Fostex MR-8

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bobby Vanzandt
  • Start date Start date
back to the MR-8 ...

The only literature I've seen on the MR-8 was in the new Musician's Friend catalog. Is that where you guys read up on it?

It appears to be in direct competition with the Boss BR-532. I know it's listed as an 8 track, but stereo tracks 5/6 and 7/8 are for bouncing and mixdown.

The track time question is a biggie. I thought a 128MB card would do a little better. Is a flash card the same as a smartmedia card?

For $100 less than the Boss unit, the MR-8 has the bigger card and power supply included. But no built in mic or drum tracks. (Metronome though, right?) And what about the vocal effects, or lack of (no compression - true?)?

Does anyone have an opinion on which of these two units is a better machine, in terms of features, sound and perhaps most importantly, durability?

Thanks,

Bob
 
I guess I was wrong about a couple things: the MR-8 DOES have a built in mic and 8 playback tracks (if you send them to your PC, or whatever).

No virtual tracks, like the Boss/Roland stuff though.

Anybody actually seen this thing yet?
 
MR8 - found the manual

http://www.fostex.com/Support/pdf/MR8_OM_E.pdf

There are some answers in here.

256 MB flash is definitely something to think about.
I wonder if I need to consider compatibility with brands of them.

Still expensive, maybe in a few months they'll come down more.

Meantime, I may need to get this thing.

-j.
 
I think if the MR-8 came with 256 Mb flash for $300, I might be there. I think with 128 kb you will be somewhat limited in a time sense, unless you just deal with the 22 KHz sampling rate option (I don't want to). To resolve this recording time issue, add another $130 or so for 256 Mb high speed flash and you are now edging into Fostex VF80 territory $$$-wise and more $$$ than a used VF08, both with significantly more functionality. Still with a MR-8 and 256 Mb flash, digital transfer to a PC is "free", where with a VF80 you still need an optical S/PDIF or ADAT interface on your PC (I have neither right now). Imagine when 1G flash cards will cost $25 in a couple of years ??? Anyone have an idea what the max addressability of the MR-8 flash slot / reader is?
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the manual reference !

I just skimmed the manual and may have come across a limitation. It seems that the compact flash data can be transferred to your PC "for backup only" ...i.e from the PC you cannot extract the digital audio from the flash based backup file or files . If you transfer vial the USB port you apparently transfer .wav file data from tracks 7 and 8 only. Thus it appears that there is no way to get all MR-8 tracks separately to the PC in .wav format for final mixdown on a PC. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but this seems strange that Fostex would design it this way.

Also, the manual does not make note of flash cards above 256 MB, but does not specify a maximum capacity either.
 
junplugged - thanks for that fostex link, but it took too long to connect. So I gave up.

Surfmonster, I don't think my PC has optical interface either ... but I don't know for sure.

I'm still waiting to hear from anyone who has tried this unit. I'd like to know if it is the same caliber as the Boss 532.

I'm close to purchasing my first DAW, and face the same old dilema: I want to buy something cheap to learn on, but don't want to outgrow it right away.

So it goes.

Bob
 
Sony MDM-X4 MkII Minidisk 4 track

My first digital experience was with the Sony MDM-X4 MkII Minidisk 4 track.

It was an impulse buy back when I was making twice the money as a computer guy....

I don't think they even sell it anymore, it has no backup! And no digital out.

I liked the analog mixer it's super easy to route, barely any menus to go thru. It is compressed audio, but sounds good.

My PCs are old and it's hard to .wav and burn. I have to do the digial PC recording on the PC and that means I'm going from digital compressed MD data thru the analog mixer to the sound card on PC back to digital and, if I'm defraged enough, after a few tries, I get my .wav file, but it's never perfect, then I burn. So I don't do it often....

Now that cash is tight, the MR-8 is looking good and I might have access to one soon.

Compact flash can be backed up to PC and there's a $15 reader USB I see at Tigerdirect.com, and retail it's only like $20 or $25.
I have to check again, maybe this can be done thru the MR-8

The memory limitation: I can see going over 3 1/2 minutes on 2 to 6 tracks or so, then running out of room, and not being able to do more tracks, forcing you to combine/bounce.

Some of the manual pages had errors and I couldn't see them at all, but most of the important stuff was viewable.

-The Boss BR-532 comes with 32MB according to blurb at Musiciansfriend, that can't be storing uncompressed, 16/44.1 audio for 8 tracks, right?

Forget the specs, the Fostex is red, and the buttons light up, I'm sold. :)
 
I've been looking into this for a bit now, and checking out the Fostex forums on the Fostex America Web site as well as poking around all over the web. The manual link was a godsend, thanks!

First, it looks as if you can back up the entire song to the PC, but if you want an editable .WAV you need to export tracks 7/8.. effectively making the 8-track a 6-track. Otherwise I guess you can jack the stereo outs into your soundcard and record it in that way.. ouch.. digital to analog to digital again. If my soundcard had an external SPDIF connection this'd not be a problem.

It also appears that you can just stick the compact flash into a reader on your PC and grab stuff off it, although what format it's in isn't clear and it looks from a little reading as if the individual track files aren't "real" .WAV files.

I can get this unit for $299, a 256MB CF card for an additional $81 (newegg.com) which gives me 50 track-minutes (or enough for one six-minute long song). That's $380, close to the $499 that the VF80 can be had for.. of course.. there's no digital export mechanism on the VF80 so I'm not sure that's such a good thing.

No real EQ on the unit, but I have outboard EQ on everything so that's not an issue for me.

I dunno.. for the price, it does a lot, but you really have to own a computer to get the most out of it - or expect to buy one CF card per song you're recording (owww!). Not all that bad.
 
I ordered one over the weekend from MF after carefully reading their return policy and according to UPS tracking it should arrive tomorrow. I will give a report when I know something. I will be using it with a Berhinger 802A mixer into an MDX 1400 Autocom Pro compressor with a variety of mics and pickups. I want to record solo nylon string acoustic guitar. My plan is to grab dry audio with the MR.-8 then edit and mix it with Cakewalk Pro 8. We’ll see how it works.
 
It arrived this afternoon and it’s very red but looks nice, BUT THERE’S NO USB DRIVER FOR WIN98 and they’re not going to provide one. I found this information here http://66.12.44.170/km/custom/index.jsp . The only way you can use the MR.-8 with win98 is with a compact flash reader (might be better anyway). I haven’t had time to try other features yet. From the MR-8 Fostex FAQ
----------------------------
Q. Will you be developing a driver for MR-8 with Windows 98?
A. As far as direct USB connection of MR-8 to PC is concerned, Windows 98 cannot recognize MR-8.
Fostex is not planning to develop a driver for Win98.

However, if you use a Win 98 compatible Compact Flash Card Reader/Writer and install the driver comes with it to your PC, you can still import files from the compact flash via the card reader. This will categorically create the same scenario to directly connecting MR-8 USB to PC.
 
First time on this forum. I just received an MR 8 also and it looks like the flash card reader I use with my camera works great. I can drag and drop and the track files are wav files I can drag over separately. They play great. The extra 128 mb card Musicians Friend sent me does not seem to work with the unit though. The unit is made in china and the manual has a lot of broken english. I understand Fostex has a web page where you can find it the flash card is compatable. Does anyone know where it is ??

Thanksi
 
Fred:
Can you drag a wav file from your PC to the memory card and play it on the MR-8?
 
Havent tried that yet. Sure hope so. I formatted the extra memory card and the MR8 still would not have anything to do with it. The one Musicians Card sent was a SimpleTech. No reply from them yet.
Ill be of the computer a few days . If someone else hasnt answered your question by then Ill give it a try.
 
If you scrounge around in the FAQs on the Fostex site, you'll see that the machine only likes the newer high-performance CF cards. But those suckers are expensive, $160 for a 256MB card - yow! That means you're out $459+shipping to get enough space on a card for recording a meaningful song. 50 track-minutes is plenty, though.

How's the sound quality? The red box only has 16bit converters and I'm wondering if they're noisy or not.
 
If the physical size of the unit is not of the utmost importance then I's suggest that you spend your cash on a second hand VF-16. I'm not familiar with the prices of used VF-16s in US but if you can get a new vf160 for under $1000 then I belive it wouldn't be too hard to find a used VF16 for $500. At the price of a 256 MB CF card you can get a 40+ GB HD and the VF16 has much more features like ADAT interface, records 8 tracks at once, has 8 mic preamps.

Bobby V: BTW, where the heck is Finland NM? I know where Finland is because I live here but where's Finland NM?
 
Do yourselves a favor and wait a bit.

It seems to me that the pricepoint for digital recording equipment is about to drop through the floor. This will be good for all of us that excersize a little patience (hard to do when prices are already THIS low);) .

It started with the Zoom MRS digital recorder that was actually lower than cassette versions about 6 months ago. This probably has something to do with either a recent price drop in asian made components, or a new cheaper technology has been discovered. In either case, there are going to be more choices in cheaper units and it behooves everyone to hold their water a bit longer.

I'm predicting better gear for under $500 ($400, $300....$200 :eek: ) in the coming year.

I'm waiting for an 8 track rig with onboard sounds, at least 4 inputs, 2 FX sends/returns, onboard FXs, SCSI/IDE/ ports, Smartmedia slot and empty drive bay that will except any IDE CD burner installation. All this on the cheapie cheap. :cool:

Carl
 
I wouldn't hold my breath too long if I were you. I don't see any quantum price drop coming as there's couple of things that prevent the price of dropping too dramatically. The quality analog components like input connectors and mic preamps aren't getting significantly cheaper and if you always wait for the next generation of gear with more features at the same price then I bet you'll be doing your first tracking by the end of the century.
 
Here’s my limited first impressions after using my MR.-8 for about an hour. It’s red….. definitely red. The recording quality is good in the normal mode (I haven't used the extended mode yet) and it’s easy to figure out the basic functions but the advanced functions will take some detailed study. I like the knobs and flashing buttons much better than using a computer mouse.
Things I don’t like:
Low XLR input sensitivity. I plugged in an SM57 and the level was too low to be usable, so count on needing a pre-amp. No phantom power. No input equalization to speak of except for 3 pre-set buttons that are supposed to simulate different types of microphones. A tone knob would be more useful. No windows 98 support. That should be more prominent in the specs. I had to buy a CF card reader (20 bucks) which is more convenient than using a USB cable. (The ease of use of the card reader should be in the plus column) For my use, (solo stereo acoustic guitar) the recording time with 128mb CF card is not an issue. The audio files are in WAV format, all viewable and can be dragged and dropped like any WAV file. So far I have NOT been able to import a WAV file to the MR.-8. There are 4 effects buttons 3 reverb 1 echo. The reverb sounds tinny and in my opinion is not suitable for a quality mixdown. There are 3 mastering pre-set buttons with equalization and what sounds like compression that in my opinion are useless. Again, adjustable knobs would be better. The LCD is difficult to view unless you stand over it and look down. I will build a slanted platform to hold it at about 45 degrees.

The MR.-8 will perform the tasks that I want so I will probably keep it. I have a mixer and compressor for the input signals and will make dry recordings and use Cakewalk for editing and mastering. That’s it for now.
 
I tried one out for an hour and I thought it sounded really nice thru headphones. I didn't get to do much with it. I plugged in an electric guitar directly and it sounded nice with the sims. SM-58 for vocal and mic sim, and a little reverb. The effects are adjustable. Light, sturdy, good buttons. I distorted the input with the mic and had to turn it down for my vocal. The input switch on the back has guitar/vocal/? No manual needed to get started. Got 5 tracks down and mixed to stereo tracks 7/8 and it was a breeze. fun to use also.

I noticed I never had to switch the sources for the mixer. Faders were automatically set to adjust the output from the recorder just by hitting play. and they were then using the input when i selected the button over the fader and hit record.

Pan pots over the first 4 tracks, effect send pots too. I have no idea yet how to route your inputs to tracks 6 to 8, but i guess there's no reason to since you can bounce em over with no loss and then rec back onto tks 1 to 4, (only 2 at a time)
 
Link

Fostex just added better info on the thing here.

http://www.fostex.com/Products/mr-8.html

http://www.fostex.com/Support/pdf/MR-8_DataSheet.pdf

a lot of questions from above are in it. Nice that you can upload a wave file to it.

Somewhere I read you have no limitation on the size of the mem card.

I'd like to try to midi synch up from the out of the unit to my old DAW and cassette multi and transfer tracks. has anyone ever done that kind of thing? I need to synch since it'll only rec 2 tks at a time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top