From pprevite@ma.slr.com Tue Oct 01 05:00:26 2002
Subject:Re: Electro ( and VK8 )

CONGRATULATIONS!
Best of luck to you with your new "toy" ;-) and... welcome to the
Brotherhood of Cloneheads!!!
I'm sure you're come across lots of tips and great advice at this site to
get even more out of your new Roland.

> PETER PREVITE
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: captlego1 [SMTP:randy_coverstone@agilent.com]
> Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2002 9:02 PM
> To: CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [CWSG] Re: Electro ( and VK8 )
>
> Greetings,
>
> FYI -- I'm not a very experienced organ player, but have been playing
> piano for 45 years, and synth for 20. Last week I went shopping. My
> primary interest was in getting a good organ keyboard. After much
> reading, shopping and testing, I bought the Roland VK-8.
>
> I had a hard time deciding between the Electro, XK-2, CX-3, and VK-8.
> (I also tried the VK-77). I thought they were all fine instruments,
> each with its advantages and disadvantages. I wouldn't be ashamed to
> be caught playing any of them. They each sound different, but all
> sounded good to me (Then again, I also like the KB-3 mode in my Kurz
> PC2R).
>
> I can't really comment on how well any of these boards reproduce the
> sound and feel of a real B3. I guess that's important if you're an
> experienced B3 player or want to reproduce their sounds as accurately
> as possible, but for me I just wanted a good keyboard, controls, and
> decent organ sounds. I think they're all quite capable of doing the
> job and satisfying your average audience.
>
> For me, the key feature for my decision was the feel of the keyboard.
> I liked the action of the Roland the best. Again, all were quite
> playable, but... I didn't like the way the Korg and the Electro keys
> clanked against each other on glissandos. The Roland and the Hammond
> didn't have that problem. The Hammond action was heavier/stiffer that
> I'd prefer for an organ. The Korg didn't have true waterfall keys.
> The electro action felt fine, though, and I consider 73 keys a plus.
>
> Note: I never noticed any "doublestrike" behavior on any of the
> keyboards while I was testing them, or since I'd brought the VK-8
> home. However, since reading about it here, I went and tested my VK-
> 8. I can easily get doublestrikes (if I just flick one of the keys,
> it kind of bounces and triggers twice). In fact, I think I can get a
> triple-strike out of it.
>
> As I said, I hadn't noticed this before seeing the folks here point
> it out.... Thanks for pointing that out (he says sarcastically)
> Now I don't know if it will drive me crazy or not. So far, it
> doesn't seem to be a problem at all so I guess my playing style
> doesn't excite that behavior. Maybe it will be a feature for me....
> a whole new technique at my disposal.
>
> The second consideration for me was drawbars. I like drawbars, so
> this ruled out the Electro for me. I like lots of drawbars -- the
> Korg wins with its two sets of drawbars.
>
> Other features in favor of the Roland (for me) were:
> * inputs for 2nd keyboard (all have this) AND pedalboard
> *11-pin output for Leslie (maybe next year's birthday?)
> * best case/cabinet of all the clones
> * COSM amp models with easily adjustable distortion
> * different reverb models
> * I really liked the sound and playability of layered EP with the
> organ
> * the D-beam controller is kinda cool and has some nice effects
> * off-white keys (just appealed to me)
> * leakage controls
> * I liked the sound of the Leslie sim (until I get a real Leslie)
> * decent MIDI controller capabilities
>
> The major flaws for the Roland to me were:
> * no display --- really obscure editing
> * no pitch bend or modulation wheels
> * I'd prefer to have an easily accessible keyclick control
>
> But in the end, for my $$ the Roland felt, sounded, and looked the
> best.
>
> If I could take the Roland VK-8, add the 73 keys and wah effects of
> the Nord, the dual drawbars and display from the Korg, and the
> pitchbend and modulation wheel from the Hammond --- it would be
> perfect!
>
> --- In CloneWheel@y..., "extempor63" wrote:
> > If you're talking about the Electro, the VK8 (or even VK7), the
> CX3,
> > the Voce through a good leslie sim, these are all major league
> > clones, good enough that professional seasoned (or even marinated)
> > players will have valid differences of opinions. Making a purchase
> > choice based on what you read from an email list is not a good way
> to
> > choose. On the other hand, you can't go too wrong.
> >
> > If you've heard the VK7, imagine it with better percussion, key
> > click, leslie, and V/C. That's what the VK8 sounds like. If all
> > else were equal, I think I favor the sound of the Electro over the
> > VK8. But all else is not equal. For example:
> >
> > 1) drawbuttons don't work the same as drawbars, not for my
> purposes.
> > They're good enough for some things, but for the way I like to use
> > drawbars, drawbuttons cannot substitute. Its a physical
> limitation,
> > pure and simple. But if you don't mess with drawbars alot, buttons
> > may work fine.
> >
> > 2) The Electro B-3 sound pretty much is what it is. Wish you had
> > more leakage, louder percussion, wider leslie mic spread? Too bad.
> >
> > 3) While the Electro action is great, I personally prefer the
> action
> > of the VK-8. Its a bit quicker. This is of course highly
> subjective
> > and another reason why, even if you live in Alaska, you should get
> on
> > the next dogsled to Anchorage so you can play these things
> yourself.
> > Actually, I've been to the music stores in Anchorage, and I doubt
> > they have any thing approaching a good side by side clone set up.
> > But I digress . . .
> >
> > The electric piano sounds on the VK8 are not in the same league as
> > the Electro.
> >
> > Adan
> >
> > --- In CloneWheel@y..., "rotosphere2001" wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi,
> > > Could I ask, what is it in particular that sets the VK8 apart for
> > > such praise over, in particular, the electro? I haven't heard
> > either
> > > the new Roland or the Red Beast, but I have been eagerly waiting
> > news
> > > of the release of the electro rack.
> > > From what I have ascertained so far, it's the electro that gets
> > > nearest to the real thing if using the built-in rotary sim.
> > >
> > > If you are not going through a real Leslie, is the new Roland
> much
> > > improved over the VK7 whose rotary sim left something to be
> desired.
> > >
> > > From what I have gathered so far from other posts, the electro is
> > not
> > > quite there, unless the rotary is switched on when it becomes
> > superb.
> > > Does the VK8 really improve over the electro?
> > >
> > > Perhaps I should stick to my V3/Em-u B-3 set-up feeding into a
> > couple
> > > of Dynacords, or look to importing a Motion-Sound 4U Rack-mount?
> > >
> > > The Dynacords are superb simulators, but the Motion-Sound, not
> > having
> > > deflectors, imparts a grittiness to the "Leslie" sound that I
> like.
> > >
> > > Any thoughts on this?
> > >
> > > Regards Thomas (UK)
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In CloneWheel@y..., "vanselman" wrote:
> > > > I roamed the land playing every Hammond clone I could find. Up
> > > hill & down dale I trekked. I hammered every Hammond XB & XK, I
> > > cradled a CX3 for a day. I nestled a VK7 on my lap whilst
> twisting
> > > and turning every knob there was. I finally found one keyboard
> > that
> > > came close to my old Hammond C3 and it was so light. It was
> red.
> > It
> > > was meaty. It had extras like electric piano sounds. It had
> > > waterfall keys. It was a Nord electro 73. I spent my wad, parted
> > > with the spondolics. My dream was fulfilled...
> > > >
> > > > or so I thought.. Until today.. Whilst returning my expired
> > > electro to my local music emporium....
> > > >
> > > > I have just spent the afternoon crying over a new Roland VK8.
> > What
> > > can I say. Leakage, distortion, rotory sim to die for. This
> beast
> > > comes the closest I have ever heard to my mighty old machine. I
> > want
> > > one now! I will sell my grandmother for one. If anyone is
> > thinking
> > > of buying a clone. Please read this, don't follow me down my
> road
> > of
> > > NO ROLAND VK8, deliver yourself some enlightenment and go buy
> one,
> > > for you will be forever happy in Clone Heaven.
> > > >
> > > >
>
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