Fostex FR2 LE

I received Saturday, April 21, 2007 one of the first copies of this unit (599 euros).

The improvement (relative to FOSTEX FR2) deals with power who can use a rechargeable 7.2 V @ 3800 mAh (or 4200 mAh) with Tamiya plug (name of the standard dose), which provides eight hours of autonomy. Note that the battery pack of 7.2 V Ni-MH worth between 25 and 50 euros and it must also buy a quick charger (50 euros). This material is in stores radiomodélisme (google-ize the term Tamiya 7.2 V). The power supply has become very simple, free exotic EIAJ connector found nearly four in Europe. CFC card may have a capacity of 4 and G0 but the files generated when recording do not exceed 4GB.

There is no digital I / O, but the quality of the preamps is the appointment and provides the use of a preamp. externe.La output to a PC is USB 2.0 but the use of an unloader portable card or external card reader CFC makes the operation very easy.
The characteristic I like least is the all-plastic, which gives an impression of fragility (particularly CFC card door and that of the battery compartment).
Two drawbacks: it only records in stereo and the files are not deleted from the CFC card (for security). The place will be recovered by re-formatting formatage.Le implies a choice in the sample and setting: 16 or 24 bits or MP3, 44, 48, 88, 92 khz.
The amplifier monitoring is a bit noisy. The setting of Trimmers microphones and the recording level is yet to theorize.

I have experience of 4 S Nagra, the Sony DAT TD Pro 2, the FOSTEX FR2. I have not tried other recent digital recorders.

The price / quality ratio is excellent.

User's Guide at: http://www.fostex.com/support/pdf/fostex/fr2le/fr2le_owners_manual.pdf

APRS losing time with my AT825 Stereo microphone (see related post), I finally realized that the microphone is a bit low output, which is not complete overtaken by pramplis of the FR2LE, here are some quick test:

Ignition
Moments ignition (about 6sec to start machine + map)
Linear button. Sometimes you do not light the first time, then pushed two times in a row, finally we complexion.
Sometimes an electronic whistle type that Get You Started. Disparate when it starts recording.

Screen / Menu
The menus seem functional. Some do not like. I'll have to test in difficult situations.
The lighting of the screen is ncessaire ds pnombre we are in, or if you can not dplacer the FR2LE and the sun is in the notch reflte .
When the door bandoulire, we see the vumtre we must go back to the FR2LE itself to see the notch, bevel t have more to do with the camera horizontally and vertically (to see levels, be on the record that has started and to see the remaining recording time).

Trim mics
The buttons are small. It quickly mishandling. The representative for rgler level is a single slot, so black / black. It repre are not quickly o levels (same for the standard headphone ct.

Levels
The VUmtre the ct is not ractif, LEDs are fairly static, it is better privilgier that of the notch.
The pramplis are a bit small (!) Its a concern for recording ambient sound in a quiet, if you want a well Retailer. To give an ide: recording 2mx2m bathroom, shower: Mic Trims 75%, a level between 100%! (Tets RALIS with AT825 Stereo mic, phantom power). Ok, I described these lines there qq days: The AT825 microphone output is low as all the microphones Stereo. With a condenser microphone: no worries.

Autonomy
Apparently, a file being saved is not saved in case of power failure, battery failure.
Standard batteries last for 20 minutes (approx). Take rechargeable batteries or better, 7.2 V 4200mAh battery (the max is more hard) in a store modlisme. Prvoir 40Euros about 20euros for the charger. Tamiya is the type of connection.

Compact Flash (CF)
The recording time is configured by default 2GB. To use a 4GB card (the max for FR2LE) the capacity to be changed in the menus.
D'APRS computer stores, a CF type 2 suggre as in the manual and on the Fostex site is a Microdrive, ie a hard drive, so it is more fragile than Type1 card like 128MB that came with the FR2LE. My special card 4GB Transcend works well trs (48 euros in Paris (see Mongallet Street).

Listen Headphones
The headphone amplifier is a bit noisy (breath).
Unplug the USB cable, it cr gnre noise.

Rtro-lighting of the screen
Sr Although it consumes energy.
We can activate before entering the menus.
Remains clear 3 sec. Not really the time to accder menus.

Micros Intgr
To use without handle FR2LE, interview ...

Buttons
Shift + lock: lock buttons. false manipulations quickly.

Appearance / ergonomics
Some dislike the ct plastic Casing ...

PC Connection
Connect and menu navigation with USB connection to PC: ok, no problem on OSX, so I think Windows. See if it works on Linux (see drivers).
The ceremonial FR2LE as a hard disk.
Transfer files fast enough. I think to buy a card reader for now. Transfer monopolizes the machine, may be useful to have a card reader to offload while recording with another ...
It is better to unplug the USB cable if you want to save: if your PC is connected agnre noise.
Sound quality
This is the main question. I have not made enough records to give notice. To be continued.
FR2LE + 2 batteries + charger + 2 4GB CF = 600 + 80 + 20 + 96 = 786 euros.

For the price, which is the main argument of this machine is worth it.
There are things missing from these tests (USB transfer, correct for the time prciser use, solid connectors ...).
J'espre that has help those who are asking questions before purchase. It is always best to take (s) mic (s) that will be used and some batteries (it takes 4) and, even if the seller a little drunk, doing self-test in a same store and the street in front ...

Good records!