Regrets or Satisfied on your Roland VS?

[dpmac]

I'm seriously looking at buying the Roland VS-1880 with CD burner and effects card. Any concerns or better alternatives anyone cares to share. I'm a guitar & vox driven songwriter with multiple git/vox/bass tracks,some keys and the occasional drums. I'm stepping up from analog 4 track.

[Jon X]

I'm happy with the VS-880, once I was able to transfer all the editing tasks to the PC. Don't know a lot about the 1880, but knowing Roland, start looking for an alternative manual right now. There are several out there for the 880 and 1680 I know, as the official 880 and 1680 manuals are terrible. That's goes for the rest of the Roland manuals I've seen too. Like I said, I'm glad I bought the 880 (it was the only VS unit out at the time.), but I spent lots of time downloading and reading application guides and other non-Roland documents to learn how to use it. There are several software programs out there that let you control the VS units from the computer, and I'd recommend at least looking into this. I've heard good things about Datasonics software but I've never used it. For more dedicated VS recording info, you can check out www.vsplanet.com.

As for alternatives there's lots of PC recording options if you feel like you have a computer that can do the job. I'm sure others can post more alternatives, so I'll leave that to the people who know.

[DALtune]

I've just started with the 1880 and have no complaints so far. I have heard that Roland manuals gennerally suck, but the 1880 came with three manuals and I have been able to find all instructions that I've needed so far easily (maybe they've realized the others sucked!).
I stepped up from a Yamaha MD-8, and although it is a great machine, I can really tell the difference. I have one effects card installed and have been pretty happy with the results. At the very least, having all the options there in tandum with an outboard rack is worth it.
I wish I could share some mp3s but everytime I try to upload, it never finishes...something with the files being to long (stupid compuserve).

Using a digital mixer was a little wierd at first, I kind of went through knob withdrawl, but I've adapted pretty well.

[DALtune]

Did I mention it lights up pretty neat? I'm sure we all feel that the more a piece of equipment lights up, the more essential it is to have.

If that wasn't true, no one would ever spring for a rack tuner.

[monty]

Like Jon X says, get the Datasonics VSPro Toolbox and you will be doing a lot of things sooner and easier than if you rely solely on the 1880 interface.

[zetabass]

God bless my vs840! I miss her, For personal use / tracking and demo stuff that little monster saved my soul! Now I'm using a delta 1010 and alesis system my vs was swapped for the laptop I'm on now... The Vstudio was a great product IMHO....

[dpmac]

Thanks for all the valuable input. My money was burning a hole in my pocket so I went out and bought the VS 1880 with CD recorder, after reviewing your comments and doing more research. I checked into Datasonics VS Pro Toolbox too; probably something I'll add at some later date.