Fostex MR8HD Multitrack Recorder User Reviews at zZounds

"Great home recording, easy to use - BUT, no customer support if you need help" submitted April 24, 2007

By a customer from forces.gc.ca

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Features

Ease of Use

Quality

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Manufacturer Support

The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Active Musician

Music Style: Folk/rock/jazz fusion

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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. Feature: 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 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. Overall: 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.

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"Great recorder for under $400" submitted December 2, 2005

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Sound: The quality of the sound is crystal clear. There is a slight HDD whine if you listen closely, but since all inputs are remove mics, inst or line-ins .. it's not an issue Feature: The features are pretty good at such a price point. 4 tracks simultanous, each with their own trim posts. 48v phantom power on all mics too. Input A is setup for a guitar input with a switch in the back for guitar /mic. Setup for guitar, you have 3 amp models and distortion control. Other effects are "hall" effects for ambiance as well as direct reverb/delay controls for customization. THE ONE DOWNSIDE: When you are recording 1 track at a time, you are forced to only use the Input-A. You can not route Input-B thru Input-D to a single track as they are only live when doing simultaneous track recording. So, if you are recording different instruments, you have to unplug the previous source and plug in the new one into Input-A. I think this is a pain. If you have 4 sources, IMO you should be able to patch any input into any single track. I've emailed this suggestion to the company. The good news that they can provide new firmware updates and you can install thru USB. Quality: Seems solid. Value: 4 tracks at the same time, 40GB HDD with a $399 street price. Manufacturer Support: I did email the track routing suggestion and got the obligatory "I'll send it to the engineers in Japan". It would have been nice to receive a more personal note. The Wow Factor: It's nicely designed and appears to be a professional product. Overall: Overall, I think it's a great deal.

18 of 19 people (94.74%) found this review helpful. Did you?

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"Love this thing!" submitted February 27, 2006

By a customer from graffiti.net

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Musical Background: Professional DJ, Singer in a band, electronics engineer, 14 years guitar playing

Music Style: Loud and heavy - but melodic (ugh mudvayne!)

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Sound: Ive only used it through the unbalanced inputs so perhaps Im not being fair, but there was noticeable sound "waving" and slight hissing, but only really noticeable through headphones. The quality is very good, perhaps Id rate it higher when I try the nise reduced balanced inputs. Feature: Perfect for my needs and more! People stating you cannot record multiple tracks to a single track, hmmm perhaps you should study the unit more, you have the capability of "bouncing" tracks you recorded to 5/6 , 7/8 or moving tracks to other tracks, this gives endless possibilities. You can also playback your recordings and record 1-4 to 5/6 or 1-6 to 7/8 without the need for inputs. It took me a while to work this out, but when I did, was invaluable!! I love the fact you can set the delay/echo for EACH CHANNEL (1-4) without having to program it in, its done easily by knobs, EXCELLENT for voice and effect dubbing after. I love playing with this thing! Ease of Use: Once you get the hang of it you wont put it down, sinple interface, MUCH easier than my previous zoom 10 track, individual control is muh easier! Quality: some is plastic, but its heavy and feels sturdy. Some people say "I wouldnt drop it" but, well, I wouldnt drop my $300 ipod either! I dont buy stuff to drop it....dunno bout you guys. Build quality to me is the pots and sliders, perhaps the buttons, which are very solid and should last a good amount of use, Again MUCH better than my previous Zoom 10 track. Value: I'd give it 11 if I could, SUPERB value for $400. Manufacturer Support: Emailed once, had a aoftware issue, took 5 days to reply, but I did get one! Dont like the idea of no phone support though. The Wow Factor: the unit is a very solid performer. I sing in a band and have found the overdubbing of this unit to be very efficient. It should also be noted, this hard drive is FAST! again.......the zoom I had, I could go make my tea, come back and it would still give me the "wait..." screen. This baby is almost immediate. Highly recommended! Overall: Very satisfied, perfect for bands who want to record demos or gigs the bounce and copy function give endless multitrack possibilities.

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"'black little awesome monster'" submitted September 17, 2007

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Musical Background: Recording Engineer

Music Style: pop

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Sound: Good sound at 16 bits and 24 bits sigma/delta. I m amazed by its deliverance in clarity. Feature: Reverb and inserts are basic but better with others like FX and compressor. Ease of Use: No problem. Quality: Good built for the promised. Value: With CDR this thing is a standalone mini studio. Manufacturer Support: ok. The Wow Factor: I got it. Overall: A true 16 bit recorder that gives you more than 16 bit if mixed in computer software. The USb is simply fantastic for mixing and backup. What you need, you will not lack in features and support of this 'black little awesome monster'.

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"Great tool for singer/songwriters, 4 piece bands wanting to learn recording and learn from recording." submitted November 15, 2006

By a customer from istar.ca

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Musical Background: Active Musician

Music Style: Singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist

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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

Sound: Very good value. The quality of sound is excellent - the mastering effects allow you to give the final product one of three overall sounds, and that gives it some polish that the uninitiated may not be able to pull off. With decent mikes, good pickups in our guitars, and a good keyboard, we are able to do some pretty slick stuff. Feature: You are able to add some good effects. We like to add some reverb to the vocals, and we like the warmth of the "amp" sound that you add to the guitar tracks. We wish it had some rythms, and so will probably buy some kind of "groove" thing. This thing doesn't have tons of features, but for what we want to do as singer/songwriters, we're happy campers. Ease of Use: The learning curve is not nearly as hideous as I thought it would be. We were able to use it right away, and found the manual well written, logically organised, well indexed, and were really pleased with the many helpful diagrams. The manual is written as a learning tool, and so it explains the concepts, not just assuming that you have recording experience and want to know what buttons to press. The user interface is logical and user-friendly. Quality: Looks good, works well. Can't speak to the issue of durability, because we've only had it for a couple of months. It would be nice if it came with a case. Value: For $500 bucks, this is amazing. Manufacturer Support: There's no 1-800-whaaaa number, but the manual is good, and they answer their emails. The Wow Factor: For anyone who wants to set up a home studio on a fixed budget to do demos, learn about recording, etc... this is a must have item. Beleive me, if you haven't done anything like this before - you want this. GOOD TOY!!! Stretch yourself - get a demo together so you can GET MONEY!!! Overall: Right now, we're very happy with this tool. In the future, when we have recording experience under our belt, and have a big pile of money, we may want to kick it up a level and get something with more features - but we'll have to get a pile of money to do that, and that ain't happnin any time soon.

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"Great deal for the money." submitted January 6, 2006

By a customer from yahoo.com

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Value

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The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Pro

Music Style: Jazz and R&B, Rock

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VERIFIED BUYER

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

Sound: Took it on a couple of gigs and it sounds great. Feature: Ease of use is a great plus. I didn't have to bury my head in a manual to get a good recording. Quality: Looks solid to me. Value: Can't beat the price with the features. Manufacturer Support: Amazing. The unit qualified for a free factory upgrade. They were very nice to deal with. Customer service actually called me twice. WOW! The Wow Factor: solid setup Overall: I am listening to a live recording that I did while typing this. It sounds great.

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"Pros, STAY AWAY... Good amateur home machine" submitted December 18, 2005

By a customer from dolby.com

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The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Recording engineer and engineer

Music Style: Choral and Classical

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VERIFIED BUYER

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

Sound: Quirky to set up if using phantom powered mics. The idiot who wrote the software somehow thought that people using it would get horribly confused if the phantom power were to engage like last time he used the machine. So at power-down, power-power up, phantom power shows "on" but isn't. You have to cycle it to get it back. So a quick power loss is a REAL hassle, down several menus to get it back up... YUK!.. Once it's back up.. Works ok. Sound is good, pretty smooth because Fostex use 24 bit converters truncated to 16/44.1. This is actually quite a nice compromise and works well with wide dynamics that choral/classical requires. Feature: Four inputs, Basically why I bought the machine. I have the previous model with two input but as those who own one know the VF80 has a crucial defect: digital rubbish gets into the phantom power so one CANNOT use phantom powered mics with the VF80. No biggie, one just has to carry around a couple of beringer preamps and NEVER use the VF80 for phantom power. However... The MR-8HD has a critical problem. The poor sap who wrote the software can't handle 32 bit integers! This means that the MAXIMUM length of a "song" is about 1 hr... So?? Well if you are doing choral/clasical recordings this REALLY matters! DO NOT BUY THIS MACHINE if you are doing professional stuff! Once the machine crashes into the 32bit barrier, it not only stops recording... It also cancels the analog output so a backup machine attached to line out... FALLS SILENT... OK, to not be able to write 32bit software is unfortunate, to drop the single bit flag which enables a backup machine to take over when you can't cope... Unforgivable!!!!! Quality: Compared to my trusty VF80, this is pretty tacky actually. I would make sure you pack it REALLY carefully. It's pretty flimsy actually and not in any way roadworthy. The controls are really pretty grotty and not adapted to hard use. Treated with loving care, it would be OK but as far as location stuff is concerned, I wouldn't frankly. Home recording, fine. Road work.. Nah! I'd give the "faders" about 1000 ops tops. The all important input trim is about as unprogressive as I have found. Seriously chaps, I designed things as bad as this when fresh out of school and that was decades ago! Don't they teach analog engineering any more??? Oh yes... I forgot... They don't.. Pity... Value: For short recordings, at home (NOT ON THE ROAD) this is a wonderful machine. For a pro it's a disaster waiting to happen but.. If you want to record 5-10minute songs.. It is truly great! Very flat, good dynamics owing to the 24 bit converters. Quirky to set up but once you get to know the idiot bits... OK. Hopefully Fostex will take the chorus of dissaproval of the machine's horrible faults to heart and do something about its really critical flaws. Maybe not... They never fixed the phantom power problem on the VF80 so maybe the MR-8HD owners will be left swinging in the wind.. Still at $400 it's pretty good.. Just don't trust it further than you can throw it if you are a pro. Manufacturer Support: Dunno yet... I'll update this when I find out... I have delivered a blast about the machine's dropping out AND CANCELLING MONITOR IN!!! When the software can't cope (so your backup machine falls s i l e n t. Seriously, cannot emphasize enough... THIS MACHINE HAS A CRITICAL FLAW for location use... DO NOT BUY IF YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL with an important gig... OK it's a cheap direct to disk machine and does this well AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT LEAVE IT UNATTENDED. If you do you will be sorry! VERY SORRY! The Wow Factor: Home musicians, especially combo's this is GOOD. Classical recorders STAY AWAY. This does not work for unattended classical recording!!!! It SHOULD.. But Fostex employed an idiot (maybe a whole TEAM of idiots) to work on the software, so it doesn't. Overall: Well the predecessor the VF80 was pretty good... Lousy phantom power.. Annoyingly horrid shift buttons etc and the MR-8HD is an almost worthy successor...It's just so horribly flawed in some really important features I would avoid it for classical work. Such a pity really, everything one could want is there, just SO badly implemented it's a real shame. I really don't know whether Fostex can upgrade the OS so it CAN cope with 32bit values and actually become a worthy successor. The hardware is all there, it's just the software which lets it down so horribly... Such a pity really, they almost had it and just let really major software stupidity trash what should be a magnificent machine.

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"Great bang for buck" submitted October 5, 2005

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Sound: Good sound if keep mix 'dry' Feature: Good featureset for the price. On the neg side, very limited multi-take capability ie can't store multiple takes per track. Quality: Seems reasonably solid. Had a major blackout in my area that caused the power to go up and down rapidly (about 5 times in 7 seconds). Amazingly there was not impact to the hard drive and the song was even intact. Value: Very good value for dollar. Manufacturer Support: Had to deal with them and they were very helpful via email. The Wow Factor: Fairly intuitive

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"Constant File System Crashes and NO support from FOSTEX." submitted February 8, 2006

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Sound: Recording with unbalanced 1/4" instrument MIC was ok. Noise reduced by 1/2 when I switched to balanced XLR. Was pleased with the results. The problem is with the file system, which kept crashing. Feature: Had everything I was looking for. Quality: The unit itself wasd esigned well except for the file system which kept crashing. I tried 2 different units with the same results. Manufacturer Support: The manufacturer was only accessible through email

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"Great unit for the money." submitted December 12, 2005

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The Wow Factor

Musical Background: Hobbyist, part time cover band

Music Style: Classic Rock

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Sound: Very good sound quality for the money. Reverbs and amp simulations are OK, except for the distortion, which is not so good. I would have rather had EQ built in than all the effects, since I will mostly use my own effects. Feature: Actually four mono tracks and two stereo tracks. You don't have eight independent mono tracks as the name might imply, but with a little planning you can do most of what you need for nice quality demos. Four simultaneous inputs is great in this price range. The editing functions are great and fairly powerful. The autopunch function is wonderful for someone like me who makes a few mistakes here and there - very easy to fix them. I can occasionally hear a slight click on the individual track when I punch in/out, but it hasn't been noticeable in the final mix. 40GB of hard drive space is more than enough. Quality: Built fairly sturdy. I have read some comments on the MR-8 where people claim the buttons wear out. I assume this has the same buttons but am not sure. I've only had mine for a couple of weeks so too early to tell. Value: I think this is a great unit for the money. Manufacturer Support: Haven't had to use it. The Wow Factor: I bought it and am glad I did.

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"Go to Zappa's world of applientology (in Joe's Garage) and you might find a better one." submitted September 25, 2008

By a customer from yahoo.com

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Musical Background: Hobbyist at times, Active Musician at times

Music Style: Rock, prog

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VERIFIED BUYER

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.

Sound: Sound quality is an issue to me. This machine has very limited effects and their instructions are vague as all hell. I have sent them repeated emails WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE. I'd really like to tap into and record through my multieffects unit. Their explanation in their book is not good enough. It simply doesn't work. I wanted to find out about using an external mixer. I NEVER GOT AN ANSWER. I prefer setting my own eqs. Feature: The product included the plug in. The most useful features are the few effects it has. I find it not to be the best machine as far as recording guitar. I've used a lot of Fostex machine and I automatically assumed that this would be similar. I should have studied up more on the damned thing. I will not buy another Fostex product primarily because THEY DON'T ANSWER MY EMAILS. Ease of Use: It's easy enough, but not easy to use with other products. Quality: I don't trust Fostex "quality" at all anymore. Value: No Manufacturer Support: Fostex better start dealing with their customers or they aren't going to have any. The Wow Factor: A machine having sex appeal? That's an illogical stance unless you are listening to Zappa's excellent "Joe's Garage". Overall: This will be replace.

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Fostex MR8HD 8-Track Hard Disk Recorder

User Ratings

"Great home recording, easy to use - BUT, no customer support if you need help" submitted April 24, 2007

"Great recorder for under $400" submitted December 2, 2005

"Love this thing!" submitted February 27, 2006

"'black little awesome monster'" submitted September 17, 2007

"Great tool for singer/songwriters, 4 piece bands wanting to learn recording and learn from recording." submitted November 15, 2006

"Great deal for the money." submitted January 6, 2006

"Pros, STAY AWAY... Good amateur home machine" submitted December 18, 2005

"Great bang for buck" submitted October 5, 2005

"Constant File System Crashes and NO support from FOSTEX." submitted February 8, 2006

"Great unit for the money." submitted December 12, 2005

"Go to Zappa's world of applientology (in Joe's Garage) and you might find a better one." submitted September 25, 2008