T
the cool one
Banned
....(sigh)........ 
Gorty
New member
WELL??????????????????????????????????????????? 
Gorty
New member
Dumby said:
Who has got the lollies?
Dumby
Bummed Spammer
GortyBoss Hogg said:Who has got the lollies?
The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.
Gorty
New member
Dumby said:
He said you have all the lollies and you aren't sharing.
Gorty
New member
I did have some lollies but I eated them all!
true-eurt
Maneater
IT lives!!!! 
T
the cool one
Banned
IT will never die!!!
Dumby
Bummed Spammer
I will never die therefore...
Gorty
New member
Never say die!
Dumby
Bummed Spammer
I will always liveDumby said:
Gorty
New member
I see dead people, but I can't see Dumby???
T
the cool one
Banned
Okay, you people have have been goofing off too long. from now on this will be a serious thread devoted to the VS group of equipment. There will be surprise quizes and a final. Any grade less than c+ will be failing! Now get with it, you swine!!!
This lesson covers the 3 main series of VS Recorders, including 5 chapters dedicated to the recording, editing, and mixing on the VS-880/890 series. Hook (that's me ) authored the first 7 chapters of the book:
Chapter 1 - History of the VS Workstations
Chapter 2 - Overview of the VS Workstation Architecture (applies to all VS workstations - a must read!)
Chapter 3 - Introduction To The VS-880/890 Series
Chapter 4 - Basic Recording On The VS-880/890 Series
Chapter 5 - Editing On The VS-880/890 Series
Chapter 6 - Mixing On The VS-880/890 Series
Chapter 7 - Finishing Your Project on the VS-880/890 Series
This book provides many examples of using effects (during recording and mixing) and bouncing tracks, and also includes the details of a recording session complete with track sheets. From plugging in your inputs to creating your final audio CD, all steps are covered in detail.
Visit the VS-Planet Music Center to find out more information or to order your copy today!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click Here For Hook's VS880EX Information Page: Documents, Downloads, Manuals, etc.
These FAQ's are specific to the VS880EX, but many will apply to the other VS880 and VS890 machines. The information displayed on this page is from the Roland VS880EX manuals and from information provided by the members of the VS-Planet.
Due to size and space limitations on the VS-Planet, threads posted there are periodically rolled off and deleted. A number of the FAQs presented here make reference to specific threads on the VS-Planet. In order to save the information posted in these threads, I've created my own version of the thread in case the original thread gets deleted from the VS-Planet. If clicking on a hyperlink gives you a message that the thread could not be found on the VS-Planet, simply click on the "Hook's Copy" link on the FAQ. Note that when viewing "Hook's Copy", things such as "reply", "next message", "previous message", etc. will not work. Finally, the "Hook's Copy" of the thread is current as of March 5, 2003...so additional posts to any of the original threads won't show up in "Hook's Copy".
If you have any corrections or would like to add additional FAQs, please email them to hook@ps139.com.
Last updated on 11/04/2004.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If You Are Just Getting Started, Download And Print Out The Dan Barnes Manual
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manuals, Downloads, and Other Reference Materials Are On My VS-880EX Information Page
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Operating System
A1. Where can I download the latest OS?
A2. How do I check which OS my machine is running?
A3. What do I need in order to update my OS?
A4. Where can I find more info on "Operating System"?
B. CD Burners
B1. Which non-Roland burners work?
B2. If I have a Plextor, what do I need to know?
B3. What's the difference between a SCSI burner and a stand-alone audio CD burner?
B4. Where can I find more info on "CD Burners"?
C. Hard Drives
C1. How big of a hard drive can I have?
C2. How is the hard drive partitioned, and how do I change partitions?
C3. Can I initialize a single partition on my hard drive?
C4. Are there any differences between internal and external hard drives?
C5. Can I hook up an external SCSI drive to my VS and to my computer?
C6. Does Roland say what hard drives can be used with the VS?
C7. How do I install a new internal hard drive?
C8. Where can I find more info on "Hard Drives"?
D. SCSI
D1. What is the SCSI drive on the VS used for?
D2. Can I use my Parallel ZIP drive (or any other parallel drive) with the VS?
D3. Can I transfer tracks to my computer using SCSI?
D4. What are SCSI IDs and SCSI terminators?
D5. Where can I find more info on "SCSI"?
E. Mixer Modes - 3 Mixers in 1 Machine
E1. What is the "input" mixer?
E2. What is the "track" mixer?
E3. What is the "effect return" mixer?
E4. Got a picture of how this works?
E5. Where can I find more info on "Mixer Modes"?
F. Effects
F1. What are the different types of effects?
F2. What are the rules for determining whether an effect is an insert effect or a send/return effect?
F3. Can I change the Roland factory-preset effects?
F4. Are there limitations to using effects on the VS?
F5. What's the difference between PRE-FADER and POST-FADER?
F6. What's with the 4 different effect INSERT modes?
F7. What are the MTKs and how do I use them?
F8. What is the "soft-clip" option on the MTKs?
F9. How do I record "wet" and how do I bounce down with effects?
F10. What effects are included in the VS880EX?
F11. How do I setup my VS to use external effects?
F12. Where can I find more info on "Effects"?
G. MIDI and Computers
G1. Can I sync up 2 or more VS machines?
G2. Can I sync up a drum machine with a VS machine?
G3. Can I use computer software to control a VS machine?
G4. Is there software made specifically for the VS machines?
G5. Is there an easy way to get all my tracks out of a VS machine and into a computer?
G6. Can the VS machine export WAV files?
G7. How do I setup a Tempo Map (or multiple Tempo Maps)?
G8. Where can I find more info on "MIDI and Computers"?
H. Editing
H1. What is the "scrub" feature?
H2. How do I setup and use "Automix"?
H3. What is the "song optimize" feature?
H4. Can I copy part of a song to another song?
I. Recording
I1. Why are there different recording modes, and what are they?
I2. How many songs can I record on my VS?
I3. What are "V-Tracks" and why would I use them?
I4. I've used up all my tracks...how do I bounce down?
I5. 20-bit converters, 16-bit recording mode...what is this stuff, and why do I care?
Z. Miscellaneous
Z1. Do the VS machines have a "diagnostic mode"?
Z2. Can I get any manuals in Dutch?
Z3. Who is using the VS 880/890 series machines?
Z4. Is there a "Best Of" for tips and techniques
Z5. Got any good links that pertain to the VS or recording in general?
Z6. Should I turn off my VS when not in use or just leave it on?
Z7. Where can I hear music that people have recorded on their VS machines?
Z8. What is Roland's 800 number for Technical Support?
Z9. How do I use the 3-band EQ instead of the default 2-band EQ?
Z10. What are the differences between all the 880/890 models?
Operating System
A1. Where can I download the latest OS?
- Roland US website
- Roland UK website
Some users have reported that Roland's latest version, 2.014, seems to have problems with some SCSI devices. I'd recommend staying with version 2.013 if you use any SCSI devices (external hard drives, CD burners, ZIP drives), as some folks have reported that certain SCSI devices don't seem to work properly with version 2.014. The Roland UK site has version 2.013 available for download. In fact, the Roland UK site has every OS ever released, which is kind of cool. The Roland US site only has version 2.014 available for download.
A2. How do I check which OS my machine is running?
Hold down channel 1 [CH EDIT] and [SELECT] buttons while powering up. The version displayed in the lower left of the display during normal operating mode only shows 3 digits (i.e. 2.01), however the actual version is 4 digits (2.013).
A3. What do I need in order to update my OS?
If you have a SCSI ZIP drive, you can download the updates to your PC/MAC in ZIP DISK format or order a ZIP DISK from Roland. You can then hook up your SCSI ZIP drive to the VS in order to do the update.
If you don't have a SCSI ZIP drive, you'll need to download the updates in MIDI sound file format to your PC/MAC. You'll need a MIDI sequencer (software or hardware) that can load standard MIDI files and you'll need the appropriate MIDI cable.
If you don't have a computer, find someone who does. If you have a computer but don't think you have a MIDI port, the joystick port is also a MIDI port on most soundcards. If your computer doesn't have a MIDI port or a joystick port, find someone who does.
Complete instructions can be found in the VS-880EX Application Guide on pages 141-142.
A4. Where can I find more info on "Operating System"?
Search VS-Planet using keywords such as OS, upgrade, version, operating, joystick, MIDI, ZIP.
CD Burners
B1. Which non-Roland burners work?
All Plextor SCSI burners work. You may need to be on the latest Roland OS to use the latest Plextor burners.
B2. If I have a Plextor, what do I need to know?
If you are using an external Plextor burner, the PARITY and TERM dip-switches on the back of the unit should be set to ON. I personally have an old external Plextor CDR (not a re-writable model), model PX-R412Ce, and I needed to also set the BLOCK dip-switch to ON.
You can use an internal Plextor burner, you'll just need to house it in a SCSI case.
The external Plextors use a 50 pin, high density SCSI connector. The VS uses a 25-pin, low density SCSI connector. The best way to hook these up is to purchase a cable which has a DB25/SCSI-1 connector on one end, and a HPDB50/SCSI-2 connector on the other end. I have purchased a few cables from www.a2zcables.com They have worked well, and their prices are very reasonable.
If you are using an internal Plextor, the type of cable you'll need will depend on the connection on the SCSI case.
B3. What's the difference between a SCSI burner and a stand-alone audio CD burner?
Roland and/or Plextor SCSI burners allow you to do 3 things:
Backup song data. This is a proprietary data backup of song data from the VS internal hard drive. You cannot "play" a song from a backup CD.
Restore song data. You restore song data from a backup CD back to the VS internal hard drive.
Make an audio version of your song(s) playable on regular CD players. You will need to have your song(s) already mixed down to a final stereo 2-track pair, and that stereo 2-track pair must exist on the internal hard drive.
With a stand-alone audio CD burner, you cannot perform items 1 or 2 above. The only option available is item 3. However, the advantage of using a stand-alone audio CD burner is that you do not have to have our song(s) already mixed down to a final stereo 2-track pair. You can, in essence, "mix on the fly" across all available VS channels.
B4. Where can I find more info on "CD Burners"?
Search VS-Planet using keywords such as CDR, CDRW, CD-R, CD-RW, burner, backup, restore, recover, Tascam, Sony, Philips.
Hard Drives
C1. How big of a hard drive can I have?
The VS will only recognize up to 4GB per hard drive. You can have hard drives bigger than 4GB, but anything more than 4GB cannot be used. The VS890 and the VSR-880 will allow you to use a 10GB drive (10 partitions at 1GB each).
C2. How is the hard drive partitioned, and how do I change partitions?
When a hard drive gets formatted by the VS (via the "SYS Drive Init?" function in the SYSTEM menu), you get to choose if you want 500MB partitions or 1000MB partitions. The max amount of partitions you can have is 4, regardless of whether they are 500MB in size or 1000MB in size. (Note: the VS890 and the VSR-880 will allow up to 10 partitions)
So, if you had a 4GB drive, you should have 4 1000MB partitions. If you have a 1GB drive, you could either have 1 partition at 1000MB or 2 partitions at 500MB. Get the picture? If you had an "odd" sized drive, like a 1.2GB drive, then the last partition would end up being smaller than the rest (around 200MB in size).
To change partitions, press SYSTEM until you see "SYS Drive Select?". Press YES. Turn the jogwheel to select the partition you wish to use.
Internal hard drive partitions start with "IDE:", and will be listed as IDE:0 through IDE:3 (assuming you have 4 partitions). If you have an external SCSI drive, then those partitions will start with "SCx:" (where 'x' is the SCSI ID of the drive), and again will be listed as SCx:0 through SCx:3.
One Major Warning About Re-Initializing a Drive
If you ever re-initialize your internal hard drive, be aware that you are re-init'ing the entire drive, not just a single partition. Even though the prompts in the "SYS Drive Init" screen allow you to select a single partition, be aware that it will reformat the entire drive. Too many people have been burned by this, so I think it's worth mentioning every time we talk about partitions and drives.
C3. Can I initialize just a single partition on my hard drive?
No. If you initialize a hard drive, all data on that hard drive is erased.
C4. Are there any differences between internal and external hard drives?
Internal hard drives are IDE/EIDE drives. External drives are SCSI drives, and are normally housed in an external SCSI case. Certain VS functions, such as Song Backup, can only work with data on the internal drive. Songs can be copied between partitions of a single drive, and songs can be copied from one drive to another.
C5. Can I hook up an external SCSI drive to my VS and to my computer?
Yes, although the external drive cannot be hooked up to both at the same time. My good friend Des wrote a very detailed explanation right here. (Hook's Copy)
C6. Does Roland say what hard drives can be used with the VS?
Yes. Roland has created a "Compatible Media Guide" document (last updated in late 2001), but many Planeteers have used drives by vendors other than those listed in that document.
Planeteer "alpine_Richard" had success using a 10GB Fujitsu MHR-2010AT on his 880 V-Xpanded.
Planeteer "Loudmouth" had success using a 3.1GB Toshiba MK3003MAN.
Planeteer "FenderBender" had problems with a Toshiba MK4313MAP, which a PC store told him was the replacement drive for the Toshiba MK4309MAT.
My advice...if you go with an "non-Roland-supported" drive, make sure that you can return it if it doesn't work.
C7. How do I install a new internal hard drive?
Planeteer Steve Lorch documented it for the VS-1680, but the same procedures apply to the other VS models as well. (Hook's Copy)
C8. Where can I find more info on "Hard Drives"?
Search VS-Planet using keywords such as drive, external, harddrive, disk, SCSI.
SCSI
D1. What is the SCSI drive on the VS used for?
The SCSI drive on the VS can be used to hook up a SCSI CD burner, a SCSI hard drive, a SCSI ZIP drive, or other SCSI storage devices (ORB drive, MO drive, etc).
D2. Can I use my Parallel ZIP drive (or any other parallel drive) with the VS?
No. You risk serious danger to both the VS and the other device if you attempt to connect a parallel device to the VS SCSI port.
D3. Can I transfer my playable, audio tracks to my computer using SCSI?
No. The SCSI port on the VS never outputs audio data. Hooking up the SCSI port on the VS to a SCSI port on computer can cause serious damage to both the VS and the computer.
D4. What are SCSI IDs and SCSI terminators?
Multiple SCSI devices can be "chained" together, and each device in the SCSI chain needs to have it's own unique ID. The VS's internal computer is set to SCSI ID #7. Therefore, externally chained SCSI devices can have IDs ranging from 0 to 6. If you connect one or more external SCSI devices to the VS, the last chain in the device must be terminated.
D5. Where can I find more info on "SCSI"?
Search VS-Planet using keywords such as SCSI, devices, ID, terminator. Also, see the VS-880EX Application Guide on pages 136-139.
Mixer Modes - 3 Mixers in 1 Machine
E1. What is the "input" mixer?
To have the VS be in the "input" mixer mode, press the FADER [EDIT] button until it turns orange. The input mixer is where you assign your physical input devices (which plug into the back of the VS) to a recording channel/track. You can route input devices to multiple tracks. By default, physical input 1 is assigned to track 1, physical input 2 is assigned to track 2, etc. One or more physical input devices will be the source, and one or more tracks will be in the record condition, and these will be the destination tracks.
E2. What is the "track" mixer?
To have the VS be in the "track" mixer mode, press the FADER [EDIT] button until it turns green. The track mixer is where you can playback/listen to tracks that have already been recorded or are in the process of being recorded. The track mixer is also used when you want to mixdown or bounce tracks. When bouncing tracks, one or more tracks will be in the play condition (source tracks), and one or more tracks will be in the record condition (destination tracks).
E3. What is the "effect return" mixer?
To have the VS be in the "effect return" mixer mode, press the FADER [EDIT] button until it turns red. The effects return mixer does 2 functions: it allows you to route a "Stereo In" signal to a pair of tracks or to a buss, and it allows you to route the returned signal of a send/return effect (like reverb). When working with effects, the returned signal of a send/return effect is routed to the mix buss. If you are going to bounce one or more source tracks to one or more destination tracks, and you want the returned signal from the send/return effects recorded as well, you'll need to route the returned signal of the effect(s) to one or more destination tracks.
E4. Got a picture of how this works?
Here's a basic picture showing functions of each of the 3 mixer modes.
Also, here's a portion of a post I made on the Planet concerning the 3 mixer modes in relation to bouncing tracks. This person had the following tracks recorded: T1&T2 = Drums, T3 = Rhythm Gtr, T4 = Bass, T5 = Lead Vox, T6 = Acoustic Gtr, T7 = Back Vox, T8 = Lead Gtr. This person had never bounced tracks, so I took him through an example...
Let's start with the 3 mixer modes.
Input Mixer (fader/edit ORANGE)
This is the mixer mode you use when you want to tell the VS which physical input you want to assign to a track or set of tracks. When I say "physical input", I mean the six 1/4" jacks on the back of the VS, as well as the digital inputs. So, let's say you plug something (mic, guitar, etc) into jack number 1 on the back. In the input mixer, you assign that input (#1) to whichever track you want to record on. If you want to record that mic/guitar/whatever on track 7 for example, then you'd hold down track 7's STATUS button and then press track 1's SELECT button. By doing this, you are saying "on track 7, record whatever is coming into jack #1". Let's not worry about linking channels in this preliminary discussion.
In the Input Mixer, a rule of thumb is that you set all the track faders and the master fader to 0 (unity), and control the actual levels coming into the VS via the Input knobs above every track.
The main purpose of the Input Mixer is to set the levels of the tracks you are recording, and to assign those incoming signals to one or more tracks.
Track Mixer (fader/edit GREEN)
This is the mixer mode that controls the signals going to your main outputs. This mode controls the playback volume of tracks you've already recorded as well as tracks you are currently recording. It is also common that you will apply effects in this mixer mode (but you could also do it in the Input Mixer as well).
In the Track Mixer, you can route already recorded tracks to different tracks. This is the basic concept of bouncing down tracks, just like on an old 4-track. The procedure to route already recorded tracks to other tracks is just like the procedure for routing tracks in the Input Mixer.
So, let's do this for the tracks you already have recorded. Given your track layout, there are a variety of ways to bounce these down, but here's one way. Let's bounce down tracks 1 and 2 (drums), track 3 (rhythm gtr), and track 4 (bass). We'll bounce these down to tracks 7 & 8. Since you already have recorded material on track 7 and 8 (probably on V-track 1), we need to select V-track 2 on both tracks 7 and 8. To do this, you need to change track 7 & 8 to use V-track 2...these V-tracks must be selected before you begin bouncing down.
With me so far?
OK, now I'm guessing that your existing drum tracks are stereo drums on T1 and T2, and that you'd want T1 panned left and T2 panned right. In order to help with panning issues when bouncing down, you'll want to "channel link" the destination tracks (in this case, tracks 7 & 8). When you channel link your destination tracks, then the panning of each of the source tracks in the destination tracks is determined by the panning of that individual track during the bounce. Sounds more complex than it really is...so hang with me here.
OK, we've selected V-track 2 for tracks 7 and 8, and we've channel linked tracks 7 & 8. Now let's setup the bounce. Hold down track 7's STATUS button, and you'll notice that both track 7's and track 8's STATUS button lights up. That shows the tracks are linked. Now, while holding that STATUS button down, press the SELECT button on track 1, then track 2, then track 3, then track 4. Now let go.
What you've done is told the VS "whatever plays back on tracks 1, 2, 3, and 4, record those signals to tracks 7 and 8". Now back to the panning issue. However you pan tracks 1, 2, 3, and 4 is how they will show up on the destination pair of tracks. So, let's say you pan 1 hard left, 2 hard right, 3 is centered, and 4 is a bit to the right. After the bounce, that's where everything will be on tracks 7 & 8.
Still with me?
(Let's finish up the mixer modes before we talk about Track Exchange and Track Copy.)
Effects Mixer (fader/edit RED)
This is the mixer mode where you control how much of the internal effects is brought back (Effects Send Level). This is also the mixer mode where you "assign" the output of an effect to a track. This can be very confusing, and here's why.
Let's say you are playing back your 8 tracks in the Track Mixer. You want the acoustic guitar to have some reverb, so you assign Effect 1 to be a reverb. On the acoustic track (track 6), you'd find the Effect 1 parameter and set it to "PostFader". When you play the song, you'll hear the reverb.
The issue comes in when you bounce tracks. By default, the "output" of the effect (the "wet" signal) is sent to the master buss (the main outputs and the headphone outputs). If you want that effect to be part of the bounce, then you need to "assign" the output of the effect (the wet signal) to the destination tracks. This is the mixer mode where you'd do that.
from now on this will be a serious thread devoted to the VS group of equipment. There will be surprise quizes and a final. Any grade less than c+ will be failing! Now get with it, you swine!!! This lesson covers the 3 main series of VS Recorders, including 5 chapters dedicated to the recording, editing, and mixing on the VS-880/890 series. Hook (that's me ) authored the first 7 chapters of the book:
Chapter 1 - History of the VS Workstations
Chapter 2 - Overview of the VS Workstation Architecture (applies to all VS workstations - a must read!)
Chapter 3 - Introduction To The VS-880/890 Series
Chapter 4 - Basic Recording On The VS-880/890 Series
Chapter 5 - Editing On The VS-880/890 Series
Chapter 6 - Mixing On The VS-880/890 Series
Chapter 7 - Finishing Your Project on the VS-880/890 Series
This book provides many examples of using effects (during recording and mixing) and bouncing tracks, and also includes the details of a recording session complete with track sheets. From plugging in your inputs to creating your final audio CD, all steps are covered in detail.
Visit the VS-Planet Music Center to find out more information or to order your copy today!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click Here For Hook's VS880EX Information Page: Documents, Downloads, Manuals, etc.
These FAQ's are specific to the VS880EX, but many will apply to the other VS880 and VS890 machines. The information displayed on this page is from the Roland VS880EX manuals and from information provided by the members of the VS-Planet.
Due to size and space limitations on the VS-Planet, threads posted there are periodically rolled off and deleted. A number of the FAQs presented here make reference to specific threads on the VS-Planet. In order to save the information posted in these threads, I've created my own version of the thread in case the original thread gets deleted from the VS-Planet. If clicking on a hyperlink gives you a message that the thread could not be found on the VS-Planet, simply click on the "Hook's Copy" link on the FAQ. Note that when viewing "Hook's Copy", things such as "reply", "next message", "previous message", etc. will not work. Finally, the "Hook's Copy" of the thread is current as of March 5, 2003...so additional posts to any of the original threads won't show up in "Hook's Copy".
If you have any corrections or would like to add additional FAQs, please email them to hook@ps139.com.
Last updated on 11/04/2004.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If You Are Just Getting Started, Download And Print Out The Dan Barnes Manual
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manuals, Downloads, and Other Reference Materials Are On My VS-880EX Information Page
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Operating System
A1. Where can I download the latest OS?
A2. How do I check which OS my machine is running?
A3. What do I need in order to update my OS?
A4. Where can I find more info on "Operating System"?
B. CD Burners
B1. Which non-Roland burners work?
B2. If I have a Plextor, what do I need to know?
B3. What's the difference between a SCSI burner and a stand-alone audio CD burner?
B4. Where can I find more info on "CD Burners"?
C. Hard Drives
C1. How big of a hard drive can I have?
C2. How is the hard drive partitioned, and how do I change partitions?
C3. Can I initialize a single partition on my hard drive?
C4. Are there any differences between internal and external hard drives?
C5. Can I hook up an external SCSI drive to my VS and to my computer?
C6. Does Roland say what hard drives can be used with the VS?
C7. How do I install a new internal hard drive?
C8. Where can I find more info on "Hard Drives"?
D. SCSI
D1. What is the SCSI drive on the VS used for?
D2. Can I use my Parallel ZIP drive (or any other parallel drive) with the VS?
D3. Can I transfer tracks to my computer using SCSI?
D4. What are SCSI IDs and SCSI terminators?
D5. Where can I find more info on "SCSI"?
E. Mixer Modes - 3 Mixers in 1 Machine
E1. What is the "input" mixer?
E2. What is the "track" mixer?
E3. What is the "effect return" mixer?
E4. Got a picture of how this works?
E5. Where can I find more info on "Mixer Modes"?
F. Effects
F1. What are the different types of effects?
F2. What are the rules for determining whether an effect is an insert effect or a send/return effect?
F3. Can I change the Roland factory-preset effects?
F4. Are there limitations to using effects on the VS?
F5. What's the difference between PRE-FADER and POST-FADER?
F6. What's with the 4 different effect INSERT modes?
F7. What are the MTKs and how do I use them?
F8. What is the "soft-clip" option on the MTKs?
F9. How do I record "wet" and how do I bounce down with effects?
F10. What effects are included in the VS880EX?
F11. How do I setup my VS to use external effects?
F12. Where can I find more info on "Effects"?
G. MIDI and Computers
G1. Can I sync up 2 or more VS machines?
G2. Can I sync up a drum machine with a VS machine?
G3. Can I use computer software to control a VS machine?
G4. Is there software made specifically for the VS machines?
G5. Is there an easy way to get all my tracks out of a VS machine and into a computer?
G6. Can the VS machine export WAV files?
G7. How do I setup a Tempo Map (or multiple Tempo Maps)?
G8. Where can I find more info on "MIDI and Computers"?
H. Editing
H1. What is the "scrub" feature?
H2. How do I setup and use "Automix"?
H3. What is the "song optimize" feature?
H4. Can I copy part of a song to another song?
I. Recording
I1. Why are there different recording modes, and what are they?
I2. How many songs can I record on my VS?
I3. What are "V-Tracks" and why would I use them?
I4. I've used up all my tracks...how do I bounce down?
I5. 20-bit converters, 16-bit recording mode...what is this stuff, and why do I care?
Z. Miscellaneous
Z1. Do the VS machines have a "diagnostic mode"?
Z2. Can I get any manuals in Dutch?
Z3. Who is using the VS 880/890 series machines?
Z4. Is there a "Best Of" for tips and techniques
Z5. Got any good links that pertain to the VS or recording in general?
Z6. Should I turn off my VS when not in use or just leave it on?
Z7. Where can I hear music that people have recorded on their VS machines?
Z8. What is Roland's 800 number for Technical Support?
Z9. How do I use the 3-band EQ instead of the default 2-band EQ?
Z10. What are the differences between all the 880/890 models?
Operating System
A1. Where can I download the latest OS?
- Roland US website
- Roland UK website
Some users have reported that Roland's latest version, 2.014, seems to have problems with some SCSI devices. I'd recommend staying with version 2.013 if you use any SCSI devices (external hard drives, CD burners, ZIP drives), as some folks have reported that certain SCSI devices don't seem to work properly with version 2.014. The Roland UK site has version 2.013 available for download. In fact, the Roland UK site has every OS ever released, which is kind of cool. The Roland US site only has version 2.014 available for download.
A2. How do I check which OS my machine is running?
Hold down channel 1 [CH EDIT] and [SELECT] buttons while powering up. The version displayed in the lower left of the display during normal operating mode only shows 3 digits (i.e. 2.01), however the actual version is 4 digits (2.013).
A3. What do I need in order to update my OS?
If you have a SCSI ZIP drive, you can download the updates to your PC/MAC in ZIP DISK format or order a ZIP DISK from Roland. You can then hook up your SCSI ZIP drive to the VS in order to do the update.
If you don't have a SCSI ZIP drive, you'll need to download the updates in MIDI sound file format to your PC/MAC. You'll need a MIDI sequencer (software or hardware) that can load standard MIDI files and you'll need the appropriate MIDI cable.
If you don't have a computer, find someone who does. If you have a computer but don't think you have a MIDI port, the joystick port is also a MIDI port on most soundcards. If your computer doesn't have a MIDI port or a joystick port, find someone who does.
Complete instructions can be found in the VS-880EX Application Guide on pages 141-142.
A4. Where can I find more info on "Operating System"?
Search VS-Planet using keywords such as OS, upgrade, version, operating, joystick, MIDI, ZIP.
CD Burners
B1. Which non-Roland burners work?
All Plextor SCSI burners work. You may need to be on the latest Roland OS to use the latest Plextor burners.
B2. If I have a Plextor, what do I need to know?
If you are using an external Plextor burner, the PARITY and TERM dip-switches on the back of the unit should be set to ON. I personally have an old external Plextor CDR (not a re-writable model), model PX-R412Ce, and I needed to also set the BLOCK dip-switch to ON.
You can use an internal Plextor burner, you'll just need to house it in a SCSI case.
The external Plextors use a 50 pin, high density SCSI connector. The VS uses a 25-pin, low density SCSI connector. The best way to hook these up is to purchase a cable which has a DB25/SCSI-1 connector on one end, and a HPDB50/SCSI-2 connector on the other end. I have purchased a few cables from www.a2zcables.com They have worked well, and their prices are very reasonable.
If you are using an internal Plextor, the type of cable you'll need will depend on the connection on the SCSI case.
B3. What's the difference between a SCSI burner and a stand-alone audio CD burner?
Roland and/or Plextor SCSI burners allow you to do 3 things:
Backup song data. This is a proprietary data backup of song data from the VS internal hard drive. You cannot "play" a song from a backup CD.
Restore song data. You restore song data from a backup CD back to the VS internal hard drive.
Make an audio version of your song(s) playable on regular CD players. You will need to have your song(s) already mixed down to a final stereo 2-track pair, and that stereo 2-track pair must exist on the internal hard drive.
With a stand-alone audio CD burner, you cannot perform items 1 or 2 above. The only option available is item 3. However, the advantage of using a stand-alone audio CD burner is that you do not have to have our song(s) already mixed down to a final stereo 2-track pair. You can, in essence, "mix on the fly" across all available VS channels.
B4. Where can I find more info on "CD Burners"?
Search VS-Planet using keywords such as CDR, CDRW, CD-R, CD-RW, burner, backup, restore, recover, Tascam, Sony, Philips.
Hard Drives
C1. How big of a hard drive can I have?
The VS will only recognize up to 4GB per hard drive. You can have hard drives bigger than 4GB, but anything more than 4GB cannot be used. The VS890 and the VSR-880 will allow you to use a 10GB drive (10 partitions at 1GB each).
C2. How is the hard drive partitioned, and how do I change partitions?
When a hard drive gets formatted by the VS (via the "SYS Drive Init?" function in the SYSTEM menu), you get to choose if you want 500MB partitions or 1000MB partitions. The max amount of partitions you can have is 4, regardless of whether they are 500MB in size or 1000MB in size. (Note: the VS890 and the VSR-880 will allow up to 10 partitions)
So, if you had a 4GB drive, you should have 4 1000MB partitions. If you have a 1GB drive, you could either have 1 partition at 1000MB or 2 partitions at 500MB. Get the picture? If you had an "odd" sized drive, like a 1.2GB drive, then the last partition would end up being smaller than the rest (around 200MB in size).
To change partitions, press SYSTEM until you see "SYS Drive Select?". Press YES. Turn the jogwheel to select the partition you wish to use.
Internal hard drive partitions start with "IDE:", and will be listed as IDE:0 through IDE:3 (assuming you have 4 partitions). If you have an external SCSI drive, then those partitions will start with "SCx:" (where 'x' is the SCSI ID of the drive), and again will be listed as SCx:0 through SCx:3.
One Major Warning About Re-Initializing a Drive
If you ever re-initialize your internal hard drive, be aware that you are re-init'ing the entire drive, not just a single partition. Even though the prompts in the "SYS Drive Init" screen allow you to select a single partition, be aware that it will reformat the entire drive. Too many people have been burned by this, so I think it's worth mentioning every time we talk about partitions and drives.
C3. Can I initialize just a single partition on my hard drive?
No. If you initialize a hard drive, all data on that hard drive is erased.
C4. Are there any differences between internal and external hard drives?
Internal hard drives are IDE/EIDE drives. External drives are SCSI drives, and are normally housed in an external SCSI case. Certain VS functions, such as Song Backup, can only work with data on the internal drive. Songs can be copied between partitions of a single drive, and songs can be copied from one drive to another.
C5. Can I hook up an external SCSI drive to my VS and to my computer?
Yes, although the external drive cannot be hooked up to both at the same time. My good friend Des wrote a very detailed explanation right here. (Hook's Copy)
C6. Does Roland say what hard drives can be used with the VS?
Yes. Roland has created a "Compatible Media Guide" document (last updated in late 2001), but many Planeteers have used drives by vendors other than those listed in that document.
Planeteer "alpine_Richard" had success using a 10GB Fujitsu MHR-2010AT on his 880 V-Xpanded.
Planeteer "Loudmouth" had success using a 3.1GB Toshiba MK3003MAN.
Planeteer "FenderBender" had problems with a Toshiba MK4313MAP, which a PC store told him was the replacement drive for the Toshiba MK4309MAT.
My advice...if you go with an "non-Roland-supported" drive, make sure that you can return it if it doesn't work.
C7. How do I install a new internal hard drive?
Planeteer Steve Lorch documented it for the VS-1680, but the same procedures apply to the other VS models as well. (Hook's Copy)
C8. Where can I find more info on "Hard Drives"?
Search VS-Planet using keywords such as drive, external, harddrive, disk, SCSI.
SCSI
D1. What is the SCSI drive on the VS used for?
The SCSI drive on the VS can be used to hook up a SCSI CD burner, a SCSI hard drive, a SCSI ZIP drive, or other SCSI storage devices (ORB drive, MO drive, etc).
D2. Can I use my Parallel ZIP drive (or any other parallel drive) with the VS?
No. You risk serious danger to both the VS and the other device if you attempt to connect a parallel device to the VS SCSI port.
D3. Can I transfer my playable, audio tracks to my computer using SCSI?
No. The SCSI port on the VS never outputs audio data. Hooking up the SCSI port on the VS to a SCSI port on computer can cause serious damage to both the VS and the computer.
D4. What are SCSI IDs and SCSI terminators?
Multiple SCSI devices can be "chained" together, and each device in the SCSI chain needs to have it's own unique ID. The VS's internal computer is set to SCSI ID #7. Therefore, externally chained SCSI devices can have IDs ranging from 0 to 6. If you connect one or more external SCSI devices to the VS, the last chain in the device must be terminated.
D5. Where can I find more info on "SCSI"?
Search VS-Planet using keywords such as SCSI, devices, ID, terminator. Also, see the VS-880EX Application Guide on pages 136-139.
Mixer Modes - 3 Mixers in 1 Machine
E1. What is the "input" mixer?
To have the VS be in the "input" mixer mode, press the FADER [EDIT] button until it turns orange. The input mixer is where you assign your physical input devices (which plug into the back of the VS) to a recording channel/track. You can route input devices to multiple tracks. By default, physical input 1 is assigned to track 1, physical input 2 is assigned to track 2, etc. One or more physical input devices will be the source, and one or more tracks will be in the record condition, and these will be the destination tracks.
E2. What is the "track" mixer?
To have the VS be in the "track" mixer mode, press the FADER [EDIT] button until it turns green. The track mixer is where you can playback/listen to tracks that have already been recorded or are in the process of being recorded. The track mixer is also used when you want to mixdown or bounce tracks. When bouncing tracks, one or more tracks will be in the play condition (source tracks), and one or more tracks will be in the record condition (destination tracks).
E3. What is the "effect return" mixer?
To have the VS be in the "effect return" mixer mode, press the FADER [EDIT] button until it turns red. The effects return mixer does 2 functions: it allows you to route a "Stereo In" signal to a pair of tracks or to a buss, and it allows you to route the returned signal of a send/return effect (like reverb). When working with effects, the returned signal of a send/return effect is routed to the mix buss. If you are going to bounce one or more source tracks to one or more destination tracks, and you want the returned signal from the send/return effects recorded as well, you'll need to route the returned signal of the effect(s) to one or more destination tracks.
E4. Got a picture of how this works?
Here's a basic picture showing functions of each of the 3 mixer modes.
Also, here's a portion of a post I made on the Planet concerning the 3 mixer modes in relation to bouncing tracks. This person had the following tracks recorded: T1&T2 = Drums, T3 = Rhythm Gtr, T4 = Bass, T5 = Lead Vox, T6 = Acoustic Gtr, T7 = Back Vox, T8 = Lead Gtr. This person had never bounced tracks, so I took him through an example...
Let's start with the 3 mixer modes.
Input Mixer (fader/edit ORANGE)
This is the mixer mode you use when you want to tell the VS which physical input you want to assign to a track or set of tracks. When I say "physical input", I mean the six 1/4" jacks on the back of the VS, as well as the digital inputs. So, let's say you plug something (mic, guitar, etc) into jack number 1 on the back. In the input mixer, you assign that input (#1) to whichever track you want to record on. If you want to record that mic/guitar/whatever on track 7 for example, then you'd hold down track 7's STATUS button and then press track 1's SELECT button. By doing this, you are saying "on track 7, record whatever is coming into jack #1". Let's not worry about linking channels in this preliminary discussion.
In the Input Mixer, a rule of thumb is that you set all the track faders and the master fader to 0 (unity), and control the actual levels coming into the VS via the Input knobs above every track.
The main purpose of the Input Mixer is to set the levels of the tracks you are recording, and to assign those incoming signals to one or more tracks.
Track Mixer (fader/edit GREEN)
This is the mixer mode that controls the signals going to your main outputs. This mode controls the playback volume of tracks you've already recorded as well as tracks you are currently recording. It is also common that you will apply effects in this mixer mode (but you could also do it in the Input Mixer as well).
In the Track Mixer, you can route already recorded tracks to different tracks. This is the basic concept of bouncing down tracks, just like on an old 4-track. The procedure to route already recorded tracks to other tracks is just like the procedure for routing tracks in the Input Mixer.
So, let's do this for the tracks you already have recorded. Given your track layout, there are a variety of ways to bounce these down, but here's one way. Let's bounce down tracks 1 and 2 (drums), track 3 (rhythm gtr), and track 4 (bass). We'll bounce these down to tracks 7 & 8. Since you already have recorded material on track 7 and 8 (probably on V-track 1), we need to select V-track 2 on both tracks 7 and 8. To do this, you need to change track 7 & 8 to use V-track 2...these V-tracks must be selected before you begin bouncing down.
With me so far?
OK, now I'm guessing that your existing drum tracks are stereo drums on T1 and T2, and that you'd want T1 panned left and T2 panned right. In order to help with panning issues when bouncing down, you'll want to "channel link" the destination tracks (in this case, tracks 7 & 8). When you channel link your destination tracks, then the panning of each of the source tracks in the destination tracks is determined by the panning of that individual track during the bounce. Sounds more complex than it really is...so hang with me here.
OK, we've selected V-track 2 for tracks 7 and 8, and we've channel linked tracks 7 & 8. Now let's setup the bounce. Hold down track 7's STATUS button, and you'll notice that both track 7's and track 8's STATUS button lights up. That shows the tracks are linked. Now, while holding that STATUS button down, press the SELECT button on track 1, then track 2, then track 3, then track 4. Now let go.
What you've done is told the VS "whatever plays back on tracks 1, 2, 3, and 4, record those signals to tracks 7 and 8". Now back to the panning issue. However you pan tracks 1, 2, 3, and 4 is how they will show up on the destination pair of tracks. So, let's say you pan 1 hard left, 2 hard right, 3 is centered, and 4 is a bit to the right. After the bounce, that's where everything will be on tracks 7 & 8.
Still with me?
(Let's finish up the mixer modes before we talk about Track Exchange and Track Copy.)
Effects Mixer (fader/edit RED)
This is the mixer mode where you control how much of the internal effects is brought back (Effects Send Level). This is also the mixer mode where you "assign" the output of an effect to a track. This can be very confusing, and here's why.
Let's say you are playing back your 8 tracks in the Track Mixer. You want the acoustic guitar to have some reverb, so you assign Effect 1 to be a reverb. On the acoustic track (track 6), you'd find the Effect 1 parameter and set it to "PostFader". When you play the song, you'll hear the reverb.
The issue comes in when you bounce tracks. By default, the "output" of the effect (the "wet" signal) is sent to the master buss (the main outputs and the headphone outputs). If you want that effect to be part of the bounce, then you need to "assign" the output of the effect (the wet signal) to the destination tracks. This is the mixer mode where you'd do that.
Gorty
New member
VS SUCK ZOOBIES!
T
the cool one
Banned
Okay young man...DETENTION FOR YOU!!! Report to the principals office immediately after class!Gorty said:VS SUCK ZOOBIES!
Gorty
New member
Starzz said:Okay young man...DETENTION FOR YOU!!! Report to the principals office immediately after class!
You can't make me!
Gorty
New member
I see I might have to come in here and bang some heads together. 
T
the cool one
Banned
...................Boss Hogg said:I see I might have to come in here and bang someone and give them some head.
Gorty
New member
Starzz said:...................
T
the cool one
Banned
What the!!!?Gorty said:
Get your ass to detention young man!!!