Mf has a package for $1099.99 vs @ http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...c/g=rec/content/doc_id=91865/base_pid=240284/ my almost finished pc lacking card and software. I was thinking about the E-mu 1820m vs a standalone and my last two options are Fostex VF160EX vs E-me 1820m any oponions for a novice???No exp w/ either no decent mics. And I just want to make music that is is tolerable to others thanks for your input.Scott
Fostex VF160EX Or PC Based
- Thread starter scott2go
- Start date
VF160 is nice, as you can take it with you (record gigs, etc.) and it does what it's supposed to with no hassle - plus you can always transfer tracks to a PC for mixing/mastering. PC recording tends to be all over the map - for every guy that can record a dozen tracks at a time with no problems, you'll find someone else totally frustrated. My personal experience was that recording directly to a PC was way too 'hit or miss' - sometimes it would work, but too many times the recording would freeze, skip, be too quiet, etc. - it was way too much work.
Believe me, if you are going to record @ home, your better off with a pc based set-up. It is so much more flexible and easy to use. If you have decent computer which doesn't contain to much junk, you don't have to worry. My pc is about 3 years old now and CE pro 2 runs great on it.
I also have the Fostex VF160 caus i record on location alot. Then i come home load the songs up to my pc and go from there.
For example: Something as simple as coping one track to another tack.
Fostex:
-go to the begining of the track
-Press clibord in
-Go to the end of the track
-Press cliboard out
-Press edit
-Copy
-Select track
-Confirm
-Paste
-Select track
-Confirm
Cool edit:
When a song is loaded just click on it, drag 'n drop to a new track and your done.
Oke if you just want to record song and dont really care about effects and compression, go with the fostex. But if as soon as you wanna do some serious editing the Pc is the way to go.!!
I also have the Fostex VF160 caus i record on location alot. Then i come home load the songs up to my pc and go from there.
For example: Something as simple as coping one track to another tack.
Fostex:
-go to the begining of the track
-Press clibord in
-Go to the end of the track
-Press cliboard out
-Press edit
-Copy
-Select track
-Confirm
-Paste
-Select track
-Confirm
Cool edit:
When a song is loaded just click on it, drag 'n drop to a new track and your done.
Oke if you just want to record song and dont really care about effects and compression, go with the fostex. But if as soon as you wanna do some serious editing the Pc is the way to go.!!
The VF160 is great for tracking. Go to a studio, mic up your drums, guitars, bass and record them. I have a pretty basic setup, VF160 - 4 behringer tupe pre's - sonic maximizer - compression. After I record thru this setup, its off to Pro tools for editing. I think that the VF160 should be used WITH a PC based system for best results. And now a days, software is pretty cheap. Good luck
I have a vf160 with the inbuilt CD.
It's great and I have produce some music on it which I'm really happy with. If you just want a box to record some demos on it's fine and it's portable, so ideal for bands and band practices and live gigs.
I must say most people who are into home recording go with the PC setup, which (providing IMO you have a PC dedicated to recording and not used by the family for internet browsing, game playing, porn, and so on) is fine.
The PC gives you so many more possibilites to play with the sound and adjust the tracks, tidy up, copy parts, and add effects and processing which, if not impossible on the vf160, are VERY time consuming and fiddly to achieve on it.
So personaly I use a vf160 and don't use a PC and I'm happy, but I'm a bit old fashioned in that I don't clone tracks or bits of them, I just play multiple takes on separate tracks.
Depends on your genre. I'd say if you are doing hip-hop, dance, house, techno, etc then you really ned to go the PC route. if you're guitar band type setup you can manage well with a vf160.
Having BOTH gives all the possibilities of course!
It's great and I have produce some music on it which I'm really happy with. If you just want a box to record some demos on it's fine and it's portable, so ideal for bands and band practices and live gigs.
I must say most people who are into home recording go with the PC setup, which (providing IMO you have a PC dedicated to recording and not used by the family for internet browsing, game playing, porn, and so on) is fine.
The PC gives you so many more possibilites to play with the sound and adjust the tracks, tidy up, copy parts, and add effects and processing which, if not impossible on the vf160, are VERY time consuming and fiddly to achieve on it.
So personaly I use a vf160 and don't use a PC and I'm happy, but I'm a bit old fashioned in that I don't clone tracks or bits of them, I just play multiple takes on separate tracks.
Depends on your genre. I'd say if you are doing hip-hop, dance, house, techno, etc then you really ned to go the PC route. if you're guitar band type setup you can manage well with a vf160.
Having BOTH gives all the possibilities of course!
dave in toledo
New member
2 cents
record into the fostex, transfer tracks for mixing to pc, too many latensy issues and sound card issues for me when recording streight to pc
record into the fostex, transfer tracks for mixing to pc, too many latensy issues and sound card issues for me when recording streight to pc
glynb said:
Among other things, I make techno radio commercials on my VF160. I use hardware synths etc., not softsynths. All production and burning is done on the Fostex, and I don't think a PC would give me a better sound, though editing would be easier and quicker.
To me, it's the editing where PC's really shine. But I wouldn't think of using a PC unless it was a "recording only" machine. I've never owned a PC that didn't have configuration issues and I just love the VF160's reliability and predictability.
mharr552000
New member
I'm in the "nothin' but the vf160" crowd. I use it from tracking to mastering. I only go to the PC for adding track names, ripping mp3s and duping disks.
VF160ex user here. No problems at all and completely satisfied.
I began with $2300 worth of MOTU gear a few years ago.. using a top end PC..etc. The MOTU stuff was fine.. it's just the "recording with the computer" part that I didn't like. Pressing the mouse button to record.. move sliders..etc. is just wrong. It's evil I tell you! The buzz from the monitor, the bugs from the software, LATENCY, the instability..etc. is what turned me off.
Please keep in mind that I'm a musician who writes music. I'm not a studio mole who enjoys clicking a mouse a thousand times to get that bands "snare" drum to sound just right. I'm a musician who enjoys recording his ideas at home, quickly and efficiently.
The VF160 does exactly what I wanted it to.
Keep in mind that if someone says that you can get that "PRO recording studio" sound by using a computer be sure to think twice.
If you want a professional sound.. go to the studio. If you want to record at home.. get yourself a VF160 or hell.. any stand alone digital multitracking box. Practice and record all your ideas so that when you actually do get to that big studio you can nail everything in literally one take.
Final thought - It's hard enough to be creative as it is... minimize the headaches involved in the home-recording process.
I began with $2300 worth of MOTU gear a few years ago.. using a top end PC..etc. The MOTU stuff was fine.. it's just the "recording with the computer" part that I didn't like. Pressing the mouse button to record.. move sliders..etc. is just wrong. It's evil I tell you! The buzz from the monitor, the bugs from the software, LATENCY, the instability..etc. is what turned me off.
Please keep in mind that I'm a musician who writes music. I'm not a studio mole who enjoys clicking a mouse a thousand times to get that bands "snare" drum to sound just right. I'm a musician who enjoys recording his ideas at home, quickly and efficiently.
The VF160 does exactly what I wanted it to.
Keep in mind that if someone says that you can get that "PRO recording studio" sound by using a computer be sure to think twice.
If you want a professional sound.. go to the studio. If you want to record at home.. get yourself a VF160 or hell.. any stand alone digital multitracking box. Practice and record all your ideas so that when you actually do get to that big studio you can nail everything in literally one take.
Final thought - It's hard enough to be creative as it is... minimize the headaches involved in the home-recording process.
AdrianFly said:
Very well said. Let me go out on a limb here and say that if you can't get a good sound on the VF160 then a computer won't help you. One can debate convenience/reliability/latency/versatility issues, but the basic sound quality is so easily attainable on so many different units that if it's not being reached, then equipment isn't the issue, it's the engineer or the musician. We are in an era of such great quality that if it's not happening, then the only thing left to blame is ourselves. Just a thought...
Good thread...I have also been looking at the VF160 at MF for 800$. Sounds pretty good for 16 tracks with a built in burner. I use a computer based system currently ( SF 6.0, Sonar, CDA) and have been getting good results.
But I can't help looking at these DAW systems and wanting one...I think having both would be ideal. Now i'm wondering if the 8 track unit wouldn't be enough,( record on the fostex, then import the track to the computer for editing.) although, i guess having the additional inputs would be nice, even if ya didn't use them all the time. Hmmmmm....Hide the check book....
But I can't help looking at these DAW systems and wanting one...I think having both would be ideal. Now i'm wondering if the 8 track unit wouldn't be enough,( record on the fostex, then import the track to the computer for editing.) although, i guess having the additional inputs would be nice, even if ya didn't use them all the time. Hmmmmm....Hide the check book....
M Havlen said:
Portability and stability is the DAW's forte. Some units are more/less portable than others. I don't think a DAW will give you better recordings than a properly configured PC with the right soundcard, preamps,etc. The good thing about a DAW is it's already setup to get great recordings, but knowledgable people can easily get you squared away with the right stuff for a PC.
M Havlen said:
Well i guess the honest answer is no. it won't make any difference because the quality of the recording depends on other factors such as quality mics, your skill and knowledge, etc.
One point to note is that the vf160 doesn't give you possibility to record 16 tracks simultaneously, only 8 at once. To record 16 say in a live situation you need to buy an extra piece of kit.
But it's a great machine, for those who don't want to go down the PC route.
I currently track with an MR-8, and edit/master/burn on the pc. The thing that always gets me to wondering is this: Upgrading would be nice, and I'm really considering the VF160, but I'm basically a one man band, so don't need lotsa inputs. I edit on the pc, so don't need lotsa tracks (I can always just transfer some to the pc). Given these facts, is upgrading to something like the VF160 or any other higher end daw going to be much of an upgrade for me? Or am I just going to be paying for a lot of features I probably won't be using.
Guess what I'm really asking is this: Is the signal path (pre's, A/D converter, etc.) in the higher end daws that much better than the MR-8? I know the pre's in the MR-8 arent anything to write home about, and I usually use my DMP-3 but if you lurk the Korg/Roland/Tascam forums, people there sure seem to talk a lot about using external pre's, and the issue of by-passing the internal pre's seems to come up all the time. I guess I just can't see the advantage for someone like me upgrading. Am I wrong?
Guess what I'm really asking is this: Is the signal path (pre's, A/D converter, etc.) in the higher end daws that much better than the MR-8? I know the pre's in the MR-8 arent anything to write home about, and I usually use my DMP-3 but if you lurk the Korg/Roland/Tascam forums, people there sure seem to talk a lot about using external pre's, and the issue of by-passing the internal pre's seems to come up all the time. I guess I just can't see the advantage for someone like me upgrading. Am I wrong?
Ravenwing said:
On all boards you hear it said that the pre's on DAW's aren't too hot. I've read two articles on the VF160 that say the pre's in it are very neutral. I think they are too. Of course on the VF160 you can use insert points and bypass the pres altogether. Technically, if you don't use the inserts, then even with an external pre, you're still running through the internal cicuitry.
Sometimes one reads how the pres on the Korg/TASCAM etc, etc, are "garbage". I really think this is nonsense, and that many differences between internal and external pres is very subtle, and inaudible to many folks. After buying a DMP-3, this one guy I know sold it because he felt the perceived difference from his VF80 pres was just too subjective. "Inaudible" was the word he used.
I would say that one thing good external pres bring is the ability to add a ton of gain without any appreciable noise. This would help when using an SM-57. My Studio Projects VTB1's have much more gain capacity than my VF160, and they're super quiet. The VF160 is also quiet, but doesn't have as much oomph in the gain department. The other side of this is I usually don't need much gain...
Given what you wrote, I'm not sure a VF160 would give you much that you don't already have. I do all my recording/editing/mastering/burning on the VF160, so I need the tracks and features... With a PC brought into the mix right after recording the need for the whole VF160 package diminishes.
Perhaps the extra $ should go to better mics...
hugry ghost
New member
dave in toledo said:
Hi I have the same issues here, If I mutitrack on the VF and use my RME card
Can I get all tracks into sonar in one hit?
I know the card can take 8 tracks at once, How do you select them to send to the PC?
Cheers
Bob
Thanks for all the input
You guys are great for bouncing ideas off of.I bought a couple decent mic's and I have decided to finish my pc all I need now is a soundcard and software, and then see where I stand.I have been playing w/ some free software like kristal,and others and think I can give pc based a shot.If that fails I will then try a standalone.You guys are a great help Thanks Scott
You guys are great for bouncing ideas off of.I bought a couple decent mic's and I have decided to finish my pc all I need now is a soundcard and software, and then see where I stand.I have been playing w/ some free software like kristal,and others and think I can give pc based a shot.If that fails I will then try a standalone.You guys are a great help Thanks Scott
scott try running powertracks (pgmusic.com) with a delta sound card.
youll have a nice affordable pc daw based solution with good sound.
just try the pg demo on your pc. powertracks will even work with junk sound
cards or on board sound if you want to test it out for free.
also thing i like is upgrades to new powertracks versions are only once a year for 19 bucks.
ive been a fan for years. with powertracks youll have a great midi sequencer as well.
youll have a nice affordable pc daw based solution with good sound.
just try the pg demo on your pc. powertracks will even work with junk sound
cards or on board sound if you want to test it out for free.
also thing i like is upgrades to new powertracks versions are only once a year for 19 bucks.
ive been a fan for years. with powertracks youll have a great midi sequencer as well.