Roland VK8M Organ Sound Module

9 harmonic bars for a range of authentic organ tones. 4 COSM amp types w/ overdrive.

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46 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

6 People wrote reviews

* * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

"Roland VK-8M"

Feature:
This module contains just about all the features you would want in an organ clone, with the exception of a leslie speed footswitch jack.

Quality:
Excellent quality module. I've had it for over a year and it still works like the new, very well built and solid. Transorting this module is a breeze.

Value:
I bought mine used for $600, but the list price of $895 is very reasonable for what this module can do. It sounds just as good (if not better) than some of the $2000+ organ clones.

Desirability:
I look forward to playing it everyday!

Sound:
The best organ clone for Deep Purple style hard rock organ. The overdrive and amp sim are far superior to any other organ clone i've heard. The only downside is that the internal leslie emulation is rather weak, so if a good leslie emulation is what you're looking for, I would recommend a Korg.

Ease of Use:
Creating your own tones is quick and easy with the VK, however certain advanced controls can be a pain to configure since the module doesn't have a screen. Once you find the sounds you want, you can save them in the registration anyway so it's all good.

Support:
Works great, haven't needed support.

Overall:
The VK-8M is my favorite organ clone on the market right now, and it is perfect for the style of music I like to play. Get it!

Submitted: 10/29/2007

Style of Music: Rock

* * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

"It's a good thing."

Feature:
The features such as amp sim, drawbars, overdrive, and leakge sim are great! I thought the D-neam would be great...not so. I am sure on the keyboard version it might be nice, but the module is just too small to be sporting it. Everytime you go to make an adjustment you risk triggering the d-beam. Which can be really awful if you have it set to Tonewheel brake. Which is really the only effect I think I would ever use it for. I thought I would use it for rotary fast/slow, but I have the module to my left so the button is easier to get to than the d-beam. Which brings my to my other complaint. Why no footswitch jack for Leslie operation? It had to cross their minds. It's on the full keyboards. So I am now looking at midi footcontrollers.

Quality:
So far so good. Like an earlier user noted, the power cord is a bit rinky dink. I wonder why the could not have used a regular old three prong power cable like my computer and Triton hooks up with.

Value:
For everything that is loaded into this thing it is a good value. Especially when you consider the keyboard version is almost twice as much. You get all the control of the sound that comes with the vk-8 minus the keyboard, the other "orchestral" sounds (don't need 'em), and the blasted leslie fast/slow footswitch jack.

Sound:
Bought the module on the recommendation from a guy who has played organ since the 60's. He has an a-110. He now uses a vk-8, and says it is the closeest to the feel and sond of the real thing he has found. So I went with it. I am new to the tonewheel world, except for always being enthralled with the sound all my life. I had to learn how to do some of that my self. I was using the stock sounds in the Triton Studio, but this is much, much better!

Support:
Don't know - hope I don't have to find out.

Overall:
I believe I'll be very happy with it. It will,however, make me want a vk-8. I plan to add a midi footcontroller to handle the expression pedal and leslie fast/slow functions. That will complete set up for this me.

Submitted: 2/11/2006

Style of Music: rock, country, and modern worship stuff

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About This Product!
Description
Docs, Multimedia
The Roland VK-8M Organ Sound Module puts Roland's acclaimed Virtual ToneWheel organ sound in a convenient desktop unit with nine harmonic bars and retro-style wood panels. COSM Amplifier and Rotary Speaker Modeling further complement these authentic sounds, while an audio input and Active Expression feature let players fade in an external tone with a pedal. The VK-8M makes adding distinctive organ sounds to any setup easy.

Features:
Desktop organ module with acclaimed VK-8 Virtual ToneWheel sound

9 harmonic bars for a range of authentic organ tones

4 COSM amp types w/ overdrive, plus rotary speaker modeling and reverb

Line input for blending in an external sound using Active Expression and pedal

D Beam controller with multi-colored LED and templates for easy realtime control

36 User registrations for storing custom sounds

Attractive wooden side panels

Optional bracket for stand mounting

The Soul of the Popular VK-8
Since its introduction, Roland's VK-8 Combo Organ has made quite an impact with die-hard organ fans - praised for its natural and authentic sound. Now Roland makes these Virtual ToneWheel organ sounds available to any musician with the desktop VK-8M. With its new COSM Amp Modeling, nine harmonic bars and simple knob-based controls, the VK-8M delivers outstanding organ sounds with easy front-panel editing. Players can also dive into more detailed sound parameters like leakage level and rotary woofer speed.

Onboard COSM Amp Modeling
The VK-8M's amazing organ sounds are further improved with COSM Amp Modeling. Four different amp types are available for creating everything from clean gospel organs to the gritty overdriven sounds of a rock organ. The newly developed COSM Amp Type IV stands out in particular for its killer gain and crunchy distortion effect. The VK-8M takes organ modeling to a whole new level of realism, with intuitive editing of every parameter.

Unique Active Expression Feature
Performers will appreciate the VK-8M's Line input and Active Expression feature. Using an optional EV-7 Expression Pedal, players can gradually fade in a sound from an external source, such as a synthesizer or MIDI module. By slowly fading in a pad sound, for example, players can bring out a section of a song, or create energy by fading in a sharper tone like brass. These features open up an entirely new level of expression.

An Exceptional Performer
With its D Beam Controller, the VK-8M offers performers a world of expression. Using an infrared beam of light with an LED that changes color as your hand changes distance, players can control such functions as rotary speed (Slow/Fast) or tone wheel motor stops. And with 36 memory locations, you can store custom settings with a simple one-touch procedure and recall your sounds using the Bank Select and six Registration buttons.

multimedia

  • Roland VK8M Interactive Demo

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