9 out of 10
"If you are a beginner, start with the MR-8."
Feature:
I have only used the effects on a mic and they weren't as bad as everyone had said they were. Although, I can get more effects and way better quality from Cool Edit Pro. But for someone without any editing software the effects should do just fine.
I also find the MIDI function very useful for hooking up my Yamaha DGX-200.
Quality:
When I first saw the red color on the net I thought, "Yuck!" But now that I have actually played around with it I really don't mind; it actually looks kind of cool. However, the product does feal a little cheap since it is made out of hard plastic, but it can last a long time if you aren't like the backwards retards who throw theirs down the stairs and run their cars over it just to watch it break and say that BOSS is better.
Value:
This is most definitely the best value you can get for such a low price. Just remember that you are only buying the recorder. You will have to buy seperate mics and monitors to actually get it to work. Don't listen to the people who are telling you to save up for a bigger package...you will still have to buy the accessories and will end up paying much more. This product is fine for recording and even making CDs, you will; however, have to purchase a bigger flash card (I suggest Rima's 512 MB card for $36)
Desirability:
It could look better, but it will do.
Sound:
I wish the people complaining about the hissy recordings would shut up and buy an actual microphone. No, the built in mic isn't the best... but get over it and buy a real mic. The sound quality is just fine, that is if you are smarter than the idiots who have no idea how to adjust a few knobs.
Support:
I have never had to deal with the support because I have never had any problems with it.
Overall:
I plan on using the MR-8 until it breaks or until I outgrow it and decide to purchase a new one, probably a recorder with a hard-drive and CD burner. But I can expect to be using it for the next year or two.
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10 out of 10
"Make Room on your shelf for your Grammy"
Feature:
I like the internal mic, the LCD, it's very portable, and easy to use. It's pretty fun. A good feature also is the USB, but they don't include the cord with the MR8, which is bogus becuase you have to go out an buy one immediately.
It also has a S/P DIF out and midi out, but you will need more equipment to use those, I never have. It would be nice it had and effect send jack for external effects, and an equalizer.
The most notable feature overlook is the size of memory CF card. The included card is 128 MB, which is 24 minutes or 3 minutes on each of 8 tracks, in normal mode, 1 to 3 songs depending on how you record.
Quality:
Great for home use or taking to a party (depending on the party I guess) or recording your drunk budies singing "leavin on a jet plane" in the back yard. You'll want a padded bag if you plan on toting it around much. I would do carry-on, rather then check, if I went by air, about the same abuse resistenace as a lap-top computer.
Value:
Unbelievable out of the box value. It is short on some nice features, namely memory, but a great buy overall, you won't regret it. It gets you into digital recording on a budget.
Plan on buying a 512MB CF card ($118.45), you'll out grow the 128MB quickly. You will probably want a mixer as well, I ended up getting the Eurotrack 1202 for about $90 . You will also probably want Cakewalk, Power Tracks, Sonar, Cubase, Garage Band or some other software eventually ($50-$500).
Desirability:
I have one!! If you've always wanted to play with yourself, and I know you have, this is the ultimate. You won't know how you went without for so long.
Sound:
The sound is remarkably clear/good. It's amazing how well it reproduces your mistakes... the good stuff too. You probably won't like the guitar distortion, it's wierd, just mic your amp and use the stomp stomp box I know you have. I like the reverb and delay.
Support:
Check out the web site. Use the forum. It will answer your questions.
Overall:
I expect to own this for a long time. I love it, it's great. I wish I knew about the memory limitation before I bought it. At this time there are only 4 approved CF card for the MR8 and the largest approved size is 512MB, see the web site. I tried my 256MB SanDisk CF from my camera, it worked on individual tracks, but it skipped when you bounce the tracks to 5/6 or 7/8. I ended-up buying a RiDATA 512 MB approved card for $118.45 on yahoo, it works perfectly.
You may want to consider getting a mixer and some audio software such as Cakewalk. Also if portablity is not and issue and you are computer literate you may want to consider just recording directly to the hard drive on your computer. The songs end-up there anyway. You'll end-up buying a sound card, mics, mixer, large hard drives, software, cords, sound monitor, head phones, etc. Probably cost you $500, to get started recording directly to your hard drive.
Submitted: 06/04/2004
Style of Music: Blues, Acoustic, R&R
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