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billisa
New member
I've been following the various pros and cons threads on the MR8 and wonder -- how would users rate the basic sound quality? Clean? Quiet? Wide dynamic range? What do you think?
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dyuob
New member
The sound is immaculate.
bdbdbuck
New member
It's only about 100 times quieter than the soundcard in my pc.
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clifchamb
New member
billisa said:
I bought the MR-8 based off of the clean and quiet samples that people have been posting on this forum. There is no better way to know the product than to hear projects done with it.
clif
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billisa
New member
Ok, that's great... second question...
How would the basic sound quality compare to the VF80, or VF160? Quieter? Not so? Is it one of those things where the specs have gotten so good that ALL units sound great?
How would the basic sound quality compare to the VF80, or VF160? Quieter? Not so? Is it one of those things where the specs have gotten so good that ALL units sound great?
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dyuob
New member
I haven't heard alot of stuff done on the other systems, but I would imagine, that at this point, the quality is more dependant upon the user than the system.
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mrx
New member
Re: Ok, that's great... second question...
I've wondered this, as well, since there are some VF supporters up here that slam the MR-8 on other fronts, but have never said anything about the basic sound quality.
I can only compare it to boxes like the PXR4 and PS-05 that use compression to save card space, and there is no comparison.
I know this is off the point of your question, but the most striking difference with devices that compress the audio is once you get a few tracks together - the compression scheme removes frequencies that won't be missed, in order to save space. That's fine for a stereo track off a CD, but if it's applied to each instrument, as it's recorded, the compression is removing frequencies from one instrument that might be critical when combined with another. The difference with the MR-8 was stunning when I played back my first mix.
billisa said:
I've wondered this, as well, since there are some VF supporters up here that slam the MR-8 on other fronts, but have never said anything about the basic sound quality.
I can only compare it to boxes like the PXR4 and PS-05 that use compression to save card space, and there is no comparison.
I know this is off the point of your question, but the most striking difference with devices that compress the audio is once you get a few tracks together - the compression scheme removes frequencies that won't be missed, in order to save space. That's fine for a stereo track off a CD, but if it's applied to each instrument, as it's recorded, the compression is removing frequencies from one instrument that might be critical when combined with another. The difference with the MR-8 was stunning when I played back my first mix.
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billisa
New member
Thanks...
The reason I'm asking all this is I'm about 3 weeks from a decision to buy some recording equipment -- multi-track, mikes, etc, and I'm juggling the potential machines. Some questions relate to basic sound quality... Also, if I get a VF80, would it be smarter to just get the VF160? And how do the effects compare between the MR8, the VF80 and the VF160? I don't want to necesarily be limited to 2 track recording, but I'm not sure I'll ever need more than that. What attracts me to the VF80 is the on-board CD-R. Are the effects on the VF80 the same as on the MR8 or different? Thanks for helping me muddle this through. I'm sure any one of these machines will be great, but I tend to research things to death...
Also, any thoughts on the quietest/cleanest mikes? I've been looking at an Oktava condensor ($99) or a Samson ($69)...
The reason I'm asking all this is I'm about 3 weeks from a decision to buy some recording equipment -- multi-track, mikes, etc, and I'm juggling the potential machines. Some questions relate to basic sound quality... Also, if I get a VF80, would it be smarter to just get the VF160? And how do the effects compare between the MR8, the VF80 and the VF160? I don't want to necesarily be limited to 2 track recording, but I'm not sure I'll ever need more than that. What attracts me to the VF80 is the on-board CD-R. Are the effects on the VF80 the same as on the MR8 or different? Thanks for helping me muddle this through. I'm sure any one of these machines will be great, but I tend to research things to death...
Also, any thoughts on the quietest/cleanest mikes? I've been looking at an Oktava condensor ($99) or a Samson ($69)...
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Bigsnake00
New member
(sigh) Here we go again......
teainthesahara
New member
dyuob said:
Billisa, I think dyuob nailed it on the head. All the machines you mentioned can record to disk at 16 bit, 44.1 khz. However, the D/A A/D converters in the MR8 convert at a lower bit rate (4 to 8 bits less). So, could you hear this difference? That'a a big fat "it depends !". If all things were equal (i.e. same mics, pre-amps, performance, # of tracks, room, monitors etc...), it is very possible that you would hear sonic differences between mixes. But all things are rarely equal, and the user will have greater impact on the resultant sound quality - in the right hands, it's likely that the MR8 could create better mixes than a 24bit machine with someone that's lacking the skills.
Oh yeah, on any of the machines (VF80, VF08, MR8) that track a maximum of 2 at a time - keep in mind that it does not necessarily mean you'r stuck with 2 mic/source inputs at one time - external mixers can be used to add some flexibility there - but at a trade-off of flexibility later on come mix down time!
Lot's of good, low cost condensers out there - try before you buy!!!! The oktava's seem to get good reviews around here.....Most condensors at the lower price points will need external phantom power - for the MR8 you will need to look into getting a phantom power supply; the VF's come included with one.
Good luck!
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clifchamb
New member
Re: Thanks...
If you do not plan to use your PC at all, then you might want to invest in a VF-80 or 160 with the internal CDR Drive.
Effects are not the strong point of the MR-8, it is mostly limited to some delay or reverb. I use an external effects processor for my MR-8.
I just bought that Octava condesor mic you are considering along with a bellari phantom power unit and so far I am really happy with them.
clif
billisa said:
If you do not plan to use your PC at all, then you might want to invest in a VF-80 or 160 with the internal CDR Drive.
Effects are not the strong point of the MR-8, it is mostly limited to some delay or reverb. I use an external effects processor for my MR-8.
I just bought that Octava condesor mic you are considering along with a bellari phantom power unit and so far I am really happy with them.
clif
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billisa
New member
I LOVE this site!
One reason being, it's cool to just be throwing all this stuff back and forth. The sound quality posts are very informative and just the kind of nuanced answer I can really use. About "external effects"... Is there a way (and specific type and brand) to get additional (external) effects for the MR8 that can be input to the MR8 and added before the final mix?
Are the effects onboard the VF80 better?
Also, Fostex talks about "track minutes" with a given Card. How does one actually figure this, say with the 128mb card. How much time can you generally have using all 8 tracks (I can probably extrapolate after knowing that)? I've seen the chart on their site, but haven't yet decipherd it (I must be stupid).
Generally, how reliable is the MR8? I know any piece of equipment can have a particular issue out of the box... But besides the trouble using some other MediaCards are there any other known bugs with the MR8? Or the VF80 for that matter? Is there a software version on the MR8 I should look for? Thanks again!!!
One reason being, it's cool to just be throwing all this stuff back and forth. The sound quality posts are very informative and just the kind of nuanced answer I can really use. About "external effects"... Is there a way (and specific type and brand) to get additional (external) effects for the MR8 that can be input to the MR8 and added before the final mix?
Are the effects onboard the VF80 better?
Also, Fostex talks about "track minutes" with a given Card. How does one actually figure this, say with the 128mb card. How much time can you generally have using all 8 tracks (I can probably extrapolate after knowing that)? I've seen the chart on their site, but haven't yet decipherd it (I must be stupid).
Generally, how reliable is the MR8? I know any piece of equipment can have a particular issue out of the box... But besides the trouble using some other MediaCards are there any other known bugs with the MR8? Or the VF80 for that matter? Is there a software version on the MR8 I should look for? Thanks again!!!
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clifchamb
New member
Re: I LOVE this site!
When you talk about effects, I assume you are asking about using effects AFTER you record on the MR-8 (like line inserts etc). To answer that the MR-8 is not set up to add external effects after recording (besides using it's own reverb, delay, or 1 of 3 "mastering" effects). I uses my effects processor before the signal gets to the MR-8 to be recorded. Again, if you plan to use the PC you could add effects to the MR-8 tracks after they are recorded.
As far as tracks minutes with the included card, you start out with 24 minutes that get eaten up as you record. By the time you record at least 3 tracks in a 4 minute song, you have to start bouncing tracks and delete the orginal tracks (i.e. combine tracks 1-3 to 5 and 6, then delete tracks 1 through 3). Otherwise you will run out of room. Again using your PC to dump tracks to will alleviate the space probelm.
The only bugs I have experienced with the MR-8 is the headphone out puts freaking out on me (only once so far) and truning off the power and on again seems to fix it. Furhtermore, occasionally if you mix down to tracks 7 and 8 and convert them into a stereo wave file to send to your computer as a finished song, I occasionally get an error message on my computer when trying to import it (I just work around it by using the fostex MR-8 wave manager software (free on their website) to pull tracks 7 and 8 seperately and mix them using my PC software. Other than that there is no specific version of the MR-8 that I know about that you have to seek. I have NEVER had a problem pulling tracks from the MR-8 to my PC. SO the bugs that I have experienced with the MR-8 are easy to work around or fix. Just my 2 cents.
clif
billisa said:
When you talk about effects, I assume you are asking about using effects AFTER you record on the MR-8 (like line inserts etc). To answer that the MR-8 is not set up to add external effects after recording (besides using it's own reverb, delay, or 1 of 3 "mastering" effects). I uses my effects processor before the signal gets to the MR-8 to be recorded. Again, if you plan to use the PC you could add effects to the MR-8 tracks after they are recorded.
As far as tracks minutes with the included card, you start out with 24 minutes that get eaten up as you record. By the time you record at least 3 tracks in a 4 minute song, you have to start bouncing tracks and delete the orginal tracks (i.e. combine tracks 1-3 to 5 and 6, then delete tracks 1 through 3). Otherwise you will run out of room. Again using your PC to dump tracks to will alleviate the space probelm.
The only bugs I have experienced with the MR-8 is the headphone out puts freaking out on me (only once so far) and truning off the power and on again seems to fix it. Furhtermore, occasionally if you mix down to tracks 7 and 8 and convert them into a stereo wave file to send to your computer as a finished song, I occasionally get an error message on my computer when trying to import it (I just work around it by using the fostex MR-8 wave manager software (free on their website) to pull tracks 7 and 8 seperately and mix them using my PC software. Other than that there is no specific version of the MR-8 that I know about that you have to seek. I have NEVER had a problem pulling tracks from the MR-8 to my PC. SO the bugs that I have experienced with the MR-8 are easy to work around or fix. Just my 2 cents.
clif
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mrx
New member
Re: Thanks...
If your budget allows consideration of units in the VF-160 class, you should really look in that direction. Check out the Tascam 788, and the latest units from Korg, Zoom, Roland, and Yamaha.
The key with a purchase like this is to know how you are going to use the unit. It sounds to me like effects and onboard editing tools are your biggest needs - I think you'll find manufacturers other than Fostex offer more in that regard. Fostex has always been known for making recorders that are easily plugged into a larger system (the individual track outputs on the X-15, the large number of simultaneuos track recording on the VF-160, seamless PC integration with the MR-8, etc.) rather than packing in things like tons of effects and visual wave editting like the Tascam and Roland boxes.
billisa said:
If your budget allows consideration of units in the VF-160 class, you should really look in that direction. Check out the Tascam 788, and the latest units from Korg, Zoom, Roland, and Yamaha.
The key with a purchase like this is to know how you are going to use the unit. It sounds to me like effects and onboard editing tools are your biggest needs - I think you'll find manufacturers other than Fostex offer more in that regard. Fostex has always been known for making recorders that are easily plugged into a larger system (the individual track outputs on the X-15, the large number of simultaneuos track recording on the VF-160, seamless PC integration with the MR-8, etc.) rather than packing in things like tons of effects and visual wave editting like the Tascam and Roland boxes.