Creative Endurance: Birth of transgression
In the realm of music production, the Behringer VC340 stands out as a versatile tool, offering a unique blend of vintage and modern capabilities. This analog re-creation of the Roland VP-03 vocoder is now owned by a renowned artist, who has found creative ways to incorporate it into their work.
The VC 340, while a faithful recreation of the VP-03, lacks some parameters found in more contemporary synths. However, it offers adjustable attack, tone, and volume for strings and human choir, making it an ideal choice for vocal processing and transformation. Electronic, pop, hip-hop, and experimental genres can benefit from the classic vocoded voice effects or more surreal textures that the VC 340 can produce.
Instrument vocoding is another area where the VC 340 shines. Synths, guitars, drums, or other instruments can be run through the VC340 to generate harmonized and modulated sounds, adding a unique layer of texture and movement to tracks. By pairing it with analogue and digital synths, the VC 340 can create warm, vintage-style vocoder patches that act as leads, pads, or effects.
Sampling and resampling are also viable options with the VC340. Processed sounds can be recorded through the VC340 and then manipulated further in a DAW or sampler to create intricate, hybrid textures combining analogue vocoding and digital editing.
For film and game scoring, the VC340’s distinctive vocal and robotic sounds can be utilised for character voices, alien sounds, or futuristic sound effects. In live performances, the VC340’s hands-on control allows for real-time modulation and vocoder effects to be applied to instruments or voice, enhancing dynamic stage performances.
The VC 340 has made its mark in the artist's music production, most notably in the 'Deeper' collab track where it provided moody string/pad swells in the intro. Despite its absence in the artist's latest release, "100k w/ Shakes," the VC 340 remains a favourite piece of studio gear, harking back to the late 70's with its re-creation of a classic string ensemble and vocoder.
Interestingly, the artist has studied Vangelis multiple times at different points in time, and the Roland VP-03 played a significant role in the creation of the Blade Runner score. The VP-03 provided choir type pads and emotive string swells, complementing the CS80 that gets most of the credit for the score.
The Behringer VC340, with its rich history and versatile capabilities, continues to be a valuable addition to modern music production, offering a glimpse into the past while pushing the boundaries of creativity.
The Behringer VC340, with its ability to generate harmonized and modulated sounds from various instruments, makes it a perfect gadget for incorporating vintage technology into modern music production and entertainment. Its adjustable attack, tone, and volume for strings and human choir also make it a versatile tool for vocal processing and transformation, especially in electronic, pop, hip-hop, and experimental genres.
In addition to its use in music production, the VC340's unique and distinctive vocal and robotic sounds can be utilized for creating character voices, alien sounds, or futuristic sound effects in film and game scoring, further expanding its application in the realm of entertainment technology.
