Creating multiple .WAV files on the VS-840GX
DVD tutorials for the VS-2000CD
Recording levels on the VS-2000CD
Synchronizing the VS-2480 with SONAR
Canceling lead vocals on a VS-880EX

QUESTION:
I have one VS-840GX. I’ve recorded a drum in several tracks. I want to edit each track in my PC. I bought a zip unit to transfer the .vs4 files generated by the workstation to my PC, but they can’t be opened by means of any audio software I tried. I know that the VS840GX can make a stereo mix of the song and save it as a .WAV, but this file doesn’t allow me to edit and equalize “each track” of the recorded drum. Could you help me to do that if it is possible?

Martin

ANSWER:
When you use the WAV CONVERT tool in the VS-840GX, you can convert just 2 tracks at a time. So if your song has 8 tracks, you’ll need to perform the WAV CONVERT function 4 times.

First time:
UTILITY / WAV CONVERT, ENTER.
Use the dial to select source tracks Lch: 1-1, Rch: 2-1,
Then finish the WAV convert process.
Then repeat, but this time choose source tracks Lch: 3-1, Rch 4-1.

So, you don’t specifically need to create a stereo mix of your song before you use WAV Convert. Just each time, pick which two tracks from your multi-track recording you want to convert. Transfer those over to the PC (you’ll need to have a ZIP Drive connected to your PC), and repeat.

The exact button presses for using WAV CONVERT are shown in the VS-840GX Owner’s Manual on page 105. If you are missing the Owner’s Manual, you can download it from here.

QUESTION:
I was wondering if Roland will release any video or DVD tutorials for the VS-2000CD in the future?

Steven T.

ANSWER:
YES — there is a TurboStart DVD available for the VS-2000CD for any VS-2000 owner who purchased their unit and currently lives in the USA. You can get it by calling the Roland SuperStore at 800-386-7575. The Roland SuperStore cannot ship outside the United States. Ask for the VS-2000CD TurboStart DVD.

You can also watch some short product videos on the VS-2000CD at its official web page on the Roland US website:

Click on the link titled “Launch Demo” at the bottom of that page for the VS-2000CD Interactive Demo Video.

QUESTION:
I have a VS-2000CD, and I want to make everything loud as possible when I record. I don’t know what level meters to look at when I record,(monitor, master, input channel, etc.) How do I make sure that my projects and mixes are at the loudest potential?? Do I want the Input meter to be as high as possible, or the Master?

Damon F.

ANSWER:
First of all, after you create a New Project, use the INPUT SENS (i.e. the Input Sensitivity) knobs to set the actual recording level. Do not change or adjust the INPUT MIXER faders. You'll notice that these faders default to 0 dB. This is good. This is where you want them. The TRACK faders are strictly for playback / listening level, and they do NOT affect the recording level at all. So during recording, it doesn't really matter where you set the TRACK faders.

During recording, the levels should be around -4dB. That is, mostly in the YELLOW part of the display, and occasionally getting into the RED. Don’t worry too much if the PEAK light goes off every once in a while. It is ‘programmed’ to go off anytime the signal gets to around -6 dB.
Note: -12 dB is a lower level than -6 dB. -4 dB is louder and a ‘hotter’ signal than -6 dB.

If you’re using the VS-2000CD with an external VGA monitor, it’s best to set the METERS display for PRE (Fader) TRACK LEVELS. This will show you the actual level that’s being recorded.
So choose TRACK levels, and choose the button for PRE (instead of PST).

For mixdown, make sure your speakers are connected to the MONITOR output on the top of the VS-2000 (not the MASTER output). Keep the red MASTER fader at 0 dB, near the top. Use the MONITOR knob to control how loud the sound is playing from your speakers. (Don't use the MASTER fader as a volume control: The Master fader needs to stay at 0 dB, as it will ultimately affect how loud your final stereo Master Mixes are.)

Here’s a summary:

When first setting up sources (i.e. mics, instruments, etc.):
Look at INPUT LEVELS
During RECORDING: Look at TRACK LEVELS, PRE fader.
During MIXDOWN: Look at TRACK LEVELS, POST fader.


QUESTION:
I want to synchronize my VS-2480 with SONAR by the word clock in. I have an M-AUDIO DELTA 1010 sound card.

Tony G.

ANSWER:
It’s not possible to sync the VS-2480 to Sonar by just Word Clock. You need to use either SMPTE, or MIDI Time Code (MTC). Chances are, MTC will be the most appropriate choice in your case. Set up SONAR to generate MTC (not the same thing as MMC, and also not the same thing as MIDI Clock). Run a MIDI Cable from the MIDI Interface on your computer out to the MIDI IN connector on the back of the VS-2480.

Setting Up the VS-2480 as a Sync Slave:
1. Navigate to the MIDI PARAMETER screen. (UTILITY menu)
2. If the master device transmits MMC, turn on the VS-2480’s SysEx. Rx Sw parameter, and set the MMC MODE parameter to SLAVE. (Set “SysEx. Rx = ON”)
3. Set the MMC SOURCE setting to MIDI.
4. Hold down SHIFT and press EXT SYNC to jump to the SYNC PARAMETER screen.
5. Set SYNC MODE to EXT, for “External” so that the VS-2480 uses the master device’s timing to operate.
6. Set EXT Sync SOURCE to MIDI.

QUESTION:
I would like to cancel the lead vocal from a store bought CD. Is this possible with the VS-880EX? If yes, can you please tell me how to do it?

Rick S.

ANSWER:
YES — this is possible.

First, record the song from your CD player into your VS-880EX, onto 2 tracks.
Do this by connecting both the Left and Right outputs of your CD player into the VS-880s Inputs 1 and Input 2.
Record on both Track 1 and Track 2.
After you've made the recording, turn CHANNEL LINK ON for those two tracks — so the VS links them and treats them as one STEREO track instead of two MONO tracks. Next, press the EFFECT1 button and find the Center Cancel Effect. It is labeled “VC:Vocal Cnl” (Sorry, I don’t have the exact preset patch number handy.) Once you’ve dialed in the Center Cancel effect, you need to INSERT it on Tracks 1/2.
Hold SHIFT and press CH EDIT for EFFECT -1 (the CH EDIT button above fader #7).
Press just CH EDIT by itself above Fader #1 to specify you want to change the Effect Setting on Track 1.
Use the dial to change the setting from “OFF” to “INS”.

Note: Results and effectiveness of the Center Cancel effect varies widely depending on the original source material. Try it with a bunch of different songs. Older recordings (old Motown, etc.) seem to work better. In cases where the lead vocal is panned hard left or hard right (like some Beatles songs), the Center Cancel doesn’t work at all. You need to play with it a bit.

This trick can be done on any of the Roland V-Studios, as they all have the Vocal Canceller Effect in the Effects list.