Roland VS 880 Digital Multitrack

By the late 80s and through the 90s I was using my Macintosh IIci for midi composition using outboard synths and modules. But integrating live audio recording into the process was still beyond my financial means. The best I could do was sync my four track tape recorder to the midi sequencing software and record audio on tape. Full-on audio recording wasn't available until the Roland VS 880 digital multitrack arrived.

Like the Tascam TEAC 144, the original cassette Portastudio that revolutionized home recording, the VS880 was a giant technological leap for musicians. I'd purchased the 144 when it came out with faith that it could help me manifest the songs I'd only imagined in my head, and I was right. I'd experienced the revolution first-hand. The VS880 was no different. Finally 8 tracks of digital hard disk recording with automation, digital effects, editing and totally pristine audio quality were available at a reasonable price. And the VS880 shared that Portastudio feeling with its integrated mixer and all-in-oneness.

Its strengths were the sound quality and the effects board. The board was extra, but oh, so worth it! Everything from compression to chains of guitar effects where available, editable and programable. Oceans of reverb and even mic modeling. I would still recommend the VS with the effect board to anyone to use as an effects unit alone.

Weaknesses: Lack of storage space. It had a small drive and the outboard drives were proprietary and expensive. Editing was complex, as was the user interface. The faders were not only faders, but midi faders and input devices for effects and other parameters. The routing was all illustrated in the teensy display window.

None-the-less it was inspiring to use, and exciting to have swaths upon layers of super high quality vocals and guitars. After some time though, the very non-visual editing became too much of a distraction from my musical flow. I sold the thing and got a used power mac on ebay for 60 bucks, a Newer Tech G3 upgrade card and a copy of Cubase VST.

I still wish I had my VS880, however, if only to use as a mixer, effects box and musical scratch pad. Perfect for a vacation from the computer screen and a relief from mouse driven carpal tunnel syndrome.