One really great feature of using this Fostex Digital 8 track is that since it uses smart media as the medium, you waste no minutes when recording.. If you record your first track that's got a constant melody so to say going for 3 minutes, and your second track comes in at differnt measures, you can set it to record from the begining and it will only record what you play.. The time you're not playing doesn't get recorded so you don't waste any time thus fully utilizing the full amount of time available on the card. I think this is a great feature.. I know with good keyboard sequencers you can set your start point of recording for the track, but for people like me, I like to play that bad boy from the top because I think you can really get into it that way.. I find my recordings turn out much better that way because I'm totally ready for the part when it comes up.... Also what it the current limit for smart medias? The manual for the fostex says it will accept a card up to 256mb's, and the capacity is only limited by the current technology available.. Are 256's even out? I've never seen one or even heard of one that high...

Squeak

Presently there smart media cards of 512 MB, at least (soon they'll reach the 1GB barrier - my guess). Compact flash cards already store up to 1 GB. http://shop.store.yahoo.com/beststopphoto/512mbsmarmed.html

-- José.

Good lord 512 mb's and 1 gig.... How much are those things? Anyone know the price of say a 256 card??? The recorder comes with a 128mb card which gives you 3 minutes and 6 seconds of recording for each track in the highest level (which is 44.1 khz 16 bit, and uncompressed) Plus you get twice that in extended mode which I think the sample rate is basically tape quality (maybe just slightly less though)....

Squeak

squeak .... are you saying that each recording is limited to 3 minutes???
t.

Squeak,
The price of the smart media 512 MB is quoted in the link I sent. As you will see, the price it's of the order of the Fostex itself! -- José.

[This message has been edited by matias (edited 02-03-2003).]

If you're going to be limited to 3 minutes or so of recording buy something else Squeak. That's not enough time....what that basically is then is a looper machine, not a "recorder" per se.

I don;t know how much the Fostex is, but Boss's BR series of recorders are really reasonable now.

------------------
jam on,
Terry http://imjazzed.homestead.com/Index.html

[This message has been edited by trtjazz (edited 02-03-2003).]

You're not limited to 3 minutes per song... You have 25 minutes per song in the highest grade recording which breaks down to 3 mins and 6 secs per track, or you can double that by using the extended recording mode. The unit will accept any smart media on the market, so obviously with larger cards more recording time. 25 minutes for a song isn't bad, besides not all tracks will take up the full 3 minutes anyways.. Remember the smart media set up only records when you actually play... You can start a track, have a 3 minute pause if you like, and continue on..

Squeak

Squeak,
That sounds pretty cool then.

------------------
jam on,
Terry
http://imjazzed.homestead.com/Index.html

I just acquired an MRS-1266 for $750; the USB was $99 and the CDRW was $50 (you can use an off-the-shelf version instead of Zoom's).

It is a killer unit, so far; the drums sound great, and the interface is extremely easy and well thought out, whith the possible exception of the phrase looping, which may not be quite ready for prime time.

If you don't need the 6 channel input, the MRS-1044 (now discontinued but still sold) is available for a street price of well under $500 (It also includes the drum machine).

And CoolEditPro 2.0 will open the tracks directly from the internal 20gb HD via the USB port...

Gosh, you stick a question in about a week and a half ago, get one repsonse and think no-one knows a thing about it and then another thread comes along!

So to reiterate my previous question....

Does the "midi sync" function operate whilst you are recording?

Yes you can use the midi sync functions while recording. For example with the Fostex I can hook up my Zoom MRT-3 drum machine with the midi sync to the Fostex and it will play back during recording as well as standard playback... Also as far as the Zoom MRS-1044 going for under $500.00..., not anymore.. Since Zoom has released the 1266, retailers are selling out their old stock of the 1044's and everywhere I checked on the web raised their prices up $100.00 from $499.00 to $599.00

Squeak

OK .... I'll continue to show my ignorance here, and I realize that my thinking is along the lines of multi-track recording on tape .... To record at the highest level (and shouldn't we want to?), if you put down one track that is drums and rhythm accomp that plays from the beginning of the song to the end of the song, that track can only be 3 minutes long (?) .... therefore, regardless of what you put on the other tracks that uses up any amount of time up to 25 minutes, isn't the 'song' still only 3 minutes in length? ... In other words, if all I wanted to record was the backing drums and rhythm of a song, on one track, I would be limited to 3 min? ... OR, being digital, if I'm recording on one track, and I record longer than 3 min, does it automatically find another track to continue on? ...
WHEW!!!... Does anyone understand what I'm saying?!?!?
t.

Ok here's how it works. I guess it would depend on what you're recording.. The 128 mb card will allow up to 25 minutes of total record time in the highest record mode which is at CD quality. The lowest record mode gives you twice that at I think the sound of tape quality (which isn't bad if you're used to using standard tape based 4 tracks)... With the supplied 128mb card the recording length of 3min 6secs is if you use ALL 8 tracks. Again the 128 card is just something included in the price of the unit to get you started. You can use any size card on the market (again this unit has no limits to the size, only limited by current technology). All the digital smart media based units ship with a card to get you started. Fostex is the only one giving a 128mb card with their that I know of. Take for example the Zoom MRS-4 (digital 4 track) This ships with a 32mb card and gives somewhere around 17 minutes of recording time in high quality... However the high quality mode on that unit I think is only 32 khz, and the lowest grade I think is like 16 khz (that's not too good) It doesn't record at CD quality, and even with the 128mb card you get now where near the recording quality you would with this Fostex. Also the Fostex recording is not compressed. So to answer your question "yes" your song can only be 3 mins 6secs if you use ALL 8 tracks for recording in the highest recording grade. Again, keep in mind the 128mb card shipped with this unit is just to get you started.. You can buy larger cards for more time.. Also take a look at the full specs for the Fostex.. You get 8 tracks of CD quality uncompressed recording. Ships with a 128mb card, Nearly every function has a button or knob on the face of the unit to eliminate annoying menus, it has midi sync, USB, built in mic with mic simulator, Guitar FX, Guitar simulator, Mastering, Wave import and export, 2 XLR mic inputs, 2 headphone jacks, S/PDIF Digital Output, and more.. You get all this for only $299.00 For $50.00 more you can get the package deal that included the recorder with smart media card, headphones, carry case, and a mic with cable... I can't name any other recorder on the market with those features in that price range.. This is from the Frequently Asked Questions section on the Fostex MR-8

Frequently Asked Questions... Answered!

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How do I burn a CD from the MR-8?

You simply export the stereo mix file via USB to your computer. From there you simply burn the CD as you normally do on your computer.


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What type of Microphone simulators does the MR-8 have?

There are 3 category types: DYNAMIC, CONDENSER, TUBE. Each type contains various microphone models that fit that category type.


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What is the maximum CompactFlash (CF) card the MR-8 will accept?

Currently there is no limitation to the maximum size CF the MR-8 will recognize. At the moment the limitation is dependednt upon current technology of the media.


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Can I import/export audio tracks to and from my computer?

Yes. This is done in the .WAV format using the USB port on the MR-8.


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What type of MIDI implementation does the MR-8 have?

MIDI syncronization. Can be a MASTER using MTC or MIDI Clock To import or export multiple mono files before stereo mixing, a free application “MR-8 WAV MANAGER” is required on the PC, which will be downloadable from the Fostex web site free of charge. Data transfer with Mac requires a third-party CF card reader/writer unit.


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How can I archive my 8-track data?

The MR-8 can archive recorded data usinbg either the USB port directly to a PC or Macintosh computer OR it can archive directly out the S/PDIF output.


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What kind of amp simulation effects are on-board the MR-8?

BRIT STACK, US METAL, and 60’S COMBO. There are various presets within each of these amps.


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How much time do I get from 6 AA battreries?

Just over 2 hours (normal use).


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What type of converters does the MR-8 use?

16-bit Delta Sigma.


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How many tracks can the MR-8 record at one time?

Two tracks can be recorded simultaneously.


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How much record time do I get on a 128MB CF?

Recording time is about 25 track-minutes with 128MB Compact Flash Card. Extend Mode (16-bit/22.05 kHz) doubles the recording time.


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Does the MR-8 have phantom power?

No it does not.


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Does the optical output support the ADAT lightpipe format?

No. The optical digital output only supports the S/PDIF stereo format.


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Is the MR-8 USB compatible?

The MR-8 is only compatible with USB 1.0, not 2.

Squeak

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 02-04-2003).]

Tony,
Let me give you a "ducks and chickens" explanation, which is how I understand things.
Let's take the numbers given for this example...
Total record time 1 track at highest quality = 25 minutes
Total record time 2 tracks at highest quality = 12.5 minutes
Total record time 3 tracks highest quality =8.33 minutes
4 tracks = 6.33 minutes
and so on.

The concept is basically the original total time available divided by # of tracks. Keep in mind too that those are all mono numbers, if you are recording stereo tracks....divide the times by half.

------------------
jam on,
Terry http://imjazzed.homestead.com/Index.html



[This message has been edited by trtjazz (edited 02-04-2003).]

Good explanation trtjazz.. Tony, the important thing to remember is this.. The 128mb card is just what Fostex includes with the unit to get you up and running out of the box. You can buy larger cards for more recording time. If you get a chance go to www.americanmusical.com do a search for the MR-8 and with that you'll find the downloadable manual in PDF... In the first few pages there is a chart explaing recording time with cards above 128mb..

Squeak

squeak and trt ..... Thanks much guys ... I now have a grasp on how this thing works ... so I guess old dogs can be taught new tricks ... (HEY .. who said OLD?!? ) sounds like it would be more than adequate for what I would want to do ... I may have to sell some other gear to get it though ...

thnx agn,
t.

Tony,
Anytime.. Hey this Fostex would make a great addition to any home studio. For the price and features it can't be beat.. I just joined another forum regarding Fostex gear and many owners there said they got really nice ones "dent & scratch" in great shape from places like musiciansfriend... One guy got one for like $204.00, and he said the thing looked brand new as if no one ever touched it.. The only thing he noticed was the picture on the box was half missing..

Squeak

squeak .... thnx ... can I get one with NO picture for about $150 .... even on ebay they're going for about $300 ....
t.

I wouldn't buy one on ebay if the price with shipping goes above $299.00 Every where on the web they're selling for $299.00 and I think this price limit was set by Fostex and dealers cannot exceed that. If you can get one off ebay for $299.00 or less including shipping go for it.. You have to watch it with some dealers and people on ebay.. Many will set an attractive price for the gear, but nail you with the shipping...

Squeak

Sq ...... fact is I won't be buying for a little while anyway... Have to get some other things squared away first .....
I've bought a few things from ebay and have been fortunate thus far ...
t.

Thanks Squeak. I now move into the "persuade Wife" section of the activity!

If I could find someone in the UK selling it at te sterling equivalent of $299 that would be handy. Over here I've not seen it at less than 300 pounds sterling (and I can't find that advert at present, either!)

[This message has been edited by MacAllcock (edited 02-05-2003).]

yo Mac, im about to sell my MR-8 on ebay for around 290, its been used for like a week during my spring break, and i havent got the chance to toy wit it cuz im back in college, and now i have enough money to get something bigger.

if anyone is interested email me at
zellie@email.com