The VS-2480 is complete out of the box. Virtually all functions are accessible through onboard buttons and knobs, using its built-in LCD display; however, it accepts a color computer monitor, keyboard and mouse, which together offer more information for the operator as well as shortcuts for accessing various menus and functions. These add-ons are highly recommended.
Four expansion slots, which accept Roland's VSF-2 and VSF-3 effects cards, are available. Each card provides up to two selectable effects from a wide range of common outboard effects. Most VS-2480s are sold with a VSF-2 card installed. Add as many as your budget allows to expand the versatility of your unit.
The VS-2480 allows several ways for you to perform edits on tracks and waveforms. As you become comfortable with editing, it is possible to shut off the warning messages to reduce keystrokes. In the "GLOBAL PARAMETER" menu under "UTILITY," select "Quick" for "LOCATOR/SCENE TYPE," "OVERWRITE" for "EDIT POINT Sw TYPE," and "Off" for "EDIT MESSAGE." Though the Roland has 999 levels of "UNDO," check your edits as you make them.
Many tracks do not have performance material throughout a song. Editing out non-performance regions may help clean up overall sound. This technique can also be used to remove breath noises from vocal tracks. Select the track to be cleaned and press "WAVE DISP." Select "REGION" in the "TRACK EDIT" section--- the button will be red. Left click and drag the area of the waveform to be cleaned. Right click and select "ERASE" from the drop-down menu. With edit warnings shut off, that area is now deleted.
Linking a pair of channels for a stereo source provides some shortcuts. EQ applied to one channel will be matched on the other, move one fader and its partner moves also. The "PAN" control is altered to show the pair is panned hard left and hard right. To narrow the stereo field, click "SUB DISP" in the bottom right corner of your screen and the "PAN" control will revert to individual left and right controls.
Save set-up time by creating a master template project. This is an empty project file in which you change and save the parameters you most often use. Parameters to consider include: Digital input assignments; headphone routing; regularly used channel assignments; common track names; favorite effects; "MIDI" and "SYNC" parameters. Open the "Template" file and from the "PROJECT LIST" menu select "PROJECT COPY" each time a new project is created and all parameters will be set.
To gain even more mileage from the internal effects, you can record a track and a looped effect easily to free track, then release the effect to be used again. In "EZ ROUTING" simply drag both the original track and the FX Return to the new track. Arm the new track and record.
If you record a take that will not be kept due to an error or flaw, erase it immediately using the "UNDO" button. You can simply record over it; however, unlike tape, the original is not erased. It stays there using up hard drive space. Likewise, periodically select "OPTIMIZE" from the "PROJECT" menu to remove old data that is being kept around only in case a later "UNDO" operation is performed. Optimizing will save space and reduce drive fragmentation.