Roland Introduces VS-880EX Digital Studio Workstation
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Prototype
(Click for a close-up) |
July 10, 1998
Resetting the standard for full-featured, compact digital recording workstations, Roland is proud to premiere the VS-880EX Digital Studio Workstation. Building upon the legendary success of the original VS-880, the upgraded VS-880EX model offers high-powered digital recording with stunning built-in effects, more inputs and outputs, more simultaneous recording tracks, more Virtual Tracks, a refined backlit display and a simplified user interface complete with the acclaimed EZ Routing navigation system.
The VS-880EX literally expands upon the recording power of the original VS-880 in several ways. First, the number of simultaneous recording tracks has been increased to a maximum of eight*--so tracking an entire band without submixing is possible. Similarly, the number of available Virtual Tracks has been doubled to 128**--more than enough tracks to capture every take, comp, solo or instrumentation idea a song could require. As with the original VS-880, the VS-880EX's Virtual Tracks can be bounced or comp'd together with its primary tracks to create the ultimate take--just like having an extensive notepad for all of a user's audio and musical ideas.
Audio resolution has also been upgraded thanks to the VS-880EX's pristine 20-bit A/D and D/A converters. This translates into added headroom and increased dynamic range over competing 16- and 18-bit recording systems: an improvement which users will notice in their recordings from day one. Ensuring a stronger signal and less noise, the VS-880EX offers an expanded Input section with six balanced TRS-style inputs and two digital inputs (optical or coax.) for tracking.
With the upgraded VS-880EX, all of the VS-880's optional expansion board algorithms are built-in--no effects board required. This means that every VS-880EX comes standard with a built-in high-quality dual stereo multi-effects processor incorporating 34 of Roland's best effects algorithms, from lush reverbs and choruses to COSM Guitar Amp and Mic Simulations, Voice Transformer effects and much more. These effects can be fully customized, automated via realtime mixer snapshots and stored as scenes with a particular song or project, allowing for professional-quality mixes.
With its additional inputs, the VS-880EX allows for 16-channel automated mixdown using any eight internal tracks and eight additional inputs which can be started and stopped via MIDI. This mixdown flexibility is enhanced further by the VS-880EX's expanded EQ section, which features eight channels of 3-band parametric digital EQ or 16 channels of 2-band parametric digital EQ which can also be stored and automated via mixer scene memory.
Streamlining recording and mixing operations dramatically, the VS-880EX also features the acclaimed EZ Routing navigation system. EZ Routing takes users step-by-step through basic recording, editing, routing and mixing operations, instantly configuring the VS-880EX to the way they want to work via a series of simple yes/no questions. EZ Routing also lets users customize and save settings in helpful mixer templates (e.g., band recording template, drum submixing template, guitar comp'ing template, etc.).
For mixdown, the VS-880EX offers eight individual outputs, including four analog outputs and four digital outputs (optical and coax.), plus the ability to record audio CD's or simply save project data on CD-R via an optional CD Recording System. With the VS-880EX, users can go from inspiration to finalized audio CD using one self-contained and affordable system.
The VS-880EX rounds out its amazing feature set by incorporating an enhanced version of the original VS-880 interface, including such improvements as an angled backlit LCD for easier operation, luminous buttons that indicate operational status, and larger fader knobs for an ergonomically improved feel.
Roland is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of electronic musical instruments, professional audio equipment, multimedia products and music accessories.
* Number of simultaneous recording tracks is dependent upon speed of hard drive and recording mode used.
** 128 Virtual Tracks = 64 V-Tracks x 2 Banks. Only one Bank can be used at a time, with Virtual Tracks freely exchanged between Banks.
Preliminary Specifications (May be subject to change.)
| Digital Recorder |
| Number of Tracks |
128 (8 tracks x 8 V-tracks x 2 banks)
Up to 8 tracks can be recorded simultaneously.
Up to 8 tracks can be played back simultaneously. |
| Max. Usable Disk Capacity |
32GB= 1GB x 4 partition x 8 (IDE x 1 + SCSI x 7) |
| Memory Capacity |
200 Songs per partition, 8 Scenes, 64 Locate Points, 1,000 Marker Points per Song |
| Recording Mode |
Master (MAS), Multitrack1 (MT1), Multitrack2 (MT2), Live (LIV) |
| Recording Time (at 2 GB: 1GB + 1 GB partition, conversion in 1 track)** |
| MODE |
48.0kHz |
44.1kHz |
32.0kHz |
| MAS |
185 + 185 min. |
202 + 202 min. |
278 + 278 min. |
| MT1 |
371 + 371 min. |
404 + 404 min. |
557 + 557 min. |
| MT2 |
495 + 495 min. |
539 + 539 min. |
742 + 742 min. |
| LIV |
594 + 594 min. |
646 + 646 min. |
891 + 891 min. |
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** Recording times given are total track minutes (dynamically allocated between all tracks being used). Recording time is always maximized, but may vary depending on the spec of connected drives and the number of songs created.
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| Digital Mixer |
| Channel |
16 (8 tracks + 8 inputs) |
| BUSS |
Output Buss: 8 , Effect Buss: 4 |
| Equalizer |
3-band EQ x 8 or 2-band EQ x 16 |
| <Common> |
| Signal Processing |
Internal: 24-bit (mixer section)
AD Conversion: 20-bit 64 times oversampling
DA Conversion: 20-bit 128 times oversampling |
| Sample Rate |
48.0 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 32.0 kHz
Sample rate can be adjusted between 21.96kHz to 50.48 kHz by using vari-pitch function |
| Frequency Response |
Sample Rate 48.0kHz: 20Hz to 22kHz (+/- 0.2 dB)
44.1kHz: 20Hz to 20kHz (+/- 0.2 dB)
32.0kHz: 20Hz to 14kHz (+/- 0.2 dB) |
| Total Harmonic Distortion |
0.004% or less (Input Sens: 0 dBu, 1 kHz at nominal output level, recording mode: MAS) |
| Nominal Input Level |
Input 1 to 6: -50 to +4 dBu (Balanced: max. +26 dBu, Unbalanced: max. +20 dBu) |
| Input Impedance |
Input 1 to 6: 30k |
| Nominal Output Level |
Master/Aux: 0 dBu |
| Output Impedance |
Master/Aux: 1k, Headphones 22 |
| Recomended Load Impedance |
Master/Aux: 10k or greater, Headphones: 8 to 50 |
| Residual Noise Level |
Master/Aux: -85 dBu or less (Input terminated with 1k, Input Sens: Line, IHF-A, typ.) |
| Effects |
Algorithms: 34, Preset Patches: 210, User Patches: 100 |
| Display |
70.6 x 24.5 mm angled backlit LCD |
| Connectors |
Digital Inputs (S/P DIF Coaxial, Optical), Digital Outputs (S/P DIF Coaxial, Optical), Analog Inputs (1/4" Balanced TRS) x 6, Master Outputs (RCA) x 2, AUX Output (RCA) x 2, MIDI (In, Out/Thru), Phones (Stereo 1/4"), SCSI (25-pin D-Sub), Footswitch |
| Power Consumption |
18W (AC 117V/230V/240V) |
| Dimensions |
434 (W) x 317 (D) x 89 (H) mm / 17-1/8 x 12-1/2 x 3-9/16 in. |
| Weight |
4.7 kg / 10 lbs. 6 oz. (incl. hard disk) |
For more information, visit their web site at www.rolandus.com.
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