Vocoder vc340

[Hugh Robjohns]

I just picked one of these up second-hand at a bargain price. No box or manual, and very dusty/dirty, but it's cleaned up a dream and looks like new now.

I really wanted the Roly original back at the end of the 70s but couldn't afford it... (I could barely afford the SH-09 that was my first synth) and definitely can't justify a real one at today's prices.

The B remake appealed when it came out but I couldn't persuade my ethics module! However, a second-hand one is okay because I didn't play a direct role in its creation, I'm just saving it from landfill....

Anyway, I've gotta say it sounds really great as a string machine and synth choir, and B did a good job in recreating it. The 37 note keyboard is ludicrously daft, but there are workarounds, obviously.

Not tried the vocoding yet as I don't have a suitable mic to hand right now...

Now, where are my purple sequined flares and psychedelic shirt?

[Wonks]

Now, where are my purple sequined flares and psychedelic shirt?

You wore them yesterday and the day before, so they are probably in the washing basket.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Ah yes, so I did. Thanks Wonks....

[tea for two]

Hugh just post a noodle on Self Promo already and with your Eminent DCS300.
A little bit of Bach mebe.
After all the hours years you've replied for queries on ere foruume, several would be glad to hear would be kind to you.
Needn't be recorded to the World class level of Classical commercially released recordings you've done, just a scratch recording would be fine.

[Arpangel]

I’ve thought about getting one these many times, but haven’t.
I now need some vocoded vocals for my next project, so it may be a good excuse to get one.
I’ll have to budget for the purple loons and bell sleeve T-Shirt though.

[MarkOne]

I’ve thought about getting one these many times, but haven’t.
I now need some vocoded vocals for my next project, so it may be a good excuse to get one.
I’ll have to budget for the purple loons and bell sleeve T-Shirt though.

And a cape.

[Arpangel]

I’ve thought about getting one these many times, but haven’t.
I now need some vocoded vocals for my next project, so it may be a good excuse to get one.
I’ll have to budget for the purple loons and bell sleeve T-Shirt though.

And a cape.

The most important thing, without which the spell cannot be cast.

[The Elf]

Glad you've found one. It's a superb instrument. I still wish they'd done the decent thing and given it a 4-octave keyboard, but other than that it's pretty much spot on.

I've never used the mic vocoder in anger; I just love the strings and choir.

[DGL.]

Who else would like to know what the "bargain price" Hugh paid is, because the VC340 at it's current price is a huge bargain for what you get.

I've had mine a couple of years now and it's an excellent piece of kit, I brought it as I like vocoders and the VP330 was a vocoder that just seemed to sound right. I've listened to a few old Royksopp live performances where they used a VP330 (replaced later with a MS2000) and that's the sound I wanted and with the lack of controls it meant that sound was easy to achieve.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr0fKOhfR1c
The Firechild video helped seal the deal as it showed that it did indeed sound like the original.
Also in some ways it's a technical marvel being the only divide-down string machine with factory MIDI.

My only criticism is that it makes a crap MIDI controller as the velocity values it sends over MIDI seem to be all over the place, though it seems fine just using the keybed with itself.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Who else would like to know what the "bargain price" Hugh paid is, because the VC340 at it's current price is a huge bargain for what you get.

Almost half the bargain shop price... so that must be a gargantuan bargain. And it really is like new after cleaning off the thick dust and grubby keyboard.

Tried the vocoder today, using a Shure headset mic, and I'm really impressed. It just works so well.

[DGL.]

Who else would like to know what the "bargain price" Hugh paid is, because the VC340 at it's current price is a huge bargain for what you get.

Almost half the bargain shop price... so that must be a gargantuan bargain. And it really is like new after cleaning off the thick dust and grubby keyboard.

Tried the vocoder today, using a Shure headset mic, and I'm really impressed. It just works so well.

They're currently £449 on Thomann and I believe they have been similar in price to Roland's VP-03, which is no match.
You think you get a metal case, full size controls, 37 keys, a boat load of analogue circuitry and a built in PSU for the price of a plastic box with a few chips inside and some dinky sliders.

It sounds like a vocoder should do, and has good intelligibility which is what most people want.

[The Elf]

The horrible non-locked octave phasing on the Roland VP-03 killed it stone dead for me. It suggests a lack of understanding of the how the original worked, a hole in Roland's testing, and I am not aware that Roland even acknowledged the problem.