase sample, and being able to replay the melody from a midi keyboard, or create choral arrangements and harmonies and have all the syllables line up! You can control the tempo and groove feel of a sampled drum groove with knobs, without changing the pitch. The possibilities are infinite.
Another cool feature of the V-Synth is the “filter bank” patches. Dial one of these up, run some audio through the stereo inputs, and you have 32 different resonant filter types mapped across the keyboard. Grab the knobs and totally rock out!
There is also a programable polyphonic arpeggiator, capable of complex rhythmic drum patterns and keyboard compositions, and great for live use.
The V-Synth and V-SynthXT are not your typical multi-timbral samplers or rom players. They’re not really comparable to an EMU or any other synths I’ve ever seen. So don’t freak out on the 512 meg memory limitation, this synth is designed to create single, layered, fat sounds as opposed to 16 separate voices played together.
Other hot points to check out: The side band filter, the unusually high, punchy output, and the selectable routing function. Also, this synth is also really easy to get around on.
I could go on all day about how much this Synth impressed and inspired me, but you don’t have to take my word for it. Come on in to Bananas at Large and try one out. I’d love to personally give you the tour of Roland’s V-SynthXT.
Ian Ulibarri
Music Technologist
Bananas at Large
415 457 7600 X110
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