Feature:
Get the VGA monitor and mouse board, and then get a PS2 Y plug so you can use a computer keyboard too. It's well worth it. The machine comes with a good set of effects, etc. Buy more plug ins as you go.

Quality:
Wish the channel plugs were on the back instead of the top, but I've lived with worse problems.

Value:
Would be nice if they would have just included the VGA monitor board

Sound:
My Daddy always said, "It's a poor mechanic that blames his tools". I have no problems with the VS2000CD. The manual is big (441 pages) with an addendum that deals with the VGA monitor and mouse board. Just read them as you go along when you need them. I've been recording since the old Reel to Reel days. It's still the same, just easier with more tracks. Get the PDF copy of the manual and put it on your computer and then pull it up on the monitor while you're learning to use the VS2000. It's faster than fliping pages and you can cut copy and paste just the instructions that you need to refer back to quickly and put them in a file folder for easier access. Don't know who the guy was that gave the first bad review about it being plastic junk, but don't think he gave it a fair shot. Babies don't get up and walk immediately. It takes at least 9 months. Take some time learning this machine and it will serve you well. I do music for a living and this machine is doing the job for me. It's a joy to record with. As for the sound it produces, read my first sentence. Recording is an art that has to be learned.

Ease of Use:
Works like a champ for me.

Support:
Called them twice before I bought it, just to check. Got through and was talking to a real person within 3 minutes.

Overall:
Had my last stand alone multitrack (Fostex) for 10 years. If this one lasts, I'll probably keep it that long too.

Feature:
Well, on top of eveything else most of the Hard Disk Recorders have at this level, they've included PCM drums and vocal harmony capability, not to mention the vs 2000 cd's ability to use software plug-ins.

Quality:
All seem outstanding.

Value:
With PCM drums and vocal harmony capability, not to mention the vs 2000 cd's ability to use software plug-ins, the video capability, the 8 phantom-powered XLR inputs, I'd say you're getting excellent value!

Desirability:
I heard about it, sold my Korg D1600/40/cd immediately, and bought it right away.

Sound:
Excellent,even at 16 bits. I recorded my Tyros synthesizer, (128 voices) and could hear no difference between the recorded sound and the sound of the instrument through reference speakers.

Support:
I have two Roland guitar synths, a hex pickup, and an amplifier (VGA-7), and have had zero problems with any Roland product so far. (Four years.)

Overall:
It looks as if I'll love it for a long time to come. I would have liked an easier-to-digest manual, but I'm not as tch-savvy as I'd like to be. I think I have a long learning curve to get through, but maybe it's because the VS 2000 CD has so many features.

Feature:
Excellent mastering tools and great for simple minded people that would rather record something that sounds great instead of recording mediocre stuff and fixing it up later. Editing features are nice, not complicated at all.

Quality:
So far so good.

Value:
I paid a bit more than I should have, $2000 in 2004, saw them a year later for half of that. Yikes.

Desirability:
Ideal for simple minded recording facilities. Great for soundtrack work and basic rock stuff. Lots of toys in the vocal layering areas, stick to recording with mics and taking your time in the recording process. In the age of Cubase and Protools, I will still use my VS2000 anyday over that stuff.

Sound:
Sounds is incredible, plenty of effects but nothing very good in the way of vocal compressors, but they are there if you have the patience to tinker with the patches. Low-end is a bit tricky, as long as you record bass guitar or any bass with a mic it sounds great.

Ease of Use:
Very easy. Everything is basic and simple.

Support:
Had to call twice now and had someone call be cack each time within a week. Once left a long detailed message explaining how to fix the problem involving bit rates. Never got my "free" monitor and I had to pay extra for the 2.0.

Overall:
Been using it since 2004 and I haven't found anything that will make me stop.

Feature:
Everything the others do, plus vocal harmony, rhythm generator, and the options for third party plug-ins and VGA monitor and mouse. (Unfortunately, you must buy them separately.

Value:
I wish it were a bit cheaper, or the extras I mentioned above were free.

Desirability:
I traded in my Korg D1600 as soon as the vs2000cd came out!

Sound:
Excellent sound quality, no compression. I recorded a multitracked song digitally from a Yamaha Tyros. I couldn't hear any difference, playing them side-by-side. Perfect, and that was at the lower (CD) level.

Overall:
I expect to keep it for a long time, because, with the third-party software plug-ins, it'll never get outdated. It grows with you. And there are so many features...

Feature:
No accessories and those avalable, significantly, raised the end cost of the unit.

Quality:
Outside of the prevelence of plastic in most electronics today, the unit seems solid enough. I would not carry this on the road but neither did I carry my 840 EX or 880. I don't look upon these as "road intruments". I found nothing extremely disappointing in quality of construction.

Value:
Compared to other equipment offering similar features, I found the 2000 CD to be reasonably priced. I expect, like other electronic equipment, better units will be produced and prices will come down but that is the nature of the beast in this field.

Desirability:
Having purchased other Roland studios, I find that I am, with them, like I am with the computers I build. I always want the best, biggest, and fastest I can afford. I was fascinated with all the bells and whistles on this machine even though I fully realize that, at 65 years of age and something short of hi-tech, I will never learn to use all the features to do all that it will do.

Sound:
So far, I have no complaints and, I am sure my mixes will get better with time and understanding.

Support:
I am a little shocked at the negatives about Roland support. Although their web site is not very helpful, I have called them on several occasions over the years and "always" received prompt, personal attention and, with one exception, very knowledgeable tech support. They have never failed to respond quickly to any question and, in particular, personally followed up on my free monitor issue to be sure I received it.

Overall:
How long? See above (till the next, affordable better unit comes out). It is not likely I will wear it out. I didn't consider any others because of past experience with Roland. I would replace it if lost. After the ease of the easy routing systems in the VS-840 and 880, I wish I had known how much more complicated this unit would be to operate and that the manual leans so much toward the technical descriptions of functions without the "easy, walk through" manuals included with their less expensive units. It is almost overwhelming to a novice old man. Even the simplest processes seem more complicated on this unit but, with advice from Roland and my sound guy, I will prevail.

Feature:
There are 3 components sold seperately that should have been included. Effects and mouse monitor support

Quality:
Unknown

Value:
I think that other products that are cheaper and easier to use are more desireable.

Sound:
I wouldn't know what this product can do because I can make it function properly. I bought this item on the advice of my music store. When I got it home, I learned that an English manual is 50 dollars. (I live in Japan) whereas most companies have manuals free online. Roland doesn't even have an email address. I am very frustrated and feel I wasted 2000 bucks. Should have bought a better brand. I imagine that if one knows what they are doing with this machine, it might sound good. But I have no idea.

Support:
There is no way to contact Roland directly. Just keep getting sent to dealers.

Feature:
The problem is that it is so loaded with features and bells and whistles; that the they forgot to make a recorder that produces "decent" product. Better off buying seprate plugins and a multitrack that actually records.

Quality:
Its all plastic....what can be said.

Desirability:
Not in the least. This unit is being returned.

Sound:
The sound is compressed beyond belief and evrything sounds like a bad "pop star" song. Very cheesy and not professional at all.

Support:
Yup. Called them. Still waiting for a return call. Just check the Roland User group site. Read a couple of posts and you'll get the idea.

Overall:
This looks like a Roland rip-off toy that will be discontinued and go the way of Roland CDX1 Lab, discontinued after 2 years..