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In a surprising turn of events, the artist's latest release "100k w/ Shakes" marks a significant departure from their usual creative process. For the first time, the artist hasn't used the Behringer VC340, an analogue re-creation of the classic Roland VP-03, in the production of their music.
The Behringer VC340, a versatile vocoder and synthesiser, has been a staple in the artist's studio arsenal for quite some time. The VP-03, originally released in the late 70's, is renowned for its string ensemble and vocoder capabilities, famously contributing to the emotive choir type pads and string swells in the Blade Runner score.
Despite this departure, the focus of the latest release remains on the unique soundscapes that the Behringer VC340 can create. The artist has leveraged the VC340 in the past, using it to create vibes in the intro of 'Deeper' with string/pad swells and adding vibrato with a chopper plugin in Cubase.
The VC340 offers a distinctive sound, different from digital vocoders, due to its fully analog design. This warmth and character make it a valuable tool for both vintage-style and modern experimental productions.
Creative approaches with the VC340 include classic vocoding on vocals or instruments, synth layering and sound design, rhythmic and chopped vocoder effects, live performance manipulation, and sound experimentation by combining external audio sources.
The artist, who has been making music for a long time, has had various studio setups, including analogue, hybrid, and in-the-box. However, their preferred setup is in-the-box for its speed and ease of use.
The VC340 also comes with a built-in ensemble effect that can be applied to either strings or human choir, and it allows for adjustment of attack, tone (brightness), volume for strings and human choir sounds.
While the artist currently owns the Behringer VC340, they have not owned the original Roland VP-03 unit. They have, however, studied Vangelis multiple times at different points in time, who is credited for most of the Blade Runner score, but the VP-03 also played a significant role.
The Behringer VC340 lacks many parameters found in synths, but its simplicity and unique sound make it a powerful tool in the hands of a skilled producer. The artist's decision to use other tools in their latest release doesn't diminish the value of the Behringer VC340 in their music production journey. Instead, it showcases the artist's versatility and continuous exploration of new sounds.
[References] [1] Behringer VC340 Product Page: https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=VC340 [2] Studio-focused content emphasizing the Behringer VC340: https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/behringer-vc340
The artist's decision to explore new technologies in their latest release does not negate the value of the Behringer VC340 in their music production journey, as its distinctive, fully analog sound is a valuable tool for both vintage-style and modern experimental productions. Despite not owning the original Roland VP-03 unit, the artist has been influenced by Vangelis, who used the VP-03 in creating the iconic Blade Runner score. [References: 1, 2]
