FOSTEX MR8-MKII 8-Track Digital Recorder

The ultimate record-anywhere multitrack.
Capture inspiration whenever and wherever you are.
The new MR-8 Mk II is the easiest to use digital multitrack ever. If you can operate a tape recorder, you'll be recording and multitracking within minutes of opening the box.

By putting all the major controls and functions right there on the top panel instead of buried in a confusing menu system, the MR-8 Mk II, unlike some other recorders, actually aids you in capturing your musical ideas. In addition there's great sounding built-in digital effects, guitar amp and mic simulators, handy mix-down effects, plus the ability to hook up to a PC for data editing, and backing up your songs.
You create. Fostex records.

New for the Mk II is the USB host feature which allows for the easy connection of an 'off-the-shelf' CD-R burner via USB. Making CD masters has never been more simple.

Recording time
Recording time in normal mode (16bit/44.1kHz) is approx. 25 track-minutes on the supplied 128MB CF card and 50 track-minutes on a 256MB card. Extended mode (16bit/22.05kHz) doubles the recording time. Note that recording time varies depending on recorded source, punch in/out, undo/redo status, etc.

Features
8 tracks of recording and playback using CompactFlash cards

2 track simultaneous recording

Superb in-built digital effects inc Mic and Amp simulations

USB Host function for CD burning with 'off-the-shelf' CD burner

2 mic inputs with +48V Phantom Power

Details
8-track recording onto CompactFlash Card.

High quality sound recording and playback with uncompressed linear 16-bit/44.1 kHz digital audio (normal mode) with 2 track simultaneous recording and 8 track playback.

LP Mode (16-bit/22.05 kHz) doubles the recording time.

Physical knobs and buttons for intuitive operations. A new dial knob for menu selection.

Newly added +48V Phantom Power on all two Mic Inputs for wider choice of microphones.

USB Host function ready for CD burning on an off-the-shelf external CD-R drive.

Improved 132 x 64 dot-matrix LCD and self illuminating keys visually show the current status.

Improved built-in digital effects including Reverb, Delay as well as Guitar Amp and Microphone simulations

Black colored top panel design

Analog guitar distortion with the dedicated knob on Input A.

Full-track (8-track) bouncing to a "New Song (track 7/8) for PC transfer and CD burning.

Mastering effects for stereo buss.

USB port for stereo WAV file transfer to and from PC

AC and Battery (6 x AA alkaline cells) operation. Approx. 4 hours maximum operation time with batteries. Includes AC adapter.

Built-in microphone for handy song memo.

Two headphones outputs.

Free "WAV Manager" software available for multiple mono files transfer to and from PCTechnical InfoRecording / Playback
Recording medium CompactFlash

Recording time approx. 6 minutes (8-track on 256MB CF) normal mode

Recording format FAT16

Sampling frequency 44.1 kHz (Normal Mode), 22.05 kHz (LP Mode)

Quantization 16-bit linear (non-compression)

A/D converter 24-bit Delta-Sigma

D/A converter 24-bit Delta-Sigma

No. of recording track 8 tracks maximum

No. of simultaneous rec. 2 tracks

Recording/reproduction frequency 20 Hz - 20 kHz (Normal Mode)

Dynamic range 87dB or more (typical) (Normal Mode)

T.H.D. 0.05% or less (typical) (Normal Mode)

Inputs / Outputs
Analog in (input A/B)

Connector XLR-3-31 type (Pin2:hot) and 6mm TRS phone

Input level -48dBV (MIC) - +4dBV (LINE)

Input impedance 1.5k ohm or more 400k ohm or more (GUITAR on INPUT A)

Phantom power P48V (on/off selectable)

Stereo out (L, R)

Connector 6mm stereo phone

Output level -10dBV (unbalance)

Load impedance 10k ohm or more

Headphones (phone 1, 2)

Connector 2 x 6mm stereo phone

Max. output 30mW or more (at 32 ohm)

Load impedance 16 ohm or more

MIDI out

Connector DIN 5 pin

Format MIDI standard

Foot switch

Connector 6mm phone

Level TTL level

USB 2.0 HI-SPEED

Connector B type

USB 1.1

Connector A type

General
Dimensions 286(W) x 220(D) x 65(H) mm

Weight approx. approx. 1.6kgs

Power requirement DC12V, 400mA

Professional digital recording 24channel system, 24 bit/96 kHz, with hard disk drive and 24 analog in/out and 3 adat in/out

Connect

Multiple units can be daisy-chained over the FireWire bus, or kept in sync using the DIN connectors when recording on multiple USB devices, making iCE-16 the perfect companion for both small and large analogue consoles such as our acclaimed ZED, MixWizard and GL mixers. Plug into your desk Direct Outs or use a mix of Groups and Aux sends to save on channels.

Record

The USB DRIVE is automatically detected and checked by the system. Starting the recording is as simple as pushing a button. Remove and plug the key into a computer to access or transfer the WAV files to any DAW.

Interface

Removing the USB stick or powering up the unit without one enables the USB / FireWire interface. Signals present at the inputs will be sent to the Mac or PC on channels 1-16. WDM/ASIO drivers and USB2.0 class compliance ensure full compatibility with most DAWs, including Logic, Sonar, Cubase and Pro Tools.
Play

Fancy a ʽvirtual soundcheckʼ or just need to play cues during a live gig? Tracks can be played back directly from the USB drive and full multichannel audio can be sent from the computer to the ICE-16 analogue Outputs.

When inspiration hits, the last thing you need is a user interface that gets in the way. Slows you down. Turns you off. No fear of that. 25 knobs and 13 sliders get you immediate access to where the action is.

Unique to the MR16HD are 33 stellar EQ presets available to each input and 2 AUX sends for connecting to external gear. Add to this the convenience of WAV file recording, digital effects, mastering effects, analog guitar distortion and mic simulation and youʼve got just about the slickest, highest quality and downright easiest to use 16 track available on the market.

Features:
16 recording tracks to hard drive 16-bit resolution at 44.1 kHz -- no compression

4 track simultaneous recording -- great for capturing multiple instruments/vocal parts

4 XLR inputs With phantom power and trim control

Extended recording time -- more than 7.5 hours of 16-track recording at CD quality

Full 16-track bouncing Mix-down -- all tracks in stereo

FAT32 Disc Format and WAV Recording Plus USB port for easy transfer of recordings to PC

2 x AUX For connection to outboard gear

S/P DIF Digital Out For digital mastering to external CD recorder, MD etc.

Input EQ Library 33 sound shaping presets available for all inputs

Fantastic Built-In Digital FX Reverbs, guitar amp simulations etc. (see MR-8HD)

Analog Guitar Distortion Awesome distortion (see MR-8HD)

Direct CD-RW Connection via USB Master direct to USB CD-RW (no PC required)

MR16HD/CD model Features as above with in-built CD-RW

WavManager(Windows) ver 2.01 WAV Manager is a utility software application that enables you to import each audio track from a song created using the MR-8, MR-8mk2, MR-8HD, and MR16HD (hereinafter called MR-8/HD) Multitrackers into your PC as a standard mono WAV file (eight files for an 8-track song). In addtion, WAV file data created and edited on the PC can be exported to MR-8/HD.

The New Version 2.01 Now Features:
CD Writing function (now you can burn a CD from your MR-8/HD using the CD-R/RW drive in your computer

A-B part Import Function

New Song Creating Function.

WavManager (Mac OS) ver 2.0 WAV Manager for Mac is a utility software application that enables you to import each audio track from a song created by the MR-8 and MR-8HD (hereinafter called MR-8/HD) into the Mac as a standard mono WAV file (eight files for an 8-track song). Also, WAV file data created and edited in the Mac can be exported to MR-8/HD.

Optional MR16HDCD Recording Studio Pack Contents:
1 x Stoppit Microphone Pop Filter/Popper Stopper

2 x CBI American-Made Instrument Cable GA-1 (10 foot)

1 x On Stage 7701B Tripod Boom Mic Stand

1 x Audio-Technica AT2020 Side Address Studio Microphone

1 x Memorex CDR80 50-Pack Spindle (52x, 700MB)

1 x Fostex PM05MKII Powered Nearfield Monitors (Pair)

1 x CBI MLC20 Mic Cable (20 Foot)

Optional MR16HD Recording Studio Pack Contents:
1 x Hosa CPP203 Dual 1/4 in. To Dual 1.4 in. Cable (9.75 Foot)

1 x RaXXess Stoppit Microphone Pop Filter/Popper Stopper

1 x OnStage 7701B Tripod Boom Mic Stand

1 x Whirlwind MC20 XLR Microphone Cable (20 Foot)

1 x Fostex PM05MKII Powered Nearfield Monitors (Pair)

1 x Audio-Technica AT2020 Side Address Studio Microphone

1 x Memorex CDR80 50-Pack Spindle (52x, 700MB)

Why are 4-channels of audio better than 2-channels?

• Capture more ambient sound at any shoot for an overall more convincing soundscape.
• Place mics on each participant in conferences, panels, reporters, etc.
• Redundancy or backup in case of camera mic noise or drop out.
• Simplify wedding shoots with a mic on the bride, groom, officiator and a mic for ambient sound.
• Video editing environments now support multi-channel audio as standard.

• Main Features

  The R-4 brings you a new generation of portable recording. Enjoy superb sound quality. Use the 40GB hard disk drive for extended recording. Record up to four channels at once. Edit waveforms on the recorder itself. All this plus a compact size and light weight that assure outstanding mobility in the field. The Edirol R-4. Gear up for the new generation of portable recording.

  Extended Recording with 40GB Hard Disk Drive
  Equipped with a 40GB hard disk drive, the R-4 can record up to 17 hours at maximum sound quality or up to 58 hours at CD quality.

  Superior 24-bit/96-kHz Linear Recording
  Totally uncompressed recording assures outstanding sound quality. Choose 16-bit or 24-bit quantization and a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, or 96 kHz. Save data as WAV files.

  Simultaneous 4-Channel Recording
  The 4 XLR/Phone combo jacks come with switchable phantom power and give you a choice of MONO, STEREO, STEREO X2, or 4CH recording. Digital input/output is also provided.
  Four-channel recording gives you exceptional flexibility. For example, you can use mics to capture the ambience of a performance hall while using line input to record the performance itself. Or you can record at several different level settings simultaneously.

• Five High-Quality Effects
  The R-4 lets you tailor the sound during both recording and playback.

• L Terminal for Linking a Digital Video Camera
  The R-4's L terminal lets you connect a similarly equipped digital video camera to synchronize the camera start/stop while R-4 is recording. Counting the camera's two channels, this configuration gives you a total of six audio channels — a wealth of audio data to get creative with.

  Waveform Editing Using Only the R-4
  The R-4 is all you need to edit waveforms. Just watch the waveform on the LCD as you edit. Scrubbing playback with the shuttle dial lets you set the edit points precisely by sound.

  Index Any Point Instantly
  Press the mark button anytime during recording or playback to mark that point for easy, instant indexing later. With the A-B repeat function you can set two points and repeatedly play back the material between them.

  Easy Playback with the Jog Dial
  Use the jog dial to fast-forward or rewind at any of seven speed levels.

  Built-In Stereo Speakers
  The R-4's built-in speakers make it easy to monitor recorded sound without headphones.

• L Terminal for Linking a Digital Video Camera
  The R-4's L terminal lets you connect a similarly equipped digital video camera to synchronize the camera start/stop while R-4 is recording. Counting the camera's two channels, this configuration gives you a total of six audio channels — a wealth of audio data to get creative with.

  Waveform Editing Using Only the R-4
  The R-4 is all you need to edit waveforms. Just watch the waveform on the LCD as you edit. Scrubbing playback with the shuttle dial lets you set the edit points precisely by sound.

  Index Any Point Instantly
  Press the mark button anytime during recording or playback to mark that point for easy, instant indexing later. With the A-B repeat function you can set two points and repeatedly play back the material between them.

  Easy Playback with the Jog Dial
  Use the jog dial to fast-forward or rewind at any of seven speed levels.

  Built-In Stereo Speakers
  The R-4's built-in speakers make it easy to monitor recorded sound without headphones.