From ccmacdon@rogers.com Sat Oct 26 07:26:54 2013
Subject:Re: Question about Roland VR-09 & Hammond SK1


Gene, I just want to clarify that I'm not trying to push you one way or another.. I happen to be pretty familiar with the VR-09 and I really like the value that's built into this $999 keyboard... Despite being half the price of the SK1 in some respects the VR is superior to the SK, but that doesn't mean that it's the right clone for you. The SK1 may very well be a better solution for your needs..

One of the things we haven't touched on is editability. The SK1 organ is far more editable and tweakable than the VR-09. So if you love to tweak your organ right down to adjusting individual tonewheels the SK1 is a much better solution. One the other hand, the VR-09 takes a more simplistic approach to editing. It has a simple tone control and a set of very simple and easy to understand parameters in the edit menu. That said you can get a huge range of different organ sounds using the live effects (tone control, compression, overdrive) and in addition to that the VR menu allows you to adjust upper/lower gain and most of the other basic parameters that you'll want (key click, leakage).. Same thing with the leslie, you have two different types, and the ability to adjust speeds and ramp up/down times.. HOWEVER, the VR-09 does not have some of the more sophisticated parameters that exist in the SK1 such as distance and mic placement etc. etc.

SO, if you really enjoy tweaking, the SK1 may be a better choice, but on the other hand, you may find the editing to be much easier on the VR-09 and prefer it's more simplistic/minimalist approach to creating your organ sound.

One last point, the default organ sound on the VR-09 kind of sucks.. check out the registration called "Bay Area B3".. that's a much better reflection of what the VR-09 is capable of. It's the registration that I used as a starting point to create my rock organ sounds.

Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress!
Craig

--- In CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
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> Also, Gene, you may not have to bring a mixer, just the right cable. You should be able to go right out of the Hammond into the EXT INPUT jack of the VR-09, and be able to hear both through headphones plugged directly into the VR. Looks like you'd need a L/R 1/4" to a stereo mini. (The 1/4" side could be RCAs with adapters.)
>