Roland Updates Flagship M-480 V-Mixer Software

Roland Systems Group (RSG) has released a new firmware update (V1.5) for their popular M-480 V-Mixer console. This firmware update comes only six months after a previous firmware release demonstrating a continued commitment to supporting users of V-Mixer Consoles. The M-480, like the M-400, M-380, and M-300, is the central component in a VMixing System with integrated Digital Snakes, multi-channel recording and the world’s finest personal mixing system.

With a growing number of V-Mixing System installations in Theater and Broadcast markets, Roland Systems Group engineers have packed this free update with significant features that assists this user group including:

• Increased number of DCA’s from 8 to 24
• Scene Fade Function
• Increased delay time up to 1.2 seconds for broadcast and large outdoor applications
• Five new effect processors including Multi-Band Compression/Expansion and BOSS digital effect models
• Second order shelving on Lo and Hi EQ
• Mutually Exclusive LR/C assignment for cross-matrixed linear array speaker configurations
• Delay setting in "samples"
• Monitor dimmer setting

The increased DCA groups to 24, provides new power increasing mixing effectiveness in larger and more complex applications such as theater/broadcast and when using cascaded 96 channel configurations. Scene Fade function allows channel fader levels to be set to fade smoothly when a scene is changed. Fade time is selectable up to 100 seconds and can be set to on or off for each channel and each scene. This function is ideal for musical and theater applications.

New Delay parameters can now be set up to 1.2 seconds on any input or output channel. This is especially important when longer times are required in video/streaming production or audio time alignment at large venues. Five new channel effects include Multi-Band Compression/Expansion and four modeled BOSS compact effects including OD/DS series (Overdrive/Distortion), DD-3 (Digital Delay), DM-5 (Delay) and CE-1 (Chorus Ensemble), brings more control and snap to live productions.

The V1.5 update will be available in April 2012 under the M-480 section here: http://www.rolandsystemsgroup.com/products/resources/system_updates.

About M-480 V-Mixer:
48-Channel Live Mixing Console The M-480 V-Mixer features 48 mixing channels and 6 stereo returns for a total of 60 channels. Bussing is strong with a total of 27 consisting of 16 auxiliaries, 8 matrices and full support for Mono, Stereo or LCR sound design. With a configurable choice of available digital I/O boxes, the M-480 can support up to 90 inputs and 90 outputs - all fully assignable via the digital patchbay. The patchbay also has the unique ability to route any input to any output without going through the mixer. Each mixing channel includes 2 stages of dynamics processing, 4-band PEQ, and delay. Dedicated 4-band PEQ, limiting and delay are available on every output.

In addition to these powerful features the M-480 has a “Cascade” function allowing two units to be connected together enabling a 96-channel mixing solution. The two connected consoles share AUX/Matrix/Main/Solo buses with bidirectional communication allowing a very compact, affordable and powerful high channel mixing solution. This is ideal in production rental and institutional environments where two consoles can be used separately for numerous events and then brought together for larger productions only when needed.

About REAC
REAC (Roland Ethernet Audio Communication) is the audio transport protocol developed by Roland to meet the Pro-Audio market’s need for a point-to-point 24 bit/ 96kHz, low latency digital audio transport for live sound use and commercial applications. The REAC protocol is capable of transmitting 40 channels of 24bit audio over inexpensive Cat5e/6 cable and can be easily split using standard gigabit switches making it easy and very cost effective to have lossless all-digital splits of the stage audio for FOH, monitor, broadcast and recording locations. Products using REAC technology are installed today in many venues and have been used for high profile events worldwide.

Roland Systems Group U.S.
(RSG) supplies the commercial and performance audio/video industries with application specific equipment from the ROLAND professional audio and video product lines. These product lines address applications for houses of worship, studios, clubs/casinos, theaters/performing arts centers, production houses and rental and staging companies. Roland Systems Group U.S is headquartered in Bellingham, Washington and is a member of the worldwide group of Roland companies. For more information, visit http://www.rolandsystemsgroup.com