Roland VK-88 Owner's Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Roland Manuals
  4. Electronic Keyboard
  5. VK-88
  6. Owner's manual
Roland VK-88 Owner's Manual

Roland VK-88 Owner's Manual

Roland vk-88: owners manual
Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
Owner's Manual
Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of the VK-88 combo organ.
Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: "IMPORTANT
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS" (p. 2), "USING THE UNIT SAFELY" (p. 3, 4), and
"IMPORTANT NOTES" (p. 5). These sections provide important information
concerning the proper operation of the unit. Additionally, in order to feel
assured that you have gained a good grasp of every feature provided by
your new unit, owner's manual should be read in its entirety. The manual
should be saved and kept on hand as a convenient reference.

Conventions Used in This Manual

• Button names are enclosed in square brackets; e.g., [REVERB] button.
• Fractional harmonic bars (p. 31) are expressed like this: 1-1/3'; 2-2/3'.
• [1]–[8] means that you should press one of the buttons from [1]
through [8].
• The dark/lit/blinking status of an indicator is distinguished as
follows.
dark
Copyright© 2003 ROLAND CORPORATION
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of ROLAND CORPORATION.
blink
lit

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Related Manuals for Roland VK-88

Summary of Contents for Roland VK-88

  • Page 1: Conventions Used In This Manual

    Owner’s Manual Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of the VK-88 combo organ. Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” (p. 2), “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” (p. 3, 4), and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (p. 5). These sections provide important information concerning the proper operation of the unit.

  • Page 2: Important Safety Instructions

    CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN ATTENTION : RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSONS.

  • Page 3: Using The Unit Safely

    Roland. • When using the unit with a rack or stand recom- mended by Roland, the rack or stand must be carefully placed so it is level and sure to remain stable. If not using a rack or stand, you still need...

  • Page 4: Using The Unit Safely

    101c • This (VK-88) for use only with Roland stand KS- 88, Roland rack RKS-88, Roland monitor speaker DS-50A and DS-30A. Use with other stands, racks, and monitor speaker are capable of resulting in instability causing possible injury.

  • Page 5: Important Notes

    • Use only the specified expression pedal (EV-7; sold separately). By connecting any other expression pedals, you risk causing malfunction and/or damage to the unit. • Use a cable from Roland to make the connection. If using some other make of connection cable, please note the following precautions.

  • Page 6: Table Of Contents

    USING THE UNIT SAFELY... 3 IMPORTANT NOTES... 5 Main Features...9 Panel Descriptions...10 How the VK-88 Works...16 About the Virtual Tonewheel Sound Generator ... 16 How the Organ Sound are Created ... 16 About the ORCHESTRAL TONES ... 18 About the Memories ... 18 Before You Begin Playing ...19...
  • Page 7 Saving Your Settings (Registration) ...48 Saving to a Registration in the Same Bank ... 49 Saving to a Registration in Another Bank ... 49 Copying a Registration... 49 Playing Orchestral Tones...50 About the ORCHESTRAL TONES... 50 Layering ORCHESTRAL TONES with Organ Sounds (Layer) ... 52 Muting the Organ Tones and Playing Only the Orchestral Tones ...
  • Page 8 Setting a Different MIDI Channel for Each Keyboard... 88 Turning Transmission of MIDI Messages On and Off Separately for Each Keyboard... 89 Using the VK-88 to Select Tones on an External Sound Module ... 89 Mixing the Sound Module Sound with the Organ Sound ... 90 Connecting a Rotary Speaker ...

  • Page 9: Main Features

    • A dedicated rotary speaker connector is provided. Rotary speakers with an eleven-pin connector can be connected directly to the VK-88. • The VK-88's MIDI IN and OUT connectors let you enjoy performances using an external sound module or sequencer.

  • Page 10: Panel Descriptions

    Panel Descriptions [POWER] switch Turn the power on/off (p. 26). ■ VIBRATO AND CHORUS VIBRATO AND CHORUS [UPPER] button Turns the Upper Part’s vibrato or chorus effect on and off (p. 39). VIBRATO AND CHORUS [LOWER] button Turns the Lower Part’s vibrato or chorus effect on and off (p.
  • Page 11 ■ HARMONIC BAR These bars create the tonality of the organ voice for the upper, pedal and lower keyboard. You can modify the tone in real time as you play (p. 31). 13 14 ■ ORCHESTRAL TONES UPPER ORCHESTRAL TONES button Selects the Upper Orchestral Tones (p.
  • Page 12 Panel Descriptions ■ PEDAL 19. PEDAL [TO LOWER] button Splits the lower manual into two ranges, with the Pedal Tones placed in the left range (p. 46). 20. PEDAL [SUSTAIN] button Adds sustain to the sound of the organ’s Pedal part and Pedal Orchestral Tones (p.
  • Page 13 29. [MASTER VOLUME] knob Adjust the overall volume (p. 26). ■ REVERB 30. REVERB [LEVEL] knob Adjust the depth of reverb (p. 45). 31. [REVERB] button Select the type of reverb (p. 45). ■ AMPLIFIER 32. [OVERDRIVE] knob Adjust the depth of overdrive (p. 41). 33.
  • Page 14 You can connect an external keyboard and play the VK- 88’s sounds from the external keyboard (p. 84). You could also connect an external sequencer here, and get the VK-88 to play the music the sequencer sends it (p. 86). 46. MIDI OUT connector An external MIDI device can be connected here to receive MIDI data transmitted from the VK-88 (p.
  • Page 15 53. INPUT L (MONO) jack You can play the sounds input from the sound module mixed with the VK-88’s sounds (p. 90). If you are inputting in mono, connect the L(MONO) jack. Sounds input from the INPUT jacks are output from the MIX OUTPUT jacks.

  • Page 16: How The Vk-88 Works

    On tone wheel organs, turning off percussion [SOFT] button would lower the volume of the organ, but the VK-88 allows you to adjust it so the volume of the organ won’t change when percussion [SOFT] button is switched on/off (p. 67).
  • Page 17 With the VK-88, you can change the reverberation time (p. 82), adjust the reverb volume by turning the REVERB [LEVEL] knob (p. 45), and change the connection between the rotary and reverb (p. 79).

  • Page 18: About The Orchestral Tones

    How the VK-88 Works ■ About the ORCHESTRAL TONES The VK-88 also contains sounds other than organ sounds. These are referred to as “ORCHESTRAL TONES.” You can play the Orchestral Tones in the Upper, Lower, and Pedal Parts. ORCHESTRAL TONES provide the following sounds.

  • Page 19: Before You Begin Playing

    Before You Begin Playing Connecting the Power Cord Before making a connection, make sure that the VK-88 is turned off. Connect supplied power cord to the VK-88, and plug the other end into a power outlet. fig.01-01 AC Outlet Rear of the unit...

  • Page 20: Connecting Your Amp, Speakers, Or Headphones

    Connecting Your Amp, Speakers, or Headphones The VK-88 is not equipped with an amplifier or speakers. In order to hear the sound, you will need to connect audio equipment such as a monitor speaker system or stereo set, or use headphones.
  • Page 21 Headphones About a OUTPUT jacks The VK-88’s OUTPUT jacks support both balanced output and unbalanced output. To use balanced output, use a cable with a balanced (TRS type) phone plug. To use unbalance output, use a cable with an unbalanced (TS type) phone plug.

  • Page 22: Connecting The Pedal Keyboard

    Set the PEDAL KEYBOARD IN [SELECT] switch of the rear panel to the PK IN position. Using the special cable that was included with the VK-88, connect the VK-88’s PK IN connector to the PK OUT connector of your pedal keyboard unit.

  • Page 23: Connecting A Midi Pedal Keyboard Unit

    Set the PEDAL KEYBOARD IN [SELECT] switch of the rear panel to the MIDI PEDAL IN position. Use a commercially available MIDI cable to connect the VK-88’s MIDI PEDAL IN connector to the MIDI OUT connector of your MIDI pedal keyboard unit.

  • Page 24: Connecting An Expression Pedal Or Pedal Switch

    Before You Begin Playing Connecting an Expression Pedal or Pedal Switch You can connect an expression pedal or pedal switch to the rear panel EXPRESSION PEDAL jack, HOLD PEDAL jack, CONTROL PEDAL 1, or CONTROL PEDAL 2 jack. fig.01-06 Setting Up the Music Stand Attach the music stand by inserting it into the two holes.

  • Page 25: Attaching The Rear Cover

    Attaching the Rear Cover You can attach the rear cover to the VK-88’s rear panel to hide the jack panel. Use the screws included to attach the rear cover to the VK-88’s rear panel as shown in the figure below.

  • Page 26: Turning The Power On

    Before turning on the VK-88’s power, make sure that: • The VK-88 is correctly connected to the desired peripheral devices. • The volume of the VK-88 and any connected audio equipment or speakers is turned to the minimum position. Press the upper portion of the VK-88’s [POWER] switch to turn on the power.

  • Page 27: Restoring The Factory Settings (Factory Reset)

    (Factory Reset) This function resets all the VK-88’s settings to their factory default values. Make sure that the volume is turned to the minimum position. Press the lower portion of the VK-88’s [POWER] switch to turn off the power. fig.01-07...

  • Page 28: Listening To The Demo Songs

    Before You Begin Playing Listening to the Demo Songs The VK-88 contains four demo songs. Here’s how to listen to the demo songs and experience the various organ sounds and effects. fig.01-11 Press the [BANK] button and the [H-BAR MANUAL] button at the same time.

  • Page 29: Playing The Organ

    Playing the Organ Listening to Various Sounds The VK-88 comes with 64 registrations stored onboard. Here’s how to switch registrations to hear the various sounds. There are eight banks of registrations, with eight sounds in each bank. Switch between the registrations to hear the various sounds.

  • Page 30: About The Organ Voice

    About the Organ Voice The organ voice has three parts: “upper,” “lower,” and “pedal.” When you play the upper manual on the VK-88, the Upper Part is played; the Lower Part is played when you play the lower manual. You can also play the VK-88 in the following ways.

  • Page 31: Adjusting The Sound In Real Time (Harmonic Bars)

    The harmonic bars are controllers for creating the basic structure of the organ sound. The VK-88 provides nine harmonic bars for the upper part and lower part respectively, and two harmonic bars for the pedal part. By sliding the harmonic bars in and out you can create a variety of tonalities.
  • Page 32 Playing the Organ The numbers (16', 5-1/3', etc.) printed on the knob of each harmonic bar indicate the pitch of that bar in “feet.” The pitch of each harmonic bar plays an important role in creating the tone. The 8' pitch is the basic pitch of the sound, and the sound is created based on this 8' pitch.
  • Page 33 Folding back the high-frequency portion prevents the high-frequency sounds from being unpleasantly shrill, and folding back the low-frequency portion prevents the sound from becoming “muddy.” On the VK-88 faithfully simulates this characteristic. As you can see from the relation of the pitches, the 5-1/3' pitch is unique in that it is not arranged in order of pitch.

  • Page 34: Changing The Organ Sound (Wheel Type, Leakage Level, Key Click)

    Teeth are cut into the edge of each disk, and sound is generated by rotating the disks past an electrical coil at a fixed speed. The VK-88 digitally simulates the tone wheel mechanism of a tone wheel organ, and thus provides the rapid response and full polyphony that characterize these instruments.
  • Page 35 Tone Wheel type Selects the type of tone wheel. Press the [TONE WHEEL] button to select the type of tone wheel. Each time you press the [TONE WHEEL] button, the tone wheel will switch between the following settings. Type A tone wheel that simulates the tone wheel organs of the VINTAGE 1 70’s.

  • Page 36: Adding Crispness To The Sound (Percussion)

    Playing the Organ Adding Crispness to the Sound (Percussion) Percussion adds an attack-type sound to the beginning of the note to give the sound more crispness. When you play legato (smoothly and connectedly), percussion will be added only to the first-played note. When you play staccato (articulating each note separately), percussion will be added to all notes.
  • Page 37 [SOFT] (Soft Percussion) button Switches the volume of the percussion. Button The percussion sound will be softer. Lit (ON) The percussion sound will be normal. Dark (OFF) When you turn the [SOFT] button off to strengthen the percussion sound, the organ sound specified by the harmonic bars will become lower.
  • Page 38 The VK-88 simulates this behavior, and also allows you to modify the organ voice settings to adjust the recharge time characteristics of the circuit (p.

  • Page 39: Adding Modulation To The Sound (Vibrato And Chorus)

    Adding Modulation to the Sound (Vibrato and Chorus) The vibrato effect cyclically modulates the pitch of organ voice sounds. The chorus effect mixes the normal sound of the organ with a sound to which vibrato has been applied, adding richness and spaciousness to the sound. fig.01-26 Press the VIBRATO AND CHORUS [UPPER] or VIBRATO AND CHORUS [LOWER] button so that the indicator is lit.

  • Page 40: Using The Cosm Rotary Speaker Effect (Rotary Sound)

    Rotary Sound is an effect which adds the modulation that is produced when organ voices are used with a rotary speaker. On most rotary speakers, the high-frequency speaker and low-frequency speaker rotate at different speeds. The VK-88 can simulate this type of complex modulation.

  • Page 41: Changing The Amp Type (Amp Type, Overdrive, Tone)

    Changing the Amp Type (Amp Type, Overdrive, Tone) fig.01-30 Changing the Virtual Amp Switches the frequency response and cabinet resonance of the virtual amp. Press the [AMPLIFIER] button to select the type of virtual amp. The amp type will change each time you press the [AMPLIFIER] button. Type Characteristics of the most frequently used rotary speakers.

  • Page 42: Using The D Beam Controller To Produce Common Organ Effects

    Using the D BEAM Controller to Produce Common Organ Effects You can apply various effects to the sound only by moving your hand over the D Beam Controller on the VK-88 panel. fig.01-34 Press the D BEAM [ON] button so that the button is lit.

  • Page 43: About The Effects

    Throughout the history of rock organ, a wide range of performers have developed unique effects and used them in their music. The VK-88 can not only simulate several of these unique effects, but also lets you enjoy effects provided by no other instrument.

  • Page 44: Adjusting The Sensitivity Of The D Beam Controller

    Playing the Organ ■ Adjusting the Sensitivity of the D Beam Controller You can adjust the sensitivity of the D Beam controller. Caution Please be aware that the D Beam will not function in a location where there is a large amount of infrared light.

  • Page 45: Adding Ambience (Reverb)

    Adding Ambience (Reverb) Reverb is an effect that adds reverberation to the sound. You can apply the reverb effect to the organ sound and the ORCHESTRAL TONES. fig.01-33 Turn the REVERB [LEVEL] knob to adjust the amount of reverb effect to be applied.

  • Page 46: Dividing The Lower Keyboard (Pedal To Lower)

    Playing the Organ Dividing the Lower Keyboard (PEDAL TO LOWER) You can divide the Lower keyboard into two zones, and assign the Lower part sound of the organ voice to the right-hand zone, and the Pedal part sound of the organ voice to the left-hand zone.

  • Page 47: Adding Effects To The Pedal Part

    Adding Effects to the Pedal Part ■ Adding a Decay to the Pedal Part (Pedal Sustain) You can add sustain to the organ voice’s Pedal Part. Press the PEDAL [SUSTAIN] button to make its indicator light. Sustain is added to the Pedal Part and Pedal Orchestral Tones. When the PEDAL [SUSTAIN] button is on and you play the organ Pedal Part, sustain is applied to the last note played.

  • Page 48: Saving Your Settings (Registration)

    REGISTRATION buttons. By saving your favorite settings in a registration, you can easily recall them simply by pressing a REGISTRATION buttons. The VK-88 contains 64 different registrations. These are organized into eight groups, with eight registrations in each group.

  • Page 49: Saving To A Registration In The Same Bank

    ■ Saving to a Registration in the Same Bank Make the panel settings that you want to save in the registration. Hold down the [WRITE] button, and press one of the buttons from [1] through [8] to specify the save-destination registration. While the registration is being saved, the indicator of the selected registration number button will blink.

  • Page 50: Playing Orchestral Tones

    Playing Orchestral Tones About the ORCHESTRAL TONES With the VK-88, you can play piano, strings, and other Orchestral Tones. The Orchestral Tones include three parts, the Upper Orchestral Tones, Lower Orchestral Tones, and Pedal Orchestral Tones. PEDAL LOWER ORCHESTRAL ORCHESTRAL...
  • Page 51 The Upper Orchestral Tones are played on the upper manual, and the Lower Orchestral Tones are played on the lower manual. To play the Pedal Orchestral Tones, connect an external pedalboard to the VK-88. You can also press the PEDAL [TO LOWER] button to split the lower manual into two ranges and play the Pedal Orchestral Tones in the left side.

  • Page 52: Layering Orchestral Tones With Organ Sounds (Layer)

    Playing Orchestral Tones Layering ORCHESTRAL TONES with Organ Sounds (Layer) In addition to organ voices, the VK-88 provides ORCHESTRAL TONES, such as piano or strings. Here’s how you can play organ sounds together with Orchestral tones. fig.01-42 Select a registration organ voice (p. 29), or use the harmonic bars and other knobs and buttons to create the desired organ sound.

  • Page 53: Muting The Organ Tones And Playing Only The Orchestral Tones

    ■ Muting the Organ Tones and Playing Only the Orchestral Tones Press the UPPER harmonic bars, PEDAL harmonic bars, and LOWER harmonic bars, inward until you can no longer see the numbers. Get the indicators for the PERCUSSION [SECOND] button and PERCUSSION [THIRD] button to go out (off).

  • Page 54: Playing The Pedal Orchestral Tones In The Lower Keyboard (Pedal To Lower)

    Playing Orchestral Tones Playing the Pedal Orchestral Tones in the Lower Keyboard (PEDAL TO LOWER) You can divide the Lower keyboard into two zones, and assign the Pedal Orchestral Tones to the left-hand zone. This is called “split,” and the location at which the keyboard is divided is called the “split point.”...

  • Page 55: Muting The Organ Tones And Playing Only The Orchestral Tones

    To cancel the Split, press the PEDAL [TO LOWER] button once again, extinguishing the indicator. ■ Muting the Organ Tones and Playing Only the Orchestral Tones Press the PEDAL harmonic bars and LOWER harmonic bars, inward until you can no longer see the numbers. fig.01-36 Pedal Orchestral Tones ■...

  • Page 56: Using The Controllers

    Normally, when you use an expression pedal connected to the EXPRESSION PEDAL jack, the Organ Voice and Orchestral Tones will both gradually change in volume. The VK-88 provides an Active Expression function, which you can use with an expression pedal connected to the EXPRESSION PEDAL jack. The Active Expression function lets you create tonal changes for greater expressiveness, and allows you to emphasize the “forte”...

  • Page 57: Using A Control Pedal

    Using a Control Pedal You can connect a pedal switch or expression pedal to the rear panel CONTROL PEDAL 1 jack and CONTROL PEDAL 2 jack, and assign a function to the pedal. fig.01-39 Using the Controllers NOTE For some type of pedal switch, the action you obtain when the pedal is pressed will be the opposite of what you intend.

  • Page 58: Assigning A Function To The Control Pedal

    Using the Controllers ■ Assigning a Function to the Control Pedal You can change the function that is assigned to the control pedal. To assign the function of the controller pedal connected to the CONTROL 1 jack, hold down the [BANK] button and press the [PIANO] button;...
  • Page 59 Button Parameter ORCHESTRAL TONES EXPRESSION [REGISTRATION] button’s indicator is lit Button Parameter D BEAM SYNC CRESCENDO RING MODULATOR TONE WHEEL BRAKE SPRING SHOCK If you want to stop editing, press the [H-BAR MANUAL] button. Press the [WRITE] button to finalize the function assigned to the control pedal.

  • Page 60: Using The Pedalboard Foot Switch

    When a pedalboard equipped with a foot switch, such as the PK-25/PK-7 (optionally available) is connected to the PK IN jack on the VK-88’s rear panel, you can assign any of a number of control functions (such as switching the speed of the rotary speaker rotation or switching registrations) to the foot switch.

  • Page 61: Using The Bender

    Moving the BENDER at the left of the lower manual from side to side while the [ORGAN CONTROL] button is unlit causes the pitch to change smoothly (Pitch Bend effect). With the VK-88, you can apply this pitch bend effect to the Organ voice and Orchestral Tones. Using the Modulation Lever Moving the MODULATION lever away from you while the [ORGAN CONTROL] button is unlit adds a wavering effect to the Orchestral Tones.

  • Page 62: Changing The Sound With Aftertouch

    Using the Controllers Changing the Sound with Aftertouch After pressing keys on the upper manual, you can then alter the sound of the Organ and Orchestral Tones by continuing to press harder on the keys. The function of aftertouch is as follows. Tone Organ Voice ORCHESTRAL TONES...

  • Page 63: Advanced Use

    Advanced Use Edit mode allows you to get the most out of the VK-88’s functions by making more detailed settings. This section explains the functions that can be set in Edit mode. In this owner’s manual, the process of modifying a setting is referred to as “editing,”...
  • Page 64 Advanced Use State of the D BEAM Indicators in Edit Mode ❍ When the setting is “0–127,” “0–10,” “0–12,” “0–15,” “0–24,” or “0–31” The lit location of the D Beam Type indicator shows the approximate value. The minimum value (0) will be when the D Beam indicators are all dark, and the maximum value when they are all lit.

  • Page 65: Settings That Are Saved For The Entire System

    Settings That Are Saved for the Entire System ■ Rotary-related Settings [BANK] button and press the ROTARY SOUND [ON] button. The indicators of the [1]–[8] buttons ([1]–[7] buttons) will blink. Press one of the [1]–[8] buttons ([1]–[7] buttons) to select the parameter that you want to edit. There are 15 rotary-related parameters.
  • Page 66 Advanced Use ❍ ROTARY WOOFER LEVEL (0–127) Specifies the volume of the low-range speaker (woofer). The rotary speaker effect consists of a low range and a high range, and you can independently adjust the volume of the low-range speaker (woofer) and the high-range speaker (tweeter) to set as desired.

  • Page 67: Percussion Settings

    ■ Percussion Settings Hold down the [BANK] button and press the PERCUSSION [SECOND] button. The indicators of buttons [1]–[6] will blink. Press one of the buttons from [1] through [6] to select the parameter that you want to edit. There are six parameters related to Percussion. The following parameters are assigned to each button.

  • Page 68: Organ Voice Setting

    This is because the percussion on tone wheel organs was designed not to impair the volume balance of the entire organ. The VK-88 allows you to adjust this change in volume balance. ■ Organ Voice Setting ❍...
  • Page 69 If you press the VIBRATO AND CHORUS [UPPER] button, the setting will return to its initial value. Press the [WRITE] button to confirm the settings. This saves the settings. The indicators for the [1]–[8] buttons light up while the settings are being saved. NOTE Never turn off the power while parameters are being saved.
  • Page 70 Advanced Use ❍ ORGAN BENDER ASSIGN This sets the bender action when the [ORGAN CONTROL] button is on. Hold down the [BANK] button and press the [HARPSICHORD] button. The indicators of buttons [1]–[2] will blink. Press one of the buttons [1]–[2] to select the function you want to assign to the Bender.

  • Page 71: Orchestral Tones Controller Setting

    The volume of the spring shock can be adjusted with the REVERB [LEVEL] knob. The spring shock is particularly effective if “SPRING” is selected as the reverb type (p. 45). NOTE When the “SPRING SHOCK” function is assigned to the modulation lever, please be aware that raising the reverb level excessively will produce a high-volume impact sound.
  • Page 72 Advanced Use Button Parameter PEDAL ORCHESTRAL TONES VELOCITY MODE PEDAL ORCHESTRAL TONES VELOCITY Turn the [VIBRATO AND CHORUS] knob to adjust the setting. If you press the VIBRATO AND CHORUS [UPPER] button, the setting will return to its initial value. If you want to edit another parameter, press [BANK] button and the appropriate button from [1] through [8] to select the parameter, and turn the [VIBRATO AND...
  • Page 73 ❍ LOWER ORCHESTRAL TONES MODULATION (ON/OFF) This setting determines whether or not the modulation is applied to the Lower Orchestral Tones. Turn the [VIBRATO AND CHORUS] knob to the right to turn this on, or to the left to turn it off. At the factory settings, this is turned on.

  • Page 74: Midi-Related Settings

    FIXED ORCHESTRAL TONES VELOCITY. ❍ PEDAL ORCHESTRAL TONES VELOCITY (0–127) You can set the Pedal Part velocity on the VK-88. The velocity increases as the value is raised. ■ MIDI-related Settings ❍ When setting things other than the MIDI channel Hold down the [BANK] button and press the [TONE WHEEL] button.
  • Page 75 The MIDI Thru function will be turned off. NOTE If the VK-88 receives a large amount of MIDI data or exclusive data, it may not be able to receive all of the MIDI data correctly. If this occurs, reduce the amount of MIDI data that is being transmitted from the external device, or break up the exclusive data into smaller units.
  • Page 76 Advanced Use ❍ MIDI SOUND CONTROLLERS SWITCH (ON/OFF) This specifies whether Harmonic Bar data will be received using sound controller MIDI messages. Turn the [VIBRATO AND CHORUS] knob to the right to turn this on, or to the left to turn it off. At the factory settings, this is turned on.
  • Page 77 If you connect an external drum pad or sequencer and set its MIDI transmit channel to channel 10, you will be able to play drum sounds on the VK-88. In this case, the sounds of the GM2 standard drum set will be played (p.

  • Page 78: Equalizer And Other Settings

    Advanced Use ■ Equalizer and Other Settings Hold down the [BANK] button and press the [AMPLIFIER] button. The indicators of [1]–[8] buttons will blink. Press one of the buttons from [1] through [8] to select the parameter that you want to edit. There are 16 parameters related to equalizer and other settings.
  • Page 79 ❍ MASTER TUNE (-100cent–0–+100cent) This is a fine adjustment to the pitch of the VK-88. You can adjust the pitch of the entire instrument in 0.1 cent steps, relative to the pitch of A4 (middle A) = 440.0 Hz.
  • Page 80 Advanced Use Switching the polarity of the control pedal ❍ CONTROL PEDAL 1 POLARITY (STANDARD /REVERSE) ❍ CONTROL PEDAL 2 POLARITY (STANDARD /REVERSE) Depending on the type of pedal switch, the result when the switch is operated may be the opposite of what you intend.

  • Page 81: Parameters That Are Stored In A Registration

    Parameters that are Stored in a Registration ■ Effect and Other Settings Hold down the [BANK] button, and press the [REVERB] button. The indicators of [1]–[8] buttons ([1]–[7] buttons) will blink. Press one of the [1]–[8] buttons ([1]–[7] buttons) to select the parameter that you want to edit.
  • Page 82 Advanced Use ❍ REVERB TIME (0–127) Adjusts the length of the Reverb time. Higher values result in longer reverberation. ❍ ORCHESTRAL TONES CHORUS LEVEL (0–127) Specify the chorus level when the chorus effect is applied to the Orchestral Tones ELECTRIC PIANO1 or ELECTRIC PIANO2.

  • Page 83: Pedal Sustain Setting

    ❍ PEDAL ORCHESTRAL TONES MONO MODE (POLYPHONY/MONO) This setting determines whether the Pedal Orchestral Tones are played with multiple or single notes. Turn the [VIBRATO AND CHORUS] knob to the left to select POLYPHONY, or to the right to select MONO. ■...

  • Page 84: Connecting The Vk-88 To External Devices

    Connecting the VK-88 to External Devices Playing the VK-88 from an External MIDI Device The VK-88 has six parts: the “upper part,” “lower part,” and “pedal part” of the organ voice, “Upper Orchestral Tones,” “Lower Orchestral Tones,” and “Pedal Orchestral Tones.”...

  • Page 85: Connecting A Pedal Keyboard

    You can connect a pedal keyboard and play the Pedal Part of the VK-88. NOTE Turn off the power of the VK-88 and the other device before making connections. If you connect an external device when the power is turned on, damage or malfunctions may occur.

  • Page 86: Using An External Sequencer To Record And Play Back

    The sequencer will store your performance on the VK-88 as various types of MIDI data. MIDI data that is received can be sent from the sequencer back to the VK-88 to reproduce your performance. → Some sequencers are able to record settings such as the VK- 88’s registrations, ORCHESTRAL TONES settings, and...

  • Page 87: Saving Vk-88 Settings On An External Sequencer (Bulk Dump)

    Make sure that the power of the VK-88 and your sequencer is off. NOTE Turn off the power of the VK-88 and the other device before making connections. If you connect an external device when the power is turned on, damage or malfunctions may occur.

  • Page 88: Using The Vk-88 As The Master Keyboard

    MIDI devices. ■ Connecting a External Sound Generator Turn off the power of the VK-88 and the external sound generator that you want to connect. Use a commercially available MIDI cable to connect the MIDI IN connector of your sound generator to the MIDI OUT connector of the VK-88.

  • Page 89: Turning Transmission Of Midi Messages On And Off Separately For Each Keyboard

    Tones on an External Sound Module You can select tones on an external sound module from the VK-88. This procedure sets the Bank Select (MSB, LSB) and Program Change messages for each keyboard. Make the master keyboard setting (p. 88).

  • Page 90: Mixing The Sound Module Sound With The Organ Sound

    You can play the external sound module’s sounds by connecting the keyboard to the VK-88’s INPUT jack. Connect the sound module to the INPUT jack of VK-88. Turn the INPUT [LEVEL] knob on the rear panel to adjust the volume of the sound module connected to the INPUT jacks.

  • Page 91: Connecting A Rotary Speaker

    Connecting a Rotary Speaker In addition to providing a rotary speaker effect, the VK-88 also allows you to connect an actual rotary speaker. Connect your rotary speaker to the ROTARY TONE CABINET connector located on the rear panel. fig.03-05 You can use the ROTARY [FAST/SLOW] button to...

  • Page 92: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting If the VK-88 does not function in the way you except, first check the following chart. If this does not resolve the problem, consult your dealer or a nearby Roland service station. Problem Power does not turn on No sound/insufficient volume...
  • Page 93 Drum, or spring shock to the same channel as the Control MIDI Channel. Set the MIDI channels correctly. Make sure that the VK-88’s program changes and expression data are being transmitted on the correct MIDI channel. Have the sequencer play back the...
  • Page 94 The power was turned off while data was being written into registration memory. The VK-88 is in Edit mode. The VK-88 is in Demo mode. Could you be using a connection cable that contains a resistor? Solution This is not malfunction.

  • Page 95: Error Indications

    ■ Error Indications When an incorrect operation is performed, or when an operation cannot be carried out correctly, the VK-88 will light all of its indicators for a few seconds. Errors are divided into two categories—those that show up at power-up, and those that occur during normal operation.

  • Page 96: Registration/Orchestral Tones List

    Registration/ORCHESTRAL TONES List ■ Registration List Registration UPPER PART Number 88 8000 000 80 0000 888 88 8800 000 88 8800 000 88 8008 008 85 8500 005 88 8000 678 60 8807 006 88 8000 000 88 8008 008 88 8800 000 88 8800 000 80 0888 888...

  • Page 97: Orchestral Tones List

    Registration UPPER PART Number 88 8000 000 88 8008 008 88 8800 000 88 8800 000 80 0888 888 88 8000 000 88 8080 880 28 0030 350 88 8000 000 88 8800 000 80 0000 888 88 8000 068 88 0834 228 88 8000 000 81 8151 608...

  • Page 98: Edit Parameters

    Edit Parameters Settings that are saved for the entire System ●Rotary-related settings • ROTARY WOOFER LEVEL • ROTARY TWEETER LEVEL • ROTARY WOOFER RISE TIME • ROTARY TWEETER RISE TIME • ROTARY WOOFER FALL TIME • ROTARY TWEETER FALL TIME •...
  • Page 99 Parameters that are stored in a registration ●Effect and other setting • REVERB TIME • ORCHESTRAL TONES CHORUS LEVEL • D BEAM ROTARY SPEED MODE • ON CLICK LEVEL • OFF CLICK LEVEL • UPPER ORCHESTRAL TONES EXPRESSION • LOWER ORCHESTRAL TONES EXPRESSION •...

  • Page 100: Drum List

    By connecting an external MIDI device to the VK-88’s MIDI IN connector and matching the external MIDI device’s MIDI channel to the VK-88’s DRUM MIDI CH. setting (p. 77), you can then use the connected external MIDI device to play the VK-88’s drum sets.

  • Page 101: Midi Implementation

    Version: 1.00 1. Receive data * The VK-88 has two MIDI IN connectors: MIDI IN and PEDAL IN. Messages input through the MIDI IN connector can be used to control specific Parts, according to the MIDI channel numbers of the MIDI messages. Messages input via the MIDI PEDAL IN connector are received as messages for the Pedal Part, regardless of the channel number.

  • Page 102: Channel Mode Messages

    EOX (End Of Exclusive) This is the last status of system exclusive message. The System Exclusive Messages received by VK-88 are; messages related to mode settings, Universal Realtime System Exclusive messages, Data Requests (RQ1), and Data Set (DT1). ●Universal Non-realtime System Exclusive Messages ❍Identity Request Message...

  • Page 103: Transmitted Data

    41H, dev, 00H, 65H, 11H, aaH, bbH, ccH, ddH, ssH, ttH, uuH, vvH, sum Status Byte Remarks Exclusive status ID number (Roland) device ID (dev: 10H fixed) model ID model ID (VK-88) command ID (RQ1) address MSB address address address LSB size MSB size...

  • Page 104: System Realtime Message

    Status Byte Explanation Exclusive status ID number (universal non-realtime message) Device ID (use the same as the device ID of Roland) Sub ID#1 (General Information) Sub ID#2 (Identity Reply) ID number (Roland) Device family code (LSB) Device family code (MSB)
  • Page 105 3. Parameter address map (MODEL ID = 00 65H) Transmission of “#” marked address is divided to some packets. For example, ABH in hexadecimal notation will be divided to 0AH and 0BH, and is sent/received in this order. +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Start Address | Description |-------------+---------------------------------------------------|...
  • Page 106 MIDI Implementation • System FX +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Offset Address | Description |-------------+---------------------------------------------------| 00 00 | 0aaa aaaa | Rotary Woofer Level 00 01 | 0aaa aaaa | Rotary Tweeter Level 00 02 | 0aaa aaaa | Rotary Woofer Rise Time 00 03 | 0aaa aaaa | Rotary Tweeter Rise Time 00 04 | 0aaa aaaa | Rotary Woofer Fall Time 00 05 | 0aaa aaaa | Rotary Tweeter Fall Time...

  • Page 107: Examples Of Actual Midi Messages

    -63 - +63 Calculating the Checksum (0 - 1) | Roland exclusive messages (RQ1, DT1) are transmitted with a checksum at the end of the OFF, ON (0 - 127) | data (before F7) to check that the data was received correctly. The value of the checksum is determined by the address and data (or size) of the exclusive message.

  • Page 108: Midi Implementation Chart

    Pedal part, regardless of their channel number. *2 Only ORCHESTRAL TONES part *3 Received Data will be handled in the same way as the EXPRESSION PEDAL jack of the VK-88 itself. *4 ORCHESTRAL TONES Glide *5 Wheel Brake *6 The Messages will be received and transmitted on the channel specified by Control MIDI Channel.

  • Page 109: Main Specification

    Main Specification VK-88: Combo Organ ● Keyboard Upper: 61 keys (Waterfall keyboard with velocity and aftertouch) Lower: 61 keys (Waterfall keyboard with velocity) ● Sound Generator Organ: Virtual ToneWheel Method Orchestral Tones: PCM ● Part Organ: 3 parts (Upper, Lower, Pedal) Orchestral Tones: 3 parts (Upper, Lower, Pedal) ●...
  • Page 110 1184 (W) x 590 (D) x 946 (H) mm 46-5/8 (W) x 23-1/4 (D) x 37-1/4 (H) inches VK-88 include Music Rest + KS-88 1184 (W) x 590 (D) x 1130 (H) mm 46-5/8 (W) x 23-1/4 (D) x 44-1/2 (H) inches ●...

  • Page 111: Index

    Index Active Expression function ... 56 Aftertouch ... 62 AFTERTOUCH SENS ... 80 Ambience ... 45 Amp Type ... 17, 41 AUTO COLOR MODE ... 80 BANK ... 48 Bank ... 29 Bender ... 61 Bulk Dump ... 87 Chorus ... 39 Click Noise ...
  • Page 112 Index Master Keyboard Mode ... 88 MASTER TUNE ... 79 Master Volume ... 26 Memory ... 18 MIDI ... 84 MIDI Channel ... 76, 84 MIDI GENERAL CONTOROLLERS SWITCH ... 76 MIDI PROGRAM CHANGE SWITCH ... 76 MIDI SOUND CONTROLLERS SWITCH ... 76 MIDI THRU ...
  • Page 113 Index Second Percussion ... 36 Single Trigger Algorithm ... 38 Slow Percussion ... 38 Soft Percussion ... 37 SPEED Indicator ... 40 Split ... 54 Split Point ... 46, 54–55 Spring Reverb Shock ... 43 Spring Shock MIDI Channel ... 77 System Memory ...
  • Page 114 Information When you need repair service, call your nearest Roland Service Center or authorized Roland distributor in your country as shown below. PHILIPPINES AFRICA AFRICA G.A. Yupangco & Co. Inc. 339 Gil J. Puyat Avenue EGYPT Makati, Metro Manila 1200,...
  • Page 115 This product complies with the requirements of European Directives EMC 89/336/EEC and LVD 73/23/EEC. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
  • Page 116 03233978 ’04-5-2TP...

Table of Contents