If you read our NAMM Report in this issue, you know that Roland has introduced some significant enhancements to its existing VS-Series Multitracks, as well as unveiling a number of new instruments and modules. In this article, we’ll just be touching on a few of these items, but we will be back in upcoming issues with more — you can bet on that!

VS-SERIES DIGITAL STUDIO WORKSTATIONS. Let’s start with the VS upgrades. We don’t have to tell you that Roland’s VS line of multitrack recorders has pretty much taken the music market by storm, shipping more than 100,000 units in just over two and a half years — an unprecedented feat by any standard. Not content to simply keep shipping the same best-selling units, Roland has actually improved and enhanced all three.

With the release of the new VS-840EX Digital Studio Workstation ($1395 list), Roland’s most affordable VS-Series workstation gets some major new features, including ultra-powerful new effects, easier operation, a new guitar tuner, and two-and-a-half times its previous recording capacity using the new internal Zip 250 drive. This allows the VS-840EX to record up to 187 total track minutes at 44.1kHz, depending on recording mode — more than enough for the storage of several songs on each inexpensive Zip250 disk.

The VS-840EX also offers new onboard effects including Mic Simulation, Acoustic and Bass Guitar Simulation, and Bass Multi-Effects. It even has a dedicated guitar input with a new chromatic guitar/bass tuner built-in. And here’s great news for existing owners of VS-840s: The new “EX” features will all be available via convenient hardware/software upgrades (designated the VS-840-UP1) which can be installed by an authorized Roland Service Center (which Sweetwater is, of course).

There’s also the new VS-880EX ($2245 list) with a software upgrade (v. 2.0), which includes Roland’s revolutionary COSM Speaker Modeling technology, perfect for use with the company’s DS-90 Powered Monitors. COSM Speaker Modeling allows VS-880EX users to access a variety of sonic “models” of the world’s most popular studio reference monitors, from high-end active models to those “white-coned” studio standards, as well as simulations of TV/radio speakers and more. The user simply switches between these sonic models and sends the output from his workstation to the inputs of the DS-90’s. Using the digital connection, there’s no signal loss and, instead of having to switch between multiple pairs of monitors at mixdown, users can immediately hear how mixes sound on a variety of different “speakers.” The VS-880EX also includes a new “Mastering Tool Kit” algorithm which gets audio mixes ready for optimum CD recording via processing like multi-band compression.

The flagship VS-1680’s ($3195 list) new “V-Xpanded” software upgrade gives owners of that recorder 18-track capability, allowing mixdown of up to 16 tracks to two additional tracks for mastering — a capability which was not possible with the original VS-1680 (or any other recorder). To further its mastering capabilities, the VS-1680 now also includes the “Mastering Tool Kit” effects algorithm with split-frequency compression. In addition to other user interface improvements, the VS-1680’s upgrade also includes the new COSM Speaker Modeling for use with the DS-90s.

THE EG-101 GROOVE KEYBOARD. Let’s face it: For those that dig it, dance music is totally addictive. People want more of it — but they also want to hear new sounds that will move them in new ways. For most dance music composers, that’s Roland’s job. No other manufacturer offers so many cutting-edge dance-oriented products. Here’s a case in point: The new EG-101 Groove Keyboard ($995 list) an easy-to-use workstation with onboard sampling and radical live performance capabilities including the infrared light-sensing D-Beam controller.

This 49-note velocity sensitive keyboard’s ultra cool, retro synth styling hides the digital capabilities within, which include 448 dance-oriented sounds and 12 drum kits — the same sound set as the popular MC-303 Groovebox — as well as built-in chord recognition, and a full complement of 64 ready-to-use dance music styles, from techno to hip-hop, Latin, pop, and more. Existing styles can be easily modified in a number of ways, and up to 64 User styles can be created and stored.

An onboard phrase sampler with mic input and SP-202-style effects enables recording and looping of as many as 16 different samples, which can be triggered directly from the keyboard and tweaked using pitch shift, time stretch, ring modulation and filter effects. The auto sync capability allows the substitution of these samples for existing drum sounds, which can then be locked together with onboard styles and realtime phrase sequences. Getting a sense now of what this baby will do?

Of course, live performance is where the EG-101 truly shines. Three knobs give the user realtime control of filter sweeps and resonance effects, slick panning changes that sync to BPM, and reverb level and depth control. Hundreds of phrases can be triggered and combined via the Realtime Phrase Sequencer, while the onboard Arpeggiator produces scorching rhythmic patterns with just a single key or chord.

Particularly impressive to an audience is the futuristic infrared light-sensing D-Beam controller, which allows control of cutoff and resonance, tempo adjustment and more-all via a performer’s hand and body movements! Imagine what your performance might be like using this astounding technology. Designed with an eye toward stand-alone use, the EG-101’s 30-watt stereo amplification system features a two-way bass reflex design, providing superb bass-heavy sound. It can also be connected to any audio system or PA for earth-shaking bass.

MC-80 MICROCOMPOSER. For those who have lamented the passing of the dedicated sequencer, Roland is bringing it back in style as only they can with the MC-80 Microcomposer ($1295 list). The MC-80 is a dedicated MIDI sequencer offering realtime control and playback of sequences, enhanced audio resolution, and the portability, durability and easy setup necessary for today’s live performers and composers. The MC-80 is the base model, while the MC-80EX includes the high-octane VE-GSPro Voice Expansion Board.

For live performances, both models offer operational flexibility not found in dedicated MIDI sequencers until now. A Mark/Jump function allows song markers to be set and instantly accessed in real time, enabling, for instance, variations in song structure for solos and choruses. Solo/Mute, Music-Minus-One and Transpose functions allow the quick removal of any desired part, including the melody track for singing, and for global transposing of all MIDI data into any key. A number of functions such as Mark/Jump, Play/Stop, Punch In/Out, and Fade Out can be assigned to optional footswitches for hands-free operation — a great boon to live performers. And an intuitive control panel layout and a bright, high-definition LCD enable quick access to parameters, even in low light settings and on stage.

Composers will appreciate the inclusion of several of the Roland XP-Series' hottest features, including 16 Phrase tracks and a separate Tempo track, Time Signature track and Pattern track, Non-Stop recording functions, RPS Phrase Sequencing, Groove Quantize functions, the XP-80’s amazingly flexible Arpeggiator, Disk Quick Play capability, Microscope Editing, MMC and MTC compatibility, and two MIDI Outputs to control up to 32 MIDI Channels simultaneously.
Storage of onboard sequence and parameter settings is accommodated via a 120,000-note internal memory plus a floppy drive with a capacity of 118,000 notes per disk. Additional storage is available via an optional internal 2.5-inch IDE hard drive, an optional internal Zip drive, and an optional SCSI interface board is also available for connecting to external SCSI storage devices for unlimited data storage and backup.

Voice and sound expandability is available via the optional VE-GSPro Voice Expansion Board, offering 1,117 high-quality GS instrument tones ranging from grand pianos to classic TB-303 sounds, 42 full rhythm sets, 128 Preset Patches, and powerful effects processing capabilities. This configuration, also available as the MC-80EX model, presents a complete “all-in-one” sequencing and sound module solution.

Close your eyes. Visualize yourself up on stage with the MC-80 or MC-80EX. The audience, soaked in sweat, can’t stop moving. The rhythm is pounding wildly, the sounds screaming in the universal language: Dance! Dance! On that colorful note, we leave you with this simple message: Call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for additional information and super low pricing on all the incredible products from Roland.