MR-8 sound quality

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eric-Jensen
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Eric-Jensen

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I got an MR-8 at the irresistable price of $203. Then bought n-track to do the real editing, M-Audio Buddy to drive the mics to a high enough level (crummy preamps in the Fostex), an Audio-Technica 3035 used off ebay that is sweet, and some nice headphones to monitor things. A Viking 512 MB CF card for $105 at Amazon. That hasn't even come yet, and all of the other stuff is in the last two weeks. Out of control, pent up demand, I don't know. Anyway, I'm now eyeing an Echo Indigo 24-bit sound card for the laptop I use for this mixing the downloaded tracks, and it hits me that the Fostex has had more than a few corners cut. How good is the sound likely to be? I mean, I like it a lot now, but once I figure out what I'm doing, am I going to want to toss the stuff I've done? The real competition for my bucks was the Tascam 788, but even at a great local price of $680, with CD-RW, it was way higher than my budget. But compare it to that if you like, or something similar, or something high(er) end.

The real question is, now that I've opened Pandora's box, how long do I hold onto the Fostex!

EJ
 
I think you should sell it now while the demand is still high. Hell, I'll give you $150 for it.


bd
 
didn't bizzwriter say that the Viking 512M card has issues with the mr-8 in "MR-8 and CF upgrade cards - User Experiences" thread? Eric-Jensen, be sure to be on the look out for any problems you find with that card.
 
Eric, You should return the card unopened. I went back and re-read the thread, turntablist is right.
OK....I'll give you $200 for the MR-8.


bd
 
Eric, read my thread on 'should I buy a soundcard. Some of these guys gave me some informative answers. I don't know the price of the Indigo, so I can't comment on wether it is a more viable option economically. However, I have heard that using laptops is still problematic. I plan to track in the MR8, and then use the plugins and N-tracks in my computer to do the final editing and mix. The MR8 is about as bare bones as it can get in the editing department. The beauty of it is that you can track anywhere you want and then just dump everything on to the computer and then play with the tracks to your hearts content. I have found the audio buddy to be excellent with the MR8. You have a nice microphone so you should be able to get a good vocal recording. I doubt that you need to get the soundcard. In fact Mr. bdbdbuck was instrumental in educating me about how unimportant the soundcard once you have done the tracking in the MR8. I hope that I have understood what you are asking and that this information is helpful. Good luck with your decision.
 
As far as the quality of sound, to me, it's the best i've owned yet. As long as I don't overload on the input, it stays clean.

Lately, I've been recording with levels consistently under the top. so between like the middle 12 in the box to top at 0. then, I ususally have room that i use up on the mixing to 7&8 and then I use the mastering button, lately the 'bright' one. i boost there so if i go over and distort, i can just remix. then when i like it, i do the convert to wave thing.

when i upload the wave to pc and play in winamp - i know this is low tech and all, but i check the levels again inthe winamp graphic eq meter thing, just to compare to other pro stuff i play there and if it's high enough, i convert to mp3 and re-check. I know, i need real software and such. but i'm not even using monitors, so this is all pretty hodge podge.... so what i said about quality is now pretty useless information now that you know how poor my studio is!

I have a couple of demo posts over at nowhereradio. Just original jams done this way, i think. it was a while ago now....
 
Thanks all. Funny and helpful at the same time, even to a guy who was (slightly) trashing your toys! I really do like it--I was kind of trolling for some negative feedback. I will take the concensus advise and refuse the Viking when it comes. And bdbdbuck-nope! EJ
 
Eric,
Your attempts to drive the price up will not be tolerated on this board! You do however drive a hard bargain. OK......$225 is my final offer!

bd :D
 
bdbdbuck said:
Eric,
Your attempts to drive the price up will not be tolerated on this board! You do however drive a hard bargain. OK......$225 is my final offer!

bd :D
Click to expand...


$226 (just kidding)
 
There ya go

bdbdbuck said:
I think you should sell it now while the demand is still high. Hell, I'll give you $150 for it.
That was a good one bd,Ill give him $175...Earl D.

bd
Click to expand...
 
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