loveofjazz
Sheep Defiler
Looks like someone near by is selling one of these. There aren't many reviews out on this particular unit, either.
Anyone familiar with this model?
Pros?
Cons?
Anyone familiar with this model?
Pros?
Cons?
S
solaris1982
New member
Yes, and I love mine. Any specific questions you have, I'm happy to answer.
Terfyn
New member
I like mine too. I've had my MR16 HD/CD for some four months now and it is a good machine if a little quirky. For example it does not have the three EQ knobs to control the tone of the input but it does have 33 preset Input EQs which you can listen too before recording.
The software can be updated (1.05 at present) so the machine is slightly future proof.
The MR series were originally designed to download to a computer for disk burning. Fostex provide a software download called WavManager to help in the download process. Hard disk and CD burner were addons but perform perfectly well.
The web site:-
http://www.fostexusa.com/index.php?file=home
will supply much of the info you need, you can download the User Manual, Supplementary Manual for the HD and the HD/CD machines and a Service Manual. We now have a section in the Users Forum (look under Support) with a lot of the problems, others have had, answered.
Check the HD of the sellers machine for noise. The HD is easy to change but costs a few $s. I would also download the User Manual to see if the machine will do what you want.
The software can be updated (1.05 at present) so the machine is slightly future proof.
The MR series were originally designed to download to a computer for disk burning. Fostex provide a software download called WavManager to help in the download process. Hard disk and CD burner were addons but perform perfectly well.
The web site:-
http://www.fostexusa.com/index.php?file=home
will supply much of the info you need, you can download the User Manual, Supplementary Manual for the HD and the HD/CD machines and a Service Manual. We now have a section in the Users Forum (look under Support) with a lot of the problems, others have had, answered.
Check the HD of the sellers machine for noise. The HD is easy to change but costs a few $s. I would also download the User Manual to see if the machine will do what you want.
loveofjazz
Sheep Defiler
Just got back from checking it out. I talked him down to $275.00. I think I did okay. The current price at Musicians Friend is $499.00.
I took a guitar and bass and checked for any kind of input noise. I got a slight buzz using my bass...until I realized I was standing right next to his computer monitor, which was on at the moment. Turned off the monitor, and no more noise was present.
The seller had been importing his completed tracks to his computer once he had his mix levels straight. Once the file was imported, he would use Adobe Audition to mix his recording. I called my older brother (who is much more familiar with recording software than I) and discussed potential solutions. He mentioned Cool Edit Pro (Adobe Audition). $349.00 at Adobe's website...ouch!
I'm tapped for cash for now. This was the last purchase I could make for a while.
I may lean toward less savory manners of appropriating the aforementioned software, or at least an earlier version of it.
I took a guitar and bass and checked for any kind of input noise. I got a slight buzz using my bass...until I realized I was standing right next to his computer monitor, which was on at the moment. Turned off the monitor, and no more noise was present.
The seller had been importing his completed tracks to his computer once he had his mix levels straight. Once the file was imported, he would use Adobe Audition to mix his recording. I called my older brother (who is much more familiar with recording software than I) and discussed potential solutions. He mentioned Cool Edit Pro (Adobe Audition). $349.00 at Adobe's website...ouch!
I'm tapped for cash for now. This was the last purchase I could make for a while.
I may lean toward less savory manners of appropriating the aforementioned software, or at least an earlier version of it.
S
solaris1982
New member
There are a couple easy/inexpensive solutions to your problem.
Personally, I record to the fostex, then import to my computer and use Reaper. (www.reaper.fm) It's free to try, and it's non-expiring shareware. If you don't feel like paying the $50 to register, the programmer won't lose any sleep over it. It will still function perfectly (though really...$50 isn't much). It comes with some pretty good beginner plug-ins too, so it's a good learning experience.
There's also audacity. It's 100% free, but I've never used it so I can't speak for the usefulness/ease of it. I know there are plenty on this board that use it for one thing or another, so check that out too.
Personally, I record to the fostex, then import to my computer and use Reaper. (www.reaper.fm) It's free to try, and it's non-expiring shareware. If you don't feel like paying the $50 to register, the programmer won't lose any sleep over it. It will still function perfectly (though really...$50 isn't much). It comes with some pretty good beginner plug-ins too, so it's a good learning experience.
There's also audacity. It's 100% free, but I've never used it so I can't speak for the usefulness/ease of it. I know there are plenty on this board that use it for one thing or another, so check that out too.
loveofjazz
Sheep Defiler
I appreciate the heads-up. I've been wondering how I was gonna do this.
I hope to have my recording stuff set up soon enough...I'm shooting for next week.
Thanks for the info. I'll give Reaper and Audacity a shot.
Any of you that have experience with these? Let me know...I'm interested in pros and cons...
I hope to have my recording stuff set up soon enough...I'm shooting for next week.
Thanks for the info. I'll give Reaper and Audacity a shot.
Any of you that have experience with these? Let me know...I'm interested in pros and cons...
S
solaris1982
New member
I've yet to find a single con with reaper. Pretty user friendly, and even if you've never done anything like this before, they have a user guide. Download and read it (it's long, but well worth it). There's also a link to the sample file that they will reference in the "manual." Download that as well.
http://www.cockos.com/wiki/index.php/REAPER_User_Guide
http://www.cockos.com/wiki/index.php/REAPER_User_Guide
getuhgrip
Bring Back Transfat!
I got fed up with the PCI and USB "mouse boxes" last year and just quit recording while building my house. Now that I've got a dedicated space, I think I'm going to grab the MR-16 without the burner.
I'm assuming I can mic drums to a mixer and input the signals to the MR-16. This should overcome the shortage of INs and afford me some EQ flexability.
With only sixteen tracks, I guess I'll have to learn how to creatively bounce tracks on more complicated pieces.
Glad you other guys responded with positive vibes for this relatively cheap recorder.
I'm assuming I can mic drums to a mixer and input the signals to the MR-16. This should overcome the shortage of INs and afford me some EQ flexability.
With only sixteen tracks, I guess I'll have to learn how to creatively bounce tracks on more complicated pieces.
Glad you other guys responded with positive vibes for this relatively cheap recorder.
loveofjazz
Sheep Defiler
I think I may end up recording on to this one, then loading each track separately to my computer and using Reaper to mix and edit. I still have a week or so of automotive repairs to finish before I can really focus on setting up my recording gear.
A
Alden_Sloe
New member
Haven't used ours nearly enough (lack of time) but the more I do the more I like it. I guess it's not really "pro quality" but I certainly think it does a great job for the money. I've tried using more expensive pre-amps and couldn't hear any difference.
I guess my only complaint is the way it insists on using recording tracks strictly in order. Sometimes you'd really rather just arm say track three and do nothing with tracks one and two and it doesn't seem to want to do that. Of course this could still be user error
loveofjazz
Sheep Defiler
I understand the time issue. I've got an engine coming back from the shop in pieces, and there's a substantial bit of work left to do before I can even get back to assembling it (my first engine build)...along with work, family, bills & chores...it's hard to get back to recording like I used to.
I guess my only complaint is the way it insists on using recording tracks strictly in order. Sometimes you'd really rather just arm say track three and do nothing with tracks one and two and it doesn't seem to want to do that. Of course this could still be user error
Now I'm even -more- curious...looks like I'll have to break down sometime this weekend and record with it just to see. Everyone has their way of doing things. We'll see if the machine only allows it that way.
Thanks for your two cents.
Terfyn
New member
One of the (annoying) features of the MR16 is its use of the inputs. Input A will always go to the First track armed, Input B to the Second track armed.
Example A= 1, B= 3, C= 7, D= 8
or A=6, B= 7, C/D= 9/10
So A will always go to the lowest track armed, B to the next lowest etc.
This means that for overdubbing, you always need to transfer the connections to the first Inputs.
Example
Record electric piano (stereo) to Tracks 1 & 2. Plug the piano into A & B and arm tracks 1 & 2.
Use the recorded piano to accompany voices recorded to Track 3 BUT you need to unplug the piano from A & B and plug the mic into A for the overdubbing process. Arm Track 3.
Example A= 1, B= 3, C= 7, D= 8
or A=6, B= 7, C/D= 9/10
So A will always go to the lowest track armed, B to the next lowest etc.
This means that for overdubbing, you always need to transfer the connections to the first Inputs.
Example
Record electric piano (stereo) to Tracks 1 & 2. Plug the piano into A & B and arm tracks 1 & 2.
Use the recorded piano to accompany voices recorded to Track 3 BUT you need to unplug the piano from A & B and plug the mic into A for the overdubbing process. Arm Track 3.