Roland VK-7: a review
Larry Hendry
I have read and heard about the VK-7, so I decided to go play and hear the
beast today. I was TOTALLY unimpressed. Not because the VK-7 did not
sound OK. It did that. However, as a "organ specialty" keyboard, I
expected much more.
I had the opportunity to review and compared the Hammond XB-2 with the VK-7
side by side with the same drawbar settings. I compared the leslie
simulation (although I used an actual Pro-3 top and bottom for the amp),
the distortion, the percussion, and sound in general.
In all categories except the leslie simulation, the XB-2 was FAR superior
to the VK-7. (neither leslie simulator is as good as the Dynacord CLS-222
IMHO). The VK-7 sounded "dead" compared to the sound of the XB-2. Having
these two boards side by side really helped me realize how lame the VK-7
really is. VK-7 owners, please don't take offense. This is just an
opinion. However, if ANYONE is considering a VK-7, I urge you to compare
it to the XB-2. I bet you will walk away with the Hammond.
Just my $.02
Larry Hendry
James E McCarty
Its all in the ear...... I had an XB2 and dumped it for a VK-7. I
have owned several Hammonds including a B3, and the VK-7 is the best
B3 clone I have ever played. The Voce V3 is a VERY close second, but I
needed an "organ" style keyboard.
The VK-7 is not perfect. The vibrato/chorus is too overstated. And I
have fiddled with the other settings to get the sound I want - for
example, I keep the leslie simulator on, but in the brake position to
use the amp simulation to get the sound I prefer.
(BTW, I don't count either units leslie simulation. No electronic
units really gets it right. I use a Motion Sound Pro-3T and Low Pro.
That or a real leslie is the only way to get the real sound.)
On 19 Dec 1997 00:15:24 GMT, "Larry Hendry" <jla...@iquest.net>
wrote:
Rob Martino
Larry Hendry wrote:
>
> I have read and heard about the VK-7, so I decided to go play and hear the
> beast today. I was TOTALLY unimpressed. Not because the VK-7 did not
> sound OK. It did that. However, as a "organ specialty" keyboard, I
> expected much more.
Funny how different ears work. I wasn't impressed with any B3 clone
UNTIL I heard the VK-7. Didn't care for the XB-2, and owned a Voce V3
for a few weeks before selling it. Playing it through a real rotary
speaker (like the Motion Sound) is definately essential, but as
for pure tone I thought the VK-7 was cleary the most superior.
Rob
--
Rob Martino
http://www.cris.com/~rpmtino
MikeF88
Check the January issue of Keyboard magazine -- the VK-7 is rated the best of
all the clones!