ROLAND VP-550
Owner's Manual

Simulating a gospel chorus

For gospel-style songs, choose the �GOSPEL� Vocal Designer sound and the �HUMMING� Ensemble sound. �GOSPEL� is a choral sound containing the distinctive upward swoops that occur at the beginning of notes, and is a particularly good complement to the softer attacks of �HUMMING.�

1.

Choose �GOSPEL� and �HUMMING�

How about a cappella? If you also choose a bass sound in the �Bass & Percussion� part, you�ll be able to simulate an a cappella group all by yourself! Play the bass line with your left hand while you use your right hand to play the melody and chords.

2.

Use the expression pedal to reduce the volume of the �HUMMING� sound.
�HUMMING� will vary its character through the range of �mmh� � �Ooh� � �Aah� as you operate the expression pedal, but the �mmh� sound that you get when the pedal is in the fully returned (upward) position is particularly good with �GOSPEL.� You�ll want to leave the pedal in the upward position most of the time, and advance the pedal to accentuate musically intense passages.

3.

Apply an appropriate amount of �HALL 1� ambience.
If you want only light reverberation, �STUDIO� is also a good choice.

4.

Perform.
Use your voice via the mic to control the volume. For a funky rhythmic backing chorus, hold down the chords on the keyboard and use your voice in the mic to produce the rhythm. You�ll also want to use the pitch bend lever aggressively.

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