Digital Multitracker to a Laptop?

  • Thread starter Thread starter dunkatie
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dunkatie

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Hi- just got a Fostex VF-08 multi-tracker and am really loving it so far....really easy to use, and a quantum leap better than the old Fostex 4-track I had been using.

As I do not have a DAT or any extrernal digital recorder, I would like to rig my VF-08 to connect to my laptop computer, and directly record MP3s. I have some idea how to do this, but would appreciate any assistance....the "out" on the VF-08 is a single RCA ("S/P DIF" according to the manual) and the "in" on the laptop would be the headphone jack on the laptop, right?

Anyhow, not really sure where to start. Any advice would be great.......

Thanks,

Duncan
 
You would be better off using an INPUT on your sound card. Preferably a line in. It is doubtfull your laptop has a SPDIF input so you would need to use an analog out on the recorder.

To be honest you are going to really ruin the sound of your mixes by running them through a laptop audio card. You would be better off getting an external USB sound card by Delta or even the Extigy. Something with a SPDIF input preferably.
 
yes, you would have to use the line in on your laptop, unless you keep it digital, with a Spdif card like a usb attachment.

I have been using my stock soundcard on my laptop and the sound quality is fine for my purposes, though it is somewhat dull sounding. Still, usable for sure, with some eq'ing it is fine. If you want to hear what it sounds like you can listen to clips at http://www.home.earthlink.net/~adamcrose/index.html

For "closer" I used the analog outs from my FD-8 into the laptop in, so you could get an idea of the sound. The others are all recordings completely done on the laptop.
 
Adam, I listend to "closer". Cool song. Electronica is a little less demanding on the sound card signal to noise ratio but that song did have that 'cheap sound card' sound.

I used a SoundBlaster for a lot of my home recordings and I assumed that that was as good as it got for home recording. I can honestly say a good soundcard truly is a 'magic box' that makes everything sound better. That is assuming that somebody knows the basics of getting a decent sound in the first place.

I'm not knocking anybody who uses cheap cards. We all have our own goals to satisfy but I figure if you are going to go through all the trouble of recording your own stuff you might as well spend $200 to make it sound all that much better.
 
Texroadkill

Thanks for listening. I am beginning to agree about the soundcard. After looking at songs on a spectrum analyzer I see how much high end is missing.

When you say cheap soundcard sound, what do you mean specifically? Is it the dullness? Those mp3s are only 96k b/c I don't have alot of space. Did you listen to any of the other songs? Would you say they have the same sound? (they are not electronica and didn't involve the FD-8)

I know I need a new soundcard, I just have had trouble pulling the trigger and keeping waiting for new products. Layla or Mona laptop looks fine -- and I have to choose between convenience of included pres or more i/os plus midi. The Metric Halo product and upcoming presonus looks good too. I had put down more for RME's multiface but got a refund when they never shipped.
 
I'll take a listen to the others at home. At work I can't really do any critical listening. 96khz Mp3 doesnt help so I'm sure your real recordings sound better.

The cheap sound card sound is the dullness and just a generally stale sound. If you want to stick with your laptop there are some pretty nice USB and Firewire cards. Go with Firewire if you want to record or output more than 2 tracks at a time.
 
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