VK-88

Tone wheels are the actual moving parts that define the sound of an organ. And these sounds varied depending on the year the tone wheels were made. To have an instrument that could simulate all of these different tone wheel types would be an organ player’s dream!

Fortunately, Roland’s Virtual ToneWheel Modeling can accurately re-create the sound of several tone wheel types. The VK-88 features four popular tone wheels(Vintage 1, Vintage 2, Solid and Clean) to the list. Once selected, the organ sound can be further adjusted using harmonic bars and intuitive controls. Even the most detailed editing—like leakage level and rotary speed control—can be accomplished right from the front panel.

By simulating the sound of 91 tone wheels in constant oscillation, the VK-88 gives players full polyphony when playing the organ sounds—complete with percussion effects and more.

Not satisfied with re-creating the tone wheels alone, Roland went on to examine other components that make an organ sound unique. As a result, the VK-88 includes realistic leakage and click sounds. Simply adjust the amount of leakage desired and the click level to create just the sound you’re after.

But that’s not all. The VK-88 can also produce those classic percussion effects. Using the front-panel controls, you can add percussion on the second or third interval while choosing to decrease the volume (soft) or lengthen the decay (slow). This attention to detail makes all the difference in the VK-88’s organ sounds.

A classic organ deserves a classic rotary speaker. That’s why the VK-88 is graced with COSM rotary modeling that can not only simulate the sound of a well-known rotary speaker, but also the construction of its tube amp circuits, actual speaker cabinet
characteristics and natural ambience.

And with onboard COSM Amp Modeling, you can get everything from clean gospel organs to the gritty overdriven sounds of a rock organ. The newly developed COSM Amp Type IV stands out in particular for its killer gain and crunchy distortion effect. The VK-88 takes organ modeling to a whole new level of realism!

The VK-88 features several effects ideal for organ. With the twist of a knob, for example, you can add those vibrato or chorus effects that are essential to an organ player’s sound. Four types of reverb are also provided. These include everything from smooth and natural reverb to the classic sounds of a spring reverb unit. Other unique effects include ring modulation for more intense expression, plus the ability to create those tone wheel motor stops made popular by rock organ players.

Quick-firing Waterfall keyboards The double-manual VK-88 features 61-note waterfall keyboards for more natural playing. Compared to the velocitysensitive keys found on a synthesizer, these quick-firing keys require very little pressure to sound a note—making them more suited to the organ (see previous illustration). Waterfall keyboards are also ideal for playing with traditional organ techniques like glissandos. Playing the VK-88 feels just like a vintage organ!

Easy tonal editing via harmonic bars Organ players will also be at home with the VK-88 harmonic bars. On the VK-88, you’ll find nine harmonic bars per manual, plus two harmonic bars each for the pedal part and Orchestral Tones.

Optional pedalboard and more By connecting the optional PK-25 or PK-7 pedalboard, you can “kick bass” while keeping your hands on the keyboard. The VK-88 can even be paired up with a matching wooden stand (KS-88) and bench (BNC-88) for traditional playing. Each of these components has been designed to complement the VK-88 both functionally and aesthetically.

Expanding your sonic palette The VK-88 features high-quality Orchestral Tones to give players more performance possibilities. What's more, the VK-88's Orchestral Tones have three parts (Upper/Lower/Pedal) and include instruments like piano, strings, brass
and outstanding choir sounds, to name just a few. There are also Tones like Acoustic and Electric bass—perfect for playing bass on an optional pedalboard.

Unique Active Expression Roland’s Active Expression feature makes it easy to slowly fade in a sound over the organ using an optional EV-7 Expression Pedal. On the VK-88, Active Expression can be used to add sonic richness by fading in an Orchestral Tone over the organ sound. By bringing in a pad or brass, for example, you can accentuate a particular section of a song.

Powerful realtime control via light-sensing D Beam The VK-88 incorporates an improved D Beam Controller for more effective performance. Use it to control the rotary speed and to create tone wheel motor stops. On the VK-88, the D Beam’s LED even changes color with each D Beam preset, or as your hand moves closer and further away. With the D Beam, you can take organ playing into the future.

Convenient User Registrations The VK-88 features dedicated 64 Registration buttons to make storing and recalling custom settings easy—great for live performance!

Connect an external rotary speaker The VK-88 also sports a Rotary Tone Cabinet jack for direct connection to a rotary speaker. Parameters like rotary speed (slow/fast) and braking can be controlled right from the organ’s front panel.

VK-88 with music rest (included) , optional KS-88 Organ Stand, PK-25 Pedalboard and BNC-88 Organ Bench