(Though the registrations only include a single Program Change that covers the entire keyboard range. Roland registrations can include MIDI Program Changes, Vox scenes cannot. Roland drawbars don't send MIDI CC, Vox touchstrips do. However, the 268 (+GM) sounds in the Roland can be called up via MIDI, the 150 sounds in the Vox cannot. Vox's (16) scenes can be recalled via MIDI, Roland's (100) registrations cannot. Vox: same, but worse, only 16 custom patches (scenes) recallable, period. Roland shortcoming: only 16 custom patches (registrations) recallable, have to scroll for others Vox: same, but worse, since it doesn't do LH bass split at all Roland shortcoming: no way to route organ or a LH bass split to its own output Here are some comparisons that come to mind. The main advantage of the Vox seems to be its lighter weight, maybe its EPs and the tube. It still has a bunch of little gotchas, but so does the Vox. it has 76 keys and a better action, so its more suitable for piano playing (and splits). I liked the VR-09 when I had one at my disposal, and the VR730 addresses two of its (related) biggest weaknesses. Without hearing every additional sound (or getting my fingers on the keys), just from what I know, I think I'd have to choose the Roland (unless maybe I was particularly into the transistor organs, I don't know). Has anyone else here played both to compare? Interesting that he thought the Roland clearly had the better action, I haven't had the chance to play either one. Roland is the better clonewheel.even besides one's opinion about the sounds, at least the Roland gives you control over the percussion and C/V parameters (along with click, leakage, and rotary sim customization). I was surprised to not have much preference on the acoustic pianos (within the limited scope of his demo). ) In fairness to the Roland, it isn't so bad if you don't turn it up so much.įrom what I heard (and only on computer speakers), I preferred the Vox EPs, which is what I'd expected. The only sounds you can recall via MIDI are the 16 scenes.Īnd here is a entertaining comparison of the Vox Continental and the Roland VR730īoy, he likes some crappy sounding transistor distortion. I was hoping there might be a way to directly access at least more of the factory sounds via MIDI, but no. beyond that you're limited to what you can call up/create in real time, which to make matters worse, typically requires scrolling through a sound category to find what you what. There's a decent variety of sounds beyond piano/organ, with lots of tweakability (attack/decay/release, filter cutoff/resonance, LFO, effects), yet you can only save 16 patches (scenes). unless you're specifically looking for the transistor organ functionality, I think it actually may function better as a lightweight "piano with other stuff" than it does as an "organ with other stuff."īut the other thing that bugs me is patch selection. Which really further reinforces what I said earlier. I am really surprised that its CX3 mode is missing so many options that even the original 1979 CX3 had (selectable 2nd/3rd percussion, adjustable percussion volume and decay, variable key click level). So, yah, I'm feelin' all groovy with this board - even if it doesn't have reverse-b&w keys. But it "feels" bigger than the Nord (and technically it is slightly wider and deeper, with longer keys), it has a much lower profile, and is actually three pounds lighter. The build seems very high-quality to me, with metal all-around, and just a little plastic on the "cheeks". (Definitely looks better on top of my Rhodes than the Nord, and I even dig the curvy stand that comes with it.) It's immediately useable right out of the box, I don't need a computer to manage it, the control surface is simple (that touch-based drawbar/fader panel is simply genius), and it's got a little style. That's what the VC is, and I think that's why it appeals to me. In other words, a really nice, useful ROMpler. I like instruments with less than a half-dozen knobs (OK, the VC as ten), a dozen good presets, and no forest of controls to get lost in. But for everything else I'm just a Rhodes player with a few Hammond riffs and the occasional synth solo. For musicals and other complex "cue-based" work, my Forte shines. Truth be told, the NS2 is too much board for my needs as a jazz combo player. KB Mag dropped Andy Burton's review of the Vox Continental.Īs for me, I'm sold enough to trade-in my Nord Compact.
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