Roland VS-1680 V-XPANDED User manual

Thank you, and congratulations on your choice of the Roland VS-1680 V-XPANDED
Digital Studio Workstation.
As the owner of the VS-1680 V-XPANDED, you can begin using all functions
immediately. Please read the V-XPANDED Owner’s Manual (this document) together
with the VS-1680 Owner’s Manual (three volumes).
If you purchased the V-XPANDED system Zip disk, refer to this manual and upgrade
the system software of VS-1680 (to add the V-XPANDED functions). Then, read the V-
XPANDED Owner’s Manual (this document) together with the VS-1680 Owner’s
Manual (three volumes).
All product names mentioned in this document are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.
Copyright © 1999 ROLAND CORPORATION
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without
the written permission of ROLAND CORPORATION.
Roland international website: www.rolandcorp.com
Roland U.S. website: www.rolandus.com
01898978 ‘99-3-E3-11T
Owner’s Manual

3
Table of Contents
Table of Contents.............................3
Precautions ...................................................................4
Added functionality
(main features) .............................................................5
Mixdown using the VS-1680 alone......................5
Additional effect algorithms ................................5
Automix editing functionality .............................5
Enhanced support for
CD-R/CD-RW drives............................................5
Enhanced operations.............................................5
Enhanced screen display ......................................5
Expanding the functionality of the
VS-1680 .............................................6
If you purchased the
VS-1680 V-XPANDED...........................................6
If you purchased the
V-XPANDED system program Zip disk ............6
Mix 16 tracks down to 2 tracks
(Mastering Room).............................8
Added mastering tracks .............................................8
Mixing down to the mastering tracks.......................8
Mixdown shortcut 1 ............................................10
Mixdown shortcut 2 ............................................10
Playing back the mastering tracks ..........................10
Mixing down while inserting effects ......................11
New effects algorithms..................14
Making the volume consistent for each frequency
band
(Mastering Tool Kit)..................................................14
EQ (Equalizer) ......................................................14
BCut (Bass-cut filter)............................................15
Enh (Enhancer).....................................................15
In (Input) ...............................................................15
Exp (Expander).....................................................15
Cmp (Compressor) ..............................................16
Mix (Mixer) ...........................................................16
Lmt (Limiter) ........................................................16
Out (Output).........................................................16
Modeling various speakers (Speaker Modeling) ..17
SpMod (speaker modeling) ................................17
BCut (Bass-cut filter)............................................17
LFT/HFT (Frequency trimmer).........................17
Lmt (Limiter) ........................................................18
Effective ways to use speaker modeling ..........18
Editing an automix.........................19
Erasing data from a specific area (Erase) ...............19
Copying data to another location (Copy) ..............20
Smooth data transitions (Gradation) ......................21
Increasing or decreasing all data values (Shift/
Expand).......................................................................23
Using the VS-1680 with a CD-R/CD-
RW drive..........................................25
Creating an audio CD ...............................................25
Creating silence between songs (Disc At Once
and Track At Once)..............................................25
Specifying the writing speed (Speed) ...............25
Song writing procedure ......................................25
Saving a song to a CD-RW disc (Backup) ..............27
Checking whether the song was saved correctly
(+Verify) ................................................................27
Specifying the speed of saving (Speed) ............27
Backup procedure................................................27
Restoring songs from a
CD-RW disc (Recover) ..............................................28
Specifying the speed of recovery (Speed).........28
Recovery procedure.............................................28
Enhancements related to operation.
30
Shortcut to the Phrase Edit window .......................30
Creating a new phrase (Phrase New) .....................30
Sorting the take list (Sort) ...................................30
Deleting a take (Delete).......................................31
Naming a take (Name)........................................32
Dividing a phrase
(Phrase Divide/Split)................................................33
Automatically dividing a phrase (Phrase Divide)
33
Dividing a phrase into two parts (Phrase Split) ..
34
Using the MONITOR knob to adjust the pan
(MONITOR knob +[SELECT]).................................35
Linking the faders of two or more channels
(Fader Group)............................................................36
Copying mixer settings.............................................37
Shift Lock on/off ([SHIFT]+[YES]) .........................38
Removing direct current offset from the mix bus.38
Enhancements to the display and
specifications .................................39
Checking inserted effects (Icon and Patch Name
display)........................................................................39
Checking effects that cannot be used in other
channels (Effect insertion location display)...........39
Switching the Song Select window (List display).40
Easy Routing ..............................................................40
Additional template (Mastering).......................40
Immediate application of step-edited changes41
Settings not stored in a scene (Monitor Level) ......41
Master Send switch display has been changed
(PanÆMIX) .................................................................41
Index................................................42

4
Precautions
●Unfortunately, it may be impossible to restore the data stored on a Zip disk or other form of media
once it has been erased, initialized, or otherwise lost. Roland Corporation assumes no liability
concerning such loss of data.
●Zip disks contain a plastic disk with a thin coating of magnetic storage medium. Microscopic
precision is required to store large amounts of data on such a small surface area. To preserve their
integrity, please observe the following when handling Zip disks:
❍Never touch the magnetic medium inside the disk.
❍Do not use or store ZIP disks in dirty or dusty areas.
❍Do not subject ZIP disks to temperature extremes (e.g., direct sunlight in an enclosed vehicle).
Recommended temperature range: -22 to 51 °C (-7.6 to 123.8 °F).
❍Do not expose Zip disks to strong magnetic fields, such as those generated by loudspeakers.
●The identification label should be firmly affixed to the disk. Should the label come loose while the
disk is in the drive, it may be difficult to remove the disk.
●Store all disks in a safe place to avoid damaging them, and to protect them from dust, dirt, and
other hazards. By using a dirty or dust-ridden disk, you risk damaging the disk, as well as causing
the disk drive to malfunction.
In the interest of product improvement, the specifications and/or contents of this package are subject
to change without prior notice.

5
Added functionality
(main features)
Mixdown usin the VS-1680
alone
While playing back sixteen tracks, you can mixdown to any
two tracks of the 256 V-tracks (Mastering Room). This is
convenient when you wish to prepare tracks for mastering,
such as when you are producing an original audio CD (p. 8).
Additional effect al orithms
- A compressor (an effect that makes the volume more
consistent) can be applied independently to individual
frequency bands (Mastering Tool Kit) (p. 14).
- A Speaker Modeling effect has been added, allowing you
to apply the acoustical characteristics of a variety of
speakers (p. 17).
Automix editin functionality
Automix data (such as the level or pan of each channel, and
effect patch numbers) can be edited in a specified area by
deleting, copying, or increasing/decreasing the data values
(p. 19).
Enhanced support for
CD-R/CD-RW drives
- When producing an original audio CD, you can specify
the speed of writing (p. 25).
- When performing a CD-R Backup, you can check whether
the data was saved correctly (+Verify: p. 27).
- When performing a CD-R Backup, you can specify the
speed of the backup (p. 25).
- When performing a CD-R Recover, you can specify the
speed of the recover (p. 28).
Enhanced operations
- In Play condition you can select a phrase for editing, and
directly display the Phrase Edit window (p. 30)
- In the Phrase New window, you can sort the Take List
(Sort: p. 30).
- In the Phrase New window, you can delete a take from the
Take List (Delete: p. 31).
- In the Phrase New window, you can change the name of a
take in the Take List (Name: p. 32)
- Phrases can be divided automatically (Phrase Divide:
p. 33).
- The MONITOR knob can be used to adjust the pan of each
channel (MONITOR knob + [SELECT]: p. 35).
- The faders of two or more channels can be adjusted as a
group (Fader Group: p. 36).
- Level and EQ settings of a channel can be copied (p. 37).
- In Play condition, Shift Lock can be turned on/off directly
([SHIFT]+[YES]: p. 38).
- Direct current offset can be removed from the mix bus
(p. 38).
Enhanced screen display
- Inserted effects can be viewed as icons and patch names
(p. 39).
- Insertion positions of effects that have been inserted in
other channels are displayed (p. 39).
- A list display is provided in the Song Select window
(p. 40).
- A template (mastering) has been added to Easy Routing
(p. 40).
- The results of step editing in Easy Routing are applied
immediately (p. 41).
- The monitor level is no longer stored in a scene (p. 41).
- The Master Send switch display has been changed (p. 41).

6
Expandin the functionality of the
VS-1680
There are several ways in which the new functions can be
added to the VS-1680. Please read the section that applies to
your VS-1680.
NOTE
After you have upgraded the VS-1680, you can continue using the
hard disk that you are currently using without any changes. It is
not necessary to initialize the hard disk. However, as a precaution
against unforeseen accidents, we recommend that you back up your
song data before performing the upgrade.
If you purchased the
VS-1680 V-XPANDED
If you purchased the VS-1680 V-XPANDED, you need not
perform any procedure. Skip this section and begin reading
Chapter 2 (p.8).
If you purchased the
V-XPANDED system pro ram
Zip disk
You can use the V-XPANDED system program Zip disk to
add the V-XPANDED functionality to your VS-1680. Prepare
the following items.
- VS-1680
- SCSI Zip drive
- VS-1680 V-XPANDED system program Zip disk
NOTE
The V-XPANDED system program Zip disk contains a program
which installs the software update. Be careful not to initialize it on
the VS-1680.
1. Make sure that the power is turned off on all devices.
NOTE
To prevent malfunction and/or damage to speakers or other devices,
always turn down the volume, and turn off the power on all devices
before making any connections.
2. Disconnect all cables that were connected to the VS-1680.
3. Connect the SCSI Zip drive to the VS-1680. On the back
of the Zip drive, make sure the termination switch is set
to ’on’.
NOTE
Have only the SCSI Zip drive connected. Do not connect any other
disk drives.
fig.1-01
4. Turn on the power of the SCSI zip drive.
5. Insert the VS-1680 V-XPANDED system program Zip
disk into the SCSI Zip drive.
6. Connect the power cable to the VS-1680.
7. Turn on the rear panel power switch of the VS-1680.
fig.1-02
8. Wait for the display to prompt “Update System
Program?” and then press [YES].
fig.1-03
MEMO
If this display does not appear, the VS-1680 was not able to
recognize the Zip disk. Turn off the power, re-insert the disk
correctly, and turn the power on once again.
9. A message will ask whether you wish to keep the user
settings that are stored in your VS-1680. Press [YES] and
proceed to step 11. If you wish to initialize (erase) the
user settings, press [NO], and proceed to step 10.
The user settings that can be left in the VS-1680 are as
follows.
- Easy routing (VS-1680 Owner’s Manual, p. 41)
- Effect user patches (VS-1680 Owner’s Manual, p. 110)
- Alarm function message
(VS-1680 Owner’s Manual, p. 193)

7
Expanding the functionality of the VS-1680
fig.1-04
10. If you pressed [NO] in step 9, an additional message will
ask you to confirm. If you wish to erase (initialize) the
user settings, press [YES]. If you press [NO] you will
return to step 9.
fig.1-05
11. The expansion procedure will begin. Please wait for
approximately 30 seconds.
NOTE
You must never under any circumstances turn off the
power until the function expansion procedure has been
completed.
Doing so could damage the VS-1680 system.
fig.1-06
12. Once the following message appears, you may turn off
the power. Verify that this message has appeared, and
then turn off the rear panel power switch.
fig.1-07
13. Turn on the power once again. Verify on the display that
the system software is now 2.00 or higher.
fig.1-08
MEMO
Subsequently, when starting up the VS-1680, you will not
need the V-XPANDED system program Zip disk. Keep this
Zip disk in a safe location that is not excessively warm. The
V-XPANDED system program Zip disk cannot be used on
any device other than the VS-1680.

8
Mix 16 tracks down to 2 tracks
(Masterin Room)
From the 256 V-tracks you can now select any two tracks,
and mixdown to these two tracks as you play back 16 tracks
simultaneously.
Added masterin tracks
Until now, you had to use an external DAT recorder or MD
recorder if you wanted to mixdown a song that used all
sixteen tracks. For example if you wanted to produce an
original audio CD, you needed to first mixdown to an
external recorder (DAT or MD), and then re-record that song
onto the VS-1680.
fig.2-01
Now, “Mastering tracks” equivalent to this external recorder
(DAT or MD) are provided on the VS-1680 itself.
fig.2-02
Any two of the 256 V-tracks can be assigned for use as the
mastering tracks. With the factory settings, V-track 16 of
tracks 15/16 (i.e., 15-16 and 16-16) are assigned as the
mastering tracks.
For example, you can play back V-tracks 1-1, 2-1, 3-1...15-1,
and 16-1 (a total of 16 tracks), and record the result on
V-tracks 15-16 and 16-16 (a total of two tracks).
MEMO
When the Recording mode (VS-1680 Owner’s Manual, p. 58)
is set to “MAS (mastering),” you can play back V-tracks 1-1,
2-1, 3-1...7-1, and 8-1 (a total of 8 tracks), and record on
V-tracks 7-16 and 8-16 (a total of two tracks). Tracks 9–16
cannot be used.
Mixin down to the
masterin tracks
Here’s how to select the mastering tracks, and perform a
mixdown.
NOTE
The operation of playing back 16 tracks while you mixdown to the
mastering tracks (two tracks) is significantly affected by the speed
of the hard disk. For this reason, depending on the structure of the
song data (sampling rate and recording mode, or when punch-in/
out is used frequently, etc.), or depending on the drive that you use,
the display may indicate “Drive Busy,” and the operation may not
take place correctly.
In order to take full advantage of the
VS-1680’s potential, such as the number of tracks that
can be recorded/played simultaneously, and the
recording capacity, we recommend that you use a hard
disk which capacity is 2.1 GB or more.
1. Press [MASTER].
2. Press [PAGE] so that [F6] indicates “M.Tr,” and then
press [F6 (M.Tr)].
fig.2-03
3. Press [ENTER (YES)].
4. Press [ ], [ ], [ ], or [ ] to move the cursor.
Use the TIME/VALUE dial to specify the value for each
parameter.
fig.2-04
TR1
MASTER
DAT
VS-1680
MIX
Sw
MIX
LR
Digital Out
Select
LR
Track 1--16
MD
MASTER OUT
DIGITAL OUT
TR1
MASTER
VS-1680
MIX
Sw
MIX
LR
Digital Out
Select
LR
Track 1--16
MASTER OUT
DIGITAL OUT
TR15-16
TR16-16
Mastering
Track

9
Mix 16 tracks down to 2 tracks (Mastering Room)
Status
Specify the status of the mastering tracks. For this example,
select “Off.”
Off: The mastering tracks will not be used.
Rec: Play back tracks 1–16 while recording them to the
mastering tracks.
Play: Play back the mastering tracks. The sound of tracks
1–16 will not be output from the MASTER jacks.
MEMO
For details on the signal flow (routing) at this time, refer to
Signal flow (routing) (p. 10).
Trk L (track L)
Trk R (track R)
Select the two V-tracks (L and R) that will be assigned as
mastering tracks. When a new song is created, V-track 16 of
tracks 15/16 (15-16, 16-16) will be assigned as the mastering
tracks.
After Rec (after recording)
Specify the time location of the mastering track to which the
mixdown will be recorded. When creating an original audio
CD, it is usually best to select “to ZERO.”
to ZERO: Place the data starting at 00h00m00s00f
to last Phrs:0S: Place the data after the end of the last
phrase in the mastering tracks.
to last Phrs:2S: Place the data two seconds after the end of
the last phrase in the mastering tracks.
to last Phrs:4S: Place the data four seconds after the end of
the last phrase in the mastering tracks.
Stay HERE: Place the data at the time location at which
it was actually recorded.
fig.2-05.e
Marker
If this is turned “On,” a track number marker will
automatically be assigned to the beginning of the phrase that
is mixed down. Normally you will set this “On.”
MEMO
Depending on the After Rec (After Recording) setting or on
the location relative to other markers, the display may
indicate “Can’t Set Marker,” and the track number marker
may not be assigned.
5. Hold down [STOP], and press the [STATUS] button for
all tracks (1–15/16) that you wish to mixdown. The
STATUS indicators will light green.
fig.2-06
6. Press [FADER] so that the TR (track) indicator lights.
fig.2-07.e
7. Press [PLAY]. The song will play back.
8. Raise and lower the master fader, and verify that the
volume of each track changes.
MEMO
The sound that passes through the master fader will be
recorded on the mastering tracks. In order to record at the
optimal audio quality, you should normally set this to the
0 dB position.
9. Use the channel faders (1–15/16) to adjust the volume
balance of each track. At this time the sound that is being
output from the MASTER jacks (volume levels, panning)
will be recorded to the mastering tracks. It is best to set
the volume as high as possible without causing the
volume to distort.
10. When you have finished adjusting the volume, press
[STOP].
11. Move to the location at which you wish to begin the
mixdown (such as 00h00m00s00f).
0 Time
Mixdown
Phrase
Original
Phrase
0 Time 0 Time
0 Time
0 Time
0 Time
to ZERO to LastPhrs:0s to LastPhrs:2s
to LastPhrs:0s Stay HERE
Lit
Dark

10
Mix 16 tracks down to 2 tracks (Mastering Room)
12. Use the cursor buttons and the Value dial to change the
"Status" of the tracks for mastering to “Rec.”
13. Press [REC]. The REC indicator will light in red.
14. Press [PLAY]. The PLAY indicator will light in green,
and recording will begin.
15. When you finish recording, press [STOP].
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Signal flow (routing)
fig.2-08
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Mixdown shortcut 1
The “Status” of the assigned mastering tracks/V-tracks can
also be set as follows.
1. Press [MASTER].
2. Press [PAGE] so that [F6] indicates “M.Tr,” and then
press [F6 (M.Tr)].
fig.2-03
3. Select the status of the mastering tracks. Make sure that
the cursor is located at “Stat,” and then rotate the
TIME/VALUE dial.
fig.2-10
4. Select the V-tracks. Use [ ] or [ ] to move the
cursor to “L:” or “R:,” and rotate the TIME/VALUE dial.
Mixdown shortcut 2
The “Status” of the mastering tracks can also be set as
follows.
1. Press [PLAY (DISPLAY)].
2. Press [PAGE] so that [F6] indicates “M→***” (*** is either
Rec, Ply, or Off).
fig.2-11
3. Press [F6] to cycle between “M→Rec” →“M→Play” →
“M→Off.” The current status of the mastering tracks will
be shown by the level meters in the display.
fig.2-12.e
Playin back the masterin
tracks
Here’s how you can verify the audio that was mixed down to
the mastering tracks. Tracks 1–16 will not be played back.
1. Press [PLAY (DISPLAY)].
2. Press [PAGE] so that [F6] indicates “M→***” (*** is either
Rec, Ply, or Off).
TR1
MASTER
MIX
Sw
MIX
LR
Track 1--16
TR15-16
TR16-16
Mastering
Track
MASTER OUT
MONITOR OUT
Off Record wait Status Playback Status

11
Mix 16 tracks down to 2 tracks (Mastering Room)
fig.2-11
3. Press [F6] to cycle between “M→Rec” →”M→Play” →
”M→Off.” The current status of the mastering tracks can
be viewed in the level meter in the display. For this
example, select “M→Off” (playback status: pressing [F6]
once again will select Off).
fig.2-12.e
MEMO
For details on the signal flow at this time, refer to Signal flow
(routing) (p. 11).
4. Move to the location at which you started the mixdown.
5. Press [ ] so that you can view the playlist of the
mastering tracks.
fig.2-15
MEMO
If the bottom line of the display is surrounded by a heavy
line, you can also use the TIME/VALUE dial to check the
playlist of the mastering tracks.
6. Press [PLAY]. The mastering tracks will play back. Use
the master fader to adjust the volume to a comfortable
listening level.
At this time, the function buttons will function as follows
(Owner’s Manual, p. 182).
[F1 (ZOOM+)]: Enlarges the playlist display in the track
direction (three levels).
[F2 (ZOOM-)]: Reduces the playlist display in the track
direction (three levels).
[F3 (←→)]: Enlarges the playlist display in the time
direction (five levels).
[F4 (→←)]: Reduces the playlist display in the time
direction (five levels).
[F5 (WAVE)]: Display the sound level (waveform) that is
recorded in the tracks.
7. When playback ends, press [STOP].
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Signal flow (routing)
fig.2-16
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Mixin down while insertin
effects
If a separately sold VS8F-2 effect expansion board is
installed, you can insert effects while you mixdown.
MEMO
While performing a mixdown, it is common to insert an
effect such as a parametric equalizer or a compressor. For
this example, we will insert the Mastering Tool Kit (EFX1: a
newly added algorithm; p. 14) to adjust the overall volume
balance as we mixdown.
1. Press [MASTER].
2. Press [PAGE] so that [F6] indicates “M.Tr,” and then
press [F6 (M.Tr)].
Off Record wait Status Playback Status
TR1
MASTER
MIX
Sw
MIX
LR
Track 1--16
TR16-16
Mastering
Track
TR15-16 MASTER OUT
MONITOR OUT