Roland VK-88

Roland VK-88 Product Details

Description

Taking the Organ to New Heights.

 The VK-88 Combo Organ is the ultimate instrument for players who crave the most authentic organ sound and feel. This gorgeous double-manual instrument incorporates Roland's advanced “Virtual ToneWheel” organ sound with COSM® Amp and Rotary Speaker Modeling-plus waterfall keyboards that play just like a classic organ. A D Beam with multi-colored LED gives players enhanced realtime control, while two additional harmonic bars and Active Expression let players blend in other instrument tones. 

 Flagship combo organ with two 61-note manuals and Virtual ToneWheel technology

 

 Dual waterfall keyboards with quick-firing keys- great for playing glissandos

 

 Includes “Orchestral Tones” like piano, strings, brass and outstanding choir sounds 

 9 harmonic bars per manual (upper/lower), two harmonic bars for pedal part, plus two harmonic bars for Orchestral Tones

 

 4 types of COSM Amp Modeling including overdriven sounds

 

 Rotary speaker modeling simulates a well-known rotary speaker

 

 Active Expression lets players fade in an Orchestral Tone via expression pedal

 

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

 

 Onboard reverb, vibrato and chorus effects

 

 Authentic solid wood cabinet 

 

Re-creating the sound of a classic

 

Tone wheels are the actual moving parts that define the sound of an organ. And these sounds varied depending on the year the tone wheels were made. To have an instrument that could simulate all of these different tone wheel types would be an organ player’s dream!

Fortunately, Roland’s Virtual ToneWheel Modeling can accurately re-create the sound of several tone wheel types. The VK-88 features four popular tone wheels(Vintage 1, Vintage 2, Solid and Clean) to the list. Once selected, the organ sound can be further adjusted using harmonic bars and intuitive controls. Even the most detailed editing—like leakage level and rotary speed control—can be accomplished right from the front panel.

By simulating the sound of 91 tone wheels in constant oscillation, the VK-88 gives players full polyphony when playing the organ sounds—complete with percussion effects and more.

 

The pursuit of perfection

 

Not satisfied with re-creating the tone wheels alone, Roland went on to examine other components that make an organ sound unique. As a result, the VK-88 includes realistic leakage and click sounds. Simply adjust the amount of leakage desired and the click level to create just the sound you’re after.

But that’s not all. The VK-88 can also produce those classic percussion effects. Using the front-panel controls, you can add percussion on the second or third interval while choosing to decrease the volume (soft) or lengthen the decay (slow). This attention to detail makes all the difference in the VK-88’s organ sounds.

 

Authentic rotary and amp sounds

 

A classic organ deserves a classic rotary speaker. That’s why the VK-88 is graced with COSM® rotary modeling that can not only simulate the sound of a well-known rotary speaker, but also the construction of its tube amp circuits, actual speaker cabinet

characteristics and natural ambience.

And with onboard COSM® Amp Modeling, you can get 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-88 takes organ modeling to a whole new level of realism!

 

All the effects you need

 

The VK-88 features several effects ideal for organ. With the twist of a knob, for example, you can add those vibrato or chorus effects that are essential to an organ player’s sound. Four types of reverb are also provided. These include everything from smooth and natural reverb to the classic sounds of a spring reverb unit. Other unique effects include ring modulation for more intense expression, plus the ability to create those tone wheel motor stops made popular by rock organ players.

 

A true pleasure to play

 

Quick-firing Waterfall keyboards The double-manual VK-88 features 61-note waterfall keyboards for more natural playing. Compared to the velocitysensitive keys found on a synthesizer, these quick-firing keys require very little pressure to sound a note—making them more suited to the organ (see previous illustration). Waterfall keyboards are also ideal for playing with traditional organ techniques like glissandos. Playing the VK-88 feels just like a vintage organ!

Easy tonal editing via harmonic bars Organ players will also be at home with the VK-88 harmonic bars. On the VK-88, you’ll find nine harmonic bars per manual, plus two harmonic bars each for the pedal part and Orchestral Tones.

Optional pedalboard and more By connecting the optional PK-25 or PK-7 pedalboard, you can “kick bass” while keeping your hands on the keyboard. The VK-88 can even be paired up with a matching wooden stand (KS-88) and bench (BNC-88) for traditional playing. Each of these components has been designed to complement the VK-88 both functionally and aesthetically.

 

A Bold Move Forward

 

Expanding your sonic palette The VK-88 features high-quality Orchestral Tones to give players more performance possibilities. What's more, the VK-88's Orchestral Tones have three parts (Upper/Lower/Pedal) and include instruments like piano, strings, brass

and outstanding choir sounds, to name just a few. There are also Tones like Acoustic and Electric bass—perfect for playing bass on an optional pedalboard.

Unique Active Expression Roland’s Active Expression feature makes it easy to slowly fade in a sound over the organ using an optional EV-7 Expression Pedal. On the VK-88, Active Expression can be used to add sonic richness by fading in an Orchestral Tone over the organ sound. By bringing in a pad or brass, for example, you can accentuate a particular section of a song.

Powerful realtime control via light-sensing D Beam The VK-88 incorporates an improved D Beam Controller for more effective performance. Use it to control the rotary speed and to create tone wheel motor stops. On the VK-88, the D Beam’s LED even changes color with each D Beam preset, or as your hand moves closer and further away. With the D Beam, you can take organ playing into the future.

 

Loaded with Helpful Extras

 

Convenient User Registrations The VK-88 features dedicated 64 Registration buttons to make storing and recalling custom settings easy—great for live performance!

Connect an external rotary speaker The VK-88 also sports a Rotary Tone Cabinet jack for direct connection to a rotary speaker. Parameters like rotary speed (slow/fast) and braking can be controlled right from the organ’s front panel.

 

Keyboard  Upper: 61 keys (Waterfall with velocity and after touch),

Lower: 61 keys (Waterfall with velocity) 

 

  Sound Generator   Organ: Virtual ToneWheel,

Orchestral Tones: PCM 

 

  Part  Organ: 3 parts (Upper, Lower, Pedal),

Orchestral Tones: 3 parts (Upper, Lower, Pedal) 

 

  Maximum Polyphony   Organ: Full Polyphony,

Orchestral Tones: 128 Voices 

Organ

  Tone Wheel   Tone Wheel(VINTAGE1, VINTAGE2, SOLID, CLEAN), Leakage Level, Key Click Level 

 

  Vibrato and Chorus   V-1, V-2, V-3, C-1, C-2, C-3

 

  Percussion  SECOND, THIRD, SOFT, SLOW

 

  AMP simulator   AMP Type (Type I, Type II, Type III, Type IV), Overdrive, Tone

 

  Reverb  Reverb type(Room, Hall, CHURCH, SPRING), Reverb Level

 

  D BEAM   CRESCENDO, ROTARY SPEED, RING MODULATOR, TONE WHEEL BRAKE, SPRING SHOCK

Orchestral Tones

  Tone  Upper: STRINGS, LARGE CHOIR, GOSPEL CHOIR, SYNTH PAD, BRASS, WOOD WIND, JAZZ SCAT, ACCORDION

Lower: PIANO, E.PIANO 1, E.PIANO 2, CLAVI, VIBES, HARPSICHORD, A.BASS, E.BASS

Pedal: PIANO, E.PIANO 1, E.PIANO 2, CLAVI, VIBES, HARPSICHORD, A.BASS, E.BASS

 

  Effect  Chorus, Reverb

 

  Internal Memory   Registration memory: 64 (User Memory) 

 

  Connectors  INPUT Jacks(L/MONO, R): 1/4 inch phone type,

MIX OUTPUT Jacks(L, R): XLR 3-32 type,

MIX OUTPUT Jacks(L/MONO, R): 1/4 inch TRS phone type,

ORGAN OUTPUT Jacks(L/MONO, R): 1/4 inch TRS phone type,

ORCHESTRAL TONES OUTPUT Jacks(L/MONO, R): 1/4 inch TRS phone type,

PHONES Jack: Stereo 1/4 inch phone type,

EXPRESSION PEDAL Jack,

HOLD PEDAL Jack,

CONTROL PEDAL 1 Jack, CONTROL PEDAL 2 Jack

MIDI Connectors (IN, PEDAL IN, OUT),

PK IN Connector,

ROTARY TONE CABINET Connector,

AC Inlet

 

  Power   AC 117 V, AC 230 V, AC 240 V 

 

  Power Consumption   55 W

 

  Finish  Top Panel: Simulated Walnut, Side Panel: Natural Wood Walnut Finish

 

  Accessories  Owner's Manual, Edit Mode Quick Reference, Music Rest, Rear Cover, Screw Set, Cord Clamp, PK Cable, Power Cord

 

  Options  Stand: KS-88, Bench: BNC-88, Pedal: PK-25(25-Key Pedalboard)/PK-7(20-Key Pedalboard)/PK-5A(Dynamic MIDI Pedal), Expression Pedal: EV-7, Damper Pedal: DP-8/DP-2, KC-Series Amplifier: KC-1000/KC-550/KC-350/KC-150/KC-60, Others: RKS-88(External Speaker Rack Kit) 

 

Size and Weight 

  Width  1,184 mm 46-5/8 inches

 

  Depth  590 mm 23-1/4 inches

 

  Height  1,130 mm 44-1/2 inches

 

  Weight  62.0 kg 136 lbs. 11 oz.