BR-864 files in Windows Media Player
Shortcuts on the VS-2480
Reading VS files in Logic
Plugging guitars into the VS-840EX
Transferring projects from the VS-2480

QUESTION:
When importing data from my BR-864 to my computer, window media player does not recognize the extensions that are imported.

Shannon J.

ANSWER:
You need to bounce your tracks in the BR first - to create a stereo mix. (Say, bounce to 7-2 and 8-2, or something like that.) (That's Track 7, Virtual Track 2, and Track 8, Virtual Track 2). Then, hook up the USB connection, and use the .WAV EXPORT tool in the BR. (Not the Song Copy).

If you simply drag a full Song Folder from the BR to your computer's hard drive - the Windows Media player will NOT read or open or play those files. You need to convert the files to .WAV inside the BR first, and then drag the .WAV files over. The BR will generate / create the .WAV files on it's own compact flash card. Then, you'll be able to open the .WAVs file folder. This is all described in explicit detail in the BR-864's Owner's Manual, on page 161.

QUESTION:
Is there a shortcut or command sequence for the VS-2480 to switch the operation target to LCD when I'm on location and a VGA screen is unavailable? I wrote down the sequence once, but when I get to the menu there's no way to tell which parameter the cursor is already on. Is there a certain button when I get to that menu that will snap the cursor to Operation target?

Michael D.

ANSWER:
YES - All you need to do is press and hold SHIFT, and then press UTILITY. This command: SHIFT+UTILITY, toggles the mouse between the LCD and the VGA. Doesn't matter what screen you're in or what you're doing in the VS-2480..... just use SHIFT+UTILITY.

Not sure where the mouse is? Easiest way to figure it out: Press the EFFECTS button. If the Effects Screen shows up in the LCD only and not on the VGA, then the mouse is set for LCD. And if the Effects Screen shows up in the VGA and *not* on the LCD, well then, you guessed it - the mouse is set for VGA.

QUESTION:
Is it possible to read VS files saved on a CD-R from a computer recording program like Logic Platinum 6? If so how do I convert the files to the PC?

Shaquan S.

ANSWER:
Yes, you can convert individual tracks recorded on a V-Studio into .WAV files. However, you'll need to get your hands on either a VS-2000CD, VS-2400, or VS-2480, to do this. Either of those machines will read and recover song backups made to CDR from other, older Roland V-Studios (such as a VS-1680) and then convert the tracks into time-stamped, 24-bit .WAV files that you can load into a computer.

It is not possible to simply take a CDR Song Backup and read it into the computer. If you've ever tried this, you'll see the computer won't recognize the disc. I would suggest finding someone with a VS-2000CD who will convert your VS-1680 songs for you.

QUESTION:
I just bought a used VS-840EX. Can I play my Strat through the VS-840 into Event Tuned Reference 8 (TR8) speakers? I am not looking for a large sound, rather trying to decide if I actually need to purchase an amplifier.

Larry K.

ANSWER:
Yes - it is possible to use the VS-840EX as a 'stand-alone' Effects processor. Just connect your guitar in directly, then connect the Master Outputs (RCA) to your Event speakers. (You'll probably need to pick up a pair of RCA to 1/4" cables. Places like Guitar Center & Sam Ash have these. Use the Main Fader on the VS-840 to set the level feeding into the speakers.

Then, you can experiment with the Guitar Effects right inside the VS-840 and hear them, real-time through your speakers. You don't have to be recording anything to do this.

QUESTION:
How do I use my VS-1680 as a control surface for Digital Performer 4.5 ?

Walter S.

ANSWER:
In the VS-1680's SYSTEM menu, look for MIDI settings, then set the VS-1680 to MMC = MASTER. Also set “SysEx Tx" to ON. Make sure you have a MIDI Cable from the VS-1680's MIDI OUT port connected to a MIDI IN port of your computer.

I cannot tell you the specific settings on how to set Digital Performer up so that it responds to an external control surface, as I don't have DP here to play with. But the settings I gave you above are how to get the VS-1680 to transmit MIDI MACHINE CONTROL (i.e. MMC) out to the midi interface of your computer.

This will include all transport controls - PLAY, STOP, RW, etc...and also the fader movements from the VS-1680 can be mapped to control things inside Digital Performer. By the way, this method also works for the VS-1880 or VS-1824CD.