16 track DAW. I can buy one for $200. Would something like this stay compatible with technology for a while?
It's "CD-DA" quality (16 bit, 44.1 kHz) with TOSlink lightpipe (ADAT and S/PDIF). Each program/song can have 24 tracks but only 16 are "mixable" at any one time. The big advantage to the VF16/160 is that the capability of recording 16 simultaneous channels is built into the VF so that, with the addition of an ADAT preamp like the Behringer ADA8000 (~$200) you can record 16 simultaneous channels or any optical S/PDIF unit (like an ART DPS-II) will allow 10 simultaneous channels of recording. Two setup VF's can be linked via MIDI for a 32-channel simultaneous recording setup. Not many SIABs ("Studios-In-A-Box")offer the >8-channel recording capability, especially inexpensively and in a amazingly tough, small-footprint package. Also, the hard drive is easily swapped in/out with off-the-shelf units in less than five minutes (max usuable format will be limited to ~127 GB)----although it will take about 11 minutes to initially format each GB (that's about a full day of formatting for the maximum usable capacity). No USB or Firewire, though, and ADAT/S/PDIF transfers to computer are in real time. It does export tracks as 16-bit, 44.1kHz mono WAV files, via lightpipe or CD.
I've been routinely using one to record gigs from stage for over five years, tens-of-thousands of hours of operation time and over 3000 CDs from the CD-RW drive. Not a single repair needed and everything still works like new (actually, even better with the software upgrades). I'm a blue-collar guy when it comes to working for my dollars, and I list my VF160 as one of my best live equipment purchases.
You can get more pros and cons at these additional forums:
http://vf16.yuku.com/
http://www.fostexusa.com/mercuryboard/index.php?a=forum&f=32
If you're only going to record one or two channels at a time, there are other SIABs that offer 24-bit 44.1kHz recording, and computer interfaces that offer 24-bit 96-192 kHz recording---all of which can offer improved sound quality. There are also small, portable two-track recorders (like the
Zoom H4) from Tascam, Edirol, Olympus, etc., that offer great live two-track or stereo recording from their built in mics or from mixer signals. I would say that, at $200, the VF would be virtually impossible to beat for live multitrack recording.
Paj,
8^)
P.S.: If you don't want it, PM the seller's info.