Fostex D160 Hard disk recorder - Any Feedback?

[Demian Norvell]

My studio team is considering the Fostex D-160 16-track disk based
multitrack. It looks like a good machine, but I personally have had less
than great history with Fostex.

Anyone here have any input as to how good/poor the unit is?

Thanks bunches!

D Norvell

[Fred Whitlock]

I haven't used the D160 but I regularly use the D90 which is the 8 track
version of it. It's very convenient for ADAT users since it is compatible
with the Alesis system. I use an ADAT compatible digital mixer and the
whole setup hanshakes and works very well. The recorder is not difficult to
use once you get past the initial learning stage. Unlike the ADAT's it
provides random access for easy cut and paste editing. The only problem I
have encountered is the unit's unwillingness to slave its clock to another
clock so synch up is a potential problem. The problem could be user error
(me.) I have my mixer slaved to it and have no problems at all. If you're
using an analog mixer then synch may not be an issue for you. Sonically the
unit is the equivalent of the Alesis ADAT decks. If random access and ADAT
compatibility are useful for you this the recorder for you. Take care.

Fred

Demian Norvell wrote in message <36092...@news2.uswest.net>...

[BTRAXINC]

In article <36092...@news2.uswest.net>, "Demian Norvell"
<demb...@uswest.net> writes:

>Subject: Fostex D160 Hard disk recorder - Any Feedback?
>From: "Demian Norvell" <demb...@uswest.net>
>Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 09:25:35 -0700

>
>My studio team is considering the Fostex D-160 16-track disk based
>multitrack. It looks like a good machine, but I personally have had less
>than great history with Fostex.
>
>Anyone here have any input as to how good/poor the unit is?
>
>Thanks bunches!
>
>D Norvell

I just purchased the Fostex DMT8-VL and was surprised at the very good sonic
quality and other great features it employs.

One thing I didn't like about it, though, is that you can only output 2 tracks
through the digital optical ouput that is a real digital signal... this is due
to the fact that the on-board mixer is not digital but analog. If mixing all 8
channels through the digital optical cable- then of course it's going to be D
to A from the hard drive into the mixing section then A to D out of the mixing
section through the optical cable...
It's a "routing" consideration that Fostex had to address for the design of the
unit. Had the unit had a digital mixer; then everything would have been
digital, from input to output, of course. But, for cost considerations; I'm
sure this why they designed it like they did.

I might add, though, that the noise level out of the analog on-board mixer is
satisfactory and within tolerable recording limits.. I measured it at about a
-78dB noise floor out coming out of the optical cable. That's about what my
modified Harrison audio console renders. So, for post-production (if you are
using a program like Sound Forge with a Noise Reduction Plug-In"; eliminating
the -78dB noise floor is not a problem if the end result has to be a near zero
noise floor.

Don't know if this helps; but, make sure you check out this aspect of the 16
track (if applicable) version of the Fostex unit you are inquiring about before
purchase.

Jay Michaels, Presdent & CEO
Back TraX Productions
(a division of BTRAX, INC.)
www.btraxinc.com
email: btra...@aol.com
Jay Meyers, President & CEO
Back TraX Productions, Inc.
P.O. Box 557634
Chicago, IL 60655-7634
(708) 499-3322 {Voice}
(708) 499-3359 {Fax)
(709) 499-0911 {Back TraX Productions Corporate BBS}
AOL Inet Email Address: btra...@aol.com

[Andreas Furxer]

I have the D90. I惴 very happy with this system - it愀 very good. I work
with Midi TC and Cubase. All OK- no problems.

andy

Demian Norvell <demb...@uswest.net> schrieb im Beitrag
<36092...@news2.uswest.net>...

[ord...@yahoo.com]

I have both a D-160 and a D-90 slaved together for recording 16 analog tracks
live with 8 available for overdubs. The slave works fine once you get the
settings right (1 call to Chris @ Fostex was all it needed). The manual is
less than optimal (I'm being nice).

Mine are constantly on the road and have yet to hickup (except for crew folks
who don't plug the cables in all the way and screw them down - my pet peeve).

Be advised that Quantum drives are the recommended drives on these units and
others will run extremely hot (Fostex says this is due to lower power
requirements on Quantums). Also, order your D-160 with no hard drive because
the 2.55 Gb. it comes with (and they charge you for) is too small. Order
extra hard drive caddies and the 16' remote cable (both about $35), they will
make your life easier from the get go. Also, Whirlwind makes nice breakouts
for the D-160s (it uses the 25 pin D-Sub connectors - 3 females on back of
unit) if you need analog cables for the balanced unit.

I have to send my D-160 back to Fostex to have the SMPTE option put in (since
we will be slaving to video shortly) and Fostex has promised us a 3 day
turnaround on the unit, which I thought was excellent.

Backup to Jaz, SCSI hard drive, or ADAT works well.

Mike Cook
Ordinary Management

> My studio team is considering the Fostex D-160 16-track disk based
> multitrack. It looks like a good machine, but I personally have had less
> than great history with Fostex.
>
> Anyone here have any input as to how good/poor the unit is?
>
> Thanks bunches!
>
> D Norvell
>
>

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