From MRK7421@aol.com Thu Apr 10 21:19:48 2008
Subject:Re: VK8M Questions

My VK8m fortunately does have the leslie sim bypass. I bought it from
a prominent list member who had enough computer skills to set up the
bypass for me.

Very few people besides VK8m owners have heard the true capabilities
of this clone. One of the main reasons I like it is because it is a
very " neutral" sounding emulation of a Hammond.

Many clones ( I won't say which ones ) seem to me to have "character"
programmed into them. It's sort of like extra sweetness that really
isn't there. Roland did not try to make the VK8 or VK8m sound "fat"
or " beefy". The percussion is not set up for maximum "thunk".

Unfortunately maximum percussion thunk sometimes translates into
shrill percussion harmonics in the upper register.Think about it. If
your percussion "cuts" in the middle registers its probably going to
be pretty loud when you get into the upper register.

I ditched one very popular clone because the percussion would just
not get quiet enough on its lowest setting.

On my tonewheel Hammonds, the percussion is fairly subdued in
the "soft" setting.I was able to achieve a percussion volume similar
to my home A 100 when I ran the VK8m through the A 100's preamp.

However you have to achieve a true bypass on the VK8m will be well
worth the trouble.