Vox Continental 73-key Performance Keyboard Review

[@jackorion7157]

It doesn't seem to have room for a Rhodes bass on top!

[@somebuddyful]

Jack Orion yea that's why it is not perfect

[@arcticsmoke302]

Jack Orion if the control panel was on the right side it would be perfect 😉

[@ME-ru4hv]

Major oversight LOL

[@khanscombe619]

Can the keyboard be split to use Rhodes low synth on the left while Vox to the right?

[@officialWWM]

Dean Douglas-Latka yes.

[@1881Gordon]

Hi : Listening to this in 'Oct 2022 and this demo still slaps big time! You did an excellent job, this demo is very comprehensive.

[@michaelpdawson]

I don't have room for it and I'm not a keyboard player, but I want it!

[@kingofallwhites]

You must get it.

[@bertvdlast]

15 pounds? That’s pretty cheap, i’ll take two!

[@theinspirationcollege]

He's referring to the weight of the Keyboard.

[@jumpingman8160]

@@theinspirationcollege no shit

[@maxwelledison9954]

@@theinspirationcollege r/wooosh

[@Rwtheking]

@@maxwelledison9954 It was so obvious that I facepalmed so now we can add r/facepalm.

[@SM-ht7qf]

Get your european ass outta here nigga

[@TheJonnyraydot]

Thank you! You're a genius. I recently played one of these at a guitar show, (yes of all things) and I loved it. One of the things you don't mention is the feel of this keyboard in terms of its action and keys. The Korg marriage is evident but it's the one things (eyes shut) that convinced me that this just might be my next keyboard. Thanks again for your video, great musicianship and demo!

[@staceycarras3815]

I agree, there's something quite special about the key-bed on this one.

[@billstotts2346]

I bought my V C 73 three months ago and LOVE IT. For twenty years I lugged around a Kurz 76 and a Roland VK to gigs. They were the best sounds at the time, but they made gigs exhausting. Frequently a stiff back on Monday and Tuesday. But the Vox is twenty pounds in the gig bag; so much better. A moderate tube pre-amp warms it up nicely. I get all the vintage AND modern tones. Really great technology. And thank you Sweetwater . This is the best teaching video that I've seen. No, I don't work for either company. As a keyboard player your job is to provide a huge variety of sounds and accents and it's great to play the appropriate sound as opposed to the best compromise that the gear offers. At first, the stand seemed kind of freaky, but its a thing of beauty on stage with the lighted VOX logo.

[@thomascasata3558]

great playing! Great guy! Awesome!! just awesome! i got my vox continental yesterday.. i love it !! :-)

[@satriabagaskara6960]

Hayy, can the keyboard do layer not just piano And string? Maybe piano nya synth?

[@davek615]

Hi, what a great video! You really showed hat the Vox Continental organ can do. Many thanks I loved it.

[@nickyates541]

From what I can tell, that does sound like the best Vox Continental and Farfisa compact patches that I have heard. Sounds pretty close to the real deal, especially when you turn the tube setting on. Anyone have experience with this board that can attest to this?

[@ficsjazzpoporchestra4361]

Excelent review, Jacob! And nice keyboard too, I put it on our wish-list.

[@tehee-]

I just ordered mine! A demo model from Sweetwater too! I like to think it’s this exact one :) Jacob did an excellent demo

[@hudsonadair5923]

Could you do a video showcasing the new sounds and functionality in the new update?

[@s2seltaeb]

If only they would have reversed the keys. Black, with white sharps/flats.

[@gwugluud]

That would be offensive to the millennial man-buns and ponytails. "Hipsters" would consider the reverse-color scheme as "abrupt" and "rude".

[@andriealinsangao613]

@@gwugluud Ah, the bastards!!

[@officialWWM]

Yep, at least make it an option.

[@jdjk7]

@@gwugluud what

[@ryantakach1478]

@@gwugluud what are you on about

[@vbarr67]

great video and playing, thanks for the video!

[@officialWWM]

Wonderful playing and presentation.

[@richy3417]

Love it! a great take on an iconic classic. If I had the money, I'd get one in a hot second :)

[@7TekMedia]

Note: you can use multi-fingers to control the draw bars...

[@TheSifting80]

WoW best new thing on the market, what a great sounding machine

[@raygibson3627]

After watching this I had to buy one! It's great - I LOVE IT!

[@fjk1138]

Awesome playing and demo. I really like the compact design and that custom stand also.

[@KendrickCreates]

This would be an excellent compliment to the SV-1. I've always found the B3 on it to be lacking, so much so that I bought a MODX (and an organ sample pack) to gig with. It would be nice if this red matched the SV-1, though. Nitpicking I know

[@bernardarts667]

Best overview, big compliment...! Absolut top presentation!!! You nailed all important things on the point! I will buy this instrument, because I love the reduction on the top necessary sounds and the pure design also. I don't need an instruction book to find what I need, all is clear and clean, no gimmicks. So great made and all sounds and most useful things are on the table, to reach with just one click, BRILLIANT! And with just 8.4 kg it's so handy and to take everywhere, very important for me! It's a killer design, reduced to the max. Congratulations to VOX company, love it so much! Thanks so much for your great and professionell overview!!!

[@TheWaffleState]

6:03 That was very cool! What are the chords there!?

[@zuluzu123]

Thank you for the info of the keyboard . I saw your answer about 10 minuets ago. I bought a1966 farfisa mini compact after I talked to you, sounds beautiful, I won’t forget that vox, soon I decide something I will write to you. I still dream with a continental, thanks again

[@danielkinney6325]

Never thought I would like a VOX but I do like this.

[@ThaWolfe1]

Jacob, first of all Bravo on your review. Sweetwater should use you on all keyboard reviews. Do you have anymore keyboard reviews that I may enjoy on KZbin? Whatever Sweetwater is paying you is not enough. Thank you again and I will look forward to hearing about any other keyboard reviews you have posted

[@JacobDupre]

I bet you'll enjoy this :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6SVc4aHg56aipI

[@johnkopinski5727]

Excellent demo/review

[@officialWWM]

This thing is cool and this dude has some nice chops!

[@chrisst8922]

Presumably cleaning out all the bits of white plastic from the mould for the big keys and using black and also cleaning out all the bits of black plastic from the mould for the small keys and using white would have just lost too much profit.

[@stevekujo7466]

Should have reversed the key colors. Great presentation. Draw bars are king!

[@Lync1111]

I am shocked that Korg refuse to revisit the Poly 6. That was a great synth. Bass synth sound voices are seriously important.

[@donroberts1420]

Well they have revisited the Poly6 in Kronos and Nautilus. i guess they're not gonna give us everything in every package but this is not a Korg is it. Poly6 Strings were great too.

[@slimbeaux]

Not a keyboard play but it is great just to hear you play. You and Nick ought to grab your favorite bass player there and just do a playing video. You know just playing some of the equipment that you have. Don't care about the features being utilized, just how it sounds. Nick does a lot of playing on his drum videos.

[@billhunter2300]

I got me one of these. Cant play keyboards really but such great sounds on it ive managed to create some tunes which I'm very pleased with. Looks cool too 😊.

[@kraken138]

Odd, but the original Vox Continental organs didn't have tubes; they were transistorized.

[@travelinben1966]

Like it.On the fence between this and the Hammond XK1C.

[@SpacePatrollerLaser]

Can it 1. create sounds from scratch like a real synth and 2. be used to control Arturia and other softsynths 3, split/layer the keyboard?

[@johnl9677]

Virtual drawbars and the scenes are cool features

[@johnadams5489]

Excellent Demo! Thanks. The Vox is certainly more than just a compact light weight organ. Depending on what kind of music you play, it covers a lot of territory. I don't like the STAND at all. That stand wouldn't hold up for a road player. The Pedal set up looks flimsy. The KB sound great though and the price isn't murder. I'm sure its selling.

[@garygomesvedicastrology]

You could put the Rhodes bass on the right hand side, but no very convenient!

[@MisterJoThePotatoes]

Hi ! I got a Vox Continental myself and have a question : When pushing the damper pedal, I can hear a " hiss " sound supposed to emulate the sound of the dampers coming off the strings like a real piano. I found this sound very annoying and can't find a way to turn it off. Do you know how to do it ?

[@danielkinney6325]

I wonder if the CU-1 1/2 moon would work with that? or just a Fu1 foot pedal. Wish they would have went into the vintage organ more.

[@ReallyDudeYouGottaHearThis]

Now if only clubs started having live bands again. How fun would it be to play out with an audience. What happened to the live music biz?

[@johnadams5489]

Hamburger and a Shake Live bands are part of history I'm afraid. Bands are too expensive for small clubs. Young people that came from cities are use to DJ's its not the way it was 50 years ago.

[@johnadams5489]

DJ's, and "dance music" over a LOUD sound system.

[@MrMillionaire32]

It's still alive and we'll in Tulsa Oklahoma

[@MrMillionaire32]

Where do you guys live that don't have a love band scene, because we on in Tulsa, Oklahoma!

[@MrMillionaire32]

@@johnadams5489 you just need to be good at what you do and you will make it in any club you want to play in for that matter.

[@wakerickman]

correct me if im wrong ? but i dont ever recolect bands like the doors etc. ever useing rotary speaker my memory is that all those old sounds where played dry, ? i dont even remember there being reverb on songs like house of the rising sun by the animals, ? yea, just cant remember any effects on those songs, though maybe ive just missed it when they where used ?

[@Charlyaraya]

Can i get the organ sound of good vibrations by beach boys on this keyboard?

[@godofmusic]

Also my question

[@godofmusic]

But I think yes

[@drakejennings8788]

You'd just need to set the drawbars where they need to be on the Hammond organ setting.

[@rickygarcia7400]

Awsome board thank its going to be my next toy

[@joelsimmons5271]

You'll have to pardon my lack of knowledge on these beautiful instruments, but would I need to buy a speaker for this, or is it already built in the unit? All those cords besides the usb, sustain, and rotary pedals. I was confused what the others were going to? Good presentation Sweetwater. 🎹😎

[@sweetwater]

Hi, J.J. Great question! The Vox Continental does not have any speakers built into it, so you would need to purchase those separately. The other outputs on the back of the unit go to the damper pedal, rotary control (unused here), expression pedal, and then we are running two stereo outputs for recording and monitoring, respectively. We are happy to help you find which speakers would be best for your individual needs, so feel free to get in contact with a sales engineer to get you pointed in the right direction. Thanks! Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1281, [e-mail]

[@Charlyaraya]

Can you play with more than 1 effect at the same time.for example Reverb + Flanger + Delay + Overdrive ?

[@sweetwater]

Hello! On the Vox Continental, the Delay and Reverb controls are independent, and can be turned on or off individually on each patch. The other "effects" control lets you choose between one of the following: chorus, phaser, flanger, compression, overdrive, or autopan. If you'd like to go into more detail, please call my number below. Thanks for your interest! Nick LaMendola, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1660, [e-mail]

[@Bagnitzky]

Perfect review mate! This instrument is super sexy and super classy.

[@johnadams5489]

Why is there such a HUGE price discrepancy between Thomann in the UK and Sweetwater in the US? Thomann has the Vox 73 organ only at $1129. Sweetwater has it at $1899 and includes the stand that I don't want. What's up with that?

[@BRbassedu]

Is the Rotary Speaker restricted to the Organ section? Or can I pass an EP through it?

[@PeteKowalsky]

This is NASTAY @ 13:20. This one patch nearly does it for me. :) I kind of get the impression this video was a bit rushed, but I definitely appreciate the demos of the patches. The playing is fun too - thanks! I feel like you should have an ash tray next to your phone, and a lava lamp in the background...

[@danielkinney6325]

WHAT ABOUT THE LESLIE SIM ???

[@gwugluud]

You can be forgiven for confusing a hulking, 3/4-ton Hammond organ with a portable, 25-pound compact transistor Vox organ; few people are able to tell them apart, except for everybody else in the universe besides you.

[@Rwtheking]

@Sweetwater What is the waterfall Keybed like on this? That’s is one of the most important parts of a a organ in my opinion so I want to know how it compares to a Hammond or a Crumar Mojo.

[@sweetwater]

Hello! It can be difficult to describe keybed feel using words, and it tends to be quite subjective (different people are easily split on what they like in a keyboard touch). That being said, this waterfall keybed is nice, it doesn't feel to me too different than the Hammond SK or Crumar Mojo alternatives. Waterfall keybeds tend to be just slightly stiffer than synth action keys on typical 61 key keyboards, and this one is consistent with that. If you'd like to go into more detail, please call my number below. Thanks for your interest! Nick LaMendola, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1660, [e-mail]

[@MrMillionaire32]

You can draw draw bars on Korg Kronos

[@WycliffStudios]

Please play House of the Rising Sun on the new Vox

[@san5a89]

I'd buy a vox continental to have the organ sound... the other sections are useless and have a bad sound too... I'd rather buy a nord keyboard for that (that has the vox continental sound in it by the way....)

[@nickyates541]

The Vox patch on the Nord is alright. This does sound a bit better on this video, but haven't had a chance to try it in person. I am a vintage organ enthusiast, so it is hard deciding if I want to get this keyboard when I already have a Nord.

[@johnadams5489]

san sa Nord's are too expensive.

[@sapphicquartz]

Does it need tubes? Curious since the current tube production situation

[@pattoncockrum5010]

Are the keys weighted?

[@sweetwater]

Hey, Patton! Josh here at Sweetwater… Thanks for the inquiry! Great question. These are semi-weighted keys. Check out this article we wrote regarding semi-weighted keys: www.sweetwater.com/insync/semi-weighted-action/ If you have anymore questions, let me know! Josh Kattner, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1689, [e-mail]

[@centrodecomputodavid]

What ia the sound minute 14:30

[@psynautic]

@sweetwater can you remove the ends/cheeks to save an inch or so to fit it in a desk?

[@sweetwater]

Hi, James! Thanks for your interest. I can't recommend that you remove the ends on this (or any) keyboard, as that would void your warranties with both Vox and Sweetwater. However, I'd be glad to help you find a solution. Feel free to contact me directly and I'll be glad to help! Caleb Lowrey, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1620, [e-mail]

[@staceycarras3815]

Great Vid, thanks for sharing.

[@DanielS10291]

Can you split the keys, so have the top half an organ and bottom half e piano or synth?

[@nickienok9643]

If you have the KRONOS, you can buy 3rd party sounds that are much more realistic sounding. I bought a VOX soundset for my KRONOS and it sounds much richer and fuller, as the presets are exactly the same used by the Doors "Light my Fire", "Break on Through", "When the Music's Over", etc. The sounds here are thin and weak compared to the VOX sounds I have on my Kronos. Nice try Korg, but I'll pass...

[@wakerickman]

if you have a kronos why buy 3rd party sounds when you can program the vox sound in your self if your any good at sound programing, thats what i would do, i would locate the vox sample in the keyboards waveform memory, which is what i had to do on my FA06 as there was no vox preet allready there except in GM which had velocity, so i had to make a patch with no velocity as the original vox did not have velocity , and on the FA06 you cant edit out the GM sounds, which you can do on any other keyboard, big oversite on the FA06. cheers

[@wakerickman]

mmmmmmmm your'v now piqued my interest and im now gonna put some vox organs, by hand, into my kronos 2, shouldnt take me to long, thanks for the idea inspiration, cheers.carl.

[@madness8556]

Why oh why have Korg and Vox used an external power supply for an instrument that they're marketing as a professional stage and studio keyboard?, Then there's the maximum measly 16 registration locations that can be directly accessed on board. They provide XLR outputs which is awesome, but that dammed external power supply is a no sale for me! Sorry Korg and Vox but I'll wait for the mark II version with a built in power supply and at least 128 on board registration locations!

[@paulmixton4541]

Great tutorial!

[@chieftp]

this looks like the answer to a question no one asked. I'm guessing the people who buy these will be the people who really want a Hammond, but can't afford one? well, Suzuki - or whatever.

[@khanscombe619]

Doesn’t this offer a sort of user figured keyboard spit between organ piano or such?

[@basedaudio1]

I need something for my daw, could I connect this to FL via USB?

[@sweetwater]

Yes, you can connect this to a DAW using a USB MIDI cable. This would allow the DAW to see the Continental as a MIDI keyboard. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me anytime. Thanks for the interest! Chris Arnold, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1709, [e-mail]

[@rickramirez9893]

You skipped right over a very cool detail... a built in "half-moon" switch.

[@officialWWM]

Rick Ramirez and the included stand.

[@LuisFlores-xr5bu]

Which keybed did they use?

[@sweetwater]

Hi, Luis! Thanks for your interest. The Vox Continental uses the Korg LS keybed, which is the same light-touch keybed featured on the Kronos 88 LS. It's a really nice organ/synth-type feel that is responsive and light. Hope this helps, and feel free to contact me directly with further questions! Caleb Lowrey, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1620, [e-mail]

[@lennywebb6740]

Can somebody please help me out here. Is there any other cheaper keyboards that sounds similar the the original Vox with that Doors, Animals and Specials sound? I am not interested in different gadgets and sounds, I just want a keyboard with full size keys that sounds similar to the vox but can't afford to pay for one of these or an original. I am only a beginner.

[@SM-ht7qf]

Buy a midi keyboard, plug it into your laptop, download a vox continental plugin

[@retrosun1845]

Would anyone recommend a decent monitor speaker for this?

[@sweetwater]

Hello, retro sun! You could go a number of ways with this. A typical keyboard amp for live performances would be most ideal, or if just for use in the home, you could go with a setup of studio monitors. If you were to go the latter route, I recommend at least a 5" driver. Feel free to reach out to us if you'd like to talk options that fit your budget/application. Thanks for the interest! Cody Kraus, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1766, [e-mail]

[@Buzzizoven]

wow this is an awesome board

[@kaecake9575]

Beautiful instrument 🥲

[@deldia]

It certainly look cool AF.

[@TURISMORION]

Raymond Daniel Manzarek a vox continental Master 😎 (1939-♾️)

[@danielkinney6325]

it would have been nice since VOX is known for it's organs to have a 11PIN LESLIE SOCKET.

[@blairbuscareno4946]

You're joking, right? I've owned three different Continentals and one Jaguar; no Leslie socket.

[@Fieldson1977]

So....if it really has all that a modern keyboardist needs, why then, can I not split the keyboard?!? Manufactures developed that feature years ago.....what’s your excuse?!?

[@No-to4id]

This guy didn't create the keyboard pal, he's the wrong one to be asking.

[@newgroovesradio8704]

Lol!

[@gwugluud]

Vox have a solid excuse -- They're morons.

[@gwugluud]

I would imagine that he was asking that of Vox, don't you? Grey matter much? Powers of deduction at all? Hi.

[@philippwacker7951]

It does have a split function though doesnt it?

[@gabrielmagno2595]

House Of The Rising Sun, 96 Tears

[@WycliffStudios]

That’s exactly what I was thinking about

[@heavenisfine2877]

With song in 3:16

[@lukasbelinski1268]

im sure its great but what a disapointment they should make the real thing as a reissue make that one with black keys and call it something else vox whatever its like making a bringing back a fender strat and it lookes like a jackson

[@MG-Nordster]

The older Nords have the electronic drawbars, like this Vox. My Nord Stage 88 has them..

[@somebuddyful]

Do a song from The Doors on it!

[@snailhairdune]

Why the awkward touch drawbars? Much better if it had real drawbars.

[@GooglelyTube]

You're in the band.

[@lunabluevinemassacre6182]

No reverse keys

[@alexanderthomas542]

Great synth

[@edsknife]

Why couldn't it be Farfisa? 😤

[@totallyfrozen]

15lbs. Sounds excellent. If you can’t gig a wedding with this, you probably can’t tie your shoes either.

[@cristiancornejo]

mm so it s vox continental and you didn't even show the Vox continental.

[@henrywhenryw812]

Still prefer the original vox continental

[@DJWOLFLIVE]

He about to take us to church I feel ya!!!!!!

[@peterstanton4283]

It doesn't look like a VOX at all! VOX had those black keys, opposite most other keyboards. So right off the top, it's not even close looking to the original. It sounds nice, but doesn't have that grinding, dirty sound the VOX had, too pure sounding. So, doesn't look anything like a VOX at all, and barely sounds like one, sorry :)

[@soarornor]

Peter Stanton That’s true, unfortunately. As an owner of a Super Continental and several Farfisa Combo Compacts, this just sounds generic to me. The old transistor organs are just like you described. Much sharper and cutting. And buzzy, but not in a bad way. I wish someone would come up with a modern Farfisa Combo Compact and Vox Continental. Keeping up with the expensie of repairing old organs can get draining sometimes. Also less and less people work on them. This new organ has some good sounds but they should have kept it to the best possible transistor organ emulations rather than throw all these other generic sounds in.

[@carlwinslow5905]

Crumar mojo 61 & the studiologic numa both do vox and farfisa sounds. They're alright but i still think kontakts vintage organs is the best emulations I've heard so far

[@neoaureus]

The Piano sound is so so Michael Bolton.

[@davejohnson-yi2rk]

If only they had actually consulted their intended market before slapping a $2,500 price tag on this when it doesn't include ALL the organ sounds we want!!! Just another example of corporate greed.

[@theedrstrangelove]

Just think Light My Fire!

[@rickpinelli1586]

I will buy one when they put the BLACK Keyboard on it!!!!! This version is not true to it's heritage.

[@Scrimjer]

A minute into this, the review was over....

[@kingofallwhites]

They need to get their act together and do reverse color keys.

[@thefilmandmusic]

Honky tonk piano is good .Got Vox sound ,,

[@mariaulfah7902]

i dont know what vox is thinking to build this workhorse keyboard for working in music industries haha