The R-1000 is a standalone, dedicated recorder/player designed to work with the V-Mixing System in any live event or production, making it suitable for virtual rehearsal, rehearsals, playback and training. It can also be used with any digital console with a MADI output via the Roland S-MADI REAC MADI Bridge. Previewed earlier this year, this multi-purpose, rackmountable solution is now fully featured and shipping globally.
Based on REAC (Roland Ethernet Audio Communication), the R-1000 eliminates the bulk and noise susceptibility typically associated with analogue snakes and replaces it with Cat 5e/6 (Ethernet/LAN) cable. Recording up to 48 tracks of 24-bit audio in BWF format, its removable hard drive ensures smooth integration with DAWs and allows approximately 20 hours of recording (44.1/48 kHz) using a 500GB HDD. Multitrack playback (48 tracks of 24-bit audio via REAC) is also provided, while a marker function enables playback at any designated point.
Data can be loaded from external devices and analogue monitor and headphone outputs are provided, along with USB ports for backing up data and connecting a PC for further software control, plus a versatile feature set that includes video sync, timecode, GPI and RS-232C.
Also at PLASA 2011, Roland will show the M-480 48-channel live digital mixing console, the flagship console of the V-Mixing System which has been in use at several festivals in the UK recently including Glastonbudget and FOMFest. Equipped with a newly developed mixing engine, the M-480 provides an enhanced level of powerful and flexible audio processing, and is the first V-Mixer to support a cascade connection that enables 96 channels of mixing by connecting a second unit via a single Cat 5e/6 cable.
The system is aimed at live events, mobile production, broadcasting and sound installation applications and headline features include 48 mixing channels plus six stereo returns for a total of 60 channels; main (LCR) outputs, 16 aux buses and eight matrices; four-band advanced parametric EQ, and delays on all inputs and outputs; compressors and gates on all mixing channels; and six built-in stereo (dual-mono) multi-effects and twelve graphic EQs (switchable to eight-band PEQs).
(Jim Evans)
