Roland V-Combo VR-09

[franky64]

CTRLR EDITOR hotfix v1.12.19 : 'GM2 volumes'

 

this little hotfix is only relevant to those (if there are any ...  ) that use 'GM2-engine' mode in panel SOUND-GM2:
Fixes erratic behaviour of the 'channel volume' settings.

n.b. the release also adds 'hidden' pitch bend range of +/-15 halftones in kbd config (VR factory is 12 halftones )

direct download : https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1_CJVGF0tACCxr1m0Y5yw7YLWEg1bvMF0 

v-combo website :  https://v-combo.webspace.rocks/editor-vr09-730

[franky64]

CTRLR EDITOR v1.12.20: bugfix & feature release

This bugfix/feature release fixes important bugs in V-SYNTH/VSSD and STAGE-RHYTHM and adds some new features:

 

• V-SYNTH/VSSD: added 'Cutoff Aftertouch Sens' and 'Level Aftertouch Sens' in FILTER/AMP section and 'Mouse-button/Wheel scrolling' buttons to PCM-Wave select box. Fixed fixed disfunctional pcm wave select box in V-SYNTH
• STAGE 'Rhythm' : added PAN, fixed disfunctional drumkit selector box, consolidated drumkit list
• ATELIER DRUM (kit): corrected false drum-kit list
• minor bugfixes

Handling improvement for those who use V-SYNTH/VSSD 'pcm-waves' : the new little 'mouse scroll' buttons at right hand of each pcm-wave selector box allow to scroll very fast through the pcm-waves by mouse-click or mouse-wheel

 

direct download : https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1_CJVGF0tACCxr1m0Y5yw7YLWEg1bvMF0 
v-combo website :  https://v-combo.webspace.rocks/editor-vr09-730

 

[JoJoB3]

Aside from the volume pedal issue I have to admit this terrible feeling VR-09 gets called upon to get the job done. It has the immediate control and 95% of the sounds at 12lbs.

[Mike Kent]

8 hours ago, JoJoB3 said:

Aside from the volume pedal issue I have to admit this terrible feeling VR-09 gets called upon to get the job done. It has the immediate control and 95% of the sounds at 12lbs.

 

I take my VR-09 to play out a lot. That's in spite of its shortcomings and even though I have lots of other options.

I even most often select it instead of my Nord Electro or Yamaha YC61 if I'm taking only 1 keyboard and organ is important.

 

Big benefits to me.

The organ is better than my Nord Electro or my Yamaha YC61 (in 1 of my bands, the songs are 70% organ).

      - Well maybe that's mostly about the superior Leslie emulation.

Simple hands-on immediacy.

Music rest (a bit difficult to get?) to hold iPad, no music stand needed.

It's only 12 pounds.

 

Compromises that don't really bother me:

Passable piano for an occasional song - would be better if it wasn't for the key action.

Usable electric pianos.

Usable synth section, even if a little limited. Very limited compared to my FA-06 (also a winner because it's also only 12 pounds).

 

Things I dislike but put up with:

Key action below par. Clearly a budget choice.

Registration system sucks, only 16 programs quickly accessible.

 

A CK61 might be a better choice on a budget these days, if you don't mind the lesser organ.

[Paul Woodward]

I would agree on the CK being a modern day VR replacement, but it’s still around twice as much as you can get a VR for around these parts. I really liked my VR and using the iPad editor really opened up the synths.

[stoken6]

12 hours ago, JoJoB3 said:

Aside from the volume pedal issue I have to admit this terrible feeling VR-09 gets called upon to get the job done. It has the immediate control and 95% of the sounds at 12lbs.

What is the volume pedal issue?

 

Cheers, Mike.

[Baggypants]

Volume pedal issue

 

https://v-combo.webspace.rocks/damperexpression-pedal-guide

[AnotherScott]

6 hours ago, SynMike said:

Music rest (a bit difficult to get?) to hold iPad, no music stand needed.

 

I never used to care about music stands, but now I find them really useful for tablets. Since "piano-oriented" boards are more likely to have them, I now sometimes reverse my "top" and "bottom" boards so I can use the stand.

[JoJoB3]

On 11/19/2023 at 2:38 AM, stoken6 said:

What is the volume pedal issue?

 

Cheers, Mike.

Use Baggypants link he posted but essentially this one should/could have been avoided with the VRs (but...this is new Roland).
I don't know if it's laziness, mismanagement. idiocy or all three but having users mod expression pedals for such basic functionality is utterly ridiculous.
At least mods alleviate which is cool....but, yeah not a good look.

[franky64]

'hidden VR Rhythms':  VR magic continues: we found ca. 600 'VR builtin Rhythms' : ca. 550 'hidden' + 52 factory rhythms
The 'hidden rhythms can only be set indirectly via registration upg-files:

 

1) with the new editor releae v1.12.21 (see next post)

 

2)  we prepared a package of 7 upg files with all rhythms, file 'VR_Rhythms.zip': 
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EHjr8ReA6679Hxgjnh7w_yQXw9MeCOdJ?usp=drive_link

[franky64]

CTRLR EDITOR v1.12.21: major release

 

we recommend upgrading to this release as it contains many bugfixes (like improved synchronisation of editor SYNTH faders to voices), improved handling in 'REGISTRATION UPG ORGANISER' (former UPG-Editor) etc.
--
It has also new features:

• unveiled 'hidden VR-Rhythms': ca. 600 inbuild VR Rhythms which can be set in REG/UPG Organiser to UPG-files (to be loaded into VR registrations)
• GM-sound 'Direct Load' (for those who use EDITOR live): a simplified 'MidiMapper' method to load GM/GS/SC sounds into VR
• V-Piano enhancements
• a handful of new (GM) sounds, including the last 5 missing 'VR730 exclusive' sounds now available also in VR09

Website:
https://v-combo.webspace.rocks/editor-vr09-730

direct download:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_CJVGF0tACCxr1m0Y5yw7YLWEg1bvMF0?usp=drive_link

[brenner13]

What a quirky little machine Roland made here. Still gigging mine…11 years now of grueling weekend warrior gigs at dirty biker bars, pool parties, lakeside gatherings and dusty festivals. It’s played outside in 114 degree F sunshine and weathered several rainy day shows, even got snowed on a couple of times. What a freaking work horse. Definitely got my money’s worth. 
 

And franky64 keeps finding more and more hidden gems in the thing. Good gawd man, you are amazing! 
 

Now I have been shopping for a replacement the last few years as my VR09 is simply starting to show small signs of the abuse  I put it through and definitely need to be prepared for it to eventually fail. Got a few sticky keys right now and needs to be opened up and thoroughly cleaned, but buying a new toy is MUCH more fun, right?
 

I’ve got good backups with all of the iPad organs: Hammond B-3X, VB3ii, Blue3, and now KingB. Hammond still rules with the best rotary to my ears, and love the crunchy tone of VB3ii right out of the box, but the easy UI of Blue3 has been my go-to until Yonak came out with the amazing KingB. Fantastic UI that responds very well to the touch on the drawbars and has all of the right buttons and switches that are easy to see and manipulate right on the screen. Love how it can split the screen with rotary parameters on the bottom, and have recently been using the wonderful effects screen…wash-wah is my new passion at the moment…again, responds so well to the touchscreen. Integrates with the Numa Compact 2X and the MODX with incredible ease. 
 

However, that dern Roland is still first choice when it comes to live shows. One board gigs are a breeze with that little gremlin. I’ve even put guitar strap studs on the bottom of it for impromptu jams that pop up where there is no room or time for a stand. Can’t play it as well in that position, but still fun to strut around the stage with a wireless clonewheel over my shoulder. 

[franky64]

On 6/1/2024 at 6:06 PM, brenner13 said:

However, that dern Roland is still first choice when it comes to live shows. One board gigs are a breeze with that little gremlin. 

if there had not been the 'hidden features' it very probably would have had to go for a YC (adore the organ and much better AP than SK-pro).
But with the power of the 'hiddens' no clonewheel comes close to VR. What I appreciate most is that simplistic approach, no 'lost in menu diving', when one needs a sound on the fly. Once in the calm one can pull all registers of that multi-layer/zone stuff - 4-layer brass eventually combined with 'harmony intelligence' - uh, that's big.