[Newb] Could you confirm this, add ideas etc…

  • Thread starter Thread starter Haico
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Haico

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Hello Fostex users,

I’ve been lurking around here for a week or so. Just to be sure I won’t ask anything incredibly stupid. Now, I’ve learned some things about the MR-8 and digital recorders in general but I still need a sort of confirmation before I buy anything. I hope I have everything right. Let me introduce myself first. My name is Haico, I’m a 21 y/o bass player from The Netherlands (Sorry for my English). I joined a Metal band a while back and I use to record some songs every rehearsal with a minidisk recorder and a old dynamic microphone to learn their songs faster. Now the other band members learn from those recordings as well. We record every time now, so I’m planning to upgrade my recording rig.
I borrowed 2 condenser overhead mics the other day and the result were much better. Now I’d like to buy some condensers and a digital recorder to start with. Eventually I want to record a demo with the recorder. Instrument by instrument. I’m not very rich and music product are pretty expensive in Europe so I’m looking to buy the least as needed. For what I read the MR-8 looks nice. Not too ex[pensive and difficult and I can mix down on my PC…

The MR-8 doesn’t have phantom power, so I need a mic pre-amp for the condensers . Or better: a mixing table because the MR-8 doesn’t have EQ either. Would a board from the Behringers UB series be effective? They are cheap and a better brand like Mackie is very expensive in Europe. Phonic is affordable too, so is the new Yamaha line. Any recommendations? With a desk I use 2 tracks to record so that gives me 30 minutes on the included card. Is this correct?

I want to add effects and EQ on my PC. Master it and burn it on a CD-ROM. Through the USB port the wave files of each track can be transported to a computer. Mixing; I read positive feedback about the program N-Track but I wonder if it’s necessary for me to buy it. I already own Cool Edit Pro 2.0 and Cakewalk Professional 7. Anyone uses on of these programs for mixing purposes?

When I want to record the demo I need a bigger media card for sure. I’ll transport each instrument to my computer separately. Anyone ever recorded drums with the MR-8? I think that’s going to be extremely difficult because it records only 2 tracks at a time. Even with a mixing desk in front. I’m afraid EQ-ing afterwards won’t be pleasing to bring out or cut the kick, snare or overheads.
And the most stupid question as last: If you record anything, can you hear the other tracks play along? We use a click track for rehearsals and recording.

Thank you in advance. If I buy this rig and I get it working I’ll upload an MP3 for ya.

Greetings from Holland,

- Haico
 
Would a board from the Behringers UB series be effective? They are cheap and a better brand like Mackie is very expensive in Europe.



I already own Cool Edit Pro 2.0 and Cakewalk Professional 7. Anyone uses on of these programs for mixing purposes?



HI,

I upgraded my MR8 to 512MB. I use BEHRINGER UB1002. I use Cakewalk for my mixdowns and effects.
 
here's a couple of things.

First off, if you and the band are willing to put in 1 insturment at a time, the MR-8 will work wonderful. That's what I do.

Now, you will want to use a mixer. Yes, the Behringers will work just fine.
This gives you
1) pre-amps
2) eq
3) built in effects
4) insert points
5) Phantom pwr

As for recording time, here's the thing.

In regular mode, you have 24 minutes of TRACK RECORDING TIME.
If you use 2 tracks, that cuts the time in half, down to 12 minues (x 2 tracks = 24)
When you go all 8 tracks, that cuts it to
3 min per track (3 min x 8 tracks= 24)

Not that the MR-8 has a extended mode to double the times on the included card.

The MR-8 has a built in click track to use for recording in sequence. and yes, you can hear any of the pre recorded tracks while you record the (next one).

As for the computer programs, sorry, i have to leave that to someone else to answer. I just do the MR-8
 
When you go all 8 tracks, that cuts it to 3 min per track (3 min x 8 tracks= 24)
Click to expand...

WoW!How can this thing be useable?That alone would make it unuseable for any serious songriter musician.Fostex dropped the ball big time with the type of media they chose to use with the MR 8.

Save a couple more hundred dollars and go with the VF 80. 20GB hard drive and an improved version of Fostex' A.S.P.+ digital effects processing, which includes guitar effects, microphone modeling, guitar amp modeling, reverbs, delays, compression and more! You can even add an internal CD-RW drive as an option. A cool Training Mode lets you loop sections of a song to play along with & learn parts, and also eliminates pre-recorded vocals! Other features include digital mixing, waveform display, 2 guitar inputs, 2 XLR inputs with phantom power, 8 hours of 8-track, non-compressed recording time with the standard hard drive, S/PDIF I/O, and mastering effects. The Fostex CD-1A CD-R/RW burner is available separately.
http://www.americanmusical.com/st/aspx/i-FOS+VF80/en/item.htm
 
mr 8

if you save the tracks to your pc, a couple at a time, mix these down, put back on mr8 as one track , record a couple of more traacks, back to the pc again. limited tracks only by what your pc can handle, i like n track, but will work with any program
 
Kramer said:
Save a couple more hundred dollars and go with the VF 80. 20GB hard drive and an improved version of Fostex' A.S.P.+ digital effects processing, which includes guitar effects, microphone modeling, guitar amp modeling, reverbs, delays, compression and more! You can even add an internal CD-RW drive as an option. A cool Training Mode lets you loop sections of a song to play along with & learn parts, and also eliminates pre-recorded vocals! Other features include digital mixing, waveform display, 2 guitar inputs, 2 XLR inputs with phantom power, 8 hours of 8-track, non-compressed recording time with the standard hard drive, S/PDIF I/O, and mastering effects. The Fostex CD-1A CD-R/RW burner is available separately.
http://www.americanmusical.com/st/aspx/i-FOS+VF80/en/item.htm
Click to expand...

As a former very happy owner of a VF80, now a VF160, I'd recommend getting the internal CD burner, or use an external via SCSI if you already have one. Check what the price is if you go back to buy the internal burner at a later date -- I think it's more expensive as an add-on than if you buy it already installed on the VF80.
 
We use triggers on our drums so we only need 2 channels for all the drums and the 2 channels for Hi Hat and Cymbals. This helps save channels for stereo guitar,bass, and vocals. My only complaint was the patch my drummer was using had wayyy too much reverb on it. Once we found a good patch it works perfectly.
You should be fine with the set up once you can solve getting the drums recorded.
 
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