Roland R-88 User Manual

All in One Recorder, Mixer and

Audio Interface - Anytime, Anywhere

Seamless integration of recording, mixing and an audio
interface - a new dimension in professional portable recording.

• Simultaneous recording of 8 channels + stereo mix (up to 96kHz) • Up to 24bit/192kHz uncompressed linear

PCM recording (up to 4 channels) • 3 hours of recording time using 32GB SDHC card (24bit/96kHz, 10ch)

• Up to 5 seconds pre-recording • 8 XLR inputs, 8 XLR outputs, AES/EBU input/output • Selectable input

delay per channel - adjustable by 0.05 - 20 ms - ideal for surround micing • Built-in 8 channel mixer with

3-band EQ and MS microphone decoder • Built-in 10in/8out USB audio interface to use with any common

DAW (up to 96kHz) • Touch Panel Display for intuitive navigation • SMPTE time code In/out for video sync

• BWF and iXML embedded metadata (SCENE, TAKE, TIMECODE RATE)

• Control the R-88 using MIDI via the Roland UM-ONE mk2 USB MIDI

interface - mix with a MIDI-controllable fader unit • Supported power

types – AA batteries, rechargeable Ni-MH battery, AC power, and 4-pin

XLR external battery types.

for Windows® 8/7/Vista

for Mac OS X

Input, Output, Mix and Interface Options to Cover a Multitude of Recording Applications

8 channels + stereo mix
(up to 96kHz)

SDHC/SD Card

8 Mics

Surround Mic + 2ch Mic

Audio Mixer + Ambient Mic

6 Mics + AES/EBU (Digital 2ch)

Analog

(8 XLR)

or

AES/EBU

USB Memory

Backup

STOP, REC,

PLAY , FF,

REW, MARKER.

USB 2.0
10 in+8 out

Timecode

Footswitch

Recording and
web streaming

Video Camera (XLR) or SDI Audio Embedder

DSLR camera (Stereo Mini)

Audio Mixer (8 XLR + AES/EBU)

Headphones

Built-in Monitor Speakers

INPUT OUTPUT

DAWs (Recording or Play back)

Hold Switch

Prevents unintentional
operations by disabling control
from the front panel buttons
and touch panel display.

Power Switch

Input Sensitivity &

Level Knobs

Dual type knobs adjust both input
sensitivity(-62dBu to +4dBu) and
level for Ch 1 to 8 independently.

Peak Indicators

Touch Panel Display

The front touch panel
displays a variety of
contextual information
making control and
adjustments intuitive.

Memory Card Slot

Audio is recorded on SD or
SDHC cards (up to 32G).

Digital Audio Input/

Output

AES/EBU Input/Output. Provides
digital input capability and stereo
mix output from internal mixer.

DC Input

Power via the included AC adaptor
or professional external battery
systems. (4-pin XLR 9 to 16 V)

Outputs 1-2

XLR balance outputs.
Assignable from Channel 1/2,
3/4, 5/6, 7/8 or mixed audio
via internal mixer. Selectable
output level (+4/-60dBu).

Mix Out Terminal

Stereo miniature phone type. This
output offers mixed audio from
the internal mixer. Selectable
output level (2 Vrms/-30 dBu).

Top Panel

Battery Pack

The R-88 works with eight
(8) AA batteries.

Internal speakers

Slate Mic

For recording voice
memos

Front Panel

Right Side Panel

Left Side Panel

Rear Panel

Slate Switch

On/Off switch to turn on
Slate Mic or Slate Tone
(1kHz/-20dBFS)

Outputs 3-8

XLR balance output. Together
with Ch.1 and 2, a total of 8
independent outputs are available.
Also, mixed audio via internal
mixer can be output (+4dBu).

REC Button

REC button lights during
recording and blinks in
standby mode. During
recording, markers
are set by pushing the
button.

Time Code Input/Output

The R-88 accepts SMPTE time code offering slave mode
to video cameras or VTRs. In addition, the R-88 can be
the master, sending out time code to slave devices (Time
code mode : OFF, INT, RTC, REC-RUN, EXT SYNC,
EXT AUTO JAM, EXT SYNC REC, EXT REC).

PREV/NEXT Buttons

PREV and NEXT allow
selection of the previous or next
file. Hold down these buttons for
rewind or fast forward.

MENU Button

This button accesses the menu
settings, such as recording/
playback settings and specifying
the date and time, recording
mode, etc

Monitor Level knob

Volume control for built-in
speakers and headphones.
When pushing the knob, the
monitor/PFL/RTA setting menu
screen appears.

Master Level knob

Volume control for stereo mix
from internal mixer. When
pushing the knob, the mixer
menu screen appears.

Inputs/Phantom

Power Switches

XLR type jacks support line
level to mic level. Individual
on/off switches control the
phantom powered supply to
each XLR input.

USB Memory Port

Backup files to USB memory
flash drives or Control the R-88
using MIDI via the Roland UM­ONE mk2 USB MIDI interface

- mix with a MIDI-controllable
fader unit.

USB Port

Enables copying flies to or
from computers or using
as a 10 in/8 out USB audio
interface (up to 96kHz).

External Control Jack

Enables STOP, REC, PLAY ,
FF, REW, REC/STOP, PLAY/
STOP, PLAY(MOMENT), SET
MARKER, PREV MARKER,
NEXT MARKER using optional
FS-6 or FS-5U footswitches.

8 channels + stereo mix
recording simultaneously

(up to 96kHz)

Built-in, powerful digital mixer allows
simultaneous recording and mix-down

Specifications

Recorder Part

Channels

Data Type

Recording Media SDHC Memory Card: 4 to 32 GB, SD Memory Card: 2 GB

Pre-Recording OFF, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 second(s)

Mixer Part

Mixing Channels Input: 8 channels, Output: 2 channels (stereo)

Channel Strip 3-band equalizer, Fader, Pan, MS microphone decoder

Master Fader, Limiter

Audio Input Part

Signal Processing AD Conversion: 24 bits

AD Dynamic Range 120 dB or greater ([SENS] knob = +4 dBu)

Channel Effects Limiter, Low Cut, MS microphone decoder

IN 1-8 jacks (Analog
Inputs): XLR type
(Phantom powered)

DIGITAL IN jack: XLR type (AES/
EBU, conforms to IEC 60958-4)

Phantom Power

Slate Microphone Built-in

Audio Output Part

Signal Processing DA Conversion: 24 bits

OUT 1-2 jacks (Analog
Outputs): XLR type

OUT 3-8 jacks (Analog
Outputs): XLR type

MIX OUT jack (Analog Outputs):
Stereo miniature phone type
DIGITAL OUT jack: XLR type (AES/
EBU, conforms to IEC 60958-4)
PHONES jack: Stereo
1/4-inch phone type

Built-in Speaker Stereo

Slate Tone 1 kHz, -20 dBFS

Monitor Pre Fader Listening (PFL), Real Time Analyzer (RTA), Alarm Tone

8 channels + 2 channels (stereo mix from built-in mixer) (Sampling Frequency

44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz), 4 channels (Sampling Frequency 192 kHz)
Format: BWF (mono, stereo), Sampling Frequency: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 192
kHz, Bit Depth: 16, 24 bits, Meta Data: Origination Time, Frame Rate, etc.

Nominal Input Level (chooses with [SENS] knob): -62 (SENS +6dB
parameter = ON), -56, -50, -44, -38, -32, -26, -20, -14, -8, -2, +4 dBu
(LEVEL KNOB MODE = INPUT: Changes with the [LEVEL] knob positions
in the range of –infinity to +8 dB.)
Maximum Input Level: +26 dBu
Input Impedance:
Mic Input ([SENS] knob = -62 to -20 dBu): 3.4 k ohms, Line Input ([SENS]
knob = -14 to +4 dBu): 5.6 k ohms
* When sampling frequency is 192 kHz, IN 5-8 jacks are inactive.

* When using Digital Input, IN 1-2 jacks are inactive.

48 +/- 4 V, 10 mA per 1 channel (8 channels of phantom power available
simultaneously)

Output Buses: Channel 1-2, Channel 3-4, Channel 5-6, Channel 7-8,
Stereo mix from built-in mixer, Output Level: +4 dBu/ -60 dBu, Maximum
Output Level: +24 dBu, Output Impedance: 600 ohms
Output Buses: Channel 1-2, Channel 3-4, Channel 5-6, Channel 7-8,
Stereo mix from built-in mixer, Output Level: +4 dBu, Maximum Output
Level: +24 dBu, Output Impedance: 600 ohms
* When sampling frequency is 192 kHz, OUT 5-8 jacks are inactive.
Output Buses: Stereo mix from built-in mixer, Maximum Output Level: 2
Vrms/ -30 dBu, Output Impedance: 1 k ohm

Output Buses: Stereo mix from built-in mixer

Output Level: 80 mW (32 ohms), Output Impedance: 10 ohms

Characteristics

Residual Noise Level
(IHF-A)
Total Harmonic
Distortion + Noise

Frequency Response 20 Hz--40 kHz (0/-3 dB, Sampling frequency = 88.2 kHz, 192 kHz)

Other Terminals

USB (MEMORY) port:
USB Type A

USB (COMPUTER) port:
USB Type mini B

TIME CODE (OUT, IN) jacks:
BNC coaxial type (Conforms
SMPTE 12M-1999)
CONTROL 1, 2 jack:
1/4-inch TRS phone type

Others

Display Graphic LCD 160 x 160 dots (touch screen)

Indicators IN 1-8 PK indicators, SLATE MIC indicator, REC indicator, PLAY indicator

Power Supply

Current Draw 1.5 A

Dimensions 260 (W) x 235 (D) x 93 (H) mm, 10-1/4 (W) x 9-1/4 (D) x 3-11/16 (H) inches

Weight (including batteries)

Accessories

Recording Time using 32GB SDHC memory card

16 bits/

44.1 kHz

1ch 100 67 92 61 50 33 46 30 23 15

2ch 50 33 46 30 25 16 23 15 11 7.7

4ch 25 16 23 15 12 8.4 11 7.7 5.7 3.8

8ch 12 8.4 11 7.7 6.3 4.2 5.7 3.8

10ch 10 6.7 9.2 6.1 5 3.3 4.6 3

* These re cording ti mes are ap proximate. Actual re sults may vary somew hat.
* If mo re than o ne recorded file exist s, the tota l recordable time wi ll be les s.

OUT 1--8: -80 dBu or less ([LEVEL] knobs = -infinity), MIX OUT: -90 dBu
or less ([LEVEL] knobs = -infinity)

0.02 % or less ([SENS] knob = +4 dBu, [LEVEL] knob = 0)

USB Mass Storage Class (USB 2.0/1.1) * USB HDD cannot be used.
USB MIDI Interface (Supports Roland UM-ONE mk2 only)
USB Mass Storage Class (USB 2.0/1.1), USB-AUDIO (Hi-Speed USB, Input:
10 channels, Output: 8 channels) * When sampling frequency is 192 kHz,
the USB audio is inactive.
Mode: OFF, INT, RTC, REC-RUN, EXT SYNC, EXT(AUTO JAM), EXT
SYNC AUTO REC, EXT AUTO REC, Frame Rate: 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97,

29.97D, 30, 30D
STOP, REC, PLAY , FF, REW, REC/STOP, PLAY/STOP, PLAY(MOMENT),
SET MARKER, PREV MARKER, NEXT MARKER

AC adaptor (using 4-pin XLR type connector conversion cable), Alkaline
battery (AA, LR6) or Rechargeable Ni-MH battery (AA, HR6) x 8, External
power supply (4-pin XLR type, 9-16 V)

2.7 kg, 6 lbs

Owner's Manual, AC adaptor, AC adaptor - 4-pin XLR type connector

24 bits/

44.1 kHz

conversion cable

16 bits/

24 bits/

48 kHz

48 kHz

16 bits/

88.2 kHz

24 bits/

88.2 kHz

16 bits/
96 kHz

* 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms

24 bits/
96 kHz

16 bits/

192 kHz

— —

— —

UNIT: hours

24 bits/

192 kHz

OptionsBlock Diagram

R-88 Carrying Bag

CB-R88

Dual Footswitch

FS-6

Footswitch

FS-5U

Stereo Headphones

RH-300

Roland Systems Group, a member of the worldwide group of Roland companies, is dedicated to the support of audio and
video professionals demanding excellence in both performance and system design. Through the development and support of
video and audio products, we endeavor to improve workflow and maximize creative possibilities.

www.rolandsystemsgroup.com/r88

All specifications and appearances are subject to change without notice. Company names and product names appearing in this
document are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners. Roland and BOSS are either registered trademark
or trademark of Roland Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. It is forbidden by law to make an audio recording,
video recording, copy or revision of a third part y's copyrighted work (musical work, video work, broadcast, live performance, or
other work), whether in whole or in part, and distribute, sell, lease, perform, or broadcast it without the per mission of the copyright
owner. Do not use this product for purposes that could infringe on a copyright held by a third par ty. We assume no responsibility
whatsoever with regard to any infringements of third-party copyrights arising through your use of this product.
Copyright 2014 Roland Corporation. All right reserved.

Printed in Japan. April. 2014 RAM-20045 U-PD