Fostex VF-80 CD

I got this unit because basically the shop where I live gets very little gear in relation to recording and this one looked to be pretty good value. Back then I paid about AUD$2500. I think you can get it for about AUD$2000 with the CDRW now....sux. I got this unit because it had the CDRW, phantom power, 20gig hard drive.

It works, it seems pretty stable and it forces you to focus on your music, not stuffing about with screens and plugins and other crap. I use a computer all day and it's nice to not have to worry about using one for my music. The preamps sound good enough for now. I found it intuitive to use, but some people seem to have a hard time using it, and reading the manual....I dunno.

You can also record up to 24 tracks of audio for a single program (song). You can only listen to 8 at a time though.
The CDRW is slow but produces reliable burns with low error rates.

The fact it's advertised as an 8 track machine, but in reality it's 6 track because you have to reserve tracks 7/8 as your masters.

The effects are cheesy and limited. There is only one effects buss.

There is no compressor for tracking, only for mastering. I would rather have had no cheesy effects and a compressor available for tracking.

EQ is all presets (which you can adjust) but you have to have your manual handy for the EQ ranges.

Editing is cumbersome. But I dont use it for that anyway.

The gain pots crackle! That really sucks IMO. My unit is kept in a home studio dust free environment. Once set there is no noise but it doesnt sound flash when you have to adjust the gain!

16bit only.

It is a heavy little sucker! However, I have heard some reports that the buttons fall thru the faceplate. I havent had any problems yet and Ive had mine for well over a year. The CDRW gets very hot with continuous burns and backups. I try and keep things minimal here. It seems to run slowly, but that isnt always bad. Its reliable which is a big plus. You have to let it finish processing stuff before you start hitting buttons.

I like this unit for what it does. I like it because I can record up to 24 tracks of audio, burn them off as wav files and pop it into my laptop and mix/edit and construct backing tracks using ACID.

I can bung this thing into the car and go round to friends houses and record. It's good like that....phantom power too which the MR8 hasnt got.

There are other units out there that may possibly be better value. The Zoom ones for instance have 24 bit A/D converters (still only 16bit linear recording though) and feature a drum machine and separate master track.

For a no-nonsense machine though...it does it's job. Dont get one without the CDRW though!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

No other exprience Prior Discoveries but the handling ease. The Schma the end of the manual is more explicit than 140 pages Previous. The manual is trs dilution and learning operation is much easier.
The manual is wrong for carrment Regarding the CD, but two or three CD APRS gachi you get there. remember for next time.
All rglages are flexible and progressive, both faders rglages manuals or by software.
= Its own quality, low color IDAL to the studio, incorporated intervening effects that postriori. All these effects are programs and dprogrammables (adjustable).
The squence of scnes allow programming will of effects, volumes, panning and qualiseurs.
All markers and scnes are "baptized" it will, but the default is a keyboard.
I have not synchronize a russi squenceur noon but has come ...
PML

UTILIZATION

Configuration gnrale Is it easy? YES = 90%

The usual functions are they easily accessible? YES = 90%

The manual is clear and sufficient? ... = YES except when it is false (CD)

SOUNDS

The A / D and D / A are transparent? YES = 100%

Effects and filters are effective? YES = 100%

The dynamic is meet? ... YES = 100%

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it? = 10 days

What is the particular feature you like best and least?
the more flexible gnrale
minimum = no possibility to connect a keyboard

Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
NO

How do you report qualitprix?
700Euros with burner, Q / P trs favorable

Exprience with, you will do again this choice? ... Probably

see data sheet .....
All that fo ....
out jack (among others) ... 8 tracks input infact last 2 since there are only 2 inputs .... finally those who know the system will understand .. Digital Recorders (among in jack or XLR)
in fact it's better now to recording a single instrument both for everything as it should be good ... but if you wish you can record 2 inputs at the same time .. up .
And also lots of other entries ... more to the interrieur bte ... and um .. trainig mode not tested yet ... apparently aa look pretty!
And of course you can register by listening to what dja vs have done on other tracks.
and worse at the end .. ben vs can burn a tt! (um I could until the serious track by track to WMA ... I do not so sai c can burn the song to their totalis check ..)

UTILIZATION

I admit I was a bit scared when they saw the manual to dpart! prcisement silent because in English ..
Fortunately, there is the sennheiser website where you find the manual in French if you shop ... (attetion it's 140 pages ... so cilqu btement not printed on ...)
and then my Mettan a bit ... g able to do a whole song around 2:00 after use (it takes prcis I had never touched a digital recorder in my life)
In short use is a real child ... rgale! ! !
The manual (once in French) is very well done
clean and clear prcis!
(Setting up the drive is also simple trs trs, 3 screws and worse voila, nothing else to do!)

SOUNDS

Euuh sound!?
Ben is the honest to say anything if you have the proper equipment derrire everything There's no problem! sound quality digital ... what! It's his own trs trs g t even surprised ...
bass and bass drum? hh ... has spent a carefree rgale again ...
effects: there are 44 ... c pretty good there is any distortion guitar, bass disto, disto voice rverbe .. ect ..

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for hire .. so it's brand new!
Used a simple clear instructions
Even his own beautiful trs
I got a great price interresting ... the store gave me the drive (even when 450euro burner and suddenly I got it for under 700 Euro)
The high quality of TRS mateiel a small jewelry fostex VF80cd this is one of the best investment I've done so far!
If you have the money to go is a beautiful machine!!