Roland introduces VK-8 combo organ at winter NAMM show 2002

At winter NAMM 2002 Roland announced the VK-8 Combo Organ, an instrument which puts the enhanced Virtual ToneWheel sound of the flagship VK-77 organ in an attractively priced, single-manual design. This new organ - which sports a "waterfall" keyboard with vintage-style keys and a cabinet with wood-grain finish - also boasts COSM-based rotary speaker modeling technology, new alternate tones, and a D-Beam controller, making it an enticing combination of classic looks and sounds with modern advantages. Once the desired tone wheel type is selected - Vintage 1, Vintage 2 or Clean - nine harmonic bars provide a familiar way to shape the sound. A new Vibrato/Chorus knob and Percussion button make any organist feel right at home, while the VK-8's new keyboard has a smooth authentic touch with just the right amount of resistance for performing glissandos. The VK-8's rotary speaker modeling creates the sound of classic tube amp circuits, actual speaker cabinet characteristics and even the speaker's natural ambience. The VK-8 also offers overdrive for big, grinding rock organ sounds. Additional sounds include electric and acoustic pianos, strings, bass, choir and synths. Onboard reverb and chorus add more depth to the VK-8, while a D-Beam controller allows players to easily trigger special organ effects by simply waving their hands through an infrared beam of light. The VK-8 provides a pair of MIDI inputs for use with external MIDI devices and for connection of an optional PK-7 pedalboard.