The Roland M-1000 10-Channel Digital Line Mixer was a 1U rackmount digital mixer designed for combining multiple digital sources in a compact studio format. It was aimed at musicians, electronic music producers, project studios and recording setups where synthesisers, sound modules, recording devices and computer audio sources needed to be mixed together without converting every source through a conventional analogue mixer.
The Roland M-1000 provided a total of 10 input channels by combining four stereo S/PDIF digital inputs, a stereo analogue line input and USB audio from a PC. The digital inputs accepted coaxial and optical sources, allowing different digital instruments and devices to be connected directly. The stereo analogue input used high-quality A/D conversion, allowing an analogue source to be integrated alongside digital sources within the same mixer.
A central feature of the Roland M-1000 was its ability to mix digital signals operating at varying sample rates. Automatic sample rate conversion allowed connected sources to be combined even when they were not all running at the same rate. This made the unit useful in mixed digital studio environments where sound modules, digital recorders and computer systems might not share the same clocking configuration.
The Roland M-1000 supported 24-bit/96kHz audio quality and used 56-bit internal processing. Its output section included coaxial and optical digital outputs, balanced XLR master outputs and a monitor output on 6.35mm phone connectors. This allowed the mixer to feed both digital recording systems and analogue monitoring or master output chains.
The USB connection allowed a USB-equipped PC to be incorporated into the mixing setup. Digital signals from the computer could be routed into the Roland M-1000 and mixed with the other inputs, while the resulting mix could be sent back to the computer for recording. The unit supported sample rates up to 96kHz via USB, although at 96kHz it was not possible to send audio in and out simultaneously via USB.
Professional synchronisation was provided through Word Clock input and output. The clock source could be selected from Internal, Word Clock, Digital In or USB, giving the Roland M-1000 flexibility in both standalone and studio clocking environments. Multiple Roland M-1000 units could also be cascaded for larger configurations when more input channels were required.
The front panel provided direct level controls for the analogue input and each of the four digital stereo inputs, along with master level control, monitor output level, input selection and status indicators. The rear panel carried the analogue line input, digital inputs, digital outputs, balanced analogue master outputs, monitor output, USB audio connection, Word Clock connections and power inlet.
Features
- 10-channel digital line mixer in a space-saving 1U rackmount chassis
- Four stereo digital inputs using coaxial and optical S/PDIF connections
- Stereo analogue input on 6.35mm phone connectors
- USB port for mixing digital audio from a PC
- 24-bit/96kHz audio quality
- 56-bit internal processing
- Automatic sample rate conversion for mixing digital sources with varying sample rates
- Professional Word Clock input and output
- Selectable clock source from Internal, Word Clock, Digital In and USB
- Coaxial and optical digital outputs
- Balanced analogue master outputs on XLR connectors
- Monitor output on 6.35mm phone connectors
- Multiple units can be cascaded when additional inputs are required