V-Combo VR-09 – Made for Live Playing
5 Practical Features of the V-Combo VR-09
The V-Combo VR-09 is designed from the ground up to be the ultimate keyboard for live players. It is designed with dedicated knobs, sliders and buttons that allow you to choose your instruments and also shape sounds quickly and painless without having to dig into menus. In the following videos our resident synth ninja, Ed Diaz dives into the VR-09’s synth section, splits, layers, piano, organ, drums and on board looper.
Update Your VR-09 to Version 1.03
Synth Section
The V-Combo VR-09 has tons of ready-to-play synth sounds, from vintage analog classics like the JUNO strings and ‘80s synth brass to modern tones and beyond. Here’s a peek at some of the brass, string, bass, lead, pad and choir sounds within the synth section. Ed’s first instrument is the trumpet, so it is only natural that he gravitates to the brass sounds. Within the brass section of the synth block, Ed plays the JP-8 brass, Juno brass, FS Brass and the N Trumpet. In the strings section of the keyboard, Ed plays the JP-8 strings and the Full Strings. For the lead section, he plays the Saw Lead and Pure Lead. In the bass section, Ed plays the Fat Analog Bass, Monster Bass, Acoustic Bass and Finger Style Bass. For the pad section, Ed plays the Heaven pad and wraps up the synth section with choir.
Splits and Layers
The V-Combo VR-09’s split and layering features are perhaps the worlds easiest and most intuitive you will ever see on any keyboard. For beginners, this is probably the best time to describe what splits and layers are. A split is when you divide and assign sections of the keyboard to different sounds; for example, assigning a piano sound on everything from middle C and to the left and a brass sound from D to the right. A layer is when you assign multiple sounds to the same key; for example, a string sound over a piano. In this video, Ed demonstrates how to layer sounds on top of each other in two steps and how to split the key bed with one extra step.
Piano Editing
All sounds in the V-Combo VR-09 are editable, including the piano sounds. In this short video Ed demonstrates Reverb, pitch shifter, tremolo, overdrive, phaser, delay and wah over piano, electric piano and clavier.
Organ Section
The V-Combo VR-09 has three different types of organs jazz, rock, and transistor. Here, we’ll show you how easy it is to build an organ tone. To adjust our tone, we’ll use the V-Combo VR-09’s vibrato, chorus, leakage noise, click sound (on and off click), and rotary speaker acceleration. We will also show you how to adjust the harmonics with the drawbars. Finally, we’ll show you how easy it is to assign effects to the pitch wheel, pedal, button or d-beam.
Questions about a Roland product? Visit our YouTube Product Support Channel
Drums and Audio Looper
For the last video, Ed demonstrates the variety of drum kits found on the V-Combo VR-09 such as pop, jazz, rock to the ever popular TR-808 and everything in between. You don’t have to be a great finger drummer to use these kits, there are onboard rhythm patterns to choose from. Finally, Ed demonstrates the power of the on-board looper.
In closing, the V-Combo VR-09 is an all purpose keyboard for the working musician. It’s nearly effortless to find and tweak your sounds with the surface sliders, knobs and buttons or go deep with the iPad editor. You can take this board to your rock gig, your jazz gig, your metal gig and on Sunday you can take it to church to wash your sins away. If you have any questions about the V-Combo VR-09 drop us a comment below.
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August 19, 2014 @ 1:50 pm
I’m having a problem updating my recently purchased VR-09.
I’m following the update instructions to the letter, but when I try to boot-up sequence, it appears the keyboard scans my USB stick for about a half a second…and then nothing. All I get is a dark display and no “updating…” prompt.
Any advice would be helpful on this. I’ve formatted my USB drive on the VR and copied the folder from the extracted .zip file as instructed. A little help here?
August 19, 2014 @ 3:01 pm
Hi Philip,
The usual issues / suggestions when updating are:
– Copy the entire folder “_R053-VR09” to the USB key (not just the files inside the folder).
– Try to have just the update files on the USB key – we have found that sometimes other files on the USB key “confuse’ the VR-09 and cause problems with installing the update.
– Try to use a different USB key.
If you are still having problems, please let us know and we can see if there are any other issues that may be occurring.
Best Regards,
Product Support
Roland Corp. U.S.
August 19, 2014 @ 3:05 pm
I’ve definitely done the first two. I guess I’ll have to buy a new USB key and try the third. I’ll keep you posted.
August 19, 2014 @ 9:24 pm
Thanks for your time and attention to this. I did buy a new USB key, and the update went fine. Thanks again!
August 20, 2014 @ 9:51 am
Welcome. Glad it worked out.
August 15, 2014 @ 8:20 am
I see this is a moderated blog. Mr. or Ms. Moderator – please be aware that two of the posts you approved on Aug 10 are spam. They are using the Roland website to improve the reputation of their own sites by using their usernames to link to their spam.
August 15, 2014 @ 10:31 am
Thanks for the heads up. You were right, I’ve deleted those comments.
August 15, 2014 @ 8:14 am
Dear Roland People —
The VR-09 is a great instrument and an amazing value. I am hoping you can make two important changes in your next firmware update which will help it be even better:
1. When saving to USB, there are two files. VR09_xxx.UPG which holds User Program Groups and VRSYN001.DAT which holds deep-edit synth data. xxx in the UPG filename represents the position of the saved registrations in the list under Media->Load, allowing multiple UPG files per memory stick.
The problem is that the VRSYN001.DAT filename never changes, so you can only have one set of synth settings per USB stick, and it is trivially easy to overwrite your synth data changes by accident when saving a new registration. Please please please make the synth data filename VRSYNxxx.DAT to match the VR09_xxx.UPG filename.
2. Please record the function of the expression pedal, damper pedal, etc in a registration, rather than globally.
Here are some less important tweaks you can make which will improve the organ:
3. Reset the percussion trigger (equivalent to the busbar connected to terminal K on the Hammond B3’s AO-28 preamp) based on the *lower* key trigger, even when the organ is running high trigger mode. This will allow more realistic percussion triggering on fast runs.
4. Add an option to eliminate the loud percussion volume drop. While the VR-09 accurately emulates a stock B3 in this regard, that particular feature is very frequently bypassed on real organs.
5. Route the percussion “ping” so that it does not go through the Chorus/Vibrato, like a real organ. I would gladly loose the MFX knob on the Jazz organ if you could fix the percussion there. Less important for rock organ.
6. Add a percussion option to make the percussion not decay at all (Fast, Slow, Never). In conjunction with #5, this will allow jazz organ enthusiasts to play passages like Jimmy Smith did on the album, “Groovin’ at Small’s Paradise”. Hammond-Suzuki B3s have this option. 🙂
Also…any chance of releasing data file formats to outside developers? I am interested in developing 3rd party tools for managing patches etc on this platform.
August 15, 2014 @ 10:43 am
Wes, I think I told you that item 2 has already been implemented. By the way I have been banned from the Keyboard Corner Forums and I am no longer allowed to post. This ban is permanent,. The reason for my ban is that I take exception to the Hammond Bias that exists there and I speak my mind. Many of the good old boys there don’t like my opinion so I have been permanently removed despite all the assistance I have provided. IF you would prefer to participate in a forum that is truly unbiased and does not tolerate bullying, come join the Yahoo Clonewheel forum.. it has 2500 members to answer questions and provide advice.. I moderate it and you can rest assured that there is no bias and no bullying.
August 17, 2014 @ 9:29 am
Hi, Craig;
#2 is different from the issue we discussed previously, where I wanted to use the expression pedal to control only one layer. That works well, thank you for the tip.
The issue I am describing is the /function/ of the pedals does not change with the registration. For example, it would be nice to have the “sustain” pedal behave as a damper in a piano registration, but work as the Leslie speed toggle in an organ registration, and a portamento switch in a synth registration. Right now you have to go into the menu to change the functions. (Note I am on 1.01 but the release notes for 1.02 do not mention anything like this)……adding this to the 1.04 release would definitely improve the live performance of the VR-09.
Thanks for the tip re. the Clonewheel group; I’ve joined. Did you get the e-mail I sent you last week? Do I have the right address? I used the one you used to use for the Hammond Zone.
By the way, ever day I play this instrument I like it better. Roland has a real gem here, it would be great to polish off a couple of the rough edges I’ve pointed out. 🙂
August 17, 2014 @ 10:39 pm
Wow, Craig. Seriously?
June 18, 2014 @ 4:38 pm
My bandmates were blown away by the flut sound, during the song stairway too heaven.
May 20, 2014 @ 6:51 am
Question… is it possible to select registrations externally via midi? Looking at the midi implementation it seems as if you can only select Tones using MSB/LSB and there is no way that I can see to select registrations.. Some of us want to be able to select registrations from a master keyboard or controller via midi.. Can this be done.. IF not, can the OS be updated to allow for this.. It’s a rather important and useful feature when integrating this great keyboard into a gig rig with other keyboards.. Thanks for the help!! Craig
May 20, 2014 @ 2:09 pm
Hi Craig,
You are correct – it is currently not possible to select Registrations via MIDI (you can select individual tones via MIDI if desired). We have forwarded your feedback on this to our product management team, who work with the engineers in Japan.
June 16, 2014 @ 10:48 am
Shouldn’t you be able to create MIDI sysex messages to accomplish this task? Can you ask your engineers in Japan to give us the info so we can do it?
May 15, 2014 @ 2:37 pm
I just got my VR-09 yesterday. It’s a great keyboard but, like it has been mentioned before, it is a bit quirky! I’m not sure if this quirk has been mentioned yet but it needs to be addressed.
When setting up a dual or split it chooses the MFX that is connected with the 2nd part rather than the 1st. For example: Say you select the Tremolo EP as part one for the upper split and then choose JP8 Strings1 as part 2 for the lower split. The VR will select the Slicer MFX (which is connected to the JP8 Strings1) and apply it to the upper Tremolo EP part (which suppose to have the Tremolo MFX). Not a good thing!! You have to manually select the Tremolo MFX so that you will get Tremolo effect on the Tremolo EP in the split.
This should be an easy software fix. Has any one mentioned this quirk? I find it to be a major problem when setting up splits on the fly. Part one needs it’s MFX to stay with it because that is the effect that will be applied.
I would hope that Roland can include a fix in their next update. The update to version 1.02 has fixed many of the other problems but this is still a major one that has not been addressed.
Thanks!
May 15, 2014 @ 4:24 pm
Hi Eric,
Thanks for your input – we will forward this information to our product management team, who work with the engineers in Japan.
May 18, 2014 @ 4:11 pm
Yeah, well my “quirk” is a little more serious. More like, why did I buy this piece of crap. My split function doesn’t work at all ! Entirely unacceptable in 2014, this is something you would have expected in the early 90’s from a freakin CASIO!! Bang up job, Roland guys :-\
May 18, 2014 @ 4:34 pm
Ok, so I was able to figure this one out on my own. It turns out that you cannot do splits when you have the unit set in Midi Mode “Keyboard”. You must go to the MIDI menu and change it to “Mode 1” and “Mode 2”. All these years and we’re still in MIDI Hell! Ugh!!
May 20, 2014 @ 2:10 pm
Hello Vin,
Are you saying that the split buttons on the VR-09 do not function at all? Or that they come one but the keyboard does not actually split? Or is there some other issue?
March 31, 2014 @ 6:15 pm
Recently I tweeked every piano sound and organ sound I am going to use, and
stored it in my registrations. When I tried to use the damper pedal it didn”t work. By trial and error I found out the damper pedal has to be used during
the registration process in order for it to work.
March 31, 2014 @ 2:44 am
Hi, I have just got the VR 09 and I’ve noticed that when using sustain on the organ patches, you can’t play certain notes whilst the sustain pedal is being used. Can you help?
March 31, 2014 @ 4:31 pm
Hello Anthony,
We have not heard of any issues with playing certain notes while using the a sustain pedal on the VR-09. If you can tell us the model of the sustain pedal you are using, and the specific notes that you can not trigger, we can test this on our side and confirm if we have the same issue. We’ll support you via our support channel for troubleshooting.
Best Regards,
Product Support
Roland Corp. U.S.
March 31, 2014 @ 7:17 pm
Recently I tweeked all my sounds ( organs, pianos, horns, etc.) and saved them in my registrations. When I went to use the damper pedal it would not work.I found out you have to use the damper pedal when you register the sounds also.
March 6, 2014 @ 9:15 pm
Just sold my VR-760,and just recently purchased the VR-09. My decision on purchasing this keyboard was not because of the organ ( which by the way is good) Lets face it, its digital but it still beats having to haul around an extra 2 to 3 hundred lbs. The extra voices ( harmonica, sax) are very usable for Classic Rock.
February 20, 2014 @ 6:16 pm
Hi …thanks Roland Team you have solved my problem with the Cover Band Reg. Set, works great. Roland is the best! Great sounding board and easy to use.
Billy Fox
February 19, 2014 @ 6:07 pm
Hello…I own a VR-09 which sits above my Hammond XK1 and love the instrument, but can not load the new Cover Band Collection registration download. Is the instruction correct on your site? I use a VR-09 formatted USB stick, with no luck. Please….help!
Billy
February 20, 2014 @ 11:00 am
Hello Billy,
Yes, the instructions appear to be correct – we have just tried this on our VR-09 and were able to load both the whole set of sounds as well as individual sounds into our VR-09.
The first thing to check is to make sure you have only copied the two registration files to the USB key – the are:
VR09_001.UPG
VRSYN001.DAT
If you copied the entire folder (“The_Cover_Band_Collection) to your USB key, this is most likely your issue.
Best Regards,
Product Support
Roland Corp. U.S.
February 18, 2014 @ 10:12 am
it’s been more than a year since the question was first asked. Is there any talk of releasing the VR-09 editor for anything other than the iPad?
February 18, 2014 @ 2:18 pm
Hello Mike,
We have not heard of any other updates or apps being developed for this model.
Best Regards,
Product Support
Roland Corp. U.S.
February 2, 2014 @ 2:53 pm
I am considering the 09…but can I loop a verse, then a chorus and then a bridge..[.to form a complete song ] and then do this for 20-30 songs that I can play on the fly…live?
February 5, 2014 @ 4:48 pm
Hi Tony,
You can save your loops as audio files to the USB key, but you can not play back an audio file and use the looper at the same time. It would be possible to create a number of audio files and play them back from the USB key if you like, but this would require stopping one file, selecting another one, and pressing PLAY again.
Best Regards,
Product Support
Roland Corp. U.S.
December 22, 2013 @ 11:08 am
Help Roland ! I need a bagpipe patch for the VR-09
December 11, 2013 @ 5:10 am
For those VR-09 owners that aren’t yet aware, Roland has released version 1.02, and this provides us with the ability to “load one registration” .. This is wonderful functionality to have, because it will facilitate the loading of individual registrations from the AXIAL website (and the documentation with the update says that new registrations will be available and downloadable from the AXIAL site).. This ALSO allows users to share registration sets, which we could do before, but without the ability to load an individual registration we could only share a complete registration set which, when loaded in, displaced our existing registrations.. NOW we can share a registration set, but only load in selected individual registrations.. This is a great new feature to have! Hopefully we will see Roland releasing new registrations “sets” from the AXIAL site and we will have the ability to audition and load in the sounds that we like. Thanks to Roland for listening..!!!
December 11, 2013 @ 11:33 am
Yes, here is the link to version 1.02: http://bit.ly/19CxarL
January 6, 2014 @ 5:44 pm
Is there any way to turn local control off for sequencing with a computer?
January 8, 2014 @ 4:19 pm
Hi Laurence,
There is not a local control switch on the VR-09.
The drawbars are available via System Exclusive (SysEx) messages, so it is possible (but not easy) to address these through MIDI. We have attached the MIDI implementation chart and you can see the specific address information for each bar (16′, 5 3/4′, 8/’ etc.) on the bottom of page 11 and top of page 12.
Best Regards,
Product Support
Roland Corp. U.S.
Attachment(s)
VR-09_MIDI_Imple_e02_W.pdf
January 12, 2014 @ 9:04 am
Is it possible to turn the leslie on/off using midi CC?
January 14, 2014 @ 10:11 am
Hi Pete,
Sorry, there is not a MIDI CC number assigned to control the leslie speed or on / off setting. This is available via System Exclusive messages (SysEx), but this requires a more in-depth knowledge of SysEx and Hex programming. You can see this information in the MIDI Implementation guide (page 11 has the specific SysEx address info for the leslie settings).
Best Regards,
Product Support
Roland Corp. U.S.
January 14, 2014 @ 8:54 pm
So the VR-09 it appears is pretty uselessfor any sequencing applications beyond old school GM. On the bright side, I can render out my backing tracks as mp3s. That is how I will proceed. At least I know now. Thanks.
December 4, 2013 @ 4:03 pm
Thanks for answering, I have some technical questions. I have an XP-50 and i’m thinking to replace it with the VR-09. Just for giging, no sequencer needed, “bread and butter” sounds. Would it be a difference in the quality of sound between these two, and why? What I’d get better with the change? (other than the organ section, and the knobs and faders for the effects). Cheers!
December 30, 2013 @ 1:03 pm
Jorge, I’ve never owned an XP-50 but reading the basic specs, you’re going to be missing aftertouch, the sequencer, and the VR-09 is NOT 16 part multi-timbral. The XP-50 is more of a workstation whereas the VR-09 is more of a bread and butter performance keyboard.. the VR-09 has all the B+B sounds, basic split and layer capabilities, nice drawbar organ of course, and the Jupiter style Virtual Analog synth, but it’s not going to be able to create multiple zones or split/layer more than 2 sounds at once. I would expect the VR-09 sounds to be comparable to the XP-50 and better in some cases. The VR-09 is a brand new product with newer technology and warranty, whereas the XP-50 is a 9 year old synth..!
November 28, 2013 @ 7:27 pm
Hi OV,
Will be there any chance of getting new sounds from the Axial website for the VR-09? And to save registrations to an USB stick? Cheers!
December 2, 2013 @ 3:57 pm
Hello Jorge,
We have not heard of any new sounds for the VR-09 yet, but it is possible there will be some posted in the future. The Axial website is intended to eventually host a large number of sounds for many different Roland products, so we are hoping the Roland Japan will be coming up with some for the VR-09 in the future.
You can already save your registrations to a USB using the “Save Registration” option in the Media Utility Menu (see page 47 of the owner’s manual).
Best Regards,
Product Support
Roland Corp. U.S.
December 4, 2013 @ 6:33 pm
You can only save the simple registration edits that only include the filter and ADR settings done from the drawbars in synth editing mode. Edits done by an iPad are not currently saveable. Also, the way you need to work with iPad synth sound edits is not immediately obvious. What you have to do is make an edit, then save it to a registration, then be aware that any other registrations which use that tone will switch to the previously saved edit upon recall of the new registration. If you try to edit the sound further using the iPad, it will also change any previous registrations using that edited sound. Variations can be done to that previous edit with the drawbar envelope and filter controls however.
If this all sounds confusing… well it is. I would love to see a few changes in order to make it all workable.
Changes done with the iPad editor should be saveable at the tone level. That is where they are being saved anyway, but you don’t see this until you recall the tone from a registration. The way it is now, you think your saving one tone to a registration, then when you recall it, it switches to the edited tone. Kind of crazy if you ask me. Editing a tone should just save it to the tone. It is already sort of being done that way anyway. Making the tones directly editable would make it much easier to work with.
There needs to be some way to save these iPad edited tones and registrations. Right now if you do an iPad sound edit then save to FLASH RAM, the edits are not saveable. They should be.
If Roland does make another firmware update, the effects settings should be fixed too. Right now, the distortion goes from nothing to too much in the first couple of degrees of the turn of the dial. There is no subtle distortion effect. There is just none and a rage that goes from too much to insanely too much. Same thing with the delays and reverb. The triple tap delay is the only one I can even use. The other ones are stuck as loud as the source sound, whereas, I would like to see something like maybe 25%.
Also, the leslie effect on layers of the organ with anything else should only be on the organ. Right now, I can’t do organ layers because everything is awash with swirly rotating speaker effect.
Maybe I’m just being greedy now, but I would love if the chorus vibrato effect didn’t also affect the percussion.
The VR-09 borders on brilliant. I am absolutely blown away with the quality of the organ, the piano and the synth tones. This makes some of these rather severe problems all the more frustrating.
Anyway, just my 2 cents.
December 4, 2013 @ 6:36 pm
“Edits done by an iPad are not currently saveable” should have read “Edits done by an iPad are not currently saveable to USB memory”.
December 2, 2013 @ 4:01 pm
Hi Jorge,
Sorry for the long wait, we had a few days off for Thanksgiving. Product support pretty much covered your question. By the way, I dig your last name. I don’t normally run into people who’s last name is Valle.
December 4, 2013 @ 4:08 pm
Don’t worry, it’s nice to contact Roland experts by this way. Cheers!
September 25, 2013 @ 2:09 pm
Hi OV, glad I found this forum. I just bought the VR-09 a few days ago, chosing it over more expensive alternatives because of the light weight and the built-in synth section — and the fact that it has a real pitch-bend control. 😉 However, there are some problems that I hope can be addressed by upcoming firmware releases (the first two I consider most important):
1. Manual control of the Wah cutoff frequency via the expression pedal and scaling of the amount via the EFX knob — esp. funky clavinets benefit from being able to sweep the wah with the pedal. Trying to do the same purely via velocity is not really feasible. The knob could perhaps also control a cross-fade between the envelope detector and the pedal. In this regard it is also a problem that the compressor is applied before the EFX section since using compression will lose wah response. Would be nice if the order of compressor and EFX was changeable, because the wah introduces a lot of dynamic changes that could be evened out using the compressor.
2. Control of delay wet mix. I generally find the wet amount too large and would like to be able to use the knob to control the wet amount. It’s most problematic with the DELAY effect, I think. It would be even nicer if turning the knob would bring up a small menu where I could chose whether to change the wet amount, the delay time or the feedback.
3. It would be very useful if the damper could be assigned to control the rotary speaker only in pure organ mode and revert to default sustain-pedal behavior in other modes (even those where organ is layered with other instruments).
4. If I have played a layer of say E.Piano and strings, it would be very useful if pressing the E.Piano kept all the settings I had used for the E.Piano in the layer. This would make it easy to switch from an E.Piano/strings layer to E.Piano/brass for instance (for this I would just hold down the E.Piano button and while holding it down press the Brass button). I know this can be done with registrations, but then we’re back to the game of needing to organize them next to each other, while I think that the whole strength of the VR 09 interface is that a lot of editing could actually happen on the fly with a minimum of keystrokes.
Reading the comments about Axial below, do you have any information about when the first sound libraries for the VR 09 will be available?
September 26, 2013 @ 11:54 am
System update 1.01 for the V-Combo VR-09 is now available for download. Have you checked it out?
This update addresses the following:
1. The sound that is being sounded does not stop when the Sound or the Registration is switched.
2. The octave setting to Organ Sound is enabled.
3. Parts to which the Expression Pedal effect will be applied can be selected.
4. JUPITER-50/80 and ATELIER Series Solo Mode were added. When Dual is selected, the highest key in the keyboards of the part 2 will be sounded.
5. The setting that disables the Rotary Effect operation by the Pitch bend/Modulation lever in the Organ Sound was added. This prevents misoperations during live performances.
6. The Registration set of the ATELIER Series can be read. In addition, by turning on the ATELIER Mode, you can experience the feeling of performing in an ATELIER.
7. The sounds of the keyboard performance part can be changed from MIDI IN using the Program Change and the Bank Select.
8. The Control Change 7 and 11 from MIDI IN in the Organ Sound can be received.
Update now to system 1.01
Or, do you mean in addition to this?
September 5, 2013 @ 2:03 pm
Hey OV.. quick suggestion for you.. Why don’t you reverse the order of the blog so that the most recent posts are at the top.. this way we see the most recent update. in this case the release of 1.01 which fixes many of our problems!! I have posted about the update in the various forums that I participate in and the general consensus is great..!! I have not had the opportunity to load the update in myself, but will probably do so tomorrow.. In the mean time, I have a couple of questions/comments.. It seems that a number of issues have been resolved and thank you for that!!! However a couple of things are outstanding.. I don’t see how it is that we can download individual sounds and participate in the new sounds that are available via the new Axial site? Is this functionality coming soon? The other thing that is outstanding is that the percussion still goes through the Chorus/Vibrato (which is not how the real Hammond works). Can you provide any insight on these two items?? When will we have the ability to download Axial sounds into our VR-09, and when will the Percussion C/V issue be corrected?
September 9, 2013 @ 2:50 pm
Hi Craig,
I agree with the reverse order of the blog comments, however the current theme doesn’t allow for this. Believe me, I tried. Thanks for the feedback about the update, you have an opportunity to talk with our head U.S. keyboard guys tomorrow, Tuesday, September 10, at 11 AM PST during the live webinar. Here is the direct link: http://ow.ly/oIkcj
September 11, 2013 @ 10:40 am
Comments fixed. Newest on top. 🙂
September 11, 2013 @ 10:53 am
Yahoo, now we don’t have to see all the crap about problems that have been fixed! OV sorry I couldn’t attend the call yesterday the time just didn’t work for me. Is there somewhere we can go to listen to a replay?
September 11, 2013 @ 11:04 am
No, at least not yet. This was a Guitar Center webinar, we’ll ask about sharing the footage. I don’t think that it’s available anywhere else.
September 4, 2013 @ 4:53 am
OV… OV…. any news on the update.. all of us VR-09 owners are patiently waiting to get a few of these issues fixed AND get the ability to download synth sounds from the new Roland Library.. ? ? ? ?
September 4, 2013 @ 5:18 pm
Sorry Craig, no news yet.
September 4, 2013 @ 11:29 pm
Actually, I take that back. I just got some news, I’m emailing it to you now.
September 4, 2013 @ 11:50 pm
I just received the VR-09 update.
Could you please spread the news about the VR-09 update on the forums and web communities that you are involved with? I feel that you’ve been advocating for this for so long and couldn’t think of anyone else to better deliver this message.
August 15, 2013 @ 10:36 am
OV how come these posts aren’t in order..? Makes it kind of confusing… The FutureMusic VR-09 review that you referenced is very good! They also point out the flaws that need to be fixed in the OS.. You need to get on those engineers to get this OS update out if you want to get some more positive buzz out there!!!!! Please get the update out soon. Thanks!!
August 16, 2013 @ 1:33 pm
Hey Craig,
I agree, it is a bit confusing. I’ll see if I can figure this out. Regarding the second part of your comment, I’ll post new developments on this thread before anywhere else.
August 15, 2013 @ 10:20 am
Just saw Music Radar’s review of the VR-09 and thought I’d share. http://www.musicradar.com/us/reviews/tech/roland-v-combo-vr-09-581965
August 9, 2013 @ 11:07 am
Hello OV,
What’s new with the update? I was hoping these fixes would be coming along by now.
Thanks,
Billy
August 9, 2013 @ 11:46 am
I know, I know, but I haven’t heard anything new. Sorry Billy.
August 3, 2013 @ 9:53 pm
Ok, I don’t know if this is the right place, but I can’t seem to find anywhere else where I can ask this question. I just bought a VR-09. I was pleased at first, but then I discovered that I can’t seem to save my midi settings. I usually use my keyboards for both their native sounds, and sometimes to also control external sound modules. At first the 09 wouldn’t communicate with my external sound modules. I found that the midi transmit channel seems to default to 3 or 4 (I forget which). So I go into the menu, and change it to channel 1, and all works fine. Unfortunately, then when I switch registrations, it all reverts back to the default channel and I lose all communications. What the …. Why won’t it let me store the midi settings? Is there some global command somewhere? Can’t find anywhere in the manual where this is covered either. Getting very frustrated.
August 5, 2013 @ 4:07 pm
Hi Andrew,
I just had a chat about this with our product support team. Here is what they said:
The MIDI Channel settings are saved in each Registration, so you would need to change the channel and then save each registration that you will be using. This is not a global / system setting that is saved for the entire keyboard.
Best Regards,
Product Support
Roland Corp. U.S.
July 31, 2013 @ 4:28 am
hey.
on the vr09 built in demo songs, theres a song called nightlights. i think its the second demo.
theres an arpegiated sound playing in the background. was that done only on the vr09 or together with an external sequencer? if so, how was it done? thnks
sb
August 1, 2013 @ 1:29 pm
This was probably done on an external sequencer and then imported into the VR-09 (since the VR-09 does not have an arpeggiator).
July 27, 2013 @ 6:34 pm
What kind of DAW will work best with the VR-09.
July 30, 2013 @ 9:38 am
It works well with any DAW. Are you perhaps interested in knowing about how to best record into a DAW?
July 30, 2013 @ 2:38 pm
Yes. I’m new to all this. I want to buy my son this keyboard because $1,000 is right in my price range. However he talks about recording onto his laptop with some kind of DAW. He was told by a friend he would need a recording interface???. What all would he need…thank you.
July 30, 2013 @ 4:18 pm
Yes, he will need an audio interface. There are many models to choose from at different price points, here are 5 tips for choosing an audio interface.
You could also consider the JUNO-Gi synth that comes with DAW software. A single USB cable connected to the computer streams audio and MIDI (performance data) back and forth into any DAW so you don’t have to purchase an audio interface. It all depends on your budget, also worth mentioning is the new lower price promotion for this unit (visit your local dealer). Here is a link: http://www.rolandus.com/go/summertime_savings/
Another option is to just purchase a MIDI keyboard controller without sounds and just use soft synths. These are generally less expensive and usually for project studio setups. However, if you take this route you may want to consider the price of the soft synth and computer compatibility. What’s nice about hardware as in the case with the JUNO-Gi and VR-09 is that you don’t lose your sounds due to computer upgrades or compatibility – an instrument is totally independent of computers.
Hope this helps, but if you have another question please feel free to drop us another line.
July 25, 2013 @ 4:45 pm
We just brought the VR-09 and the damper pedal works in reverse. What could be the problem. The sounds sustain when you don’t press on the damper pedal – when you press the damper pedal it cuts the sound.
July 26, 2013 @ 4:05 pm
Hi Meg,
If the pedal is a non-Roland pedal, it is most likely wired in reverse to our specifications. There is not a way to reverse the polarity in the VR-09, so if the pedal does not have a way to do this, the best answer would be to pick up a Roland DP-2 or DP-10 pedal. I hope this helps.
Best Regards,
Product Support
Roland Corp. U.S
July 25, 2013 @ 7:17 am
OV,
My VR-09 the ability to attach a music stand. I’m told the BK series board music stands fit this board. Where can I get a music stand for this?
I’m looking mainly for a place to put my iPad.
July 25, 2013 @ 12:12 pm
Hey Ken, I know that the KS-18Z Keyboard Stand fits the VR-09, but I can look into the BK series stand for you. If I recall correctly, the KS-18Z is fairly inexpensive, which could free you up to buy an individual stand for the iPad. Just a suggestion. Stand by for my response on the BK series stand, I’m going to ask our keyboard guys.
July 26, 2013 @ 6:14 am
OV, thanks for the part number for the music rest. I currently own a Z stand.
July 26, 2013 @ 10:20 am
Welcome, hit me back if I can help you with anything else. You may want to ask for the name of the stand after you give them the part number – you don’t want to get another Z stand.
July 25, 2013 @ 2:28 pm
Product support response:
Yes, the FP-50/80 music rack works on the VR-09. Part number is 5100030959 and the price is $59.20. This can be ordered directly from Customer Support at 323-890-3700.
Best Regards,
Product Support
Roland Corp. U.S.
August 23, 2014 @ 10:09 am
I ordered the music rack for my new VR-09 over the phone, and it was shipped in 3 different pieces over the course of 6 weeks. Apparently they bill you for the whole thing but expect you to put it together yourself. But none of the parts included screws!!! Can somebody tell me what type of screw is used so I can go to the hardware store and pick some up?
August 25, 2014 @ 3:07 pm
Hello James,
There are 7 screws total used, the 3 used to hold the rack to the base are 3x10mm Binding Taptite P BZC and the 4 that hold the rack to the holders are 3x6mm Binding Taptite P FE BZC.
Best Regards,
Product Support
Roland Corp. U.S.
July 15, 2013 @ 12:05 pm
For those that are interested in more demos and tips, Music Player Network is a great source. As you can see from this comment thread, it was recommended by Craig – Thanks Craig! I’m digging it and I intend to be more proactive, but please ping me when I get off track as I get pulled in different directions. Here is the link: http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2511470#Post2511470
Here are some video demos that were recommended in the thread:
1. http://youtu.be/Wcp_QxErRYI
2. http://youtu.be/z9JKOxxiowM
July 14, 2013 @ 6:31 am
Other than the bugs and requested upgrades that plenty of folks have mentioned, are owners of the VR-09 finding their keyboards work ok? I’ve had two already — one lasted two weeks and one lasted three days. Is it a poorly-made keyboard, or am I just unlucky?
July 9, 2013 @ 5:49 am
OV, any news on the update? Many of us VR-09 owner/users are very anxious to try the Axial sounds, and get some of these annoying quirks resolved…!!! I heard that the update is close to being released.. are we days, weeks, or months away..? (any info, even best guess, would be great).. Thanks. Craig
July 10, 2013 @ 10:58 am
Hi Craig! I’ll ask our keyboard department and report back to you.
July 10, 2013 @ 11:45 am
Sorry Craig, no time frame for this update. My guy, Ed said that our headquarters in Japan has not communicated further information about this.
July 21, 2013 @ 10:39 am
I am very eager to buy the VR-09 to replace my older VR-760 which i love. but the expression pedal issue of not being able to have it affect just one sound in a split or layer is making me wait. please keeps us in the loop. another problem is that no stores have it available to try and many online stores appear to not have them or not be able to keep them in stock. are there issues with keeping up with demand? I live in philly.
July 22, 2013 @ 10:28 am
Will do. Perhaps we could help you locate one in your area so that you can test drive. What’s your zip code?
July 22, 2013 @ 10:30 am
My zip code is 19003 (philly suburbs). I am willing to even drive an hour or two to hear one. Thanks
July 22, 2013 @ 10:55 am
Thanks Joe, I’ll make some calls and let you know as soon as I find out something.
July 22, 2013 @ 11:53 am
I just sent you an email with three locations that may have the board.
June 29, 2013 @ 7:34 am
I ordered a VR-09 in May and am looking forward to using it on stage. I was hoping to play organ with the right hand and bass with the left, but it seems there is no way to route the bass without going through the Leslie effect. Is this so? Is it possible to pan the organ with Leslie to one channel and the bass without effects to another? Are any upgrades to the software planned to allow non-organ sounds to bypass the Leslie?
July 1, 2013 @ 11:44 am
This is true, all sounds are routed through the effects. There is an update on the way, but we don’t have a solid delivery date at the moment. More details are yet to be released about the update. Please follow up with the blog, we’ll posy updates here.
July 14, 2013 @ 6:27 am
Stephen:
When splitting the keyboard, the leslie affects both sounds only if the organ is on the left. So you can have bass (without leslie) on left and organ (with leslie) on right. Same is true with piano, although it means you’re stuck with left hand piano and right hand organ. On many songs I’d prefer the opposite, but that’s not possible.
June 27, 2013 @ 10:23 pm
hey. being a vr09 owner, i would like to add also my request for an update regarding:
the ability to assign expression and damper setting per registrey, and not only global.
and also the sfx section to be able to be assigned per registry.
also, are you guys planning on fixing the issue, that the mfx knobs dont flow smoothly, they jump from 0 to like 50 on the tiniest turn. theres no gradual mixing of the sfx knobs as theyre turned on. in other words theyre either off, or if turned the slightest bit, they turn on at a very high mix already.
June 27, 2013 @ 11:36 am
My comments keep getting deleted. I wonder how much feedback would actually be here if they didn’t keep deleting them. And I own a VR09!
June 27, 2013 @ 7:30 pm
What was your comment? Apologies if it was deleted, I sift through these everyday and throw out lots of spam posts.
June 22, 2013 @ 4:58 am
OV, hearing some rumours that there’s an OS Update in the works.. is that true and is there any info you can provide us at this time..? Sorry if I seem impatient.. but I can’t use the full function of the VR-09 until some of these issues are resolved.. I need to play organ and piano sounds simultaneously and until I can separate the expression pedal on upper/lower parts and layer the acoustic piano with organ (without it going through the leslie effect), I can’t use this as the “all-in-one” it is designed to be. Any info you might have would be much appreciated.
June 28, 2013 @ 1:27 pm
Hi Craig,
I forwarded this question to our Synth Ninja, Ed. Here is what he had to say.
Hello,
Yes, we are planning an update, but unfortunately I do not have a date for when it becomes available. We are aware of some of the issues that need to be addressed and are working hard to improve the VR-09. Make sure to register your VR-09 so that you receive an email as soon as it becomes available.
Best regards,
-Ed. http://www.rolandus.com/support/
June 12, 2013 @ 7:38 am
So any new on fixing these Bugs?
people are not going to buy this thing until its fixed!!
June 12, 2013 @ 2:16 pm
Sorry Adam, it doesn’t work that fast.
June 9, 2013 @ 1:35 am
And I forgot to add: The FXS page should be stored “per patch” and not global, so every patch can route its effects on the fly! THet would definitely make it a “stage keyboard”
June 9, 2013 @ 1:28 am
I tried one today, the dealer had a great price but its bugs made me choose not to buy it: The model I tried processed every sound, layer or split, into the rotary speaker when this was on. Any patch I would create would be totally useless for me at this point. Factory layered organ-and-synth sounds were in fact stored with leslie off.
I made the dealer notice the bug, so he called some italian Roland manager who assured that the DSPs were independent and that it was me not able to solve the problem.
IF every DSP is indipendent then why on earth wasn’t an issue like this previewed…
It would be necessary, in my opinion, to provide an OS update adding a page in the FXS menu where, for every effect, you can select 7 options: ORGAN, Upper, lower, upper and lower, lower and organ, upper and organ, global. This would not be a major update, only making the instrument usable. The NOTE ON trigger when changing the sound is another clear bug, and needs to be solved. The expression pedal affecting only the organ is another thing that every serious organ player will require, while, the chorus NOT affecting the percussion would be another step towards makin this instrument the great keyboard that it can be. Kurzweil keeps refining its intruments with new OS versions (the PC3LE was a rompler, it became a fully programmable synth with an OS utdate) I hope you put one extra effort on this, there are just too many bugs.
June 11, 2013 @ 5:25 pm
Thanks for your feedback, all issues have been forwarded to our product development team.
June 7, 2013 @ 8:54 am
OV, a question… how do I make changes to the default organ, and save it so that the VR-09 turns on with MY organ..? I make changes to the default organ to make it sound the way I like it, and I cannot seem to figure out how to save it (so that when the VR-09 starts up it automatically has my changes). Can you tell me, how to do so? Similarly, am I able to save changes to default pianos and EP’s etc.. and save them… or is the only option to take a sound modify it and save it to a registration? Thanks.
June 7, 2013 @ 3:54 am
OV, there are several VR-09 threads on the keyboard Corner forums. You should read these and participate in them. Your counterpart at Casio gets tremendous accolades for his participant, answering questions and providing informant to those who own equipment or who are considering purchasing stuff from Casio. Because of this, they get credit for caring about the end user. There is zero participation on this board from Roland. This would go a long towards establishing a reputation for listening to customers! Thanks for your ongoing support! This blog helps too!
June 7, 2013 @ 10:04 am
Hi Craig, could you please provide the direct URL to the keyboard corner forums? I Googled keyboard corner forums and ended up with a site error. Also, your other question regarding VR-09 organ sounds has been submitted to our product support team. We’ll post the question and the answer as soon as a response is made.
June 7, 2013 @ 11:55 am
OV, the keyboard corner forums just happen to be down now.. (which is very unusual) when they’re back up I will let you know. Thanks for passing my question on.. Craig
June 7, 2013 @ 1:49 pm
No worries Craig, I’m not the synth expert, but I work closely with them. I’ll check that forum again later.
June 7, 2013 @ 12:35 pm
OV. Looks like the forum might be down temporarily. I can’t get on either. Here’s the URL
http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/forums/18/1/The_Keyboard_Corner
June 7, 2013 @ 1:47 pm
Thanks Jay!
June 6, 2013 @ 9:26 am
It’s a good board at a decent value, buy OY…so many issues. Ended up keeping mine because I need a good organ sound that’s easy to schlep to bar gigs. Works pretty good for this at quite a fair price. However, I’m getting on the bandwagon and requesting an OS update to address functionality needs:
1) Expression pedal needs to be assignable per part like the damper is.
2) Pedal assignments need to be saved per registration so the same pedal works as damper for pianos and rotary fast/slow for organs.
3) Layered non-organ sounds need to be able to bypass the rotary.
4) Need to be able to save individual registrations to and from USB rather than only all 100 spots at a time.
Sure hope the fine folks at Roland can prove all the haters wrong and make this the fantastic piece of gear that it is capable of being. Sales would surely exponentiate with a stronger OS.
Thanks for what you do. Hopefully you have Roland to back you up while you deflect the dirt clods and rotten tomatoes.
June 6, 2013 @ 4:17 am
I am also waiting to buy a vr09 until those bugs are solved, especially the expression pedal thing, the note/on on program change and the vibrato affecting the percussion. Also being able to route the effects, when layering organ and strings, (you don’t want Leslie to affect the strings!!!!) for example, needs to be done in order to create usable patches, like a vk7 for example allows to do. Being very interested on that keyboard I hope that can all soon be solved.
I possess a vr 700, I like it, but there actually is a big issue: the damper is global, so if I create a split with piano and organ, and want only the piano to respond to sustain, that can’t be done, making it l not usable for me in lots of situations. I am surprised no one complained before about this and kindly ask if this can be solved with a os improvement.
Let me thank Craig McDonald for providing useful and detailed infos about the vr09 on the musicplayer forum, he is doing a great job.
Cheers ,thanks for your attention
Lorenzo Giovagnoli
June 2, 2013 @ 3:28 am
Please do the right thing by the loyal user fix the flaws,unleash the hounds
May 31, 2013 @ 4:55 am
will there be a quality acoustic pianos and hopefully even a better ep on the axial update for the vr09?
these are really much more seriously needed tones for the vr09 rather than more synth tones. (although more synth tones are welcome to)
thnks.
May 31, 2013 @ 12:56 am
I really like my VR-09 but I agree with all above that Roland have to take these bugs seriously if you want to sell this as an “all in one” performance keyboard. The retriggering is really annoying and in my opinion the worst bug.
And Percussion through the Chorus/vibrato in a “Super Natural” instrument?
When I rehearsed with my band I created a list of backing tracks for songs as MP3 files on a USB stick. Sometimes it was hard to play the correct file. It played the previous file, even if the one I wanted to play was marked as Active and I had to scroll back and forth between songs to get the right one.
When will we see those extra sounds for the VR?
June 24, 2013 @ 2:21 pm
Hello Anders,
We checked the VR-09 here with various mp3’s and they seemed to work correctly inside the VR-09. I just dropped them into the USB thumb drive and then inserted the USB into the VR-09. Once the USB was ready I just pressed the Song/Rhythm button and selected various songs. I then started the songs and then stopped them and then I used the Dial Wheel to select different songs. Everything seemed to work correctly. Please make sure that you are using a good quality USB thumb drive that has been formatted by the VR-09 and solely designated for use with the VR-09. I hope this helps and you no longer have this issue.
Take care,
-Ed. (Customer Support)
May 30, 2013 @ 1:19 pm
Will that include the VR-09 do you know,? it does look promising, and a really good idea on Rolands part
May 30, 2013 @ 1:36 pm
Yes, these first few synths are just a starting point. This library will continue to grow.
May 30, 2013 @ 1:07 pm
But theres no mention on the Axial page of the VR-09, so what is going on!
I played it today in store, its nice, but too many issues/Bugs, the expression pedal didn’t seem to work properly, no smooth volume control,
sounds are great don’t get me wrong just too many issues. Roland needs to get these fixed
May 30, 2013 @ 1:08 pm
Axial just launched today. There will be sound libraries for more products soon.
May 30, 2013 @ 11:05 am
Whoops – I’ve just seen it appear! Sorry…
May 30, 2013 @ 11:05 am
What happened to my post from earlier today?
May 30, 2013 @ 11:11 am
Looking through the rest of the comments now!
May 30, 2013 @ 10:17 am
OV Valle [Roland US]
You referenced expansion sounds coming out today, and you did so several times in this blog, and yet we’ve seen nothing. Can you please provide us with the information now, or if it has been delayed please advise us.. your references to this have disappeared and I am worried that this has been delayed.. Craig
May 30, 2013 @ 11:02 am
Sorry for the delay, we we’re still giving Axial the final touches.
May 30, 2013 @ 11:05 am
As its written Axial doesn’t apply to the vr-09?? I’m assuming this will be updated to include the vr-09 and that’s why you’re posting this on th vr-09 blog!!
May 30, 2013 @ 11:10 am
Yes sir, more to come. We will continue to populate Axial with sounds for these and other synths. We just needed a starting point.
May 30, 2013 @ 11:48 am
Thanks OV, hopefully we will see these extra sounds soon.. there is quite a bit of interest here and in other forums!! Thanks.
May 30, 2013 @ 8:23 am
Its “tomorrow” here 🙂 when will release the good news??
May 30, 2013 @ 10:47 am
Just a few more minutes, wrapping up the article right now.
May 30, 2013 @ 7:58 am
I have a VR-09 and am generally pleased with it – very useful mix of features. However, the retriggering issue is a BIG letdown. It occurs whether holding the sustain pedal or the keys. It often seems to retrigger at full “velocity,” which makes it even more intrusive. There is absolutely no way that a “lIve performance” keyboard should have this issue. My old Roland HP3000s from 1987 had solved the problem of smooth patch changes, why on earth is this basic issue still around in 2013?
For this keyboard to have real credibility it needs an OS update to fix this and the other reported issues – and soon. It would be a great shame if purchasers decide not to keep it due to these fundamental flaws (that in all honesty should not have made it past the programming stage).
If these matters can be addressed, I believe that the VR-09 represents great value for money, and offers a unique blend of features that a lot of players, both inexperienced and seasoned, can appreciate.
May 30, 2013 @ 11:17 am
Very valid point, we’ve addressed these issues with our product development team. I don’t have any more news besides that, but I will report as soon as we learn something new.
May 30, 2013 @ 11:45 am
OV, I will reiterate the same thing. I came VERY close to returning my VR-09 as a result of these issues.. I decided to keep it based on the hope that Roland will fix these issues.. However as it stands I CAN NOT use this as the “all-in-one” keyboard that it was designed to be, because of the expression pedal problem and some of these other quirky issues. As it stands it will only be used as a backup keyboard for me, and I had higher hopes when I bought it.. THIS VR-09 is VERY close to being a superb instrument. Fix these 4-5 annoying design issues and bugs and you will be there.. DO NOT and you will lose sales, and miss a great opportunity to dominate the under $1000 market segment!
I am a big fan of this instrument, but you need to fix these things!!!!
May 30, 2013 @ 2:21 am
tomorrow is today! so whats the news!
May 30, 2013 @ 11:06 am
Axial, check it out.
May 29, 2013 @ 6:32 pm
woo hoo.. awesome.. I just bought my vr tonight!
May 29, 2013 @ 3:12 am
Thanks OV. Now can you provide a little more detail on “sound expansion”? That is quite interesting!
May 29, 2013 @ 3:26 pm
Find out tomorrow 😉
May 28, 2013 @ 12:33 pm
stay tuned for news regarding sound expansions.
Does this mean we will get the ‘classic Roland synths’ update that Jupiters has, that would be most welcome!!
I do hope some of the bugs can be fixed in a new OS
May 29, 2013 @ 3:27 pm
You will know tomorrow.
May 23, 2013 @ 4:25 pm
Good to see Ed Diaz doing what he does so well – we miss him on the east coast! The VR-09 sold out of Sam Ash New York fast – we await the next shipment!
May 18, 2013 @ 9:10 am
Will an OS update fix the problems with Splits/Layers and the expression pedal?
May 28, 2013 @ 10:42 am
We have not heard of any updates coming for the VR-09. This would be an upgrade that changes the specification of the unit, which does not happen very often, this is a decision that will have to be made by our headquarters in Japan.
May 28, 2013 @ 10:48 am
Roland should definitely do this!!! Being able to play acoustic piano at a constant volume while playing the organ simultaneously using the expression pedal is a fundamental capability that this keyboard should
have!!!!
May 28, 2013 @ 4:39 pm
I am disheartened by this thread already. All of the issues that Craig mentioned should be fundamental functions for a combo keyboard regardless of price point.. and not considered an “upgrade” . For me I would place issue 3. to the top of the list… especially if you are marketing this as a “performance combo” keyboard. My patches should transition smoothly during a performance. Don’t get me wrong.. the existing merits of the vr09 are impressive at the price point… but I could easily justify paying an extra 50 for the updated operating system addressing the items below as Craig originally stated….. or Roland could just do the right thing and issue the updates free of charge as the end user has supplied R&D services for free!
1. I need to be able to control expression independently for layered/split parts
2. when I layer an organ with any other instrument the other instrument goes through the leslie speaker (bad thing)
3. When I have sustained notes to fade out a sound, and I change patches, the sustained notes retrigger
4. The percussion circuit goes through the Chorus/Vibrato circuit which makes it sound very weird (this is NOT how a hammond works) the percussion should be clean an unaffected by chorus/vibrato
May 28, 2013 @ 5:41 pm
Hello Jay, these are all very valid issues that we take seriously. These will be passed along to our VR-09 development team.
May 15, 2013 @ 2:28 pm
Great videos, more quality gear from Roland (as always). Looks like an awesome synth. I’ve been looking for something new to freshen things up a bit, will be keeping an eye out for this for sure.
May 14, 2013 @ 4:58 am
I really enjoy my VR-09 there is a lot of power jammed into this inexpensive keyboard, however there are a number of bugs/design issues that are inhibiting my use of the keyboard for anything other thanas a backup keyboard.
1. I need to be able to control expression independently for layered/split parts
2. when I layer an organ with any other instrument the other instrument goes through the leslie speaker (bad thing)
3. When I have sustained notes to fade out a sound, and I change patches, the sustained notes retrigger
4. The percussion circuit goes through the Chorus/Vibrato circuit which makes it sound very weird (this is NOT how a hammond works) the percussion should be clean an unaffected by chorus/vibrato
Fix these things and I will be able to gig with this keyboard, if not it’s not going to work for me except as a backup drawbar organ.
May 23, 2013 @ 9:58 am
These are basically all true:
– You can not assign the expression pedal to only one part (it works on all parts globally).
– All sounds go through the effects.
– If you are holding a chord and select a new sound, it does re-trigger the chord.
– It does sound like the percussion is added before the chorus circuit.
May 14, 2013 @ 4:14 am
ive heard u cant change the organ octave when splitting org/piano? if thats true, whats the point in splitting org/piano? the function useless then as regardless of if u want org on the upper or lower reg its never gna b what you want. so organ on upper reg means u only get the very high octaves nd on lower reg only the very low octaves? whats the point?
regards,
andre
May 23, 2013 @ 9:58 am
– You can not change the octave setting of the organ when splitting the keyboard.
May 14, 2013 @ 3:28 am
I hear on a keyboard blog that this happens:
That said, there are a few bugs/quirks with the VR-09 right now, and one of them seems to be that when you layer organ with any other instrument, the other instrument ends up going through the leslie
are you going to be able to update that bug please?
Also it says you can add another manual and foot pedals but there is only one input does that mean you can add another manual OR footpedals, not both?
Also is a pc editor version of the synth softare going to be released for this product.
Will other SN or other sounds be avialable to load into the VR 09?
Cheers
Mr B
May 23, 2013 @ 10:00 am
– It is possible to add multiple MIDI controllers, but you would have to daisy-chain them or use a MIDI Merge box.
– We have no information at this time on a PC editor being worked on.
– Stay tuned for news regarding sound expansions.