Fostex Mr8???

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ScreamingHead69

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I don't know much about home recording, but I'm looking into maybe buying a FOSTEX MR8 digital 8-Track. I've read mostly good things about it, and the only negitives I've heard were from one guy who seemed like a total quality geek (like I can be sometimes)and one other person who said he got nothing but static out of it, but it seemed to me more like he either just got a bad machine, or was doing somthing EXTREMELY wrong to it. Before I laid down my hard earned cash, I figured I should ask around for some straight answers since I need it to preform some vers specific tasks.
-Most of what I play and what my friends play that I would end up recording for them as well, is loud abrasive metal and grindcore. Can this thing handle the jacked up distortion levels from the guitars and screaming vocals?

-I play bass and my Apmeg head has an XLR output. Should that work for recording bass, or would I need a DI box?

-Is it possible to record a drummer onto sever tracks at once, and then mix them down to a single track to record over?

-I also use Fruity Loops to make electronic drum tracks, can I import those tracks to the Fostex to record over them?

-I'm assuming that I can play a referance track and record over it, true/false?

-Really, give it to me straight, is this worth my time?

Thank you in advance to anybody who takes the time to answer my questions, your knowlage is very much appreciated!!!

-Dave
 
For the price it is an amazing little package.

The newer model uses a HD instead of the CF card so the ones with the card just got cheaper!
 
I can't aford the HD.

But if the MR can do everything I listed above then it'll work just fine.
 
straight talk about the MR8

ScreamingHead69 said:
Most of what I play and what my friends play that I would end up recording for them as well, is loud abrasive metal and grindcore. Can this thing handle the jacked up distortion levels from the guitars and screaming vocals?

-I play bass and my Apmeg head has an XLR output. Should that work for recording bass, or would I need a DI box?

-Is it possible to record a drummer onto sever tracks at once, and then mix them down to a single track to record over?

-I also use Fruity Loops to make electronic drum tracks, can I import those tracks to the Fostex to record over them?

-I'm assuming that I can play a referance track and record over it, true/false?

-Really, give it to me straight, is this worth my time?

Thank you in advance to anybody who takes the time to answer my questions, your knowlage is very much appreciated!!!

-Dave
Click to expand...

It can record high volumes but it will clip and digital clipping is u-g-l-y.

If the XLR output is a line level out then it might be safe but if it is a speaker output it might be dangerous.

The MR8 only offers 2 track simultaneous recording so you can only record your drummer on 2 tracks

You can import any mono wave file to the MR8. If the fruity loops are stereo you'll have to convert them to mono before you can transfer them to the MR8 unless you do it in analog.

Yes you can do a reference track and delete it.

Ok here is the straight talk.

The MR8 is an inexpensive 8 track digital recorder. It has no phantom power for condender mics. It has no EQ. The 128 MB CF card that comes with it is too small. There have been a lot of complaints about the transport buttons breaking and falling down into the case. Some people, including me, believe the preamps are too weak. This is the downside of the MR8.

The upside is that it is simple to learn to use. It does record 16 bit 44.1 KHz which is CD quality but not like the 24/96 which is probably more popular today. If you learn to use it you can actually get more than 8 tracks.

IMHO if you can manage to save $150.00 more you can get the MR8HD for $399.00. I believe the MR8 is now $249.00. The HD version can record 4 tracks simultaneously. It has phantom power. It has a 40 gig hard drive. Those are 3 impoortant issues. I don't think it has EQ so you would still have to make sure you are happy with your input EQ unless you plan to take your tracks to a computer.

Let me clarify: I do not own the MR8HD, and I do not work for fostex so I have no reason to do a commercial for it. I own the original MR8 so I am very familiar with its strengths and weaknesses. I have found ways to get around the shortcomings of the MR8 and I am sure you can too if you just can't afford the extra money for the HD version. I transfer all my tracks to the computer for editing, EQ, and effects. I am pretty happy with the results I get. It just takes a little longer to transfer the tracks and mix them on the computer.

Good luck.
 
I'm a forum newbie AND a recording newbie (years ago I did have a analog 4 track).

I just got an MR8, and am trying to record acoustic guitar tracks.

I do not have a good recording environment (background house noise), and so believe I'm better off using a direct line rather than a mic.

But I'm finding that my signal going in is pretty weak without boosting my gain way up which then introduces a liitle hiss. I guess this is the weak preamp problem that ch2os7 talked about?

What I'm now trying to figure is whether to look into buying a preamp, or seriously upgrading my pickup. Am I going in the right direction? Any suggestions?

So far, I really like the machine! It's pretty much the same to use as my old 4 track.
 
ChazzMo25301 said:
I'm a forum newbie AND a recording newbie (years ago I did have a analog 4 track).

I just got an MR8, and am trying to record acoustic guitar tracks.

I do not have a good recording environment (background house noise), and so believe I'm better off using a direct line rather than a mic.

But I'm finding that my signal going in is pretty weak without boosting my gain way up which then introduces a liitle hiss. I guess this is the weak preamp problem that ch2os7 talked about?

What I'm now trying to figure is whether to look into buying a preamp, or seriously upgrading my pickup. Am I going in the right direction? Any suggestions?

So far, I really like the machine! It's pretty much the same to use as my old 4 track.
Click to expand...

Use one of these cheap Behringer Mixers to boost your signal. :D
 

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I agree

bsr2002 said:
Use one of these cheap Behringer Mixers to boost your signal. :D
Click to expand...

the mixer will also give you some front end EQ and phantom power. good call
 
or just take your $300 to ebay and buy a used fostex vf16. 8 tracks at once and 8 more if you have an adat connection. 2 xlr inputs with phantom power and all of the preamps are clean and very usable. easier than dirt to use, i can even operate it after drinking heavily to record shows. i wish i'd never wasted a year and a half trying to get the most out of my mr8 and just got a vf16 in the first place.
 
treymonfauntre said:
or just take your $300 to ebay and buy a used fostex vf16. 8 tracks at once and 8 more if you have an adat connection. 2 xlr inputs with phantom power and all of the preamps are clean and very usable. easier than dirt to use, i can even operate it after drinking heavily to record shows. i wish i'd never wasted a year and a half trying to get the most out of my mr8 and just got a vf16 in the first place.
Click to expand...
But if you don't *have* the extra coin can you deny that there is plenty to learn on the MR-8 that would directly transfer as useful on the VF16?

:)
 
After some though, research and feedback, I think I'll just be hitting my paycheck a little harder then I'd like to an dspringing for the MR8-HD. Thanks for all your help!
 
If you have a comp. i'd go for a soundcard. I have an mr-8 and now i want something new...Mostly cause 2 mic's at once is to little and because I don't like going through the MR-8 pre's after my own pre's.

And the A/D Converters Can't Be Worth Much...
 
ch2os7 said:
The upside is that it is simple to learn to use. It does record 16 bit 44.1 KHz which is CD quality but not like the 24/96 which is probably more popular today. If you learn to use it you can actually get more than 8 tracks.

IMHO if you can manage to save $150.00 more you can get the MR8HD for $399.00. I believe the MR8 is now $249.00. The HD version can record 4 tracks simultaneously. It has phantom power. It has a 40 gig hard drive. Those are 3 impoortant issues. I don't think it has EQ so you would still have to make sure you are happy with your input EQ unless you plan to take your tracks to a computer.

Let me clarify: I do not own the MR8HD, and I do not work for fostex so I have no reason to do a commercial for it. I own the original MR8 so I am very familiar with its strengths and weaknesses. I have found ways to get around the shortcomings of the MR8 and I am sure you can too if you just can't afford the extra money for the HD version. I transfer all my tracks to the computer for editing, EQ, and effects. I am pretty happy with the results I get. It just takes a little longer to transfer the tracks and mix them on the computer.

Good luck.
Click to expand...


Great post and advice- well worth listening too!

I have the MR-8 and I have nothing but praise for it as it reakky was the piece of kit I needed. I did get a 512 card for it but if I was considering it today I would splash out the extra and go for the MR-8HD. If you are in a band get something that has the extra inputs as having just 2 can be limiting. If, however, it is just you then the MR8HD is a great songwriting and demo recording tool. Very simple to use....
 
Just a personal opinion here for what it's worth. My brother owns the MR8 and my other brother owns a Zoom MRS8 (I own a Zoom PS04) I find the Zoom products to be significantly better than the Fostex though the Fostex is easier to use. The drums, guitar patches and vocal patches on the Zoom are much much better IMHO. Zoom also has a hard drive version.

All personal bias of course.

Tony
 
If i recall, the Zoom came out a couple of years after the mr8, so i hope it is better, not sure about quality/compression/features/price....

the mr8HD should also be better, but does it have phantom, any more input gain but mainly, * does it have the missing EQ!!??

you want more in the box than having to get external stuff later for even more $$ than if you saved up for a better box that would include it, then again, like effects and compression, you don't get the same quality, just similar functionality
 
Preamps in the MR8 HD?

junplugged said:
the mr8HD should also be better, but does it have phantom, any more input gain but mainly, * does it have the missing EQ!!??
Click to expand...

The MR8HD does have phantom power but no EQ. There is an interesting thread about the lack of EQ on the MR8 at the Fostex forum. There are some interesting opinions about it. One guy says we are better off without it because it will require the engineer to spend more time in mic placement etc. rather than relying on EQ to make up for lack of skills.
As far as the preamp gain, ???? Can anyone tell us whether the preamps are the same in the HD version as in the original? Some of the people who post in the Fostex forum got a little agitated when I suggested that the preamps in the MR8 are weak .
 
ch2os7 said:
The MR8HD does have phantom power but no EQ. There is an interesting thread about the lack of EQ on the MR8 at the Fostex forum. There are some interesting opinions about it. One guy says we are better off without it because it will require the engineer to spend more time in mic placement etc. rather than relying on EQ to make up for lack of skills.
As far as the preamp gain, ???? Can anyone tell us whether the preamps are the same in the HD version as in the original? Some of the people who post in the Fostex forum got a little agitated when I suggested that the preamps in the MR8 are weak .
Click to expand...
yea well THAT SUCKS!!! sorry but a big upgrade, a hdd, and no eq,...that just is weird, sure experienced recordists know about getting eq printed right, but this is a small, cheap home thing where the room is unknown and who knows what one plans to do w/ the track.

if I want a solo acoustic 2 mic thing, and i want it full and bassy and mid and treb, but it's so nice i decide to lay vox and bass, then i'm stuck, have to retrack it, it won't ever ever ever ever ebver be the same....or i have to process it thru a pc or bounce external thru some gear?

but then they have some useless 'mastering' stuff instead of eq. wow.

i'd have to say not a goo deal for the increased money. imho
 
ah my point exactly

I had posted on the Fostex forum that I would gladly trade the useless mic and amp simulation and the cheesy mastering effects for some EQ!

However, they did include 4 track simultaneous recording vs 2 track on the original, 40 gig hard drive vs CF card on the original and phantom power vs none on the orignal. Those were 3 big issues but I agree EQ is too important to ignore.

Someone contacted Fostex and reported the there are no plans to add EQ to the MR8HD in the future. So there ya have it. That's the news as I remember it. YMMV
 
Transferring to computer - not good

I'm new at this and recorded some songs using 2 mics. Sounded good through headphones and on playback through the MR8. When I play the songs on the computer they are barely audible. Is there a trick to hearing the songs on the pc?
 
same problem, SOMEONE HELP!

:confused: I love my MR8HD it rocks, and after teasing with alittle mic placement I got a great sound for me sitting in my room. But what good is a mr8hd without being able to put songs onto a PC, why would you even need to put it on an analog recorder, thats why i bought a digital. SOmeone help me and this other guy figure out why it is so low when put onto the computer!
 
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