I don't think that you are supposed to connect the SCSI port from the VF-16 directly to a computer. The SCSI protocol is a master-slave protocol, and both the VF-16 and the computer are typically masters. In SCSI, masters can't talk to masters.
However, both a SCSI ZIP drive and a SCSI DC-R burner are slave devices. I believe that Fostex intends that you connect a SCSI CD-R burner to the VF-16 SCSI port. You can then burn the mixed-down-to stereo recording to a Redbook audio format on a writeable CD, and then play the song in any CD player. Of course, you can put the CD in your computer and Rip the stereo audio tracks to the hard drive, to do more editing. This is probably what the Japanese techs meant by saying that you must pass the data through the 'intermediary' device.
Perhaps even more useful is the capability to write each individual recorded track as a wave file to a data CD-R (NOT Redbook audio!) or a ZIP disk. You won't be able to play this CD on your CD Walkman, but you WILL be able to put the CD or Zip disk into your PC and read off all of the un-mixed tracks as wave files into your PC. You can then do complex mixes with EQ, effects and pan all on your PC, where you have a big screen and a mouse to help with the editing. I believe that this is what Fostex intended when they put the SCSI port on the VF-16.
With digital recording, multiple copies and mixdowns do not affect the final quality of the audio. This fact changes how you can go about making recordings. I record lots of live stuff, and 8-16 track digital recording allows me to get by with a much simpler setup, compaired to the old analog days. These days, I just set up enough mikes or direct boxes to get all the action, give each mike or box a separate record channel (no mixing) with flat EQ, set each mike level so it does't clip, and let 'er rip.
Don't worry about effects, mixes EQ, pan, etc. All that can come later. After all, anything you put on a track while recording (EQ, effects, compression, pan, etc.) can be done later in the mixdown (and usually better!). More importantly, at record time you can concentrate on the mike placement, room effects, and optimum levels (loud as you can without clipping). These are the things that you won't be able to fix later. Trying to set a mix in a live setting can be tough, particularly if the performers aren't cooperating with mike checks. It's much easier (and better) to just make sure you have clean audio from every instrument. The instruments can be 'enhanced' later.
After the recording is completed, you burn all of the tracks from
the VF-16 into a CD or ZIP disc, and put the disc into your editing computer. Most of the PC audio-editing software has extensive effects and EQ capabilities, so you can tweak till your ears cross, and still be able to multiple-undo any edits to get back to the original set of tracks. When you have the final stereo mixdown, you burn to CD redbook audio, and you have your duplication master.
Personally, I find that all of the stand-alone disc recorders are limited in their editing capabilities by the small screens and lack of a mouse. For me, it would be better if Fostex made a 'pure' recording device that only had volume controls on each channel and minimal editing capabilities, but with a built-in CD-R burner. I could then record to the hard disk, burn all the tracks to the CD, put the CD into my PC, and do the final edit/mixdown there.
Skip
[This message has been edited by skip (edited 07-20-2000).]
