Mister Fostex vs Missus Zoom

  • Thread starter Thread starter Krakit
  • Start date Start date
Not that it matters anymore, but I did a little research on the Tascam on your say so, mrx.

I can't find anything in regards to track times. :(

I see that it also takes the very pricey Flash Cards (which brings us back to square one, unless the track times are greatly increased).

Carl
 
The Tascam also compresses, like the Zoom, so the track times will be comparable. It also comes with a 32MB card.

Do you have a return option, or was this an eBay special? I'm kind of surprised to see the price of the Zoom, considering the alternatives.


They tout the direct connection to the Zoom drum machine, but I assume the only way to get the drums on a final mix is to record them to two of the four tracks, or is there a way to mix to a stereo file using all four tracks, and the drums through the aux in?
 
mrx said:
The Tascam also compresses, like the Zoom, so the track times will be comparable. It also comes with a 32MB card.

Do you have a return option, or was this an eBay special? I'm kind of surprised to see the price of the Zoom, considering the alternatives.


They tout the direct connection to the Zoom drum machine, but I assume the only way to get the drums on a final mix is to record them to two of the four tracks, or is there a way to mix to a stereo file using all four tracks, and the drums through the aux in?
Click to expand...

Good point,

With my MRS-4, I use a four Channel Fostex digital mixer for drums, and mic, as the MRS-4 has only two recordable inputs.

The aux in is strictly just for listening, you can not record from aux in.

I assumed Carl knows about very limited recordable inputs on the Zoom (two), and plans to use it with a mixer, that he allready has.

How many recordable inputs on the MR-8?

Also can anyone tell me about onboard EQ, on the MR-8?

Just curious.

GT
 
Actually, I plan on connecting the MIDI OUT port from the Zoom MRS-4 to the MIDI IN port on my Zoom RT-323. The outs on the RT-323 will go to the AUX ins on the MRS-4, thus freeing up two tracks that would normally be used for drums. I could also (if I wished) utilize the bass guitar part of the RT and free up yet another track, but I think that would be lame.

With the RT-323 set up as the slave to the MRS-4, I won't need to record the drum parts onto the Smart Media Card until I do a final mix down (after all the bouncing and ping ponging). What's the hurt?

Carl
 
As for returns, no it isn't an option. I did get it on eBay and it cost me all of $189 plus shipping and the adapter thrown in gratis.

And, yes it is brand new. The seller has more of them.

The best price I could get for the Fostex on eBay was still over $200 (which is not bad by any means), but still only comes with the 128MB card.

Anyway, cheaper is cheaper and when you are out of work and supporting a family, try getting your wife to go along with any purchase that she can't enjoy too!

If I hadn't been selling my music gear all month long there is no way I would have gotten away with it.

Carl
 
:cool: Cool!

Enjoy the new machine and record one for me. I'll CYA in the Clinic.

CR ><>
 
Krakit said:
Actually, I plan on connecting the MIDI OUT port from the Zoom MRS-4 to the MIDI IN port on my Zoom RT-323. The outs on the RT-323 will go to the AUX ins on the MRS-4, thus freeing up two tracks that would normally be used for drums. I could also (if I wished) utilize the bass guitar part of the RT and free up yet another track, but I think that would be lame.

With the RT-323 set up as the slave to the MRS-4, I won't need to record the drum parts onto the Smart Media Card until I do a final mix down (after all the bouncing and ping ponging). What's the hurt?

Carl
Click to expand...

Hey Carl that's exactly how I've got my 123 hooked up.

Here's a little trick I came up with to avoid having to unplug and plug, when your ready to record your drums.

Use the headphone output on your drum machine, to the aux in on the MRS-4. This can be left permanent.

Hear's something I should tell you, the aux in has a set level, no way to adjust it, so whatever goes in, has to have it's own volume control.

Here's what I did, works great;

If your headphone out on your drum machine doesn't have volume control (my Zoom 123 doesn't, just buy a cheap pair of heaphones with one of those on the wire stereo volume controls, solder RCA plugs on the end you cut off, leaving the stereo phone plug intact on the other, and there you are.

You do have a mixer, don't you?

GT
 
Krakit said:
Actually, I plan on connecting the MIDI OUT port from the Zoom MRS-4 to the MIDI IN port on my Zoom RT-323. The outs on the RT-323 will go to the AUX ins on the MRS-4, thus freeing up two tracks that would normally be used for drums. I could also (if I wished) utilize the bass guitar part of the RT and free up yet another track, but I think that would be lame.

With the RT-323 set up as the slave to the MRS-4, I won't need to record the drum parts onto the Smart Media Card until I do a final mix down (after all the bouncing and ping ponging). What's the hurt?

Carl
Click to expand...

Hey Carl that's exactly how I've got my 123 hooked up.

Here's a little trick I came up with to avoid having to unplug and plug, when your ready to record your drums.

Use the headphone output on your drum machine, to the aux in on the MRS-4. This can be left permanent.

Hear's something I should tell you, the aux in has a set level, no way to adjust it, so whatever goes in, has to have it's own volume control.

Here's what I did, works great;

If your headphone out on your drum machine doesn't have volume control (my Zoom 123 doesn't, just buy a cheap pair of heaphones with one of those on the wire stereo volume controls, solder RCA plugs on the end you cut off, leaving the stereo phone plug intact on the other, and there you are.

You do have a mixer, don't you?

GT
 
GT said:
If your headphone out on your drum machine doesn't have volume control (my Zoom 123 doesn't...)GT
Click to expand...

First off Carl, I think with all these machines, each has its own particular assets/limitations. So we all become expert at getting the most out of the particular unit we have. This stuff is all so amazing that it all would've seemed unheard of only a decade ago... Have fun!

As to the Zoom 123, GT... I have one, and mine has a volume control. It's a little black knob on the rear panel. If we're talking about the same unit, yours must have one too.
 
billisa said:
First off Carl, I think with all these machines, each has its own particular assets/limitations. So we all become expert at getting the most out of the particular unit we have. This stuff is all so amazing that it all would've seemed unheard of only a decade ago... Have fun!

As to the Zoom 123, GT... I have one, and mine has a volume control. It's a little black knob on the rear panel. If we're talking about the same unit, yours must have one too.
Click to expand...

ballisa,

Right on, I grew up with a great big Teac 15" reel to reel four track. I don't miss it at all.

Especially the hiss, and flutter when I would record my acoustic.

Your right about the headphone volume control on the 123, but I know I put that volume control in for a reason. Let me go check my wiring, and I'll come back with the reason.

So many wires, sometimes I forget what does what.

GT
 
I knew that my stereo to dual mono phone jack cable would come in handy some day. :D

As for volume, even if I have to adjust the master on my 323 till it's comfy, that's fine with me since it isn't shredding anywhere anyway until I final mix.

Carl
 
Now I remember why I added a volume control to the headphone out, the volume on the Zoom 123, adjusts both headphone, and main out volume. This way I can leave the heaphone out hooked to the MRS-4's aux in, and turn the volume off, without turning the main output off. Like I said this way, no wires have to be unpluged. Comes in handy!!

I wanted to leave the main output volume setting alone.

An extra volume control for headphone out, makes it just that much more flexible.

Morning Carl.

GT
 
BTW, did you get my page. Someone was asking about the MRT-3.

God, I hope I don't catch whatever Sky88 has and turn into some kind of Zoom zombie.

:p

Carl
 
Krakit said:

Anyway, cheaper is cheaper and when you are out of work and supporting a family, try getting your wife to go along with any purchase that she can't enjoy too!

If I hadn't been selling my music gear all month long there is no way I would have gotten away with it.

Carl
Click to expand...

I hear you there. Even working with no kids, I still get "what's THIS for???!!!" everytime she finds my old MR-8 receipt!

Since the Zoom has wav manger that converts tracks to wavs, you should still be able to take advantage of many of the tips and tricks people use with their MR-8's.

GT - the MR-8 EQ is as lacking as the other effects - basically three preset 'mixing' settings that apply various degrees of EQ and compression to a final mix. On the plus side, it does seem to make people take more care with recording, since bad sound can't be as easily covered up.
 
mrx said:
GT - the MR-8 EQ is as lacking as the other effects - basically three preset 'mixing' settings that apply various degrees of EQ and compression to a final mix. On the plus side, it does seem to make people take more care with recording, since bad sound can't be as easily covered up. [/B]
Click to expand...

mrx,

That right there would most diffinately give the Zoom the upper hand, having user adjustable EQ, this is a necesity!!

I'm sure Carl will agree, when he really starts getting into it.

I would not be able to live with preset EQ settings.

The MR-8 would necesitate at least plugin EQ, when you uploaded songs into your computer, or outboard EQ send, return hooked to the MR-8.

GT
 
GT said:
mrx,

That right there would most diffinately give the Zoom the upper hand, having user adjustable EQ, this is a necesity!!

I'm sure Carl will agree, when he really starts getting into it.

I would not be able to live with preset EQ settings.

The MR-8 would necesitate at least plugin EQ, when you uploaded songs into your computer, or outboard EQ send, return hooked to the MR-8.

GT
Click to expand...

I'm sure most MR-8 users don't use the preset EQ, either. Considering the capabilities of current PC audio software, the MR-8 shines with the ability to capture uncompressed audio. As been said in this forum countless times, the MR-8 really requires a computer to be useful, but that combination is unbeatable at the price.
 
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