Roland VS 1680 Service Manual

®

OWNER'S MANUAL

Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled: “IMPOR-

TANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” (p. 2), “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” (p.

3, 4), and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (p. 5). These sections provide impor-

tant information concerning the proper operation of the unit.

Additionally, in order to feel assured that you have gained a good

grasp of every feature provided by your new unit, Quick Start,

Owner’s Manual, and Appendices should be read in its entirety. The

manual should be saved and kept on hand as a convenient reference.

Copyright © 1998 ROLAND CORPORATION

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form

without the written permission of ROLAND CORPORATION.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

ATTENTION: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,

DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an
equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the
product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the product.

INSTRUCTIONS PERTAINING TO A RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSONS.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING - When using electric products, basic precautions should always be followed, including the following:

Read all the instructions before using the product.
Do not use this product near water — for example, near a
bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, in a wet basement, or near
a swimming pool, or the like.
This product should be used only with a cart or stand that is
recommended by the manufacturer.
This product, either alone or in combination with an amplifier
and headphones or speakers, may be capable of producing
sound levels that could cause permanent hearing loss. Do
not operate for a long period of time at a high volume level
or at a level that is uncomfortable. If you experience any
hearing loss or ringing in the ears, you should consult an
audiologist.
The product should be located so that its location or position
does not interfere with its proper ventilation.
The product should be located away from heat sources such
as radiators, heat registers, or other products that produce
heat.
The product should be connected to a power supply only of
the type described in the operating instructions or as marked
on the product.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

A.
B.

C.
D.

E.

The power-supply cord of the product should be unplugged
from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time.
Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids
are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.
The product should be serviced by qualified service
personnel when:

The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or
Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the
product; or
The product has been exposed to rain; or
The product does not appear to operate normally or
exhibits a marked change in performance; or
The product has been dropped, or the enclosure

damaged.
Do not attempt to service the product beyond that described
in the user-maintenance instructions. All other servicing
should be referred to qualified service personnel.

GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS

This product must be grounded. If it should malfunction or breakdown, grounding provides a path of least resistance for

electric current to reduce the risk of electric shock.

This product is equipped with a cord having an equipment-grounding conductor and a grounding plug. The plug must be

plugged into an appropriate outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with all local codes and ordinances.

DANGER: Improper connection of the equipment-grounding conductor can result in a risk of electric shock. Check with a
qualified electrician or serviceman if you are in doubt as to whether the product is properly grounded.
Do not modify the plug provided with the product — if it will not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified
electrician.

For the USA

The product which is equipped with a THREE WIRE GROUNDING TYPE LINE PLUG must be grounded.

WARNING:
IMPORTANT:

As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this apparatus may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying

the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:

The wire which is coloured GREEN-AND-YELLOW must be connected to the terminal in the plug which is marked by the

letter E or by the safety earth symbol or coloured GREEN or GREEN-AND-YELLOW.

The wire which is coloured BLUE must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter N or coloured BLACK.
The wire which is coloured BROWN must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter L or coloured RED.

THIS APPARATUS MUST BE EARTHED
THE WIRES IN THIS MAINS LEAD ARE COLOURED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING CODE.
GREEN-AND-YELLOW: EARTH, BLUE: NEUTRAL, BROWN: LIVE

For the U.K.

For the USA

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:

– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
– Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Unauthorized changes or modification to this system can void the users authority to operate this equipment.
This equipment requires shielded interface cables in order to meet FCC class B Limit.

This product complies with the requirements of European Directives EMC 89/336/EEC and LVD 73/23/EEC.

For EU Countries

For EU Countries

Apparatus containing
Lithium batteries

ADVARSEL!

Lithiumbatteri - Eksplosionsfare ved
fejlagtig håndtering.
Udskiftning må kun ske med batteri af
samme fabrikat og type.
Levér det brugte batteri tilbage til
leverandøren.

VARNING

Explosionsfara vid felaktigt batteribyte.
Använd samma batterityp eller en
ekvivalent typ som rekommenderas av
apparattillverkaren.
Kassera använt batteri enligt
fabrikantens instruktion.

CAUTION

Danger of explosion if battery is
incorrectly replaced.
Replace only with the same or
equivalent type recommended by the
manufacturer.
Discard used batteries according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.

ADVARSEL

Eksplosjonsfare ved feilaktig skifte av
batteri.
Benytt samme batteritype eller en
tilsvarende type anbefalt av
apparatfabrikanten.
Brukte batterier kasseres i henhold til
fabrikantens instruks joner.

VAROITUS

Paristo voi räjähtää, jos se on
virheellisesti asennettu.
Vaihda paristo ainoastaan
laitevalmistajan suosittelemaan
tyyppiin. Hävitä käytetty paristo
valmistajan ohjeiden mukaisesti.

For Canada

This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.

NOTICE

AVIS

2 207

• Before using this unit, make sure to read the instruc­tions below, and the Owner's Manual.

.........................................................................................................

• Do not open or perform any internal modifications
on the unit. (The only exception would be where
this manual provides specific instructions which
should be followed in order to put in place user­installable options; see Quick Start p. 55, 57, 59.)

.........................................................................................................

• Make sure you always have the unit placed so it is
level and sure to remain stable. Never place it on
stands that could wobble, or on inclined surfaces.

.........................................................................................................

• Avoid damaging the power cord. Do not bend it
excessively, step on it, place heavy objects on it, etc.
A damaged cord can easily become a shock or fire
hazard. Never use a power cord after it has been
damaged.

.........................................................................................................

•In households with small children, an adult should
provide supervision until the child is capable of fol­lowing all the rules essential for the safe operation
of the unit.

.........................................................................................................

• Protect the unit from strong impact.
(Do not drop it!)

• Do not force the unit's power-supply cord to share
an outlet with an unreasonable number of other
devices. Be especially careful when using extension
cords—the total power used by all devices you have
connected to the extension cord's outlet must never
exceed the power rating (watts/amperes) for the
extension cord. Excessive loads can cause the insula­tion on the cord to heat up and eventually melt
through.

.........................................................................................................

• Before using the unit in a foreign country, consult
with your retailer, the nearest Roland Service
Center, or an authorized Roland distributor, as list­ed on the "Information" page.

.........................................................................................................

• Always turn the unit off and unplug the power cord
before attempting installation of the Hard disk drive
unit (HDP88 series: Quick Start p. 55) or Effect
expansion board (VS8F-2: Quick Start p. 57, 59).

USING THE UNIT SAFELY

3

Used for instructions intended to alert
the user to the risk of injury or material
damage should the unit be used
improperly.

* Material damage refers to damage or

other adverse effects caused with
respect to the home and all its
furnishings, as well to domestic
animals or pets.

Used for instructions intended to alert
the user to the risk of death or severe
injury should the unit be used
improperly.

The ● symbol alerts the user to things that must be
carried out. The specific thing that must be done is
indicated by the design contained within the circle. In
the case of the symbol at left, it means that the power­cord plug must be unplugged from the outlet.

The symbol alerts the user to important instructions
or warnings.The specific meaning of the symbol is
determined by the design contained within the
triangle. In the case of the symbol at left, it is used for
general cautions, warnings, or alerts to danger.

The symbol alerts the user to items that must never
be carried out (are forbidden). The specific thing that
must not be done is indicated by the design contained
within the circle. In the case of the symbol at left, it
means that the unit must never be disassembled.

• Always grasp only the plug on the power-supply
cord when plugging into, or unplugging from, an
outlet or this unit.

.........................................................................................................

• Try to prevent cords and cables from becoming
entangled. Also, all cords and cables should be
placed so they are out of the reach of children.

.........................................................................................................

• Never climb on top of, nor place heavy objects on
the unit.

.........................................................................................................

• Never handle the power cord or its plugs with wet
hands when plugging into, or unplugging from, an
outlet or this unit.

.........................................................................................................

• Before moving the unit, disconnect the power plug
from the outlet, and pull out all cords from external
devices.

.........................................................................................................

• Before cleaning the unit, turn off the power and
unplug the power cord from the outlet (p. 32).

.........................................................................................................

• Whenever you suspect the possibility of lightning in
your area, pull the plug on the power cord out of the
outlet.

.........................................................................................................

• When installing the Hard disk drive unit (HDP88
series) or Effect expansion board (VS8F-2), remove
only the specified screws (Quick Start p. 55, 57, 59).

USING THE UNIT SAFELY

4

In addition to the items listed under “IMPORTANT
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” and “USING THE UNIT
SAFELY” on pages 2–4, please read and observe the
following:

Power Supply

● Do not use this unit on the same power circuit with

any device that will generate line noise (such as an
electric motor or variable lighting system).

● Before connecting this unit to other devices, turn off

the power to all units. This will help prevent mal­functions and/or damage to speakers or other
devices.

Placement

● Using the unit near power amplifiers (or other

equipment containing large power transformers)
may induce hum. To alleviate the problem, change
the orientation of this unit; or move it farther away
from the source of interference.

● This device may interfere with radio and television

reception. Do not use this device in the vicinity of
such receivers.

● Do not expose the unit to direct sunlight, place it

near devices that radiate heat, leave it inside an
enclosed vehicle, or otherwise subject it to tempera­ture extremes. Excessive heat can deform or discol­or the unit.

Maintenance

● For everyday cleaning wipe the unit with a soft, dry

cloth or one that has been slightly dampened with
water. To remove stubborn dirt, use a cloth impreg­nated with a mild, non-abrasive detergent.
Afterwards, be sure to wipe the unit thoroughly
with a soft, dry cloth.

● Never use benzine, thinners, alcohol or solvents of

any kind, to avoid the possibility of discoloration
and/or deformation.

Repairs and Data

● Please be aware that all data contained in the unit’s

memory may be lost when the unit is sent for
repairs. Important data should always be backed up
on a storage device (e.g., hard disk or Zip disk) or
DAT recorder, or written down on paper (when
possible). During repairs, due care is taken to avoid

the loss of data. However, in certain cases (such as
when circuitry related to memory itself is out of
order), we regret that it may not be possible to
restore the data, and Roland assumes no liability
concerning such loss of data.

Memory Backup

● This unit contains a battery which powers the unit’s
memory circuits while the main power is off. When
this battery becomes weak, the message shown
below will appear in the display. Once you see this
message, have the battery replaced with a fresh one
as soon as possible to avoid the loss of all data in
memory. To have the battery replaced, consult with
your retailer, the nearest Roland Service Center, or
an authorized Roland distributor, as listed on the
“Information” page.

fig.00-02(battery.eps)

Additional Precautions

● Please be aware that the contents of memory can be
irretrievably lost as a result of a malfunction, or the
improper operation of the unit. To protect yourself
against the risk of loosing important data, we rec­ommend that you periodically save a backup copy
of important data you have stored in the unit’s
memory on a storage device (e.g., hard disk or Zip
disk), or DAT recorder.

● Unfortunately, it may be impossible to restore the
contents of data that was stored on a storage device
(e.g., hard disk or Zip disk), or DAT recorder once it
has been lost. Roland Corporation assumes no lia­bility concerning such loss of data.

● Use a reasonable amount of care when using the
unit’s buttons, sliders, or other controls; and when
using its jacks and connectors. Rough handling can
lead to malfunctions.

● Never strike or apply strong pressure to the dis­play.)

● When connecting / disconnecting all cables, grasp
the connector itself—never pull on the cable. This
way you will avoid causing shorts, or damage to the
cable’s internal elements.

IMPORTANT NOTES

5

● A small amount of heat will radiate from the unit
during normal operation.

● To avoid disturbing your neighbors, try to keep the
unit’s volume at reasonable levels. You may prefer
to use headphones, so you do not need to be con­cerned about those around you (especially when it
is late at night).

● To transport the VS-1680, pack it in its original ship­ping carton, using the included packing or equiva­lent material. If an internal IDE hard disk (HDP88
series) is installed, then remove the hard disk. Place
the hard disk in its carton and set this in the speci­fied place inside the VS-1680 shipping carton. The
unit is now ready to be transported. Moving the VS­1680 with the hard disk installed may result in loss
of song data or damage to the hard disk.

Handling the Disk Drive

For details on hard disk handling, refer also to the
instructions that accompanied your hard disk.

● Before performing any of the following actions, be
sure to perform the shutdown procedure. Failure to
do so may result in loss of song data or damage to
the hard disk.

• Turning off the power of the VS-1680

• Turning off the power of the disk drive connected

with SCSI connector

• Removing a disk from a removable disk drive

connected with SCSI connector

Shutdown (Appendices p. 64)

Removable Disk Drive (Appendices p. 64)

When the VS-1680 MIDI/DISK indicator or disk drive
busy indicator is lit, it means that data is being written
to or from the hard disk. If you are using a removable
disk drive, confirm that this indicator is not lit before
removing disks.

● While using the VS-1680, be careful not to subject
the unit to vibration or shock, and avoid moving the
unit while the power is turned on.

● Install the unit on a solid, level surface in an area
free from vibration. If the unit must be installed at
an angle, be sure the installation does not exceed
the permissible range.

● Avoid using the unit immediately after it has been
moved to a location with a level of humidity that is
greatly different than its former location. Rapid
changes in the environment can cause condensation

to form inside the drive, which will adversely affect
the operation of the drive and/or damage remov­able disks. When the unit has been moved, allow it
to become accustomed to the new environment
(allow a few hours) before operating it.

Concerning Copyright

The law prohibits the unauthorized recording, public
performance, broadcast, sale, or distribution etc. of a
work (CD recording, video recording, broadcast, etc.)
whose copyright is owned by a third party.
The VS-1680 does not implement SCMS. This design
decision was made with the intent that SCMS should
not restrict the creation of original compositions which
do not violate copyright law. Roland will take no
responsibility for any infringement of copyright that
you may commit in using the VS-1680.

SCMS (Appendices p. 64)

Disclaimer of Liability

Roland will take no responsibility for any direct dam­ages, consequential damages, or any other damages
which may result from your use of the VS-1680. These
damages may include but are not limited to the fol­lowing events which can occur when using the VS-

1680.

● Any loss of profit that may occur to you.

● Permanent loss of your music or data.

● Inability to continue using the VS-1680 itself or a

connected device.

About the License
Agreement

The VS-1680 and its CD-R capability are designed to
allow you to reproduce material to which you have
copyright, or material which the copyright owner has
granted you permission to copy. Accordingly, repro­duction of music CDs or other copyrighted material
without the permission of the copyright owner, other
than for your own personal use and enjoyment (pri­vate use) constitutes copyright infringement, which
may incur penalties. Consult a copyright specialist or
special publications for more detailed information on
obtaining such permission from copyright holders.

IMPORTANT NOTES

6

Preparations ............................................................................12

About the Package Contents ...................................................................................12

Main Features ..........................................................................................................12

Front and Rear Panels ............................................................14

Mixer Section ...........................................................................................................14

Recorder Section .....................................................................................................16

Rear Panel ...............................................................................................................18

Chapter 1 Before You Start (VS-1680 Terminology) .............20

Saving and Managing Data......................................................................................20

Managing Disk Contents (Partitioning).........................................................................20

The Location Where a Performance is Recorded (Song) .............................................21

Sources, Tracks, and Channels ........................................................................................21

Takes, Phrases, and Playlists ...........................................................................................21

About Events......................................................................................................................22

About Button Names ........................................................................................................22

Mixer Section ...........................................................................................................23

Signal Flow (Buses) ...........................................................................................................23

Input Mixer ........................................................................................................................25

Track Mixer ........................................................................................................................26

Switching the Fader Functions........................................................................................26

Master Block.......................................................................................................................27

Recorder Section .....................................................................................................27

Differences with a Tape-Type MTR................................................................................27

Track Minutes and Recording Time ...............................................................................28

Auxiliary Tracks for Each Track .....................................................................................29

Effects Section .........................................................................................................30

About the Effect Expansion Board..................................................................................30

Connecting Effects.............................................................................................................30

Chapter 2 Basic Operation .....................................................31

Before You Begin .....................................................................................................31

Turning On the Power......................................................................................................31

If You Have Trouble Understanding Displays or Operations....................................31

Setting the Internal Clock.................................................................................................31

Before You Finish Operations ..................................................................................32

Saving the Performance to Disk (Song Store) ...............................................................32

Turning Off the Power......................................................................................................32

Restarting............................................................................................................................33

Basic Operations on the VS-1680............................................................................33

Display Each of the Condition Menus ...........................................................................34

Selecting Pages Contained in Functions and Settings .................................................35

Select the Setting You Want to Change..........................................................................35

Change the Settings Values .............................................................................................35

Execute the Operation ......................................................................................................35

Switching Track Conditions......................................................................................36

Changing the Current Time......................................................................................36

Moving to the Beginning or End of the Performance ..................................................36

Storing a Time Location ...........................................................................................36

Using the Locator ..............................................................................................................37

Using Markers ...................................................................................................................38

Storing Mixer Settings ..............................................................................................39

Recording the Current Condition of the Mixer (Scene)...............................................40

Making Mixer Settings Automatically (EZ Routing) ...................................................41

CONTENTS

7

Chapter 3 Multi-Track Recording ...........................................58

Recording.................................................................................................................58

Items Necessary for Multi-Track Recording ................................................................58

Creating a New Song (Song New)..................................................................................58

General Course of the Recording Process ..............................................................60

Connecting Instruments ...........................................................................................60

Recording to the Tracks ...........................................................................................61

Saving a Recorded Performance (Song Store)........................................................63

Recording Over a Portion of a Performance (Punch-In/Punch-Out) ........................63

Using the RECORD Button (Manual Punch-In 1) ........................................................63

Using the Foot switch (Manual Punch-In 2)..................................................................64

Specifying Beforehand the Location for Rerecording (Auto Punch-In)....................64

Repeatedly Recording Over the Same Area (Loop Recording)..................................66

Recording to Other Tracks (Overdubbing) ...............................................................68

Recording on V-Track 2....................................................................................................68

Using Effects ............................................................................................................69

Applying Effects to the Playback....................................................................................69

Applying Effects While Recording (Send/Return) ......................................................71

Applying Effects While Recording (Insert) ...................................................................72

Recording Digital Signals .........................................................................................74

Items Necessary for Digital Recording ..........................................................................74

Make the Digital Connections .........................................................................................74

Match the Sample Rates ...................................................................................................74

In Order to Make a Digital Connection with Your CD Player ...................................74

Select the Master Clock.....................................................................................................75

Adjusting the Tone (Equalizer).................................................................................75

Combining the Contents of Tracks (Track Bouncing) ..............................................77

Applying Reverb While Track Bouncing.......................................................................78

Creating a Master Tape ...........................................................................................80

To Record to a Cassette Tape...........................................................................................80

Recording with DAT and MD Recorders ......................................................................80

Protecting Songs (Song Protect)..............................................................................81

Protecting Performances ..................................................................................................82

To Remove Song Protect ..................................................................................................82

Chapter 4 Editing a Recorded Performance (Track Editing)....83

About Editing Operations .........................................................................................83

Track Edit ...........................................................................................................................83

Repeating Performance Data (Track Copy)...................................................................83

Moving Performance Data (Track Move) ......................................................................85

Exchanging Performance Data Between Tracks (Track Exchange) ...........................86

Inserting a Blank Space Into Performance Data (Track Insert)...................................87

Deleting Performance Data (Track Cut) ........................................................................88

Erasing Performance Data (Track Erase) .......................................................................89

Modifying the Playback Time of the Performance Data (Track Time Compression/Expansion)..90

Naming Tracks (Track Name) .........................................................................................91

Copying Performance Data from Other Songs (Track Import)..................................92

Phrase Edit...............................................................................................................93

Repeating Phrases (Phrase Copy)...................................................................................93

Moving Phrases (Phrase Move) ......................................................................................96

Adjusting the Beginning of the Phrase Sound (Trim In).............................................97

Adjusting the Ending of the phrase Sound (Trim Out)...............................................98

Deleting Phrases (Phrase Delete) ....................................................................................99

Dividing Phrases (Phrase Split).....................................................................................100

CONTENTS

8

Creating New Phrases (Phrase New) ...........................................................................101

Naming Phrases (Phrase Name) ...................................................................................102

Chapter 5 Using the Internal Effects (VS8F-2)....................103

Composition of the Effects .....................................................................................103

Connecting the Effects ...........................................................................................103

Changing the Source Sound Itself (Insert)...................................................................103

Inserting with Input and Track Channels....................................................................104

Inserting an Effect into the Master Block.....................................................................105

Adding the Sound with the Effect Applied to the Direct Sound (Send/Return) ..106

Adjusting the Balance of the Overall Effect Send Level ............................................108

Selecting Effects (Patch)........................................................................................108

Creating New Effects Sounds ................................................................................109

When Saving to User Patches........................................................................................110

When Storing to a Scene.................................................................................................110

Chapter 6 Use with a Zip Drive ............................................111

Connecting the Zip Drive........................................................................................111

Initializing the Disk (Drive Initialize)........................................................................111

Checking Disk Reliability...............................................................................................113

Saving Performance Data to a Zip Drive (Song Copy) ..........................................113

Saving a Song to a Single Disk (Playable)....................................................................114

To Load Data from Disks (Drive Select) ......................................................................116

When You Cannot Save a Song to a Single Disk (Archives).....................................117

Chapter 7 Use with a CD-R Drive.........................................120

Connecting the CD-R Drive....................................................................................120

Creating an Audio CD ............................................................................................120

Items Necessary for Creating an Audio CD................................................................120

Creating a Master Data...................................................................................................120

Writing Songs to CD-R Discs.........................................................................................121

Auditioning (Test Listening) Songs Written to CDs (CD Player Function)............123

Writing Additional Songs to the Disc ..........................................................................124

Arranging and Writing Multiple Songs to Disc..........................................................124

Saving Songs to CD-R Discs (CD-R Backup)........................................................125

Items Necessary for CD-R Backup................................................................................125

Saving Songs to CD-R Discs ..........................................................................................125

Loading Songs From CD-R Discs..................................................................................126

Chapter 8 Use with MIDI Devices.........................................128

Synchronizing with MIDI Sequencers ....................................................................128

Items Necessary for Synchronization...........................................................................128

Master and Slave .............................................................................................................128

Using MTC .......................................................................................................................128

Using the Sync Track (Master) ......................................................................................131

Using the Tempo Map (Master) ....................................................................................133

Various Operations Related to Synchronized Operation..........................................135

Use with a MIDI Controller .....................................................................................138

Switching Track Status ...................................................................................................138

Switching Scenes .............................................................................................................138

Switching Effects .............................................................................................................138

Adjusting Effects .............................................................................................................138

Chapter 9 Use with a DAT Recorder (DAT Backup) ............140

Before Backing Up with DAT..................................................................................140

Items Necessary for DAT Backup.................................................................................140

About the Devices Used in DAT Backup.....................................................................140

CONTENTS

9

Saving Song Data to a DAT Recorder (Backup)....................................................141

Loading Performance Data from a DAT Recorder (Recover) ................................143

When Cancelling the Recover Operation ....................................................................144

Checking Names of Saved Performance Data (Name) .........................................145

Checking the Recording Condition of Saved Performance Data (Verify)...............146

Chapter 10 Compatibility......................................................148

Disk Compatibility...................................................................................................148

VS-880 → VS-1680 ...........................................................................................................148

VS-1680 → VS-880 ...........................................................................................................148

VS-840 ↔ VS-1680...........................................................................................................148

Loading VS-880/840 Performance Data into the VS-1680 (Song Import) .............148

Converting VS-1680 Song Data for Use with the VS-880 (Song Export)...............150

How to Install the Hard Disk Which was Formatted with the VS-880EX to the VS-1680 ..151

How to Recover the Archived Song Data....................................................................151

Loading VS-880EX Performance Data into the VS-1680 (Song Import)................151

Converting VS-1680 Song Data for Use with the VS-880/VS-880EX (Song Export)....152

When VS-880, VS-1680 and VS-880EX Format Song Data are Existed in a Disk.......153

Chapter 11 Other Convenient Functions ............................154

Previewing Techniques (Preview)..........................................................................154

Using [TO] [THRU] [FROM] .........................................................................................154

Using [SCRUB] ................................................................................................................154

Recalling a Specific Location (Jump) .....................................................................156

Recording Mixer Settings (Auto Mix)......................................................................156

Preparations for Auto Mix .............................................................................................157

Recording the Mixer Settings, Method 1 (Snapshot) .................................................157

Recording the Mixer Settings, Method 2 (Gradation)................................................157

Recording Fader Operations (Realtime) ......................................................................158

If You Don’t Want to Record Fader Settings (Mask Fader) ......................................159

Playing Back the Auto Mix ............................................................................................159

Making Changes to Auto Mix (Micro Edit).................................................................159

Disabling Auto Mix Only on Specified Channels.......................................................160

Disabling Auto Mix on All Channels ...........................................................................160

Undoing Recordings and Edits (Undo)...................................................................160

Recording and Editing Operations Which Can Be Undone (Undo)........................161

Canceling the Last-Performed Undo (Redo)...............................................................161

Cancelling Only the Very Last-Performed Operation ..............................................162

Listening Only to a Specific Channel (Solo/Mute)..................................................162

About Solo Mode.............................................................................................................163

Simultaneously Adjusting a Stereo Source (Stereo Link) ......................................164

Adjusting the Faders.......................................................................................................164

Adjusting the Pan............................................................................................................165

Mixing In a Stereo Source (Stereo In)....................................................................165

Changing the Pitch During Playback (Vari-Pitch)...................................................166

Directly Inputting Alphanumeric Characters...........................................................167

Directly Entering Numerals (Numeric Keys)..............................................................167

Directly Entering Letters of the Alphabet....................................................................167

Sounding the Metronome.......................................................................................167

Using an External MIDI Sound Source to Play the Metronome...............................168

When the Disk Has Little Remaining Space ..........................................................169

Deleting Only Unneeded Performance Data (Song Optimize) ................................169

Deleting One Song of Performance Data (Song Erase)..............................................170

Changing the Name of Performance Data (Song Name).......................................171

Rearranging the Order of Song Data (Song Arrange)............................................171

CONTENTS

10

Dividing Performance Data Into Two Parts (Song Split) ........................................172

Connecting Performance Data (Song Combine)....................................................173

Adjusting the Levels for Each Track.......................................................................174

When Using Balanced Inputs.................................................................................174

Determining Output ................................................................................................175

MONITOR Jacks..............................................................................................................175

AUX Jacks.........................................................................................................................176

DIGITAL OUT Connectors ............................................................................................176

DIRECT OUT ...................................................................................................................177

Confirming That a Drive is Not Damaged (Drive Check) .......................................177

Chapter 12 Making Global Settings and Checking Conditions....180

Switching the Display Content ...............................................................................180

Upper Part of the Display ..............................................................................................180

Center Part of the Display..............................................................................................180

Lower Part of the Display ..............................................................................................181

System Settings for Each Song (System Parameters) ..........................................184

Having the Volume Change as Soon as the Faders are Moved................................184

Holding Level Meter Peaks ...........................................................................................185

Checking the Remaining Disk Space............................................................................186

When Using the Foot Switch .........................................................................................186

Overall Settings for the VS-1680 (Global Parameters) ..........................................187

Holding the function of [SHIFT]...................................................................................187

Using the Numeric Keys ................................................................................................187

Displaying Measures and Beats ....................................................................................188

Changing the VS-1680’s SCSI ID Number...................................................................188

When There Is No Hard Disk Installed........................................................................189

Changing the Level at Which the Peak Indicator Lights...........................................189

Searching Markers Using [PREVIOUS] and [NEXT].................................................189

Adjusting the Button Sensitivity ...................................................................................190

Stopping the Cooling Fan ..............................................................................................190

Overall Settings for Playback and Recording (Play/Record Parameters) ..............191

Constantly Monitoring the Input Source.....................................................................191

Stopping Automatically .................................................................................................191

If Noise Between Segments is Obtrusive .....................................................................191

Scrolling the Waveform..................................................................................................192

Resetting Mixer and System Settings to Their Original State ................................192

To Have a Message Displayed at a Specified Time ..............................................193

Chapter 13 Takein Advantages of the VS-1680 (idea and examples) 194

Synchronizing the Operations of Two VS-1680 Units ............................................194

Settings for the Master VS-1680.....................................................................................194

Settings for the Slave VS-1680 .......................................................................................195

Synchronizing with Cakewalk Pro Audio (MMC)....................................................197

Settings for the VS-1680..................................................................................................198

Settings for Cakewalk Pro Audio .................................................................................199

Making Digital Connections with Cakewalk ..............................................................199

Using an External MIDI Device to Adjust the Mixer (Compu Mix)..........................202

The Correspondence Between MIDI Channels and Controller Numbers..............202

Preparations for Compu Mix.........................................................................................204

Recording with Compu Mix..........................................................................................204

Synchronizing with Video Equipment.....................................................................206

Using External Effects Devices ..............................................................................207

Index.......................................................................................208

CONTENTS

11

About the Package Contents

The following items are included with the VS-1680.
Please check to make sure you have all the items.

• VS-1680

• AC cord

• Quick Start

• Owner’s Manual (this manual)

• Appendices

Main Features

The Latest in Compact Home Studio
Environments

The VS-1680 retains all of the features of Roland’s VS­880 workstation; a revolution in the world of the home
studio, with the disk recorder, digital mixer, and multi
effects systematically and more organically integrated.
From when you start picking mics to when you actual­ly record to mixdown, adding effects, and on to creat­ing the master data for playing through a PA or mas­tering on a CD, you can get a handle on every aspect
of the recording process with the VS-1680 line in your
home studio.

Disk Recorder Section

The digital disk recorder section provides sixteen
playback tracks, and allows eight tracks to be recorded
simultaneously. Each track features sixteen virtual
tracks (V-tracks), providing a total of 256 tracks. This
means that you can record multiple takes, make tem­porary mixes when editing, and create songs that
require numerous tracks, all with room to spare.

The VS-1680’s recording functions were designed for
use with professional digital equipment (DAT
recorders, digital mixers, digital effects, etc.). You can
record and edit with top-quality sound, and lose none
of that quality in the playback.

You can instantly find the location of sections in a
song you want to hear repeatedly or places that you
wish to record over (Locator) by placing marks at such
points (Marker). These Markers are recalled by simple
procedure, and you will never wait for any rewinding
or fast-forwarding time.

Sounds are organized in Phrases, and copying, mov­ing, and inserting these phrase units (with Phrase
Edit), and other editing processes are all possible with
the VS-1680. For example, you can create “break
beats” by copying a four-measure drum pattern any
number of times, or have the same chorus both at the
beginning and end of a song.

The VS-1680 uses “non-destructive editing.” This
allows you to cancel and recover up to 999 previous
recording and editing operations (Undo/Redo).

The internal clock runs battery power, so it continues
to function, even after the power is turned off. This
allows manage your songs by “time stamp,” the time
and date of recording that is registered in the song
data.

Digital Mixer Section

You can store all mixer settings, including fader levels,
pan, and effects. Stored settings can be recalled very
simply, making it convenient in adjusting balances
during mixdown and comparing mixes with effects.

Changes in settings over time, such as fader levels and
pan, can also be stored (Auto Mix), so you can realize
easy fade-ins and fade-outs in your mixes.

You can easily make the most appropriate mixer con­dition settings, including those for recording, track
bouncing, and mixdown (EZ Routing).

Effects Section

The VS-1680 features the optional VS8F-2 effect expan­sion board. Up to two of these effect expansion boards
can be installed in the VS-1680. With the VS8F-2 effect
installed in the VS-1680, up to 4 high-quality stereo
effects will be available for your use.

The VS8F-2 provides not only basic effects such as
reverb and delay, but also effects ideal for vocals and
guitar (such as guitar amp simulator) and even special
effects such as RSS. The way in which each of these
effects are organized by the 34 “algorithms” so that
you can create new sounds easily.

The VS8F-2 provides 210 read only effects setting
(Preset Patches) which designed for various uses. In
addition, the VS8F-2 provides 200 read and write
effects setting (User Patches) for changing and saving
that contents. You can instantly switch between a vari­ety of effects simply by selecting a patch.

Preparations

12

Simple Operation

The VS-1680 can be operated as easily as conventional
multi-track recorders. You will be able to enjoy the
advantages of home studio from the day that you pur­chase it.

The VS-1680 maintains the well-known graphics
(icons) made famous by Roland’s VG-8 and V-Drums.
The large, full-dot graphic display is backlit and
inclined, so it is easy to read when used on stage or
wherever high visibility is required.

Connectivity

A wide variety of connectors and jacks are provided,
including two balanced XLR connectors. It features a
wide input sensitivity range, from mic level (-50 dBu)
to line level (+4 dBu), and phantom power can be
applied, allowing you to plug in externally-powered
condenser mics.

There are six sets of balanced input jacks, handling a
wide input sensitivity range, from line level (+4 dBu)
to mic level (-50 dBu). Furthermore, you can choose
either the high-input (GUITAR (Hi-Z)) jack for directly
plugging in an electric guitar, or the INPUT 8 jack.

Besides the RCA phono type (stereo) MASTER jacks,
the (stereo) AUX A and AUX B jacks, and (stereo)
MONITOR jacks are provided. You can monitor the
effect send and other outputs without affecting the
MASTER Out in any way.

The VS-1680 provides both coaxial and optical digital
I/O connectors. With these, you can make digital con­nections with popular consumer electronic devices
such as CD players, DAT recorders, MD recorders,
and so on.

A SCSI connector (DB-25 type) is also provided, allow­ing you to connect to external SCSI devices such as the
Zip drive and the CD-R drive.

MIDI IN and MIDI OUT/THRU connectors are also
provided. You can synchronize the VS-1680 with an
external MIDI sequencer, use the MIDI sequencer to
control the VS-1680’s mixer, sound an external MIDI
sound generator with the metronome, and more.

Besides tracks for recording audio signals, the VS-1680
has sync track for storing MIDI clock message. You
can even synchronize MIDI sequencers that are not
compatible with MTC (MIDI Time Code) or MMC
(MIDI Machine Control).

Substantial Options

HDP88 Serie’s:

An internal 2.5-inch IDE hard disk. Having this inter­nal hard disk installed makes the VS-1680 system com­pact and easy to transport. Furthermore, there is no
need to make complex settings and no problems with
faulty connections (unlike those which could occur
when an external disk is used). We recommend that
you install an internal hard disk when using the VS-

1680.

* For simultaneous recording or playback of a number of

tracks, for getting more out of the available hard disk
space, and in order to get the fullest performance in gener­al from the VS-1680, we recommend using the
HDP88-2100.

CD-R Drive (designated by Roland):

A CD-R drive connected with a SCSI connector. With
this drive, you can write songs created on the VS-1680
as well as create your own original audio CDs.
Additionally, you can use it for backing up songs to
CD-R discs.

VS8F-2:

An effect expansion board that can be installed in the
VS-1680. You can install two of these boards, which
lets you add two stereo effects, for a total of up to four
stereo effects.

* The VS8F-1 effect expansion board is for use

with the VS-880. It cannot be used in the VS-1680.

Preparations

13

1. PEAK Indicators

These indicators allow you to confirm the sound level
input at the input jacks (1–8). They help you to deter­mine the correct input level when adjusting the
INPUT knobs. You will need to specify the level at
which the indicators light beforehand (p. 61). The indi­cators are set at the factory to -6 dB.

2. INPUT Knobs

These knobs adjust the sensitivity of the input jacks
(1–8). Turn a knob fully to the right for mic level (-50
dBu), and fully to the left for line level (+4 dBu).

3. SELECT/CH EDIT
(Select/Channel Edit) buttons

Use these buttons when you wish to change input
mixer settings and to change input channels. The cur­rently selected channel’s indicators are lit.

1–8: Each channel (1–8)
DIGITAL: Digital input
ST IN: Stereo in
EFFECT 1/3 RTN: Effect 1 Return
EFFECT 2/4 RTN: Effect 2 Return

When you press these buttons while holding down the
STATUS button, you can select which source to be
recorded and the channel on which that source is
recorded.
When numerics are combined with alphabetical char­acters ([NUMERIC/ASCII]), alphabetical characters
can be input directly (Song Name, etc.).

Front and Rear Panels

14

Mixer Section

fig.00-03(mixer.eps)

1
2

3

4
5

6

9

7 8

10

11
12

13

4. SELECT/CH EDIT
(Select/Channel Edit) buttons

Use these buttons when you wish to change track
mixer settings and to change track channels. The cur­rently selected channel’s indicators are lit.

1–15/16: Each channel (1–15/16)

When you press these buttons while holding down the
STATUS button, you can select a particular track to re­recorded to (Track Bouncing).
When numerics are combined with alphabetical char­acters ([NUMERIC/ASCII]), alphabetical characters
can be input directly (Song Name, etc.).

5. STATUS Buttons

These buttons switch the status of each track. The cur­rent status is shown by the button indicator.

SOURCE (orange):

The input source or track assigned to the channel is
being output.

REC (blinking red):

Recording is selected for the track assigned to the
channel. During playback, the track data is nor­mally output.

REC (blinking red and orange):

Recording is selected for the track assigned to the
channel. During playback, you will be able to lis­ten to the track.

PLAY (green):

The track assigned to the channel will playback.

OFF (off):

The channel is muted (silent).
When pressed in combination with the SELECT/CH
EDIT button, this selects the source or track to be
assigned to a track for recording.

6. Channel Faders

Use these faders to adjust the volume level of each
channel or track.

7. MONITOR Knob

This adjusts the volume level output from the MONI­TOR jacks.

8. PHONES Knob

This knob adjusts the volume of the headphones.

9. AUTOMIX Button

This button switches the Auto Mix function on and off.
The button indicator lights when Auto Mix is on.

10. EZ ROUTING Button

This button opens the EZ Routing screen.

11. EDIT/SOLO button

Press this button to make block settings for the master
section of the mixer.
To use the Solo function to monitor only a specific
channel, press this button while holding down the
SELECT/CH EDIT button.

12. FADER/MUTE Button

Pressing this button alternately assigns each channel’s
input mixer and track mixer to the fader for that chan­nel. The button indicator shows the current status.
To mute the channel, press this button while holding
down the SELECT/CH EDIT button.

13. Master Fader

Use this fader to adjust the overall output level.

Front and Rear Panels

15

1. Graphic Display

This displays various data related to the current status
of the VS-1680 during recording, playback, editing,
changing the setting, and so on.

2. Function Button

This button is used to switch the display screen and to
execute operations.
The function assigned to each button appears in the
bottom of the display.

3. PAGE (JUMP) Button

This button switches pages on screens consist of sever­al pages.
When the [SHIFT] button is held down at the same
time, the Locator Jump screen is displayed.

4. PREVIEW button

Press this button to use the Preview function that
plays back a specific length before and after the cur­rent location.

5. LOCATOR/SCENE Button

Pressing this button allows you to store or recall
Locators and Markers or to store or recall Scenes (the
mixer settings).

PREVIOUS:

Recalls the next start or end point of a phrase.
Pressed with [SHIFT], this button recalls the previ­ous Marker.

NEXT:

Recalls the following start or end point of a phrase.
Pressed with [SHIFT], this button recalls the next
Marker.

TAP:

This button is pressed to set Markers.

Front and Rear Panels

16

Recorder Section

fig.00-04(recorder.eps)

1

3

2

4

5

6

7
9

10

18

19

11

13

8

12

14–17

BANK/9:

Pressing this with the LOCATOR buttons (1–8)

selects the Locator bank.

SCENE/0:

This is pressed when storing, recalling, and delet-

ing Scenes.

CLEAR (Back Space):

This button deletes Locators, Markers, and Scenes.

NUMERICS/ASCII:

Press this when you want to use the STATUS and

LOCATOR buttons for 10-key entry of Western

numerals.

1–8:

These select the locator or Scene.

6. Transport Control Buttons

These buttons are used to operate the recorder.

ZERO: This returns the current time to

“00h00m00s00” (zero return).

REW: The current time is moved back only

while this button is held down. This cor­responds to the rewind button on a tape
recorder.

FF: While the button is held down, the cur-

rent time is moved forward. This corre­sponds to the fast-forward button on a
tape recorder.

STOP: Stops recording or playback of the song.

PLAY: Starts recording or playback from the cur-

rent time.

REC: Press this button to record a song.

7. CONTRAST Knob

Use this to adjust the brightness of the display screen.

8. VARI PITCH button

Press this button when you wish to change the play­back pitch (Vari Pitch function).

9. MIDI/DISK Indicator

This indicator lights green when MIDI messages are
being received, and red when data is being written or
read on the disk drive. If both of these are occurring,
the indicator lights orange.

10. EXT SYNC (External Sync) Button

Press this button to select the device, whether the VS­1680 or an external MIDI device, to act as the master or
main controlling device. With the VS-1680 selected as
the master, the external MIDI device functions as the
slave unit; with the external MIDI device selected as
the master, the VS-1680 functions as the slave unit.

11. CURSOR Buttons

Normally (i.e. in Play Condition), this dial is used to
move the current time. When making settings (i.e. in
Edit Condition), this dial is used to modify parameter
values.

12. PLAY (DISPLAY) Button

Press this button to return to the screen that appears
when the VS-1680 is turned on (normal playback sta­tus).

13. TIME/VALUE Dial

In normal (playback) status, this dial adjusts the time
of playback.
This is used to change the settings values for each
parameter when settings are changed.

14. LOOP Button

This button turns Loop Recording on and off. Pressed
with the LOCATOR button, it specifies the range to be
recorded in Loop Recording.

15. AUTO PUNCH Button

This button turns Auto Punch-In Recording on and
off. Pressed with the LOCATOR button, it specifies the
range to be recorded in Auto Punch-In Recording.

16. UNDO (REDO) Button

Press this button to cancel a recording or editing step
that you have made (Undo function). Pressed with
[SHIFT], this button cancels the last performed Undo
function (Redo function).

17. SHIFT Button

This button is pressed in conjunction with other but­tons to access additional functions of those buttons.

18. ENTER/YES Button

This is pressed to execute the current operation or
select the current screen.

19. EXIT/NO Button

This is pressed to cancel the current operation or exit
the current screen.

Front and Rear Panels

17

1. POWER Switch

This switch turns power of the VS-1680 on and off.

2. AC IN (AC Inlet)

Connect the included power cable here.

3. SCSI Connector

This is a DB-25 type SCSI connector for connecting
disk drives such as a Zip disk drive or a CD-R drive.

4. MIDI Connectors (IN, OUT/THRU)

External MIDI devices (MIDI controllers, MIDI
sequencers, etc.) can be connected here.

IN: This connector receives MIDI mes-

sages. Connect it to the MIDI OUT
connector of the external MIDI device.

OUT/THRU: This connector can be used either as a

MIDI OUT or as a MIDI THRU con­nector. With the factory settings, it will
function as a MIDI OUT connector,
which means it is set to transmit MIDI
messages.

5. PHONES Jack

An optional set of headphones can be connected here.
The PHONES jack outputs the same sound as the
MONITOR jack.

6. MONITOR Jacks (L, R)

7. AUX A Jacks (L, R)

8. AUX B Jacks (L, R)

9. MASTER OUT Jacks (L,R)

These are output jacks for analog audio signals (RCA
phono type).
With the factory settings, all signals are output from
the MASTER OUT jacks, the output of MONITOR is
the same as that of the MASTER Out, and there is no
output from the AUX (A and B) jacks. The output is
determined by the block settings of the mixer’s master
section and the settings of each channel.

10. FOOT SWITCH Jack

An optional foot switch (such as the DP-2 or the BOSS
FS-5U) can be connected here when you want to con­trol recorder operations, mark point settings, and
punch in/out operations, and so on with a foot switch.
With the factory settings, a foot switch is set to start
and stop the recorder.

Front and Rear Panels

18

Rear Panel

fig.00-05(rearpanel.eps)

1413 15

1 2 4 567

8 10

9 11 123

11. DIGITAL Connectors (IN, OUT)

The VS-1680 features both coaxial and optical digital
I/O connectors (conforming to S/P DIF).

IN: This inputs a digital audio signal (stereo).

You can select either the coaxial input
connection or the optical connection.

OUT: This outputs a digital audio signal

(stereo). Here you can use both the coaxi­al connector and the optical connector
simultaneously, and each can carry a dif­ferent signal.

S/P DIF (Appendices p. 64)

* To record a digital audio signal, it is not sufficient to sim-

ply connect a digital audio device to the DIGITAL IN
connector. When inputting a digital audio signal, refer to
“Recording Digital Signals” (p. 74).

* It is not able to input or output analog audio signals.

12. PHANTOM Switch

This turns phantom power (+48 V) on and off. When
the factory settings, it is set to “Off.”

Phantom Power (Appendices p. 64)

* Supplying phantom power to dynamic microphones or

audio playback devices may result in damage to your
equipment. Thoroughly read the owner’s manual of your
microphone, and make sure that the phantom

power switch is set to “Off” unless you are using
a condenser mic that requires phantom power.

* Switching the phantom power on or off while the VS-

1680 is turned on produces a loud noise that can damage
amps and speakers. Turn the phantom power on or off
only when the VS-1680 is turned off.

* When nothing is plugged into the INPUT 1–2 jacks, make

sure that the phantom power switch is set to “Off.” Also,
we recommend that turn the INPUT knob fully to the
“LINE” to recording with as high sound quality as possi­ble.

13. GUITAR (Hi-Z) Jack (Guitar)

14. INPUT Jacks (3–8)

15. INPUT Jacks (1–2)

These are input jacks for analog audio signals. INPUT
1 and 2 are XLR connectors, and INPUT 3–8 are 1/4”
phone jacks. On INPUT 8, the GUITAR (Hi-Z) jack, a
1/4” phone type high-impedance jack, can be used
instead of, but not at the same time as the regular
INPUT 8 jack; you may use either type of jack. If
cables are connected to both inputs, the GUITAR (Hi­Z) jack will take priority. Use the INPUT knobs to
adjust the input sensitivity of each input.

Front and Rear Panels

19

This chapter explains basic concepts, internal struc­ture, and basic operation that you will need to know in
order to operate the VS-1680. Please read this chapter
thoroughly to gain a better understanding of the VS-

1680.

Saving and Managing Data

Managing Disk Contents (Partitioning)

The VS-1680 saves all of the data such as — perfor­mance data, mixing data, system data, etc. — on the
disk drive. Thus, it cannot operate without either hav­ing an internal disk or being connected to a Zip drive
with a SCSI connector. Furthermore, the hard disk or

Zip drive used by the VS-1680 cannot be used by
another device.

The VS-1680 is able to manage which 500 MB, 1000 MB
or 2000 MB of disk space at once. If you use a disk
drive with a capacity that is larger than this, you will
need to divide it into two or more.
Each of these area is refered as the “partition.” Up to 8
partitions can be created in one disk drive. For creat­ing songs in a enough space, we recommend you to
set the partitions to 2000 MB.

Ex. 1: When the disk drive is 810 MB, and the parti-

tion size is 1000 MB.

fig.01-01(partition1.eps)

Ex. 2: When the disk drive is 1.4 GB, and the parti-

tion size is 1000 MB.

fig.01-02(partition2.eps)

Ex. 3: When the disk drive is 1.4 GB, and the parti-

tion size is 2000 MB.

fig.01-03(partition3.eps)

Ex. 4: When the disk drive is 8.2 GB, and the parti-

tion size is 1000 MB.

fig.01-04(partition4.eps)

Ex. 5: When the disk drive is 8. 2 GB, and the parti-

tion size is 2000 MB.

fig.01-05(partition5.eps)

Each partition on the VS-1680’s disk drive is treated as
an independent drive, with each partition automatical­ly given a partition number (0–7). When a single hard
disk has multiple partitions, you can specify which
partition of which drive will be used (p.116). This disk
drive partition currently used is referred to as the cur-
rent drive.

* If you wish to use hard disks or song data on both the VS-

1680 and the VS-880, because of factors such as differing
partition sizes and numbers of tracks, there will be limita­tions as to what you can do. For more detailed informa­tion, please see “Compatibility” (p.148).

* The VS-1680 accepts installation of Roland HDP88

serie’s hard disks (hard disk drive units). For simultane­ous recording or playback of a number of tracks, for get­ting more out of the available hard disk space, and in
order to get the fullest performance in general from the
VS-1680, we recommend using the HDP88-2100.

Partition
(810MB)

Disk Drive

(810MB)

Partition 1
(1000MB)

Partition 2

(400MB)

Disk Drive

(1.4GB)

Disk Drive

(1.4GB)

Partition

(1.4GB)

Partition 3
(1000MB)

Partition 7
(1000MB)

unusable

(200MB)

Partition 5

(1000MB)

Partition 1
(1000MB)

Partition 4
(1000MB)

Partition 8

(1000MB)

Partition 6
(1000MB)

Partition 2
(1000MB)

Disk Drive

(8.2GB)

Partition 3
(2000MB)

Partition 5

(200MB)

Partition 1
(2000MB)

Partition 4
(2000MB)

Partition 2
(2000MB)

Disk Drive

(8.2GB)

Chapter 1 Before You Start (VS-1680 Terminology)

20

The Location Where a Performance is
Recorded (Song)

The location where a performance data is recorded is
refered to as the song. For example on a cassette MTR,
this would correspond to cassette tape. Up to 200
songs can be created in each partition. Normally, you
should set the partition size at 2000 MB. When dealing
with large numbers of songs at the same time, or when
you want to use the data on the VS-880 as well, setting
the partition size to 1000 MB is recommended. The
song currently being recorded, played back, or edited
is referred to as the current song. Following data are
included in a song.

• All data recorded on V-tracks

• MIDI clocks of the sync track

• Points specified within songs (locator, marker,

punch-in/out points, loop-in/out points) (p. 36)

• Scenes (mixer settings)

• Vari Pitch settings (p. 166)

• System settings (system, MIDI, disk, sync, Scene) (p. 184)

• Effect settings

• Auto Mix Data

Sources, Tracks, and Channels

On the VS-1680, the recorder section and mixer section
use term sources, tracks, and channels. These terms
may appear similar to each other, and will be confus­ing unless their differences are clarified.
Source: A signal which is input to the mixer sec-

tion or recorded in the recorder section.
On the VS-1680, this term refers in partic­ular to the signals of the analog input
jacks (1–8) and the digital in connector.

Track: A signal that is being input to or output

from the recorder section. It also refers to
the location of a signal that is being
recorded onto or played back from the
hard disk.

Channel: A signal that is being input to or output

from the mixer section. This term refers in
particular to the faders and buttons of the
mixer section on the top panel.

Takes, Phrases, and Playlists

On the VS-1680, data is managed by groups called
takes, phrases, and playlists. Please take a moment
to make sure you understand the differences between
each of these terms.

Takes: The data recorded to the disk is simply

called a take. This recorded data includes
wave data and time stamp (time and date
imprint) information. With a new record­ing, each track consists of one take.
Additionally, even when you record
material onto tracks that already have
takes on them, the previous takes are not
deleted (overwritten).

Phrases: The data that defines which take is

played back, including the start and stop
times of that playback is called a phrase.
The length of a phrase may just be the
length of a take, or a phrase may consist
of part of a take. Additionally, you can
use any number of phrases from the same
take, and have a phrase played back
repeatedly as a sort of “break beats.”
This is displayed as one box in the
playlist.

fig.01-06(phrase1.eps)

fig.01-07(phrase2.eps)

fig.01-08(phrase3.eps)

Take 1

Phrase 1

Track 1

00h00m10s00 00h00m20s00

Time

T a k e 2

Phrase 2 Phrase 2'

Track 1

00m10s00 00m30s0000m20s00

Time

T a k e 3

Phrase 3 Phrase 3'

Track 1

00m10s00

00m30s0000m22s00

00m20s00

Time

Chapter 1 Before You Start (VS-1680 Terminology)

21

Chapter 1

Playlists: Data that specifies “which phrases are played back and the order

in which they are played” is called a playlist. The VS-1680 fea­tures 256 V-tracks, and a maximum of sixteen tracks that can be
played back simultaneously. In the playlist, the phrases pasted
to each track are displayed as a number of boxes.

About Events

The smallest unit of memory used by the VS-1680 to store recorded results on
disk is called an event. A newly created song is provided approximately 18,000
events.
For each track, one recording pass uses two events. Operations such as punch­in/out or track copy also use up events. The number of events that are used up
will fluctuate in a complex way. For example, auto mix (p.153) uses up six events
for each Marker.
Even when your disk has ample free space, one song can use up all the available
events, in which case no more data could be recorded to the song.
Remaining number of Events can be saved with the following procedures. Please
try the most appropriate one with your situation.

● Execute Song Store (p. 32)

Please Execute Song Store if in UNDO condition ([UNDO] indicator is lit.).
Events served for REDO will be released. But please note that you cannot cancel
(REDO) the last UNDO if you once execute STORE.

● Execute Song Optimize (p. 169)

Please execute Song Optimize if you have done a lot of Punch In recording.
Events served for unnecessary audio data will be released. But please note that
you can only do single level UNDO.

● Erase AutoMix data (p. 160)

If you have recorded AutoMix data, erase unnecessary data. Events served for
unnecessary AutoMix data will be released.

About Button Names

There are two groups of buttons referred to as SELECT/CH EDIT
(Select/Channel Edit) buttons. Indications of button groups that are hard to dis­tinguish in the Owner’s Manual are described below.

fig.01-08a(select.eps)

Input Channel

Track Channel

Track

Chapter 1 Before You Start (VS-1680 Terminology)

22

Mixer Section

The digital mixer specifies input or output status of the recorder section.
The VS-1680’s mixers include the input mixer, which, in the signal path, is situ­ated before the recording section, the track mixer, which is placed after the
recording section, and the Master Block, which is used in determining which
jacks and connectors output the signals from each of the other mixers.

* For more detailed information about the mixer section, please refer to the “Mixer

Section Block Diagram” (Appendices p. 60).

Signal Flow (Buses)

On the VS-1680, signals flow through buses. buses are shared lines through
which multiple signals can be routed efficiently to multiple tracks or chan­nels. It may be easier to understand this if we use the analogy of water pipes.

For example, the water that is supplied by the water company to your house is
branched to a variety of locations within the house (kitchen, bathroom, toilet,
etc.). The water that is used at each of these locations is then collected into the
sewer, and carried away.

fig.01-09(bus.eps)

If we think of the VS-1680 as the house, the water being supplied from the water
company corresponds to inputs such as mic or guitar. Some of these inputs are
sent to recording tracks and are recorded. Other portions are sent to the effects,
and reverb or chorus are applied before they are output.
The basic principle of the VS-1680 is that by specifying in this way from where
and to where the common lines run, you can determine which input signals will
be recorded on which track or sent to which effects, and where they will be out­put.

Drain (Bus)

OUTPUT
to street

Water Heater

INPUT to house
from water line

Your House

Cold Water (Bus)

Hot Water (Bus)

Bath Sink

Bathtub

Kitchen Sink

INPUT

INPUTS INPUTS

INPUT

INPUTS

Toilet

OUTPUT

OUTPUT

OUTPUT

OUTPUT

OUTPUT

OUTPUT

Chapter 1 Before You Start (VS-1680 Terminology)

23

Chapter 1

RECORDING Bus:

Signals assigned to the RECORDING bus are routed to the recorder section to be
recorded. There are eight channels which can be assigned to the output of the
input mixer, track mixer, and effects (Return). Signals assigned to the RECORD­ING bus cannot be routed to the MIX bus.

MIX Bus:

Signals assigned to the MIX bus are sent to the MASTER jacks for monitoring. It
has two channels (L and R), and can take output signals from the input mixer,
track mixer, and effects (Return). Signals assigned to the MIX bus cannot be rout­ed to the RECORDING bus.

EFFECT Bus:

Signals assigned to the EFFECT bus are sent to the VS8F-2 to apply effects added
to them. It has four channels (EFX1 L/R, EFX2 L/R), and can process signals
from the input mixer and the track mixer. Signals assigned to the RECORDING
bus as well as the MIX bus can also be routed to the EFFECT bus.

AUX Bus:

Signals assigned to the AUX bus are routed to the AUX jacks to allow addition
mixes for monitoring. This bus features six channels (AUX1 L/R, AUX2 L/R,
AUX3 L/R), and can take signals from the input mixer and the track mixer.
Signals assigned to the RECORDING bus as well as the MIX bus can also be
routed to the AUX bus. This is convenient if, for example, you want to connect
an external effects device, or when you want an addition output separate from
that of the MASTER Out jacks (individual out).

EFFECT bus and AUX bus

If VS-1680 installed two VS8F-2s, AUX bus (AUX1 L/R, AUX2 L/R) works
as EFFECT bus (EFX3 L/R, EFX4 L/R).

Chapter 1 Before You Start (VS-1680 Terminology)

24

Input Mixer

Input mixer is placed before the recorder section, and correspond to the external
input sources (INPUT 1–8, DIGITAL IN L/R).

fig.01-10(inpputmix.eps)

The output of each channel is assigned to tracks to be recorded. Channels not
assigned to tracks are output directly from the MASTER jacks. Additionally, the
status of tracks with signals assigned to them when not in record standby (STA­TUS indicator blinking red), also are output from the MASTER jacks. At this
time, the following signals are assigned to the channel faders.

Channels 1–8: INPUT jacks 1–8
DIGITAL: DIGITAL IN connector L/R
ST IN: Sources assigned to STEREO IN (p. 165)
EFFECT 1: EFX1 return level or EFX3 return level
EFFECT 2: EFX2 return level or EFX4 return level

EQ1 Fader1

EQ2 Fader2

EQ3 Fader3

EQ4 Fader4

EQ5 Fader5

EQ6 Fader6

EQ7 Fader7

EQ8 Fader8

EQ

DIGITAL

Fader

DIGITAL

INPUT 1

INPUT 2

INPUT 3

INPUT 4

INPUT 5

INPUT 6

INPUT 7

INPUT 8

DIGITAL IN L/R

Input Mixer (Input channel 1–8, DIGITAL L/R)

Balance

DIGITAL

Pan1

Pan2

Pan3

Pan4

Pan5

Pan6

Pan7

Pan8

REC 1 (Recorder)

REC 2 (Recorder)

REC 3 (Recorder)

REC 4 (Recorder)

REC 5 (Recorder)

REC 6 (Recorder)

REC 7 (Recorder)

REC 8 (Recorder)

MIX L/R (MASTER)

Chapter 1 Before You Start (VS-1680 Terminology)

25

Chapter 1

Track Mixer

Track mixer is placed after the recorder section, and correspond to the tracks
(1–15/16).

fig.01-11(trackmix.eps)

All of the tracks are output from the MASTER jacks. Additionally, tracks can
also be routed back to the RECORDING bus for overdubbing, or re-rerecording.
In this status, the channel faders 1–15/16 correspond respectively to Tracks
1–15/16.

Switching the Fader Functions

On the VS-1680, it is able to adjust Input mixer or Track mixer by switching the
function of the channel faders on the top panel. Pressing [FADER] on the top
panel toggles between the input mixer and the track mixer. The button indicator
indicates which mixer is currently selected.

fig.01-12(fader.eps)

Balance

9/10

EQ1 Fader1

EQ2 Fader2

Pan1

Pan2

EQ3 Fader3

EQ4 Fader4

Pan3

Pan4

EQ5 Fader5

EQ6 Fader6

Pan5

Pan6

EQ7 Fader7

EQ8 Fader8

Pan7

Pan8

EQ

9/10

Fader

9/10

Balance

11/12

EQ

11/12

Fader

11/12

Balance

13/14

EQ

13/14

Fader

13/14

Balance

15/16

EQ

15/16

Track1

Track2

Track3

Track4

Track5

Track6

Track7

Track8

Track

9/10

Track
11/12

Track
13/14

Track
15/16

Fader

15/16

REC 1 (Recorder)

REC 2 (Recorder)

REC 3 (Recorder)

REC 4 (Recorder)

REC 5 (Recorder)

REC 6 (Recorder)

REC 7 (Recorder)

REC 8 (Recorder)

MIX L/R (MASTER)

Recorder Track Mixer (Track channel 1–15/16)

REC 1

REC 2

REC 3

REC 4

REC 5

REC 6

REC 7

REC 8

dark

lit (track mixer is currently selected)

Chapter 1 Before You Start (VS-1680 Terminology)

26

Master Block

This selects the jacks or connectors connected to external equipment to which the
output of each mixer is sent.

fig.01-13(mstrblck.eps)

Recorder Section

Differences with a Tape-Type MTR

Unlike DAT recorders, which use tape, digital disk recorders record perfor­mances (sounds) on a disk, as do MD recorders. Music that is recorded on

disk can be recalled and played back immediately, no matter where it is located
on the disk. This is also obvious from the difference in speed at which you can
move to the beginning of a song on a DAT recorder and on an MD recorder.
The ability to freely move to data regardless of the time or sequence at which it
was recorded is known as random access. In contrast, having to move to data
in the order of the time or sequence at which it was recorded is known as
sequential access.

fig.01-14(random.eps)

MASTER L, R MASTER L/R

AUX A L/R

EFX1 L/R

AUX B L/R

EFX2 L/R

MONITOR L/R

AUX1(EFX3) L/R

PHONES L/R

AUX2(EFX4) L/R

DIGITAL OUT 1

AUX3(AUX) L/R

DIGITAL OUT 2

STEREO IN L/R

REC BUS 1–8

Masterblock

Chapter 1 Before You Start (VS-1680 Terminology)

27

Chapter 1

Track Minutes and Recording Time

With cassette tape recorders, the amount of time you can record on a tape is pre­determined by the length of that tape. Moreover, any unused portion of the tape
is wasted.

fig.01-15(tape.eps)

In contrast, with disk recording, although available recording time is determined
by the amount of disk space, only the disk space used in recording is taken, and
beyond that, has no affect on the disk’s remaining free space. Thus, depending
on how you use tracks and phrases, the amount of available recording time will
vary. Thus, this calls for a standard unit corresponding to the time of one contin­uous monaural signal recorded to one track. This unit is referred to as a track
minute.

fig.01-16(disc.eps)

available recording time

Track 1

Track 2

Track 3

Track 4

00h00m00s00 00h30m00s00

Time

In Case of Tape Recording (using 30-minute tape)

available recording time

In Case of Disk Recording

Time

Track 1

Track 2

Track 3

Track 4

00h00m00s00 00h30m00s00 00h40m00s00

Chapter 1 Before You Start (VS-1680 Terminology)

28

For example, 10 track minutes be used for 10 minutes of monaural recording, 5
minutes of stereo recording, 2 minutes and 30 seconds of recording on four
tracks, and so on.

fig.01-17(tr_min.eps)

Auxiliary Tracks for Each Track

The VS-1680 provides 16 playback tracks, and allows 8 tracks to be recorded
simultaneously. Each track is composed from the features 16 supplementary
tracks, each on of which can be used for recording or playback. In other words,
you can record performances containing up to 256 (16 x 16) tracks, and select any
of these auxiliary tracks to played back on a track. These auxiliary tracks are
called V-tracks.

fig.01-18(vtrack.eps)

* This Owner’s Manual provides a blank virtual track sheet to help you keep track of your

virtual track recordings (p. 72). Feel free to copy the sheet to use when you record.

Track 1

Track 1

Track 2

Track 1

Track 2

Track 3

Track 4

00h00m00s00 00h10m00s00

00h00m00s00 00h05m00s00

00h00m00s00 00h02m30s00

Time

Time

Time

1

3

5

7

9

11

13

15

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

V-track

Track

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1612345678910111213141516

Chapter 1 Before You Start (VS-1680 Terminology)

29

Chapter 1

Effects Section

About the Effect Expansion Board

Up to two optional VS8F-2 effect expansion boards can be installed in the VS-

1680. With two VS8F-2s installed, 4 high-quality stereo effects will be available
simultaneously for your use.
With just one VS8F-2 installed, then you will only be able to use EFFECT A
(EFX1/2). With two VS8F-2s installed, you will be able to use both EFFECT A
(EFX1/2) and EFFECT B (EFX3/4).

* To install VS8F-2, please refer to “Installing the Effect Expansion Board” (Quick

Start p. 57).

Connecting Effects

On the VS-1680, there are two ways to connect the effects devices. Please read
and understand these differences described below.

Insert:

The effect is directly added either between each channel’s equalizer and fader or
before the master fader. Connect the effect in this manner if you want to use
effects applied to change the output of the sound itself, such as when using dis­tortion or overdrive effects.
When inserting an effect into one of the channels or into the Master Block, that
effect cannot be used in another channel. For example, you insert EFX1 into
Channel 1, then no other channel can access EFX1.

Send/Return:

Besides the RECORDING bus and the MIX bus, the output of each channel can
also be sent to the EFFECT bus. Use this routing with effects such as reverb and
delay, when you want to mix the sound without effects and the sound after
effects have been applied.

* The VS8F-1 effect expansion board is for use with the VS-880. It cannot be

used in the VS-1680.

EFX1 EFX2

EFFECT A

EFX3 EFX4

EFFECT B

EFFECTS

EQ Fader Pan

EFX1

MIX bus or REC bus

EQ Fader Pan

EFX1EFX Pan

MIX bus or REC bus

EFX bus

Chapter 1 Before You Start (VS-1680 Terminology)

30