| A few months after the announcement of the VS-1680, Roland announced the VS-880EX Digital Studio Workstation, shown in Figure 1.3. The VS-880EX was a replacement for the original VS-880, and it was built on the architecture of the VS-1680. The VS-880EX was an eight-track workstation and was an affordable solution for users who didn't need 16 tracks. Figure 1.3. Roland VS-880EX Digital Studio Workstation 
Highlights of the VS-880EX The VS-880EX implemented a number of features found on the VS-1680, including a backlit display, EZ Routing templates, and the ability to record eight simultaneous tracks. The VS-880EX also included the following features not found on the VS-880: -
Internal 2GB hard drive -
Six balanced analog inputs -
Optical S/PDIF digital I/O -
VS8F-2 effects board pre-installed -
20-bit A/D and D/A converters EX Marks the Spot There is often a good deal of confusion regarding the VS-880 V-Xpanded and the VS-880EX workstations. The term "expanded" gets incorrectly attached to both of these models. The V-Xpanded version of the VS-880 was really just a software upgrade, and it did indeed "expand" the functionality of the base VS-880. The VS-880EX was a completely new workstation and was physically different than the VS-880, both in terms of its appearance and its operating system. If you are in the market for one of the VS-880 series of workstations, beware of the "EX" terminology that is often used. Since the VS-880EX has more features than the V-Xpanded version of the VS-880, some sellers will incorrectly advertise the V-Xpanded workstation as an "EX" workstation. VS workstations are bought and sold on auction sites such as eBay every day. If you are looking at one of the VS-880 models, there are a couple of ways to make sure you are getting the one you want. The most obvious way is to look at the area where the actual model number is listed just above the display screen. There should also be a label on the bottom of the unit that shows the model number as well. Another way to check is to look at the digital connectors, as the VS-880EX has both digital coax and optical S/PDIF connectors. Also, the VS-880EX has six ¼" analog inputs on the back of the unit, whereas the VS-880 only has four. Finally, the effect expansion board is not removable on the VS-880EX, so if someone is selling one without an effects board, it's not a VS-880EX. |
Software Upgrades In 1999, Roland introduced the Version 2.0 operating system software upgrade for the VS-880EX. This upgrade allowed the VS-880EX to create audio CDs via an external SCSI CD writer. In addition, this upgrade included Roland's new "Mastering Tool Kit" effects algorithm, as well as new COSM Speaker Modeling for use with Roland's new DS-90 powered monitors . |
