Fostex VF80EX 8-Track Digital Studio
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zZounds Gear Experts Say...
Factory-installed 20GB hard drive and an improved version of Fostex' A.S.P.+ digital effects processing.
Overview
It's priced like an analog recorder but the new VF80EXCDR is an upgraded digital powerhouse that comes with a factory-installed 20GB hard drive and an improved version of Fostex' A.S.P.+ digital effects processing, which includes guitar effects, microphone modeling, guitar amp modeling, reverbs, delays, compression and more!
New features include a built-in CD burner with improved high speed burning, software enhancements and increased memory allocation. A cool Training Mode lets you loop sections of a song to play along with and learn parts, and also eliminates pre-recorded vocals! Other features include digital mixing, waveform display, two guitar inputs, two XLR inputs with phantom power, 8 hours of 8-track, non-compressed recording time with the standard hard drive, S/PDIF I/O, and mastering effects.
The Fostex VF80EXCDR is the breakthrough digital multitracker positioned at the pricing divide between digital and analog MTR's. Inheriting many of the technologies Fostex has developed in their long history of MTR designs, the VF80EXCDR offers 8-track digital recording, an intuitive digital mixer, improved A.S.P.+ digital effects, 99 scene memory, wave form display, XLR inputs with phantom power, and the list goes on. Based on its predecessor, the VF80 comes with improved features including a superior on-board effects chip and the internal Fostex CD-R/RW burner.
Features
Built-in CD-R/RW drive
New and Improved A.S.P.+ Effects
Guitar Effects
Microphone Modeling
Guitar… read more 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
Training mode - helps you learn music passages and eliminate pre-recorded vocals read less
New features include a built-in CD burner with improved high speed burning, software enhancements and increased memory allocation. A cool Training Mode lets you loop sections of a song to play along with and learn parts, and also eliminates pre-recorded vocals! Other features include digital mixing, waveform display, two guitar inputs, two XLR inputs with phantom power, 8 hours of 8-track, non-compressed recording time with the standard hard drive, S/PDIF I/O, and mastering effects.
The Fostex VF80EXCDR is the breakthrough digital multitracker positioned at the pricing divide between digital and analog MTR's. Inheriting many of the technologies Fostex has developed in their long history of MTR designs, the VF80EXCDR offers 8-track digital recording, an intuitive digital mixer, improved A.S.P.+ digital effects, 99 scene memory, wave form display, XLR inputs with phantom power, and the list goes on. Based on its predecessor, the VF80 comes with improved features including a superior on-board effects chip and the internal Fostex CD-R/RW burner.
Features
Built-in CD-R/RW drive
New and Improved A.S.P.+ Effects
Guitar Effects
Microphone Modeling
Guitar… read more 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
Training mode - helps you learn music passages and eliminate pre-recorded vocals read less
Specs
Specifications
Recording/Reproducing Recording Medium: 3.5 in., hard disk (E-IDE type)
Recording Format: FDMS-3 (*)
Save/Load Format: FDIO-1 (**)
Sampling Frequency: 44.1kHz
Quantization: 16-bit linear (Non expanded)
A/D Converter: 20-bit 64 times, over sampling, Delta-Sigma
D/A Converter: 24-bit 128 times, over sampling, Delta-Sigma
Number of Recording Track: 8 real tracks + 16 additional tracks
2 tracks for simultaneous recording (Maximum)
Vari Pitch Control: +/- 6%
Crossfade: 10msec.
Recording/Reproducing Frequency: 20Hz ~ 20kHz
* = Fostex Disk Management System-3
** = Fostex Data In Out-1
Input/Output
Input A, B Connector:
- 1/4 in. jack (Unbalanced)
- XLR-3-31 type connector (Balanced)
Input Impedance:
- 50kW or more (Unbalanced) 1kW or more (Balanced)
Standard Input Level: -50 ~ +4dBu
Phantom Power (XLR only): +48VDC (Setting of ON/OFF with PHANTOM switch)
Headphone Connector: 1/4 in. TRS jack
Load Impedance: 10W ~ 50W
Output Level: 20mW or more (at 32W)
Stereo Out L, R Connector: 1/4 in. jack
Load Impedance: 10kOhms or more
Output Level: -10dBV
S/P DIF Digital In Connector: COAXIAL
Format: IEC 60958 (S/P DIF)
Digital Out Connector: COAXIAL
Format: IEC 60958 (S/P DIF)
MIDI IN/OUT Connector: DIN 5 PIN
Punch IN/OUT Connector: ΓΈ6mm Phone jack (An optional FOOT SW Model 8051 can be connected.)
General
Dimensions (W x H x D): 307 x 108 x 217 mm
Weight: Approx. 3.2kg
Power Supply: 120VAC 60Hz, 230V~ 50/60Hz (AC inlet type)
Power Consumption: 20W
Accessories
Owner's manual
Power Cable
Recording/Reproducing Recording Medium: 3.5 in., hard disk (E-IDE type)
Recording Format: FDMS-3 (*)
Save/Load Format: FDIO-1 (**)
Sampling Frequency: 44.1kHz
Quantization: 16-bit linear (Non expanded)
A/D Converter: 20-bit 64 times, over sampling, Delta-Sigma
D/A Converter: 24-bit 128 times, over sampling, Delta-Sigma
Number of Recording Track: 8 real tracks + 16 additional tracks
2 tracks for simultaneous recording (Maximum)
Vari Pitch Control: +/- 6%
Crossfade: 10msec.
Recording/Reproducing Frequency: 20Hz ~ 20kHz
* = Fostex Disk Management System-3
** = Fostex Data In Out-1
Input/Output
Input A, B Connector:
- 1/4 in. jack (Unbalanced)
- XLR-3-31 type connector (Balanced)
Input Impedance:
- 50kW or more (Unbalanced) 1kW or more (Balanced)
Standard Input Level: -50 ~ +4dBu
Phantom Power (XLR only): +48VDC (Setting of ON/OFF with PHANTOM switch)
Headphone Connector: 1/4 in. TRS jack
Load Impedance: 10W ~ 50W
Output Level: 20mW or more (at 32W)
Stereo Out L, R Connector: 1/4 in. jack
Load Impedance: 10kOhms or more
Output Level: -10dBV
S/P DIF Digital In Connector: COAXIAL
Format: IEC 60958 (S/P DIF)
Digital Out Connector: COAXIAL
Format: IEC 60958 (S/P DIF)
MIDI IN/OUT Connector: DIN 5 PIN
Punch IN/OUT Connector: ΓΈ6mm Phone jack (An optional FOOT SW Model 8051 can be connected.)
General
Dimensions (W x H x D): 307 x 108 x 217 mm
Weight: Approx. 3.2kg
Power Supply: 120VAC 60Hz, 230V~ 50/60Hz (AC inlet type)
Power Consumption: 20W
Accessories
Owner's manual
Power Cable
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars.
(31 ratings)
Submitted November 27, 2004 by a customer from hotmail.com
"No Compression is fatal flaw"
Due to the lack of compression effects, I wouldn't buy it. I thought it was great at first, and generally it is excellent, until I discovered a computer software package that allows me to compress individual tracks and it makes recording so much easier for mixing I cant believe it.
Sound
sound quality is great. It's digital after all, very quiet and real
Features
One fatal flaw, which really destroys this unit. You cant compress tracks individually. You can only compress everything in mastering, which is so disappointing, still useful, but could be so much better. Compression is the key to good recording and this fails the test. Otherwise, the effects and editing facilities are brilliant.
Also beware!!! Not a true 8 track. It's really only 6. Ghost tracks are great though.
Quality
Yes, made very well. Freezes every now and then though, but not a real problem.
Value
Good value, BUT ADD A COMPRESSOR EFFECT FOR EACH TRACK!!!!
Manufacturer Support
Dunno
The Wow Factor
Very compact unit, top marks here.
Musical Background:
trained sound recordist though never a professional
Musical Style:
rock
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No longer available at zZounds
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