Fostex MR8HD 8-Track Hard Disk Recorder
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zZounds Gear Experts Say...
40GB internal hard drive.
Overview
The new MR-8HD offers recording to 40GB an internal 3.5 in. hard drive. It offers more than 15 hours of 8-track recording with CD quality (16 bit/44.1kHz). Up to 4 tracks can be recorded simultaneously. A new push-dial button makes for easier menu operation.
Features:
Recording to 40GB internal 3.5 in. HD offering more than 15 hours 8-track recording with CD quality (16-bit / 44.1kHz)
4-track simultaneous recording
Phantom power on all the 4 XLR inputs
Simple and intuitive operational environment inherited from MR-8 with the new push-dial button for easier menu operation
Full-track (8-track) bouncing to a New Song (track 7/8)
128 x 64 dot LCD with comprehensive indication
Industry-first FAT32 disk format and WAV file recording in the HD multitrack recorder of this class; PC-friendly advantage
USB port for stereo WAV file transfer to and from PC allowing the full access to the whole HD from PC
Free "WAV Manager" software available for multiple mono files transfer to and from PC
S/P DIF Digital Out for digital mastering on an external MD, CD recorder, etc.
Built-in digital effects including Reverb, Delay as well as Guitar Amp and Microphone simulations
Analog Guitar Distortion with the dedicated knob
Twin headphones Outs
Silver and black colored top panel identical to the latest VF-series
USB Host function ready for CD burning on an off-the-shelf external CD-R drive (to be nominated) by future software update in late 2005
Features:
Recording to 40GB internal 3.5 in. HD offering more than 15 hours 8-track recording with CD quality (16-bit / 44.1kHz)
4-track simultaneous recording
Phantom power on all the 4 XLR inputs
Simple and intuitive operational environment inherited from MR-8 with the new push-dial button for easier menu operation
Full-track (8-track) bouncing to a New Song (track 7/8)
128 x 64 dot LCD with comprehensive indication
Industry-first FAT32 disk format and WAV file recording in the HD multitrack recorder of this class; PC-friendly advantage
USB port for stereo WAV file transfer to and from PC allowing the full access to the whole HD from PC
Free "WAV Manager" software available for multiple mono files transfer to and from PC
S/P DIF Digital Out for digital mastering on an external MD, CD recorder, etc.
Built-in digital effects including Reverb, Delay as well as Guitar Amp and Microphone simulations
Analog Guitar Distortion with the dedicated knob
Twin headphones Outs
Silver and black colored top panel identical to the latest VF-series
USB Host function ready for CD burning on an off-the-shelf external CD-R drive (to be nominated) by future software update in late 2005
Specs
Recording Medium: .5 in., hard disk (E-IDE type)
Approx. Recording Time: 943 minutes (8-track on 40GB)
Recording Format: FAT32
Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz
Quantization: 16-bit linear (non-compression)
A/D Converter: 24-bit Delta-Sigma
D/A Converter: 24-bit Delta-Sigma
No. of Recording Tracks: 8 tracks maximum
No. of Simultaneous Rec.: 4 tracks
Recording/Reproduction Frequency: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Dynamic Range: 88dB or more (typical)
T.H.D.: 0.05% or less (typical)
Analog In (4ch) Connector: XLR-3-31 type (Pin2:hot) and 6mm TRS phone
Analog Input Level: - 48dBV (MIC) - +4dBV (LINE)
Analog Input Impedance:
- 1.5k ohm or more (MIC/BAL)
- 40k ohm or more (LINE/UNBAL)
- 500k ohm or more (GUITAR/UNBAL)
Stereo Out (L,R) Connector: 6mm stereo phone
Stereo Output Level: -10dBV (unbalance)
Stereo Out Load Impedance: 10k ohm or more
Headphones Connector: 2 x 6mm stereo phone
Headphones Max Output: 20mW or more (@32 ohm)
Headphones Load Impedance: 16 ohm or more
MIDI Out Connector: DIN 5 Pin
MIDI Out Format: MIDI Standard
Foot Switch Connector: 6mm phone
Foot Switch Level: TTL Level
Digital Out Connector: Optical
Digital Out Level: IEC 60958 (S/P DIF) 44.1kHz
Digital Out Connector: B type (data save/load controlled from PC)
Dimensions: 312(W) x 264(D) x 88(H) mm
Weight: Approx. 3 kgs
Power Requirement: 100V - 230V, 50/60Hz
Power Consumption: 14W
Approx. Recording Time: 943 minutes (8-track on 40GB)
Recording Format: FAT32
Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz
Quantization: 16-bit linear (non-compression)
A/D Converter: 24-bit Delta-Sigma
D/A Converter: 24-bit Delta-Sigma
No. of Recording Tracks: 8 tracks maximum
No. of Simultaneous Rec.: 4 tracks
Recording/Reproduction Frequency: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Dynamic Range: 88dB or more (typical)
T.H.D.: 0.05% or less (typical)
Analog In (4ch) Connector: XLR-3-31 type (Pin2:hot) and 6mm TRS phone
Analog Input Level: - 48dBV (MIC) - +4dBV (LINE)
Analog Input Impedance:
- 1.5k ohm or more (MIC/BAL)
- 40k ohm or more (LINE/UNBAL)
- 500k ohm or more (GUITAR/UNBAL)
Stereo Out (L,R) Connector: 6mm stereo phone
Stereo Output Level: -10dBV (unbalance)
Stereo Out Load Impedance: 10k ohm or more
Headphones Connector: 2 x 6mm stereo phone
Headphones Max Output: 20mW or more (@32 ohm)
Headphones Load Impedance: 16 ohm or more
MIDI Out Connector: DIN 5 Pin
MIDI Out Format: MIDI Standard
Foot Switch Connector: 6mm phone
Foot Switch Level: TTL Level
Digital Out Connector: Optical
Digital Out Level: IEC 60958 (S/P DIF) 44.1kHz
Digital Out Connector: B type (data save/load controlled from PC)
Dimensions: 312(W) x 264(D) x 88(H) mm
Weight: Approx. 3 kgs
Power Requirement: 100V - 230V, 50/60Hz
Power Consumption: 14W
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars.
(104 ratings)
Submitted April 24, 2007 by a customer from forces.gc.ca
"Great home recording, easy to use - BUT, no customer support if you need help"
I like using it. It's pretty intuitive. I expect to use it happily for a long time, but will probably have to learn Cakewalk or something to suppliment it. I wish I had known a couple of things. If you're layering, the hard drive is only going to hold about 6 songs. Transferring files onto it from the computer is a nightmare. And.... THERE IS NO CUSTOMER SUPPORT WHEN THINGS GO WRONG. You just have to figure it out yourself, or find someone on line who has had the same problem and has figured it out.
Sound
We are acheiving reasonably good recordings usings good quality pickups in our guitars, vocals with SM58's and keyboards. Watch your trim, make sure that you have the pickups at about mid level.
Features
I like the mastering effects that you can add while you're mixing. Also good reverb. With dynamic voices, you may want to use a vocal compressor/preamp.
Ease of Use
At the recording and mixing level, this product is easy to use. If you make the stereo wave files on the Fostex, and then just put the finished product on your computer, life is good. LOTS OF PROBLEMS when you try to archive tracks on your computer, and then try to import them back on the Fostex. This is a feature that has been a nightmare for us.
Quality
we've had ours for about 6 months, and it seems durable and well made. We transport it frequently in the box that it came… read more in.
Value
The item works well and is pretty good for what you pay, except for the COMPLETE LACK OF SUPPORT.
Manufacturer Support
Assume NO CUSTOMER SUPPORT. No 800 line. When you go on their site, you can fill in something that one would think leads to a person who will help you. What you get is an autoresponder email with links to the manual. It doesn't matter what you ask, this IS their idea of customer support. I repeat - THERE IS NO CUSTOMER SUPPORT. NOTHING. NADA. ZIP. I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH.
The Wow Factor
I'm happy with the product generally. It's pretty cool, it's easy to use, it's a hit at parties. go to www.myspace.com/flambeandgasolina to hear a couple of songs done in the livingroom in one take.
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Folk/rock/jazz fusion read less
Sound
We are acheiving reasonably good recordings usings good quality pickups in our guitars, vocals with SM58's and keyboards. Watch your trim, make sure that you have the pickups at about mid level.
Features
I like the mastering effects that you can add while you're mixing. Also good reverb. With dynamic voices, you may want to use a vocal compressor/preamp.
Ease of Use
At the recording and mixing level, this product is easy to use. If you make the stereo wave files on the Fostex, and then just put the finished product on your computer, life is good. LOTS OF PROBLEMS when you try to archive tracks on your computer, and then try to import them back on the Fostex. This is a feature that has been a nightmare for us.
Quality
we've had ours for about 6 months, and it seems durable and well made. We transport it frequently in the box that it came… read more in.
Value
The item works well and is pretty good for what you pay, except for the COMPLETE LACK OF SUPPORT.
Manufacturer Support
Assume NO CUSTOMER SUPPORT. No 800 line. When you go on their site, you can fill in something that one would think leads to a person who will help you. What you get is an autoresponder email with links to the manual. It doesn't matter what you ask, this IS their idea of customer support. I repeat - THERE IS NO CUSTOMER SUPPORT. NOTHING. NADA. ZIP. I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH.
The Wow Factor
I'm happy with the product generally. It's pretty cool, it's easy to use, it's a hit at parties. go to www.myspace.com/flambeandgasolina to hear a couple of songs done in the livingroom in one take.
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Folk/rock/jazz fusion read less
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No longer available at zZounds
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