From funkyhammond@yahoo.com Sun Mar 06 14:52:36 2011
Subject:Re: VK-8m a viable alternative?

With all the discussion on the VK-8m, I decided to take mine out of the box and play around with it again. I thought I'd point out a few things.

Even though the 8m supports upper/lower manuals, the C/V is all on or off. Also, turning on Chorus doesn't give a high-end boost like a real Hammond; newer clones tend to simulate this.

I have to say, I'm still fond of the overdrive and different amp models in the VK-8m. I wish I could add them to my Nord C1 for some variety, especially for rock type sounds. The overdrive in the VK-8m is quite musical, even when pushed. And it can sound quite different depending on the amp model and tone knob settings. The overdrive in the Nord C1 is good for more subtle settings but, if pushed too much, makes the higher frequencies really break up and sound shrill, unfortunately.

For the C/V, I prefer the 'C3' setting on the Nord C1 over the VK-8m, particularly in the top octave, but the VK-8m is still good.

I think the VK-8m is a good portable clone, but there is still something about the VK sound that I'm not totally sold on. Something about it sounds a little weak or wanting in the top end, but I can't quite put my finger on it. In the middle and lower registers it sounds quite good.

Yiorgos