All user reviews of 5/5 for the Roland VariOS

Synth and sample reader "VariPhrase" Specific enough;

3 mode has the basic simulation TB303 or Jupiter 8 but more interesting is how VariPhrase (reader of samples that can work via USB from a computer) in this mode, it has 14 voice polyphony multitimbral 6 all with the famous and has 3 engines VariPhrase effects! : A multi-purpose super full (with, among other compressor pretty impressive and simulations of very nice tape delay) + a generator type Roland reverbs and chorus section.

a stereo analog inputs (for the vocoder option I think)
two 24bit stereo outputs and a SPDIF (hand out).

stokage PC card (hyper personal practice, I put a CompactFlash adapter 10 euros) but it has 32MB of internal flash.

The sounds must be transferred via USB gives thanks to the soft (very full)

UTILIZATION

Installation of soft classical set days of the machine etc. ... Not the easiest I've encountered is a good but.

The machine is programmed via the software but many are available paramettres without connecting the computer.

SOUNDS

Timstretch treatment in real time and Armon is simply Bluf!
The sound is full, vibrant, warm and oddly enough living, the bass is superb. There are a can of good old cots Roland samplers with a warm but with the precision in the acute and more!

There is a mode that allows you to automatically split a rhythm (or other) and a fragment taler automatically by keystroke.

Another mode allows the pitcher to transpose the formants without voice or vice versa.

(In terms of simulation of TB, for me it's not a. .. The JP8 is usable but I prfre MKS50 a simple, its function is really VariPhrase Premire)

OVERALL OPINION

Exelente a powerful machine trs his formidable and strangely trs alive sound quite impressive for its size and price.

He RE a vocoder option and an option that I never D50 test.

I would do without this choice problem.

PS: DSOL but in the absence of other comments, I did what I could and I corrected gradually as I go. (Thank you so do not blame me for possibly rreurs)

What I think is really missing is what allways seems to be missing with Roland. Continuous support and development of thier products. Roland launched the VariOs claiming it was open system but I am rather disapointed that no new emulations have been made. This thing has potential but I am afraid it will gradualy disapear from the market without ever fulfilling everything procalimed that would come from Roland. I hope I am wrong because I really love this thing.

899 Euros

UTILIZATION

The software and the limited buttons on the machine make this thing extremely easy to use. After about 4 hours you can allready be using some potential of this baby.

So far so good but it didnt work for about 1 month. I eventually opted for updating the OS to the latest version and was also forced to then update the 303 and JP8 software and somewhere along the way something went wrong. The solution was to factory rest and start from the beginning. That solved it. I guess thats not Rolands fault is was a user error.

SOUNDS

Sound quality is fantastic especialy the emulation of the TB-303 with additional functionality of sliders for programing and a bunch of effects. This thing sounds even better with more variety than the original thanks to the add on features Roland implemented. There is also an emulation of the JP-8 which also sounds pretty good but it doesnt give me the kick the 303 does. Another fantastic included option is the implementation of Roland Variphrase technology. The essence of this is to give ease to sampling. This thing really shines with sampling and layering drum samples. You can easily change and edit everything.

OVERALL OPINION

I would allways get this baby again but I am afraid (as mentioned before) that ROLAND will not continue the developement on this machine. I also need to spend more time on this machine and implement it into my productions. The 303 really makes this baby worth every cent

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Jackin_J ( 8-, 2005)