New Roland USB MIDI/Audio Interface

Roland Corporation has announced the RolandED USB Digital Studio U-8 along with software developer alliances with Cakewalk, PG Music and Steinberg. The U-8 is a new audio and MIDI interface with built-in effects that provides high quality recording through a computer's USB port for storage of the data on the computer's hard drive.

There are three custom bundles planned to launch in January 2000 that will provide users with a choice of the best environment for their audio recording and editing purposes. The bundles will include software from Cakewalk, PG Music, and Steinberg.

The U-8 hardware features handy faders (sliders) that can be used to control recording and mixing operations with more power than a keyboard or mouse. An EZ recording feature guides the user smoothly through each step of the recording process. New DSP technology, developed by Roland ED, enables the user to create sound effects for many applications.

The U-8 comes equipped with inputs for microphone, guitar and line. Optical digital in and out is included for digital recording with no signal loss. The Roland ED U-8 is distributed in North America by Edirol Corporation. The product launched is slated for January 31, 2000, and the U-8 will have a retail price of $695.

Features:

• Audio In / Out Recording: 1 stereo track, Playback: 2 stereo tracks
• MIDI In / Out: 1-in, 1-out
• Effects Preset effects: 136
• Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz / 16-bit
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (+/-1 dBm)
• XLR unbalance MIC In
• 1/4 inch phone In
• 1/4 inch Guitar In
• RCA phono audio In/Out
• Optical S/PDIF digital In/Out
• Power Consumption 11W
• Dimensions 379 (W) x 239 (D) x 79 (H) mm
• Weight 1.9 kg
• Accessories: Start-up Manual / USB cable / CD-ROM / AC Cable