latvian

[latvian]

Hello, i am brand new to this site and to digital recording. I was recently given a Foxtex VF160ex digital recorder.i would like to try and use it, but my experience with recording is 0. I have the manual, but i think it's written in Chinese. Might as well be anyway. So as you have probably already figured out, i am looking for any help i can find to get started with this recorder. If there are any kind and patient souls out there, HELP.

Thanks in advance,

Latvian

 

[billisa]

Hello, i am brand new to this site and to digital recording. I was recently given a Foxtex VF160ex digital recorder.i would like to try and use it, but my experience with recording is 0. I have the manual, but i think it's written in Chinese. Might as well be anyway. So as you have probably already figured out, i am looking for any help i can find to get started with this recorder. If there are any kind and patient souls out there, HELP.

Thanks in advance,

Latvian

Go on the Fostex website. I believe you can download a manual there. Or, email me at:
billisabk@sbcglobal.net
I can email you one. It'll be in English. PDF file.
The VF160 is a great machine!

 

[gbdweller]

Once you get your english version, you'll still think it's written in another language because it is poorly arranged . Your best bet is to make a list of what you want to do, then highlight the areas with colored highlighters and make color coded tabs to reference the sections quickly. Worked for me anyway. And yes, the machine is great.

 

[carelessorc]

Er Bill, I think he has the (allegedly) English manual - it just feels like it's written in a foreign tongue!

On the front page of VF16.com are links to 2 quick guides, download the Direct Recording one - it might help: but keep in mind that in Direct Record Mode the recording level is set with the Trim knob and the channel faders control listening/monitoring levels (this is not clear in the guide).

Hope this helps.

Orc

 

[latvian]

Thanks Carelessorc, i did what you said. The 1st question i have now is how do i record on 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc tracts while listening to previously recorded tracts? I don't want to be a pest, but if you can offer some assistance i would be grateful. Thankd

 

[carelessorc]

Lets say you have recorded on Track 1 and now want to record Track 2.
Press Direct Rec Track , then use the channel select buttons to UN-select Track 1, and select Track 2. Press exit. The channel select button for Track 2 will be flashing red (the one for Track 1 should NOT be flashing).

You will need to plug your mic/instrument into INPUT 2 and use the Trim knob to set the level (press the Rec button once so it flashes).

Orc

 

[latvian]

Ok, your answers are much clearer than the manual. I appreciate the help. I'll pick your brain again if you don't mind too much. Can you tell me how to record for example a measure at a time, and connect them later. Also, how does the metronome function figure into it. Is the metronome sound on the recording? What i'm trying to find out, is how to find the starting point for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc tracts so the will be in time with the 1st one. I hope this makes sense to you, i 'm not sure it does to me. lol This is very new to me and i'm not sure i'm even asking the right questions. If you have any suggestions, i'm more than willing to listen and try them out. Thanks again Carelessorc for your help.

 

[jfrog]

the problem with the metronome is that it doesn't record....

You can solve this by using an external metronome, aka a drum machine. The first thing I usually do is to record a track of scratch drums w/ my drum machine. It can be a beat or just a click track, but then at least you have a reference to align your other tracks with.

Using the wave scrub function (which allows you to "see" the sounds on the track) you can detemine where beat number 1 of a measure is.

Play around with it...it's not as complicated as it sounds!

 

[carelessorc]

For tempo reference I use a drum machine connected by a MIDI cable. You set the tempo on the VF, and set the DM to slave/external clock. Works a treat, and, if you can mix the VF output and DM output for monitoring, it doesn't take-up a track or channel (i.e. you don't need to record the click track). Later on I arrange the drum part, putting in fills and variations, and then print it to a stereo pair.
The once or twice I used the built-in metronome, it didn't work that well.

Orc