Roland VXpanded VS-880 Application Manual
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Roland VXpanded VS-880 Application Manual

Digital studio workstation
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APPLICATION GUIDE 2.0

This Application Guide provides step-by-step procedures and important information about day-to-day use of the
VS-880 in actual applications. This second edition is based upon a VS-880 V-Xpanded Digital Studio Workstation
(or a VS-880 that has had its software enhanced with the VS-880-S1 System Expansion Kit to Version 2 software),
and the use of a VS8F-1 effects expansion board.
1
2
3
INPUT A
INPUT SENS
1
2
PEAK
10
10
4
50 dBm
4
PAN
PAN
C
C
L
R
L
R
CH EDIT
CH EDIT
Input BUSS
Input BUSS
V.Track
V.Track
EQ
BUSS Send
AUX Send
Channel Link
SEL
SEL
EFFECT
- 1
- 2
SOURCE
STATUS
STATUS
REC
PLAY
MUTE
1
2
a
BUSS
AUX
( dB )
6
4
0
4
8
12
18
24
36
© 1996 Roland Corporation
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of ROLAND CORPORATION.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
®
L
R
A
B
PHONES
AUX SEND
MASTER OUT
4
1
2
3
4
INPUT B
MIXER MODE
3
4
PEAK
PEAK
PEAK
10
10
SELECT
INPUT
INPUT MIX
TRACK MIX
50 dBm
4
50 dBm
4
50 dBm
PAN
PAN
PAN
PAN
PAN
C
C
C
C
C
L
R
L
R
L
R
L
R
L
R
CH EDIT
CH EDIT
CH EDIT
CH EDIT
CH EDIT
EQ Low
EQ Mid
EQ Hi
Aux Send
EFFECT - 1
SEL
SEL
SEL
SEL
SEL
STATUS
STATUS
STATUS
STATUS
STATUS
3
4
5
6
7
b
c
BUSS
AUX
BUSS
AUX
BUSS
FOOT
OUT
IN
OUT THRU
SWITCH
MIDI
IN
DIGITAL ( 5,6 )
PHONES
TRACK
CONDITION MARKER#
0
10
PAN
AUX SEND
C
0
L
R
6 dB
CH EDIT
EDIT
EFFECT - 2
SOLO
SONG
LOCATOR
Master Out
Song Select
Marker
SEL
AUX SEND
- New
Locate
EFFECT
- 1
- Name
Loop
- 2
- Copy
A.Punch I O
- Erase
- Optimize
STATUS
DAT
Backup
- Recover
8
MASTER
MARKER
d
AUX
PREVIOUS
NEXT
( dB )
6
1
2
4
0
1/
LOC
5
LOC
4
6
7
8
1/
5
2 /
12
18
STORE
24
36
ZERO
SCSI
TIME
dB
0
4
12
24
48
INPUT TRACK
AUX
MASTER
EDIT CONDITION
PLAY
TRACK
EFFECT
SYSTEM
DISPLAY
Track
Copy
EFFECT
- 1
System
Pre Level
- Move
- 2
MIDI
Post Level
- Xchg
DISK
Play List
- Insert
Sync
Fader Pan
- Cut
Scene
- Erase
Drive Select
Amp Profile
- Initialize
Time Comp Exp.
LOCATOR
TAP
LOOP
AUTO PUNCH
NUMERICS
VARI PITCH
3
4
5
2 /
3 /
4 /
6
LOC
7
LOC
8
CLEAR
SCENE
8
9
0
6
3 /
7
4 /
8
CLEAR
SONG TOP
SONG END
SHUT EJECT
RESTART
REW
FF
STOP
POWER
TIME VALUE
PARAMETER
SHIFT
CURSOR
NO
YES
CANCEL
ENTER
UNDO
MIDI /
DISK
PREVIEW
TO
FROM
SCRUB
PLAY
REC

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Summary of Contents for Roland VXpanded VS-880

  • Page 1: Application Guide

    SHUT EJECT RESTART ZERO STOP PLAY © 1996 Roland Corporation All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of ROLAND CORPORATION. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Contents Purpose of this Guide ........................5 How to use this Guide ........................5 Refer to your VS-880 Owner’s Manual & Quick Start ..............5 Icons & Symbols ..........................5 Conventions Used In This Manual ....................6 Chapter 1: Laying a Foundation Introduction to Multitrack Recording ....................
  • Page 3 TIME/VALUE Dial ........................33 VS-880 Demo Song ........................34 VS-880 Connections ........................35 Comments On VS-880 Connections ..................37 Phantom Power ........................37 Creating A New Song ........................37 Naming A Song ........................... 38 Defining Default Settings ......................38 Save Your Song to Disk Often ......................39 Sample Setup .........................
  • Page 4 Backup Your Song to DAT ........................103 Recover Your Song from DAT ........................104 Automated Mixing Using a MIDI Sequencer ....................105 Automated Mixing Withing the VS-880 (3 methods) ................... 106 Creating A Tempo Map ..........................108 Using the Sync Track (3 methods) ......................109 Chapter 7: Tips and Advanced Applications Tips &...
  • Page 5 Sync VS-880 to ADAT ......................... 119 Sync VS-880 to DA-88 ........................ 120 Sync VS-880 with Computer Sequencer ..................121 Sync VS-880 to Drum Machine or MIDI Sequencer ................. 122 Sync VS-880 to Video ......................... 123 Chapter 8: Appendix Glossary of General Audio and Recording Terms ................125 More About SCSI ........................

  • Page 6: Purpose Of This Guide

    Purpose of this Guide This Application Guide details many of the common concepts and procedures associated with recording and editing with the VS-880. It has been written for users new to the general world of recording and specifically to digital hard disk recording.

  • Page 7: Conventions Used In This Manual

    Example: [SOLO (EDIT)], [SEL (CH EDIT)] • The VS-880 has two buttons marked PLAY. In this manual, these are distinguished as fol- lows. 1. [PLAY (DISPLAY)]: the button at the lower right of the LCD screen 2.

  • Page 8: Chapter 1: Laying A Foundation

    Chapter 1: Laying a Foundation Introduction to Multitrack Recording In order to maximize the usefulness of your VS-880, a basic understanding of the typical recording process is very helpful. Since there are many books available covering the history of recording, we will not discuss it here.

  • Page 9: Mixdown Session

    However, the VS-880 provides random access to all parts of your song. For example, you just instruct the VS-880 to play the chorus first, then the first verse, etc. If you didn’t like it, you just instruct the VS-880 to change the order as many times as you wish.

  • Page 10: Pointer Based Editing

    Pointer Based Editing When you record sounds into the VS-880, they are stored on the hard drive. Once on the drive, the original recording is never changed. All of the editing, copying and moving of the sound is actually just moving and copying “pointers”...

  • Page 11: Summary Of Vs-880 Terminology

    Dat Recover The same as YES or OK. The ability to recall your completed song from an audio DAT tape and load it into your VS-880 so it can EQ High be played, re-edited, added to, etc. High frequency equalization boosts or lowers the perceived loudness of treble (high) frequencies.
  • Page 12 A button on the front panel used to enter marker perceived loudness of bass (low) frequencies. The locations during recording or playback. VS-880 Low EQ can affect frequencies from 40 Hz to Loc 1-Loc 4 1.5 kHz. These buttons correspond to Locator position # 1-4.
  • Page 13 Scene A control on the VS-880 that allows you to position a An automation function in the VS-880 providing an mono recording somewhere in the stereo field. “instantaneous” snapshot picture of every control. This scene snapshot can be recalled to “reset” the VS-...
  • Page 14 The command to erase or eliminate all or part of a recorded track. The remaining audio past the erased A section of the VS-880 that refers to the overall portion, will not be affected and will remain in its settings related to your song such as Sample Rate, original time location.

  • Page 15: Vs-880 Commonly Asked Questions

    “How do I record with effects?” (see Application Guide page 44 for external effects and page 49 for internal effects) • “I plugged my foot switch into the VS-880 and it won’t punch into record - what do I do?” (see “Footswitch”, Application Guide page 35) •...
  • Page 16 “What are ‘From’ and ‘To’ points used for?” (see Owner’s Manual page 76 and Application Guide page 81) • “Is there a particular procedure to turning the VS-880 on or off?” (see Quick Start Manual pages 4-7) • “How can I add more recording time to my VS-880?” (see Application Guide page 115) •...
  • Page 17 VS-880 Application Guide...

  • Page 18: Chapter 2: Understanding Your

    CONTROLS – Controls make changes to the value of settings. For example, they change volume, amount of EQ, panning position, etc. The only variable controls on the VS-880 are the channel faders, pan pots, input sensitivity, headphone volume, aux send, and the Time/ Value dial.

  • Page 19: Internal Vs8F-1 Effect Expansion Board

    Understanding The Mixer In order to make best use of your VS-880, an understanding of the built-in digital mixer is required. This will save you valuable hours later when you are trying to figure out why you can’t hear the reverb, why there is EQ on the bass drum, and why you cannot hear anything in your headphones.

  • Page 20: A Mixer Analogy

    The VS-880 uses “variable” level inputs. This allows you to send a wide range of signal levels into the VS- 880 without distortion or noise. The INPUT SENS (input sensitivity) knobs in the upper left corner of the front panel control the variable inputs.

  • Page 21: The Vs-880 Mixer

    Think of your home as the VS-880 mixer. The cold water coming into your home from the main supply in the street is just like the audio signal from your guitar entering an input of the VS-880. As shown in the plumbing diagram, the cold water branches into two directions, the kitchen sink and your water heater.

  • Page 22: Selecting Mixer Modes

    INPUT>TRACK Mode The [Input/Buss] function (CH EDIT button 1) is used to route the Input signal (rear panel of the VS-880) to the desired recording Track (1 – 8). Any Input (1 - 6) can be assigned to record to any Track (1 - 8). In other words, Input 2 could be assigned to record on Track 5.

  • Page 23: Input Mix / Track Mix Mode

    These two modes are basically two parts of the same recording and playback “Mix” mode. It is in this mode that the VS-880 can be used as a 14 channel mixer: 6 Inputs from the rear panel (INPUT MIX) and 8 recorded Tracks (TRACK MIX).

  • Page 24: Track Mix

    DAT machine’s analog audio input and connect the digital output of the DAT to the VS-880 digital input. You will probably have to put the DAT in Record/Pause mode to have the audio pass through it without recording. Check your DAT manual.

  • Page 25: Mixer Effect Routing

    The fader level, pan position, and EQ settings that you set up in INPUT MIX mode are memorized by the VS-880. So, when you switch to TRACK MIX mode and adjust the fader for channel 1 (for example), the level of Input 1 in INPUT MIX mode is not affected.

  • Page 26: Mixer Summary

    Track Mix Mode VS-880 as a 14 Channel Mixer using Input Mix/Track Mix Mode Effect Routing Options in Input Mix / Track Mix Mode When working with the Preset Patch List that came with the VS8F-1 Effect Expansion Board, Patches listed as ‘Loop’...

  • Page 27: Now Time

    In addition, Track Mix allows you to mix Tracks 1 - 6 and Inputs 1 - 6 with EQ, panning and effects to Tracks 7 - 8. This allows you to bounce tracks digitally within the VS-880, or to master a song recorded and mixed on the VS-880 –...

  • Page 28: Virtual Tracks

    Virtual Tracks The VS-880 contains 8 primary recording tracks. In other words, the VS-880 is capable of playing back 8 independent audio signals simultaneously. Each primary recording track has 8 virtual tracks. Example: Think of a primary recording track as a stack of 8 blank index cards. On the top card (V. Track 1) we will write First Guitar Solo.

  • Page 29: Finding Your Edit Points

    Think of each of the eight primary recording tracks in the VS-880 having eight layers. Each Virtual Track (layer) is completely independent from the others. You can record up to 64 tracks total, however, only eight can be played simultaneously.

  • Page 30: Editing Resolution

    The VS-880 has the ability to move the Now Line in different size steps. This is very important when you want to edit your song. For example, if you set the VS-880 step size to one measure, you could only set the Now Line on the beginning of each measure.

  • Page 31: Undo & Redo

    Using Waveforms To Edit The VS-880 Scrub feature makes it very easy to find your edit points because you can see a visual representation of the sound and hear it at its original pitch while editing at a fine resolution of down to 1/3000th of a second.
  • Page 32 Channels vs Tracks The 8 faders, status buttons, and pan controls on the left side of the VS-880 represent mixer channels. They may or may not represent actual recorded tracks. However, when a fader is being used for a recorded track, the channel # and the track # will be the same.

  • Page 33: Important Navigational Rules & Skills To Master

    Use the [CH EDIT] button to select a specific channel to edit. Press the [CH EDIT] button to instruct the VS-880 which track you want to work with. For example, if you want to change the virtual track on channel 4, you would first press the [CH EDIT] button above fader # 4 to select channel # 4 for editing.

  • Page 34: [Parameter] Buttons

    The [CURSOR] buttons are also used as the [YES] / [NO] buttons. [YES] / [NO] Buttons The [YES] button is also used to answer YES whenever the VS-880 displays a question in the LCD. Alternately, the [NO] button signals a NO response. For example, anytime the VS-880 display asks you a question (i.e.

  • Page 35: Vs-880 Demo Song

    The demo song contains settings that allow you to switch scenes and compare different versions of the song. Each track of the song titled “VS-880 Demo” contains the following data (No data has been recorded in the blank V-tracks).

  • Page 36: Vs-880 Connections

    SCSI is a protocol for high-speed recording and data transfer between computer devices. For our purposes, the VS-880 is a computer that has all the recording hardware and software built in. You will use this SCSI connector to add external hard disks for additional recordings. (see Owner’s Manual page 130 for detailed information).

  • Page 37: Master Out

    MASTER OUT These RCA phono type jacks provide the main stereo output from the VS-880. Normally you will connect these jacks to the left and right inputs of your external amplifier or speaker system. If you are using the VS- 880 with an external mixing console, simply plug a cable from each master output connector to a separate input of your mixing console.

  • Page 38: Comments On Vs-880 Connections

    Phantom Power microphones are the most common today. Phantom power microphones obtain their power directly through the mic cable, from the device they are connected to. The VS-880 does not provide phantom power for this type of microphone. You might use an external analog mixer that does supply phantom power as a mic preamp, or, you can use an external microphone preamp to power the microphone and connect its output to the VS-880.

  • Page 39: Naming A Song

    Naming A Song When creating a new song it is a good idea to name that song. If you do not name the song, the VS-880 automatically assigns a name such as “Init Song 001, 002…”, depending on how many new songs have been created during the current recording session.

  • Page 40: Save Your Song To Disk Often

    Save Your Song to Disk Often Since the VS-880 creates editing information in RAM (Random Access Memory) before it is saved to disk, it is a good idea to save (store) your song to hard disk often. If the AC power failed, you would loose all the recordings and edits made since the last time your song was stored on the hard disk.

  • Page 41: Sample Setup

    Sample Setup The VS-880 can be integrated into a large variety of studio environments. The diagram below depicts one possible system idea. XP-50/80 Music Workstation MIDI Audio from Keyboard, Microphone, MIDI Interface Guitar, or Mixer Computer with Serial Cable connection...

  • Page 42: Chapter 3: Recording Applications

    VS-880. Our example records a synthesizer as a piano track on the VS-880. You will need to connect your synthesizer to the VS-880 Input # 1, select Tr. 1-1 for recording, correctly adjust the volume, then finally record the instrument to Tr. 1-1.

  • Page 43: Play A Piano Track And Add Markers & Locators

    You can always adjust the exact location of the marker later if it is not in precisely the correct place. Marker Points The VS-880 provides up to 1000 potential marker points that can be entered using the [TAP] button and located by two methods outlined below.

  • Page 44: Using Locator Banks

    (Market Points, Continued) Clearing a Marker Point Locate the VS-880 to the marker point you wish to clear, hold the [CLEAR] button (in the LOCATOR section) and press the [TAP] button. Clear All Markers Hold down the [SHIFT] and [CLEAR] buttons, then press the [TAP] button.

  • Page 45: Record Vocal With Mic And External Compressor

    You will need to connect your microphone to the VS-880 Input # 1, select Tr. 1-1 for recording, correctly adjust the volume, then finally record the instrument to Tr. 1-1. You record on the VS-880 as outlined on page 41 of this guide, however, you must first make the proper settings on your external limiter.

  • Page 46: Record 5 Guitar Tracks Using Virtual Tracks

    Record 5 Guitar Tracks Using Virtual Tracks If you are unfamiliar with virtual tracks in the VS-880, refer to page 27 of this guide for more details. It is often desirable to record many takes or recordings of the same musical instrument or vocal so you can pick the best performance to use in you final song.
  • Page 47 Use the [TIME/VALUE] dial to select between each of the virtual tracks you have recorded. You can listen to one, then select another and listen, then select another and listen, etc. Note: You cannot change Virtual tracks while the VS-880 is in PLAY. You must press [STOP] before changing virtual tracks.

  • Page 48: Listening To A Guitar Using Internal Effects

    Maybe you just want to experiment with different reverb effects or change an EQ. This example uses the optional VS8F-1 Effect Expansion Board. You will setup the VS-880 as though you are going to record the guitar with effects, however, you will not actually press the record button to begin recording.

  • Page 49: Recording A Guitar 'Dry' While Listening With Effects

    The example uses the optional VS8F-1 Effect Expansion Board. You will connect your guitar to the VS-880, select an effect to listen to, select a track to record to, and then record the guitar ‘dry’ to the VS-880.

  • Page 50: Recording A Guitar 'Wet' With Internal Effects

    The example uses the optional VS8F-1 Effect Expansion Board. You will set up the VS-880 to record your instrument on Tr. 1-1. You will then select that type and amount of effect that you wish to use. The final step will be to actually record your instrument on Tr. 1-1 with the effect.
  • Page 51 Press the [REC] and [PLAY] buttons to begin recording. USING INPUT MIX / TRACK MIX MODE: Plug your Guitar into Input #2 on the rear of the VS-880 (1/4” phone jack). Hold the [SHIFT] button and press the [SELECT] button under MIXER MODE - choose the INPUT MIX mode.

  • Page 52: Record A Guitar On Tr. 1, Record The Effects On Tr. 2

    You will plug your guitar into Input # 1, set the VS-880 to r ecord it on Tr. 1-1, determine what effect you will use, then set the effect to record on Tr. 2-1, and finally make the actual recording.
  • Page 53 ‘dry’ guitar and channel 2 will be the ‘wet’ guitar. Faders 1 and 2 WILL affect the Recording level. Press the [STATUS] button of channel 1 and channel 2 so both LEDs flash red (record ready mode). Press [REC] and [PLAY] and begin recording. VS-880 Application Guide...

  • Page 54: Punching In And Out - Manual (With Undo And Redo Example)

    The VS-880 allows you to manually ‘punch in and out’ on any track, in real time. You will set the punch-in track to record, play the track, then place the VS-880 into record at the appropriate place. Once you have finished recording over the section of interest, you can take the VS-880 out or record mode or press STOP.
  • Page 55 UNDO LEVEL allows you to choose how many previous actions to “UNDO” For example, if you made 7 punch in/out recordings and then selected an UNDO LEVEL of 6, the VS-880 would UNDO the previous 6 recordings leaving only the first one. This UNDO LEVEL also functions the same way during editing.

  • Page 56: Use Auto-Punch For Punch In/Out

    The VS-880 will not actually enter the record mode until the specified location and it will exit the record mode at the specified punch out location. You can then rewind the song, place the record ready track into play mode, and play back the newly recorded solo.

  • Page 57: Loop Recording

    As long as you do not press the [REC] button, the VS-880 will not actually enter the record mode.
  • Page 58 (Loop Recording, Continued) Find the LOOP end point by using fast forward to locate a point after the punch out location (end of a Verse, Chorus etc.) and store this location in LOC 4 by pressing [LOC] 4 (the LED will illuminate).

  • Page 59: Sync To A Midi Sequencer Using Mtc (Midi Time Code)

    MIDI Clock which is based on tempo (musical divisions: measures/beats). If your sequencer can slave to MTC, use the following steps to sync your sequencer as a slave to the VS-880: Connect a MIDI cable from the MIDI output of the VS-880 to the MIDI input of your external sequencer.
  • Page 60 * These screens apply to MIDI Clock (not MTC) and are not used here. Set your sequencer to “Transmit MTC”. Make sure that the MTC Type is 30 frame (if you use a different frame rate, make sure that it matches what was set in the VS-880). Press [PLAY] on the VS-880.

  • Page 61: Sync To A Midi Sequencer Using Midi Clock

    MIDI Clock is a sync code that uses the tempo settings of your song to lock two devices together. In order to use MIDI Clock with the VS-880, you first must make a “Tempo Map” (see page 108 of this guide). Some of the reasons to use MIDI Clock instead of MTC are as follows: Older sequencers generally cannot sync to MTC.

  • Page 62: Sync To An External Sequencer Using Mmc

    MTC (MIDI Time Code). In this example, your sequencer is the MMC Master and the VS-880 is the MMC Slave. The VS-880 is also the Time Code Master (MTC) and your sequencer is the Time Code Slave (MTC).
  • Page 63 Set the sequencer to “MMC Master” mode. Set it to slave to MTC (MTC slave mode). Press “PLAY” on the external sequencer – OR – press [PLAY] on the VS-880. MIDI Clock can also be used as the sync source in this example. Follow the instruc- tions detailed in “Using MIDI Clock”...

  • Page 64: Recording From A Digital Source

    Turn on the power of the digital source (the power can be on while the digital connection is made). It must be on in order for the VS-880 to “see” that there is a digital clock connected to its digital input.

  • Page 65: Recording Multiple Inputs To A Single Mono Track

    You would first connect the three microphones to three inputs of the VS-880. We will use inputs 1-3. You will select these inputs to faders 1-3 of the VS-880, select the correct Mixer mode, select each channel to record onto Tr.

  • Page 66: Recording Multiple Inputs To 2 Tracks As A Stereo Mix

    To add depth and dimension to your background vocal recordings, you might choose to record them as a stereo mix onto two tracks of the VS-880. It is very similar to recording multiple inputs to a single track, however, your will use the pan pots to position each microphone in the stereo mix before recording (see the action page - Recording Multiple Inputs to a Single Mono Track).

  • Page 67: Record 4 Mics, Using Internal Compressor, To 1 Track

    You would first connect the four microphones to the four inputs of the VS-880. You will select these inputs to faders 1 through 4 of the VS-880, select the correct Mixer mode, select the compressor, select each channel to record onto Tr.

  • Page 68: Using The Serial Insert Path

    Using the Serial Insert Path The serial insert FX path routing allow you to send the same mono channel thru both the left and right sides of a stereo effect. You can then use the parameters of both sides for more precise effecting of the original mono signal.

  • Page 69: Using The Cosm Microphone Simulator

    Using the COSM Microphone Simulator You can record a vocal using an inexpensive dynamic mic such as the Roland DR-20 and then, using the Microphone Simulator in the VS8F-1 effects section, emulate the warmth and tone of a much more expensive microphone. This can be done during the recording process or at any later time, even at mix down.

  • Page 70: Using The Voice Transformer

    Using only the Formant parameter, it can be used to fatten a vocal or bass track. The algorithm allows the user to edit the effect in real time using the first 5 faders of the VS-880 mixer. ACTION: Use the Voice Transformer to Affect a Vocal Track Connect a microphone to Input 1.
  • Page 71 VS-880 Application Guide...

  • Page 72: Chapter 4: Overdub Applications

    Press the [REC] button. The red led will flash. Press the [PLAY] button to begin recording. After you complete your guitar track, [STOP] the VS-880 and press the [ZERO] button to return to the beginning of the song. Chapter 4: Overdub Applications...

  • Page 73: Bouncing Tracks 1-6 To Tracks 7-8

    To accomplish this, you will need to first assign tracks 1 through 6 to the inputs of an internal mixing buss (inside the VS-880). You will then assign the outputs of that mixing buss to Tr. 7-1 and Tr. 8-1. Once you have made your level, EQ, panning, and other creative choices, you will record the six tracks down to two tracks using the internal mixing buss.
  • Page 74 (Bouncing Tracks 1-6 To Tracks 7-8, Continued) Using the INPUT MIX/TRACK MIX mode: Use the following procedure to bounce tracks using the INPUT MIX/TRACK MIX mode: Select TRACK MIX mode Hold [SHIFT] and press [SELECT] (under MIXER MODE), to choose TRACK MIX mode. Route Tracks 1 through 6 to buss 7-8 Press [CH EDIT] 1 to select Track 1.

  • Page 75: Using The Internal Vs8F-1 When Bouncing

    To accomplish this, you will need to first assign tracks 1 through 6 to the inputs of an internal mixing buss (inside the VS-880). You will then assign the outputs of that mixing buss to Tr. 7-1 and Tr. 8-1. You will also need to select the tracks to add effects and assign them to the effect of choice.
  • Page 76 Press the right [PARAMETER>>] button again and use the TIME/VALUE Dial to set the Pan position. The effects will now be routed to tracks 7-8 and will be recorded along with the source tracks 1-6. Route tracks 7 & 8 to the MIX buss Hold [SHIFT] and press [Input/BUSS] (CH EDIT button 1).

  • Page 77: Using The Aux Buss As A Headphone Monitor

    The VS-880 allows you to use the internal AUX bus as a cue (headphone) bus in order to provide a separate mix for the musician.

  • Page 78: Combining Lead Vocal Tracks Into One Using [Mute]

    Combining Lead Vocal Tracks Into One Using [Mute] This function is known in recording studios as “vocal comps” or “comping vocals.” Let’s assume that you have two lead vocal parts recorded on Tr. 1-1 and Tr. 2-1. You decide that the best performance of the first verse, third verse, and ending are the recording on track one.

  • Page 79: Making A New Version Of Your Song

    One approach is to copy your whole song to another location in the VS-880 time line. You would do this using the Copy function and using the Song Top as the Copy Start and Copy From points, the Song End as the Copy End and some marker that is after the song end as your Copy To location.
  • Page 80 (Making A New Version of Your Song, Continued) Press [LOC 1] again. Press [PARAMETER>>] to display “Copy End”. Press [LOC 3]. Press [PARAMETER>>] to display “Copy To”. Press [LOC 4]. Press [PARAMETER>>] to display “Copy time” and leave it set to 1. Press the [PARAMETER>>] button.
  • Page 81 VS-880 Application Guide...

  • Page 82: Chapter 5: Editing Applications

    & redo (pages 112 & 113.) These are important skills that will be used during editing. One of the best parts of the VS-880 is the ability to cut and paste your audio material, just like you would use a word processor on your computer to cut and paste a written document.

  • Page 83: Use {Erase} To Eliminate Unwanted Material

    Instruct the VS-880 which track you intend to ERASE, then specify the start and end of the section to be erased, and finally instruct the VS-880 to execute the erase command. You may think of the ERASE command exactly like your were erasing an analog tape or cassette.

  • Page 84: Use {Insert} To Add Space Into An Existing Recording

    INSERT command will allow you to insert blank space into your recording at the correct location. First choose which track or tracks to insert blank time into. The VS-880 will let you specify the location to insert the time and also the length of time to insert.(For more - see the VS-880 V-Xpanded Owner’s Manual, Chapter 4).

  • Page 85: Use {Move} To Place Guitar Part In New Location

    By setting the ‘START’ and ‘FROM’ maker to the same location, the start of the section you are moving will be relocated to the designated ‘TO’ destination. (For more - see the VS-880 V-Xpanded Owner’s Manual Chapter 4). ACTION: Use {Move} To Place Guitar Part in New Location Clear Locate Points First: Hold the [CLEAR] button and press any [LOC] buttons with lit LED.
  • Page 86 (Use {Move} To Place Guitar Part in New Location, Continued) Press [LOC 1]. Press the right [PARAMETER>>] button, “TRK Frm=” should be displayed. Press [LOC 1]. Press the right [PARAMETER>>] button, “TRK End=” should be displayed. Press [LOC 2]. Press the right [PARAMETER>>] button, “TRK To=” should be displayed. Press [LOC 3].

  • Page 87: Use {Move} & Sync Point - Align Music With Narration

    It is easy to instruct the VS-880 to {MOVE} the beginning of a verse # 2 to the end of verse # 4.
  • Page 88 (Use {Move} To Place Guitar Part in New Location, Continued) Use the TIME/VALUE dial to select the Virtual Track that you want to move. Press [CURSOR>]. Press the [CH EDIT] button that corresponds to the Track you want to move this section of the music to (this can be the same as the source Track).

  • Page 89: Use {Copy} To Create A Drum Loop

    12 measure drum groove. The beginning and ending of the drum part will define the section to be copied. Then instruct the VS-880 to copy the drum part, end to end, for a defined number of times up to 99. The drum part will now repeat over and over again, end to end, creating a long dance track.
  • Page 90 (Use {Copy} To Create A Drum LoopContinued) Copying twice to the same Track A" Start Time Copying twice to a different Track B" Start Time Copying using the “Frm” setting Start From Time Chapter 5: Editing Applications...

  • Page 91: Use {Copy} To Re-Use A Vocal In Multiple Verses

    Again using the {COPY} command, you can select the first chorus recording on tracks Tr. 6-1 as the ‘START’ and ‘END’ of the section to be copied. You can then instruct the VS-880 to {COPY} this background vocal section to the second and then to the third chorus. You will first specify the beginning of the second chorus as your COPY TO location and then choose the third chorus as the COPY TO location.
  • Page 92 (Use {Copy} To Re-Use A Vocal In Multiple Verses, Continued) Press the right [PARAMETER>>] button, “TRK Frm=” should be displayed. Press [ LOC 1]. Press the right [PARAMETER>>] button, “TRK End=” should be displayed. Press [LOC 2]. Press the right [PARAMETER>>] button, “TRK To=” should be displayed. Press [LOC 3] (the beginning of chorus # 2).
  • Page 93 VS-880 Application Guide...

  • Page 94: Chapter 6: Mixdown Applications

    Hold [SHIFT] and press [SELECT] to select INPUT>TRACK mode (if it is not already set to this mode). Connect the MASTER OUT L and R (VS-880 rear panel) to the left and right inputs of your mastering tape recorder. Put your mastering deck in record pause mode and press [PLAY] on the VS-880.

  • Page 95: Mix 8 Tracks To Stereo Dat - Digitally

    Mix 8 Tracks To Stereo DAT - Digitally Mixing your 8 VS-880 tracks to stereo DAT digitally is exactly the same as recording to a stereo analog recorder. Remember that the master analog outputs and the digital output from the VS-880 contain exactly the same information.

  • Page 96: Mixing 8 Tracks With Internal Effects To Stereo Output

    Start recording on your master recorder. Press [ZERO] on the VS-880. Press [PLAY] on the VS-880. Use the FADERS and PAN knobs to make any real time adjustments. Press [STOP] on the VS-880 and your master recorder when the song is finished.

  • Page 97: Using Mute During Mixdown

    Press the [STATUS] button of that track or tracks again to return all tracks to play mode. Hold [SHIFT] and press [SOLO] again to exit SOLO mode. The SOLO function can be used on more that one channel (track) at a time. VS-880 Application Guide...

  • Page 98: Using Scenes To Help With Mixdown

    The VS-880 contains ‘snapshot’ automation known as SCENES. Essentially, the VS-880 allows you to take a ‘snapshot’ or picture of all the settings in the VS-880 at a particular point in time. The ‘snapshot’ is stored in one of the 8 available scenes. These scenes or snapshots can be recalled by pressing the correct [SCENE] button.

  • Page 99: Mixing 8 Tracks And External Source To 2 Track Dat

    There are occasions when you have all 8 tracks recorded and you would like to add just one more instrument or vocal to your song during mixdown. This is a simple process in the VS-880 using the INPUT MIX and TRACK MIX modes of the mixer section.

  • Page 100: Using External Effects During Mixdown

    You want to use your external reverb device to add reverb to these vocals during mixdown. You would set up your VS-880 for normal mix mode, but select track 7 & 8 to use the Aux Send bus 1 and 2 to pass the audio out the AUX send jacks to the external reverb.

  • Page 101: Use Virtual Tracks To Re-Use The Internal Effects

    Use Virtual Tracks To Re-Use The Internal Effects What do you do if you want to add a different reverb sound to each individual track of the VS-880 using only the 2 internal effects devices (if installed)? You re-record two tracks at a time to new virtual tracks, using the internal devices.

  • Page 102: Listen To More Than One Virtual Track Simultaneously

    8. After listening to each virtual track, you decide that you would like to listen to virtual track # 2, 5, and 6 all at the same time. Since the VS-880 will only play one virtual track at a time for a given recording track, you must move some of your virtual guitar tracks to other recording tracks so that they can be selected for playback.

  • Page 103: Process Entire Mix With Internal Eq And Compressor

    Process Entire Mix With Internal EQ And Compressor On some occasions you might already have a really good mix set up in your VS-880, but you find that you would like to add a little more low frequency boost to the overall mix. In addition, you might want to compress the dynamic range so your song will sound “louder”...

  • Page 104: Backup Your Song To Dat

    Since hard disk drives are mechanical devices, they are more subject to failure than any other part of your VS-880. If your hard disk develops a problem or fails for any reason, you may loose all the songs stored on that disk.

  • Page 105: Recover Your Song From Dat

    (for more information see V-Xpanded Owner’s Manual page 98.) ACTION: Recover Your Song from DAT Connect the Digital output of your DAT recorder to the Digital input of the VS-880. (the VS- 880 uses S/P DIF coaxial (RCA phono) connectors).

  • Page 106: Automated Mixing Using A Midi Sequencer

    This guide described the use of scenes for mixdown in an earlier section. You can also add dynamic automation for actual fader and other control movements by connecting an external MIDI sequencer to your VS-880. This automation function can be very useful if you have a complicated mix requiring many level changes during the song.

  • Page 107: Automated Mixing Withing The Vs-880 (3 Methods)

    Hold [SCENE] and press [SELECT] (the select indicator will blink). Adjust the initial mixer settings as desired. Press [ZERO]. Hold [SCENE] and press [TAP]. Advance the VS-880 to the point in your song where you want the mixer settings to change. Adjust the mixer settings as desired.
  • Page 108 (Automated Mixing Within the VS-880 (3 methods), Continued) ACTION: Automated Mixing using Gradation The VS-880 provides yet another type of automated mixing that is referred to as gradation. In this type of automation the VS-880 will interpolate the settings between two marker points (snapshots).

  • Page 109: Creating A Tempo Map

    Tempo Map 2 will take effect, and a new time signature (if desired). Advance the VS-880 to the next tempo map change and continue this procedure if you would like any additional changes. The VS-880 allows up to 50 tempo maps (changes) per song.

  • Page 110: Using The Sync Track (3 Methods)

    Using the Sync Track (3 methods) The VS-880 provides a separate Sync track for recording the tempo map from an external sequencer. This tempo map can then be used to synchronize the VS-880 and an external MIDI sequencer. ACTION: Recording a Sync Track from a MIDI Sequencer Connect the MIDI OUT of your sequencer/interface to the MIDI IN of the VS-880 and connect the MIDI OUT of the VS-880 to the MIDI IN of your sequencer/interface.
  • Page 111 Connect MIDI OUT of the VS-880 to MIDI IN of your sequencer/interface. Set your sequencer to sync to MIDI Clock. Press PLAY on the VS-880 and your sequencer will play in sync with your song. ACTION: Generating a Sync Track from Start & End...
  • Page 112 (Generating a Sync Track from Start & End Times, Continued) Press the right [PARAMETER>>] button until “SYS CV4:Measure=“ is displayed and use the TIME/VALUE dial to select the number of measures in your song. Press PARAMETER>> until “SYS CV4:Beat=“ is displayed and use the TIME/ VALUE dial to select the number of beats in each measure.
  • Page 113 VS-880 Application Guide...

  • Page 114: Chapter 7: Tips And Advanced Applications

    Use ‘Archive’ Copy Mode to copy to multiple ZIP disks • If your song files are larger than 100 Mbytes, you can copy them to multiple Zip disks. The VS-880 will prompt you to insert the next ZIP disk when it’s needed. Chapter 7: Advanced Applications and Tips...

  • Page 115: Vari-Speed Functions In Scrub Mode

    Display Shows Scrub or Preview Type • When you are using SCRUB or PREVIEW, a blinking horizontal bar at the bottom of the LCD screen on either side of the center “now” line indicates Preview From or Preview To. VS-880 Application Guide...

  • Page 116: Additional Equalizers In Vs8F-1

    Additional Recording Time An additional hard disk drive can be added to your VS-880 to increase the storage capacity for additional recordings (see V-Xpanded Owners Manual pgs. 130-131 “About SCSI”.) Some removable media drives may work with your VS-880. See your Roland dealer for information.

  • Page 117: Sync Multiple Vs-880'S Together

    AUDIO: You can connect the Digital Out port from the slave units to the Digital In port of the next VS-880 in the chain. If you are in INPUT MIX /TRACK MIX mode, turn Channel Link on for input 5 on all units with the exception of the final VS-880 in the chain.

  • Page 118: Vs-880 With A Digital Sampler

    MIDI OUT connector of the VS-880 to the MIDI IN connector of the sequencer. Make sure that MIDI Thru is set to Out and that the sync source is set to internal. You will also have to set the VS-880 to generate MTC and make sure that the frame rate matches that of your sequencer (the VS-880 defaults to a frame rate of 30).

  • Page 119: Sync Vs-880 To Analog Tape Recorder

    SMPTE to MTC converter. Connect the MIDI OUT connector of the converter to the MIDI IN connector of the VS-880 and set the VS-880 to external sync. Make sure that the SMPTE frame rate of the converter matches that of the VS-880 (which defaults to 30).

  • Page 120: Sync Vs-880 To Adat

    Control messages generated from the Alesis BRC (the Alesis AI 2 can be used in place of a BRC). You will need to connect the MIDI OUT connector of the BRC (or AI 2) to the MIDI IN connector on the VS-880 and, if you are using MMC, connect the MIDI OUT connector of the VS-880 to the MIDI IN connector of the BRC (or AI 2).

  • Page 121: Sync Vs-880 To Da-88

    MIDI OUT connector of the VS-880 to the MIDI IN connector of the DA-88. Set the VS-880 to external sync and match the frame rate of the DA-88 (the VS-880 defaults to a frame rate of 30). If you are using MIDI Machine Control messages set the VS-880 as the MMC slave and turn Receive System Exclusive messages on.

  • Page 122: Sync Vs-880 With Computer Sequencer

    To use the VS-880 as the master device sending MIDI Time Code, make sure that MIDI Thru is set to Out and that the sync source is set to internal. You will also have to set the VS-880 to generate MTC and make sure that the frame rate matches that of your sequencer (the VS-880 defaults to a frame rate of 30).

  • Page 123: Sync Vs-880 To Drum Machine Or Midi Sequencer

    (or drum machine) as shown in the diagram below. For this setup, the VS-880 must be the master. Make sure that the VS-880’s sync source is set to internal. The VS-880 must be set to generate MIDI Clock and the MIDI Thr must be set to Out. To respond, the MIDI sequencer (or drum machine) must be set to MIDI Sync.

  • Page 124: Sync Vs-880 To Video

    Syncman by MIDIMAN) to generate SMPTE Time Code for the video deck and convert that to MIDI Time Code for the VS-880. If your video tape is not already striped with SMPTE Time Code you will need to record (stripe) SMPTE to one of the audio tracks on the tape. Connect the audio output of that track to the SMPTE input on the converter.
  • Page 125 VS-880 Application Guide...

  • Page 126: Chapter 8: Appendix

    Chapter 8: Appendix Balanced Glossary of General An audio circuit with 3 wires; two wires carry the Audio and Recording signal, high (+) and low (-), and the third is a shield which is connected to a chassis or system ground. Terms The signal leads are both of equal potential difference from the ground, and are hence “balanced”...
  • Page 127 These models are extremely accurate and allow great control over the sound of any guitar. The VS8F-1 Effect Expansion Board for the VS-880 includes some dBV is an electrical measurement of voltage. 0 dBV is of the COSM preamplifier and speaker models, plus equal to 1 volt.
  • Page 128 De-esser Dynamic Microphone An audio signal processing device that is used to A type of microphone which converts acoustical to remove excess sibilance (the lispy “sss” sound) from electrical energy by means of a permanent magnet certain vocal tracks. Generally, a de-esser is a and a moving coil.
  • Page 129 Hence the term “reel usually divided into high, mid, and low flanging.” Today flanging is commonly done with frequency ranges. Also called “3-knob EQ.” electronic signal processing devices that do not require tape and can operate in real time. VS-880 Application Guide...
  • Page 130 Foldback Impedance A term, usually on European mixers, used The total opposition to the flow of alternating current interchangeably with “cue” in recording work or in an electrical circuit. Impedance is measured in “monitor send” in sound reinforcement work. ohms. Gain Input Level The amount an amplifier increases the power of a...
  • Page 131 VS-880. However, MIDI clock can be Line Level used to control other devices. MIDI Clock works in...
  • Page 132 MTC (MIDI Time Code) Outboard MIDI Time Code is a synchronization signal that is Refers to electronic equipment or signal processors digitally sent through MIDI for synchronization of that are not incorporated in the mixing console. absolute time between audio devices. Similar to External equipment.
  • Page 133 UNDO. The original audio is never touched, original use of these connectors in early telephone just the pointers that tell the VS-880 when to play switchboard equipment. The male connector is the and stop playing the original audio.
  • Page 134 The editing resolution XX, or a punch in after a given word. (Punch out for finding edits on the VS-880 is 1/3000th of a refers to either stopping the recording or switching second, allowing you to do very precise edits.
  • Page 135 A digital recording format that conforms to the AES/ opposed to a rotary control. EBU consumer standard for the high-speed transfer of two channels of digital audio data. The VS-880 has SMPTE a coaxial S/PDIF connector that allows you to Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.
  • Page 136 Vari-pitch allows you to speed up or slow down the time signature information for part or all of a song. playback of the VS-880 in order to match the tuning This information can be used to make editing easier. of instruments that are difficult or impossible to tune You can edit or locate to an exact bar and beat rather to your existing recorded tracks.

  • Page 137: More About Scsi

    Incorrect termination will result in extra “ghost reflections” appearing on the SCSI bus, which can also corrupt SCSI communications. One end of the SCSI chain is the VS-880. It is internally terminated already. You must provide proper termination on the other end of your SCSI chain.

  • Page 138: Scsi Cables

    SCSI specifies a cable impedance of 100 Ω ±10%. Unfortunately, the vast majority of SCSI cables sold today have an impedance closer to 50 Ω. This results in up to 50% of the signal being reflected back to the VS-880.

  • Page 139: Active" Terminators

    External terminators are usually rectangular boxes which can be attached to a separate 50 Pin Amphenol connector on the rear of the drive. Other external terminators have a 50 pin connector on both sides so the terminator can be plugged onto the drive and the cable from the VS-880 can be plugged into the terminator.

  • Page 140: Scsi Summary

    SCSI Summary • Keep SCSI cables as short as possible. • Do not allow the total length of the SCSI chain to exceed 6 meters. • Use only high quality SCSI cables of correct impedance and shielding. • Do not connect or disconnect SCSI cables or terminators with power on. •...

  • Page 141: Blank Track Sheet

    Blank Track Sheet...
  • Page 142 2394US...

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