5
T h e a n c e s t r y o f t h e V P
1939
marks the invention of the “vocoder,” a method of compressing a vocal signal. Subsequently
used during World War II as a way to scramble communications, the vocoder began to achieve
popularity as an electronic musical instrument in the 1970’s. Most vocoders of that time didn’t provide
a keyboard or carrier signal (analogous to the vocal cords of a human), so you had to separately
provide a synthesizer in order to produce sound.
1979
was the year in which Roland released the VP-330, a new idea that combined a vocoder with
a strings-type keyboard, making it simple to produce sound without needing to use other equipment.
The VP-330 enabled you to create distinctive vocal sounds without specialized knowledge of vocoder
parameters, and still continues to be loved by musicians around the world.
2006
marks the birth of the VP-550, going beyond the vocoder to utilize Roland’s “Vocal Designer”
human vocal modeling technology, and featuring a simple interface designed for musicians.
“Ultimate vocals for all musicians” – that’s the mission of the VP-550.
