Software Upgrade Methods for the Roland VS-2480 Digital Studio Workstation.

The VS-2480 has an Operating System that is software-based. This OS software can be easily updated when new features are added to enhance the functions in the VS-2480. The OS software resides in the VS-2480 on Flash ROM IC Chips, and therefore the update procedure does not affect the data existing on its hard drive; the new OS remains within the VS-2480 even when the internal hard drive is removed and/or exchanged.

Updating the VS-2480 via CD.
The VS-2480 is the first Roland digital workstation that can be updated directly from an update CD when using a Roland CDR / CDRII / CD-Rack. This method is very fast and easy to perform. The Update CD is available from Roland Corporation US.

Procedure:
1. Connect the Roland CDR unit to the VS-2480 via the SCSI cable while the power is OFF on both devices.
2. On the rear panel of the CDR unit, change the SCSI ID number to “6”.
3. Turn ON the CDR unit, open the CD tray by pressing the Eject button and insert the Update CD into the tray and close the tray by pressing the Eject button once again.
4. Turn ON the VS-2480, and the update process will begin automatically. No user input is required.
5. The message “Do Reset Action” will appear in the LCD after the CD data load is complete.
6. Restart the VS-2480 by turning the power switch OFF, then ON again after 5 seconds.
7. The CD Update procedure is complete at this point. The software version will be displayed in the screen of the VS-2480 as it boots up.

Updating the VS-2480 via ZIP Disk. (An external SCSI ZIP drive is required.)
The VS-2480 can be easily updated from an Update ZIP disk available from Roland Corporation US. This method is also very fast and easy to perform.

Procedure:
1. Connect the SCSI ZIP drive to the VS-2480 via the SCSI cable while the power is OFF on both devices.
2. Verify that the Terminator switch on the rear of the ZIP drive is ON.
3. Turn power ON to the ZIP drive and insert the Update ZIP disk into the drive.
4. Turn on the VS-2480 and the update process will begin. An update message will appear. Press ENTER/YES.
5. Another message will appear asking if the User EZ Routing templates should be saved during the update process. Press ENTER/YES if the User EZ Routing settings in the VS-2480 need to be kept.
6. The update process will now continue automatically. After completion, the ZIP disk will be ejected.
7. Turn the power OFF on the VS-2480 and disconnect the ZIP drive. Turn ON the VS-2480.
8. The update procedure is now complete.

The ZIP update data can also be downloaded from www.rolandus.com and transferred to a ZIP disk via a PC (IBM-compatible) or Macintosh computer. The destination ZIP disk must be formatted from the VS-2480 before copying the downloaded ZIP update data to the disk. The ZIP update data is contained in two files named “Vs2480.prg” & “Vs2480p.prg”. Both of these files need to be copied to the VS-formatted ZIP disk prior to attempting the update procedure.

Updating the VS-2480 via Standard Midi Files.
The VS-2480 OS software can be updated from Standard Midi Files containing system exclusive data. This method uses a common file format that is both PC (IBM-compatible) and Macintosh compatible. An SMF sequencer/player (software) and Midi interface (hardware) is required to send the data via Midi. Many hardware (stand-alone) Midi sequencers are capable of reading the SMF file format and playing the update sys ex data into the VS-2480 via Midi.
NOTE: Hardware sequencers (such as the MC-80 or XP-50/60/80) are normally more reliable for transferring system exclusive MIDI data.

Procedure:
1. Connect the MIDI OUT port of the sequencer to the MIDI IN port of the VS-2480.
2. Hold down [STATUS] buttons 2 & 3 and [CH EDIT] button 5 above the white faders while powering on the VS-2480. The message “System Update?” will be displayed.
3. Press ENTER/YES. The message “Waiting MIDI-EX” will be displayed.
4. Load the Standard MIDI Files into your sequencer.
5. Play all Standard MIDI Files: “VS248000. MID” to “VS248031. MID” in order.
6. After all SMF’s have been played into the VS-2480, the message “Update SysPRG?” will be displayed. Press ENTER/YES.
7. The message “Please Reboot OK” will be displayed. The system software of the VS-2480 has now been updated.
8. Restart the VS-2480 (power off and then on again).

*NOTE: Software SMF player applications for both PC and Mac are available for download at
www.rolandus.com. We have tested these files with the following computer-based MIDI sequencing programs; Vision (Opcode), Performer (MOTU), Cubase (Steinberg/Jones), and Logic (Emagic). We were successful in updating the VS-2480. Several manufacturers have demo versions of their sequencer programs available on the internet that will work for this use.

***If you have problems with the update procedure check your MIDI/interface setup.***

**New Features**
Please view the files “AddFunc121e.pdf” & “VS2480-_v1210_Summ.pdf””–for information on the
new features added by this update.

If you have problems downloading these files, you can also order disks directly from Roland. Please call Customer Service at 323-890-3700 ext. 2289 and request one of the following:

ZIP Disk update – Part # XXXXX
SMF (PC) update – Part # XXXXX
SMF (Mac) update – Part # XXXXX
CD update – Part # XXXXX

(c)2001 Roland Corporation U.S. Updating the VS-2480 Operating System

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