TAPE: Total time per each track = 30 minutes
TRUE RANDOM ACCESS DISK RECORDING: Total time per track is variable
Track 1: 60 minutes Total track minutes used here: 97 minutes No track minutes (disk space) used for: Looping, Copying or using the same material more than once. Track 2: 10 minutes Track 4: 12 Minutes Track 3: 15 Minutes

Pointer Based Editing

When you record sounds into the VS-880, they are stored on the hard drive. Once on the drive, the original recording is never changed. All of the editing, copying and moving of the sound is actually just moving and copying pointers to the original sound. These pointers indicate when to start and stop playing all or part of the original recording. The advantage to this way of working is that copying or moving or erasing part of a track is only changing these pointers. Pointers take up virtually no disk space, and the VS-880 can write or change pointers instantly. That allows you to copy all 8 tracks of a song instantly to another location without using additional disk space. The original audio is never changed.
Summary of VS-880 Terminology
You might want to review the following summary of specific VS-880 terminology. Even though you will not need to memorize all these items, it will be extremely helpful to at least be exposed to the terminology before you encounter it in context throughout all VS-880 Manuals. A more extensive glossary of terms is included at the end of the Appendix section of this manual and will serve to familiarize you with many of the general terms used in audio recording. Auto Punch The ability for the VS-880 to Punch Into and Out of Record automatically based on locations that you specify. Aux Send An auxiliary signal path normally used to route the signal from a recorded track to an internal or external effects processor device. (Reverb, EQ, delay, etc.) Cancel To stop in the middle of a command. To instruct the VS-880, No, I dont want to do that. CH Edit The button used to select a channel or track for editing. Channel Link To link two channels together so they respond as a stereo pair. Clear To erase or remove. e.g. To clear a locator point. Cursor The line, blinking area, or highlighted box that indicates your current location within a screen display or menu. Also refers to actual buttons on the VS-880 front panel. DAT Backup The ability to store your completed song on an audio DAT tape as a backup in case something goes wrong with your hard disk. Dat Recover The ability to recall your completed song from an audio DAT tape and load it into your VS-880 so it can be played, re-edited, added to, etc. Digital In The VS-880 input that will accept a digital signal such as a DAT or CD.
Digital Out The VS-880 output that will send a digital signal from the VS-880 to some other external digital device. Display The LCD screen located in the top of the right hand section of the VS-880. Used to display important information to the user such as information about the present recording, edit commands, and song position. Pre Level The audio signal level before it enters the front panel fader control. Fader movement will not affect the signal level. Post Level The audio signal level after it exits the front panel fader. Fader movement will affect the signal level. Play List The play list is the complete set of instructions built by you during editing to tell the VS-880 what tracks and recordings to play and when to play them. Fader/Pan The fader is the linear volume control for each channel on the front panel. The pan control is a rotary knob used to position a mono audio signal within a two channel stereo field. Amp Profile The amplitude profile is a visual representation of the audio signal presented as vertical bars in the LCD display. Edit Any change made to an original recording. For Example, if a small section is erased from the original recording, that is an edit. Copying one section of a song to another part is an edit. Effect 1 & 2 Effects are sound modifiers applied to an audio signal to change the sound in some way. For example, digital reverb is an effect. Changing the relative balance of treble and bass with an equalizer is an effect. Effect 1 & 2 may refer to internal effects using the optional VS8F-1 or external effects. Enter The same as YES or OK. EQ High High frequency equalization boosts or lowers the perceived loudness of treble (high) frequencies. The VS-880 High EQ can affect frequencies from 500 Hz to 18 kHz.

The VS-880 Mixer

As you can see from the front panel, the VS-880 provides 8 channel mixing faders. However, unlike a conventional analog mixer where every fader is hard-wired to perform a specific function, the VS-880 digital mixer is virtual (assignable) meaning that you can change the function of the buttons and faders by selecting a different mixer mode. Each mode is designed for different configurations and exhibits unique functions which provide the VS-880 digital mixer a high degree of flexibility.
20 VS-880 Application Guide
The two master Mixer Modes are Input>Track and Input Mix / Track Mix:

Selecting Mixer Modes

When you power-on the VS-880, INPUT>TRACK mode is selected automatically. The other two mixer modes can be entered by holding the [SHIFT] button and pressing the [SELECT] button. The orange LED next to INPUT MIX will illuminate indicating that it is selected. Switching between INPUT MIX and TRACK MIX is accomplished by pressing only the [SELECT] button. These two modes work in tandem with each other as described below. Refer to the following mixer mode diagrams to familiarize yourself with the signal path in each mode. The audio flows in the direction of the arrow.

INPUT>TRACK Mode

The [Input/Buss] function (CH EDIT button 1) is used to route the Input signal (rear panel of the VS-880) to the desired recording Track (1 8). Any Input (1 - 6) can be assigned to record to any Track (1 - 8). In other words, Input 2 could be assigned to record on Track 5. That Track is automatically routed to its corresponding mixer channel (Track 1 > Mixer channel 1, Track 2 > Mixer channel 2, etc.) for playback. Therefore, if were recording a signal that is coming in from Input 2 and were recording it onto Track 5, the channel 5 fader will be the fader you use to adjust playback volume. When the INPUT>TRACK mode is selected, you have the choice of recording with or without effects and EQ. This is chosen for individual channels with the Channel Edit function EQ/EffPreIns.
Recording Without Effects in INPUT>TRACK Mode
INPUT>TRACK mode with the Channel Edit function EQ/EffPreIns set to OFF routs the rear panel Inputs directly to a recording Track bypassing the mixer (faders, pan knobs, EQ, etc.) entirely. Notice how the signal goes directly from the Inputs to the Recorder Tracks. The Mixer, in this mode, is used mainly for adjusting the EQ, level and pan position for playback of the recorded Tracks. Even though you will hear the changes you make to the EQ, effects, panning, etc. while you are recording, these changes will not be recorded to the disk tracks since they all occur after the tracks have been recorded.

TRACK MIX

The other half of this mixer mode is TRACK MIX. To adjust playback levels of Tracks you have already recorded, switch to TRACK MIX mode. Use the [SELECT] button to switch back and forth (toggle) between INPUT MIX and TRACK MIX mode. You are essentially accessing two different mixers with the same set of physical controls (sliders, knobs, buttons, etc.)
The audio recorded on the Tracks, after the EQ, Fader, and Pan, can be routed to the MIX buss for monitoring, or to any of the record busses. Routing the Track(s) to a record buss is a simple way to merge Tracks or record the output of effects devices to a Track. Remember, each mixer (INPUT Mix & TRACK Mix) retains its own settings when you switch to the other. The fader level, pan position, and EQ settings that you set up in INPUT MIX mode are memorized by the VS-880. So, when you switch to TRACK MIX mode and adjust the fader for channel 1 (for example), the level of Input 1 in INPUT MIX mode is not affected.

Mixer Effect Routing

The internal effects (if the optional VS8F-1 Effects Expansion Board is installed) can be placed in the audio signal path at any one of three locations. 1. PRE-FADER: The input to the effect is selected from the signal path before the fader. This means that the fader will have no control over the volume of the audio entering the effect. The stereo output from the effect is assignable to the MIX buss or the REC (recorder) busses. POST-FADER: The input to the effect is selected from the signal path after the fader. This means that the fader will control the volume of the audio signal entering the effect. The stereo output from the effect is assignable to the MIX buss or the REC (recorder) busses. INSERT:The audio signal is routed directly through the effect. i.e. You will only hear the effected signal because the dry signal no longer exists. There are four Insert Effect options: Insert (mono in/mono out), Insert L (processed through the left side of a stereo effect), Insert R (processed through the right side of a stereo effect), and Insert S (mono in through the left side of a stereo effect, then in through the right side of the same stereo effect in series).

Insert

Insert L

PRE-FADER

Insert R

Insert S

Using Waveforms To Edit

The VS-880 Scrub feature makes it very easy to find your edit points because you can see a visual representation of the sound and hear it at its original pitch while editing at a fine resolution of down to 1/3000th of a second. (See Owners Manual pages 76-77.)

Undo & Redo

The UNDO command will reverse your previous actions up to 999 times. Press the [UNDO] button and the LCD will display - UNDO Level = 1. The TIME/VALUE dial will allow you to select how may previous actions to reverse (undo). For example, if you make 5 recordings on the same track (see figure below) and then execute the UNDO command with level 3, you will erase (undo) the past three actions (the past three recordings). Recording # 2 will now be the one that plays back.
recording 5 recording 4 recording 3 recording 2 recording 1 Undo level 3
After completing an UNDO command, the UNDO LED will be lit. You can play your song to see if you are happy with the UNDO. If you are not, hold the [SHIFT] button and press the [UNDO] button to REDO the functions. This will effectively cancel the UNDO function you have just completed. The UNDO command operates for ALL functions of the VS-880. This includes recording, editing, etc. (see Owners Manual pages 112-113 for more information)
Nulling - (Faders & Pan Controls)
Since the physical controls of the VS-880 provide multiple functions (depending on the mixer mode setting), there must be some way to match the physical control position to the electronic control position inside the mixer. For example, lets assume that you set Fader # 1 to a physical front panel position of -8 dB while using INPUT MIX mode. Since you set this Fader in real time, the internal electronic level is -8 (the same as the physical control). Then you switch mixer modes to TRACK MIX. Now you set Fader # 1 to a physical position of +4 dB to mix Track # 1. When you switch back to INPUT MIX mode, the physical fader is set to +4 (you just set it there), but the internal electronic level is still set to -8 dB (which you set the last time you were using INPUT MIX mode). In order to realign the physical and electronic levels, the VS-880 provides a function in the System Parameters called Fader Match. When Fader Match is set to Null, the VS-880 will ignore any movements of the physical fader, until the physical fader position and the internal electronic position are equal (Nulled). In other words when you begin to move the fader from the +4 position, no change will occur in the audio until you lower the fader to -8. Once the internal and physical levels match, the fader will continue to operate normally. The Pan controls operate in the same manner. When Fader Match is set to Jump, the actual value will change to the current position of the fader or pan knob at the instant they are moved.

FOOTSWITCH

A momentary switch (i.e. Roland DP-2, DP-6, FS-5U) can be connected to the footswitch jack to activate certain operations. For example, if you set the Footswitch to Record, you could use a DP-2 pedal to activate Punch In/Out, keeping your hands free to play the guitar, keyboard, etc. Other footswitch functions include: Play/Stop, Tap Marker, Previous, Next and GPI. (General Purpose Interface is basically an on/off switch contact which can be supplied by an external device such as a video editor - see Owners Manual page 110). Select the function to be controlled by your footswitch in the SYSTEM display. If this is not selected correctly, the footswitch will appear to be non-operational.
Plug a pair of headphones into the PHONE jack. Use the PHONES control on the front panel to adjust the volume. The PHONES jack and the MASTER OUT jacks have exactly the same program material
These Inputs are analog audio RCA phono type jacks for any type instrument or device that uses an RCA phono type jack (i.e. CD player, tape deck, etc.) Any of the four Inputs can be routed to any recording track. The front panel knobs labeled INPUT SENS control the volume of Inputs 1-4.
These input jacks, are identical in audio function to the analog RCA phono type jacks labeled Input B. However, there are two main differences: 1. 1/4 phone jacks are used for Input A. 2. Input A overrides Input B. i.e. If you have an input source plugged into an Input B (RCA jack) and then plug a cable in the corresponding Input A (1/4 phone jack), the Input B source will not be heard.

AUX SEND A & B

These outputs allow recorded tracks to be sent to external devices in addition to the Maser Outs. There are a number of reasons you might want to do this. For example, you might use the Aux Sends to route the bass track to an external effects processor for compression and the vocal track to an external effects processor for harmonizing. External effects can be used simultaneously with the VS8F-1 Effects Expansion Board (if installed). Another application for the Aux Sends is to provide additional individual outputs. By assigning two tracks to the Aux Send busses and panning them left and right, those tracks will have discrete analog outputs. This method provides four discrete analog outputs from the VS-880.
These RCA phono type jacks provide the main stereo output from the VS-880. Normally you will connect these jacks to the left and right inputs of your external amplifier or speaker system. If you are using the VS880 with an external mixing console, simply plug a cable from each master output connector to a separate input of your mixing console.

54 VS-880 Application Guide
Use Auto-Punch For Punch In/Out
There are occasions when you want to punch in and out at very specific time locations. For example, maybe you need to change a guitar solo that is exactly 8 measures long and you are playing the guitar. First you will choose which track to punch into, then you can select the exact location for the punch in and the punch out, then you will rewind to a location before the punch in point and begin playing the song. The VS-880 will not actually enter the record mode until the specified location and it will exit the record mode at the specified punch out location. You can then rewind the song, place the record ready track into play mode, and play back the newly recorded solo.
ACTION: Use Auto-Punch For Punch In/Out
1. Find the punch in location in your song and store it in the LOC 1 locator point by pressing [LOC] 1 (the LED will come on). If LOC 1 position already contained a previous location (LED was on), you can erase the old location by holding the [CLEAR] button and pressing the [LOC] 1 button. 2. 3. Find the punch out location and store it in LOC 2 by pressing [LOC 2]. Press [LOCATOR] (under EDIT CONDITION-just under the LCD screen) repeatedly until LOC APin is displayed. Perform steps 4, 5, and 6 without releasing the [AUTOPUNCH] button.

4. 5. 6.

Press and HOLD the [AUTOPUNCH] button (the one with the led above it next to [LOOP]), during the next two steps. Press the [LOC] 1 button where the punch in location is stored. Press the [LOC] 2 button where the punch out location is stored. You can then check the punch out point by pressing the right [PARAMETER>>] button (LOC APOt).
ALTERNATE METHOD: 1. Alternatively, you can enter the AUTOPUNCH in and out locations manually while viewing their respective screen displays by using the TIME/VALUE dial or NUMERICS buttons (for more information on Numerics, see Owners Manual page 44).

Loop Recording

Loop record is very similar to Auto Punch (see Use Auto-Punch for Punch In/Out) in that you are able to rehearse the part you are going to record many times before you actually record it. In addition, you are able to record over and over in the same area until you are satisfied with the recording. This is a very important feature if you are operating the VS-880 and playing the instrument you are recording. First you will choose which track to punch into, then you can select the exact location for the punch in and the punch out, the loop start and end, then you will rewind to a location before the loop start and begin playing the song. As long as you do not press the [REC] button, the VS-880 will not actually enter the record mode. The VS-880 will continue to play from the loop start to the loop end location, over and over until you press [STOP]. Once you have completed your rehearsal, you can press the [REC] button anytime before the designated punch in location and the VS-880 will automatically enter the record mode at the correct punch in location and will exit the record mode at the punch out point. During the next playback of the loop, you will automatically hear what you just recorded. If you wish to record it again, just press the [REC] button before the punch in time and the VS-880 will record the section again. The loop will continue to play over and over, allowing you to press [REC] when you wish to record. When you have completed a recording you are satisfied with, press [STOP].

Use {Erase} To Eliminate Unwanted Material
Another common editing function for the VS-880 is the ERASE command. It is very similar to the CUT command, however, it does not move the section of your song following the part to be erased. You specify a section of audio to be ERASED from the music. For example, lets assume you have recorded a song that contains three guitar solos recorded at various places in the music on Tr. 2-1. You decide to erase the second solo from the song because you dont like it, but you wish for the other two solos to remain in exactly the same place they were recorded. Instruct the VS-880 which track you intend to ERASE, then specify the start and end of the section to be erased, and finally instruct the VS-880 to execute the erase command. You may think of the ERASE command exactly like your were erasing an analog tape or cassette. You could ERASE (i.e. record silence) the middle part of a cassette tape and the remainder of the material would remain in the exact same position as it was recorded. (For more - see the VS-880 V-Xpanded Owners Manual Chapter 4.)
ACTION: Use {Erase} To Eliminate Material
Clear Locate Points First: Hold the [CLEAR] button and press any [LOC] buttons with lit LED. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 10. 12. 13. Advance your song to the beginning of the section you want to erase and set a locate point. Press [LOC] 1 (the led will turn on). Advance your song to the end of the section you want to erase and set a locate point. Press [LOC] 2 (the LED will turn on). Press [TRACK] repeatedly until Track Erase ? appears in the display. Press [YES]. Press [NO] repeatedly until the display shows ?-? (to clear previous track selections). Press the [CH EDIT] button for the Track that contains the material you want to erase. Use the TIME/VALUE dial to select the Virtual Track that contains the material you want to erase. * Press [PARAMETER>>] until TRK St = is displayed. Press [LOC] 1. Press [PARAMETER>>] until TRK End = is displayed. Press [LOC] 2. Press [PARAMETER>>] and Track Erase OK? will be displayed. Press [YES] to complete the procedure. *If you turn the TIME/VALUE dial past V. Track 8 you will see the Virtual Track number replaced by an asterisk. This indicates that the specified material on all Virtual Tracks for that Primary Track will be erased. If you turn the dial further both numbers will be replaced by asterisks. This indicates that the specified material on all Tracks (Virtual and Primary) will be erased. The CUT and ERASE commands function for a single track or across multiple tracks. Be sure you specify if you intend to CUT or ERASE one specific track, or all tracks. If you already have multiple tracks of your song recorded, you will probably want to CUT all tracks at the same time to shorten each track by the same amount. (For more - see the VS-880 V-Xpanded Owners Manual Chapter 4).

82 VS-880 Application Guide
Use {Insert} To Add Space Into An Existing Recording
Sometimes your song is too short and you would like to add 2 additional verses after verse # 2. The INSERT command will allow you to insert blank space into your recording at the correct location. First choose which track or tracks to insert blank time into. The VS-880 will let you specify the location to insert the time and also the length of time to insert.(For more - see the VS-880 V-Xpanded Owners Manual, Chapter 4).

Length

ACTION: Use {Insert} To Add Space Into An Existing Recording
Clear Locate Points First: Hold the [CLEAR] button and press any [LOC] buttons with lit LED. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Press [TRACK] repeatedly until Track Insert? appears in the LCD display. Press [YES]. Press [NO] repeatedly until the display shows ?-? (to clear previous track selections). Press the [CH EDIT] button for the Track # you wish to wish to add space to. Use the TIME/VALUE dial to select the Virtual Track you wish to add space to. If you turn the TIME/VALUE dial past V. Track 8 you will see the Virtual Track number replaced by an asterisk (*). This indicates that space will be inserted on all Virtual Tracks for that Primary Track. If you turn the dial further both numbers will be replaced by asterisks. This indicates that space will be inserted on all Tracks (Virtual and Primary). 6. Press the right [PARAMETER>>] button (To = _____ will be displayed), then use the TIME/VALUE dial to set the time location where the blank space will be inserted. You can also use locator buttons to select the correct insert time if you have a marker preset to the correct time. Press the right [PARAMETER>>] button (Len = _____ will be displayed), then use the TIME/VALUE dial to set the length (amount) of blank space to be inserted. Blank space will be inserted from the point specified on the TRK To screen to the point specified in the TRK Len screen.
Press the right [PARAMETER>>] button again and Track Insert OK? will be displayed. Press [YES] to complete the procedure.
Use {Move} To Place Guitar Part in New Location
When you decide to make a new arrangement of your song, the MOVE command is very useful. Maybe you decide that the second verse is musically stronger than the first, so you want to move the first verse to the end of the song, leaving the second verse as the new beginning. Select which track you want to move something from, you will designate the start and end of the section you wish to move, then select the location and track where you want to move the section to, then compete the move.

110 VS-880 Application Guide
(Generating a Sync Track from Start & End Times, Continued) 8. 9. 10. Press the right [PARAMETER>>] button until SYS CV4:Measure= is displayed and use the TIME/VALUE dial to select the number of measures in your song. Press PARAMETER>> until SYS CV4:Beat= is displayed and use the TIME/ VALUE dial to select the number of beats in each measure. Press [YES/ENTER]. Overwrite Tempo? will be displayed, press [YES/ENTER] and a Sync Track will be created. The Sync Track offset allows you to start your Sync Track at a time other than 00h00m00s00f (since most recordings do not actually begin at this time). Set the offset to match the time location where your recording actually begins. Offsetting the Sync Track 1. 2. Press SYSTEM until SYS Sync/Tempo is displayed. Press [YES/ENTER]. Press PARAMETER>> until SYS Ofs= is displayed and use the TIME/VALUE dial to select the time location for the beginning of the Sync Track (you can also use locate points or the numeric buttons to do this). Press [PLAY/DISPLAY] to return to Play condition.
112 VS-880 Application Guide
Chapter 7: Tips and Advanced Applications Tips & Features
Using The Narration Effect (VS8F-1)
If you have the optional VS8F-1 effects board installed, one particular effect is very useful when recording narration or voice dialogue. If you use the NARRATION effect in the Insert mode of your incoming microphone channel, it provides all the following features from a single effect setting: Noise suppression - This would help with a less than acceptable recording level or to help eliminate background noise. Limiter/De-esser - Both are very valuable features for voice work of any kind. Enhancer - Works like a basic vocal exciter. EQ - A true 3 band parametric EQ with peak and shelving - this EQ is in addition to the normal EQ section of the VS-880. Pitch Change - Very effective for changing the characteristics of a voice. Delay - Up to 1 sec., with feedback effect available. Chorus - For that special effect to make the voice sound larger or like more than one voice.
Using the [SHIFT] Button to Speed Up Operations
When editing effects, use [SHIFT]+[PARAMETER] buttons to jump quickly between each section or block of the effect you are editing. If you hold the [SHIFT] button when using the TIME/VALUE dial for selecting alphabetic characters when entering names, it will speed up the operation. If you hold the [SHIFT] button when using the TIME/VALUE dial for selecting measures or markers in the LCD display, it will speed up the operation.
[SHIFT] + [PLAY (DISPLAY)] Displays Waveforms in Edit Modes
You dont have to enter Scrub mode to see the waveforms during the middle of an edit. Press [SHIFT] + [PLAY (DISPLAY)] during the edit to show the audio waveform in the LCD.

The VS-880 can easily synchronize with your drum machine or sequencer using Song Position Pointer.
SYNC: If your sequencer does not support MIDI Time Code or MIDI Machine Control you must use MIDI Clock to synchronize it with the VS-880. Connect the MIDI IN and OUT ports of the VS-880 to your MIDI sequencer (or drum machine) as shown in the diagram below. For this setup, the VS-880 must be the master. Make sure that the VS-880s sync source is set to internal. The VS-880 must be set to generate MIDI Clock and the MIDI Thr must be set to Out. To respond, the MIDI sequencer (or drum machine) must be set to MIDI Sync.
AUDIO: Connect the audio outputs of your MIDI devices to the audio inputs of the VS-880. You can use the INPUT MIX/TRACK MIX mode to mix the signals of your MIDI devices with your playback tracks. You can record fader movements of the VS-880 to the MIDI sequencer. For mixdown, connect the digital out of the VS-880 to your dat machine.
MIDI Sequencer or Drum Machine
MIDI Sync via Song Position Pointer
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Sync VS-880 to Video

You can do video post production with the VS-880.
SYNC: You can synchronize a video deck with a VS-880 by using a SMPTE generator/converter (such as the Video Syncman by MIDIMAN) to generate SMPTE Time Code for the video deck and convert that to MIDI Time Code for the VS-880. If your video tape is not already striped with SMPTE Time Code you will need to record (stripe) SMPTE to one of the audio tracks on the tape. Connect the audio output of that track to the SMPTE input on the converter. Connect the MIDI OUT connector of the converter to the MIDI IN connector of the VS-880. Set the VS-880 to external sync and make sure that the SMPTE frame rate of the converter matches that of the VS-880 (which defaults to 30).
AUDIO: You can connect the audio output(s) of the video deck (with the exception of the SMPTE striped track) to the VS-880 inputs for recording the audio from the video tape onto the VS-880 for editing purposes. You can also connect the VS-880 outputs to the inputs on the video deck to record audio from the VS-880 (such as sound effects and/or dialog) onto the video tape (be careful not to record over the SMPTE track).
SMPTE MIDIMAN Video Syncman MIDI Sync via MTC

Digital Mix to DAT

DAT Recorder
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Chapter 8: Appendix Glossary of General Audio and Recording Terms

128 VS-880 Application Guide
Foldback A term, usually on European mixers, used interchangeably with cue in recording work or monitor send in sound reinforcement work. Gain The amount an amplifier increases the power of a signal, usually specified in dB. Gain Control (fader) A device which adjusts the gain of an amplifier, commonly by changing the amount of negative feedback. Not to be confused with an attenuator or volume control. Ground Loop A condition when two or more paths to ground exist and a voltage is induced unequally in these paths causing hum, buzz, or noise. Grouping A mixing process where the signal level from two or more inputs can be adjusted simultaneously using a single control. A typical application would be the grouping of several microphones inputs for related instruments (i.e., a drum set), where individual mics are balanced in relation to the others using the input faders, and then an overall level adjustment is done using a group fader. Grouping of this nature simplifies mixing. Headroom Headroom refers to the difference between the nominal operating level and the maximum level at any point in an audio system or device, usually expressed in dB. Hertz Abbreviated Hz, the unit of measurement for frequency; 1 Hz is equal to one cycle per second (cps). Hum A low frequency tone, usually a multiple of the 50 Hz or 60 Hz power mains frequency (i.e., 120 Hz, 180 Hz, etc.) ID Strip An area, above or below the faders on a mixing console, reserved so the engineer can identify the signal being fed to the various faders. ID strips on many mixers are white so they can be marked with grease pencils and easily wiped clean, although masking tape and permanent marking pens are a common alternative.
Impedance The total opposition to the flow of alternating current in an electrical circuit. Impedance is measured in ohms. Input Level Refers to the level in dB, dBm or volts that is acceptable for an input signal to a particular connector in any given piece of electronic equipment. Such input levels are rated either as maximum (i.e., the level above which overdrive distortion occurs) or as nominal (i.e., the average level which would be fed to the input under normal operating conditions). Insert When a track is routed to a Buss such as an effects Buss using an INSERT path, the audio goes to the effect Buss and then directly back to the channel in the mixer. Therefore, there is no dry sound of the original without the effect because the only audio path is through the effect and then to the mixer. INSERTS are used when you dont want to hear the original sound without the processing, i.e.: when you use a compressor on a voice. kHz Abbreviation for kiloHertz, or one thousand cycles per second. Formerly called kilocycles (kc). LCD Liquid Crystal Display. An electronically driven display with black characters or graphic elements on a light background. LCD displays depend on ambient light rather than generating light of their own, so they use very little power compared to LED (Light Emitting Diode) displays. The principal is based on a special crystal which changes its light polarization axis when a voltage is applied, thereby blocking the light and creating a black area. LED Light Emitting Diode. A solid state device that emits infrared or visible light when a current flows through it. Usually red, green or amber, LEDs are available in other colors. Level A term loosely used to describe the amplitude of a signal or a sound. More precisely, it is the value of that signal or sound relative to a given reference, expressed in dBm, dB SPL, etc. Limiter A type of compressor with approximately a 10:1 or greater compression ratio. Used primarily to prevent the signal level from exceeding a certain pre-set level. (See also compressor.)

S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format) A digital recording format that conforms to the AES/ EBU consumer standard for the high-speed transfer of two channels of digital audio data. The VS-880 has a coaxial S/PDIF connector that allows you to connect digitally to a consumer or professional DAT recorder or CD player. Stereo Buss In a mixing console, the Buss or channel which is used to feed a program to a stereo tape recorder, 2channel sound system or other stereo equipment. (A stereo Buss actually consists of two Busses, the left and right Busses.) Stereo Master A 2-gang fader which simultaneously controls the overall level of the left and right outputs (i.e., the stereo Buss output). Sub-Master A level control or fader which adjusts the signal level on a given output channel, prior to the master fader (which is normally a multi-channel fader). For example, there might be a Left Channel Submaster, a Right Channel Submaster and a Stereo Master. Sync In multi-track tape recorders, a technique where channels on the record head can be used for tape play back while other channels are being recorded. This permits performers to listen to previously recorded tracks and to record additional tracks in perfect Synchronization. Sync Track The VS-880 has a SYNC TRACK that is independent from the 8 recording tracks. You can record a TEMPO MAP from a drum machine or sequencer and then use this map to synchronize the VS-880 to the sequencer. In this case, the VS-880 would be the Master and the sequencer would be the Slave. Synchronizer A device which reads a time code recorded on two or more tape machines and synchronizes the units (via servo control of their motors) to move in the desired relationship to one another. Also known as time code synchronizers, such devices are available to sync any combination of audio tape recorders, video tape recorders, or film recorders and projectors.
134 VS-880 Application Guide
Tempo Map A TEMPO MAP includes bar and beat, tempo and time signature information for part or all of a song. This information can be used to make editing easier. You can edit or locate to an exact bar and beat rather than an absolute time reference. Tempo Maps can also be used to synchronize external drum machines or sequencers. The tempo map generates MIDI Clock information and Song Position Pointer information that will start and stop a sequencer at an exact location and keep it playing in perfect sync. In the VS-880, you can create a tempo map from scratch before you start recording a song. There are MIDI and Click metronome outputs to allow the recording process to be in time with the tempo map. You can also create a Tempo Map after you have recorded part or all of a song. See SYNC TRACK for another way to use MIDI sync information. Time Compression An operation that allows you to expand or compress the playback time of recorded material to a specified time length. Usually when playback time is compressed or expanded, the playback pitch is affected. On the VS-880, you can select whether the playback pitch will change in correlation to the compression / expression ratio, or whether the original playback pitch will be preserved. The time compression feature of the VS-880 can therefore be used to change the tempo of a drum loop without changing the pitch. It can also be used to correct the pitch of a vocal note that is sung out of tune. Track The path on magnetic tape along which a single channel of sound is recorded. Tracking Refers to the original recording of live music when the first tracks (usually rhythm instruments) are recorded. Treble The high audio frequency range, normally considered to be above 5000 Hz. Unbalanced An audio circuit with 2 wires; one wire carries the signal, high (+) and the second carries the low (-) and also is connected to chassis or system ground. Since the signal leads are not of equal potential difference from the ground, they are considered to be unbalanced with respect to ground.

Vari-pitch Vari-pitch allows you to speed up or slow down the playback of the VS-880 in order to match the tuning of instruments that are difficult or impossible to tune to your existing recorded tracks. A typical instrument that Vari-pitch would be useful for would be an acoustic piano. Virtual Tracks (VS-880) Virtual tracks are additional areas to record you takes and ideas. Each track on the VS-880 has 8 virtual tracks. You can play one of these at a time per track, using the others to hold earlier performances or different edits. You can edit several virtual tracks together for a composite edit. You can even bounce several virtual tracks to another virtual track to make a mix of these tracks. For example: If you need to bounce some background vocals together to make room for some guitar parts, you can use the virtual tracks to store the original vocal parts that you have bounced. Unlike a tape based system, you can then add new material on the tracks you have bounced from and still keep the originals in case you want to re-mix the bounce later. Voltage Control A method of adjusting a special type of circuit which responds to an external control voltage. Almost all musical synthesizer operations are done using voltage control, and many automated mixing functions utilize voltage controlled circuitry. Volume A loosely used term which describes the level of an audio signal or the intensity of a sound. Waveform The characteristic shape of a wave when graphed or displayed by test equipment. XLR Describes any of several varieties of audio connectors having 3 or more conductors plus an outer shell which shields the connection and locks the mating connectors. 3-pin XL-type connectors are commonly used to make balanced mic and line level connections in professional audio systems. The XLtype connector is sometimes called a cannon connector, so named for the original manufacturer although a number of companies now manufacture compatible 3-pin connectors.
(Portions of this glossary are from the CAMEO Dictionary of Creative Audio Terms; copyrighted and used by permission of The WorkCenter Corp., dba Gary Davis & Associates.)

More About SCSI

SCSI is a high-speed data transmission buss that is often taken for granted thanks to its common use on personal computers. However, insufficient attention to SCSI connections have turned out to be the major cause of mysterious or intermittent performance problems users have experienced. Although SCSI has received a reputation for being voodoo or black magic, most problems may be cured 100% by following the suggestions outlined below.

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ROLAND VS-880EX TURBO FACTS The VS-880EX Digital Studio Workstation is an updated version of the worlds most popular hard disk recorder the VS-880. It combines digital recording, automated mixing, editing, effects processing, and CD burning capability in a single compact unit. Features include: 8 track playback, records up to 8 tracks simultaneously 128 Virtual Tracks per song Improved, easy-to-read backlit display New 20 bit A/D and D/A converters 16 channels of automated digital mixing 2 built-in stereo multi-effects processors with 209 Patches 6 analog and 2 digital (S/P DIF and Optical) inputs 4 analog and 2 digital (S/P DIF and Optical) outputs EZ Routing and Super EZ Routing simplify the recording process for beginning and advanced users Ability to create and save mixer templates Optional VS-CDR writer for recording audio CDs and data backup on inexpensive CD-R media Loading the Demo Song The VS-880EX ships with several demo songs. Use the following procedure to select a song: 1) Press SONG until Song Select? is displayed. 2) Press YES. 3) Use the TIME/VALUE dial to select the song FIX. 4) Press YES twice. 5) If Store Current? is displayed, press NO. If Re-Load Current? is displayed. Press YES. Listening to the Demo Song Use the following procedure to load a scene and listen to the demo song: 1) Press SCENE so it is lit, then press LOC 1 to load scene 1. Press PLAY to begin playback. 2) Use the Master Fader to control the level of the song. 3) Press STOP to halt playback. 4) Press ZERO to return to the beginning of the song. 5) Press LOC 2 and press PLAY to load scene 2 and hear another version of the song. Changing Virtual Tracks in the Demo Song The demo song FIX has 6 lead guitar parts recorded on Virtual Tracks 1-5 and 8 of track 5. Use the following procedure to select these Virtual Tracks: 1) Press the SELECT/CH EDIT button for Channel #5. 2) Hold SHIFT and press the SELECT/CH EDIT button for Channel #2 to display V.Track=. 3) Use the TIME/VALUE dial to select V.Track= A:3. 4) Press PLAY to hear a different guitar solo. Using Solo The Solo function allows you to audition one or several tracks. Use the following procedure to solo a track: 1) Press PLAY to begin playback. 2) Hold SHIFT and press EZ ROUTING[SOLO]. 3) Press a SELECT/CH EDIT button for the desired track. 4) Hold SHIFT and press EZ ROUTING[SOLO] to exit Solo Mode. Press STOP to halt playback. Using EQ Use the following procedure to apply EQ to the rhythm track of the demo song FIX: 1) Load scene 2 (as previously described). 2) Press SELECT/CH EDIT for track 1. 3) Use the PARAMETER buttons to select EQL (Low). 4) Use the TIME/VALUE dial to boost or cut levels. 5) Repeat steps 3-4 for EQM (Mid) and EQH (High). Using Effects Use the following procedure to apply an effect to the guitar on track 5 of the demo song FIX: 1) Load scene 2 and select track 5, V-Track 5 (as previously described). 2) Press the SELECT/CH EDIT button for track 5. 3) Use the PARAMETER buttons to select TR5 FX1 Ins.=OFF. Use the TIME/VALUE dial to select Insert. 4) Press EFFECT until EFFECT-1 PRM? is displayed and press YES. 5) Use the TIME/VALUE dial to select A58=GA:JMPSTACK and press YES. 6) Press PLAY. The guitar on track 5 now has the JMP-STACK effect on it. Try the following effects: A54=GA:VinTweed A57=GA:StudioCmb 7) Press PLAY/DISPLAY to exit when finished. Super EZ Routing Super EZ Routing allows for quick signal routing when recording or bouncing tracks. Use the following procedure to route a signal from input 1 to track 8: 1) Connect an instrument or microphone to input #1. 2) Hold down REC and press the STATUS button for channel 8. The status button will blink red. 3) Hold the STATUS button for channel 8 and press the SELECT/CH EDIT button for channel 1. The button will blink orange to indicate that it is routed to channel 8. 4) Play then instrument or speak into the microphone and adjust the #1 input sensitivity knob until the peak light blinks. 5) Press PLAY/DISPLAY. Press RECORD. If your song is not protected, RECORD will start to blink. The VS-880EX is now ready to record.

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NOTE: The VS-880EX must be stopped to change V-Tracks.
NOTE: the Demo songs in the VS-880EX are protected so you will not be able to record in these songs.
TBSRoland Corporation U.S., 7200 Dominion Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90040 Faxback # 20081 9/98