Fostex VF160EX, opinion of drum/time features?

[dja1353]

Hello. I just received my new Fostex VF160EX. I am slowing working my way through the manual and learning the device. I have not got there yet, but by skimming the manual it appears there is not a 'drum machine' built into the unit, but there is a time/tempo/metronome function. What does everyone think of the onboard time/tempo features? What do you use for drum simulation inputs if that is needed? (draft songs prior to live drummer recording). Thanks. I am used to PC based products and this is my first digital unit.

[carelessorc]

Welcome to the Fostex community!
It's a great machine.
As for keeping time: the internal metronome works OK but personally I prefer the time keeping to be in the groove, so I use a drum machine, synchronised with the VF by MIDI. Works a treat. There's a huge range of midi capable beat boxes out there, e.g. the Alesis SR 16, or any of the Boss units.

Good Luck with your new unit!

Orc

[glynb]

Carelessorc,

I'm a bit ignorant when it comes to midi, what's the benefit of syncing the drum machine to the VF as opposed to simply recording the drum machine to a track straight off?

Presumably you mean by using MIDI you can sync the drum machine to the VF's click track?

[carelessorc]

Glyn
I'm no MIDI expert but I find it useful for syncing drums. I can quickly find or make a pattern that gives me the right feel. Later I can programme or record variations and fills directly into the drum machine, or arrange the drum part in a sequencer, all locked to the VF's clock. Keyboards can be added this way too. MIDI gives you opportunities to tweak your performance (=fix crap keyboard playing!)
Having said all this, I started using MIDI back in the days when I only had 8 tracks and the extra virtual tracks that MIDI gives were useful. With 16 tracks on the VF it's not so tight and sometimes I do just record drums to audio as a click-track!
Recently I have started using Pro-Tools to mix down, and I find that if the audio is properly lined up with bars/beats it's easier to edit, and it does line up if the click track was MIDI sync'd.

Orc