Roland VR-1HD

If you’re a content creator seeking maximum engagement, livestreaming outperforms uploaded video by a significant margin; audiences are larger, watch for longer and post more comments. Roland’s VR-1HD lets you broadcast dynamic multi-camera livestreams, complete with amazing picture and sound that easily outshines ‘standard’ livestreams from a mobile phone or static webcam. Whether you’re a creator, gamer, commentator or presenter, it’s the easy way to livestream with high production standards. And since you’re going to get more comments, ensure they’re good ones with the VR-1HD.

The VR-1HD is a compact AV mixer for live streaming from a single desk. It switches three HDMI cameras or computers, mixes two microphones and a line input, and sends video and audio to a computer over USB 3.0 like a webcam. It can even switch cameras on its own based on who is speaking.

A plug-and-play broadcast studio

Three HDMI inputs, two mic inputs with phantom power, automatic camera switching and USB streaming to a computer.

3× HDMI in2× XLR/TRS with 48 V phantomUSB 3.0 stream 1080pAuto switchingVoice changer

Connectors at the rear and side

Three HDMI inputs, MAIN, MONITOR and THRU outputs, USB STREAM, a USB flash port, two combo mic inputs, RCA line in and out, and headphones.

For content creators

Vlogs, music streams, interviews and podcasts can be run by one person, because the VR-1HD takes care of both switching and sound.

Green screen keying

Chroma key places the presenter in front of any background, such as a weather map or a presentation.

Video director and audio engineer in one

Video Follows Audio switches to the camera of whoever is speaking into a mic, Beat Sync changes shots to the rhythm of the music, and Auto Scan cycles through the inputs. Meanwhile Auto Mixing balances the microphone levels, so you can focus on content.

Five scenes

Recall PinP, Split and PbyP with smooth transitions at the touch of a button.

Voice processing

VT-series voice changer, reverb, compressor, EQ, echo and howling cancellers.

Sounds on demand

Four WAV players for background music, jingles and sound effects.

Computer control

VR-1HD RCS software over USB for Mac and Windows.

Your ‘plug and play’ broadcast studio. The VR-1HD has three “worry-free” HDMI inputs, and each one accepts a variety of HD and computer-based video resolutions. This lets you connect, switch and stream different sources including cameras, presentations, gameplay and even smartphones and tablets without having to think about it. The audio from these sources can be blended with the two studio-quality XLR microphone inputs and dedicated line input. Best of all, as the VR-1HD is designed for live broadcasting, its dedicated controls and top-mounted mic input (with gooseneck mic) let you go hands-free and headset-free while livestreaming.

Switch to superior livestreams. When preparing a video for uploading, your editing software can add some impressive layering options, including professional transitions that make ‘live-switched’ videos look boring by comparison. The VR-1HD has built-in Scene Switching to instantly jump between scenes that contain preset arrangements of layered sources, displayed within customizable inset windows.
Set-up the scenes in advance and recall them via the five scene preset buttons, to make your livestreaming way more interesting.

Stand out from the crowd. Chroma keying and green screens place a subject in front of a background that isn't really there and is a high-end visual effect found in movies and used by weather people. Stand out from the crowd of live streamers to broadcast live from the beach or another planet or use chroma key technology to teach and promote your products all from the comfort of your home.

Video director inside. When you’re presenting a livestreamed vlog or nailing a live music performance, you’d normally need another person to help switch cameras. The VR-1HD lets you go it alone with three Auto Switching modes that take the strain once the broadcast begins.

Video Follows Audio. The VR-1HD switches cameras based on who’s speaking into their microphone. If both people talk at once, or if no one is speaking, the VR-1HD can switch to a wide shot showing both presenters.

Beat Sync Switching. Start playing music and the VR-1HD will switch to different camera inputs based on your playing tempo or the music in your DJ performance—letting you act as your own VJ.

Auto Scan. For extended live streams with no operator, set the VR-1HD to switch between sources in a pre-defined order, or randomly, at your chosen rate of time.

Audio engineer inside too. Put audio on auto-pilot and relax, thanks to the VR-1HD’s Auto Mixing function. Just like having a sound engineer, you can ensure that different audio inputs aren’t competing, while also checking that the sound remains balanced. Audio from your input sources can automatically change when you switch video sources, by engaging the Audio Follows Video function—one less thing to worry about during your livestream.

Sound like your best self or not yourself. Nobody talks about good sound when watching a live stream but they sure notice when its bad. Pros use sound “equalizers” to balance the highs and lows of the audio, “gates” to keep open mics quiet unless someone is speaking and “compressors” to balance out changes in volume when speaking or singing. These are all in the VR-1HD to make sure everyone sounds their best on air along with reverb if someone is inspired to sing and needs a little ambience.

Radically transform your voice. Roland makes the legendary VT series of Voice Transformers, used by creators, gamers and singers to radically change their voice in real-time. This technology means that a male can sound like a female, a female can sound like a male, and anyone can sound like a robot, a monster or an alien. Derived from Roland’s VT series, the VR-1HD’s Voice Changer effect can be applied to the mic inputs, and each input even has its own Voice Changer settings, so people can sound like someone else—or something else—entirely.

Sounds and stingers on-demand. Some of the greatest radio and video personalities incorporate a signature soundtrack and sound effects, known as stingers, that become part of their brand and image. The VR-1HD lets you add your own custom sound effects via USB memory, including jingles or even a theme song, and trigger them instantly via the four Audio Effects buttons on the VR-1HD’s top panel.

Connect to your computer, connect to your audience. The VR-1HD uses the same connection technology as webcams, so just hook up to your computer via USB 3.0 and fire up the live casting or recording software. Then jump straight into a professionally produced, Full HD broadcast on your favorite platform, including Twitch, YouTube or Facebook Live.

RCS. The VR-1HD RCS software is designed to control the VR-1HD using a computer. By connecting the VR-1HD to your computer via USB, you will be able to copy settings (backup) or update the system software of the VR-1HD in addition to remote controlling the unit from your computer.