Videomaker Award

WINNER Videomaker Expo "Best of Show" '98

The A-6 is equipped with a 4-track digital recorder that can mix, in stereo, the four most common elements of video sound-track: narration, camcorder-recorded audio, background music, and sound effects. It can synchronize with video via MIDI time-code or with LANC or EDIT E compatible devices (using the optional SI-80SP). The A-6 also features an audio clip pad function so you can freely save and insert, in real-time, sound effects, narration, and music. It also features over 400 types of on-board, professional-grade sound effects and copyright-free music.

Roland A6 digital audio workstation

Our price $489

Roland A6 digital audio workstation with OP1 installed

Our Price $549

Features

Full Digital Processing for DV Sound Quality
The A-6 was designed to accommodate high level DV sound and beyond. Input audio is converted from analog to digital sound at 20 bits, and all internal processing is done at 24 bits. And, because it's all digital, you can edit freely and always maintain the same high sound quality.

Four Dedicated Tracks
The overwhelming simplicity of the A-6 is made possible by the four stereo tracks that are used respectively for the four basic audio sources used in video sound editing. In other words, narration, camcorder-recorded audio, BGM, and sound effects, each have their own dedicated track. Each can be played or recorded separately, or mixed freely. Precision voice mixes can be accomplished with the fader, which is designed to be operated as you watch the flow of images on-screen.

Numerous "Virtual" V-Tracks
The A-6 gets its immense editing power by utilizing the Roland V-track concept. Each stereo track contains an additional eight stereo tracks. That's a total of 32 stereo tracks! As shown in the illustration, there are abundant tracks at your disposal that can be used, for example, to record eight different BGM tracks and eight different narration tracks. Afterward, you can choose the best combination of tracks or portions of tracks to use in your final production.

Synchronization with Images and Time Code
If you have the optional SI-80SP, precise synchronization with a LANC or EDIT E compatible device becomes possible at the frame-by-frame level using time code frames. The A-6 will follow the synchronized video image time code during play, stop, fast forward, and rewind operations. Editing is possible without the need for troublesome preparations or a post-recording function. Accomplish professional-level, complex timing of narration and sound effect insertions. On top of it all, the A-6 is compatible with MTC (MIDI Time Code) and MMC (MIDI Machine Control) for synchronization with MIDI sound devices.

Audio Clip Pad Function
Sound effects, narration, and music can be stored on hard disk separately from track recordings. After assigning these sound "clips" to a pad button you can play them back and "paste" them into your video in real-time as you watch the video. The A-6 also features a divide function that automatically determines where to cut words in a narration, divides them into sentences, and assigns them to pad buttons. Also featured are editing functions such as a pitch changer for sound clips, reverse playback, replication, and a sound start and end point indicators.

Audio Processor
The A-6 is equipped with 99 different high-quality, professional-level audio effects. These include a noise suppressor for cutting noise, a comp/limiter for catching unevenness in sound, reverb that adds "live" ambience, delay for adding an echo effect, and a voice transformer that can change a voice to sound more male, female, or robot-like.

Complete Freedom in Audio Editing
A major strength of the A-6 is that you can digitally edit recorded sounds just like patchwork. You have total freedom.

Versatile Editing Tools
The A-6 is equipped with precise sound editing tools that take full advantage of digital processing technology. Recorded sounds can be cut, pasted, moved, deleted and inserted as you please. Actions, such as the matching of background music to the length of a scene, and the precise timing of sound effects, are easily accomplished.

Non-destructive Editing
Since all editing functions on the A-6 are digital, sound quality will never degrade and data will never be overwritten even after extensive editing. The A-6 is also equipped with an undo function that returns your data to the condition it was before your last editing action.

Built-in Sound Library
Having the sound library of the A-6 is like having the rich sound resources of a professional studio nearby. The hard disk has over 400 types of copyright-free music clips and sounds ideal for use in amateur video productions, commercial-based video packages, or business. Pressing the audio clip pad button at the top of the panel can play sounds of nature, vehicles, animals, situations, various BGM, and great jingles for scene transitions. On its own, the A-6 provides all the resources you'll ever need to add expressive, brilliant audio to your productions.

Professional Multi I/O Expansion
The A-6 OP1 Multi I/O Expansion option is a must for the A-6. It provides balanced XLR in/out, S/PDIF in/out, and SCSI expansion.

Easy Editing Functionality

Locator function allows instant access with the push of a button to any eight points you specify beforehand.
Large, easy-to-view LCD display shows settings, conditions, play list, and contains the meter display and a large time code display. The LCD is backlit, so it can be easily viewed in studios and other dark places.
Equipped with GPI jack that allow you to use the A-6 with commercial and personal-use devices such as editing controllers and telop machines.
Play, record, stop, fast forward and rewind controls are similar to those of a tape recorder for easy operation.
Self-illuminating buttons and an easy-to-use machine interface enable precise operation.

Specifications

Tracks

Tracks:4 stereo
V-Tracks: 32 stereo (4 stereo tracks x 8 V-Tracks)
*One stereo pair of tracks can be recording simultaneously.

Maximum Polyphony
4 stereo (total)

Maximum Useful Capacity
16 G bytes: 2 G bytes (capacity) x 8 (partition)

Audio Data Format
A-6 Original (R-DAC)

Internal Memory
Pad Groups: 99
Pad Clips: 994 (10 pad x 99 group + 4 (favorite))
Projects: 64
Effect Patches: 99 (preset) + 99 (user) + 4 (panel)

Channel Equalizer
3 band parametric (HI, MID, LOW)
(5 channel: Track A -- D, PAD)

Signal Processing
AD Conversion: 20 bits, 64 times over sampling
DA Conversion: 20 bits, 128 times over sampling
Internal Processing: 24 bits (mixer section)

Sample Rate
44.1 kHz

Recording Time
(at 2 G bytes, conversion in stereo track)
9 hours approx. (Including Demo Clips on the HDPA6 series hard disk)
*Times may be slightly depending on the times of recording procedure.

Number of Track Clips
Approx. 2,000 clips per 1 project

Synchronization
MIDI MTC/MMC (Master, Slave)

Frequency Response
10 Hz -- 21 kHz (+0/-3 dB)

Nominal Input Level (variable)
Mic: -50 -- -20 dBm
VCR: -10 -- +4 dBm
CD: -10 -- +4 dBm

Input L, R **
(Mic): -50 -- -20 dBm
(Line): -10 -- +4 dBm

Input Impedance
MIC: 100 k ohms
VCR: 47 k ohms
CD: 47 k ohms
Input L, R **: 6 k ohms

Nominal Output Level
Master Out: -10 dBm
Monitor Out: -10 dBm
Output L, R **: +4 dBm

Output Impedance

Master Out: 2 k ohms
Monitor Out: 2 k ohms
Headphones: 10 ohms
Output L, R **: 600 ohms

Recommended Load Impedance
Master Out: 10 k ohms or greater
Monitor Out: 10 k ohms or greater
Headphones: 4 -- 600 ohms
Output L, R **: 10 k ohms or greater

S/N Ratio (Line AD/DA total, IHF-A, typ.)
Master Out: 92 dB
Monitor Out: 92 dB

Display
69.0 x 25.0 mm (with backlit)

Connectors
Mic In Jack (1/4 inch phone type)
VCR In Jacks L, R (RCA phone type)
CD In Jacks L, R (RCA phone type)
Master Out Jacks L, R (RCA phone type)
Monitor Jacks L, R (RCA phone type)
Headphones Jack (Stereo 1/4 inch phone type)
GPI In Jack (1/4 inch phone type)
MIDI Connectors (IN, OUT/THRU)

Power Supply
AC 117 V, AC 230 V or AC 240 V

Power Consumption
16 W (Including internal hard disk)

Dimension
394 (W) x 343 (D) x 99 (H) mm
15-9/16 (H) x 13-9/16 (D) x 3-15/16 (H) inches

Weight
4.1 kg (Excluding internal hard disk and A6-OP1)
9 lbs 1 oz

Accessories
Power-Supply Cord
Quick Start Manual
Owner's Manual

Options
Internal Hard Disk Drive Unit: HDPA6 Series
Multi I/O Expansion: A6-OP1
Video MIDI Sync Interface: SI-80 Series (0 dBm = 0.775 Vrms)

**Available with the Multi I/O Expansion "A6-OP1" is installed.
SCSI Connector (DB-25 type)
Digital In Connector (Coaxial type)
Digital Out Connector (Coaxial type)
Input L, R (XLR type, balanced, line/mic selective)
Output L, R (XLR type, balanced)

** Available when optional A6-OP1 Multi l/O Expansion is installed.