All user reviews of 4/5 for the Fostex MR-8 HD

I've been playing guitar, bass, keys and harmonica for probably 20 odd years and have been writing songs and lyrics for just as long. I think there are two types of players, ones that can sit down and play a lick from every song you've ever heard of - and the other crowd with whom I associate - the song writers. Nothing impresses me more than someone who can compose, arrange and perform their own brand of music.

Paid $400 online for this unit. I was looking for something portable to take up in the mountains to camp with me when I go on one of my songwriting weekends. I wanted something with a decent sized hard drive (this unit has a 40GB drive), but didn't need a built in CD burner as I do most of my final mixdown and mastering on my PC at home.

The recording quality is very good for a unit in this price range. The Fostex MR8HD provides a USB and S/PDIF port so it's very easy to digitally master or transfer files between this unit and your PC. The twin headphones out are helpful, especially when working with someone in tandem.

The guitar amp and microphone simulations are basically an afterthought. In no way do they compete with the COSM simulations from Boss or the work that Line 6 has done with the POD series.

First rate. I've always admired Fostex's quality and attention to detail and I am impressed with this unit.

Overall, for 400 bucks it's a decent unit with just the right amount of functionality for me. I can't complain.

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

Nothing to add!

UTILIZATION

This must be one of the simplest integrated DTD to use.
The usual functions are easily accessible.

But if you want to use the installation options, built-in punch, etc. ... is much more complicated, although the manual is very educational.

I do that is to record classical music, never re-recording. I mix my tracks 1-2-3-4 to 7 / 8 and later transfer via USB to the computer. In combination with a Yamaha GF12/12 which has 4 sub groups, a configuration that is simple to use and very flexible. The main work is to correctly position the microphones and the musicians play well, but this material can not be helped!

For a band with drums, several guitars ... this must not be obvious to work with: not enough tracks, especially admissions. For the "song writer" working alone with guitar or piano and voice, that's fine: no-brainer with the hardware, you can concentrate on music.

SOUNDS

The converters should be pretty good (no other experience).
The preamps do not have a huge dynamic range, and this is the most negative of this unit. As I use a console quality in addition, it does not bother me at all.

OVERALL OPINION

A very good machine for those who want a simple device to use.
Seems a bit tight for a group, but fine for a single person or a duo.

The - it's the preamp and limitations inputs and tracks.

The quality / price is very good. When I bought it, there was a Tascam in competition that was only 2 XLR ...

Now, I would take a "real" 8 ways that could record 8 simultaneous tracks.