The unit includes an audio input jack, allowing you to input sounds from an external keyboard. Using the input mix function, you can output the sounds of both the keyboard and the VK-8M without the need for a separate mixer. The expression pedal function adds expression to the input sound, and the Active Expression function further allows you to use the input sound as the Active Expression tone.
New Expression Pedal Function (Active Expression)
The expression pedal is an indispensable function for organ performances. When performing with the input sound layered over the organ sound, the organ volume increases as you press the expression pedal, but when Active Expression is used, the input sound volume makes a sudden jump to near maximum level. Since the expression pedal can be used not only to change the volume, but the tone as well, it lets you enjoy highly expressive performances.
Equipped with D Beam Controller
You can use the D Beam controller to control a total of six specialized effects with your performances, such as switching the rotary speaker rotation speed and braking the tone wheel. is used to change The D Beam ON/ OFF button relies on new technology that allows for a range of different colors. Now push the envelope even further in your stage performances.

Natural Wood Cabinet

The cabinet is built of wood, echoing the construction of traditional tone wheel organs. The VK-8M feature beautifully finished natural wood that will gain luster with years of use.
Other Features MIDI connectors are provided on the rear panel, allowing you to connect a keyboard and pedal keyboard and enjoy two-manual and pedal keyboard playing. User Registration memory lets you store 36 different panel settings.

VK-8M_e.book 8

Panel Descriptions

FRONT PANEL

[ ] (Headphone) jack
An optional set of headphones can be connected here (p. 15).

REVERB [LEVEL] knob

Adjust the depth of reverb (p. 34).

INPUT

MIDI Indicator
The indicator flashes when MIDI data from an external MIDI device is being received.

[INPUT] button

Switch the function for the INPUT jack (p. 35).

INPUT [VOLUME] knob

Adjust the volume level of the sound input from the INPUT jack (p. 35).

[MASTER VOLUME] knob

Adjust the overall volume (p. 16).

REVERB

VIBRATO AND CHORUS

[REVERB] button

Select the type of reverb (p. 34).
[VIBRATO AND CHORUS] knob
Switches the type of vibrato or chorus effect (p. 28).
VIBRATO AND CHORUS [ON] button
Switches the vibrato or chorus effect on/off (p. 28).

VK-8M_e.book 9

About the Memories

System memory
Settings that affect the entire VK-8M are referred to as system memory.

Registration memory

Settings that are stored independently for each registration number, such as harmonic bar and panel settings, are called registration memory. There are a total of 36 registration memories, and each of them can be edited.

VK-8M_e.book 13

Before You Begin Playing
Connecting the AC Adaptor 1
Before making a connection, make sure that the VK-8M is turned off.

fig.01-01

Upper position OFF
Connect the supplied AC cable to the supplied AC adaptor.

fig.00-02

To prevent malfunction and/ or damage to speakers or other devices, always turn down the volume, and turn off the power on all devices before making any connections.

AC cord

AC adaptor
Connect supplied power cable to the VK-8M, and plug the other end into a power outlet.

fig.00-01

Rear Panel

Ground Terminal

Chord Hook
Be sure to use the supplied AC cord and AC adaptor.

AC Outlet

* To prevent the inadvertent disruption of power to your unit (should the plug be pulled out accidentally), and to avoid applying undue stress to the AC adaptor jack, anchor the power cord using the cord hook, as shown in the illustration.
In some cases, depending on the environment in which the unit is installed, the surface of the panel may sometimes feel rough and grainy. This is due to an infinitesimal electrical charge, which is absolutely harmless. However, if you are concerned about this, connect the ground terminal (see above figure) with an external ground. When the unit is grounded, a slight hum may occur, depending on the particulars of your installation. If you are unsure of the connection method, contact the nearest Roland Service Center, or an authorized Roland distributor, as listed on the Information page. Unsuitable places for connection
Water pipes (may result in shock or electrocution) Gas pipes (may result in fire or explosion) Telephone-line ground or lightning rod (may be dangerous in the event of lightning)

Never turn off the power while Factory Reset is being performed.

VK-8M_e.book 18

Listening to the Demo Songs
The VK-8M contains four demo songs. Heres how to listen to the demo songs and experience the various organ sounds and effects.

fig.01-11

the same time.

Enter Demo mode.

Press the [H-BAR PART] button and the [H-BAR MANUAL] button at
Press any of the REGISTRATION buttons [1][4] to select a demo song.
Chain Play of the demo songs begins from the selected song. When the selected song is finished, playback continues with the next song in the sequence. When the last song finishes playing, playback will return to the first song and continue.
Press the [H-BAR PART] button.
Demo song playback will stop. You will exit Demo mode.
All rights reserved. Unauthorized use of this material for purposes other than private, personal enjoyment is a violation of applicable laws.

Demo Song Number 3 4

Song Name Sister Mum Blue Forest Make Holy Sunset Blvd
Copyright 2002 Roland Corporation 2002 Roland Corporation 2002 Roland Corporation 2002 Roland Corporation
No data for the music that is played will be output from MIDI OUT.

VK-8M_e.book 19

Playing the Organ
Listening to Various Sounds
The VK-8M comes with 36 registrations stored onboard. Heres how to switch registrations to hear the various sounds. There are six banks of registrations, with six sounds in each bank. Switch between the registrations to hear the various sounds.

fig.01-13

If you want to select a registration from the same bank, step 2 is not necessary.
Connect the external keyboard to the VK-8M (p. 14). Hold down the [BANK] button and press one of the buttons from [1] through [6] to select the bank number. Press one of the buttons from [1] through [6] to select a registration number.
The indicator of the number button youve selected will light.
While you are pressing the [BANK] button, the indicator of the selected bank will light.
Press the [H-BAR PART] button so its light goes out. Play the keyboard to hear the sound you selected.
The Upper Part voice of the selected registration is played.
You can set the MIDI channels for the VK-8M and the external keyboard so that the Lower Part and Pedal Part sounds

fig.01-19

Percussion can be added only to the upper part of organ voices. It cannot be added to the lower part of organ voices, nor to the pedal part.
[2ND/3RD] (Second Percussion/Third Percussion) button
This switches the percussion. Indicator Explanation
When percussion is on, the 1' pitch will not be produced. Percussion sounds are applied only to the Upper Part.
Percussion will sound at the same pitch as the 4' harmonic bar. Third percussion will not sound. 2ND Indicator Lit
Percussion will sound at the same pitch as the 2-2/3' harmonic bar. Second percussion will not sound. 3RD Indicator Lit
Percussion will not sound.

VK-8M_e.book 26

[SOFT] (Soft Percussion) button
Switches the volume of the percussion. Button Explanation
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. This reproduces the behavior of tone wheel organs. If the organ volume decreases when you turn the [SOFT] button off, you can make settings (p. 44). You can also specify the percussion volumes that will be selected by the Percussion Normal/Soft settings (p. 43).

fig.01-23

Normal Percussion

Soft Percussion

Volume
Percussion Volume of the harmonic bars will decreases
Percussion sound will decay Volume of the harmonic bars

VK-8M_e.book 27

[SLOW] (Slow Percussion) button
Switches the speed at which the percussion sound will decay. Button Explanation
You can specify the speed at
The percussion sound will disappear slowly. The percussion will have a more gentle attack. Lit (ON)
which the percussion sound decays (p. 43).
The percussion sound will disappear quickly. The percussion will have a sharper attack. Dark (OFF)

fig.01-25

Fast Percussion

Slow Percussion

Short decay time

Long decay time

Percussion Volume of the harmonic bars
Percussion on a tone wheel organ (Single Trigger Algorithm)
The percussion on tone wheel organs did not apply to all notes that were played. It was applied only to notes which were played simultaneously from a condition where no notes were being played. When notes were played legato (smoothly and connectedly), percussion was applied only to the first-played note. When notes were played staccato (articulating each note separately), percussion was applied to all notes. This method is referred to as single trigger algorithm, and is a very important element in organ performance. On tone wheel organs, percussion was produced by an analog circuit. For this reason, when there was only a very short time interval from when one key was released until the next key was pressed, the percussion circuit was unable to recharge fully, causing the percussion to sound at a lower volume. The VK-8M simulates this behavior, and also allows you to modify the organ voice settings to adjust the recharge time characteristics of the circuit (p. 44).

Sets the MIDI channel on which data will be transmitted and received for the lower organ voice.
For information on the MIDI transmit/receive channels in effect after factory reset, refer to MIDI Implementation (p. 57).
PEDAL ORAGN MIDI CH. (Pedal Organ MIDI Channel) (116) (Initial setting: 2 ch.)
Sets the MIDI channel on which data will be transmitted and received for the pedal organ voice.
1. Make sure to have the keyboard connected before you

start (p. 14).

2. Hold down the [BANK] buttons and press the [TONE
WHEEL] button. The indicators of buttons [1][6] will blink.
SPRING SHOCK MIDI CH. (Spring Shock MIDI Channel) (Initial setting: 9 ch.)
Specifies the MIDI channel on which Spring Reverb Shock data will be received and transmitted.
3. Use the [1][6] buttons to select the part whose MIDI
channel you want to change. There are 9 MIDI-related parameters. Pressing the [H-BAR PART] button causes the buttons color to change and allows you to select all parameters. There are five parameters that change the MIDI channel.
Assign the Upper, Lower, Pedal, and Spring Shock to different MIDI channels. You cannot select the same MIDI channel for the different types of data. You also cannot select a MIDI channel that has already been assigned.
Different channels are used for Control MIDI and Spring Shock.
For the parameter that is assigned to each button, refer to page 44.
You cannot set these to the same MIDI channel. Neither can you select a MIDI channel that has already been set.
4. Press the C2D#3 keys on the external keyboard to set

the MIDI channels.

MIDI Channel Setting Shortcuts
When connecting to Rolands Atelier Series and VK Series organs or Rodgers organs, you can easily set the MIDI channel for the VK-8M and the connected instrument.
Connected Instrument Atelier Series
Procedure [BANK] +[H-BAR PART] PERCUSSION [SOFT] [BANK] +[H-BAR PART] PERCUSSION [2ND/ 3RD] [BANK] +[H-BAR PART] PERCUSSION [SLOW]
MIDI Channel UPPER: 13 LOWER: 12 PEDAL: 14 UPPER: 1 LOWER: 3 PEDAL: 2 UPPER: 2 LOWER: 1 PEDAL: 3

MIDI channel.

VK Series

Rodgers Organs

CONTROL MIDI CH. (Control MIDI Channel) (116) (Initial setting: 1 ch.)
Select the MIDI channel that will used to transmit and receive MIDI messages to control the VK-8M. This channel can be used to select registrations on the VK-8M, and to control the expression of the organ voice, etc.
If you want to change the MIDI channel setting of the connected instrument, do so by directly changing the MIDI channel setting on the connected instrument.

VK-8M_e.book 47

AUTO COLOR MODE (OFF, 110)
You can set the instrument so the color of the [D BEAM] button begins changing automatically after a predetermined period elapses, throughout which no buttons or knobs have been operated, even though the [D BEAM] button has been on. Settings Values: OFF, 1 (20 seconds), 210 (1 minute 9 minutes)

VK-8M_e.book 48

Parameters That Are Stored in a Registration
Reverb and Other Settings
1. Hold down the [BANK] buttons, and press the [D
BEAM] button. The indicators of buttons [1][2] will blink.

REVERB TIME (0127)

Adjusts the length of the Reverb time. Higher values result in longer reverberation.
D BEAM ROTARY SPEED MODE (SLOW/FAST, CONTINUOUS)
Specify the D Beam function when ROTARY SPEED is assigned to the D Beam. Turn the [VIBRATO AND CHORUS] knob to the left to select SLOW/FAST, or to the right to select CONTINUOUS. Setting SLOW/FAST Explanation The rotary effect is toggled between slow and fast each time you move your hand over the D Beam controller. The rotary effect will change gradually from slow to fast or fast to slow as you move your hand closer to the D Beam controller.
2. Press one of the [1][2] buttons to select the parameter
that you want to edit. There are two effect-related parameters. The following parameters are assigned to each button.

Button [1] [2]

Parameter REVERB TIME D BEAM ROTARY SPEED MODE

Page p. 48 p. 48

CONTINUOUS
Never turn off the power while registration are being saved.
appropriate button from [1] through [2] to select the parameter, and turn the [VIBRATO AND CHORUS] knob to adjust the setting. When you want to stop editing, press the [BANK] button.
effect-related parameters.
6. Save the finalized parameter settings in a registration

(p. 37).

VK-8M_e.book 49
Connecting the VK-8M to External Devices

About MIDI

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a worldwide standard for exchanging music data among electronic musical instruments and computers. MIDI does not send audio signals, but instead converts performance data and commands into digital data for transmission. The digital data handled by MIDI is collectively referred to as MIDI messages. Any device with a MIDI connector can be connected via a MIDI cable to another MIDI device, to allow data to be exchanged regardless of the manufacturer or model of the device. MIDI IN connector: Receives MIDI messages from an external MIDI device. MIDI OUT connector: Transmits MIDI messages from the VK-8M.

5. Turn on the power of the external keyboard, sequencer

and the VK-8M.

6. Turn off the Thru function of your sequencer.
This allows you to listen to the sound while you record. Turn off Thru function so every note doesnt get sounded twiceonce as the result of the performance data that directly conveys keyboard information to the organ voice or other tone, and a second time by the performance data returned via the Thru function of your sequencer.
1. Make sure that the power of the VK-8M and your

sequencer is turned off.

2. Use commercially-available MIDI cables to connect the
VK-8M to external keyboard.
For details on setting the Thru function of your sequencer, refer to the owners manual of your sequencer.
3. Use commercially-available MIDI cables to connect the

VK-8M to your sequencer.

7. Turn on the Thru function of the external keyboard.
4. Use commercially-available MIDI cables to connect the
external keyboard to your sequencer.

fig.03-04

For details on setting the Thru function of the external keyboard, refer to the owners manual of your sequencer.
8. Turn on the MIDI Thru function of the VK-8M.

MIDI OUT MIDI IN

Carry out the recording
When you have finished making preparations for recording, start recording on your sequencer and record your performance.
9. Start recording on your sequencer. 10.Adjust the harmonic bars or select tones if desired, and

play the organ.

11.When you are finished playing, stop recording on your

sequencer.

Play back your performance
12.Play back your sequencer, and your performance will
MIDI IN MIDI OUT MIDI OUT MIDI IN

be played back.

VK-8M_e.book 51
Saving VK-8M Settings on an External Sequencer (Bulk Dump)
You can connect the VK-8M to an external sequencer, then save VK-8M registrations, and system settings on it. This function is called bulk dump.

Save the settings

5. Hold down the [BANK] buttons, and press the D
BEAM [ON] button. The [VIBRATO AND CHORUS] buttons indicator will blink.
6. Start recording on your sequencer. 7. Press the VIBRATO AND CHORUS [ON] button to
begin saving the settings. When the save is completed, all of the AMPLIFIER type and REVERB type indicators flash. When the save has been completed, all indicators of the D Beam Type will blink.
Connect the VK-8M to your sequencer

sequencer is off.

8. Press the D BEAM [ON] button. 9. Stop recording on your sequencer.
Loading Back Data Thats Been Saved on an External Sequencer
VK-8M to your sequencer. Connect the VK-8Ms MIDI IN connector to the sequencers MIDI OUT connector
3. Turn on the power of your sequencer and VK-8M. 4. Play back your sequencer.

When you turn on the power
All indicators light for several seconds Cause: The content of backup memory has been returned to the condition it was in originally, when the unit left the factory. In most cases, this occurs when the power was turned off while data was being written into memory.

During normal operation

All indicators light for several seconds Cause 1: A MIDI cable was disconnected or broken. Action: Make sure that the MIDI cable is connected correctly. Cause 2: A large amount of MIDI data was received all at once. Action: Reduce the amount of MIDI data that is being transmitted to the VK-8M. Cause 3: System exclusive data was not received correctly. Action: Check the settings of the transmitting device, or the data that is being transmitted.

VK-8M_e.book 55

Registration List
REGISTRATION Number UPPER PART LOWER PART PEDAL PART PERCUSSION VIBRATO AND CHORUS ROTARY
1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 2-1 2-2 2-3 2-4 2-5 2-6 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4 3-5 3-6 4-1 4-2 4-3 4-4 4-5 4-6 5-1 5-2 5-3 5-4 5-5 5-6 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-6

7050 404

8500 000
3RD, SOFT, FAST 3RD, SOFT, FAST 3RD, NORM, FAST 3RD, SOFT, SLOW OFF OFF 2ND, SOFT, SLOW 3RD, SOFT, SLOW 2ND, SOFT, FAST 3RD, NORM, FAST 3RD, NORM, FAST OFF 3RD, SOFT, FAST 3RD, SOFT, FAST OFF OFF OFF OFF 3RD, SOFT, FAST 3RD, SOFT, FAST 3RD, NORM, FAST 3RD, SOFT, SLOW OFF OFF 2ND, SOFT, SLOW 3RD, SOFT, SLOW 2ND, SOFT, FAST 3RD, NORM, FAST 3RD, NORM, FAST OFF 3RD, SOFT, FAST 3RD, SOFT, FAST OFF OFF OFF OFF
OFF C3 OFF OFF C3 OFF OFF OFF OFF C3 OFF OFF C3 C1 C3 C2 OFF V3 OFF C3 OFF OFF C3 OFF OFF OFF OFF C3 OFF OFF C3 C1 C3 C2 OFF V3
SLOW SLOW SLOW SLOW SLOW BRAKE SLOW FAST SLOW FAST SLOW BRAKE SLOW SLOW FAST SLOW SLOW SLOW SLOW SLOW SLOW SLOW SLOW BRAKE SLOW FAST SLOW FAST SLOW BRAKE SLOW SLOW FAST SLOW SLOW SLOW
Registration 4-16-6 have the same contents as 1-13-6.

VK-8M_e.book 56

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 ROTARY WOOFER SPREAD ROTARY TWEETER SPREAD ROTARY WOOFER SPEED SLOW ROTARY TWEETER SPEED SLOW ROTARY WOOFER SPEED FAST ROTARY TWEETER SPEED FAST ROTARY MIC DISTANCE ROTARY RANDOMIZE ROTARY INDICATOR SYNC SOURCE Click Noise and Percussion settings ON CLICK LEVEL OFF CLICK LEVEL PERCUSSION SOFT LEVEL PERCUSSION NORMAL LEVEL PERCUSSION SLOW TIME PERCUSSION FAST TIME PERCUSSION RECHARGE TIME PERCUSSION H-BAR LEVEL MIDI-related settings MIDI THRU CONTROL MIDI CH. UPPER ORGAN MIDI CH. LOWER ORGAN MIDI CH. PEDAL ORAGN MIDI CH. SPRING SHOCK MIDI CH. MIDI SOUND CONTROLLERS SWITCH MIDI GENERL CONTROLLERS SWITCH MIDI PROGRAM CHANGE SWITCH Equalizer and other settings EQ BASS EQ MIDDLE EQ TREBLE MASTER TUNE LIGHT MODE AUTO COLOR MODE

Parameters that are stored in a registration
Reverb and other setting REVERB TIME D BEAM ROTARY SPEED MODE Panel settings. The sounds of the Upper part, Lower part, and Pedal part of the Harmonic Bar settings. ROTARY [BRAKE] button ROTARY [SLOW/FAST] button [TONE WHEEL] button [LEAKAGE] knob [AMPLIFIER] button [OVERDRIVE] knob [TONE] knob [REVERB] button REVERB [LEVEL] knob PERCUSSION [2ND/3RD] button PERCUSSION [SOFT] button PERCUSSION [SLOW] button VIBRATO AND CHORUS [ON] button [VIBRATO AND CHORUS] knob D BEAM [ON] button [D BEAM] button [INPUT] button

VK-8M_e.book 57

MIDI Implementation
Model: Date: Version: VK-8M (Combo Organ) Dec. 1, 2001 1.00 cc |H.Bar Feet -------------+------------------------------------46H |16 47H |5 1/3 48H |8 49H |4 4AH |2 1/3 4BH |2 4CH |1 3/5 4DH |1 1/3 4EH |1 * Control values and harmonic bars are related as follows. vv |H.Bar Level -------------+--------------------------------00H - 0EH |0 0FH - 1CH |1 1DH - 2AH |2 2BH - 38H |3 39H - 47H |4 48H - 55H |5 56H - 63H |6 64H - 71H |7 72H - 7FH |8

1. Receive data

* If the MIDI IN FUNCTION is set to SINGLE KEYBOARD MODE (p. 20), messages input to MIDI IN will be received as messages for the Upper part, regardless of their channel number (Omni On). When the MIDI IN FUNCTION is set to SEQUENCER MODE (p. 20), MIDI messages will control each part according to their MIDI channel number (Omni Off). At the factory settings, each part is set to the following transmit/receive channels.
----------------------CONTROL | 1ch UPPER ORGAN | 1ch LOWER ORGAN | 3ch PEDAL ORGAN | 2ch SPRING SHOCK | 9ch -----------------------

Channel Voice Messages

Note off
2nd byte 3rd byte Status 8nH kkH vvH 9nH kkH 00H n = MIDI channel number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - ch.16) kk = note number: 00H - 7FH (0 - 127) vv = note off velocity: 00H - 7FH (0 - 127) * When the MIDI IN FUNCTION is set to SINGLE KEYBOARD MODE (p. 20), the input to the MIDI IN will be handled as messages for the UPPER PART.
General Purpose Controller 5 (Controller number 80) (Rotary Speed)

2nd byte 3rd byte Status BnH 50H vvH n = MIDI channel number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - ch.16) vv = control value: 00H - 7FH (0 - 127) * When MIDI IN FUNCTION is SINGLE KEYBOARD MODE (p. 20), this is received on the channel specified for CONTROL MIDI CH. (p. 46) (factory setting: channel 1). * Not received when MIDI GENERAL CONTROLLERS SWITCH (p. 45) is OFF.
General Purpose Controller 6 (Controller number 81) (Rotary Brake)
Status 2nd byte 3rd byte BnH 51H vvH n = MIDI channel number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - ch.16) vv = control value: 00H - 7FH (0 - 127) 0-63 = SPIN, 64-127 = BRAKE * When MIDI IN FUNCTION is SINGLE KEYBOARD MODE (p. 20), this is received on the channel specified for CONTROL MIDI CH. (p. 46) (factory setting: channel 1). * Not received when MIDI GENERAL CONTROLLERS SWITCH (p. 45) is OFF.

Note on

2nd byte 3rd byte Status 9nH kkH vvH n = MIDI channel number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - ch.16) kk = note number: 00H - 7FH (0 - 127) vv = note on velocity: 00H - 7FH (0 - 127) * When the MIDI IN FUNCTION is set to SINGLE KEYBOARD MODE (p. 20), the input to the MIDI IN will be handled as messages for the UPPER PART.

Program Change

2nd byte Status CnH ppH n = MIDI channel number: pp = program number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - ch.16) 00H - 05H (prog.1 - prog.6) (Registration) 08H - 0DH (prog.9 - prog.14) 10H - 15H (prog.17 - prog.22) 18H - 1DH (prog.25 - prog.30) 20H - 25H (prog.33 - prog.38) 28H - 2DH (prog.41 - prog.46) Not received when MIDI PROGRAM CHANGE SWITCH is OFF (p. 45) (factory setting: OFF). Registrations are received on the channel specified by CONTROL MIDI CH. (p. 46) (factory setting: channel 1). Regardless of the MIDI channel, Registration numbers will be switched when MIDI IN FUNCTION is set to SINGLE KEYBOARD MODE (p. 20).

Control Change

Expression (Controller number 11)
Status 2nd byte 3rd byte BnH 0BH vvH n = MIDI channel number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - ch.16) vv = expression: 00H - 7FH (0 - 127) * If you want to control all of the Organ Parts, transmit data on the channel specified by the CONTROL MIDI CH. setting (factory setting: channel 1). It is not possible to separately control each part of the Organ Part. * When the MIDI IN FUNCTION is set to SINGLE KEYBOARD MODE (p. 20), this has the same function as an expression pedal connected to the VK-8Ms EXPRESSION PEDAL jack.
General Purpose Controller 2 (Controller number 17) (Wheel Brake)
2nd byte 3rd byte Status BnH 11H vvH n = MIDI channel number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - ch.16) vv = control value: 00H - 7FH (0 - 127) 0-63 = OFF, 64-127 = ON * When MIDI IN FUNCTION is set to SINGLE KEYBOARD MODE (p. 20), this is received on the channel specified for CONTROL MIDI CH. (p. 46) (factory setting: channel 1). * Not received when MIDI GENERAL CONTROLLERS SWITCH (p. 45) is OFF.

Status 2nd byte 3rd byte BnH 0BH vvH n = MIDI channel number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - ch.16) vv = expression: 10H - 7FH (10 - 127) (Organ Part) * Transmitted when the expression pedal is operated, on the channel specified by CONTROL MIDI CH. (p. 46).
2nd byte 3rd byte Status BnH 11H vvH n = MIDI channel number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - ch.16) vv = control value: 00H - 7FH (0 - 127) 0-63 = OFF, 64-127 = ON * Not received when MIDI GENERAL CONTROLLERS SWITCH (p. 45) is OFF.
The amount of data can be transmitted at one time depends on the type of data, and data will be transmitted from the specified starting address and size. Refer to the address and size given in Parameter address map (MODEL ID = 00 4DH) (p. 59). For the address, size, and checksum, refer to Examples of System Exclusive Messages and Calculating the Checksum (p. 61). Regarding the checksum, please refer to page 61.
2nd byte 3rd byte Status BnH 50H vvH n = MIDI channel number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - ch.16) vv = control value: 00H - 7FH (0 - 127) * Not received when MIDI GENERAL CONTROLLERS SWITCH (p. 45) is OFF.

VK-8M_e.book 59

Status 2nd byte 3rd byte BnH 51H vvH n = MIDI channel number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - ch.16) vv = control value: 00H - 7FH (0 - 127) 0-63 = SPIN, 64-127 = BRAKE * Not received when MIDI GENERAL CONTROLLERS SWITCH (p. 45) is OFF. sum F7H * * * checksum EOX (End Of Exclusive)
2nd byte Status CnH ppH n = MIDI channel number: pp = program number: 0H - FH (ch.1 - ch.16) 00H - 05H (prog.1 - prog.6) (Registration) 08H - 0DH (prog.9 - prog.14) 10H - 15H (prog.17 - prog.22) 18H - 1DH (prog.25 - prog.30) 20H - 25H (prog.33 - prog.38) 28H - 2DH (prog.41 - prog.46) Not received when MIDI PROGRAM CHANGE SWITCH is OFF (p. 45) (factory setting: OFF).
For the address, size, and checksum, refer to Parameter address map (MODEL ID = 00 4DH) (p. 59). Large amounts of data must be divided into packets of 128 bytes or less, and transmitted at intervals of approximately 40 ms. Regarding the checksum, please refer to page 61.
3. Parameter address map (MODEL ID = 00 4DH)
Transmission of # marked address is divided to some packets. For example, ABH in hexadecimal notation will be divied to 0AH and 0BH, and is sent/received in this order. It is shown that the description (VK-8) and (VK-8M) in the map is a parameter peculiar to each model. +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Start | | | Address | Description | |-------------+---------------------------------------------------| | | System | |-------------+---------------------------------------------------| | | Temporary Registration | | : | | |-------------+---------------------------------------------------| | | User Registration (1-1) | | | User Registration (1-2) | | : | | | | User Registration (1-6) | | | User Registration (2-1) | | : | | | 20 0D | User Registration (2-6) | | | User Registration (3-1) | | : | | | | User Registration (3-6) | | | User Registration (4-1) | | : | | | 20 1D | User Registration (4-6) | | | User Registration (5-1) | | : | | | | User Registration (5-6) | | | User Registration (6-1) | | : | | | 20 2D | User Registration (6-6) | +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ * System +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Offset | | | Address | Description | |-------------+---------------------------------------------------| | 00 | System Common | | 00 | System MIDI | | 00 | System Organ | | 00 | System FX | +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ * Registration +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Offset | | | Address | Description | |-------------+---------------------------------------------------| | 00 | Registration Common | | 00 | Registration Organ | | 00 | Registration FX | +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ * System Common +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Offset | | | Address | Description | |-------------+---------------------------------------------------| |# | 0000 aaaa | | | | 0000 bbbb | | | | 0000 cccc | | | | 0000 dddd | Master Tune (24 - 2024) | | | | -100.0 - 100.0 [cent] | | | 0000 aaaa | Key Transpose (VK-8) (58 - 69) | | | | -6 - +5 | | | 0000 aaaa | Foot Control Assign (VK-8) (0 - 11) | | | | ROTARY SLOW/FAST, ROTARY SPEED, | | | | ROTARY BRAKE ON/OFF, OTHER TONES | | | | GLIDE, PRESET UP, OVERDRIVE, | | | | OTHER TONES EXPRESSION, | | | | D-BEAM SYNC, CRESCENDO, | | | | RING MODULATION, TONE WHEEL BRAKE, | | | | SPRING SHOCK | | | 0000 000a | Foot Control Polarity (VK-8) (0 - 1) | | | | STANDARD, REVERSE | | | 0000 000a | Hold Pedal Polarity (VK-8) (0 - 1) | | | | STANDARD, REVERSE | |-------------+-----------+---------------------------------------| | | 0000 000a | Light Mode (VK-8M) (0 - 1) | | | | NORMAL,MULTI | | | 0000 aaaa | Auto Color Mode (VK-8M) (0 - 10) | | | | OFF,1 - 10 | |-------------+---------------------------------------------------| | 00 0A | Total Size | +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

VK-8M_e.book 61

MIDI Implementation 4. Supplementary material
Decimal/Hexadecimal Table
MIDI uses 7-bit hexadecimal values to indicate data values and the address and size of exclusive messages. The following table shows the correspondence between decimal and hexadecimal numbers. * Hexadecimal values are indicated by a following H. ++++++++++++ | D | H || D | H || D | H || D | H | ++++++++++++ | 0 | 00H || 32 | 20H || 64 | 40H || 96 | 60H | | 1 | 01H || 33 | 21H || 65 | 41H || 97 | 61H | | 2 | 02H || 34 | 22H || 66 | 42H || 98 | 62H | | 3 | 03H || 35 | 23H || 67 | 43H || 99 | 63H | | 4 | 04H || 36 | 24H || 68 | 44H || 100 | 64H | | 5 | 05H || 37 | 25H || 69 | 45H || 101 | 65H | | 6 | 06H || 38 | 26H || 70 | 46H || 102 | 66H | | 7 | 07H || 39 | 27H || 71 | 47H || 103 | 67H | | 8 | 08H || 40 | 28H || 72 | 48H || 104 | 68H | | 9 | 09H || 41 | 29H || 73 | 49H || 105 | 69H | | 10 | 0AH || 42 | 2AH || 74 | 4AH || 106 | 6AH | | 11 | 0BH || 43 | 2BH || 75 | 4BH || 107 | 6BH | | 12 | 0CH || 44 | 2CH || 76 | 4CH || 108 | 6CH | | 13 | 0DH || 45 | 2DH || 77 | 4DH || 109 | 6DH | | 14 | 0EH || 46 | 2EH || 78 | 4EH || 110 | 6EH | | 15 | 0FH || 47 | 2FH || 79 | 4FH || 111 | 6FH | | 16 | 10H || 48 | 30H || 80 | 50H || 112 | 70H | | 17 | 11H || 49 | 31H || 81 | 51H || 113 | 71H | | 18 | 12H || 50 | 32H || 82 | 52H || 114 | 72H | | 19 | 13H || 51 | 33H || 83 | 53H || 115 | 73H | | 20 | 14H || 52 | 34H || 84 | 54H || 116 | 74H | | 21 | 15H || 53 | 35H || 85 | 55H || 117 | 75H | | 22 | 16H || 54 | 36H || 86 | 56H || 118 | 76H | | 23 | 17H || 55 | 37H || 87 | 57H || 119 | 77H | | 24 | 18H || 56 | 38H || 88 | 58H || 120 | 78H | | 25 | 19H || 57 | 39H || 89 | 59H || 121 | 79H | | 26 | 1AH || 58 | 3AH || 90 | 5AH || 122 | 7AH | | 27 | 1BH || 59 | 3BH || 91 | 5BH || 123 | 7BH | | 28 | 1CH || 60 | 3CH || 92 | 5CH || 124 | 7CH | | 29 | 1DH || 61 | 3DH || 93 | 5DH || 125 | 7DH | | 30 | 1EH || 62 | 3EH || 94 | 5EH || 126 | 7EH | | 31 | 1FH || 63 | 3FH || 95 | 5FH || 127 | 7FH | ++++++++++++ D: decimal H: hexadecimal * Decimal expressions such as used for MIDI channel, Bank Select, and Program Change will be the value 1 greater than the decimal value given in the above table. * Since each MIDI byte carries 7 significant data bits, each byte can express a maximum of 128 different values. Data for which higher resolution is required must be transmitted using two or more bytes. For example a value indicated as a two-byte value of aa bbH would have a value of aa x 128 + bb. * For a signed number (), 00H = -64, 40H = 0, and 7FH = +63. I.e., the decimal equivalent will be 64 less than the decimal value given in the above table. For a two-byte signed number, 00 00H = -8192, 40 00H = 0, and 7F 7FH = +8191. For example the decimal expression of aa bbH would be aa bbH - 40 00H = aa x 128 + bb - 64 x 128.

Welcome

Organ Sound Module

Adding Vibrato or Chorus

Use the following procedure to add vibrato or chorus to the current sound. Note: Vibrato or chorus cannot be applied to percussion sounds. Press the button beneath VIBRATO AND CHORUS so its lit. Turn the VIBRATO AND CHORUS knob to select the desired type of vibrato or the desired type of chorus: V1, V2, V3, C1, C2, or C3.
Congratulations on your purchase of the Roland VK-8M. This TurboStart contains step-bystep instructions that will quickly introduce you the VK-8Ms major features.

Playing the Demo Songs

Use the following procedure to play the four demonstration (demo) songs in the VK-8M: 3 Simultaneously press the H-BAR PART and H-BAR MANUAL buttons. Press any of the REGISTRATION 1-4 buttons to listen to one of the four demo songs. Press the H-BAR PART button again to exit Demo mode.
Note: Vibrato and chorus cannot be applied together.

Changing the Amp Type

The VK-8M offers a virtual amplifier for a vintage organ cabinet sound. Use the following procedure to change the amp type and its characteristics. 3 Press the button beneath AMPLIFIER to select the desired type of virtual amp. Turn the OVERDRIVE knob to dial in the amount of distortion you want. Turn the TONE knob to adjust the brightness of the amp.
Connecting a MIDI Keyboard
Use the following MIDI channels to connect a MIDI keyboardor multiple MIDI keyboardsto the three sections of the VK-8M:
MIDI Channel 1: Upper Voice MIDI Channel 3: Lower Voice MIDI Channel 2: Pedal Voice
NOTE: All three of these voices can be used together and have different drawbar settings.

Saving Your Settings

The VK-8M provides 36 memory locations in which you can store organ voice settings as presets. Note: When you store your current settings in a memory location, it replaces the factory preset currently stored there. As shipped from the factory, all of the VK-8Ms 36 memory locations contain presets. You can restore the factory presets by initializing the VK-8Msee Page 17 of the VK-8M Owners Manual. While holding down WRITE and BANK, press the desired 1-6 button to select a bank. Release the BANK button, and while still holding down WRITE, press a 1-6 button to choose the desired preset location in the selected bank. When the 1-6 button stops flashing, the presets been saved in the selected location.
Selecting Organ Voice Registrations
The VK-8M comes with 36 registrations organized in six banks of six. Use this procedure to select a registration. 3 Hold down the BANK button and press Button 1-6 to select the desired preset bank. Release the BANK button. Press Button 1-6 to choose the desired preset within the selected bank.
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TBS265

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