VR system options

VR09/730 have a series of (undocumented) ‘system options’, for example:
– show ‘EFX value table’
– execute a fast factory reset
– switch a VR09 into a VR730 and vice versa
– disable organ key click, change organ ‘foldback’ type
– run system and hardware tests

Display ‘EFX values’

This allows to see the ‘real’ values of your EFX settings (e.g. after loading a registration, to recreate patches with exact values etc)

  1. with the CURSOR buttons, highlight a sound in the display (not the registration number)
  2. press and hold the [ENTER] button (next the dial) for at laest 2 seconds: a window pops up showing all 6 EFX ‘values’
  3. keep holding the [ENTER] button while turning the VR EFX Knobs (values will change)

Fast factory reset

this method is much quicker than ‘dialing through VR menu’:

  1. power VR off
  2. press and hold the [ORGAN] button (of MODE section below the display)
  3. power VR ON (VR starts directly with factory reset)

Turn VR09 into VR730 and vice versa

you can turn your VR09 into a VR730 (with some ‘handicaps’), gaining access to ‘VR730 exclusive’ sounds (Y2K Concerto, Water DP etc) and ‘730 Key touch option’

The ‘handicaps’ (to prevent VR09 owners to use it as VR730 ;)) are:
– the keybed is transposed a third down
– the highest key (C7) of VR09 keybed plays a bass E2 tone

VR09 can be used as 730 – you just have to
– transpose VR (and eventually registrations) to “E4”
– avoid the highest key C7 – or use a midi keyboard to play VR (C7 note change is only on VR keybed)

To swap VR09 and VR730 models:
– as explained in Chapter “TEST MODE”: set VR into ‘TEST MODE’ and change the ‘model’
– reboot VR

Notes:

  • If you notice a difference in ‘key feel’: go to VR menu ‘Keyboard’, 730 option ‘Keytouch’: ‘SuperLight’ corresponds to ‘original VR09’-feel
  • Instead of permanently using VR09 in ‘730-mode’, the “model-swap” can be done on the fly during a performance for registrations using 730 exclusive sounds:
    – at home prepare ‘730 registration’ for a specific song: set VR09 into 730 mode, load the ‘730-patch’, transpose to E4, save to a registration.
    – on stage: before the song, switch VR09 into 730-mode and load the registration. After the song, switch VR09 back into 09 mode
    Each 09/730 switch takes less than 30 seconds and should be no ‘drama’

  • As 730 exclusive sounds are avaible in VR09-‘GM2 engine’, another method of access is using a midi-controller connected to VR GM-engine or using V-Combo Editor

(hidden) SERVICE menu

The (hidden) ‘service menu’ is accessed with a button combination:

  1. press & hold both [<<] AND [>>] buttons (of DRUM section)
  2. press the [FAST/SLOW] button (in ROTARY SOUND section)
  3. VR MENU now shows a ‘Service’ menu: enter with [ENTER]
  4. navigate with the [CURSOR] up/down buttons

Menu options that affect VR sound:
‘Vintage Noise’ : ‘off’ disables completely VR organ ‘key click’
‘Fold Back Type’ : real Hammond models have different ‘organ foldback’ configurations. TYPE 1 corresponds to B3/C3, TYPE 2 to earlier Hammonds
‘Piston Mask Time’: without function – a setting for pistons of ‘Atelier organs’?

VR ‘TEST MODE’ (Testing and ’09/730 model swap’)

VR ‘test-mode’ allows to swap the VR between VR09 and VR730 model and test the functioning buttons, keys, display etc

to enter VR test-mode:

  1. press & hold both [<<] AND [>>] buttons (of DRUM section)
  2. press the [ORGAN] button in the MODE section (below the display)
  3. VR lights up all buttons and shows the ‘firmware info page’ of the ‘test menu’
  4. To quit test mode, VR must be restarted

To navigate in the test menu:

Navigation uses the 3 buttons of the MODE section:

  • press & hold [SYNTH] button, keep it hold
  • to step pages forward, press [ORGAN] button
  • to step pages backward, press [PIANO] button
Run VR09 as a VR730 (and vice versa)
  • navigate to test-menu ‘firmware info page’
  • in (in ROTARY SOUND section:
    – press [FAST/SLOW] button to switch to VR730 mode
    – press [ON/OFF] button to switch to VR09 mode
  • restart VR: it will boot in the selected VR model

For details of how to use a ‘swapped VR’, see chapter above

a VR09 in ‘VR09 mode’:
a VR09 in ‘VR730 mode’:
VR730 ‘exclusive sounds’ in a VR09:

Show extended software info

Navigate to test-menu ‘firmware info page’
Press [TRANSPOSE] button to step through ‘software info pages’

VR Hardware Tests

Use the menu navigation [SYNTH] + [ORGAN] to step througth the test menu (to go back, press [SYNTH] + [PIANO])

Tip: a lighted or blinking button tells you that it wants to be pressed 🙂

  • Encoder: test the DIAL wheel by spinning it
  • Switch: you can test all BUTTONS: press the blinking buttons (and follow the instructions on the display)
  • LCD check: subsequently press binking [ORGAN] to test the display (e.g. defective LCD crystal cells)
  • LCD Contast: adjust the contrast with the dial wheel
  • LCD Backlite: press [TRANSPOSE], then [ORGAN]
  • A/D: propabely tests the digital-analog converters
  • Sound CHeck: sends a peep sound
  • Ext Input: test external audio in
  • D Beam Check: hold your hand over the dbeam to test if it reacts
  • Battery Adjust : shows information about battery/power supply
  • Battery Check: shows information about battery/power supply
  • Key: Push keys to test for ‘piano’: if done for all keys [ORGAN] button will blink: press for next test ‘organ’, repeat key test
  • Device Check: internal hardware check info
  • Factory Rest: press [TRANSPOSE] to execute an emidiate factory reset
  • Auto OFF check: press [TRANSPOSE] to test VR auto off