All user reviews for the Roland VK-8M

This is the rack Roland VK8 a beast of scene! I let you go on the Roland site to entertain its possibilities!


IMPORTANT, A TURN: it's been a few times that I see on this forum that "oh my god, it's annoying that there have only taken twelve o'clock noon THRU IN or because you can not connect SECOND crankset or keyboard! " WRONG !!!!!! Dear musician friends, if you were reading your manual, you would see that on page 45, it is mentioned that one can "ADD MIDI THRU MIDI FUNCTION TAKING OUT"
So NO, no need to buy the famous "twelve o'clock solutions quadra thru 50 to compensate for this problem. Everything is brand in the manual! If everyone read a little more manual, it viterai to have unnecessary questions in the forums.
Voil c'tait a bit of a friendly face. dropoff Window


Regarding Sounds? See below.

USE

The Gnrale configuration is easy! Indeed we must not forget that its main role is to imitate the old hammond has tonewheels with B3 / C3, which possdait only the "vibrato, chorus, percussions, leslie" and 8 pr sets it seems! Sorry for the uncertainty friends, I possde a L100P Hammond (even when a beautiful beast).

In short, so in terms of configuration, you guessed it, it's easy! Mumuse with zippers, overdrive, etc, basically turn the knobs is of the order of any persons in possession of at least two fingers!

But of that when we dwell on the machine in pluchant a little manual, which I think is very well done, it's almost a pleasure to read, as has each "chapter" was a small résumé of how to operate the hammond organ (tonewheels course), mode of DIFFERENT etc, and I find a very friendly and informative!
We ame the opportunity to change things unchangeable by the famous 180kg behemoths: the keyclick the leakage (roughly the sound of engines running, parasites also etc. ..) .. The overdrive (and yes, no need to connect a Marshall and his dfoncer bafles to have the "beat" of Jonathan Douglas Lord .. (What god ..) ..) Finally voil for more characteristics, -> Roland.com.

The edition of the sounds become a reflex as and extent you will practice at the beginning, it was like a fool to follow verbatim the manual, but you will see Qu 'strength has come! And then you will rarely have to do so because there are 6 prsets which mmorisera all your rglages. Easily storable elsewhere!


SONORITS

I am a huge fan of Deep Purple, who decipher d "word all the solos of Jon Lord (Deep Purple), ranging from child in Time, speed king, highway star, a dead or Alive or even their lives made in Japan, australia, etc .. I think I can consider myself as to require purpuliens sounds.

Well dear friends, you want the sound saturated C3 jon lord? The spitting his big rotary Leslies live? And of purchase roland vk8m. .. I sincerely seeks long to find it, and finally I have!

For jazz sounds, blues etc .. You will be served also! You will have everything .. Everything .. No. You will have everything except a semi trailer to buy a ton of lug your gear.
Voil.

I know that Roland vk8m videos are not at the sites, but believe me, this is exactly what an organist, whether jazz or rocker wants!

NOTICE GLOBAL

I have since not even a month, but every day I discovers new things!
I think there are only more .. The sonorits, the possibilities, the relative simplicity .. (Simple but requires manual study any prior notice) .. Etc!

Oh, only bad points ..:

- The manual says that we should use the expression pedal Roland EV7 200! THANK THE CONSUMER SOCIETY under risk of abmer the module .. I admit that at the moment I do not dare dsobir ..

- B deam, which when used can be inadvertently
Dclench our hand holding to change the vibrato or chorus ..
But .. can disable it so it'll.

-and finally, the good is rather a question ..
A waterfall when a master keyboard for this module?

Voil.

It's a choice I would do willingly to buy used I think, because in 1000 it hurts .. anyway, I combl!

Thank you for reading.

Musically!

This is the rack Roland VK8 a showman! I let you go on the website of Roland to entertain you with its possibilities!


IMPORTANT TURNING: it a few times I see on this forum that "oh my god, it's annoying that there have taken a MIDI IN THRU noon or because you can not connect pedal or a second keyboard! " WRONG!! Dear musicians, if you read your manual, you would see that on page 45, it says that you can "ADD FUNCTION MIDI THRU MIDI OUT A DECISION"
So NO, no need to buy the famous "solutions quadra thru twelve o'clock to 50 € to compensate for this problem. Everything is marked in the manual! If everyone read the manual a little more, it will avoid having unnecessary issues forums.
So that was a little rant cordial.


Regarding sounds? See below.

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is simple! Indeed we must not forget that its main role is to imitate the old tonewheel hammond has with B3/C3, which had the "vibrato, chorus, perceived, leslie" option and 8 presets it seems! Sorry for the uncertainty friends, I have a Hammond L100P (a beautiful beast anyway).

Anyway, so in terms of configuration, you guessed it, it is easy! Mumuse with zippers, overdrive, etc., basically turn the knobs, it is the order of all persons in possession of at least two fingers!

But as of when we dwell on the machine, by peeling a little manual, which I think is very well done, it's almost a pleasure to read because at each "chapter" was a quick summary of how to operate the Hammond organ (tonewheels course), different mode of operation etc., and I find it very helpful and informative!
It even has the ability to change the unchangeable things these famous giants 180kg: the keyclick, the leakage (roughly, the sound of engines running, parasites etc also ..) .. The overdrive (yes, no need to connect a Marshall and screwed his bafles for the "beat" Jonathan Douglas Lord .. (What god ..) ..) and finally here for more features - > Roland.com.

Editing sounds become a reflex and as far as you will practice at the beginning, it looks like a fool to follow word for word the manual air, but you will see That in strength, it will come! And then you'll rarely do because there six presets, which store all your settings. Easily recordable way!

SOUNDS

I'm a fan of Deep purple, having read of "ear all solos Jon Lord (Deep Purple), from child in Time, speed king, highway star, a dead or Alive or even his live made in Japan, australia etc. .. I think I can consider myself as to require purpuliens sounds.

Well dear friends, you want a saturated C3 jon lord? Spitting its large rotary Leslies live? Well buy the roland vk8m. Sincerely .. I have long been looking forward to find, and I finally got it!

For jazz sounds, blues etc. .. You will also be served! You all .. All .. Not. You will have everything except a semi-trailer to buy a ton of lugging your gear.
That's it.

I know that the videos are not at Roland vk8m sites, but believe me, this is exactly what an organist, whether jazz or rocker would!

OVERALL OPINION

I've had not even a month, but every day I discover new things!
I think there is that more .. The sounds, the possibilities, the relative simplicity .. (Simple but requires a prior study manual) .. Etc!

Ah yes, only bad points .. :

- The manual says that you should use the expression pedal Roland EV7 to 200 €! THANK THE CONSUMER SOCIETY, at risk of damaging the module .. I confess that for the moment I dare not disobey ..

- The b deam, which when used can be inadvertently
Triggered by holding our hand to change the vibrato or chorus ..
But .. You can disable it so it goes.

-And finally, the good it is rather a question ..
A waterfall when a master keyboard for this module?

That's it.

It is a choice I would do willingly to buy used I think, because it hurts € 1000 .. In any case, I'm thrilled!

Thank you for reading me.

Musically!

This is the MODEL of the rack 8 vk (vk 88)
Rglage prenregistr or pull in real time.
No USB edition ...
Possibility of sound to the keyboard by the matre module (2 audio input and 2 output audio + midi in / out)
The bad thing (and I mean the ONLY bcanne this monstrous) is that you can not dclencher leslie the foot.
No dclenchement at the foot of Leslie but the hand (with the d-beam c super!)

UTILIZATION

Trs simple configuration because a single function: the organ sounds that kill! no LCD no sub menus, hyphens, and pots!
Manuel superfluous!

SOUNDS

The sounds are incredible! Everything is there! Texture, saturation, overdrive, the "key click" if CHARACTERISTICS. And especially the simulation of leslie. is necessary to say anything to try it!
I use it mainly for jazz and electro jazz (Francesco, Larry Young, Jimmy, etc ...)

OVERALL OPINION

I've had two months. This is trs longntemps I m'intresse in his "vintage". I possd a VK-7, and I sold it! leslie simulation of the silent rotten one silent counting!. I have a jv 1080, with the card ... 60/70 c not bad, but not convincing use trs . I just bought the Nord Electro 2 (bcanne this is monstrous, I have never heard sounds like rhodes!) And many dear friends, my ears as an organist and electro jazz fans are clear: the VK-8 (m) ahead of a head all these machines (trs a short head for the north electro).
I have never heard! (Except playing vai a B-3 with leslie and everything). What is striking is the texture of her: never garish trs always hot and dense, the overdrive, saturation yes! but never agrssif. It is imperative the SSAI.
I Rasht immediately (or so the VK-8!) (Or while the VK-88) and then the vk-888 .... uh no! beyond the 30 kilos j'arrte!
I will day between the North and him!
1st implementation date (May 20, 2004): North end electro and VK-8M are really close in terms of quality even if the texture is Different. I wonder if the reflection is not the best leslie on the north?
I will give day ..

Module clone Hammond organ type. Nice presentation metal + wood on the top and sides. Below it is less chic (using plastic)

include:

- The usual commands on a Hammond drawbar (1 set, assignable to each of the keyboards or pedal turns), control vibrato and chorus, percussion, Leslie

- Useful options: - choice of 3 types of wheels harmonics with a more or less vintage
- Amp simulator with four types of amplifier and adjustable overdrive
- Reverb

- The "rolanderies" which would be fine: - the D-BEAM unfortunately that activates as soon as you approach the main control panel to change a sound!
- An input for an external audio I've ever used ...
The connection could have been provided:
- A single entry noon, it's a shame because if you want to play with two keyboards and a pedal you have to use a box MIDI merge
- No speed control at the foot of Leslie: the problem is circumvented because the command is recognized twelve o'clock: just plug a switch on the master keyboard and to assign no MIDI controller corresponding to the speed of Leslie (No. 80). Taking a footswitch directly into the module would have been even better quend
- No 11-pin connector to plug a leslie: shame.

- About noon the implementation could have been better. It has a midi out, but the zippers do not send MIDI messages. We do not monitor the B4 with vk8

In conclusion, all the controls are directly accessible essntiels and that's fine. I would have gladly exchanged the D BEAM and audio inputs for a second switch between noon and Leslie ...

UTILIZATION

Operation is simple architecture. Everything is in front, one button = one function.

As for editing the parameters of the Leslie rotating type, click the volume, equalizer, it is not very complicated but it is better to have the manual (in English) at hand: no display panel, while is LED!

The manual is comprehensive, clear and simple but is not required to provide a manual in French for a product sold in France?

SOUNDS

The sound is the main strength of vk8m. The sound is thick, the simulation of the leakage of the wheels is superb, the amps sound great (especially I and III). The reverb has a vintage sound very well suited. It is a treat, it rumbles beautifully.
The Leslie is surprising at first glance: the setting is frankly wrong and sounds really fake. You must edit the settings to get good sound, but it's worth it!

OVERALL OPINION

Vk8m I use the past year.
What I like most: to have an organ in a volume and weight. Having the zippers makes all his interest in playing the organ: the readers of samples hardware or software can never provide this essential element.

Unfortunately I never played on a B3, and I know its sounds by recording groups using it. I got to faithfully reproduce the sounds of the Hammond vk8 and I think in a mix it would be difficult to distinguish between the clone and the original.

I was able to directly compare the vk8 Native B4. While I like the sound of the B4, it is very different from the approaches and vk8m least sounds B3. It also has much less fishing. For me no doubt the roland is well above ...
I also tried the Nord Electro, after discussion with Yvan Lautrec who sold his vk8m for Electro. I was quite disappointed with the keyboard that does not I think of the richness of its vk8. I also found a little annoying because keyclick sounding too "added." Only for Leslie that I preferred the Roland keyboard. Overall, in regard to organ sounds, I find the Roland frankly more convincing.

In conclusion, the vk8m is the best clone B3 I tried to date. It has some flaws but nothing insurmountable. If it again, I would resume a vk8m.

His part is very clear and you understand everything right away, otherwise .....
obliged to open the user manual to set the midi channel ....... an expander!!
no switch for leslie !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UTILIZATION

8 / 10 when used alone, 4 / 10 configuration in a complex MIDI ........

SOUNDS

Nothing to say, great!

OVERALL OPINION

We just lend me one, I did a test on stage ..... I focus on just global opinion because everything has been said or nearly so, and regard that is essentially sound, there's nothing to say it's great! but for the rest ........
sorry but I do not think Roland has understood everything, and that lack of control at the foot leslie is a detail, it is a huge mistake, it's foutage of mouth! at least we can choose any MIDI events for the control of the leslie, this will be a minimum, and more versatile with the type of keyboard is used, it is not easy to have a configuration with a master keyboard that can swing control 80 with a switch! Increasingly, I think he does not receive MIDI volume! (I'm not sure yet but I have not found, and the function setting screen is noon without a catastrophe) if it is for us to peddle the pedal volume € 160, well done! In any case, I have a Triton, it sends no control on the switch 80, and I can not control the volume of VK8M, so for me it UNUSABLE !!!!! in addition, from what I saw, it receives MIDI either omni or on channel 3 (upper, lower and pedal), so it's in MIDI chain with other expander is great, either receives all orders and is the cacophony, it is already three food channel on its own: and yes, setting the MIDI channels is from 1 to 16, there's not even a midi off! !!!!!
to an expander to € 1000 and the twenty-first century, type the channel setting afternoon with notes on the keyboard, it does not! frankly, a small LCD, LED see 3 or 4 it would not cost more .......
ending with MIDI, it does not keep in memory the command "Soft Through" (out for MIDI .... that becomes MIDI Through)
Finally, as often, a machine that could be a must if they had two fingers of savvy and more ........
yes I am a bit hard, but so many do, the keyboard version is definitely more interesting will be what to do touch ...... an expander of any kind has to have a comprehensive MIDI implementation!

I go back and moderates my comments above, we can handle the "volume" control by the 11 words, so good!!
for the leslie, it's really a mistake, there's a plan with midi solution that make small box handy twelve o'clock, one footswitch control, allowing to assign a control foot ......

Complete a connection from a command leslie is missing, I use a foot switch from Yamaha MFC10 ref which is PDAL program in which a linear variation leslie full of this one

UTILIZATION

Setting a bit complicated if no documentation was self cot, a display would tbr /> for more parameters

SOUNDS

Super realistic sound condition to touch the parameters of vk8M
I changed in the settings
the sound level a little low
the parameters of the Leslie
I added a pacth may interest some people, which amliore the quality of sound and Leslie

patch kit is sold by the site and download

https://www.soundside.de/shop/vk8upgradepack.htm
Bank 4: (new features)
-----------------------

4-1Rotary Bypass off (normal setting to compare with the next one)
2Rotary Bypass 4-on (No rotary used)
4-C3 3Vibrator Chorus - Vintage '50 Setting
4-C3 4Vibrator Chorus - Vintage '60 Setting
4-C3 5Vibrator Chorus - Vintage '70 Setting
4-C3 6Vibrator Chorus - Vintage '50 & Setting Rotary Bypass is
(You Can modify and store this patch - the new features Will Be Stored too)


Bank 5: (Soft patches)
----------------------

5-1Loud & Clean
5-2Chorus
5-I 3Vintage
5-II 4Vintage
5-5Soft Bee
5-In time 6Child

Bank 6: (Overdrive patches)
----------------------

Over 6-1Soft
6-Lead 2Rock
6-3Rock Dist
6-4Overdrive
6-5Marshall I Break
6-II 6Marshal Break

Patches 6-5 and 6-6 no use rotary (brake mode) - You Can use the rotary if you like.

1 - Getting the most ralistes arrangements for the organ and the system rotating
2 - Increase in volume (compared to default settings)
3 - Vritable dviation rotation device (not only 'brake')
4 - Type of former Vibrato Chorus ('50, '60, '70)
5 - Use the extended features (dviation and rotary type of old) for your own spices rapportes.Vous can store reports pice prrgle you like
6 - New prrglages own optimiss
7 - New prrglages overdrive optimiss
8 - Noise Bank1, 2.3 original will not be changed
9 - Easy installation by intermdiaire MIDI
10 - Files for additional arrangements Systm, new devices, specific reports and spices spices reports burnout
11 - Additional Folder with original arrangements of Systm

OVERALL OPINION

Utula 6 months I am satisfied, a small software pc twelve o'clock representing the parameters of vk8M would be interesting

Quite useful, there is somewhere on the master keyboard, and presto!
everything is editable and memosisable (drawbar position, reverb, overdrive ....) and its own control on the front, so changeable in real time, the old, what, that's damn good vraimment. a real treat to play live in overdrive, the amount of reverb, leslie speed (of course!) ...
Congratulations also to the infrared control assignable to features such as drawbar pull all simultaneously + leslie fast approaching the right hand of the cell!.
we could do better than powering the knobs and pulls to regain their positions at each call preset.

UTILIZATION

Easy to use, but manual in English.

SOUNDS

The killing is the killing!
Special kudos to the emulation of vintage side (leakage of sound, overdrive).
the sound is placed alone in a mix.
Vraimment it!

OVERALL OPINION

it's been 6 months and this choice I would do without hesitation!
nb: I had some time the keyboard version (vk8), it is the same sound and ergonomics.
By touching was against any kind, no waterfall, I sold it to the expander.

See more advice.
CHANGES and NEWS.
For all who find cuex missing a foot control, especially for the leslie, the electronics Czechs developed a small controller that can trigger LESLIE, including overdrive, perfect for the game Live:
SITE: http://www.chd-el.cz/index.php?id=320&lngid=en
I use it for two years in Live, it's perfect to make the game more expressive and free hands, the control is done with a volume pedal Roland EV.
You just have to be careful in the sense of connection, protocol and respect the priorities between VK8M and Remote controller. Anyway, there is a RESET button handy to put the controller to zero without changing the presets VK8M.

Non expander rack.
Modified easily with many sounds very 70's effects (distorted sounds to Keith Emerson and Jon Lord)
The sounds are not editable. Leslie VERY realistic saturation, slowing Virtual Leslie; vibration spring reverb ...
Standard MIDI connectors (IN / OUT) of a sound mixer with independent authorizations.
Possible extension: PK-7 pedalboard (noon, 13 orders, control the leslie), but the price of the pedal is greater than the module itself!

UTILIZATION

Easy to use. Orders of modulation effects are a ffaisceau infrared. I use it on stage and control the effects with my left elbow, the module is under the keyboard controller.
Very fast to implement. Manuel clear.

SOUNDS

70's sounds but also sounds the Jazz Joey DeFrancesco.
The zippers can play and edit the live sonn, adding opportunities.
Realistic effects. Although sound system (on a good stereo sound, or as a clone Leslie (I use a cab elkatone)), this module at the very, very big sound.

OVERALL OPINION

Used for a short time, the first tests were very successful on stage.
We just would like to have control of the foot leslie. The effects are easily adjustable, this module facilitated the expression of musical taste of the musician.
Probably the best organ module on the market. excellent for the stage. Richer than the Hammond XM1 (or XM1c), easier to use.
I will keep. Congratulations Roland has everything included.

-

UTILIZATION

Very easy to use, simple and clear manual.

SOUNDS

Trs good sound, there is really a Hammond in his right, and when it is plugged into a leslie. The simulated 'Leslie is what it's worth, is to say trs suprieure what is found in an organ sound of synth gnraliste (hard to do worse in m me time ...), worse than the gear type rotosphre, and having nothing to do with a real Leslie.

He can provide all styles sr gaming Hammond (jazz, reggae, rock) but I think he is made perfect in a log or rock type Deep Purple Emmerson Lake and Palmer.

The distortion is good trs (for me better than that of Hammond Suzuki). Indulgence in Revenge of the chorus / vinrato that sound a little wrong I think.

The right basic type in registers 888 may be a little hair to infrieur Clavia (Nord electro, C1, North course) but for my part I am allergic to zippers numriques Clavia home.

The D-beam is pretty fun and the effects are nice, I am surprised to use it often trs (in pieces psychs) Whereas when I was a gadget based.

OVERALL OPINION

Trs good module that I lug around for three years, I think it's best to have a pure qualitprix his Hammond. The simulated 'can be lleslie amlior by redoing the rglalges, but the top is when even to afford a good leslie, the admont carrment (you get the shot sound suprieur largely a vintage Hammond L-type).

I tried keyboard, but the sounds drawbars numriques's awful, I tried the Suzuki Hammons XK1 I found worse, but I did not test the new XK3 which seems to suprieur Vk8-m.

Anyway for me a great machine, I had many opportunities to change it but I always kept.