Roland Users Group (Volume 16/2 - Fall 1998)

Contents Features 18 // Roland Hardware Roland's VS-880EX Digital Studio Workstation; JP-8080 Analog Modeling Synthesizer Module; DJ-2000 Professional DJ Mixer; SR-JV80-13 Vocal Collection and SR-JV80-14 World Collection ”Asia” expansion boards; KD-120 V-Kick Trigger Unit and SSM-151 Floor Monitor. 26 // BOSS Hardware BOSS’ DR-202 Dr. Groove, AD-3 Acoustic Instrument Processor and TU-2 Chromatic Tuner. 30 // Going Digital with 311 As one of the hottest alternative rock bands in the world, platinum-selling 311 has been blowing minds with their infectious blend of rock, reggae, ska and funkified grooves for several years. Now they've come off the road and taken up residence in their Burbank, Calif. studios armed with six VS-1680 workstations. Chris Gill sits down with Nick Hexum, Chad Sexton and Tim Mahoney to talk about what's next. 38 // Al Di Meola & Jeff Baxter on the GR-30 For close to three decades, these two guitarists have been on a short list of the world's most influential six-string gurus. Along the way, they've seen and heard it all. Here, they share their thoughts on the matter of guitar synthesis, and specifically on Roland's amazing GR-30. 40 // The Art of the Remix Armand Van Helden, Bad Boy Bill and Jason Nevins have made their indelible marks on the world of electronic dance music in very different ways. As arguably three of the United States' best-known DJ/remixers, the one thing these groove wizards have in common is that Roland gear has been there from day one. Departments 4 // Random Noise Adrian Belew temporarily abandons his guitar for a set of V-drums; bass master Victor Wooten takes his VS-880 wherever he goes; Scanner composes and performs on the cutting edge using Roland's PMA-5; Wanderlust drops some ethereal grooves in NYC and beyond. 8 // Currents Ten S-760 Digital Samplers give Broadway's JekyIl and Hyde some great sound; How do you get 15 bands on and off stage in one hour? Ask Center Staging; Plus a Roland/Fender/Cakewalk Guitar Alliance, the California Science Center, a VG-8 Website, cool Roland promotions and more... 16 // Clinics/Events Our Roland clinicians will be very busy over the next few months demoing keyboards, Groove products, percussion, digital recording gear and more. Find out when they'll be coming to a music store near you. 50 // Equipment Check Scott Rubin takes a first look at the new D]-2000 Professional DJ Mixer; Vince LaDuca checks out the BOSS DR-202 Dr. Groove; Laura Tyson covers the new features of the VS-880EX Digital Studio Workstation; and Doug Hanson gives you the low down on the long-awaited JP-8080 Analog Modeling Synthesizer Module. 59 // Hands On Roland's Joe Perry takes a day off and ends up recording a live band with the Roland VS-1680 Digital Studio Workstation. Here he walks us through the steps-from laying down basic tracks to creating professional-sounding comps-to creating a great-sounding demo. 62 // Electronic Musicianship The SP-808 Groove Sampler does so much that it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what it is. RUG gave the task of defining this ”magic box” to Chris Meyer, a musician, writer and former synthesizer designer. His conclusion was... well, turn to page 62 and find out. 66 // Playing Live Tim Pedersen has played drums for decades. Along the way he has successfully made the transition from acoustic to electronic percussion. in this article, he discusses his approach to various gigs and how he uses the Stage Set, V-drums and other Roland gear live. 70 // Electronic Musicianship Roland offers a wide variety of keyboards, each with its own unique capabilities. Keyboardist/composer Scott Tibbs uses a number of instruments for professional musical composition. Here he shares his insights. 74 // Power Tools Roland's list of expansion boards is itself expanding. Corey Fournier takes a look at the lineage of the SR-JV80 Series and introduces us to a pair of new boards, the SR-JV80-13 Vocal Collection and SR-JV80-14 World Collection ”Asia.” 77 // Superstore Scores of demo and instructional videos, CD’s, posters, cases and lots of new Groove apparel. Check it out!