Roland VS-840GX vx Fostex VF-08 -- Any Suggestions?

[busboy]

Roland VS-840GX vs. Fostex VF-08 -- Any Suggestions?

I posted this thread in the Fostex forum, but I thought it would be best to get both sides of the story...heh heh...
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I've been using my computer for about the last 3 or 4 years to record some of my own stuff. But lately I've started recording other people's stuff. A lot of the time, I just haul my gear over to their rehersal space because my living room doesn't really accomodate a whole band. Obviously, toting my entire computer setup is a huge pain in the ass, so I'm looking into something more portable. This is where I'm stuck.

Right now I'm looking at the Fostex VF-08 and the Roland 840GX. They both seem to be fairly nice and inexpensive machines that would do pretty much everything I would need them to do. But none of the stores around here carry them, so I can't tinker around with either of them.

I like the fact that the fostex unit has an upgradable IDE hard-drive, but from what I gather the only means of exporting the recorded data is via the non-included SCSI controler. As opposed to the Roland unit which records entirely on 250 Meg zip disks. I have a 250 Meg Zip drive on my computer, so data transfer would be easy. But is it worth having to buy a crapload of zip disks to keep recording.

So...my ultimate question is:
has anyone used either/both of these units? Are there any features that really make one more desirable over the other? And are they versatile enough to grow as my studio needs increase?

Any and all comments are greatly welcomed!!

 

[BBB]

For what it's worth, I've had the VS-880Ex for five years. I originally compared it to the Fostex stuff, and Fostex didn't come close when comparing features and quality. You can get a used VS-880 on eBay for under $700.

Be that as it may, I would personally choose the 840 over Fostex based on the quality and features.

 

[busboy]

Yeah, I got a little bit of feedback in the Fostex forum, and did some more research on my own, and I'm coming to the same conclusion.

I actually got a really good lead on a VSR-880HD rack unit. I think I might go that way. I was never really thrilled about the idea of zip disks, so this is sort of the better of both situations.

thanks for your input!

 

[SteveMcB]

Busboy,
I own (and love) the 840 (ex). There are a couple of things to be aware of if you can't track one down to try out...

You cannot easily transfer data from 840 discs. The GX lets you do it via its .wav export function, but I believe this is only 2 tracks at a time.

Max 4 tracks recordable at once can be a downer depending on what you're doing.

Mic pre's suck in the VS's, so it may pay to factor in the cost of a behringer/mackie mixer or other pre-amp source for better sound if you go with the VS (these also supply phantom power to condensors which the VS can't).

Tracks 5/6 and 7/8 are linked stereo only, so you can't record them individually or adjust levels individually... This is not a problem for me (so far) as I figure on having to do submixes of drums to 7/8 and guitars+ other stuff to 5/6, but it bums out some people.

As for fostex gear, the only experience I have is with an old reel to reel 8 track, which worked perfectly well.
Don't take this as gospel, and check out www.vsplanet.com (although this site is down at the present)
Good luck,
Steve