Just a niggling question...
- What's the differences between plugins - Roland Cloud vs Roland VS ?

Thanx.

 

Roland Cloud and Roland VS plugins are two different product lines from Roland, each designed for specific environments:

1. Roland Cloud Plugins:

• Designed for modern DAWs and computer-based music production.
  
  
• Include software emulations of classic Roland synthesizers and instruments.
  
  
• Offer high-resolution interfaces and advanced features like Circuit Mod.
  
  
• Available through a subscription model or lifetime key purchase.

1. Roland VS Plugins:

• Specifically designed for Roland's VS-series hardware digital multitrack recorders.
  
  
• Run on dedicated DSP cards (like the VS8F3) installed in VS-series machines.
  
  
• Include both Roland-made and third-party plugins.
  
  
• Purchased individually or bundled with hardware expansion cards.

Key differences:

• Platform: Cloud plugins run on computers, VS plugins run on dedicated hardware.
  
  
• Availability: Cloud plugins are subscription-based, VS plugins are one-time purchases.
  
  
• Compatibility: Cloud plugins work with various DAWs, VS plugins only work in VS-series recorders.
  
  
• Features: Cloud plugins often have more modern features and updates7, while VS plugins are more static.

 

Just ask ChatGPT and you get:

1. Roland Cloud

Roland Cloud is a subscription-based platform that offers a vast collection of software instruments, effects, and sounds, including emulations of classic Roland hardware.


2. Roland VS (Virtual Sound)

Roland VS was an older brand name for their virtual instrument plugins, primarily used for software recreations of their hardware in standalone and DAW-compatible formats. Examples include:

• Roland VS D-50 VST (a software version of the legendary D-50 synthesizer).

• Roland VS Sound Canvas VA (a VST version of the classic General MIDI Sound Canvas module).

• Roland VS instruments were traditionally sold as standalone purchases, rather than being part of a subscription.

• Many VS instruments were later integrated into Roland Cloud but might still exist separately in some cases.

 

I think some of Roland's VS style ideas were implemented in many different hardware devices as COSM FX, which was their proprietary modeling technology that implemented both Roland and BOSS effects such as the Spacecho which was first a standalone hardware device still commanding a high price today, which was implemented in the Roland VS-1680 and other audio workstations in this line ie 1880, 1824 etc.

many of the COSM models were implemented in the Roland Guitar pedalboards and the desktop modeler the Roland GS-10



This device can be used to add 2 channels of effects, as well as compressor, delay, reverb,chorus and overdrive as well as amp models and speaker cabs. per ROLAND engineering of the era, overbuilt bullet proof metal chassis prevents rf interference and solid buttons and display last for decades, the cmos battery needs changed every 3-5 years, but all user changes can be saved to computer and restored if the battery fails (as long as you backup once in awhile) - Midi, spdif, in/out etc.

has a nice leslie, and tremelo as well as the fender Univibe, can do some nice Gilmour tones from Dark Side era

 

BTW, the GS-10 and vs series of daws, don't require an internet connection or a subscription. But you may need to RTFM to use them properly.

 

you can also purchase a lifetime key, but I think you still need to reauthorise them frequently