fostex mr8 and software

[FIX]

hello. this is my first post. i have been doing my own music for approx. 10 years and i am now just ready to go the digital way as far as recording goes.

after much research on this page and mfgrs. i have come to the conclusion that the mr8 would fit nicely into my budget and for my needs. (i was also looking at the tascam portastudio 5)

my only question is, is some kind of software absolutely necessary? i have been reading good stuff about ntracks after reading some of the other users posts on this site. thing is though, call me old fashioned or what have you, im not very good (rather ignorant you can even say) as to learning software. i know, i know, even this day in age.

would software be avoidable? the only thing i would like to do is just upload tracks and maybe clean them up a bit and just burn to CD. or if anybody can direct me in the right direction i would really appreciate that. thanks, i hope to learn alot from this site. adios!

cliff notes: is software absolutely neccessary for using mr8?

[Ed Dixon]

You can do everything (but CD burn) directly on the MR8, but I really recommend getting to know some simple PC mixing software.

Most of them have many features, but you only need to learn a few for basic editing and mixdown. It's really worth the time.

Ed

[kesterdevine]

Hi FIX,

I'm wondering what kind of equipment you are accustomed to using for recording. What kind of set up do you have now?

I agree with Ed that learning some of the basic software skills will be beneficial. But, from my own experience of being a computer novice and used to a four track cassette porta studio, I have to say that you may be a bit disappointed/frustrated with the MR8.

It's a great machine for what it will do, and very affordable. But without being able/willing to transfer tracks to a PC you are going to find the MR8 very limiting. It has no EQ. And the provided CF card will not hold much data. Upgrading to a larger card will also be an added expense and still not provide all that much storage.

I have had pretty good success tracking on the MR8 and mixing down to a freestanding CD burner. The sound quality is really good in general. But the overall limitations are obvious.

I have to say, honestly, that without the aid of a PC and software the MR8 is virtually useless. Really.

Think it through before you buy.

Cheers,
Kester

[kdgospel]

FIX,
The way I started learning computers was by trying to do music on one. N-track was one of the easiest programs to learn. If you have experience with sound equipment in general you won't have any problem learning N-track.

[cellardweller]

It seems everyone with a budget crunch arrives at the same decision, MR8/N-track. Ntrack is really not that hard to figure out, I even figured out most of the basics pretty quick (relatively quick for being slow!).

I found the whole audio software concept to be intimidating, until I started twiddling around, then realized that complexity IS a good thing. The basics for mixing tracks (at least on my level) are pretty painfully obvious. Not to menion the many people around here and on fasofts forum who are more than happy to answer questions... The author of N track has even personally responded to questions I've had in the past!

Can't beat it with a stick for $49.

[dave in toledo]

if yoove been recording that long you shouldnt have a problem, n track is very user friendly, and very intuitive, the graphics are going to look familiar....
donwload the free version and mess around with it..nothing to loose, then make your decision

[FIX]

hey guys thanks alot for all the suggestions and ideas. i think im gonna dl ntracks and mess around with it.