Fostex MR8 8-Track Digital Recorder with Built-In FX

Records on Compact Flash Card. Simple and easy Interface.

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Fostex MR8 MKII 8-Track Digital Recorder

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Capture inspiration whenever and wherever you are. The new MR-8 Mk II is the easiest to use digital multitrack ever. If you can operate a tape recorder, you'll be recording and multitracking within minutes of opening the box. Learn More...

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Fostex MR8 8-Track Digital Recorder with Built-In FX reviews

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561 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

 

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* * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10 zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

"Most Bang for Your Buck"

Feature:
The MR-8 may not have quite as many features as the "big boys," but I could not give it any lower than a 7 simply because of the price. In my humble opinion, it has more than enough features for a novice recorder such as myself.

Quality:
This is a tough category for me to rate because I don't take it on the road, nor have a had it long enough to have any major problems. But it seems to be built well and I don't expect to hae any problems with it.

Value:
Here is where this baby shines: It is the most inexpensive (cheap is not a word that should be associated with this product) 8 track recorder on the market, and it gets the job done. Just look at my title to this review and it is pretty self-explanatory.

Desirability:
I had to take two points away in this area because if you are anything like me, the allure of the more expensive brands will tempt you because you don't know wether a product at this price is woth buying. Another thing that I have heard people complain about is the color. I kinda like the red. It's better than plain black, white, or silver that a lot of other brands offer. Besides, I have seen websites that have black Fostex MR-8's if you don't like red or need something that will fit in with the rest of your setup.

Sound:
Simply put: you get out of it what you put into it. I'm tired of people bashing this machine's sound. Take it for what it is: a recorder. It is not a mixer, it is not a sampler, or anything else. It records. So if you don't like the effects, buy a mixer or something so that you can add effects before you record. When you look at the big recording studios, you don't see cheap mics,setups with no mixers,or Casio keyboards. The actual recorder is just a very small part of a professional setup. So I think that anybody who complains about the MR-8's sound is expecting too much. I have created some beautiful sounding things and I'm sure if I had professional equipment, i could get near-profeesional sounding results.

Support:
Like my quality rating, this one is hard to judge because I have not had to use it (which is a good thing). But I can say that the website has a lot of info and FAQs for this product. The Fostex website also has compatible flash cards for all of you babies who keep whining that there isn't enough time on the included card.

Overall:
In my opinion, this product is one that can grow with me as I grow musically. As I said before it all depends on how dedicated you are as far as adding professional equipment around it. It is definintely worth the mony and it is in a class all by itself as far as value. If it were lost or stolen I would replace it, except I probably will not have $300 again any time soon.

Submitted: 11/16/2004

Style of Music: Gospel

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* * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

"MR-8 in Live Recording Applications"

Feature:
THE single nicest feature (for a unit in this price range) is the TWO XLR inputs. I used these inputs -- direct from a stereo submix bus on a large Mackie board at the Forum in Harrisburg -- and achieved excellent results. MORE simul inputs and things like EQ would be terrific, but we're talkin' about a $250 box here. DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL the OS upgrade from the Fostex site -- it makes the USB and file management tasks more reliable and easy to use, AND allows support for larger -- up to 2GB -- CompactFlast cards. You WILL want a larger card! Having both USB and SPDIF connections -- again, on a box in this price range -- is a good deal. If you're looking for portability and KILLER effects, consider the Zoom PS04 (no digi I/O though, so you'll hafta use an external SmartMedia card reader to move tracks to a PC -- also no XLRs!)

Quality:
I've seen reviews where folks have claimied that their "buttons are falling off" and other nightmares, but the box has held up for me extremely well. The LCD display could be brighter/clearer and battery life could be longer (heck, it COMES with a wall-wart power supply), but in general I think it's well-built.

Value:
Definately a good investment for the beginning recordist or someone looking for a portable box to do live recording. More/better effects and digital compression (the use of native, uncompressed WAV files accounts for the "short record times" that I've seen as the BIGGEST complaint about this box) would be an improvement, but for the price, there's nothing other than the Zoom PS-04 that comes close. Note that while the Zoom PS-04 DOES indeed include a plethora of killer Zoom effects, it's only 4 tracks (40 "virtual" tracks) and does NOT include digital I/O nor XLRs.

Desirability:
The red color's a bit funky, but hey!

Sound:
Even at the reduced sample rate (I use that for live recording), the MR-8 performs remarkably well. The on-board efects are a bit cheesy, but the "Bright" mastering effect does an excellent job w/ acoustic tunes. (The "Natural" mastering effect does very little; the "Powerful" mastering effect is like a "Loudness" buttton -- not recommended).

Support:
Fostex tech support has been GREAT about getting back to me on the two occassions where I had technical questions (same-day responses via email). DO use their website, both for FAQs (such as which CF cards work!) and to get the operating system upgrade. NOTE: USE THE "UNDO" BUTTON IF YOU"RE DOIN' MULTIPLE TAKES!!! Otherwise, each take is SAVED -- EVEN if you re-record over the take on the SAME track/v-track!!! That'll seriously KILL the total record time of the box.

Overall:
The MR-8 does what it's designed to do. Do be aware of the short record times (using the "UNDO" button as noted will help that, as will a larger CF card and upgrading the OS per the Fostex website) and the somewhat limited effects. With the GB CF card and the XLR ins, this box'll be my travelling buddy for live shows for years to come.

Submitted: 12/1/2005

Style of Music: Zappa to Hedges

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About This Product!
Description
Docs
Fostex has broken the digital recorder price barrier with their new MR8. It's the world first 8-track that records into solid-state, Compact Flash Card memory - and there's more! It's got a USB port for WAV file data transfer to a Windows PC for data editing, CD burning, and backup. And operating the MR8 is more intuitive than many other digital recorders - it's ideal for users who have no experience in digital multi-track recording.

Most of the functions appear on the top panel physically instead of page surfing on LCD. Need to make a change? You don't have to page through menus, just grab a knob! The LCD and self-illuminating keys show you the current status visually. The MR8 also provides built-in digital reverb and delay, 2 inputs (one XLR and one 1/4 in.), uncompressed 16-bit/44.1kHz recording quality, 2-track simultaneous recording (full 8-track playback), mastering effects, an optical S/PDIF output, and a built-in mic so you never lose those melodies that pop into your head in the middle of the night. The MR8 may be powered by 6 AA batteries or the included AC adapter. Now high-quality digital recording is more affordable than ever!

Features
8 tracks recording and playback

128MB Compact Flash included!

The world first 8-track recording into solid-state memory (Compact Flash Card)

Records to CompactFlash (CF)

Simple & Easy Interface

No menus to navigate

Knob/Button for each function

On-Board Effects

Reverbs

Delays

Guitar FX

Amp Simulator

Mic Simulator

Mastering

USB Port

.WAV import/export

Archiving

CD Burning

2 XLR Mic Inputs

2 Guitar Inputs

S/PDIF Digital Output

Built-In Microphone for quick recording of ideas or events

Portable - Battery Operated

2 Headphone Jacks

The MR8's main applications include: songwriters, traveling musicians, beginning recording enthusiasts, and project studios. With just over 2 hours of battery time (6 AA), the MR8 offers an affordable portable field recorder solution where timecode is not needed.

Technical Info

Recording Medium: Compact Flash Card

Recording Format: VFAT (FAT16)

Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz/22.05 kHz

Quantization: 16-bit linear

A/D Converter: 16-bit Delta-Sigma

D/A Converter: 16-bit Delta-Sigma

Number of Recording Track: 8 tracks (maximum 2 tracks simultaneous recording)

Recording/Reproduction Frequency: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (Normal Mode)

Analog In (2ch) Connector: XLR-3-31 type and f 6mm TRS phone

Input Level: -40dBV (MIC) - +10dBV (LINE)

Input Impedance: 1.5k ohm or more (XLR)

Stereo Out (L, R) Connector: f 6mm stereo phone

Load Impedance: More than 16 ohm

Output Level: 20mW or more (at 32 ohm)

MIDI Out: Connector DIN 5 pin

Foot Switch: Connector: f 6mm phone Level TTL level

USB Connector: B type (data save/load controlled from PC)

S/P DIF Connector: Optical

Format: IEC 60958 (S/PDIF) 44.1kHz only (Normal Mode)

Dimensions (H x D x W): 65 x 215 x 283 mm

Weight: Approximately 1.9 kg (1.6 kg, without AC adapter)

Power Supply: AC Adaptor AD12A (supplied accessory) or 6 x AA alkaline battery
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