VF16 to Zip

  • Thread starter Thread starter blewispunk
  • Start date Start date
B

blewispunk

New member
I've got a couple questions about using a zip drive to transfer songs from a VF16 to my computer.

First off, which cable do I use? I've seen this question in past threads but I can't find a clear answer. Do I need a male 25 pin for the zip side and a male 50 pin for the VF16 side and if so what is that cable called? The cable I currently have runs from my zip to my printer port.

Also, I usually record 8 tracks and have about 45 minutes of music per session. How many zip disks would it take to do that transfer? Is it even worth considering? I'd rather go with an orb or a Jaz but I already have an old zip drive so I thought this would be my budget solution if possible.

Lastly, I saw somewhere that if you use a parallel zip drive with the vf16 it may damage the vf16... is that true and how do you know if your zip drive is parallel? I'm thinking since my hooks up to my printer port and doesn't require a scsi card that it may be parallel...

Thanks,
Brent
 
There's no way you can connect a parallel port Zip drive like the one you have to VF's scsi port. And it wouldn't be such a good idea anyways because the Zip drive is so sloooooowwww. And let's see ... 8 tracks 45 minutes each equals 180 minutes of stereo and each minute of stereo takes about 10 MB or 1800 MB total divided by 100MB per zip makes 18 zip disks. I'd say forget about it.

You might as well buy a Terratec EWS88D card and transfer the tracks thru the ADAT interface which is IMHO the best way to do it anyway.
 
Wait! don't be so quick to give up! Just get you a scsi Jaz drive. Jaz drives have 1000 megabites (1gb) of storage. If that is not enough for you, you can always get a scsi Jaz drive with 2000 megabites (2gb) And the best part is you can get one on ebay with cables and some disks for around $40-100!!!!! for more info on how to do all of this, PM my friend: kramer

good luc

zeke
 
Jaz

Alright, I'm scratching the ZIP idea, but I think I'd still like to go the SCSI route so I don't have to unhook all my cables from the VF16 and haul it back and forth from my little studio (Although I appreciate the tip petehalo). Thus, I think I'll take your advice Zeke and pick up a Jaz drive. My only question is, what kind of SCSI card do I need. I saw an earlier post that said a "2490 series" or higher card is needed to work with windows XP (which I use), so is there any cards recommended? Is a SCSI controller the same as a SCSI card? Will the connector cable from the Jaz to the SCSI card be the same as the Jaz to the VF16? I think they're both 50 pin males on each side... but i'm not sure.

Thanks,
Brent
 
This may sound funny but, i don't think that you need a SCSI card. Kramer (who does this stuff all the time,) told me that it can hook up to your printer port. I'm not 100% sure on this so i would advise you to PM kramer.

Zeke
 
Or you could just get a Jaz drive for your computer and then after you put your file on the Jaz drive, you can just pop it out and pop it in to the computer. :)

Zeke
 
Computer jaz

I'm definitely entertaining the idea of a Jaz drive for my computer as well. However, all my bands music gear was recently stolen so in replacing it we have sunk a lot of money into gear and I know my wife is getting tired of me saying, "just one more thing I need to get..."

I was thinking of going with the single Jaz for now and maybe in a couple weeks I could order my computer Jaz.

I'm going to try to PM Kramer, thanks for all the tips.

Brent
 
Oh the gear

The bastards had the nerve to break into the warehouse we were practicing in on Christmas day! We were pissed, but are finally recovering and learning from our mistakes. I did send a PM to Kramer so thanks again!
-Brent
 
blewispunk,
I got your PM.I sent you a detailed reply.

Kramer
 
At blewispunks request Im gonna post the PM that I sent him.Maybe my ramblings can help somebody else out also.:D
---------------------------------------------------------------------

blewispunk,
Hey there.Yeah I use the Jaz drive to transfer my VF 16 wav files to and from the computer.I'll try to lay out what you need to get started.

1=Iomega Jaz Drive(1 or 2 gig,it doesnt matter)

1=50 pin HD to 50 pin HD SCSI cable.(comes with the Jaz drive a lot of times on e-bay)

1=50 pin to 25 pin Adapter(This will adapt the 50 pin cable down to 25 pin to enable you to hook it to the Printer port..this also comes with most jaz drives on e-bay)

1=Jaz Traveler(This is an adapter that connects to the other end of your cable that will hook into the Jaz Drive.This is what enable the files to transfer the same way they would through an SCSI card.Without this your Jaz Drive wont work with the computer.)

You need at least (1) One gig Jaz Disk.(Most of the deals on e-bay come with at least one disk)

You'll need to go to Iomega.com and download the latest software also.(If you are using windows XP you wont need this software)
I'll supply links to the software and to the Jaz traveller to give you and idea of what it looks like.


Thats all you need to get up and running with a Jaz Drive.It's a simple setup thats easy to install.I noticed you mentioned buying a Jaz drive for your computer.I only have the one external Jaz drive and it works fine.Using the one external drive is only a hassle if you use both the Jaz drive and the Printer a lot,in which case you would have to keep unplugging one and plugging the other into the printer port.It's not a big deal though.

When transferring files from your VF 16 to the Jaz drive you'll just use the 50x50 cable alone WITHOUT the Jaz Traveller or the 50x25 adapter.The Traveller and 50x25 pin adapter are ONLY for use in transferring files from the Jaz drive to/from the computer.

Prices:
You can usually get a Jaz drive with a few disks and cable for $40 bucks or so off ebay.Sometimes the seller will include the Jaz Traveller adapter and you can get everything you need in one shot.

The Jaz Taveller goes for about $20 bucks off of ebay,sometimes less.I thinks it's about $60 bucks or more brand new.

Thats it!Take a look around e-bay and see what you can find.I dont know if you're an e-bayer or not but just in case you're not pay close attention to the sellers feedback before you buy.I dont buy from people with very much negative feedback.

Here's some links:
Jaz Traveller

Latest version of Iomega software for Jaz Traveller Note:if you are using Windows XP you shouldnt even need this softaware.XP should have the drivers needed to run the Jaz Drive.

Install Help Section at Iomega.com

That should get you started.Feel free to PM me with any questions you have.You can pm with links to stuff you find on e-bay if you'd like,to make sure you're getting the right thing.

Hope this helps!

Later,
Kramer
 
Kramer, after you get all of that stuff and get it hooked up, what do you do on the computer. I can't wait till i get my computer and jaz drive. But it will be awile. (i'm haveing to save up :D)

zeke
 
ZEKE SAYER said:
Kramer, after you get all of that stuff and get it hooked up, what do you do on the computer. I can't wait till i get my computer and jaz drive. But it will be awile. (i'm haveing to save up :D)

zeke
Click to expand...

The whole purpose of getting the tracks out of the VF 16 into the computer is to give you the ability to Mix and Master in software Multitrackers like Cool Edit Pro,N-tracks etc....the effects and EQ in these software programs are a Bazillion(thats a lot) times better than the stock eq and effects in the VF.

Never again will you be limited by just 2 effects or a low EQ that bottoms out at 400Hz.:D You can put as many different effects on each track as your heart desires.(as many as your computer can handle)

Mixing on the computer is the way to go if you're in search of a more professional(I use that term loosely.LOL) sound.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top