Owner`s manual

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 pur-
chase 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 con-
nections 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, allow-
ing 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 inter-
nal hard disk installed makes the VS-1680 system com-
pact 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 gener-
al 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
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