Fostex VF80 8-Track Digital Mixer and Recorder with Effects
No longer available at zZounds
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
20GB drive. 2 XLR inputs. Phantom power.
Overview
The Fostex VF80 is the breakthrough digital multi-tracker positioned at the pricing divide between digital and analog MTRs. Inheriting many of the technologies Fostex has developed in their long history of MTR designs, the VF80 offers 8-track digital recording, an intuitive digital mixer, improved A.S.P.+ digital effects, 99 scene memory, waveform display, XLR inputs with phantom power, and the list goes on. Based on its predecessor, the VF80 comes with improved features including a superior onboard effects chip and an internal bay for the optional Fostex CD-1A CD-R/RW burner.
Features
New and improved A.S.P.+ effects
Guitar effects
Microphone modeling
Guitar amp modeling
Factory-installed 20GB drive (64 hrs. mono/8 hrs 8-track recording; non-compressed)
2 guitar inputs
2 XLR inputs with phantom power
S/PDIF I/O
Mastering Effects
Optional CD-R/RW drive available
Training mode - helps you learn music passages and eliminate pre-recorded vocals
Features
New and improved A.S.P.+ effects
Guitar effects
Microphone modeling
Guitar amp modeling
Factory-installed 20GB drive (64 hrs. mono/8 hrs 8-track recording; non-compressed)
2 guitar inputs
2 XLR inputs with phantom power
S/PDIF I/O
Mastering Effects
Optional CD-R/RW drive available
Training mode - helps you learn music passages and eliminate pre-recorded vocals
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
(72 ratings)
Submitted December 2, 2004 by a customer from letcher.k12.ky.us
"Pretty Good"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This will serve me well for a while. I intend to one day own a Pro Tools system. But, I guess I'll have to wait until I get two more jobs or win the lottery. In the meantime, I'll rock on using this. It does the job pretty well.
Sound
I think this sounds fine. I haven't had any experiences with computer-based systems, but I hear they are phenomenal. This is good for polished demos, but I was disappointed to find the sound quality of burned cd's lacking in most respects to a manufactured cd. It may be my skills that aren't up to par, but I am sure Pro Tools Systems and high tech components would sound better.
Features
This thing is loaded with features. It needs more inputs. The amp simulations they hail as superb failed miserably for me. I have two Marshall stacks. I may be spoiled by them, but the tone from the simulations sounded like a cheap, pawn shop, distortion pedal that was malfunctioning. Mic simulators are o.k. Rely on talent and what equipment you have to get sound into the unit. Then, rely on the unit to polish.
Quality
This thing is pretty tough. I've carried it to gigs and sessions many times in the back of a truck in a lap-top case. It has never failed or offered to.
Value
For what this does, you cannot beat its price. If you are a do-it-yourselfer musician, songwriter, singer, etc. You will find this very pleasing. To… read more the user that asked for more ways to get inputs, I bought a Behringer mixer to record the drums. I plug all the mics into the mixer, eq them, submix them, and run the stereo output of the mixer into any one or both inputs of the VF-80. It works beautifully. Behringer mixers are cheap, tough, and sound great. Get one.
Manufacturer Support
I called for help on getting a track list made to burn a cd from internal masters. They were quick to respond, and were extremely helpful. I certainly appreciated that.
The Wow Factor
I too was called to the blue color. Very attractive when you have to stare at it for hours while mixing and mastering.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist
Musical Style:
Metal read less
Sound
I think this sounds fine. I haven't had any experiences with computer-based systems, but I hear they are phenomenal. This is good for polished demos, but I was disappointed to find the sound quality of burned cd's lacking in most respects to a manufactured cd. It may be my skills that aren't up to par, but I am sure Pro Tools Systems and high tech components would sound better.
Features
This thing is loaded with features. It needs more inputs. The amp simulations they hail as superb failed miserably for me. I have two Marshall stacks. I may be spoiled by them, but the tone from the simulations sounded like a cheap, pawn shop, distortion pedal that was malfunctioning. Mic simulators are o.k. Rely on talent and what equipment you have to get sound into the unit. Then, rely on the unit to polish.
Quality
This thing is pretty tough. I've carried it to gigs and sessions many times in the back of a truck in a lap-top case. It has never failed or offered to.
Value
For what this does, you cannot beat its price. If you are a do-it-yourselfer musician, songwriter, singer, etc. You will find this very pleasing. To… read more the user that asked for more ways to get inputs, I bought a Behringer mixer to record the drums. I plug all the mics into the mixer, eq them, submix them, and run the stereo output of the mixer into any one or both inputs of the VF-80. It works beautifully. Behringer mixers are cheap, tough, and sound great. Get one.
Manufacturer Support
I called for help on getting a track list made to burn a cd from internal masters. They were quick to respond, and were extremely helpful. I certainly appreciated that.
The Wow Factor
I too was called to the blue color. Very attractive when you have to stare at it for hours while mixing and mastering.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist
Musical Style:
Metal read less
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No longer available at zZounds
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