Customer Reviews

Fostex VF80EX 8-Track Digital Studio (With CD Burner)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There's enough in this unit for the solo or duo looking to make a demo, or for the musician to sketch out ideas and take a CD to bandmates.

You open a file to get started, then plug in your instrument and mic, hit record and go. Repeat to add additional tracks. Add built-in effects, tweak the EQ, then press one button to mixdown to channels 7&8. When you've got the song the way you want it, press another button and you're mastering. Navigate the menu one more time and you're burning a CD.

If you need high-end fx, multiple busses, sends and returns, look elsewhere. This is for the folks at home who want to record a track, add a track, sweeten the sound, then burn a CD for friends and family. At that, it's brilliant.

I imagine you'd buy one of these if you don't want to tie up your computer for recording, or you want to have a portable unit for simple recording and then dump the files onto a PC for more processing. (Although that method requires a couple of extra steps in this unit.) It's simple to use, sounds great, and is comparatively cheap. For what it is, I think it's the best deal out there.

I purchased this machine almost 2 months ago and it sits on the shelf, gathering dust, because I cannot figure out how to burn a CD. A simple task, it would seem, with all of the plug and play technology around. This machine is all in one which makes the $599.00 dollar loss even more painful. The manual is disjointed, the english hard to understand. Unbelievable that I wasted my time and money on this product which just reinforces the problems with products not made in America. I cannot find any help on the internet, on forums and have spoken with other Fostex multitrack recorders who get stuck when it comes to burning a frigin CD. I wrote the company from the website; no answer, no response. I say, do research on the web, find an easy to use product and go with that. Check out the manuals online before purchasing a digital recorder. The flow and usefulness of the manual will probably follow the ease of use of the machine. I am so angry I can't write anymore.

Contrary to the poor comment below, the Fostex is quite easy to use; one must of course read the manual! It does everything it claims and quite well. For those who are hesitant about buying such a "complicated" piece of machinery, I suggest reading the manual and going through each function to learn how to properly use the machine. Doing thus, you will be rewarded greatly, knowing how to tap all the great features this machine possesses.

I got this used on EBAY, and I'd say it's great, the only complaint I have is that you only have 2 simultaneous inputs, so you'd have to attach a mixer to get more digital tracks, but you can do a ton and the sound is great. I'd consider the fostex vf160 for more inputs and a similar price but.. it's all good! I found the manual pretty good to.

Also, I wouldn't bother with the effects, as I'd rather use something else, for editing, but that's my preference. They're ok effects but not as robust as pc software or the guitar effects I'm used to.

-I have read and went through the manual while using it and still haven't managed to record anything. It is complicated for those of us who just wish to press a button and record then press another button to burn a CD. I have figured out how to listen to myself playing on it though so thats a start. I am starting to think they sent the wrong manual for it. A friend of mine who was brought up around such items is going to hopefully show me how it works in a couple days after that I will edit this review.