Fostex VF-16 User manual

VF- 16
16 Track Digital Multitracker
graphical display of waveforms
WAVE DISPLAY
simultaneous 8 track recording via analog inputs
8 TRACK RECORDING
visual editing of eq curves
GRAPHIC EQ
with balanced & un-balanced inputs
DIGITAL MIXING
export & import audio as .wav files
.WAV FILE
channel & master compressors
COMPRESSORS
user upgradeable E-IDE hard drive
HD UPGRADeABLE
adat interface as standard
ADAT I/O
3-BAND EQ
parametric
digital recording
16 track
digital
mixer
20-bit a/d : 24-bit d/a
adat i/o
graphic editing of EQ and compressor
.wav file export
compressorS
mix scene memory
100 user
digital multi effects
per program
A.S.P.

ostex’s new VF-16 digital
multitracker doesn’t just re-
write the book on all-in-one digital
multitrack solutions, it rips it up
and starts again.
Here is a machine which combines
state-of-the-art hard disc based 16-
track digital recording with
supreme quality digital mixing and
houses it in a rugged, easy to use,
package.
But that’s just the start of it.
As usual with Fostex, this little
baby is not only packed with stellar
features it’s simplicity itself to
operate.
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The VF-16 features no less than 24
tracks with simultaneous 8 track
recording, (16 when using ADAT
interface) to an internal
(user upgradable) E-IDE hard disc.
And having those extra ‘ghost’
tracks gives you real flexibility. For
example; you’ve recorded a great
guitar solo, but want to try another
to see if you can improve the
performance - no problem, just use
another track for the new version.
With this type of power you can
record different versions of vocals,
different drum grooves, different
guitar parts, then choose which of
the 16 tracks you wish to reproduce
and mix. Once you’ve experienced
this kind of flexibility it becomes a
necessity.
Two assignable recording modes
are avaialble;
DDiirreeccttMMooddee- If you want to record
8 inputs simultansously to 8
recording tracks this mode routes
the inputs directly to the digital
recorder via trim pot, bypassing the
mixer.
RReeccBBuussssMMooddee- Alternatively you
can record multiple inputs to 2
recording tracks using the digital
mixer to set levels, EQ, effects, etc.
But all this flexibility counts for
nothing if it’s let down by the
quality of the audio.
No chance.
This high specification machine
records true CD-quality
uncompressed digital audio.
Naturally, as the VF-16 uses a digital
non-linear recording system, full
Copy, Paste, Move & Erase editing
with Undo & Redo is achievable.
Ease of editing is aided by the
ability to display scrubbed audio
graphically, making ’on-
the-fly’, intricate
edit points simple
and intuitive to
designate.
Plus, with clipboard
data available to be
pasted to the same,
another or multiple tracks
and automatically repeated
up to 99 times, you can
become a re-mix wizard in a
matter of minutes.
VF- 16
16 TRACK DIGITAL RECORDING & MIXING
F
Main features..
16 Track Digital Multitr
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The VF-16 is equipped with an
ADAT™ Digital Interface which
can be used for importing and
exporting ADAT™ compatible
material, plus
archiving sessions to
the ADAT format.
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The removable plate on the
underside of a VF-16 allows you to
change the internal E-IDE hard drive.
A larger hard drive means more
recording time.
Visit wwwwww..ffoosstteexx..ccoo..jjppfor a list of
compatible drives.
16 TRACK DIGITAL RECORDING & MIXING
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■ 16 recording tracks plus 8
additional ghost tracks for
multiple takes. 24 recording
tracks in total
■ 8 track simultaneous recording
using analogue inputs. 16-track
simultaneous recording
available using ADAT interface
in addition to analog inputs
■ No compression recording to
internal 3.5" E-IDE hard drive
(eg. 962 track minites available
on a 5.1 GB hard drive)
■ ±6% Pitch Control
■ 99 programs (songs) with
program names
■ Align Point selectable when
pasting a clipboard data
■ 7 Mark Point on the fly, 7 Edit
Memory & 99 Event Memory
■ SCSI interface (for back-up)
■ .WAV file export and import
via external SCSI media
■ Full MTC/MMC compliance
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■ 16 input faders (8 x
analog/track input + 8 x track
input) and 1 x Master fader
(stereo buss) - all 60mm
■ MIC/LINE trim pot on all
analogue inputs. Input G & H
feature balanced XLR
connectors, phantom power
and insert points. Peak LED is
provided on each input.
■ Assignable channel
compressors (ch 13 + 14 or ch
15 + 16 with effect off) &
Master compressor
■ Two effect sends and two AUX
sends (pre/post switchable)
■ 3-band EQ on all 16 channels
(HI parametric, shelving, LPF,
MID parametric, LO shelving).
Separate 3-band Master EQ
■ 100 mix scenes per program
■ 64 x 128 dot-matrix LCD
display.
■ Two built-in Fostex A.S.P.
digital effects
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VF-16 has 2 independent DSP effects
processors powered by Fostex A.S.P.
technology.
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The VF-16 can store up to 100 mix scenes
(snapshots) per program for recall via
scene event map or button push
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Inputs G & H are equipped with
balanced XLR connectors and
switchable +48V phantom power.
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Each input channel is equipped with a
rotary trim pot and handy clipping
level peak LED.
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The SCSI-2 interface allows for back-up
sessions to removable media and for
exporting & importing .WAV files.
3-band
graphic editing
parametric EQ

And if you thought that was cool,
wait ’till you hear that the VF-16
can export and import audio (all
tracks, one track or any part of a
track) as standard ‘.WAV’ files via
SCSI meaning that editing,
processing and sound file
conversion can be accomplished
using popular PC music software.
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The amazing audio quality
delivered by the VF-16 is due only in
part to the stellar recording engine.
The digital mixer also plays its part
in making the VF-16 the most
usable, best sounding multitracker
out there. Firstly you get some real
60mm faders to play with on all 16
input channels and master.
16 TRACK DIGITAL RECORDING & MIXING
16 TRACK DIGITAL RECORDING & MIXING
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Fostex have made the VF-16 incredibly easy to
operate. Nice touches which you’ll appreciate
include; large illuminated buttons, 60mm faders and
a clear backlit LCD display.
The ‘distortion and hiss-free’ input
stages (including 2 with XLR,
inserts and +48v phantom power),
feature trim pots and have been
designed to handle almost anything
you can throw at them from the
lowest of low level mic signals to
the hottest instrument signal.
There’s a great 3-band EQ with
parametric mid & high on all 16
channels to enable you crisp up,
add punch, cut hiss or increase the
depth of your sound.
There’s also a separate EQ for the
master, assignable channel
compressors (ch 13 + 14 or ch 15 + 16
with EQ off), & master compressor,
2 AUX sends per channel, for adding
external effects, a monitor out with
level control and handy
insert points on inputs G & H for
adding compressors, limiters, etc.
Plus, a stereo mixed source can be
digitally transferred to an external
digital recorder thru S/P DIF.
With the 100 mix scene memory,
you’re not tied into one mix either.
Entire mix scenes (include effect
parameters), can be saved and
recalled - you’ll never loose that
perfect EQ setting again.
And, as the scene sequence mode
allows for the automatic recall of
mixes programmed into a scene
event map, you’re not even tied to
one mix per song!
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Select a track to record.
(You can record up to 8 at any
one time using analog inputs).
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Making ’on-the-fly’, intricate
edit points simple and intuitive
to designate.
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3-band EQ (parametric Hi and
Mid) can be applied to
recorded tracks.
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Compression can be applied
with controls for Threshold,
Ratio, Attack and Gain.
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Fostex’s acclaimed A.S.P effects
offer two independent digital
effects processors.
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Channel routing to internal
effects and external aux busses
plus pan position is easy view.
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Recorded audio can be
exported as .WAV files for
further editing via a PC.
graphical display of waveforms
WAVE DISPLAY
simultaneous 8 track recording via analog inputs
8 TRACK RECORDING
visual editing of eq curves
GRAPHIC EQ
with balanced & un-balanced inputs
DIGITAL MIXING
export & import audio as .wav files
.WAV FILE
channel & master compressors
COMPRESSORS
user upgradeable E-IDE hard drive
HD UPGRADeABLE
adat interface as standard
ADAT I/O
technology
superior quality
digital effects
4x analogue AUX send
A.s.p
file export / import
.WAV

In accordance with our policy of continuous development, we reserve the right to change specifications without notice. E&OE.
Distributor / Authorised Dealer
In accordance with our policy of continuous development, we reserve the right to change specifications without notice. E&OE.
16 TRACK DIGITAL RECORDING & MIXING
Fostex Corporation, 3-2-35 Musashino, Akishima, Tokyo, Japan 196-0021
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
www.fostex.co.jp
Specifications
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Input (A – H) 8x ø6mm phone jack (unbalanced)
Input Impedance >50k ohms
Rated Input Level -50dBV - +2dBV
Input (G/H) 2x XLR-3-31 type (balanced: 2-Hot)
+48V phantom power
Input Impedance >1k ohms
Rated Input Level -50dBV - +2dBV
Insert ø6mm TRS phone jack
Load Impedance >10k ohms
Rated Output Level -10dBV
AUX send (1/2) ø6mm TRS phone jack
Load Impedance >10k ohms
Rated Output Level -10dBV
Stereo Out 2 x RCA pin jack
Load Impedance >10k ohms
Rated Output Level -10dBV
Monitor Out 2x ø6mm phone jack (unbalanced)
Load Impedance >10k ohms
Rated Output Level -10dBV
Headphone Out 1x ø6mm stereo phone jack
Load Impedance >16 ohms
Maximum Output 20mW (at 50 ohms)
Digital In/Out 2 x Optical
Format ADAT optical / IEC60958 (S/P DIF)
MIDI In/Out/Thru 2 x DIN 5 pin / MIDI standard
Punch In/Out 1x ø6mm phone jack (Model 8051)
SCSI 1x D-SUB 50-pin (half pitch type)
Protocol SCSI-2, unbalanced transfer method
Transfer type Asynchronous
Equalizer
Peak, Shelving, LPF (HI) 500Hz - 20kHz variable ±18dB
Peak (MID) 500Hz - 20kHz variable ±18dB
Shelving (LOW) 100Hz (effective freq.) ±18dB
Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz
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Recording Media Internal E-IDE 3.5-inch hard disk
Recording format FDMS-3 (version 1)
(Fostex Disk Management System
Save/Load format SCSI, FDIO-1
Sampling Frequency 44.1kHz
Quantization 16bit linear (non compressed)
Recording time Dependent of disk size
eg: approx. 1,880 track minutes @
16bit/44.1kHz on a 10 GB disk
Number of tracks 16 + 8 additional tracks
Pitch control ±6% (0.01% step)
Crossfade 10ms
Dynamic Range 92dB
T.H.D. 0.01% (typical)
Crosstalk > 60dB @ 1kHz
A/D converter (20bit) Delta-Sigma 64x over sampling
D/A converter (24bit) Delta-Sigma 128x over sampling
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Dimensions 380 (W) x 98 (H) x 335 (D)mm
Weight approx. 4.0kg
Power 120V / 230V
Consumption 15W
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■ Normal Hall
■ Presence Hall
■ Wet Hall
■ No E/R Hall
■ Lo-Freq Hall
■ Stadium
■ Auditorium
■ Hallway
■ Normal Room
■ Dead Room
■ Presence Room
■ Drum Booth
■ Garage
■ Normal Plate
■ Old Plate
■ Presence Plate
■ Wet Plate
■ Digital Plate
■ Normal Vocal
■ Presence Vocal
■ Solo Vocal
■ Arena Vocal
■ Arena Chorus
■ Karaoke
■ Mono Delay-Hall
■ Mono Delay-Plate
■ Panning Delay-Hall
■ Panning Delay-Plate
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Effect 2 has the same effect
types as EFF 1 and these
additional types as well.
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■ Mono Delay
■ Panning Delay
■ Mono Bpm Delay
■ Panning Bpm Delay
■ Short Delay
■ Doubling
■ Chorus
■ Flange
■ Mono Pitch
■ Delay Pitch
28
effect
types
for EFF1
38
effect
types
for EFF2
41 2 3
6 875 9 10
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A.S.P. (Advanced Signal Processing) is a unique digital effects
processing technology newly developed by Fostex.
The diagrams show that by combining a special HHaarrmmoonniiccss
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PPrroocceessssiinngg((HH..DD..LL..PP..)), A.S.P. effects offer higher gain in the early
reflection characteristic and are free from the ‘grittiness’
associated with lesser technologies.
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11Inputs 1 - 6 unbalanced phone
22Inputs 7 - 8 balanced XLR or phone
with +48V Phantom Power & inserts
33Monitor Out
44Headphone Out
55Auxiliary Send
66Master Stereo Out
77MIDI IN, OUT
88ADAT optical / S/P DIF In & Out
99Footswitch
1100SCSI Interface