VF160 users speak up! Interested in this DAW

[ACIDBANDIT]

I'm very interested in this DAW, although I'm looking at a bunch of them (Korg, yamaha aw16g, tascam 2488). I like the fostex way of things, I'm already familiar with the mr8 layout and the vf160 seems to have a similiar layout. I wanted to know what kind of onboard effects this thing has. The fostex website doesn't go to much into detail about it. Also, how is the mastering process for cd writing? Does it sound good/pleasing to your ears? And if I wasn't satisfied with the sound of a mastered track, is there anyway I could "dump" or load the wave files from the vf160 onto my computer for external mastering? Thankyou much for your time,

-dave-

[daryle_ackerman]

Yes, the Fostex has a built in CD-RW drive which allows you to store .WAV files from the 16/24 tracks onto CDR/CDRW which can be loaded onto your computer via the CD drive. You can also take those files back into the Fostex, edited if you like.

Hope this helps.

Daryle

[billisa]

As far as value, the VF160 is fantastic. I only record/master on the machine, never using a PC, and I think the results can be excellent. I don't think you have the range of effects you'd have with a PC, but I'm not big into effects anyway. There are standard reverbs, delays, flangers, etc, on 2 effects chips. Two effects can be applied to any or all 16 tracks, plus compression is available.

These are very sold, very stable machines. You do need to allow the HardDrive to finish its access with each step in a given operation (an extra second or two), but by and large these machines rarely freeze, and in a year and a half, I've NEVER lost data, ever, for any reason. Very well thought out operating system that saves as you go. They also do very nice burns. I've never had a skip on any burned CD, and in fact the last time I checked a burn on my PC's error detection software, it picked up NONE (very rare for a CDR non-commercial disc). My PC's burner is awful by comparison.

Fostex did a good job with these. Korgs seem nice too, but with Fostex you get the VF160 EX for $899. The Korg D1600(16track) is $1300; the D1200 (12track) is $999.

[daryle_ackerman]

to Billisa:

What "PC detection software" are you using to test your burnt CDRs? Is it available for free download?

[billisa]

It's one of the "tools" bundled with the NERO software that came with my external burner.