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John - [email protected] [Fri Sep 1 19:07:24 2000]
V8
Hello. This is my first post to the HDRC. I'm hoping someone can help me. I just got a V8, and I can't do anything with it. It seems to start up OK, but after it loads the OS, it says "no d in". I've checked most of the internal connections, and they seem to be OK. The drive is a Maxtor 1.3 Gig, 2595 Cylinders, 16 Heads, 63 Secions. The OS is version 3.14. There is also an expansion card in one of the option slots. The card is labeled SE-1. It has 16 DIN switches on it, a coax jack labeled "to dig in", and a 1/4" jack labeled "LTC in". I got the unit used, with no instruction manual or information of any kind. Any info, tips, specs, etc. anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone would care to sell me an instruction manual, that would be great. Thanks in advance. -john
Mike E - [email protected] [Sat Sep 2 11:53:44 2000]
HDR6
Hey John, I can't say for sure on the V8 but on my HDR6 you would cure this by pushing the function button until you see either "Sy-din" or "Slave" on the disply. You then use the jog wheel to change it to say "Sy-int" then push the enter button. I believe that the HDR6 and the V8 should operate the same in this case. Good luck and Happy hardisking.
Scott - [email protected] [Mon Sep 4 05:02:28 2000]
V8,HDR6&8,MX1
Hi All! Well, I am getting some more Orb drives soon,for my HDR6 & 8s. I hope I can get the discs for them, well into the future. Does anyone know how the Castlewood Corp is doing? Has anyone heard anything good or bad about the staying power of this format? I am also wondering if anyone is using the Orb as the 2nd drive in a Vestax machine, for backup, and if so, is it a much faster process than backing up to DAT?**I am wondering what the "SE" card is that John is referring to? Anyone know?**Thanks for the props, VNO, and thanks for this place to share our knowledge!**Hey Mike, sorry, havent had time to check out your software yet, but I will one of these days...Did you get your new machine yet?**I just wanted to say that I first heard about these Vestax HDRs about 5 or 6 years ago, and they cost over 2000$ for a HDR6.Little did I know that I would come to own 10 various Vestax HDRs. I would just like to thank the Vestax Corporation for being a bunch of screwups, which made this possible! Ha Ha !
Scott - [email protected] [Mon Sep 4 05:30:21 2000]
John, I did a little research, and the Se 1 card is a SMPTE interface card. The error messages you are getting seem to be related to the card. Press the "function" button, and scroll thru menus, looking for anything that relates the that card, and disable it. That, or pull out the card (you probably don't need it), and try it like that. This will probably fix it. If you are still looking for a manual, email me, and I will run you off a copy down at Kinkos.-Scott
John - [email protected] [Thu Sep 7 05:09:30 2000]
V8
Mike E and Scott, Thank you both for the tips. I've gotten things more or less straightened out now, but this expansion card thingy is still sort of cryptic. Can anyone tell me what the DIP switches on the SE-1 card do? Also, are there any media besides HDs and ORBs that a V8 can use? Thanks. -john
william becker - [email protected] [Thu Sep 7 12:02:47 2000]
cdr870/dmt8vl
question...the philips cdr870 and marantz 630 appear to be different variations of the same base unit, the marantz being a 'pro' unit that ignores scms and uses normal blank cdr media. can the system eprom from the marantz be installed in the philips to add these capabilities? i have failed in my attemps to purchase an eprom from marantz, although i do have the ability to burn /copy eproms...anyone have any ideas?
william becker - [email protected] [Thu Sep 7 12:01:20 2000]
cdr870/dmt8vl
question...the philips cdr870 and marantz 630 appear to be different variations of the same base unit, the marantz being a 'pro' unit that ignores scms and uses normal blank cdr media. can the system eprom from the marantz be installed in the philips to add these capabilities? i have failed in my attemps to purchase an eprom from marantz, although i do have the ability to burn /copy eproms...anyone have any ideas?
Mike D - [email protected] [Fri Sep 8 01:35:54 2000]
William...a friend of mine is the Marantz rep for western Canada, I'll ask him the question. Give me a few days for a reply though.
Mark - [email protected] [Fri Sep 8 15:12:10 2000]
E-mu Darwin and StudioMix
I have a E-Mu Darwin and I've just put the Peavey StudioMix on layaway. I know the Peavey works with Calkwalk 8 and 9, but I use Cuebase and was wondering if anyone has used it with Cuebase. Also can the StudioMixes control panel control the functions on the Darwin via MMC? I would love to control the Darwins internal mixer with flying faders! Thanks Mark
Mark - [email protected] [Fri Sep 8 15:14:24 2000]
E-mu Darwin
Looking for the SMPTE card for the Darwin, E-mu is out and will not be remaking them since they've discontinued the unit. I'm also looking for ANY of the other cards for the unit Thanks Mark
Scott - [Wed Sep 13 04:39:42 2000]
Well, I got another ORB drive. These Orbs are giving me a lot of grief lately...For one, on one of them, sometimes when it starts up, it looks like everythings OK. I press play, and all tracks max out up to the red leds, it distorts like mad, and it loops. The numbers go crazy, and it reads like 99999 or something, and it loops. The fix is to pull the disc out, put it in, and restart. Not a very nice thing to happen...The other 2 ORBs I have, do this: they look like theyre starting up, and everythings cool,but the yellow light keeps flashing, even after it boots up. Then all they do is eject the disc, on their own. I am using them with HDR8s. Unfortunately, I have 2 more ORBs on the way. At this point, things are not looking too good...Is anyone else having these types of problems with the ORBs? Soon, I will have 5,and we'll see if these things are ALL THAT, or what....
Scott - [Wed Sep 13 06:26:07 2000]
Anyone thinking of getting an ORB drive should check out this http://www.geek.com/discus/messages/25/60.html: Seems lots of people are having trouble with the ORB. My suggestion at this time: Dont buy one!
Jamesgray - [email protected] [Thu Sep 14 21:24:12 2000]
Hdr8 and V8
The Peavey Studiomix is a control surface made as a front end for Calkwalk Audio/Sequencer Programs. It can control the internal mixing on Vestax machines with Continuious Controller Messages and can control vestax transport thru MMC Midi Machine Control. I recommend going to www.peavey.com and seeing the thread I started there, but yes, it controls HDRs yust fine, you betcha. Also I contacted someone who wanted a v8 manual, if you are interested in a V8 or HDR8 manual. I don't have but my orginals. I have made copies at home for my own use and we could talk about out of print manuals.
Jim McDonald - [email protected] [Fri Sep 15 13:18:06 2000]
2 HDR-8
Although the Studiomix may control the HDR's, it WILL NOT control programs such as Cubase (which from everything I can tell is more powerful than Cakewalk). To control faders, transport, pan, effects, etc. on Cubase, you have to use something such as a JL Cooper CS-10. I finally got my CS-10 to work with Cubase and it's REALLY nice. I haven't been able to get it to control my HDR's yet but I haven't spent much time trying it either. My big question is how can I get tracks from my HDR's into Cubase (or Cakewalk - the method should be the same) and maintain sync? I want to use Cubase for mixdown mostly for plugin effects and the like. I've got a very basic soundcard (no spdif in). I'm thinking that I can use the midi sync to transfer track by track through the regular audio out on the HDR to the Line in on the soundcard and then do this track (or 2 ) by track until all of the tracks are in. This should maintain sync, right?
Mike E - [email protected] [Sat Sep 16 12:37:09 2000]
HDR6
I recieved word from Bertsch yesterday that he is waiting on parts to finish building my new DPR8-24. So I continue to wait. It seems that he is waiting on the D/A converters. I have been experienceing power supply problems on my PC so I have not been able to do much with the mixer software but I hope to get back into it. Happy hardisking.
Scott - [Sat Sep 16 22:22:30 2000]
Update on the Orb situation: I called Castlewood, and they said it sounds like the onboard bios chip got scrambled somehow...So I have to put each malfunctioning Orb drive in my PC and download and install the latest bios upgrade for the internal eide Orb drive.Pain in the butt!! But if I can get it to work, I will be happy. They said they would give me new drives, if this doesnt work.I think there are more than one revision of these Orb drives out there. I just got one that looks a little different. It works, too! It will be cool if I can get these things to work, but it sure pisses me off when things screw up! Thats why Im using these machines, and not my windows PC! Later!-Scott
jamesgray - [email protected] [Sun Sep 17 16:48:12 2000]
Vestax HDR8/v8
I would like to respectfully disagree with Jim McDonald about the merits of the Peavey Studiomix, but in a way he brings up a very good point. Which is better a Fender Telecaster or a Gibson Les Paul? A PC or a Mac? I will tell you right now that a telecaster floats my boat and the les Paul leaves me cold. All of these are choices we have to make. Using recording equipment and making purchases add to the recording system we call our studios. I am glad that Jim enjoys Cubase. I am a legitamate registered Cubase owner, but never use it since I got Cakewalk. I don't like the propriatary nature of Cubase and I use alot of different equipment in my studio. I can accept that Jim feels it is a superior product even tho I don't feel Cubase meets my needs. Making choices and enjoying different styles of software etc. is exactly what this forum is about, also our experiences are important feedback to each other. If you look at my prior post you will see that I clearly state the PV Studiomix was designed as a front end for Cakewalk software. Just as the Mackie HUI (about $6k) is designed for specific software. If you are looking for a universal piece the JL Cooper is a good choice, I prefer the PV 1600x 16 fader Midi controller. I have and use these devices and have no other experience. The point of this discussion is for us to look at software or equipment as only part of a SYSTEM. We all have preferences of what we like, but we don't all enjoy the same things. I love to play Tele against a friends Les Paul. I thank Jim McDonald for sparking this thread of thought
jamesgray - [email protected] [Sun Sep 17 17:10:30 2000]
Vestax HDR8/v8
In re reading all the posts I think I misinterpreted Jims post. The orginal msg from Mark was in regards to using Studiomix to control Cubase. Studiomix was created to work with Cakewalk and so I absolutely agree with Jim's comments to using studiomix with Cubase, the PV 1600X is my personal favorite and considering they are constantly backordered and sell out within a couple of days others have made the same choice. Which do you like knobs or sliders? The 1600x has sliders but are not motorized. IF you are using Cakewalk I think the Studiomix is a must have. The faders can control individual tracks or you can use them to submix also many common functions can be assigned to the knobs and faders and can be saved to a file. My other comments stand. I think it is wonderful that we have so many choices for gear that is not too expensive. Without a doubt I would be buying the new Bertsch recorder if I didn't take a bath selling what I have. What I have is wonderful, but at some point you have to look beyond the gear and make music. I think the point about looking at your system and how each piece fits in can't be underestimated. When I bought my Tele, I liked the feel, but thought the sound lacking (played thru fender tube amp), when I played it at home thru a PV Classic 30 I was in Tele Heaven. I didn't think that between tube amps there could be so much difference. Many people who have wonderful computer based recording setups are going back to HDR and digital tape based systems. It is the simplicity of turning it on and recording while the vibe is right, then transferring later to a computer to do tweaking and effects. The problem with computers is that I am always 2 computer cycles of development behind the software I buy and unfortunately am not rich enough to buy software and the computer to run it at the same time
Scott - [email protected] [Mon Sep 18 05:41:30 2000]
I hear you, James. I like the stratocaster, AND the Les Paul. Tele? Whats that? I like Cubase, I like Cakewalk,I like Logic Audio, But I HATE windows...Hell, I just like whatever really WORKS. I used to use a Fostex X-15(4 track cassette), and I LOVED that.I used to get a lot more material done, because the choices were so simple. Also, I had an Apple 2 and the cheapest Casio multitymbral midi box made, and I got about 100 great songs out of that.Anyway, the better the gear, the more choices to be made, the less music seems to get done. Theres something to be said for simplicity (yeah, right, if you saw the insanity of my studio, you would see the irony of that statement). Anyway, heres a cool place to get your softwarez: Alt.binaries.sounds.utilities Hey that shits probably gonna crash anyway, so why pay for it?;P
Mike D - [email protected] [Mon Sep 18 08:13:06 2000]
HDR6
Wow, I haven't seen this lively a conversation in a long time!! For what my 20+ years experience is worth, I don't think it really matters what the particular piece of equipment is, so long as it does what we want it to. I am in the fortunate position of having access to a couple of very well equipped studios in town and in a lot of cases I still end up with as good or a better sounding product out of my own $20K worth of gear than the other guys $200K -$300K set up. The reason?? I know how to make my own gear create the sounds I want to hear. A few years back I worked with a group that was going into a major studio (24 track Studer recorder etc.) We did some practice tapes with the soloists because they had never done over-dubs before, using a Teac 1/4 inch 4 track recorder. Those practice tapes ended up sounding better than the finished product. The difference certainly wasn't because I had better equipment or that I was a technically superior engineer (I'm not!). What I did have though, was an understanding of the particular group and knew what the finished product should sound like before I put the first mic in place ..... and let my equipment do the rest.
Jim McDonald - [email protected] [Mon Sep 18 10:07:19 2000]
HDR-8
In response to James Gray, I was actually just trying to point out that if he was wanting to use the Studiomix with Cubase, it is impossible. I think I just have a bias towards Cubase because it made more sense to me personally. I have used Logic Audio and Cakewalk for audio recording and I just like Cubase more. It is entirely a personal preference. I was just trying to save the previous poster some time and money if he was wanting to control Cubase. But can anyone help me with the HDR to PC transfer?
spud - [email protected] [Tue Sep 19 03:02:01 2000]
Mighty Vestax HDR-6
'Morning Men. I have an old HDR-6 I paid $1780 usd for way back on the cutting edge of digital technology. At that time I didn't get the optional extra set of AD converters. Is there any place to get an extra set at this late date? I have outboard converters but I've never figured out how to to arm two digital and two analog at the same time for 4 simultainious tracks in record. I just updated to ver 3.04 (?) software via a chip from Bertsch in BC so maybe it works under that. Also, can anyone recomend a reliable hard drive to replace my original 384 MEG? I don't think I need the ORB thing at this point. My serial # is: 010661 if that makes any difference. I had all but given up hope for the old clunker- glad there's a group out here. I noticed the tracks show some aliasing ("extra" harmonies)if I bounce but sound pretty good played back by themselves. Anyone have any obsevations? Well, carry on and nice meeting you all, s.
John Schedl - [email protected] [Tue Sep 19 18:17:12 2000]
Vestax HDR-6
Greetings. I have just gotten hold of a Vertax HDR-6 and have managed to figure out most of the commands (as best as I can tell), except for the record function. Unfortunately this unit has no manual. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone had info. on where I could purchase a manual (or get a xerox of one), or at minimum how to enable recording on each of the 6 channels. Your help is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, J.S.S.
Norman Fay/Vietgrove - [email protected] [Wed Sep 20 09:39:17 2000]
Vestax HDR-V8
I'm having a frustrating time over here - 'though the HDR is a fine machine, I'm finding that cartridge-type hard discs areÖerÖ "quite problematical". I added the Syquest Syjet IDE drive to my HDR not long after I bought it, and as I was completely unable to get it to function as a backup drive, I switched it to IDE master, unplugged and removed the built in 1gb fixed drive and used it that way. As long as you switched the machine off before inserting a new cart, it worked fine, but eventually the drive unit developed a fault where it would power down momentarily, and when it got back up to speed, you would have to switch the HDR off and on before you could get working again - major pain in the ass! (or arse, as we say over here!) I think the position of the drive in the HDR caused this problem because of the heat build up - anyone else experience anything like this? anyway, I'm currently using the machine with the drive in its little plastic skeleton case standing on top of the HDR, which is not a long term solution, really. Another problem is that the carts would often not format correctly when new, and I had to return many of them, in fact, for the 5 working ones I got, I had to go through something like 11...now of course I can't get them at all, and given the reliability record of them, I'm not keen to try my luck with secondhand cartsÖ Now I read Scott's comments about the Orb drive, which I was thinking about getting....! PLEASE keep us informed on that one, Scott... Anyway, as fixed drives are quite cheap, I'd better fit one pretty soon and forego for now the pleasure of having a disc dedicated to each project...:( My op.sys is (I think) 3.14, does anyone know the maximum capacity drive I can use, and are there any I should especially look out for OR avoid? I think the best longterm solution for me would be a seperate unit round the back of my rack with a caddy drive holder like in the Fostex HDRs... Best wishes Norman Fay/Vietgrove
John - [email protected] [Fri Sep 22 17:00:26 2000]
v8
Hi all. Inspite of all the bad reviews and warnings, I just got an Orb drive for my V8. I was pretty concerned at first, as it wouldn't spin up or format or anything, but after some experimentation, I have made the thing work. I also had to set the Orb to master, and I removed the internal hard drive temporarily. The manual that came with the Orb states that it should be master to acieve max. throughput, and I think this is a key point for our purposes. I imagine that with a seperate or improved power supply, the internal drive should also boot up when set to slave. One other thing I noticed is that Orbs require a little patience. Mine takes about 10-15 seconds to start up, and flashes a disturbing amber light and makes funny noises during that time. It's tempting to panic and shut it down, but if I wait for it, it works fine. I hope some of this is useful to someone out there. At this point, I'm pretty happy with the Orb, although only time will tell in terms of reliability and data integrity. Good luck, all. -john