Roland Announces "VR-120HD" Direct Streaming AV Mixer.

Roland enters a new era in live-streaming tech

Roland Corporation will release the direct streaming AV mixer “VR-120HD” in late February 2023, which can perform video production at events, audio adjustment, recording, and livestreaming within one unit. The suggested retail price is open, and the estimated market price is 880,000 yen including tax.

The VR-120HD is a professional AV mixer with significantly enhanced functions useful for livestreaming, allowing a single operator to perform video production, audio mixing, distribution, and recording. Equipped with 12 video inputs that support various video formats, it is possible to connect a PC, tablet, game console, etc. and capture images. Equipped with eight layer functions, you can freely perform video synthesis such as inserting telops and picture-in-picture.

Videos can be output from up to 8 channels, enabling flexible video output to a large screen at a venue or a PC for live distribution. In addition, it supports streaming to the Internet, and it is possible that stable distribution can be performed with only the main unit, without the need of using a PC.

text — *VR-120HD rear panel *Click image to enlarge*

The main unit is equipped with a 42-channel audio mixer function. The 6 XLR/1/4 inch combo inputs are also equipped with high-quality microphone input circuits. In addition, it supports audio input via 4 RCA inputs, HDMI, SDI, USB, and Bluetooth. Full-fledged effects such as EQ and reverb are also built-in. It also has an audio player function that can capture sound effects and announcements into eight pads on the main panel and play them back with good timing.

*You can press the pads on the main unit to play audio with good timing*

The VR-120HD is equipped with a convenient function that allows you to perform multiple operations with a single button press. Screen configurations and audio settings can be registered in “Scenes”, and video switching and operation settings can be registered in “Macros”, and can be recalled with a simple button operation according to the progress of an event or live distribution.

It also has a sequencer that can automatically control the registered settings according to the progress of the event. It is possible to automatically switch between video production and audio mixing, which greatly reduces the burden on the operator.

The VR-120HD also supports PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera control. Up to 12 PTZ cameras from different manufacturers can be combined and operated simultaneously. Equipped with features such as tally lamp support and remote control of external equipment that make work at the recording site smooth.

Equipped with 8 layer functions for directing images, each of which can be assigned to the main program, sub program, and other outputs. You can send effective images to viewers, such as picture-in-picture, chromakey, and inserting telops.

The VR-120HD is also equipped with 3 SDI outputs and 3 HDMI outputs, and you can send out the optimum video for each output, such as the screen at the event venue, the monitor for the performers, the multi-view for the operation, and for online distribution.¥ is possible. The video matrix displayed on the touch panel of the main unit can be operated smoothly with a finger.

It also has an Ethernet terminal that can output directly to the Internet from the main unit and USB streaming output of up to 60 FPS. Simultaneous recording to an SDXC card is also supported, so event footage can be recorded and later edited or used for redistribution.

The VR-120HD is equipped with professional-class audio mixing capabilities and can operate audio signals in addition to video. Intuitive mixing with 8 faders that can freely assign each audio source, and in events with many panelists, the volume of each channel can be automatically mixed according to the speech, reducing the operator’s burden. Possible.

Equipped with highly versatile routing functions such as two AUX buses, it is said that it is possible to build an optimal monitor audio environment for both the stage and the waiting room.

EQ and dynamics processing can be applied to all inputs and outputs, and high-quality reverb can be added during live performances. In addition, it has a function that can eliminate unpleasant howling and feedback when using a microphone and suppress ground noise.

It is possible to register the selection of the video to be delivered to the viewer, the screen composition and audio settings in “scenes” (up to 32 types) and call them immediately. “Macro” can store a series of operations (up to 100 types) according to the progress, and can be reproduced with a simple button operation. Furthermore, it is possible to register “scenes” and “macros” (up to 1,000 steps) in the sequencer according to the script of the event, and call the operation according to the script with one touch. It is said that on-site operations can be greatly simplified.