Vocal Harmonizers have to be licensed from IVL technologies or TC-Helicon (to take advantage of their patented formant-correct pitch shifting). I bet Yamaha cut a good deal, as it was the first to incorporate vocal harmony into a keyboard. Roland might not be able to get the same deal. I think Roland is hoping that Variphrase will make up for the lack of vocal harmony--but of course, Variphrase is not a real-time effects processor.

BTW--The Roland E-600 had vocal harmony. But it is missing from their current line of arrangers. If the VA-76 had it, I might get one. I think it would make a lot of sense to have vocal harmony and Variphrase in the same keyboard.

ROLAND: if you are listening, I have two requests. 1) Add vocal harmony to your arrangers; and 2) put your manuals online.


[This message has been edited by Clif Anderson (edited 02-14-2002).]