An easy-to-use, go-anywhere multitrack recorder.

The Fostex MR-8 Mk II Digital Multitrack Recorder makes capturing your music a snap thanks to its intuitive design and wealth of controls. All of the unit's major controls are placed on the top panel for easy access and a smooth workflow. Killer digital effects are built right in, as well as guitar amp and microphone simulators and handy mix-down effects. USB connectivity makes it simple to transfer your data for computer editing or CD burning with an external burner.

The MR-8 Mk II records in 16-bit/44.1kHz Normal Mode or 16-bit/22.05kHz LP Mode for double the recording time. Records to CompactFlash (128MB card supplied). Self-illuminating keys and a 132x64 dot-matrix keep your status up-to-date at all times. Analog guitar distortion on Input A and DSP effects including reverb and delay give you no-fuss enhancement to your recordings.

Fostex MR-8mkII 8-Track Digital Recorder Features:

• 8-track recording onto CompactFlash Card (128MB card supplied )
• High-quality sound recording and playback with uncompressed linear 16-bit/44.1kHz digital audio (normal mode)
• 2 track simultaneous recording and 8 track playback
• LP Mode (16-bit/22.05 kHz) doubles the recording time
• Dial knob for menu selection
• +48V Phantom Power on both mic inputs
• USB Host functionality
• Improved 132 x 64 dot-matrix LCD and self-illuminating keys show current status
• Improved built-in digital effects including reverb and delay
• Guitar amp and microphone simulations
• Black top panel design
• Analog guitar distortion with 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 bus
• 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)
• Built-in microphone
• Two headphone outs
• Free WAV Manager software available for multiple mono files transfer to and from PC

If you can operate a tape recorder, you'll be recording and multitracking within minutes of opening the box. Call or click to order now!

Fostex MR-8mkII 8-Track Digital Recorder Specifications:

• Recording/Reproduction
• 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)
  
  I/O
• Analog In (INPUT A/B)
• Connector: XLR-3-31 type (Pin2:hot) and 1/4" 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: 1/4" stereo phone
• Output Level: -10dBV (unbalance)
• Load Impedance: 10k ohm or more
• Headphones (PHONE 1, 2)
• Connector: 2 x 1/4" stereo phone
• Max. Output: 30mW or more (@32 ohm)
• Load Impedance: 16 ohm or more
  
  MIDI Out
• Connector: DIN 5 pin
• Format: MIDI Standard
  
  Foot Switch
• Connector: 1/4" phone
• Level: TTL level
  
  USB 2.0 HI-SPEED
• Connector: B Type
• USB 1.1 (Host Function)
• Connector: A Type
  
  General
• Dimensions: 11-1/4"W x 2-1/2"H x 8-3/5"D
• Weight: 4 lbs.
• Power Requirement: DC12V, 400mA

Fostex MR-8mkII 8-Track Digital Recorder

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Average of 39 User Ratings

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Customer Reviews

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Straightforward and Easy to Use

Posted by N/A from Atlanta on Jul 22, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active

Reviewer's Play Style: Acoustic Rock

This unit took me about an hour to figure out. I sat down with the manual before recording because I wanted to know everything that it could do up front. After that, I recorded a four song demo, mixed the entire thing using the MR8, converted the songs to WAV format (again using just the MR8), and bounced the completed songs directly into i tunes. It was that simple.

I could see where there might be issues in recording a full band. You could definitely do it, but it would take some creativity and the use of a separate mixer which you could line out into the MR8. That would probably only be necessary for recording drums.

Mine came with a 1 GB flash card. That provides about 175-190 minutes of recording. It worked out great for me, but for a full band, you may want to upgrade.

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Original Issue

Posted by DC SKIDD from KCMO on Jun 27, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: 40 years semi pro

Reviewer's Play Style: loud, proud electric or acoustic

I bought the first issue (Big Red) when it first came out years ago. It is still on active duty. This thing is great for everything, user friendly, pc compatible and a real horse. You can buy bigger, but you'll have to work to find better. This guy will probably last me the rest of my life.

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MR-8mkII

Posted by Vintageblue from Waukegan, IL on Apr 28, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician, Engineer

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Folk

I have the mkI and am planning on purchasing either the MR-8HD or the MR-16HD. The features are great, controls are easy to use, no problems with crashing/loss of data. It's a real solid piece of gear. The only complaints I had/have with the mkI were the lack of phantom power with the xlr inputs. But that has been corrected, so no problems here. Transferring tracks wav or mono to the computer is super simple. Couple this with good preamps and mics and you're set! Definitely an investment.

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Can't go Wrong

Posted by BozoTheYankee on Mar 12, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: active musician

Reviewer's Play Style: rock, alt, metal

Easy to use, excellent product quality and sound. I've been using this for over a year and I will tell you that this is great for beginners in recording but if you anticipate being serious about recording, spend the extra money now and buy one that is capable of more. Nothing wrong with this but you will wish (like I do) you had more capabilities.

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A Solid Introduction

Posted by O'Lawdlin from Ormond Beack, FL on Mar 10, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Producer; Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Deathcore; Southern Rock; Acoustic; Folk

After using this mixer for almost a year, I believe that I have gotten the most out of it that I can.

This mixer can handle high amounts of distortion in tunings as low as drop A and still sound fairly close to live, and in acoustic settings using the condenser and the 'natural' mastering effect seemed to give off the most warming sound.

I have had a hard time recording drums, but even for only having two mic inputs the quality is still fairly good. With a little more tweaking I think I'll find the sweet spot for the settings.

Vocals have had similar results. It's a little grainy with low growls, but nothing software can't fix. Clean vocals come in clear and perfect, no problems at all.

I haven't tried much bass recording, but in the few times I've done it, decent results were had.

All in all, I would recommend this mixer to the casual musician looking for more quality than a computer mic, but doesn't have deep pockets. Just use the condenser simulation on EVERYTHING, trust me!

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