Roland VK-8 user reviews ( 9/10) - 5 user reviews

• 03/09/09

  Audiofanzine FR's review

  Characteristics

  (Originally written by Adrimed/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
  
  VK8 organ with 61 watterfall keys. Full polyphony.
  
  
  
  Vintage-style look, nice finish, walnut cabinet.
  
  
  
  Nine harmony drawbars, full percussion control. Chorus/vibrato effect, four amp simulations with overdrive/tone controls.
  
  
  
  Leakage parameter.
  
  
  
  Four reverb simulations, 64-presets memory.
  
  
  
  Digital leslie with brake, slow and fast parameters.
  
  
  
  Comprehensive connections: 11-pin connector for a Leslie cabinet, phones output, stereo line outputs, expression pedal input, controller input (footswitch or expression pedal to control several parameters).
  
  
  
  Midi connector for an additional keyboard, footboard or another Midi controller.
  
  
  
  I forgot the D-beam, which I never use.

  Utilization

  It's a breeze, once you understand how to edit parameters!
  
  
  
  Every function can be edited:
  
  
  
  Leslie: woofer/tweeter acceleration/release speed...
  
  
  
  Percussion: volume and artifacts...
  
  
  
  Internal EQ, pitchbend, parameter control via expression pedal, etc.
  
  
  
  The only con I've found is that when you save a sound only some parameters are saved (drawbars position, overdrive rate, amplifier model, reverb rate, etc.). But leslie and percussion settings as well as other internal paramters can't be saved separately.

  Sounds

  Tons of sounds! You can do lots of things and always get good sounds. The four amp simulations sound good, the overdrive effect is nice, etc. With adequate settings you can get an authentic vintage sound...

  Overall Opinion

  I use it live on stage and for studio applications. It's easy to transport, easy to use and effective.
  
  
  
  But digital technology has sometimes limitations. For example, when I connect it to an amp the sound quality deceases, some frequencies don't cut through! The different is very clear if I compare it with my fully analog Galanti Clipper, which provides much more sound detail! It's simply not comparable! I noticed the same thing when recording, so I strongly recommend you to use a tube preamp to add warmth to the sound. I use my Universal Audio 6176 so the outcome is much better, even though I find the output level is a bit too low (except with all drawbars at 100%). But some high frequencies generate crackles (the four last drawbars)! Digital gear is like that. I miss an FX loop because organs sound very good with effects like phaser, flange or auto-wah (and I can't use the line mono output with an effects pedal for this purpose because its high output level produces distortion). Excellent keyboard (only a few small cons) but it's no Hammond.
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• 08/13/10

  kidam2448's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Clone tone wheel organ.

  Utilization

  A feast to have good pull on the fingers.
  
  A real exit Leslie!
  
  on the other hand is domage not find the LCD VK7. For editing is a bit of misery? especially in the dark. It's "key combinations "............
  
  The keyboard is excellent!
  
  Can connect a 2nd keyboard.

  Sounds

  Not bad at all! Nicer (to my ears) that the Hammond-Suzuki of the time.
  
  With a real leslie TERRIBLE !!!!!!!!!!! The brother of Chobby Popa, his keyboard, has demonstrated every time I saw him play on stage (on VK7).
  
  It is his strong point, yet it is not sampling, but a very good "engine" virtual.
  
  It sounds, whether in Funk, Jazz Rock in an old pump or on old-school reggae.
  
  on the other hand, like all its competitors, the Leslie is poor ... Better buy a real!

  Overall Opinion

  I use it since its release, I knew well and liked the VK7. I tried the Hammond-Suzuki range of the time. I happened to play on old B3 not too bad (one almost new !)...
  
  I also played on VK88 + L122, and there ...... almost the same feel as an original.
  
  I love the organ while the galley edition of parameters is usually there but not too good editing.
  
  Injury, the keyboard does not transmit MIDI velocity information !!!!!!!! Yet the internal sounds (Piano ... E) are susceptible.
  
  It will not serve a master keyboard ds HS. It's a shame!
  
  
  
  In any case it is a success, a little expensive in nine.
  
  A couple with a Leslie !!!!!!!!
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• 11/17/09

  nile29's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  All good things have been said about this organ and it is justified.
  
  I'll just mention two inaceptables defaults on an instrument of this price range.
  
  
  
  Velocity-no midi therefore unusable with an expander.
  
  
  
  Not possible with split upper and pedal. We must switch to another MIDI keyboard to the sound of bass.
  
  
  
  So much for the weaknesses of the beast.

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion
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• 06/05/08

  captainpalmer's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  For me the highlight of scne par excellence, in this budget and as qu'orgue Modl Obviously.
  
  Excellent touch.

  Utilization

  Good config, once you Intgr available to guide me parat commandes.La simple and well done.
  
  The controls are effective and the choice of many features student.
  
  The drawbars rpondent prcisment, you can choose diffrent modlisations amps, rverb, overdrive, vibrato, chorus.
  
  Some gadgets (unnecessary on this type of instrument): D-Beam and sound supplmentaires.
  
  Possibility of a second midi keyboard and a pdalier.
  
  Taking Leslie ...

  Sounds

  It's THE ...
  
  Regardless of what you ask it rpond Submitted: funky riffs, jazzy groove sound, reggae, hard rock sounds big, everything is great.
  
  For the scne rverbs intgres more than adequate in the studio if you have the stuff to replace them they can by-pass. The VK8 Submitted always a mix.
  
  It is a new mmorise rglage very easy.
  
  For purists, the game on drawbar is terrible. We are flying a "real" organ. And rglage harmonics is daunting.
  
  The overdrive is perfectly fulfills rle.
  
  The accumulation of Leslie (adjustable) is one of the best I think this type of instrument.
  
  Although sr, connect it to a real Leslie and is the bath ... But hey, it's bigger in the break.

  Overall Opinion

  What motivated the rdaction my opinion, this is what I read about the Hammond XK1, so-called super mga better. L I say NO!
  
  The keyboard is super XK1 plastoc and sound can not hold a candle to what you get a VK8.
  
  I tried everything: XK1, XK3, CX3 ... The VK8 is by far the most versatile and best value qualitprix.Franchement, while this is BCAN quality. XK1 for me is much worse (but cheaper). The XK3 sounds fuller, may be closer to the original sounds (although ...) but it is more expensive. The Korg CX3 dmnage, perfect for rock, but more expensive and can be less versatile.
  
  In my set or studio, the VK8 will be replaced by a VK88, version two keyboards.
  
  Big VK8 strengths: its keyboard perfect, the diversity and quality of sound in all styles.
  
  I'm a fan of this objective BCAN, except for me crack a VK88 one of these days ...
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• 07/19/04

  Poupoun69's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Waterfall keyboard (I think).
  
  No pitch bend Controller (too bad, but a real organ does not ...), drawbars, D-beam (nice), percussion ...
  
  5 octave keyboard.
  
  Stro output / mono, midi in / out / thru, sustain, volume, and to control the pedals by Leslie and / or button on the keyboard (very practical), connection on a vritable Leslie possible.
  
  Total polyphony.
  
  Effects chorus, distortion (Gnial) ...

  Utilization

  The config is very simple and do not ncessite to collect all four mornings ds manual is being done well elsewhere (Pr ptite the story, there was a manual in English and has not been easy to have one in French because I had lost the right recording Roland for the guarantee, and he never wanted to give me one, my dealer who saw directly with them!! Not great Roland).
  
  The call sounds made directly by the buttons (no sub menus, no guts, and it is much easier as has!).
  
  Everything is done in a timely rels, effects available in faade.
  
  Some are basic, are available (piano, choirs, string).

  Sounds

  The sound palette is broad rev, and sounds are ... TOP TOP TOP TOP! ! ! !
  
  The Disto is a rgal, and ultra sound practitioner.
  
  Touch is a rgal, slip on without hanging anywhere.

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for 1 year 1 / 2, I do not resell it sr, and I advise anyone who is buying hsitent type of keyboard to make the leap, it's really a terrible to play up top. I have a Triton rack and I had a Prot 2000 B3 with the card and has nothing to do.
  
  CONCERE the price, it's true that it is not given (considering the price and for organ sounds ...), we must rflchir rels on needs that have a .
  
  I would do the same choice is clear. I have not tried the Korg CX3, it is certainly the dtour, but one thing is for sr is that I would always have this type of keyboard with me until death do spare us! ! ! !
  
  What up, but what a start! ! !
  
  AND LOOK, if it has not Vintage!
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