Fostex VF160 Digital Hard Disk Multi-Track System

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Manufacturer's Description for Fostex VF160 Digital Hard Disk Multi-Track System

Here's the next generation hard disk 16-track digital recording/editing/mixing/CD mastering power tool all wrapped up in one easy-to-use package. Based on the popular VF16, the VF160 comes standard with a built-in CDR so you can burn CDs directly in the unit! No options, no gimmicks - simply record, master, and let it burn. The recording engine features a total of 16 tracks plus 8 virtual tracks for recording additional takes. The simultaneous 16-track recording to a large capacity 20GB internal E-IDE hard disk gives you hours of record time on all 16 tracks - all under the control of Fostex's clever FDMS-3 technology. In otherwords you can simultaneously record a total of 16 tracks consisting of 8 analog signals and 8 ADAT digital signals. Tracks 1-8 record the ADAT digital signals (from an optional VC-8, VM88 or similar) and tracks 9-16 DIRECT RECORD the 8 analog signals. This technology enables more efficient disk and CPU usage so you get more recording track minutes per drive without data compression, and faster editing and DSP operations.

The VF160 also provides easy-to-operate non-destructive editing with a waveform display and newly added zoom feature for precise waveform editing. The VF160's superb digital mixer provides 60mm faders for all 16 channels, 3-band EQ with parametric mid and high on all 16 channels, master EQ, channel and master compressors, 8 mic inputs (2 with XLR, inserts, and phantom power), ADAT optical I/O, 2 effect sends and 2 aux sends per channel (switchable pre/post), and 99-mix Scene Memory. Plus, the VF160 comes with 2 independent multi-effect DSPs including a pre-set library with great sounding algorithms. Affordably priced, easy to use, and with hours of record time, the all-in-one complete digital recording solution just got a whole lot better. Check it out today at your Fostex Dealer.

Features
Internal CD-R/RW drive - the CD-1A

ADAT Mixer Mode - when using PC/Mac-based audio/midi software and an ADAT audio card, the VF160 can be used as a full function mixer with its high-quality mic amps, digital EQ and effects processing available for inputs and simultaneous monitoring of the audio on the PC, each with its own fader.

Scrub Zoom allows zooming-in of the current waveform display by up to 16 times, so that editing points can now be selected more precisely.

Fader Pairing allows channels be paired or ganged in stereo sets i.e. Ch 1-2, 5-6, etc. and have the stereo level controlled by the odd numbered respective fader.

Channel Solo allows any number of channels to be placed into solo mode quickly and easily.

In addition to "individual track" and "8 track" modes, Track Exchange is now enhanced to include "stereo pair" exchange.

BPM Delay will automatically calculate the feedback time of the delay according to any change of tempo as designated in the tempo map.

Event Map Locate allows instant access to points displayed on the Event Map Screen.

Locate to Last Rec Point will instantly return to the point where the last recording began. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Fostex products.

Rec/Play
Recording media: Internal E-IDE 3.5 in. hard disk

Recording format: FDMS-3 (Fostex Disk Management System-3 ver. 1)

Sampling frequency: 44.1 kHz

Quantization: 16-bit linear (non compressed)

ADC: 20-bit 64x oversampling Delta/Sigma

DAC: 24-bit 128x oversampling Delta/Sigma

Recording time: depends on the HD capacity

Number of tracks: 16 tracks + 8 additional tracks maximum, 16 track play and simultaneous recording

Pitch control: +/- 6%

Crossfade: 10ms

Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz

Dynamic range: 88dB or more

T.H.D.: 0.01% (typical)

Crosstalk: 60dB or more @1kHz

Equalizer
Lo: 400Hz +/- 18dB (Shelving)
Mid: 500Hz - 20.2kHz +/-18dB (Parametric)
Hi: 500Hz - 20.2kHz +/-18dB (Parametric, Shelving)

Inputs/Outputs
Input (A-H) Connector 6mm TRS phone jack (unbalanced) Level -50dBV (mic) - +2dBV (line), variable Impedance 50k ohm or more

Input (G, H) Connector XLR3-31 type (balanced) +48V phantom power and 6mm TRS phone jack (balanced) Level -50dBu (mic) - +2dBu (line), variable Impedance 1k ohm or more (XLR) 50k ohm or more (phone)

Insert x 2 Connector 6mm TRS phone jack (TIP: output/RING: input) Load Impedance 10k ohm or more Input/Output Level -10dBV

Monitor Out (L, R) Connector 6mm phone jack (unbalanced) Load Impedance 10k ohm or more Level -10dBV

Headphone Connector 6mm stereo phone jack Impedance 8 ohm or more

AUX Send (1/2) connector 6mm TRS phone jack (TIP: send 1/RING: send 2) Load Impedance 10k ohm or more Level -10dBV

Stereo Out (L, R) Connector RCA pin jack Load Impedance 10k ohm or more Output Level -10dBV

Footswitch 6mm phone jack (Optional Model 8051)

Digital In/Out Connector ADAT optical/S/PDIF

MIDI In/Out 2 x DIN 5 pin/MIDI Standard

Dimensions (W x H x D): 15.83 x 4.331 x 14.57 in.

Note: These specifications are preliminary and may change without notice.

Fostex Warranty Fostex Warranty Fostex offers a warranty of 1 year for parts and 90 days labor. If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 800-994-4984

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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 (179 ratings) Rate and Review This Product

Read all 7 Fostex VF160 Digital Hard Disk Multi-Track System Reviews

"VF160 - What COULD Have Been, What SHOULD Have Been..."

Sound: Excellent quality uncompressed sound. Relatively poor EQ. 2 Mic pre-amps are a bit noisy, not the best. Better to have your own quality board to get quality original tracks into this recorder. Smooth, quiet faders slide nicely, do not feel cheap. Feature: Misleading advertising as far as "records 16 tracks at once!" - you need at least one additional expensive piece of equipment to do that (so much for the under $1,000 price tag, now!). No direct outputs on individual tracks. Can not record with EQ on all tracks. Can not record with compression on all tracks. Comes with its' own cd burner (and today, they all should!), a flimsy partial tray that is supported so poorly, the manual has a reminder that you must hold the underside while you snap a cd into the tray. Also has the requisite teeny-tiny LCD screen that is extremely hard to read. No "pan" knobs, panning (left and right placement) is done internally, so no Jimi Hendrix guitars flying from left to right during mixdown. Quality: Seems to be made pretty well, althought the knobs along the top seem like they could break off easily (especially with all of the input busses right there - a lot happens at that top edge!). I do take the unit out in the world to record, but I am extremely careful with it - would not consider it to be "road-worthy". Could use a bigger screen, and at a better angle for viewing. Value: This is definitely the best unit for the price, tho I would certainly be willing to pay more to cover my "nitpicks" listed above. Manufacturer Support: I have not needed any support from Fostex. The unit has worked well, and has had no problems so far. The Wow Factor: Very practical piece of equipment. 16 tracks is always better than 8. 24 tracks will always be "sexier" than 16, by the way (and so on, and so on). Overall: I like the Fostex brand (the VF160 is my 3rd piece of Fostex equipment). I'd like to see the same type of unit, but with more features (true 16-trk recording, record EQ /compression /limiting /gating on every track, a bigger screen, better internal effects, etc). Maybe the capability to chain units together like ADAT (I'd certainly spend another grand to have 32 tracks of digital multitrack!). Probably be looking for my next recorder in a year or so.

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"It's a great start!"

Sound: All in all, you get quality digital reproduction with this machine. The fact that you only have 3 band, sweep eq, limits your ability to shape the tracks post recording. In other words, work to get the sound you want as close as you can get it, on recording before mixing. Feature: I think the effects processors, (2), are good. Plenty of selection and editing capabilities. After 6 months of use, I would say that faders & pots seem to be of good quality. Quality: Everything functions well so far. I haven't subjected it to "the road" yet. We'll see........ Value: For someone looling to get into 16 track digital recording, who has no concerns about amp modeling and drum tracks, you can't beat it. With the price in the $900.00 range with some of the financing options available, it's a great value. Manufacturer Support: n/a The Wow Factor: whatever........... Overall: I will use it as long as it suits my needs. I do plan to use it in a live setting in the near future as a combination mixer/recorder. We'll see how it holds up.

Style of Music: Rock/blues/r&b/boogie/perimeter country

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Read all 7 Fostex VF160 Digital Hard Disk Multi-Track System Reviews