Akira Matsumoto is a Roland engineer specializing in vocal and ensemble synthesis technologies that produced some of the most recognizable "string machine" and choir sounds of the late 1970s and beyond.

Matsumoto worked on the VP-330 Vocoder Plus, a classic instrument combining string ensemble simulation with a vocoder for vocal-formant effects. Its lush, cinematic pads appear on countless recordings across progressive rock, electronic, and pop genres.

He later contributed to the VP-9000, Roland's advanced vocoder and vocal-processing workstation that extended the company's heritage of voice-oriented synthesis into the digital workstation era with greater control and polyphony.

Notable products: Roland VP-330, VP-9000.