Fostes Mr8 Recording Question Please!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ricoinats
  • Start date Start date
R

Ricoinats

New member
I'm thinking of purchasing the Fostex MR8 specifically for recording sit down interviews with myself and two other people. Being stupid, I can't understand how to do this if it only records two tracks simutanously. If I had all three of us on seperate mics do I need a mixer (because there are only two xlr in connections on the MR8)? If so, doesn't the mixer send only one line in to the fostex or one line for each track. If one line for each track then I'm back to the problem with not enough inputs to the MR8 and the fact that it only records two tracks simutaneously. Yes, I'm new and I don't understand how to record on multi tracks and eventually getting them into the computer (do I need three line ins on the computer to get all three tracks?). The bottom line is this, can I use just one microphone if I had to (like a PZM) and if so, is a mixer not necessary and the MR8 a good way to go? I just want to record three voices from an interview (so it has to be in real time as far as delivery,etc.) get it on a computer, edit, and burn onto CD. Just that simple procedure seems so complicated. Can the Fostex MR8 handle this and what other equipment to I need to get it into a computer with a cheap sound card (Extigy?) Thanks everyone!!!
 
You are right in the fact that you actually need to record 3 tracks simultaneously if you are recording 3 people. But you can do this with a external mixer and still come out cheaper than buying a more expensive recorder. You can get a Behringer mixer that will suffice for approx. $60 or $70. As for getting the recorded tracks on your pc, you don't have to worry about multiple inputs. The MR8 has a USB connection and you can transfer the recorded material to your pc via the USB connection.

You could not use a external mixer and just have the two interviewees use the same mic.
To answer your question "will the MR8 do what you are wanting to do?". I think it will do a good job for you at a very inexpensive price.
Also, what kind of soundcard you have on your pc is not really important. Until I bought a soundcard I was using the AC97 audio built into my motherboard.
 
Thanks for your input. If I understand you correctly, I can get a mixer, such as the Behringer you suggested, with three mics and then all three tracks will be recorded into the MR8 even though it only records two tracks at the same time? That's what I don't understand. Does the mixer combine the three tracks to get them all into the MR8 (even though it only accepts two at the same tiem)? Do I still end up having three tracks or really just two by the time it gets into the computer? Sorry for probably asking the same question again. Thanks again you're very helpful.
 
options

there are a couple of options that you could look at.

first off, you could mix all 3 mikes into a single channe/track. if you do not have the need for them to be separated, this will work fine. And if need be, you could mix into a stereo track. Since all 3 of you aren't (at least not soposed to be) talking at the same time, this should not be a problem. Behringer has some really inexpensive mixers, that will do this fine.

Even without the mixer, You could even keep 1 mike for you, and have the other 2 pass the mike back and forth, and record 2 distinct and seperate tracks. this way you will have 2 separate mono tracks. your voice, and theirs.

most mixers now days have stereo outputs, which feed both sides of the signal to the recording device. so the mixer isn't a problem, or for that matter, niether would be recording one track with all 3 voices.

heck. depeding on your editing skills, you could technically ask the question off mike, record their response on channel 1 and channel 2. then go back after the fact (or pre record your questions) and add your voice on the 3rd track.

thats the thing about the multi=tracks. they are easy to use and you have lots of options.

good luck
 
I'd seriously consider something else. The MR8 has limited memory capacity. How long are your interviews? What sort of quality do you want to end up with? Are you going to publish the sound in any way? eg release a CD etc.?

I dont believe you'd need to "mix" people separately. As long as you get each person at the right volumen level BEFORE you record, you should be able to get away with having them all on the same audio track.

I'd be looking into one of the MP3 players that can record sound, and have a big hard drive (I think some of the iPods can record?) - buy a mixer if need be, and a couple of mics. And simply record it all as one take in stereo, or as a mono file.

I think the iPods can link to computer via USB, so you could transfer the file from it to the computer for editing.

Tube
 
It mostly boils down to two issues. First, what are you going to do with the recorded result? Second, how long will these interviews be?

Many interviews are later transcribed. If that is the case, then recording all three from the built in mic on the MR8 would probably work fine. Using 2 mics would be the next simple option. As others have said, a small mixer would allow more than 2 mics.

The standard 128MB memory card will record about 24 minutes of data on one track. This goes to 48 minutes in extended mode. Using a 512 card increases these times to 96 and 192 minutes.

Ed
 
I would want CD quality lasting around 30 min. As I've told Hard 2 Hear the hardest part of all this to understand is if I use a mixer with three mics to a recorder that only records two tracks at the same time (Fostex MR8) and then send it to the comuter via USB, how many tracks do I end up with on the computer? If it's only one then why not just use a PZM microphone for all three of us and blow away the mixer? Thanks everybody for being patient. You've all been a really big help and I do really appreciate it.
 
Ricoinats said:
I would want CD quality lasting around 30 min. As I've told Hard 2 Hear the hardest part of all this to understand is if I use a mixer with three mics to a recorder that only records two tracks at the same time (Fostex MR8) and then send it to the comuter via USB, how many tracks do I end up with on the computer? If it's only one then why not just use a PZM microphone for all three of us and blow away the mixer? Thanks everybody for being patient. You've all been a really big help and I do really appreciate it.
Click to expand...


This is your best option if you are set on the mr8. Forget the extra mics and mixer etc. and just record using one mic on one track.. This will allow maximum time. Again though, I'd consider something other than the mr8. It has a lot of functions and in-depth stuff particular to music recording that will simply be wasted if you are only recording interviews.

iPOD links below - see what you think, the iPOD with dock costs 399 and that comes with 20 GIG HARD DRIVE!!....Massive amounts of recording time)

Couple that with a griffin iPOD voice recording mic....

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...x7qxeAbo2zCMzS91OAOuvMH/1.3.0.5.10.3.9.1.13.0

for a measly 40 bucks....

I guarantee it will blow the mr8 away for ease of use, functionality, recording time....

You could transfer the audio to the mac or PC and edit it.

Tube
 
With the MR8 you have 3 options:

1. Record using built in mic. Results in a single track and up to 96 min using a 512 MB memory card.

2. Record using 2 mics. Results in two separate tracks and up to 48 min using a 512 MB memory card.

3. Record using 3 mics and a mixer. Results in two separate tracks and up to 48 min using a 512 MB memory card.

However if your interviews last much longer than 30 min, options 2 and 3 may be a problem.

You mentioned you wanted CD quality for these recordings. Option 3 will clearly yield this with a mic for each person. Option 2 will also yield this as long as persons 2 and 3 are close together. Option 1 will be a little different as all are coming through a single built-in mic.

What do you plan to do with these CD recordings? What is the overall purpose?

Ed
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top