Korg SV-1 vs Roland VR-09; some brainfarts

[RobinOtto1990]

I'm a big fan of the SV-1, and I'm still very happy that I bought it. However, I wouldn't be surprised if some SV-1 owners would rather see themselves dragging along the 5,5 (!) kilo VR-09 instead of the much heavier SV-1.

VR-09 advantages compared to SV-1:
- Smaller and easier to carry
- More on the fly effect controls, including the D-beam
- Drawbars
- iPad compatible editor
- Loop/record
- Large bank of sounds (although SV-1 collected soundbanks are just as big)
- Dual/Split function
- Way cheaper


VR-09 (assumed) disadvantages/SV-1 advantages:
- 61, unweighted keys (maybe easier for organ playing, but feeling too "plastic" for piano)
- Perhaps no computer-based editor?
- Quality of VR-09 sounds perhaps lower?
- SV-1 exterior looks better
- SV-1 editor programme allows you to precisely modify effects (although I'm not sure what the VR-09 editor can do)

So, has anyone got any experience with the VR-09? If so, what are your thoughts? I'm actually really curious about the VR-09's overdrive/distortion model

[javaj]

D-Beam is not a plus. It's gimmicky and for keys there is no reason to even have it beyond its novelty. It's not like you are going to wave your hand across it to turn on and off a leslie. I have a Roland Handsonic and it is not even that cool to use. If you have a synth that has the proper programming it can be creative- but overall- meh!

The weight issue is not even something to compare- the SV-1 is a tank- Roland is plastic- I bet the SV-1 would win a fight anyday

Soundwise, SV-1 has 512MB ucompressed samples- the VR-09 likely is using 128MB at most.

Organs- SV-1 will lose hands down- it's not meant for that nor is the keybed meant for organ work.

VR-09 will use their standard keyboard weighted synth action (basically weights glued to the keys)- and maybe even not that (won't know until I try one).

And of course, what is sexier looking then the SV-1???? VR-09 will always be last to get picked to dance

[oy5t3h]

I don't get the comparison.

SV-1 is a stage piano. With particular emphasis on various "obsolete" models of electro-mechanical and electronic pianos from days gone by, and with Korg's top of the range weighted keyboard. There's no synth section (really), and the organ section is a bit of an afterthought. It's sturdy, heavy and has a built-in power supply, and balanced outputs.

VR-09 is a budget, do-it-all keyboard, including all the "genres" of sound - sampled instruments, synths, modelled organ, and piano. It's got a light, plasticky construction, non-weighted keys, external PSU and unbalanced outputs only.

Yes, they're both aimed at live work, rather than studio work, but beyond that I don't see that you should be choosing one or the other - they'd probably make a reasonable pair of boards for gigging, with the SV-1 doing piano duties, and the VR-09 doing organ/synth/ROMpler duties.

[kbeaumont]

The plan is to use it WITH my SV-1 73. Organs, Synth, PCM sounds these are needed. Is a demo, the organ starts at 7:45.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRxDv9Dt ... r_embedded

[ShaunKorg]

I think the better comparison would be with Korg's PS60, Nord Electro 61's, or Hammond SK1's.

Unweighted Performance Boards. Very cool, but some of us just need weighted keys.