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Rating: 
Summary: Lots of great info
Review: Clearly written and the FX section especially is great for understanding how the VS effects work and when to use them!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed!
Review: Good information and well written, but not that much more than the manual or what is available online from various sites for free. I am disappointed that this book did not offer a more user friendly view, or more of the "how-to's" of this wonderful machine.
Rating:
Summary: Great info for the VS-880
Review: Great info, cleared up some questions I had with editing, great FX explanations, definitely only for my VS-880, not for the 880Ex
Rating:
Summary: Roland VS-880 Tools for New Times
Review: I ordered this book because of it's January 2000 copywright. I figured it would be up to date. Wrong. This book only covers up to the V2 version of the 880. I know that there is a lead time in publishing but the EX version has been out over a year now. Come on guys, this was a very half hearted update. What is there is worth the price though. Just don't expect too much.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for dummies like me
Review: I'm one of those people that bought the VS-880 thinking I would be able to record and produce a studio quality CD by using this state-of-the-art digital wonder - no previous experience required. This is a complete digital recording studio with 64 tracks, full analog and digital pre and post processing, a SCSI connection for extra storage, an optional Effects processor and even records CDA format (standard song format) to a CD burner. It's an amazing piece of equipment, even today, but if you do not understand studio techniques and terminology, trying to learn how to use this versatile device is a little like taking your first flying lesson in a 747 instead of a Cessna.I was reluctant to buy this book for two reasons: 1. The ratings were very polarized. People hated it or loved it - not a good sign.
2. The documentation that came with the VS-880 already covers how to do everything and I felt that I should be able to wade through it. The reality of my situation though is that I just couldn't understand the documentation. I'm not studio savvy and I needed a step by step procedure (in layman's terms) for doing some relatively simple procedures. In addition, I don't use it on a regular basis so when I do use it, I'm re-reading the documentation and re-spending hours trying to figure out how to do a simple task like copying tracks or running a track through an effect. Most often I give up. I finally realized that spending a few dollars for a book that might help me learn to use a piece of equipment that cost me $1000+ (including the Special Effects board) would be worth the risk. The book was (almost) perfect for me. Yes, the book repeats some of the stuff from the documentation - but it's in plain language that anyone can understand. The book covers:
The Hardware
Recording
Editing
Mixing
Processing - Special effects with the VS8F-1 board
Storing
Other semi useful chapters The features of the VS-880 are discussed in a way that assumes you don't know the terminology (Signal path, Bus, etc are explained in simple terms). Want to record? The books starts with: "Step 1: Plug your instrument into the Input 1 jack." That might be obvious but step 2 is not.
"Step 2: Hold SHIFT and press SELECT until the LED next to INPUT>TRACK is lit." The steps are simple, non-assuming and work. Editing, mixing, etc - same thing. Straight-forward, basic tasks that allow someone like me to actually use this studio. If you already understand digital studios and can understand the documentation then don't get this book. There's no new material covered, and many advanced tasks are left out. If you've left your VS-880 sitting on the shelf, gathering dust because you can't figure out how to change the display, cut and paste, bounce tracks or other basic operations then the extra money for this book is definitely worth it. The only complaint I have about the book is a minor one. There is a section called "VS Stories" - personal accounts from musicians that have used the VS-880 to produce music. No technical info, just people saying they really liked it. This doesn't detract from the book - it's just extra pages that don't add to your learning how to use the thing. I don't understand why it was put in; it's a bit like reading advertisements for a product you've obviously already bought. When you're done learning how to do a task and put the VS-880 back on the shelf, you'll still probably forget how to use it, but put this book on the shelf with it. When you pull it off the shelf again, you'll be editing that song you were working on in no time at all. I give this book 1 star for experts and 5 for dummies. Since I'm a dummy I gave it 5.
Rating: 
Summary: The worst possible book on Roland VS
Review: Out of date
Old
Irrelevant
Buy it only if you have VS880
If you have 880EX, forget about it.
This is one of the worst books ever!
Rating: 
Summary: What the manual should have been
Review: The VS-880 is a great machine, however the manual is very limited for any but the most basic functions. This book was what the manual should have been. Clear, concise and accessible for even the technically challenged. There are operations which, described in the manual are nearly impossible to perform, are quickly and easily accomplished by reading this book. The sections on editing and automix alone are more than worth the entire price.
Rating:
Summary: The worst possible book on Roland VS
Review: This book was a waste of money. I have the VS880EX and the book which is supposed to be new is completely out of date. Spend your money on another cable....
Rating:
Summary: Old fashioned book, not suitable for VS880ex
Review: This book was a waste of money. I have the VS880EX and the book which is supposed to be new is completely out of date. Spend your money on another cable....
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