The Roland VP-9000 VariPhrase Processor is a groundbreaking rackmount audio processor that redefines sample manipulation, offering real-time control over pitch, time, and formant. Unlike traditional samplers that simply play back static samples, the Roland VP-9000 transforms audio into an elastic, expressive medium, making it an essential tool for music production, remixing, and live performance. Whether syncing multiple loops, creating harmonies from a single vocal, or dynamically altering a phrase’s pitch and timing, the Roland VP-9000 provides an unparalleled level of control.
At the heart of the Roland VP-9000 is Roland’s VariPhrase® technology, which processes pitch, time, and formant independently, allowing seamless real-time manipulation without degrading sound quality. This enables users to match loops to the same key and tempo instantly, bend notes and shift formants in real time without affecting phrase length, create harmonies from a single vocal take using MIDI, modify tempo without altering pitch, and sync audio phrases to external MIDI clock for precise alignment. This kind of flexibility was previously impossible with traditional sampling methods.
The Roland VP-9000 features six-voice polyphony and multi-part phrase mapping, making it possible to trigger and manipulate multiple samples at once. It supports sampling frequencies of 48 kHz, 44.1 kHz, and 32 kHz, and is compatible with Roland S-700, Akai S1000/S3000, AIFF, and WAV file formats. The onboard memory starts at 8MB but can be expanded up to 136MB, offering up to 14 minutes of mono or 7 minutes of stereo sampling time. The wave training process optimises samples based on their characteristics, with Solo Mode designed for monophonic sources such as vocals or brass, Backing Mode for rhythmic loops, and Ensemble Mode for pads and layered instruments.
Playback options include Retrigger Mode, where the sample restarts from the beginning upon key press, Time Sync Mode, which allows multiple voices to follow the first voice to keep harmonies and layers in time, and Legato Mode, which enables continuous playback without retriggering for more natural phrasing. Unlike traditional samplers, the Roland VP-9000 functions like a real musical instrument, offering deep MIDI integration. It allows performers to play back pitched vocal or instrument phrases using a MIDI keyboard, dynamically adjust pitch and time with a mod wheel or pitch bender, and control multiple samples with three real-time parameter knobs that also transmit MIDI CC data for sequencer automation.
The Roland VP-9000’s advanced effects processing adds another layer of creativity. With 40 multi-effects, including COSM amp simulators, analog flanger, and tape echo, as well as dedicated reverb and chorus processing, it provides studio-quality sound shaping. The built-in Groove Quantize function enables rhythmic variation, while the Robot Mode equalises pitch across a phrase, allowing users to create entirely new melodies from a single sample.
Designed for both studio and live applications, the Roland VP-9000 offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options. It features balanced and unbalanced analog outputs, including main and direct outs, digital I/O via S/PDIF optical and coaxial connections, multiple input options for both front and rear panels, and full SCSI connectivity with both DB-25 and 50-pin ports for external storage. The built-in 250MB Zip drive provides instant storage and recall of sampled phrases, ensuring efficient workflow. The 240 x 64 backlit LCD display and intuitive interface make sample editing and playback seamless, with features like event mapping for automatic loop slicing and phrase mapping for assigning multiple samples across a key range.
For producers, remixers, and DJs, the Roland VP-9000 is a game-changing tool. It can automatically sync multiple loops to a common key and tempo, create new arrangements by swapping phrase samples in seconds, rework and remix vocals with precise pitch and timing adjustments, sync audio phrases with external MIDI devices, and transform static samples into expressive, playable elements for live performance. With its ability to reshape audio on the fly, sync multiple phrases effortlessly, and provide deep MIDI control, the Roland VP-9000 VariPhrase Processor stands as one of the most innovative tools ever created for digital music production.
Features
- Revolutionary new rackmount audio processor employing proprietary VariPhrase technology
- Elastic audio processing allows realtime sync of samples with different keys and tempo, while formant processing eliminates tedious multi-sampling
- Three knobs for realtime control over parameters such as pitch, time, formant, and groove
- Knobs control up to six samples simultaneously and transmit MIDI control change messages for sequencer-based editing
- Compatible with Roland VP-9000/Roland S-700/Akai® S1000 & S3000/AIFF/WAV format files at sampling rates from 8kHz-48kHz in eight or 16 bits
