Fostex to PC...what cables?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jizz
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Jizz

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I have a Fostex VF160 and would like to transfer all my recordings to my PC so I can mix frrom there as burning god knows how many CD's with very little on it to discover the mix sounds crap is a bit of a pain.

What cables do I need to do this...if possible?

Also, Pro Tools, Cubase and other similar programs...are they used solely for mixing or can they be used as a home studio on your PC completely?

Thanks for the help, you lovely lot :)
 
what kind of soundcard do you have?

as for the software, it can also be used as a recorder. If you get a decent soundcard, you will be able to record completely to your computer, and wont have to worry about the fostex box.
 
I've actually no idea what kind my soundcard is. I'm a total beginner with regards to recording onto my PC.
I'm planning on buying an M-Audio Audiophile, whether my current soundcard is adequate or not.

Thanks for your help :)
 
Jizz said:
I've actually no idea what kind my soundcard is. I'm a total beginner with regards to recording onto my PC.
I'm planning on buying an M-Audio Audiophile, whether my current soundcard is adequate or not.

Thanks for your help :)
Click to expand...
The onboard soundcard probably won't be adequate. Buy the M-Audio.
My 2 cents ;)
 
The best way to transfer them is to save the tracks as wav files to a cd then copy them to your pc.
Or you could get a sound card with ADAT, then you can transfer 8 tracks at a time. Like an E-MU 1212m for $200.
 
timboZ said:
The best way to transfer them is to save the tracks as wav files to a cd then copy them to your pc.
Or you could get a sound card with ADAT, then you can transfer 8 tracks at a time. Like an E-MU 1212m for $200.
Click to expand...
If I am not mistaken, that fostex has ADAT capabilites, and s/pdif....
 
Jizz said:
I have a Fostex VF160 and would like to transfer all my recordings to my PC so I can mix frrom there as burning god knows how many CD's with very little on it to discover the mix sounds crap is a bit of a pain.
Click to expand...

The above statement confuses me a bit. Are you saying you have better monitoring facilities on your PC?
 
I record on the VF160, and have started mixing in protools. I transfer from VF to PC via CDRW. ADAT takes too long and is too complicated if you are transferring 24 tracks. Plus you have to buy an ADAT capable soundcard.

I'm also wondering how Jizz discovered that his mixes sound crap - sounds like a monitoring problem. If your monitoring system was leading you to do bad mixes on the VF, things won't improve using a PC unless you improve your monitoring/speakers, and your average PC speaker is just not going to deliver.

Orc
 
So what do you guys think is the best way for me to transfer the audio tracks of my FD90 (without CDRW) to my PC. The only thing I can output and input on the FD90 is ADAT and the only card I found that can do this on PC side at that price is the E-MU line (1212M in specific).
 
TiN TAPE said:
So what do you guys think is the best way for me to transfer the audio tracks of my FD90 (without CDRW) to my PC. The only thing I can output and input on the FD90 is ADAT and the only card I found that can do this on PC side at that price is the E-MU line (1212M in specific).
Click to expand...

The 1212m will do the job 8 tracks at a time. You will have to line up the tracks if you have more than 8 tracks and it will have to be done in real time.
The 1212m comes with cubase VST.
 
carelessorc said:
I record on the VF160, and have started mixing in protools. I transfer from VF to PC via CDRW. ADAT takes too long and is too complicated if you are transferring 24 tracks. Plus you have to buy an ADAT capable soundcard.

I'm also wondering how Jizz discovered that his mixes sound crap - sounds like a monitoring problem. If your monitoring system was leading you to do bad mixes on the VF, things won't improve using a PC unless you improve your monitoring/speakers, and your average PC speaker is just not going to deliver.

Orc
Click to expand...
Aye, I'm not going to embarass myself by telling you what I use as monitors, but I do need to improve quite a few elements of my set-up, it is all in hand. I would like to know about PC stuff purely to see if I'm maybe missing out on something that a multitracker doesn't offer.
Nothing wrong with experimenting and learning about new stuff! :)

All your replies have been read and appreciated. Mental notes have been taken, lads.

Thanks again.
 
Does anyone know any sites, similar to Photobucket only using mp3's, where you can upload your own stuff?

Which I may do when I'm satisfied with all aspects of my recordings.

I need to buy new distortion, new speakers, new everything it seems, lol.
 
Jizz,
Take a look at VF16.com it is a site for the VF16, VF160 and VF160 EX.

I have had great results mixing on my VF160. The onboard FX's are usable.
You can also use external gear (FX, EQ, and compressors) on theVF160.
I have not had good luck with the onboard compressor. But I like doing mixdowns on the unit. I like to use the faders instead of a mouse.
Also the low end EQ sucks.

When I transfer to my pc I use CDRW's. I do not use ADAT.
 
Thanks for the link timboZ, I've bookmarked it for future reference...I'll browse after posting this message.
I only ever mixdown and burn onto CDRW's too. I've found that doubling up each track adds a little more body to whatever I've recorded, such as my drum machine going through tracks 1-9, guitars through 2-10, 3-11...and so on, which I never used to do.
Like I've said earlier, I want to change/try new distortion pedals as I do like a dark moody style of riff with low end and I'm a little tired of the pedal board I'm using right now.
As for external gear, I really need to have a poke around to see how it's done and what I'm missing out on.
 
Jizz said:
Thanks for the link timboZ, I've bookmarked it for future reference...I'll browse after posting this message.
I only ever mixdown and burn onto CDRW's too. I've found that doubling up each track adds a little more body to whatever I've recorded, such as my drum machine going through tracks 1-9, guitars through 2-10, 3-11...and so on, which I never used to do.
Like I've said earlier, I want to change/try new distortion pedals as I do like a dark moody style of riff with low end and I'm a little tired of the pedal board I'm using right now.
As for external gear, I really need to have a poke around to see how it's done and what I'm missing out on.
Click to expand...
Jizz, are you recording in an apartment where you can't play your guitars through an amp? If you are, then this won't help much, but if you are looking for great tone on your guitars, nothing beats micing up your amp. It's how the professionals do it. If you can do it, give it a try sometime. Experiment with mic placement, try removing the grill, and I think you will be pleasantly surprized at the results you'll get!
 
Jizz,
While checking out a place to get a footswitch to replace the dicontinued 8051, I found Hosa technologies. On their home page is a cable(USM-422) that goes from the midi to USB ports. (www.hosatech.com)
 
Thanks Nasty, that's what I think I'm after, and Yes Rokket, I'm in an apartment. The neighbours wouldn't appreciate me turning my amp up (Marshall AVT150 with 2 200 watt speakers). I have tried it sort of, but a half hearted attempt due to how loud I had it and didn't fancy an argument.
I plug straight into the Fostex through my pedal board...this is my only option unless I start WW3, lol.
 
Nasty Critter:
1 What use did you have in mind for the midi/USB cable?
2 Did you find a replacement for the 8051 punch-in pedal?

Orc
 
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