Roland "V-Xpanded" VS-880

January 16, 1997 -- In 1996, Roland introduced a product which single-handedly revolutionized the hard disk audio recorder market, the VS-880 Digital Studio Workstation. Since its introduction, the VS-880 has garnered widespread acclaim and unrivaled sales success, giving musicians and engineers an unprecedented 64 virtual tracks of digital recording, mixing, editing and effects processing in a table-top workstation. In an effort to further enhance this revolutionary product, Roland has announced the release of an even more powerful "V-Xpanded" VS-880 for 1997, as well as a low-cost software-based upgrade which provides these enhancements for current VS-880 owners, the VS-880-S1.

The V-Xpanded VS-880 and VS-880-S1 enhance each of the workstation's main functions - audio recording, mixing, editing and effects processing - as well as the VS-880's disk drive performance and synchronization features. (Note that all VS-880 effects processing functions are dependent upon the installation of the VS8F-1 Effects Expansion Board.)

Highlights of the new V-Xpanded VS-880 include powerful mix automation, enabling VS-880 users to record and play back the mixing data of a song in realtime without an external sequencer; 10 new effects algorithms, including an innovative microphone simulator which uses Roland's COSM technology to "model" classic German large- and small-diaphragm condenser mics as well as high-end dynamic mics, giving VS-880 users an arsenal of stunning microphone sounds; new EQ and effects insert capabilities; and expanded editing functions for faster audio edits.

Mixing

The V-Xpanded VS-880 and VS-880-S1 add to the original mixing capabilities of the VS-880 with a dynamic Auto Mixing Function, which records and plays back mixing data in realtime without the use of an external sequencer. By recording all mixer parameter movements, automated control of Mix level, Mix pan, Aux level, Aux pan, Effects 1 and 2 send, and Effects 1 and 2 pan is possible for each individual channel. In the Master section, automated control of Master level, Master balance, Aux level, Aux balance, Effects selection, Effects 1 and 2 send and return level and Effects 1 and 2 send and return balance is possible, giving VS-880 users precise control of all the major mixing functions.

Additionally, the V-Xpanded VS-880 and VS-880-S1 allow for recording with an effect inserted in the "Input -> Track" mode, giving VS-880 users the power to easily record with parametric EQ and effects. These expanded effects processing capabilities are enhanced by the newly added series connection of inserted effects on a specific channel, which provides for simultaneous Effects 1 and 2 insertion on a single channel.

Effect insertion may now also be accomplished via "insert L," "insert R" and "insert S" paths, allowing for respective left, right and left-in/left-out, right-in/right-out effect insertion in series. A three-band peaking EQ now complements the Input Mix/Track Mix mode. And with the V-Xpanded/VS-880-S1, effects and EQ can even be inserted to the Master Out, providing for effects such as compression on the entire mix.

Rounding out these expanded mixing functions, the V-Xpanded/VS-880-S1 now allow for control of scene changes via MIDI program message and provide an anti-feedback-loop function which eliminates unexpected internal feedback loops. A peak hold display is now available in the level meter section and the VS-880 has also gained instant value response to fader position.

Effects Processing

With the V-Xpanded VS-880/VS-880-S1 comes a greatly expanded effects processing section (dependent upon the installation of a VS8F-1 Effects Expansion Board). The new VS-880 incorporates 10 additional effect algorithms - raising the total number of VS-880 effect algorithms to 30 - as well as 100 additional preset effect patches. Effects changes can now be made via MIDI program changes and edited via MIDI continuous controller messages. The new effects are as follows:

Mic Simulator - uses Roland's Composite Object Sound Modeling (COSM) to simulate various microphone types ranging from a standard dynamic mic to German condenser and pro-quality microphones. Many parameters, including distance between mic and sound source, can also be simulated.
Voice Transformer - creates distinctive voice "characters" through independent control of vocal pitch and formant parameters. This effect can convincingly change a user's vocal "gender" without the artificial-sounding "chipmunk" effect associated with less-expensive vocal processors.
19-band Vocoder - produces high-quality vocoder effects with 19 bands of sonic control for creative experimentation.
Hum Canceler - eliminates hum from noisy sound sources.
Lo-Fi Sound Processor - cuts the sampling frequency and resolution, delivering unique "lo-fi" sounds.
Space Chorus - simulates classic Roland SDD-320 chorus effect.
Reverb 2 - allows for reverbs with gating and ducking.
4-Band Parametric EQ
10-Band Graphic EQ
Vocal Canceler - cancels center-located sounds of stereo input source.

Editing

New editing features include locate point memorization of "start," "from," "end" and "to" points. After setting these points, V-Xpanded VS-880 users can easily access them from the track editing page. Another helpful new editing feature is the Shift Lock mode, which locks the shift status once the shift button is pressed, giving users one-handed access to all of the VS-880's shift functions. Rounding out these new editing features, the Remaining Time display has been enhanced to show remaining size of hard drive memory and recordable number of events.

Recording

The V-Xpanded VS-880 and VS-880-S1's recording has been enhanced through the ability to simultaneously play back six tracks of digital audio in the uncoded MASTER mode (versus four tracks of MASTER mode playback on the original model). As an additional benefit, the VS-880 now offers optional copy protection, prohibiting second-generation digital copies of audio material recorded on a VS-880 (identical to SCMS technology found in consumer DAT machines).

Other Enhancements

The V-Xpanded VS-880 and the VS-880-S1 also enhance the disk drive and synchronization functions of the original VS-880. When initializing a disk drive, a read/write test is now performed to check for errors. If an error is detected, the "defect cluster" is registered and never used. There is also a built-in disk repair system.

Synchronization enhancements include the generation of a sync track/tempo map from the marker points, making it easy to edit and sync the VS-880 to a pre-recorded song.

For more information, contact Roland Corporation U.S., 7200 Dominion Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90040, 213.685.5141, www.rolandus.com.