Roland Announces Keyboard with VariPhrase

VA-76 Prototype

Roland announced its most powerful arranger keyboard in history: the flagship VA-76 V -Arranger Keyboard. The VA-76 is a 76-note intelligent arranger which carries on the tradition of the acclaimed G-Series Arranger Workstations while utilizing Roland's latest high-quality sounds and music styles, plus exclusive VariPhrase technology for adding realistic vocal performances to any arrangement.

The major features of the VA-76 are:

• 76-note synth-weighted professional arranger keyboard with 128-voice polyphony and proprietary VariPhrase elastic audio technology
• Offers 3,649 high-quality sounds and 116 dynamic drum sets with stereo waveforms and ambient effects
• 48 preset vocal phrases and 16 user-recordable phrases which can be completely manipulated with VariPhrase and incorporated into arrangements
• 128 authentic music styles with access to 64 additional styles via onboard Zip100 drive
• Style Morphing function allows for seamlessly combining existing styles into new ones
• User-friendly operation via graphic touch-sensitive LCD; also displays song lyrics using compatible Standard MIDI Files
• 89 Multi-FX algorithms in addition to dedicated reverb, chorus, EQ processing
• D-Beam light-sensing controller and ribbon controller for exciting performance options

Absolute Sonic Power

The VA-76 is Roland's most powerful and flexible arranger keyboard in history. In addition to its professional synth-weighted 76-note velocity-and aftertouch-sensitive kevboard, this flagship instrument offers a 128-voice sound engine with 3,619 GM2/GS-compatible sounds, plus 116 drum kits using stereo-sampled waveforms and ambient effects for an entirely new level or realism. In addition, the VA-76 provides six dedicated buttons for selecting kevboard modes, plus separate Reverie, Chorus, EQ and 89 multi-effects for processing sounds even further.

A Keyboard that "Sings"

It may sound impossible, but the NA-76 is actually the world's first 76-note arranging keyboard that "sings." Using a proprietary VariPhrase sound engine, the VA-76 lets you add realistic vocal performances to your arrangements with independent, realtime control over the vocals' pitch, time and formant. Assignable to the Upper and Lower parts, the VariPhrase section allows players to re-pitch, re-phrase or re-harmonize any of 48 onboard vocal samples as they play. You can even record a VariPhrase performance directly to an existing SMF (Standard MIDI File), imbedding vocal phrases into your music. And with 6MB of onboard sample RAM, the VA-76 can also store up to 16 user-sampled vocal phrases; additional VariPhrase samples can be loaded via the internal Zip100 drive using the included ZIP disk or the optional VP-Z-Series VariPhrase Sound Library disks.

Powerful Arranging and Composing

As an arranger keyboard, the VA-76 excels: There are 128 preset styles covering a wide variety of musical genres-all with uncanny realism. Up to 6-1 additional styles can be loaded using the internal Zip100 drive or via floppy drive. And of these styles can be further customized using the Stvle Orchestrator and Stvle Morphing function, which lets you seamlessly blend one style into another.

For quick composition, the VA-76 offers a simple 2-track Song Recorder; a professional 16-track sequencer can be used for building more complete arrangements. And editing common song parameters is simple, thanks to a convenient Song Header

Post Edit function. Users can quickly create custom styles using the 8-part SMF-to-Style converter, while the VA-76's ability to import ".txt" files lets you type up song lyrics on a PC and play them back in time with the music on the VA-76's backlit LCD.

Designed for Simplicity

Built for intuitive operation, the VA-76 uses a large icon-based touchscreen for easy navigation, and can even display song lyrics of compatible SMF disks. An Auto Load function for Phrase Sets, User Programs, MIDI Sets and Songs makes operation swift. Two programmable pads and five Super Tones buttons make recalling frequently used sounds easy. And thankfully, setting up the VA-76 is a joy using the Virtual Band function, which utilizes a multi-lingual wizard to assist in optimal instrument setup.

Express Yourself

Ideal for creating breathtaking lire performances, the VA-76 offers aftertouch and velocity-switching functions for maximum tonal variation, plus a ribbon controller and an infrared light-sensing D-Beam to provide additional excitement. The D-Beam can be used to trigger sounds, modulate effects in realtime, start and stop arrangements and even play instruments "out of thin air"--all with hand and body movements--a real crowd pleaser!

Professional Connections

Connections to the VA-76 include a stereo 1/4-inch audio input, four individual 1/4-inch audio outputs, Metronome output, MIDI In/Out/Thru, plus Sustain and Expression Pedal inputs, a Footswitch input and a dedicated input for the optional FC-7 Foot Controller (with programming capabilities). Add it all up, and you've got the most powerful, professional and head-turning arranger keyboard on the market today.