C
crgl
New member
I am not trying to convince the users of the original MR8 ( I am one of them ) but to convince the ones who are deciding between the two units.
The obvious reason to buy the MR8-HD is because it has 40GB memory included. Everybody who has the MR8 knows that the 128MB card included with the unit is not enough for recording and has had to invest at least $20 in another card. Actually the MR8 is much cheaper now ( $249 ) but...
anyway, I have read the online manual of the Fostex MR8-HD and have found at least 7 additional features that the original MR8 doesn't have:
PROS:
1. 40 Gb internal hard drive ( more than 125 hours of mono recording. That's more than 5 days of continuous recording ).
2. Input A has send-return for insert effects ( like compression-limiting )
3. "Phantom power" on all inputs.
4. Can mix all 8 tracks to a master track ( two mono L-R )
5. although both units record 16 bit 44.1 MHz the MR8-HD has 24 bit analog to digital and 24 bit digital to analog conversion. The MR8 is all 16 bit.
6. has another USB "host" port for future expansion maybe for external CD burning directly from the MR8-HD.
7. When bouncing all tracks you can mix the input signals of Inputs A - D with their respective gain and panning ( this panning is selected in a menu , the panning knob is for the recorded track ). This means you can mix four additional signals live while bouncing .
8. It uses a computer kind of cable instead of a power plug.
It has other features that I didn' understand like : 3 second maximum "peak-hold time setting" for level meters ", the effects have a "new" algorithm ( but probably sound the same ), the inputs specifications have changed a bit ( don't know if this will have to do with the preamplifiers changing as well ).
CONS:
1. it is a little bigger than the MR8
2. it doesn't run on batteries.
3. doesn't have an internal mic.
4. It doesn't come in RED, although it comes in black ( better than the silver ).
Discuss
The obvious reason to buy the MR8-HD is because it has 40GB memory included. Everybody who has the MR8 knows that the 128MB card included with the unit is not enough for recording and has had to invest at least $20 in another card. Actually the MR8 is much cheaper now ( $249 ) but...
anyway, I have read the online manual of the Fostex MR8-HD and have found at least 7 additional features that the original MR8 doesn't have:
PROS:
1. 40 Gb internal hard drive ( more than 125 hours of mono recording. That's more than 5 days of continuous recording ).
2. Input A has send-return for insert effects ( like compression-limiting )
3. "Phantom power" on all inputs.
4. Can mix all 8 tracks to a master track ( two mono L-R )
5. although both units record 16 bit 44.1 MHz the MR8-HD has 24 bit analog to digital and 24 bit digital to analog conversion. The MR8 is all 16 bit.
6. has another USB "host" port for future expansion maybe for external CD burning directly from the MR8-HD.
7. When bouncing all tracks you can mix the input signals of Inputs A - D with their respective gain and panning ( this panning is selected in a menu , the panning knob is for the recorded track ). This means you can mix four additional signals live while bouncing .
8. It uses a computer kind of cable instead of a power plug.
It has other features that I didn' understand like : 3 second maximum "peak-hold time setting" for level meters ", the effects have a "new" algorithm ( but probably sound the same ), the inputs specifications have changed a bit ( don't know if this will have to do with the preamplifiers changing as well ).
CONS:
1. it is a little bigger than the MR8
2. it doesn't run on batteries.
3. doesn't have an internal mic.
4. It doesn't come in RED, although it comes in black ( better than the silver ).
Discuss
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