2004: The VS-2480DVD

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2004: The VS-2480DVD

In January 2004, Roland announced its latest model in the 2480 series, the VS-2480DVD, shown in Figure 1.12.

Figure 1.12. Roland VS-2480 DVD Digital Studio Workstation

Highlights of the VS-2480DVD

The new VS-2480DVD was identical to the VS-2480CD, but now included is an internal DVD-RW drive instead of a CD-RW drive. The DVD-RW drive allowed users to burn up to 4.7GB of song data to a single DVD-R or DVD-RW disc. The VS-2480DVD also supported the new VS8F-3 Plug-in effects expansion board.

Software Upgrades

Like the VS-2480CD, the VS-2480DVD and the VS-2480 use the exact same operating system code. Since the introduction of the VS-2480DVD, there have been only minor operating system upgrades.

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Chapter 2. Overview of the VS Workstation Architecture

Each VS workstation is a stand-alone, all-in-one digital audio workstation (DAW). Consider a conventional multitrack recording studio. In its simplest form, that studio would have a mixing console, some sort of recording medium, effects processors, and a patch bay to connect inputs and outputs as necessary. The Roland VS workstations bundle all of these components (and more) into one physical workstation.

As you can see in Figure 2.1, the VS workstations pack a number of components into a single box. Let's take a more in-depth look at each of these components.

Figure 2.1. Anatomy of the VS workstation

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Input/Output

The VS workstations provide multiple input and output connections for connecting microphones, instruments, monitors , outboard processors, and more. Every VS workstation provides analog, digital, and peripheral connections.

Analog Connections

All VS workstations have a set of ¼" balanced TRS analog inputs. The VS-880 and the VSR-880 workstations also included a set of RCA analog inputs. All of the VS workstations that have 16 tracks or more include XLR inputs, a dedicated Hi-Z guitar ¼" input, and phantom power. Figure 2.2 shows the input section of the VS-2480. There is also a footswitch ¼" input jack on each VS workstation, which allows you to connect any standard momentary-type foot switch to control certain operations on the VS.

Figure 2.2. Analog inputs on the VS-2480CD workstation

All VS workstations contain various analog outputs, including main outputs, monitor outputs, headphone outputs, and auxiliary (AUX SEND) outputs.

Digital Connections

All VS workstations contain one or more digital input and output connectors. The VS-880 and the VS-2000CD contain S/PDIF digital coaxial connectors, while all other VS workstations include both S/PDIF digital coax and S/PDIF optical connectors. Figure 2.3 shows the digital connections available on the VS-2400, including Roland's R-BUS connector. R-BUS connectors can also be found on the VSR-880 and VS-2480 workstations. R-BUS can transmit and receive eight separate digital audio signals; it can also be used to send and receive MIDI, MMC, and MTC data.

Figure 2.3. Digital connections on the VS-2400CD workstation

Speaking of MIDI, each VS workstation also contains two standard MIDI connectors: IN and OUT/THRU. You can use these MIDI connectors to synchronize multiple VS workstations, synchronize the VS with external MIDI devices like keyboards and drum machines, and control certain functions of the VS workstation from an external device. Certain VS workstations also include a Word Clock input connector, allowing you to synchronize the VS to an external word clock source.

Peripheral Connections

Many of the VS workstations have SCSI connectors, allowing you to connect items such as external SCSI CD burners, external SCSI hard drives, and external SCSI ZIP drives . Some VS workstations have USB connectors, which can be used to transfer .WAV files between the VS and a computer. In addition, external keyboard, mouse, and VGA-display connectors can be found on certain VS workstations.

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