Item: FOSMR16HD
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customer reviews
82 People rated this product :
8 out of 10
2 People wrote reviews
9 out of 10
"Excellent for the aspiring newbie home recording enthusiast"
Feature:
Lots of features (input EQ presets, amp and mic simulation, 1 guitar input (DIST or CLEAN), INSERT for external equipment, reverb, 4 recording channels with XLR and TS connections), 3 mastering settings (bright, natural, powerful). Onboard preamps are a bit weak for my needs (acoustic guitar recording), but they work well enough with mics with >10-15mv/Pa sensitivity. Preamps almost too weak for my SM81 mic (5.6mv/Pa) and definitely for my SM57 mic (1.6mv/Pa) without external preamp. I wish it had stronger preamps, TRS mic inputs, and ability to turn phantom power on/off by individual channel (phantom power can only be all on or all off for the 4 input channels). I got a cheap external preamp (ART Tube MP PS) and it sounds very warm and detailed with the SM81 mic. Looking to try upscale preamp now that I know what they can do.
Quality:
Seems solid and reasonably heavy. All the knobs and faders are tight and work well. TS connections are tight - the XLR inputs seem to be not as tight but work very well. No complaints except for the buzz mentioned above (now fixed).
Value:
Lots of features and quality for the price. I set up my studio with this recorder, two SM81 mics, one SM57, one Rode NT-1a, KRK RP6 monitors, 4 mic stands, Yamaha RH5MA and Sennheiser HD280 headphones, and ART Tube MP Project preamp, for around $2500 and I am very pleased thus far. Looking to now expand my mic collection and hunting for the magical preamp.
Desirability:
Not all that sexy but it works well so I don't care about the looks. Its high appeal is purely for the VALUE of it - very high bang for the buck (features/quality for the price). Lowest price of any recorder in its class.
Sound:
Sound is very good through my KRK RP6 monitors. My unit developed a buzz after a month of use, but I sent it back to Fostex with an RA number and they fixed it. It was not an electronic hum, but rather a physical buzz, as if the outer casing was touching the hard drive and vibrating. I could touch the top of the casing near the hard drive and the buzz would stop, starting again when I let off. Fostex did a good job fixing it - they did some insulation and padding. No buzz now. A little hard drive noise but fairly quiet.
Ease of Use:
Manual is very thorough and easy to understand. Albeit written by a foreigner, but very clear and complete nonetheless. Read it through to make sure you see all the features. I made my first recording in an hour. Very easy to use basic settings to do recording. Punching in looks laborious. Very easy to edit tracks (copy, delete), bounce tracks to 2 stereo tracks, make WAV files, and export to laptop. I am still amazed at how easy it is to use, even though it is feature-packed (for a $400 recorder).
Support:
Great support thus far. Knowledgeable tech folks have answered my two email questions promptly, and service folks handled my one return for repair very professionally.
Overall:
I will probably use this for 5 years and move on up. It is just fine as recorder for now and I would rather save my $ for microphones and a preamp. I would probably get a Roland 2480 next but that is a long way off and quite pricey. I thought about going with an audio interface and computer, but I need portability and the Fostex multitracker seems to fit the bill.
Submitted: 5/10/2008
Style of Music: old time fiddle tunes on guitar, fingerpicking, song-writing
9 out of 10
"Good unit for the price"
Sound:
I had read some reviews on having hum problems on your recordings with this unit, but I have not had any. The sound quality is good.
Ease of Use:
Just take time to read the manual and will be fine. This is my frist recorder, and I had a song recorded in a few hours.
Submitted: 1/3/2008
Style of Music: Christian Praise and Worship
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