Getting Tracks out as WAV files to PC

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targetmonkey

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I posted this in another thread but I'd like to get more eyes on this. I know this is probably something thats cake to you guys but I know 0% about MIDI and SPDIF or how that stuff works.
Here goes:

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Ok...newbie question here. I want to do the above stuff. What options do I have for getting each track on my VF160 to my computer as a wav?

Here is what I think, but not sure:

-Backup the files on a SCSI drive
or
-If you have version 1.10 (I think) or later, then you can dump WAV files to the onboard IDE CD-RW. However, if you don't, then you have to either use the above solution or upgrade the BIOS. To upgrade the BIOS, you have to use a SCSI drive. Then when you upgrade, the newest version does not support the SCSI interface anymore.

Is there anyway to get the WAV files on my computer using the MIDI or the SPDIF plugs? I really don't want to buy a SCSI drive just for a one time use.

HELP!
 
file to pc

only way i know if is scsi, could you borrow a zip drive from someone......
 
surely if you have the VF160 with an onboard CDRW you can save your tracks as wav files? (I got the impression from your post that you have a CDRW in your machine?)

Even the older VF16 could do that - so I'm sure you can with the VF160.

If you have the CDRW, you can upgrade your software using that. Simply download the upgrade from fostex.com to your computer, unzip it and burn it to disc, and then follow your manual to upgrade your VF160 using the cd drive in the machine.

Tube
 
1. I talked to Fostex about part of this, and ...
the file that is burned onto the CD/RW drive is not a "WAV." file. What they call it, I don't remember, but they're not the same thing.

2. The S/PIDF outs are on the machine for use if you DO NOT have a CD/RW drive, which I can't imagine a VF-160 not having. The S/PIDF out is superfluous if you can make a CD right on the machine (we can talk aobut using the S/PIDF outs if you really want to, as I spent a month on the subject, and speaking of which . . .

3. Why do we spend all this $ on digital studios in a box and then agonize about transferring individual wav. files to a PC?
You can mix your music on the VF-160. Why did you buy it?
 
>If you have the CDRW, you can upgrade your software using >that. Simply download the upgrade from fostex.com to your >computer, unzip it and burn it to disc, and then follow your >manual to upgrade your VF160 using the cd drive in the machine.

You have to have at least version 1.10 or something like that in order to update the bios via the built-in CDRW. Otherwise, you have to use a ZIP drive.


>1. I talked to Fostex about part of this, and ...
>the file that is burned onto the CD/RW drive is not a "WAV." file. >What they call it, I don't remember, but they're not the same >thing.

You are correct, it puts the songs down as a stereo CD format CD.

>2. The S/PIDF outs are on the machine for use if you DO NOT >have a CD/RW drive, which I can't imagine a VF-160 not having. >The S/PIDF out is superfluous if you can make a CD right on the >machine (we can talk aobut using the S/PIDF outs if you really >want to, as I spent a month on the subject, and speaking of >which . . .

I wasn't sure if there was some kind of trick I didn't know about regarding this.

>3. Why do we spend all this $ on digital studios in a box and >then agonize about transferring individual wav. files to a PC?
>You can mix your music on the VF-160. Why did you buy it?

I sometimes ask myself the same question. Well long story short, I wanted to have a device that I could do everything on. And I have recorded quite a bit of songs on this thing and it is indeed an amazing device. I love it. However, I'm looking to apply more effects, compressor, and gating to each individual track so I'm trying to get the individual tracks to Cubase or something like that so I can apply compression and gating to each of the tracks.
This is opposed to having compression only on 2 channels and then only 2 effects for the whole mix. I understand that you can change the Pre and Post sends on the effects, but I want to have more than 2 effects (not including the external effect send) on each of the tracks.

Thanks for the replies, I think I'm probably going to be stuck with buying a ZIP or JAZ drive. At least I found some cheapies on Ebay. GEEZ, I love Ebay.
 
I stand corrected!
I downloaded the VF160 manual from www.fostex.com and blow me down if you CANNOT save wav files to the CDRW!

I am completely mystified at Fostex's decision to do this.

What if you'd like to exchange tracks with another person and they didnt have a Fostex machine? I guess you could do a stereo mix but that's not the point. Wav files are a universal standard !

3. Why do we spend all this $ on digital studios in a box and then agonize about transferring individual wav. files to a PC?
You can mix your music on the VF-160. Why did you buy it?
Click to expand...

Yes you can do mixes on the VF160 and other models but you can do it a lot easier and with a hell of a lot more control in a PC.

I prefer using my VF80 for recording only. It is so stable. But for editing and mixing.....a PC is much easier and faster. You can also do your conversions to mp3 etc etc and compile cd's etc etc

I dont like "recording" into a PC. Now THAT is a pain. Too much to worry about while you are trying to make music.

Tube
 
Getting WAVs out of the VF160

OK let's cut the crap:

Here's what I know (as in I have done it).

You *can* transfer WAVs via the built-in CD burner. This facility came in with a later version of the operating system (that's why it's not in the manual for version 1, but it is in the later manual supplement).

Upgrade your OS. If your worried about losing SCSI then don't go all the way to version 2.02 go maybe to 1.15. All you miss is the song chain and CD player facilities.

BTW, I didn't lose SCSI - my SCSI Zip drive still works with OS version 2.

Easy, huh?

'Orc
 
You can buy SCSI USB adaptors, basically a lead going from the SCSI port on the multi-track to your PC's USB port.

Hopefully your PC should recognise the internal HD in the multi-track as an external drive, and you should be able to simple copy the files from the multi-track onto your PC.

This is however untested, I've ordered the lead so I'll let you know when it arrives! Anyone else thought about this?
 
tomraffe
make sure you post back, I have a friend who would be interested in that info
Tube
 
Thinking about it I can see some problems as the PC would probably need drivers to recognise the multi-track as an external HD. But you never know what surprises XP has.

When saving to a Zip drive, what format does it save it it? Im using the Fostex FD8. And does it save each indiviual track, or just the program?
 
VF160 & PC

The PC won't recognise the drive in the VF because of its formatting.

I (and a million others) wish it did!

Zip disks: When used with a VF16/0 can be formatted in two ways:
1. As 'Fostex' format which can save the whole song including setup info. (Can't be read by a PC)
2. In 'FAT16' format for transferring WAVs to a PC.

I hope this helps

'Orc
 
Yeah i've now discovered that...

So when saving as a WAV file on a Zip or whatever, does it save the final mix or indiviual tracks? Do you know if it is the same on the FD8?
 
Re: Getting WAVs out of the VF160

carelessorc said:
You *can* transfer WAVs via the built-in CD burner. This facility came in with a later version of the operating system (that's why it's not in the manual for version 1, but it is in the later manual supplement).
Click to expand...

Correct. That supplement may be found here.
 
WAVs to PC

Tom
On the VF16/0 you can only transfer the tracks as WAVs in a particular song because the mix is not part of the song.
(The VF can do internal mixdown, but the mix is then a different song).

Don't know about the FD8.

'Orc
 
Well guess what folks? I have the VF 08 without CDRW.

So I can only rely on the spdif out to save the files.

And I was wondering if someone could explain to me how to do so, I have sync'ed the soundcard to the VF08, but now what ? how do I save the files being sent from the Fostex?

is there any acquiring software that convert bitloads from a coaxial input into saveable data?

Thanks for any help
 
Transfer via SPDIF

I am assuming that you have an SPDIF input on your PC.
If you use the SPDIF backup routine on your VF it will send out data to your computer. To your PC this looks like audio data, so you need some kind of audio recording software, e.g. N Track, Cubase, ProTools, Wavelab etc, etc.

What you do with it after that depends on why you want it in the PC in the first place.

Good Luck

'Orc
 
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