RSS by Roland introduced the S-4000 Digital Snake series, which offers a world free of the inherent signal degradation, hums and buzzes of analogue cabling. Using Roland's proprietary Ethernet Audio Communication system (REAC), the S-4000 system is based on 100Base-TX, and transfers via Cat-5e cable. Up to 40 channels of 24bit/96kHz audio plus MIDI and remote control data can be transferred in one cable. The S-4000 system includes a 40-input modular rack (the S-4000S-3208) to accept both mic and line level inputs onstage, with XR-1 pre-amps provided for each input channel and 24bit/96kHz AD/DA conversion. The S-4000H front-of-house unit again offers 24bit/96kHz conversion and has 32 analogue outputs for the desk, and eight inputs. Optional extras include the S-420P external power supply unit and the S-4000-HUB, a dedicated REAC switching hub.RSS also had two solid-state audio recording and playback devices for installation - the AR 200S and the AR3000R - on show. The first is a half-rackspace unit for simpler messaging applications and the latter is a 1RU system for installations with high-fidelity audio requirements. Finally. Roland also showed the Edirol V-440HD multi-format video mixer.
