Roland Unveils VSR-880 Rackmount Hard Disk Recorder

September 26, 1999 -- Roland Corporation is pleased to announce the arrival of V-Studio technology in a stand-alone rackmount hard disk recorder: the VSR-880 Digital Studio Recorder. With over 120,000 units sold, Roland's V-Studios have been incredibly successful due to their V-Tracks, 999 levels of Undo, and COSM effects (like the new Mastering Tool Kit and Speaker Modeling). With features like automated digital mixing and CD-burning capabilities, Roland V-Studios are truly the "all-in-one" recording solution.

Now, for the first time, the VSR-880 makes this incredible V-Studio technology available in a rack. This format allows a wider range of users to take advantage of the V-Studio. Applications include direct replacement for tape-based MDM's; integration with digital mixers such as the VM-7000-Series, VM-3100-Series, and other digital mixers; or even as track expanders for current V-Studio owners. To facilitate such integration, the VSR-880 features an R-BUS connection, providing eight channels of up to 24-bit digital I/O when connected to other R-BUS devices, or to ADAT(tm) and Tascam(r) T-DIF(tm) units using the optional DIF-AT.

Continuing the tradition of the VS-880EX, the VSR-880 is an eight-track recorder with 128 Virtual Tracks (8 Tracks x 8 V-Tracks x 2 Banks) for storing plenty of takes and ideas. As with all V-Studios, it features non-destructive editing with 999 levels of Undo for worry-free experimentation. All of the essential tools are available including Cut, Copy, Paste, and Exchange; more precise editing is accomplished through its backlit LCD using the Preview and Scrub functions. In addition, up to 32 Locators can be used for quick access to important parts of a song, while 1,000 markers can also be placed.

With the optional VS8F-2 Effect Expansion Board, the VSR-880 gains two massively powerful onboard stereo effects processors. Thirty-six stereo effects algorithms cover all of the bases from compression to studio reverbs-even vintage vocoders. Also included are Roland's COSM-based effects, like Mic Modeling, Guitar Amp Modeling, and the new Speaker Modeling and Mastering Tool Kit algorithms. The VSR-880's built-in SCSI port can be used for backing up projects to external devices or for use with Roland's VS-CDRII CD Recording System-making the VSR-880 a digital production workhorse.

Connectivity includes eight analog inputs and outputs (RCA type) with 24-bit A/D and D/A conversion, plus two 1/4" TRS Mic/Line inputs on the front panel. Optical and coaxial digital I/O is provided via a S/PDIF interface. New to the VSR-880 is the inclusion of an R-BUS connector. R-BUS, also available on Roland's VM-7000-Series and VM-3100Pro V-Mixers, provides eight channels per connector of up to 24-bit digital I/O for complete digital connectivity.

Using an optional DIF-AT, R-BUS can be converted to ADAT or Tascam T-DIF for even more versatility. Other R-BUS options include the ADA-7000, offering 8 channels of balanced analog I/O, and the AE-7000, which offers 8 channels of AES/EBU digital audio. The VSR-880's sync options include MMC (MIDI Machine Control) and MTC (Midi Time Code), which can work for both sending and receiving sync information.

For more information, visit Roland on the web at www.rolandus.com.