Roland VS-1680 - Help?

[gitarguy]

I almost hate to bring this up since all the debate in the other thread but here goes. I picked up a Roland VS-1680 used CHEAP and I know almost nothing about it (no instruction manual).

1) Can I use an Iomega SCSI drive to copy songs from the recorder and put them into my computer to burn cds?

2)Can I use any SCSI external cd burner to hook into the 1680 or do I have to use the $550.00 Roland unit?

3)Is it worth buying the effects cards they sell for these units or should I go with rack equipment? *

4)Does anybody have the video manual is it worth the money?

I am using the machine for demos and fun with friends not trying to turn out a pro cd or anything but would like good quality recordings. I am not looking to spend a fortune on equipment just the bare necessities. Thanks in advance, Billy

[Soup Kitchen Studios]

1. *Nope. *Zip drive is for back-up only. The song files cannot be read by the computer.

2. *You can't use any SCSI CDR, but you can use others. *There is a list available at www.vsplanet.com. *Search the forum to find it. *Also, the Roland CDR is really just a Plextor drive with the roland name on it. *

3. *The FX cards are really handy. *They're as good as anything else in that price range and really make the 1680 a powerful portable recording rig for the money.

The first thing you should invest in is a good set of monitors!

[gitarguy]

Thanks for the reply and the link DaveSwift, they are very helpful over there. I am making the big switch from a cass. 4 track (Yamaha MT-120) to the VS-1680 and I must admit I am pretty overwhelmed with all of the tech talk, its all Greek to me. I guess I really need to break down and order the manual. Thanks again, Billy *