Roland VS840EX Digital Studio Workstation
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zZounds Gear Experts Say...
Self-contained 8-track digital recording workstation with built-in 250MB Zip drive. Enhanced EZ Routing function with new Quick Record mode. Enhanced Song Optimize functions and expanded SCSI options.
Overview
With the new VS840EX Digital Studio Workstation, Roland's most affordable VS-Series digital recording workstation gets some major new features. These enhancements include new effects, easier operation, a built-in guitar tuner, and 2.5 times the recording capacity per Zip disk, courtesy of a new internal Zip 250 drive. All these new features - including the powerful new drive - are also available to current VS840 owners through a convenient hardware/software upgrade.
Features
Self-contained 8-track digital recording workstation with built-in 250MB Zip drive
New! Zip 250 drive offers 2.5 times the digital recording capacity of previous model
New! COSM Mic Simulation, Acoustic and Bass Guitar Simulation, Bass Multi-Effects, plus studio reverb, delay, chorus, COSM guitar amps, and more
Chromatic guitar/bass tuner built-in
Enhanced EZ Routing function with new Quick Record mode
Enhanced Song Optimize functions and expanded SCSI options
New! "EX" features available to current VS840 owners via convenient VS840UP1 hardware/software upgrade
Roland's Most Affordable VS Workstation Becomes Even More Powerful
When Roland introduced the original VS840 Digital Studio Workstation last year, songwriters, guitarists, and home recordists the world over were amazed at how much digital recording power Roland had squeezed into a compact, super-affordable table-top workstation. Here was a genuine VS studio - capable of professional 8-track digital recording, digital mixing, editing, and… read more effects processing using low-cost, removable Zip disks - for a surprisingly affordable price. This year, with the enhanced VS-840EX model, Roland's most affordable workstation takes a big leap forward...
Expanded Recording Time
The VS840EX incorporates a new internal Zip250 drive to give users 2.5 times the recording time of the original VS840 on each 250MB disk. This translates into about 125 total track minutes in the default MT2 recording mode, and 187 and 257 total track minutes in LV1 and LV2 recording modes, respectively, per each Zip 250 disk. Additional time-increasing features include an enhanced Song Optimize function which automatically removes any erased sections of recorded phrases from the disk, instantly freeing up additional time for new recording data.
New Effects and Built-In Guitar Tuner
The effects section of the VS840EX not only includes all the great effects of the original VS840like reverbs, delays, chorus, multi-effects patches, and killer COSM guitar amp simulations - but now also offers even more effects choices, including: a Mic Simulator, which can turn the sound of an inexpensive, all-purpose dynamic mic into that of a mega-dollar studio condenser mic or a variety of esoteric dynamic mics; new guitar effects, including an Acoustic Guitar Simulator, a Bass Guitar Simulator, and bass multi-effects algorithms; and a new 10-band graphic EQ.
The VS840EX, which sports a dedicated guitar-level input, now even includes a helpful onboard chromatic guitar and bass tuner, eliminating the hassle of unplugging for tune-ups.
Enhanced SCSI Capabilities
While the original VS840 could back up projects to Zip drive using the optional VS4S1 SCSI Expansion Board, the new VS840EX can use this same board to back up to a variety of other SCSI equipped storage devices, including SCSI2-compatible hard drives. The VS4S1 is user-installable into the VS840EX, making connectivity that much easier.
Songs created on the VS840 and stored on a 100MB Zip disk cannot be edited directly by the VS840EX. However, users can connect a VS840EX with an optional SCSI expansion board to an external 100MB Zip drive or external hard drive, from which they can copy the original VS840 song to the VS840EX's internal Zip 250 drive, permitting full editing.
Additionally, the VS840EX permits Track Import/Export to and from a connected SCSI drive, in effect creating another storage area for tracks. The Track Import function even allows bringing in a track from another song (a vocal, for example), so long as the sample rate and recording mode used on both songs are the same. Archive Copy onto an external SCSI removable media drive with less disk capacity is now also possible. An Track Sheet function lets users know what's on every track at any given time.
Easier Operation
Taking the original VS840's intuitive operation to a new level, the VS840EX offers new EZ Routing features which allow routing parameter input via Channel Status buttons, a new "Quick Recording" mode which makes basic recording very simple by reducing the number of parameters, as well as the ability to switch between the Time and Bar display when specifying edit points. A new Sync Edit utility even helps users sync their acoustic tracks to MIDI.
Convenient Upgrade for Original VS840 Owners
Original VS840 owners wishing to upgrade to EX model features - including the new Zip 250 drive - can do so via the VS840UP1 hardware/software upgrade package available through an authorized Roland service center. read less
Features
Self-contained 8-track digital recording workstation with built-in 250MB Zip drive
New! Zip 250 drive offers 2.5 times the digital recording capacity of previous model
New! COSM Mic Simulation, Acoustic and Bass Guitar Simulation, Bass Multi-Effects, plus studio reverb, delay, chorus, COSM guitar amps, and more
Chromatic guitar/bass tuner built-in
Enhanced EZ Routing function with new Quick Record mode
Enhanced Song Optimize functions and expanded SCSI options
New! "EX" features available to current VS840 owners via convenient VS840UP1 hardware/software upgrade
Roland's Most Affordable VS Workstation Becomes Even More Powerful
When Roland introduced the original VS840 Digital Studio Workstation last year, songwriters, guitarists, and home recordists the world over were amazed at how much digital recording power Roland had squeezed into a compact, super-affordable table-top workstation. Here was a genuine VS studio - capable of professional 8-track digital recording, digital mixing, editing, and… read more effects processing using low-cost, removable Zip disks - for a surprisingly affordable price. This year, with the enhanced VS-840EX model, Roland's most affordable workstation takes a big leap forward...
Expanded Recording Time
The VS840EX incorporates a new internal Zip250 drive to give users 2.5 times the recording time of the original VS840 on each 250MB disk. This translates into about 125 total track minutes in the default MT2 recording mode, and 187 and 257 total track minutes in LV1 and LV2 recording modes, respectively, per each Zip 250 disk. Additional time-increasing features include an enhanced Song Optimize function which automatically removes any erased sections of recorded phrases from the disk, instantly freeing up additional time for new recording data.
New Effects and Built-In Guitar Tuner
The effects section of the VS840EX not only includes all the great effects of the original VS840like reverbs, delays, chorus, multi-effects patches, and killer COSM guitar amp simulations - but now also offers even more effects choices, including: a Mic Simulator, which can turn the sound of an inexpensive, all-purpose dynamic mic into that of a mega-dollar studio condenser mic or a variety of esoteric dynamic mics; new guitar effects, including an Acoustic Guitar Simulator, a Bass Guitar Simulator, and bass multi-effects algorithms; and a new 10-band graphic EQ.
The VS840EX, which sports a dedicated guitar-level input, now even includes a helpful onboard chromatic guitar and bass tuner, eliminating the hassle of unplugging for tune-ups.
Enhanced SCSI Capabilities
While the original VS840 could back up projects to Zip drive using the optional VS4S1 SCSI Expansion Board, the new VS840EX can use this same board to back up to a variety of other SCSI equipped storage devices, including SCSI2-compatible hard drives. The VS4S1 is user-installable into the VS840EX, making connectivity that much easier.
Songs created on the VS840 and stored on a 100MB Zip disk cannot be edited directly by the VS840EX. However, users can connect a VS840EX with an optional SCSI expansion board to an external 100MB Zip drive or external hard drive, from which they can copy the original VS840 song to the VS840EX's internal Zip 250 drive, permitting full editing.
Additionally, the VS840EX permits Track Import/Export to and from a connected SCSI drive, in effect creating another storage area for tracks. The Track Import function even allows bringing in a track from another song (a vocal, for example), so long as the sample rate and recording mode used on both songs are the same. Archive Copy onto an external SCSI removable media drive with less disk capacity is now also possible. An Track Sheet function lets users know what's on every track at any given time.
Easier Operation
Taking the original VS840's intuitive operation to a new level, the VS840EX offers new EZ Routing features which allow routing parameter input via Channel Status buttons, a new "Quick Recording" mode which makes basic recording very simple by reducing the number of parameters, as well as the ability to switch between the Time and Bar display when specifying edit points. A new Sync Edit utility even helps users sync their acoustic tracks to MIDI.
Convenient Upgrade for Original VS840 Owners
Original VS840 owners wishing to upgrade to EX model features - including the new Zip 250 drive - can do so via the VS840UP1 hardware/software upgrade package available through an authorized Roland service center. read less
Specs
Digital Recorder
Ý Number of Tracks: 64 (8 tracks x 8 V-tracks); 8 tracks max. simultaneous playback; 4 tracks max. simultaneous recording.
Ý Max. Usable Disk Capacity: 250 MB
Ý Recording Mode: Multitrack 1 (MT1), Multitrack 2 (MT2), Live 1 (LV1), Live 2 (LV2)
Ý Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz, 32.0 kHz, Sample rate can be adjusted between 24.05 kHz to 50.46 kHz by using vari-pitch function.
Ý Synchronization Master: MIDI Time Code, MIDI Machine Control, Song Position Pointer + MIDI Clock (SYNC Track Mode, Tempo Map)
Ý Slave MIDI Machine Control
Ý Interface for Storage Medium Internal 250MB Zip Drive
Digital Mixer
Ý Channel 8 (12 at Mixdown Mode)
Ý Equalizer 3-band EQ x 8
Common
Ý Signal Processing Internal: 24-bit (mixer section), AD Conversion: 20-bit 64 times oversampling,
Ý DA Conversion 20-bit 128 times oversampling
Ý Sample Rate 44.1 kHz, 32.0 kHz
Ý Frequency Response Sample Rate 44.1 kHz: 20 Hz to 21.0 kHz (+1/-1.5 dB) 32.0 kHz: 20 Hz to 15.5 kHz (+1/-1.5 dB)
Ý Total Harmonic Distortion 0.08 % or less (Input Sens = -10 dBu, 1 kHz at nominal output level, recording mode: MT1)
Ý Nominal Input Level - 50 to + 4 dBu
Ý Input Impedance INPUT 1 (Guitar(Hi-Z) type): 1 Mü, INPUT 1 to 4 (1/4 in. phone type): 20 kü, INPUT 3 to 4 (RCA type): 20 kü
Ý Nominal Output Level Monitor/AUX: -10 dBu, Master Out: -10 dBu
Ý Output Impedance Monitor/AUX: 1.6 kü, Master Out: 1.6 kü, Phones: 100 ü
Ý Recommended Load Impedance Monitor/AUX: 20kü or greater, Master Out: 20kü or greater, Phones: 8 to 50ü
Ý Residual Noise Level Monitor/AUX: -91 dBu or less, Master Out: -91 dBu or less (input terminated with 1 kü, Input Sens: +4 dBu, IHF-A, typ.)
Ý Effects Algorithms: 32, Preset Patches:250, User Patches: 200
Ý Display: 69 x 25 mm Custom backlit graphic LCD
Ý Connectors: Digital Outputs (S/PDIF Coaxial, Optical), Analog Inputs (1/4 in. x 5, RCA x 2), Monitor/AUX Outputs (RCA x 2), Master Outputs (RCA x 2), MIDI (IN, OUT), Phones (Stereo 1/4"), Footswitch
Ý Power Supply AC117V/230V/240V
Ý Power Consumption 20W
Ý Dimensions: 16-3/16 x 12-1/8 x 3-1/2 in.
Ý Weight: 9 lbs. 15 oz.
Ý Accessory: Demo Disk
Ý Options: VS4S1 VS840 SCSI Board for data backup on external Zip drive and hard drive.
Ý Number of Tracks: 64 (8 tracks x 8 V-tracks); 8 tracks max. simultaneous playback; 4 tracks max. simultaneous recording.
Ý Max. Usable Disk Capacity: 250 MB
Ý Recording Mode: Multitrack 1 (MT1), Multitrack 2 (MT2), Live 1 (LV1), Live 2 (LV2)
Ý Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz, 32.0 kHz, Sample rate can be adjusted between 24.05 kHz to 50.46 kHz by using vari-pitch function.
Ý Synchronization Master: MIDI Time Code, MIDI Machine Control, Song Position Pointer + MIDI Clock (SYNC Track Mode, Tempo Map)
Ý Slave MIDI Machine Control
Ý Interface for Storage Medium Internal 250MB Zip Drive
Digital Mixer
Ý Channel 8 (12 at Mixdown Mode)
Ý Equalizer 3-band EQ x 8
Common
Ý Signal Processing Internal: 24-bit (mixer section), AD Conversion: 20-bit 64 times oversampling,
Ý DA Conversion 20-bit 128 times oversampling
Ý Sample Rate 44.1 kHz, 32.0 kHz
Ý Frequency Response Sample Rate 44.1 kHz: 20 Hz to 21.0 kHz (+1/-1.5 dB) 32.0 kHz: 20 Hz to 15.5 kHz (+1/-1.5 dB)
Ý Total Harmonic Distortion 0.08 % or less (Input Sens = -10 dBu, 1 kHz at nominal output level, recording mode: MT1)
Ý Nominal Input Level - 50 to + 4 dBu
Ý Input Impedance INPUT 1 (Guitar(Hi-Z) type): 1 Mü, INPUT 1 to 4 (1/4 in. phone type): 20 kü, INPUT 3 to 4 (RCA type): 20 kü
Ý Nominal Output Level Monitor/AUX: -10 dBu, Master Out: -10 dBu
Ý Output Impedance Monitor/AUX: 1.6 kü, Master Out: 1.6 kü, Phones: 100 ü
Ý Recommended Load Impedance Monitor/AUX: 20kü or greater, Master Out: 20kü or greater, Phones: 8 to 50ü
Ý Residual Noise Level Monitor/AUX: -91 dBu or less, Master Out: -91 dBu or less (input terminated with 1 kü, Input Sens: +4 dBu, IHF-A, typ.)
Ý Effects Algorithms: 32, Preset Patches:250, User Patches: 200
Ý Display: 69 x 25 mm Custom backlit graphic LCD
Ý Connectors: Digital Outputs (S/PDIF Coaxial, Optical), Analog Inputs (1/4 in. x 5, RCA x 2), Monitor/AUX Outputs (RCA x 2), Master Outputs (RCA x 2), MIDI (IN, OUT), Phones (Stereo 1/4"), Footswitch
Ý Power Supply AC117V/230V/240V
Ý Power Consumption 20W
Ý Dimensions: 16-3/16 x 12-1/8 x 3-1/2 in.
Ý Weight: 9 lbs. 15 oz.
Ý Accessory: Demo Disk
Ý Options: VS4S1 VS840 SCSI Board for data backup on external Zip drive and hard drive.
No longer available at zZounds
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