The Roland VR-09 keyboard is a fantastic stage performance keyboard and a great addition to any music studio. It’s a powerful tool designed for modern musicians and performers.
This review is inspired by thorough research and aims to highlight the many great features and impressive performance of the Roland VR-09, helping potential users understand its capabilities.
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Roland VR-09 Full Review: The Best Roland Keyboard?
Contents
Features
The Roland VR-09 has impressive features and specifications. If it had an arpeggiator and aftertouch under the keybed, then it would be one of the best keyboards, but it still delivers on most fronts and is an excellent keyboard for gigging pianists.
- 61 Velocity-sensitive keys
- Light and compact
- Battery (8x AA HR6) or mains operation
- 245 Sounds
- Maximum Polyphony: 128 Voices
- LCD 128 x 64 dots
- High-quality acoustic and electric pianos, incl. Grand piano sound with 88-note stereo multi-sampling
- SuperNATURAL Virtual Tone Wheel organ with 9 drawbars
- Plus newly developed Transistor-Type organs in 60’s sound
- Extensive synthesizer section from Vintage Classic sounds to contemporary, modern synth textures
- 7 Simultaneous effects with dedicated real-time control elements
- Built-in Looper and Drum section
- Playback of WAV / MP3 and SMF files via USB memory
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 1008 x 300 x 106 mm
- Weight: 12 pounds (5.5 kg)
- Free VR-09 Editor App for iPad available
Design
Crafted with a focus on portability and convenience, the Roland VR-09 boasts a lightweight design without compromising its performance capabilities.
It has semi-weighted keys, which lend themselves well to fast runs, be that with organ, synth, or piano/EP sounds.
The VR-09’s layout and easily navigable interface are simple, ensuring that the creative flow of musicians remains uninterrupted and fluid.
There’s a USB stick slot for storing sounds/registrations and playing back MIDI files, WAVs, AIFFs, and MP3s, which is ideal when practicing along with your recordings or others.
Sounds
The VR-09 has an extraordinary array of sounds that breathe life into many musical genres.
From the warm and embracing tones of vintage organs to the vibrant and dynamic rhythms of synthesizers, the instrument is impressive and stylistically versatile. The instrument’s powerful sound engines are a testament to Roland’s legacy of instruments.
The VR-09 also includes a slicer, tape delay, mod-delay, and dual-rotary emulation. The six real-time effect dials are there to control your overdrive, tone, compression, and the master effects (20 types), plus the delay and reverb.
The organs included are very good, and you have Jazz, Rock, and Transistor models onboard. The drawbars are handy of course, as you can edit the organ patches on the fly, just as you would on a Nord electro keyboard/stage piano.
The VR-09 is also less than half the price of the latest Nord electro (electro 6D) and is therefore easier on the wallet, though the sounds are not quite on the same level in terms of quality.
Controls
The Roland VR-09 is a maestro when it comes to facilitating real-time control, enabling musicians to conduct their creative symphonies with utmost expressiveness and flexibility.
With an array of knobs and sliders finely tuned to enable immediate control, musicians are empowered to shape their sounds and performances with precision, fostering a realm of musical exploration that resonates with spontaneity and creativity.
Battery Power
Energizing the Roland VR-09 is a battery-power feature, liberating musicians from the constraints of power outlets and encouraging the spirit of mobility.
This feature amplifies the instrument’s versatility, ensuring that music can blossom wherever inspiration strikes, from impromptu street performances to outdoor gigs.
Connections
- USB computer port and USB memory port
- Output (L / MONO, R) 6.3 mm jack
- Headphones: Stereo 6.3 mm jack
- EXT Input: Stereo 3.5 mm jack
- Damper: TRS 6.3 mm jack
- Expression pedal: TRS 6.3 mm jack
- MIDI (IN, OUT), PK IN: 8-pin DIN type
Roland VR-09 vs. VR-09b
The only differences between the VR09 and VR09B are aesthetic or cosmetic. All the sounds and operations are identical, once you load the newest software update onto the original VR-09 they are the same instrument.
FAQ
1. Does Roland VR 09 Have an Arpeggiator?
No, the Roland Vr-09 does not have an arpeggiator.
2. How Much Does a Roland Vr-09 Weigh?
The Roland V-Combo VR-09-B keyboard is compact and portable. The VR-09 weighs just over 12 pounds making it a perfect lightweight gigging keyboard.
3. When Did the Roland VR-09 Come Out?
The Roland VR-09 was released on September 15, 2017.
4. Which Synth Has the Best Arpeggiator?
Roland had a monopoly on the best synths created for many years. The Roland Juno 6 and 60 are still arguably the best arpeggiators ever designed and built.
5. What Kind of Sounds Does the Roland Vr-09 Specialize In?
The Roland VR-09 has a classic and expansive set of sounds, from vintage organs to the powerful rhythms of synthesizers. This ensures versatile performances across various musical genres for users.
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Conclusion
The Roland VR-09 is a versatile and user-friendly keyboard that is worth every penny. If you want something lightweight and affordable this could be a killer addition to your keyboard rig or home studio setup!
