Fostex FD-4

$600 (not including the media drive which is not included, I chose a 1 G Jaz drive)

Digital recording is wonderful, even if its only four tracks. 4 track tape recorders can bleed across tracks, get worn down, etc. This, your imagination is the limit for number of tracks
Sound quality is adjustable, it has cutting, pasting, editing, autorecord, enough features to put together a well-polished demoj project.

Difficult at first to master
You can't just sit down and press some "Record" button and go to town
You have to do some reading first
Once I read some of the instructions it isn't horribly hard, but takes some effort.
It doesn't come with internal storage so be sure to factor in the cost of a removable storage drive like a Zip or Jaz
(I recommend a Zip 250. Certain features are only available with larger disks)
Also keep in mind once you digitally combine two digital tracks it frees up a track but you can't go back!


Good

The Fostex FD-4 is one of the most reasonably priced Digital 4 tracks available. The sound quality is impressive, but it takes a little work to get to know the machine

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

$600 (not including the media drive which is not included, I chose a 1 G Jaz drive)

Digital recording is wonderful, even if its only four tracks. 4 track tape recorders can bleed across tracks, get worn down, etc. This, your imagination is the limit for number of tracks
Sound quality is adjustable, it has cutting, pasting, editing, autorecord, enough features to put together a well-polished demoj project.

Difficult at first to master
You can't just sit down and press some "Record" button and go to town
You have to do some reading first
Once I read some of the instructions it isn't horribly hard, but takes some effort.
It doesn't come with internal storage so be sure to factor in the cost of a removable storage drive like a Zip or Jaz
(I recommend a Zip 250. Certain features are only available with larger disks)
Also keep in mind once you digitally combine two digital tracks it frees up a track but you can't go back!


Good

The Fostex FD-4 is one of the most reasonably priced Digital 4 tracks available. The sound quality is impressive, but it takes a little work to get to know the machine

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Digital 4-track 16-bit 44.1 khz
2-track line level, 2-track line level or microphone
channels 3 and 4 teams of jack or XLR microphone amplifier and a three position (recording level more or less strong and it's convenient)
3-band EQ per channel (HI shelving. MED semi parametric, shelving LOW)
An insert on channels 3 and 4
2 dparts / aux returns
midi in, midi out, data in data out
1 between STREO (2 cinch L and R) to record the analog
1 pedal input fostex 8051 dclencher to punch in and punch out or even looping
1 x stereo L and R, 1 L and R monitor output that can route
either stereo or monitor, or both
1 headphone
Taken to a scsi to add an external SCSI hard drive that I urge
mine is equipped with a 230-MB SyQuest that allows 42 minutes of recording and is not
(4 tracks are 5 min 20 min)
sync to MTC, MMC, respectively (midi timecode) (MIDI Machine Control)
you can record two tracks simultaneously and play 4
ping pong is accept (tracks 1 2 3. they are referring to the 4. Track 1 and 2 are plotted on the track and then a 3 and 2) that ultimately did 7 tracks registered.
2 additional tracks can be carried forward to the 4-track trails STREO
audio editing is non destructive and provides functions to copy and paste, dplacer paste, delete ect ...
a test function "preview" is to listen to before permetre edit
A metronome is also recording

UTILIZATION

The routing and mixing functions are recording rather simple and intuitive
the audio edition is not very intuitive but the manual (97 pages in good franais)
is explicit and if the beginners were not flme to open it comes out easily

SOUNDS

Decision of his that I do with this multitrack are not worse than those I could do with my computer when j'tais in 16/44.1.
respects the dynamics is not his color particuliaire
the equalization is effective

OVERALL OPINION

I bought some APRS leaving
I did not have the computer era and he made many services
Today, I no longer useful and as I only studio I spare.
report quality price of this machine now seems interesting
seen that at the time I paid over 4000 frs
but I highly recommend an external SCSI hard drive

Complete connectivity:
-Jack
-Xlr (for tracks 3 and 4)
-RCA
Dif-Sp-
Midi
SCSI-
Sampling 44.1 khz, but possible over by formatting the hard drive.
Internal hard drive on my own, Ide 720 MB, and possibility via external SCSI port.
2 recordable tracks simultaneously, read 4 and 6 recorded

UTILIZATION

Utlisation very simple, very intuitive.
Everything is possible, so no problem.

SOUNDS

Sound quite neutral, it depends on the quality of sound you give him to record.
No effect, but possible to insert or to auxiliary (1 and 2).
Dynamic fully respected.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it new in 1999, I recorded two demos and an album, the result has always amazed people around me and the musicians who have listened.
Despite the limited number of tracks, it offers incredible opportunities.
The only obstacle will be your creative possibilities.
If it again I would buy without hesitation, knowing that it is aimed more at a single guitarist or pianist to a group.