* Separate console/processor design eliminates need for expensive multi-channel audio cables between stage/studio and console
* All-digital console with quiet motorized faders, transport controls and total recall of all parameters including input gain
* Liberating FlexBus and "virtual patchbay" for extreme routing flexibility
* Up to 8 stereo (or 16 mono) multi-effects processors using optional VS8F-2 Effects Expansion Boards derived from the VS-1680 effects algorithms (2 stereo effects processors standard)
* Revolutionary COSM Speaker Modeling and Mic Simulation technology
* 5.1 Surround mixing capabilities
* EZ Routing allows mixer settings to be saved as templates (e.g., "Live Jazz," "16-ch. rock recording," etc.)
* Realtime Spectrum Analyzer checks room acoustics in conjunction with noise generator and oscillator
* Up to 48 channels of ADAT/Tascam T-DIF digital audio I/O with optional expansion boards and interfaces
* System supports Scene memory, onboard mix automation, 24 fader groups, dual-channel delays, 4-band parametric channel EQ + channel HPF
* Mix and match configuration; any console can control either processing unit depending on space requirements, budget, and audio requirement
* Processor units can be cascaded for additional I/O capability
* Component design allows unprecedented live sound reinforcement capability where two single digital cables (up to 100 meters long) connect the on stage processor to the front of stage console

V-Mixing Processor and Console Design

Essentially, the VM-7100 and VM-7200 processors are the .heart. of the VM-7000 Series, and the VM-C7100 and VM-C7200 are the smart, supremely user-friendly remote controllers. The rackmount processors house the digital and analog audio connections-which employ Roland.s best 24- bit D/A and A/D converters-as well as expandable onboard multi-effects and master effects, including brand new COSM Speaker Modeling technology (more on this later). In addi-tion to strong basic mixing features which put them on par with the best compact digital mixers on the market today, the VM processors offer some unique features which really set them apart. An electronically controlled input gain allows for storing and instantly recalling basic gain settings per channel: a very helpful feature that isn.t found in other digi-tal mixers on the market today. Dual-channel delays allow for phase delay and feedback delay with Hi/Lo damping available. Extensive channel EQ consists of shelving low, peaking low-mid, peaking high-mid, shelving high, and a high-pass filter, while the low-mid can be shifted to a filter with resonance (LPF/HPF/BPF/notch). Additionally, the VM processors support Surround 5.1 mixing for post-production applications.

The VM consoles are more aptly described as a controllers for the VM processors, as they primarily sends and receives control data-not audio. For this reason, the VM-C7100 and C7200 should not be mistaken for the actual mixers; all .mixing. occurs within the rackmount processors. However, the VM consoles do sport a wealth of helpful .mixer. fea-tures like smooth quiet motorized faders with two adjustable physical clickpoints per fader, a huge backlit LCD with a host of easy-to-understand graphic icons, and luminous dedicat-ed function buttons for quick confirmation of mixer status. Above all, these consoles were designed with intuitive oper-ation at heart, as evidenced by the variety of quick keys which simplify complex operations to a single button press. The VM-C7100 can be even rackmounted with optional rackmount kit.

Though they don't .mix. any audio, the consoles do include two mic/line input jacks, a built-in talkback micro-phone, and an XLR input for plugging in an additional mic or line input. These audio signals are .sent. back to the VM processor as dual-channel digital audio via VM-Link and provided simply for added convenience. Similarly, the console also includes two analog line out jacks and two dig-ital out jacks which turn around two channels of audio from the processor for monitoring purposes; this is most likely where users would connect reference monitors like the new Roland DS-90 Powered Monitors.

Liberating Flexibility
Configuration Possibilities

Central to the VM-7000 Series is its flexibility. Users can freely select between the VM-7200 and VM-7100 proces-sors and VM-C7200 and VM-C7100 mixing consoles to put together a system which most closely matches their needs. A console can control two cascaded processors simultane-ously, and a processor can be controlled by one or two con-soles, greatly enhancing configuration possibilities such as a dual-console mixing/monitoring system. A basic digital mixing system for live sound recording might include the VM-C7100 console mixing front-of-house and a VM-7100 processor rack-mounted just off stage, while a more sophis-ticated system might employ a VM-C7200 console at front-of- house, a VM-C7100 console for monitor mixing, and include an additional VM-7100 or 7200 processor off stage for more inputs and outputs. Together with the optional cascade kit and I/O expansions, a maximum of 94 channels of digital mixing is available to VM-7000 Series users.

Enhanced Signal Routing

Signal routing flexibility in the VM-7000 Series is simply unrivaled in this class of mixers, thanks largely to a new FlexBus design. Put simply, FlexBus allows for 12 individ-ual busses to be freely switched between Aux. and Rec. purposes, making these mixers equally suited to recording and live sound applications. In fact, this feature is like hav-ing a mixer specifically built for a users exact application, routing audio in the way which makes the most sense.

Similar flexibility is available in the VM-7000 Series. input/output functions. Much like a .virtual patchbay., the destination channel for each input can be defined as desired (e.g., an input can be assigned to multiple channels simulta-neously). And each of eight Assignable Output jacks or 24 optional Multi-Outputs can pull from any source channel, from any bus, or even directly from an individual channel, bypassing the bus routing altogether. This flexibility results in some very liberating routing possibilities. With the afore-mentioned optional Multi-Outputs, Input channels can be connected directly to a multitrack recorder from any point in the signal path, enabling 24-channel direct simultaneous recording. Together with the optional cascade kit and I/O expansions, a maximum of 48 channels of multitrack recording plus the ability to simultaneously mix 46 additional channels is possible.

EZ Routing

Rounding out its amazing routing flexibility, the VM-7000 Series also includes an enhanced version of Roland.s acclaimed EZ Routing technology. EZ Routing allows for common settings to be saved and recalled when pre-pro-gramming a signal path. Thus, users can define templates like Live Jazz Combo,. .16-Channel Rock Recording,. Hip-Hop Mixdown. and more, and have them instantly recalled with the press of a button-complete with all signal routings including external effects inserts. EZ Routing even displays the names of each instrument connected to every channel, so all a user has to do is set up the corresponding microphones.

Building Upon the Legendary V-Studio Concept

As a Roland V-Studio product, the VM-7000 Series carries on in the bold tradition of VS-Series Digital Studio Workstations. This means, first and foremost, that this sys-tem is a self-contained, .all-in-one. digital solution with amazing built-in digital effects and patchbay, that it is con-trollable via MIDI, and that it's supremely expandable.

Powerful VS-1680-Quality Effects

The VM-7100 and VM-7200 V-Mixing Processors offer two onboard stereo multi-effects processors and one stereo master effects processor. The multi-effects processors are the sonic equivalent of the highly acclaimed VS8F-2 Effects Expansion Board for the VS-1680 workstation, incorporat-ing unrivaled effects such as high-end reverbs, delays, dynamics processing, COSM Guitar Amp modeling and Mic Simulations for amazing direct recording capabilities. Three optional VS8F-2 can be user-installed into the VM-7100/ 7200, yielding up to eight stereo or 16 mono chan-nels of amazing-sounding effects.

COSM-Based Speaker Modeling Technology

One of the standout VM-7000 Series effects is undoubtedly the new COSM-based Speaker Modeling. By carefully ana-lyzing the response characteristics of a variety of high-end studio reference monitors and low-end consumer speakers, Roland engineers have graced the VM-7000 Series with the ability to convincingly .model. the sounds of these speak-ers when used in conjunction with the new Roland DS-90 Powered Monitors. Speaker Modeling with the DS-90's thus eliminates the hassle and expense of switching between multiple pairs of audio monitors during professional mix-downs. From esoteric and expensive to common and cheap, a variety of speaker types are now available at the touch of a button-providing multiple sonic perspectives for those who want a second, and a third, opinion.

An SST-optimizing Speaker Modeling mode is also provided for live PA application, enabling the VM-7000 Series to drive Roland SST stage speakers with ultimate response and sound quality.

Realtime Spectrum Analyzer

Essential for a great mix is a consideration of the acoustics of any given control room. Similarly, essential for great sound is a consideration of the acoustics of a given perfor-mance hall or theater. For this reason, the VM-7000 includes a Realtime Spectrum Analyzer which employs noise generator and an oscillator in the VM-7100/7200 processor. Using this function, engineers are free to adjust EQ for a room's acoustic characteristics and to eliminate annoying feedback quickly in live sound situations.

Control via MIDI

All of the VM-7000 Series parameters can be controlled and even automated via MIDI. This permits control using PC and Mac-based MIDI sequencers-a boon to those desire the power of the VM-7000 Series but don't have space for a console or prefer to work within the context their desired software sequencers.

Beyond State-of-the-Art

As a professional system, the VM-7100/7200 and VM-C7100/ 7200 offer all the .basics. of cutting-edge digital mixing in an elegant, easy-to-use package. Users can store Scene memo-ries for instant recall. Onboard mix automation allows the console to memorize and replay all fader movements and mix adjustments by itself. And for increased flexibility, up to 24 sets of fader group-ings are possible. But the VM-7000 Series also offers some helpful .extras. which put it ahead of the pack. These features include transport buttons and locate/channel buttons for controlling external multitrack recorders without additional remote controls, an Output/All Mute button on the processor unit which allows for silent connection of audio cables, and SmartMedia. card compatibility for storing mix information on low-cost, removable media.

A built-in Sampling Rate Converter on the VM processors. coaxial/XLR digital inputs allows for digital audio conversion within the standard 32-48kHz range, and also allows for asynchronous digital audio. And the VM-C7100/7200 console's quiet motorized faders even offer two digitally adjustable physical .click. points per fader, letting users set resistance at appropriate levels for .normal. and .solo. sections, for example.

RMDB II - A New Digital Audio Format

The new RMDB II (Roland Multipurpose Digital Bus II) digital audio format sends and receives 8-in/8-out of up to 24-bit digital audio using 25-pin D-sub terminals. It also permits sending MTR sync/control information and can handle electrical power for phantom powering of ADAT/Tascam T-DIF interface boxes, etc. This new format is now used exclusively by the Roland VM Series in their 24-in/24-out I/O Expansion Board (VM-24E) and VM-3100Pro, but can be converted to different digital audio formats like ADAT or Tascam T-DIF. RMDB II is planned for incorporation into a variety of upcoming Roland prod-ucts.
* ADAT is the property of Alesis. Tascam is the property of TEAC.