While a complete rundown of all the available multitracks would take a huge amount of space, let’s focus on the two latest offerings from Roland and Yamaha, two companies that have a solid history of producing winners with just about every product they release.

Starting alphabetically, we have the Roland VS-1880 Digital Studio Workstation ($2795 list — actually lower than the list price of the VS-1680), which the company describes as “the most feature-packed integrated hard disk recording studio in the company’s history.” And you’d be hard-pressed to argue that fact. As the successor to the enormously popular VS-1680, this new V-Studio adds two extra tracks for a total of 18 (more on that in a minute), a 28-channel digital mixer, plus the same great features the VS-1680 became famous for, all in a cool, black tabletop unit that looks as futuristic as its features.

The VS-1880’s hardware improvements include fully redesigned precision 24-bit A/D and D/A converters which allow users to take full advantage of its 24-bit MT Pro recording mode (the 1680 could record in 24-bit mode, but alas, its converters were 20-bit, though the unit still had great audio). The VS-1880 can also record in a new Audio CD Image format, allowing quick and repeatable CD-burning through the use of a new dedicated CD-RW Mastering function. Essentially, this means users no longer have to wait while an image file is built each time they wish to burn a CD. What’s more, the CD-RW button is located right on the front panel, eliminating the wasted time spent searching through layered menus.

While the V-Xpanded software effectively increased the number of recording tracks on the VS-1680 to 18, two of these tracks were limited to use as a stereo mastering deck. The new VS-1880, however, offers 18 discrete tracks of recording and playback. And now any of the 18 tracks can be used for mastering purposes, giving users increased flexibility and recording space.

Sharing much in common with its predecessor, the VS-1880’s other impressive specifications include 8-track simultaneous recording, 18-track playback, 288 “virtual” tracks for recording multiple ideas and arrangements and totally non-destructive digital audio editing (including cut, copy, exchange, move, etc.). In addition, you get powerful, time-saving dynamic automated digital mixing including effects and EQ. Two optional multi-effects boards (VS8F-2) offering four independent stereo effects processors, including reverb, delay, compression, chorus and COSM Microphone / Guitar Amp models are available.

The exclusive Mastering Tool Kit provides everything you need for professional quality CD mastering, including split-frequency compression, full parametric equalization, extensive dynamics control and convenient preset mastering templates, all cleanly integrated into the V-Studio recording environment. Roland’s critically-acclaimed COSM Speaker Modeling is also available for creating polished-sounding mixes that translate over a variety of listening environments. Yup, this is one serious digital workstation!

Connections to the VS-1880 include ten 24-bit audio inputs: Two balanced XLR inputs with full phantom power (very important), six balanced 1/4” inputs, and one stereo digital input (optical / coaxial). There are 12 audio outputs: Eight 24-bit RCA-type outputs (Master L/R, Aux A L/R, Aux B L/R, Monitor L/R), and two stereo digital outputs (optical and coaxial), plus (of course) a headphone output for those late-night sessions. The 1880 also includes a SCSI interface and MIDI In and Out/Thru ports.

All VS-1880s come bundled with Emagic’s Logic VS and Liquid Audio’s Liquifier Pro software, giving users an easy way to view and edit all of their audio files on either a Mac or PC alongside MIDI sequences, plus publishing software for the Internet.

Add all these features to the fact that Roland pretty much pioneered the modular digital workstation way back when they first introduced the VS-880 and you know that the VS-1880 is going to be a runaway best-seller.

For those who are fans of Yamaha equipment (and who isn’t), the company plans to start shipping their new breakthrough AW4416 16-track Digital Recording System ($3599 list) later this summer (maybe by the time you read this). The AW4416 includes mixing, automation, sampling, mastering capabilities and more. Combining powerful technological innovations from its greatest products into one unique unit, this amazing unit records up to 16 tracks of true 24-bit digital audio and includes motorized faders with automation and snapshot capability, phrase sampling and DSP features, and much more.

According to Yamaha, the AW4416 brings the “all-in-one” concept to life with a level of quality, ease of use, number of on-board features and expandability options previously unavailable at any price point.

The AW4416 offers multiple storage options, including an internal hard drive and CD recorder, as well as a SCSI interface for data backup to an external drive. As a digital mixer, the AW4416 contains full 32-bit DSP capabilities (it’s pretty much like having a Yamaha 02R tucked right inside), 44 fully-automated audio inputs (16 of which are from the internal hard drive), 17 60mm motorized faders, four fader and mute groups, eight bus and eight aux sends plus stereo, and stereo cue busses. All 44 inputs, including eight analog and 16 digital inputs via optional interface cards, contain digital attenuators, 4-band full parametric EQ, and direct out assignment.

The rear panel contains eight 24-bit mic / line inputs, two of which are XLR with +48V phantom power and inserts, plus a high impedance input that will accept a guitar or other instrument, directly. Memory areas include scene, channel, EQ, dynamics and effects. An inclusive 16-track recording system, complete with sampling, editing and mastering capabilities, retains true 24-bit, 48 kHz resolution (with a dynamic range of 105dB) without compression of any type. Two 32-bit on-board effects (including Yamaha’s lush, legendary reverb, as well as some very cool, specialized guitar effects like distortion and amp simulation) may be routed to any bus or input channel directly, or re-routed during recording to create layered effects.

Two rear-mounted card slots allow any or all of the 16 tracks, inputs and assigned busses to be output in digital form for further processing or for transfer to external digital devices. These slots will also support future products from Yamaha and third party developers. A FlashROM operating system enables software upgrades to be loaded from CD or right off the Internet.

The AW4416 even offers an optional CD-RW drive, which enables mastering as well as loading and / or backing up data. This drive can be installed in a front-mounted port for easy accessibility. The recorder can write both Disc at Once and Track at Once.

The AW4416 has dedicated control knobs for PAN and EQ adjustment. When you start moving — Continued from Page 2 moving these knobs, the unit displays the corresponding edit window automatically. This is called the "Auto Display" function. Using this function, you don’t have to change the display manually every time you wish to edit the settings, a real time saver.

Another awesome feature you won’t find anywhere else on a recorder like this is its 16-bit sampling capability. You can record phrases from hard disk, CD or computer, and then assign them to any of the eight dual-level trigger pads. Just think of the creative possibilities of this feature.

Since the AW4416 isn’t shipping as we write this, you can bet there will be additional features added before these machines hit our warehouse. But one thing is for sure: You know that the sound quality will be right up there with the very best machines available — after all, this is a Yamaha!

So what’s the bottom line here? Do you go for a Roland VS-1880 or spring for the new Yamaha AW4416. Geez, we wish we all had to make such decisions. You know that whatever unit you choose, you’re going to get fantastic sound quality. What will probably end up making the difference is the price ($2795 vs. $3599) and features. The VS-1880 probably has a slight edge in its processing capabilities thanks to the VS8F-2 Effect Expansion Boards, while the AW4416 can be equipped with an onboard CD burner. Of course, the 1880 has those two additional tracks, but the AW4416 includes the dual-level sampling pads. Tough call.

Here’s our suggestion: Pick up the phone and call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer. Ask their advice. Once they get a feel for exactly what your needs (and budget) are, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction, as well as giving you a super low Sweetwater price on either of these incredible 24-bit digital multitracks.