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Fostex FR-2
Has anyone used the Fostex FR-2 to record concerts? What are your
opinions? I'm asking because this machine seems to be marketed towards the Film/TV industry or ENG/EFP type recording; which is primarily for dialogue. I just wonder if it is good for music (particularly classical music) Thanks. |
#2
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#3
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Mike Rivers wrote: In article .com writes: I'm asking because this machine seems to be marketed towards the Film/TV industry or ENG/EFP type recording; which is primarily for dialogue. I just wonder if it is good for music (particularly classical music) There's no reason why it wouldn't be just find for recording concerts as long as you had enough storage capacity (flash card) for the length of recording that you needed. It has a number of features that aren't necessary for straightforward concert recording, however. If you can consider that you're getting those features for free rather than worrying about why you can't get a cheaper version without the extra "frills," it'll do just fine. It seems to me that if you want to do a good job of recording concerts then you would want better preamps. I don't know anything about the Fostex preamps but I doubt they are particularly good. When I've recorded an orchestra, I have needed to bring a 12' boom stand, good mics, good preamps etc, long power cables etc. If you need this stuff, then carrying any size of digital recorder is the least of one's worries. So, I don't think that a portable recorder is the best solution. I just purchased the Edirol R1. My logic behind this is that I can use it for recording things when I don't care about the sound quality, and have a highly convenient all-in-one-box-including-mics to tote around. If I do care about the sound quality, then I unfortunately I can't justify not bringing a trunkful of stuff. -- I'm really Mike Rivers ) However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over, lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring and reach me he double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo |
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#6
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In article .com,
wrote: Well, what are the cheaper versions with less frills? I want something that of similar quality to the Tascam DA-P1. Are the FR-2 preamps of similar quality to the DA-P1? This is the age of mass-production. You pay _more_ money to get fewer frills today. That's the problem with these things. --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
#7
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wrote in
oups.com: Also, The largest CompactFlash II card I could find was 4 Gb but is called "Microdrive" and I don't know if the FR2 can accept "Microdrive". Actually real CompactFlash (not microdrive) cards in 4 Gb size have became pretty available in the last year. As of this moment, newegg.com lists 6 cards under 5 brands for sale at prices ranging from $218 to $346 delivered. Or are you thinking you _need_ type II? Not so, the only difference is card thickness, and all type I's are to run in type II slots. see: http://www.compactflash.org/faqs/faq.htm#What_is Peter A. Stoll retired computer guy |
#8
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#9
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I was trying to compare the FR2 with the PMD670 but I'm not very good
at reading specifications. What I found was: FR2: S/N: Mic: 87dB (ADC-DAC, 24bit, ref:-20dB, fs: 48kHz) typical Dynamic Range: 100dB (ADC-DAC, 24bit, ref:-20dB, fs:48kHz) typical PMD670: Signal-to-Noise Ratio IEC-A Weighted: 65dB Dynamic Range: 86 dB These numbers are copied directly from their advertised specs. If I understand correctly, the FR2 has better S/N ratio and Dynamic range. But if I'm incorrect, please let me know. Seems like every company states their specs in a slightly different way. |
#11
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On 2 Aug 2005 15:51:28 -0700, wrote:
Well, what are the cheaper versions with less frills? I want something that of similar quality to the Tascam DA-P1. Are the FR-2 preamps of similar quality to the DA-P1? Also, The largest CompactFlash II card I could find was 4 Gb but is called "Microdrive" and I don't know if the FR2 can accept "Microdrive". Has anyone used "Microdrive" CFC with the FR2? Have you seen John Willett's review of the FR-2 on the forum at http://www.soundonsound.com? That should answer most of your questions - and John seems like a friendly guy and would probably be happy to answer any others that you have. Cheers. James. |
#12
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Mike Rivers wrote: In article .com writes: It seems to me that if you want to do a good job of recording concerts then you would want better preamps. I don't know anything about the Fostex preamps but I doubt they are particularly good. Then maybe you should find out. There is no reason to use inferior equipment to record anything, but sometimes we can't afford it so we do what we can. When I've recorded an orchestra, I have needed to bring a 12' boom stand, good mics, good preamps etc, long power cables etc. If you need this stuff, then carrying any size of digital recorder is the least of one's worries. So, I don't think that a portable recorder is the best solution. You have a good point there, but the questions was asked about a particular portable recorder. Perhaps it will be good enough for who it's for. I just purchased the Edirol R1. My logic behind this is that I can use it for recording things when I don't care about the sound quality Does this mean you think it's junk? Have you tried it with good preamps and microphones? Maybe you're really rather tote a small recorder than an ATR-102. I think that it's probably junk, but I don't know yet. I have a use for something that doesn't work all that well, though, if I can carry it with me easily, and use it as an iPod at the same time. I don't carry an ATR-102, but if I have to carry good preamps, microphones and a 50lb boom stand, then I will also carry the DA-38, a bit splitter and decent converters, and I'll have something that is (probably) more reliable and definitely easier to back up/store. When I think about it, if I have to carry a rack anyway for the preamps it would actually be *easier* to stick a rackmount recorder in there than have a whole bunch of cabling running from the preamp to recorder and the attendent possibility of me accidentally kicking the cables out. -- I'm really Mike Rivers ) However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over, lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring and reach me he double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo |
#13
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#14
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Mike Rivers wrote: In article .com writes: I don't carry an ATR-102, but if I have to carry good preamps, microphones and a 50lb boom stand, then I will also carry the DA-38, a bit splitter and decent converters Do people still use bit splitters? I thought that was a really cool idea, but I haven't seen one in years. I do, when I'm doing an orchestra. I have a couple of DA-38's lying around doing nothing which have no resale value, and a couple of RME converters that are decent and do the bit splitting, making a DA-38 into a 4-track 24-bit recorder. I have boatloads of the HI-8 tapes, and they're easy to store. I could replace the DA-38/RME with an ADAT HD24, and it would be lighter and record more tracks. But I don't need more tracks, and I don't want to spend the money. if I have to carry a rack anyway for the preamps it would actually be *easier* to stick a rackmount recorder in there than have a whole bunch of cabling running from the preamp to recorder and the attendent possibility of me accidentally kicking the cables out. Smart packaging is really important when you're doing remote recording. A rack on wheels might be bigger and heavier than a back pack and hand truck full of small and light units and cables, but you only have to make one trip from the car, and all the cables are alredy hooked up. Just plug in the power, the mics, and go. Right! I have the DA-38/RME, API preamps, a power supply, and a headphone amp in one 8-space rack, with holes punched through for the connectors - 2 mic cables and a power cable. It probably weighs 50lbs instead of 5lbs, but it is quicker to setup and I need the exercise anyway. And it may be easier to justify charging someone when you carry more equipment. -- I'm really Mike Rivers ) However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over, lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring and reach me he double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo |
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