I just bought a new Fostex VF-160CDR w/Gig Bag on Ebay. I dowloaded a manual for the thing awhile back and like most say, it's not very good.
I need y'all to help me get started and give me some tips for using this DAW. I've been doing some puter recording for awhile and also have a Tascam 414 MKII. But I've never messed with a Standalone DAW before.
I will be using it to record Live for the most part and using between 6 to 8 channels. The Drummer I use most often has a Yamaha DTXpress Electronic Kit and I'll be doing that and using the stereo outs. If I can get into Live Remote Recording, I will be using my Berry MX2004A to submix Acoustic Drums until I can get an ADAT Interface to go from 8 to 16 channels.
I'm looking for an ADAT Card for my PC on Ebay to transfer tracks my recording program for polishing as I understand the effects on the VF-160 aren't that great. Until I find a deal on one, I'll be using the Internal CD Burner on the VF-160 to Transfer WAV Files to the PC.
Yup, that manual ain't to good for most things...good to line the birdcage with though! Good news is that using the machine is not anywhere near as complicated as the manual suggests.....once you get your hand's on the machine, and figure some things out....you'll see what i mean (e.g. why the hell didn't they say just do it like this! etc..) I think www.fostex.com or www.vf16.com has some 'quick-start' manuals that spell the basics out much clearer.
Some effects are better than others; the delays and chorus effects are reasonable; the reverbs....well, the reverbs CAN be useful - it just depends on the material it's used for....and just like on your computer - you need to get those recording levels nice and hot (e.g. the LCD meters should be above that halfway point at minimum) to get those most useable signals recorded.
