New Roland Products Longtime NAMM attendees know one thing: Roland typically releases more cool new products per square foot than just about any other exhibitor at the show, and this year was certainly no exception. Here are just a few of the highlights: VS-880 V-XPANDED: Already one of the industry's major success stories of the last year, the new VS-880's Version 2 software and a one gigabyte hard drive have really enhanced this already amazing unit. Now add an Auto Mixing Function that records and plays back mixing data for your song in real time, including full fader movements and all panning positions, full MIDI control over "scene change," and an insert for the master output so you can process the final output with an effect like compression. The Recorder Section now allows simultaneous playback of six tracks in MASTER MODE and offers a digital output with full copy protection. Additionally, there are over 20 powerful new and convenient features in the editing/sync sections to enhance control of your VS-880. But here's the mind-blowing part: Roland has now incorporated their revolutionary COSM technology right into this recorder. What does that mean? Well, you might, for example, record tracks using Roland's new DR-10 ($95) or DR-20 ($150) dynamic mics, then use the Mic Simulator function to make those tracks sound like they were recorded using an expensive large diaphragm studio mic (we can't mention names, but you can probably guess which one we mean). There are a number of mic emulations available (you can even control the perceived "distance" between the mic and sound source) plus other incredible algorithms like 19-band Vocoder, Hum Canceler, Lo-Fi Sound Processor, Space Chorus and many, many more. In all, there are 100 additional preset effect patches. If all this sounds incredible, wait until you hear the price: just $2695 list! Existing VS-880 owners can even upgrade their software for only $125. Wow! Since we're sure to run out of space if we spend too much time on any one product, let's move on to the new JP-8000 ($2295 list). This synth is a throwback to the company's glorious analog synths, combining lots of knobs and realtime controllers with vintage synth sounds provided via Analog Modeling Technology. A newly developed DSP oscillator offers seven unique algorithms: sawtooth, triangle and square waves, plus new waveforms like Super Saw, Triangle Mod and Feedback OSC. The unit produces 8-voice polyphony and has a 49-key (four octave) velocity sensitive keyboard. The new JV-2080 64-Voice Synth Module ($2095) is essentially a JV-1080 with four more expansion slots for a total of about 2,900 total patches or 128 megs of 16-bit linear format waveforms when fully expanded. For instance, Roland's new Bass and Drums Expansion Board ($475) which features samples from five of the world's most respected session musicians, like Marcus Miller and John Patitucci. If you don't own one of the company's expandable synths, you can still get these sounds in the M-BD1 Expansion Module ($695). You say you need classic B-3 sounds? Presenting the VK-7 Combo Organ ($2495 list) which emulates vintage organ tones via Roland's new Virtual Tone Wheel technology and features sophisticated rotary speaker simulation thanks to the company's COSM technology. There are even nine harmonic drawbars for realtime tonal manipulations, percussion stops, amp simulator plus a full set of onboard orchestral voices. Another COSM-based product emerged in the form of what the company calls "the future of percussion." Roland unveiled their V-Drums TD-10 module ($1895) which features over 600 drum and percussion sounds, plus 50 melodic instruments. Via COSM, you can actually model the drum head type, shell materials and size, plus select which mics are used to "record" the sound, their position and type of room ambience. These modeled drums can even be controlled (just like real drums) with brushes. A complete drum pad kit (PD-120/100 V-pads) to match the TD-10 will also be available - watch these pages. Also getting a lot of attention was the newest addition to the Roland Guitar Synth family, the GR-30 ($895) which features the world's fastest guitar triggering response, a staggering 384 onboard sounds, a new arpeggiator, polyphonic Harmonist and much more. Among the other products Roland showed was their next generation digital piano, the RD-600 ($2495) with 64-note polyphony, outstanding realism, improved hammer action and more. For complete information and your pricing on these and other incredible new Roland products, call your Sweetwater sales engineer today. Master Index | Sweet Notes Index | Home | Previous Page | Next Page