30 playing the organ – Roland VK-8 User Manual

Page 30

Playing the Organ

[SLOW] (Slow Percussion) button

Switches the speed at which the percussion sound will decay.

fig.01-25

Button

Explanation

Lit (ON)

The percussion sound will disappear slowly. The percus-
sion will have a more gentle attack.

Dark (OFF)

The percussion sound will disappear quickly. The percus-
sion will have a sharper attack.

You can specify the speed at

which the percussion sound

Fast Percussion

Slow Percussion

Time

Volume of the
harmonic bars

Short decay time

Long decay time

Percussion

Volume

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-8 simulates this behavior, and also allows you to modify