Roland VS-880 Digital Studio Workstation

January 18, 1996 -- Referring to their breakthrough product as the "V-STUDIO," Roland has introduced the new VS-880 Digital Studio Workstation. Digital recording has definitely become the standard for both studios and musicians. In addition to being a digital recorder, Roland has integrated an entire studio into their completely self-contained recording workstation. When you add the unbelievably low price point, it is clear that Roland has a winner in the VS-880.

This fully integrated workstation has everything you need to make master quality recordings. A high resolution eight-track (with eight virtual tracks per track) digital hard disk recorder/editor is seamlessly combined with a 14-channel fully digital mixer for unprecedented flexibility in both recording and mixing. Two studio quality effects processors can be added using the onboard expansion slot. Finishing off this complete package, easy-access data storage, in the form of a removable one gigabyte Iomega Jaz drive or a fixed hard drive, is built right in.

Recording

The VS-880 offers eight primary tracks with eight levels of virtual tracks. This affords a total of 64 tracks per song. Record on any of the eight tracks by simply plugging an instrument or microphone into the rear panel. At mix-down, any of the eight virtual tracks (per track) can be selected as the active, final track. The sophisticated digital editing functions are nothing short of phenomenal, offering fully non-destructive editing. And with the addition of the VS8F-1 Effect Expansion Board, all the signal processing you could possibly desire is built right in. Because the VS-880 provides eight virtual tracks per track, you can actually record eight different "takes" for each track. If you're cutting the guitar solo on track five, you can record seven more takes and then, at mix-down, choose your favorite for final mastering. You can even compile the best parts from various takes using the convenient cut and paste edit functions. Simply copy them to an open track to create the best possible solo or musical track. In total you can accumulate up to 64 instantly accessible tracks, from which you can choose any eight for final mix-down.

Mixing

Digital mixing is a key feature. With the VS-880 it is possible to configure a 14-channel, two-buss system for mix-down. EQ is also included and everything is performed in the digital domain, including the effects, so there is absolutely no loss of sound quality. Also, since all mixing functions are performed digitally, all fader, pan and mixer parameters are accessible via MIDI control change messages. As such, fully dynamic automation is possible using virtually any sequencer. The VS-880 also has Scene memory, location points and markers of its own.

Editing

Digital editing features like copy, move, exchange, insert, cut and erase are easily accomplished. This type of extremely convenient editing is not practical with taped based digital recorders, because they operate in a linear format. Advanced editing functions like Scrub Preview, Time Compression and Time Stretch are also possible with the VS-880. Maintaining its user-friendliness, editing on the VS-880 can be performed by Beat/Measure and location points as well as by time, and the display reads accordingly. All editing is completely non-destructive. If you don't like what you've done with a particular edit, you can always return to the previous performance.

Storage

There are four selectable sampling rates offering variable recording quality. In standard recording mode and using the one gigabyte removable media, the VS-880 offers 500 total track minutes or 60 minutes of recording time per track. Recording, storage and backup is accomplished via the built-in Iomega Jaz drive which offers one gigabyte of storage per removable disk media. Archiving, storing and reloading songs is as simple as inserting or removing the Jaz disk. This affords the familiarity and convenient media access associated with tape-based recorders, but with all the benefits of digital hard disk recording. Another version of the VS-880 comes with an internal fixed hard drive. You can also use external storage for backup possibilities via the onboard SCSI port or audio DAT. Using SCSI, possible external storage media include hard drives, SyQuest and MO drives.

The VS-880 is equipped with MIDI in and out ports and it can be sync'd and controlled via MIDI Time Code (MTC) or MIDI Machine Control (MMC) using any compatible external sequencer. The VS-880 can serve as either the master or the slave to any MIDI device.

In addition to the SCSI port and MIDI in/out, there are eight inputs, a pair of Aux sends and a stereo pair of master outs. Also included are digital coaxial in/out, footswitch jack and headphone jack.

Taking a song from concept to performance to recording to mixing to mastering in one unit is truly a wonderful concept. But, what's missing from this equation for a truly finished product? Well, effects of course.

VS8F-1 Effect Expansion Board

The VS-880 offers a truly unique approach to satisfy the discerning musician. The VS-880 has an expansion slot designed to accommodate the VS8F-1 Effect Expansion Board. By adding the VS8F-1 Effect Expansion Board the VS-880 gains integrated access to not one, but two monster multi-effects processors. Effects like delay, reverb, chorus, flanging and phase shifting are just a button away. Exciting specialized effects like distortion/overdrive with speaker and amplifier emulations for guitar are also available. Some of the effects even incorporate Roland's proprietary three-dimensional sound processing technology, RSS. Tracks can be recorded with effects or they can be applied during mix-down.

Bottom line

All of this adds up to more recording, editing and mixing power than you every dreamed possible, particularly in such a compact and intuitive package. And here's the real kicker -- the VS-880 with the Iomega Jaz drive lists for under $3000. No other digital recorder even comes close for flexibility, power or price point and this is a completely self-contained system. Just add instruments. Check out the incredible new VS-880 Digital Studio Workstation NOW. You'll want a V-STUDIO for yourself.

For more information, visit their web site at www.rolandus.com.