For Immediate Release

Rebecca Eaddy
Marketing Communications Manager
Roland Corporation U.S.
(323) 890-3718
Rebecca.Eaddy@RolandUS.com

VK-88 ULTIMATE DOUBLE MANUAL ORGAN

New VK-88 Boasts Superior Organ Sounds and New Waterfall Keyboards

Anaheim, Calif., Jan. 16, 2003¡XRoland is proud to announce the VK-88 Combo Organ. With Roland¡¦s most advanced ¡§Virtual ToneWheel¡¨ organ sounds, COSM„¥ Amp and Rotary Speaker Modeling, and new quick-firing waterfall keyboards, the VK-88 will satisfy even the most demanding organ aficionado. New features like Active Expression and a D Beam controller (with multi-colored LED) give players complete control over their tone during performance.

Designed in the same elegant tradition of vintage combo organs, the VK-88 features a beautiful wooden cabinet with a familiar panel layout: nine harmonic bars per manual (upper/lower), two harmonic bars for the pedal part, and two additional harmonic bars for Orchestral Tones like piano, strings, brass and choir. Dual waterfall keyboards with quick-firing keys make playing glissandos more natural.

The VK-88¡¦s organ sounds are based on the same advanced Virtual ToneWheel sound engine used in the acclaimed VK-8 Combo Organ. Players can choose from four authentic tone wheel types¡XVintage 1, Vintage 2, Solid and Clean¡Xand then further adjust the sound using the harmonic bars. The VK-88 even lets players adjust the leakage level and click sound. Four COSM amp models deliver tones from clean gospel organs to gritty rock organs. COSM Amp Type IV stands out in particular for its incredible gain stage. Of course, the VK-88 also faithfully recreates vintage rotary speaker sounds.

Using the new D Beam controller, players can control a variety of preset options like rotary speed (Slow/Fast) using an infrared beam of light¡Xcomplete with an LED that changes color depending on the proximity of one¡¦s hand. And with Active Expression, players can slowly fade in one of the VK-88¡¦s Orchestral Tones using an optional EV-7 Expression Pedal. These additional tones offer new possibilities for organ performance, while 64 User registrations make recalling tones quick and easy.

Connections to the VK-88 include stereo 1/4-inch inputs, a stereo XLR Mix output, stereo Organ outputs (1/4-inch TRS type), stereo Orchestral Tones outputs (1/4-inch TRS type), two Control Pedal jacks, an Expression Pedal jack, Hold Pedal jack, PK input jack (for optional PK-25 Pedalboard), Rotary Tone Cabinet jack, MIDI In/Out/Pedal In jacks, and a stereo Headphones jack.

Roland is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of electronic musical instruments, professional audio equipment, multimedia products and music accessories. For more information, contact Roland Corporation U.S., 5100 S. Eastern Ave., P.O. Box 910921, Los Angeles, CA 90091-0921, (323) 890-3700 (x3718 - for media use only)