VOX Continental vs Roland VR-730 - Clash of the Classics! 

The keyboard department deserves more views. The quality that goes into these vids is really astonishing. Good job guys!

On the plus side for the VOX, it has room for a TV dinner on the right and a mug of cider on the left.

Some say he has a sanctuary for abandoned keyboards on a 4 acre farm in Wales. Some say his first keyboard was a yamaha gx-1. All we know is...he’s called Jack.

Jack is the best. He nearly sells me every keyboard he plays. I mean, really, I can't afford any of these instruments, but I can watch and listen to Jack riffing on and off the keys for hours.

I just bought the VR-730 today. Been eyeing for months and months and pulled the trigger on it. You, sir, are a phenomenal keyboardist. I can listen to you play all the time. Fabulous.

When using the DBs on the CONNIE, if you want to set them to full you don't have to slide the whole range, just draw or tap the position. Just a tip for quicker work flow

The roland sounds great with the drawbars. It seemed to have a lot more effects on its sounds. The vox was a lot brighter but I bet with a bit of tweaking both boards could match each other. I bet in a band situation the vox would cut through better.

I own the Vox…tremendous build quality (metal, not plastic) and easy to program effects on stage…this will last a long time 👏🏻👏🏻

very helpful comparison , I had a VR-09 which I liked very much , but something about the Vox I preferred so I just bought one & in no way disappointed . Both keyboards have good sounds , great keybeds & do the job required . I'm really happy with my Vox & it does all I want it to do , I think they are now discontinued so glad to have picked up one for under a grand . Thanks Andertons for your reviews . I've got a gig this afternoon , a warm up - party for the KAYA festival next weekend in Northampton , when the Vox will take the main stage . Oh Glory, let's Rock the Flock.

The Roland is really heavy of effects by default. Effects are universal on the Vox, so you actually have to turn them on and tune them in....or save them to your favorites. I feel like Jack could have gotten more bang out of the Vox had he played with the effects. With Nutube there's no reason why the Vox wasn't giving us more vulume than the Roland.

Don’t ever change jack. I would watch you review a toothbrush. Fuckin hilarious bro.

As Jack likes the "hands on feel" of the VR-730's physical drawbars, when he then talks about the rotary on/off switch and the "real Hammond's half moon switch", what he doesn't say is that, in Organ Mode, the VR-730's pitch bend lever *becomes* a rotary control switch, much like a real Hammond. Great - and clever- feature !! :-) There is also SO much more stuff in the Roland that he doesn't even mention (excellent Synth and orchestral section, drums, song recorder, Looper, mp3/wav player, etc.) that overall, the VR-730 is streets ahead of the Vox. And cheaper ! :-)

MY friend, you are not placing the effect of distortion, you are only raising the valve effect. you have to activate the effect and go to distortion and put it to the maximum, as you do with the roland. in the organ section of the VOX Continental there are different organs, with effects already placed to which you can add even more effect from the panel, some more dirty than others.

This is a great video. I bought the Roland based on what I heard here. On a personal note, don't be hard on yourself per the "ramblings" in your videos. Have you watched the product demos by the Roland and Hammond guys? They're almost comically bad. They're as watchable as: adverts for diabetic testing supplies...Appalachian banjo players.... A magician performing at a retirement community... My friend's "Improv Group".... Last but not least... any Andrew Lloyd Weber production. Keep up the great work. I'll be tuning in.

Wonderful keyboards both, but for me better the vox for its sound quality and for its live handling

John Modeski does that too. He uses the drawbars almost like a wah wah. He sweeps back and forth between high frequencies and low and in general just fiddles with them to get different sonic textures. He's amazing.

Think the vols on the roland are higher - they aren't adjusted to be the same as the Vox continental

Reverb on or off the Roland VR-730 sounds & feels better. The vr730 cost about $700 less. Also the Roland VR-730 comes very close to beating the Nord Electro 5D 73 and cost about $1000 less.

I was under the impression that the Vox LED drawbars could be used differently than normal drawbars. It's my uinderstanding that you simply touch the LED strip where you want it to end up and it goes right there. So instead of "pulling" them all down, you just touch the spot you want to end up. This also allows you to do a number of them VERY quickly. In fact, likely more quickly than with regular drawbars. It is, of course, a matter of training yourself in a new way of doing things. Personally,, what I'm most interested in - for what I like to do - is Vox and Farfisa sounds, plus some Wurlitzer electric piano. (OK, and some harpsichord and the occasional B3.) I'm also interested in layering the combo organ sound with the electric piano. The Vox can do all these things quite well, from what I've seen in various demos. This is also why I feel like I'm likely heading towards a Vox Continental vs Nord Electro 6 (when it comes out next month) showdown. Unfortunately, finding a place that has both Nord and Vox near me seems difficult. I think I'm going to have to take a day off work and make a drive to A/B them. I want to be sure the Vox and Farfisa sounds in the Nord are as good as the ones in the Vox. (Friends have told me that Nord's Farfisa lacks the Multitone Booster. And that once you get to about C5, the Nord's Vox doesn't do a great job on the IV drawbar.) My question is whether that will matter *to me*, since I'm more about what sounds please *me*. And I do think the Nord has some *other* great sounds. And I like that you can split the Nord in various spots. Decisions, decisions.

No offense to anyone just want to voice my opinion, and that's all it is. The VR 730 whopped that little red things ass. Straight up no doubt. I own neither one, just my unbiased opinion.

Jack is killing me. There is a VR-730 on CL near me (well, 3 hours away) for half price. I really like it. My wife will murder me tho.

No vox/farfisa sound comparison? :'(

The good things about the Vox led strips is that they show the real position of the drawbars at all times, as opposed to mechnical drawbars that do not show the correct position when using presets.

How'd he know I was in Arkansas eating chicken?

Roland for me thanks, I already love my VR-09 I will edit this 4 years later....Vox for the win!

the Vox has the most believable sounds, although the Roland adorns the sound better. However, the demonstrator does not adjust the effects such as revering or delaying the sounds so that the comparison is valid

It seems like one of the features Jack is most excited about on the Roland over the Vox is the drive. But he only ever tried the Valve Drive on the Vox in this video. There's also a Drive within the Effects section. You can combine them to make it sound even more gnarly than the Roland. Also, he couldn't find the clavinet on the Vox. It's the very first preset within the Key/Layer section.

VOX Continental with digital drawbars? What the fuck were they thinking. Never ever put digital drawbars on a keyboard.

I bought a Vox Conti 73. They should think about changing the stand (obligatorily sold with) because it is very complicated to assemble and disassemble. And above all it increases the price very significantly.

I had the Roland VR-09 (same sounds) but found the Hammond tone a bit rinky-dink and weak in the top end. Vox wins for me..

That line about the guinea pig killed me!

I like the vox continental better

I have neither of these boards. Both sounded very good. Dont think it was a very fair comparison though. The presenter should spend a little more time with the technology before he shows us what it supposedly can do. He clearly didnt know anything about either of the instruments.

18:58 is everything

I absolutely love the edits on this channel! When Jack says something that might not be RU-vid friendly, they keep it in and just mute it or censor it. This to me is a perfect compromise because while I could never be offended, I know that others could and as a business, you have to be aware of that, BUT leaving it in and the reaction after he says it adds to the feeling of the video and the people that are having a good time making it :D And that's what I really enjoy about it these videos. That everyone seems to be enjoying themselves and their jobs and the equipment they're demoing.

Actually I am eating steak in Arkansas! I have the vr09b and am considering upgrading to the 730. By the way, really like your videos. Great chops!

The Vox during some sections sounds so vibrant and clear, but it's like they've taken all the bass away from it. Roland seems to be better.

Sorry guys, I didn't mean to come off so brash in my comments: I was just a bit irritated that so many didn't really showcase the Vox and Farfisa patches on the Vox Continental. The models of the combo organs are really where this unit shines IMO. The Vox Continental has a better model of the combo organs than many I have heard. As far as the Hammond emulation goes: I don't really like it on either board to be quite honest. I think that the electric pianos on the Vox are wonderful, I liked them better than the VR series EPs. The Acoustic pianos have a leg up on the Vox Connie than on the VR series, too, IMO. The Vox Connie has great sounding "other sounds," but the VR series has a full blown synth built in. I could make a case for either board depending on what you are looking for at that price point.

Organ - On balance, I hear more potential in the Roland VR-730, particularly in the first few minutes of the video. As others have said, it sounds richer and more full-bodied. That said, when he plays "Gimme Some Lovin'" on each, the Vox lives up to the part brilliantly (11:45). It's probably just a case of having inappropriate settings, but I wasn't impressed with the Roland sound that comes in just after. The overdrive on it was off-putting, although you can adjust that as you wish. I'm sure you could get a great sound for this tune on the Roland. Electric Piano - Rhodes: The first gentle tune that comes in about at about 15:00 sounds lovely on both, and would probably sound good on most keyboards. However, it sounds particularly wonderful on the Vox. I love the Rhodes sounds on the Vox. Electric Piano - Wurli: I'd take the Roland here. Great richness and clarity. Still sounds good on the Vox though (what is the tune played about 20:25 in? I like it) Electric Piano - Cheesy 80s sound 22:00 in - The Roland sounds better here (fatter sound, as was said), although this particular sound/voice is one I could live without on both. Grand Piano - Sadly, we don't get much at all among the pianos, other than 23:05 in, but I'd take the Roland over the Vox based on that small sample. The Roland has a fuller sound. They both sound quite nice though.

That Vox is excellent - and it has much better build quality than the VR, which is cheap plastic. The Vox is metal and much higher quality.

I’ll have you know Jack, I’m not in Arkansas eating chicken. I’m in Kentucky and I’m eating pork chops! Always enjoy your videos...rock on!

Hands down, the VR but that VOX lead at 28:31 is pretty dope... almost more than Jack (or is that dopey lol)

I was waiting to hear something that sounded like the original Vox like 96 Tears, In A Godda Da Vida, Light My Fire or House of the Rising Sun but I gues it was too many decades before Jack.

Fantastic video! Roland only has 3 organ selections tho. 11 if you count the ones under the Other section and only 1 download pack on Roland Axial. Its just another synth just with draw-bars. VOX wins. Better organ sounds and way better piano sounds.

Didn't know Billie Joe Armstrong could play organs. :O Another great video! :)

Better action on the Roland? Good to know. I don't give a lick about the sounds, but I've been dying to get a decent set of organ keys for my itb studio. The "dark horse" is the one then.

The VR sounds louder in the video? Good comparison. Got the Vox 73; waiting for my Nord C2D to ship.

Best instrument review I've ever seen.

Finally some proper vs stuff. More please!

Very nice playing. What type of mic were you using, your voice sounds very good. I just bought the Nokia 8, it records great, but would prefer a really pro end mic like yours, could you please advise, thanks! Also, I use the Kronos, the factory VOX is horrible, was thinking of buying Korg's VOX, but it's a lot of money (3 grand!) and I lucked out and found a 3rd party sound set for the Kronos, turns it into a real VOX, same sounds the Doors used on Light my Fire and other hits. So if I wanted a great voice sound, with the Nokia 8, could yu please suggest the best mic, if I can get my voice as crisp and clear as yours, I think that's more than good. Great comparison, thanks! But to be honest, the Korg and Roland didn't quite cut it from the sampled sounds I got for the Kronos, that really sounds like a true VOX Continental, wow! Thanks again, please do more! )

jack in fine form today, hilarious. links to those backing trax?

This was the most entertaining comparison video I think I've ever seen. Also, the skills ....

Vox Wins!Best

I love the level of single entendre that you get away with. Also hilariously biased but therefore useful for someone looking to buy: sitting on the fence gets us nowhere. Can’t wait to get back into the shop and try these out myself! Keep it up guys

Korg = too much emphasis on the highs. Roland = slightly too much pitch warble on the Leslie, but more full bodied.

Am I the only one who wants to download those backing tracks??? Where they at

Could you do a Comparison of the the vr-730 vs a Hammond sk1 or Nord?

Great work! Solid video!

Love them both. Already own the Vox - the Roland to come :)

Strange how Jack prefers the button for fast/slow Lesley on the VR 730. How come he didn't know that the joystick operates the same as a half moon switch, after all this board is exactly the same as the VR09 and he's already done that one ! So over the Vox you have two choices for Lesley switching or three if you use a pedal . Vox would be good for me in a sixties band but what an oversight in not being able to split the keyboard unless you are in organ mode. That for me is a sale killer and korg needs to correct that mistake by way of new software updates. That board has halved in price since launch, no wonder. I have the VR09 - a great little board but I am seriously considering the VR730 as an upgrade and going to one board for gigs. The extra keys over the 61 bed and the semi weighted action and of course the ability to split make it very attractive.

A VOX Continental and a guinea pig is really all you need :-) The backing tracks really come in handy for showing the sounds within the context of actual music. Thank you for the demo of both keyboards. Both have their strengths, but I think the VR-730 is a better value - the organ sounds and FX are great, it's much less money, yes it seems to have a bigger selection of different sounds. The Continental is nice and compact and looks awesome.

How come the reverb on the Vox sounds are 'dry' and the Roland are saturated in reverbs?

The draw bars on the vox dont opperate the way he says.. you dont have to draw them.. you can just use one finger and swipe a shape to get the curve draw you want.. Also the cool tube fitted to the vox is fantastic.. as it is in any item its in.. The Roland may be more .. But the Vox is more real.

Taste is a weird thing... You said Roland kicked Korg's ass on the Organ comparison; I, on the other hand, thought the Organ timber you chose absolutely hideous (no offence, just stating a difference in taste). Cheers :)

I love these sounds. And this comparison is outstanding!

16 min...Jack has the keyboard equivalent of guitar face...

Wow... I like the Vox but the VR blows the pants off it for ripping organ and in a few other areas as well. Unfortunately it doesn't have a Vox type organ but rather one that is a little more along the lines of a Farfisa. Aside from that the VR is quite underrated in my humble opinion.

Vox sounds a lot better the vibrato sound on the Roland sucks

No Continental or Farfisa comparison?? That's the main strength of the Vox. Physical drawbars are great to use but only with good lighting and they are useless for presets. Also, I noticed a lot of time was spent searching for stuff with the Roland but not with the Continental. Still, both are superb instruments! Korg and Roland don't disappoint.

Question: where can I download backing tracks for the VR-730? Thanks!

Ace work! Saw you playing with James Bay last year in Atalanta Georgia!

1:05 - If you fuck up, just do it four times in a row and nobody will notice.

Disappointed that you didn’t say that Dm is the saddest of all the keys…lol. Great review

I really would like to see the VR-730 against the Kurzweil SP6-7 as they have similar purpose and about the same price

but you play nords, Jack. so, are they better than this roland for example?

Its a shame he couldnt find the Transistor organ under the organ options in the Roland and put it to the test against the original continental organ sound.

Just a very specific question. Can you tell if the width of the keys are the same in these two keybords? It might sound like an odd question but I had a Kurzweil sp6-7 and to my surprise, it has wider keys than other keyboards I tried. I have small hands, so this is an issue for me. Thanks! :)

« You need a little guineapig ». And that my friends is why Jack is not allowed near livestock. Btw, the Roland thrashes the Vox

How did you know?

great job - "Gimme some lovin'" lick has one left hand finger added ....btw

Such a fun video! I gotta get myself together hahaha! Cheers!!

Well Said, Jack. You play great when let loose on the DistortoRolando. Also nice EPiece too. Hope July 19 goes well!

Love your videos

Roland blends better in the mix.

I sale Yamaha Roland Nord Korg Kurzweil Casio Moog. Roland has done a great job on the RD2000 & VR730 on sound, feel & price for what you get! I not saying which is the best.

The Crumar Mojo is pretty amazing also.🎶

Nice review - well done - good audio......

Did I hear a Bobcat Goldthwait impression?😂

Top bants, top playing! Nice boards.

Hey man , you made me to change my mind of buying the KORG Vox ! Yeah , stupid draw bars . I'll go for ROLAND . thnx

Crapadoodledandy in D sounds mighty dandy to me!

This is like kobe bryant vs Lebron james.. they are both good and has strengths and weaknesses..

its unfortunate you couldnt find the clav sounds in the vox they are very fat

The VR730 keybed puts any other one in its class to shame. That thing is so damn good I'm getting one just for that mainly (and for the other stuff too) It puts my Nord to shame... (in terms of feel, not sound)

They all were stoned 😂😂

Bloody hilarious you never stop making me laugh your mad mate just what the doctor ordered nice one

The Roland is £500 cheaper and is that much more tweakable, louder and better presets? Yikes.. The Korg is a little smaller but it doesn't really warrant £500 for worse sounds, the Roland is also making a very serious stab at those analog tones. Beef.

I need the VR-730!

Roland Kicks Ass!

Vox: very nice organ (sound) with some extra sounds, VR: versatile 'all in one' instrument (split, layering, more registrations, hundreds of extra sounds, build in SH101 synth accessible with ipad or Windows editor) with mediocre organ sound. Seems that manufactures are not able to build an instrument without at least one stupid drawback: those 'draw-touch-sliders' on the Vox, that organ 'distorsion'-overdrive on the VR...