M R. 8H D M R.8 m k I I

Dig ital Multitrackers

MR-8HD Main Features

. 8H D MR
8 Recording Tracks to Hard Drive High quality sound - 16-bit resolution at 44.1 kHz without quality-sapping compression

M R.8 m k I I

4 track Simultaneous Recording Great for capturing multiple instruments / vocal parts 4 XLR Inputs With phantom power and trim control Extended Recording Time More than 15 hours of 8-track recording at CD quality Full 8-track bouncing Mix-down all tracks in stereo FAT32 Disc Format and WAV Recording Plus USB port for easy transfer of recordings to PC with WAV Manager software S/P DIF Digital Out For digital mastering to external CD recorder, MD etc. Fantastic Built-In Digital FX Including reverbs, delays, guitar amp simulations and microphone simulations Analog Guitar Distortion Plug a guitar right in - awesome distortion available with dedicated control knob Direct CD-RW Connection Master direct to externally connected USB CD-RW (no PC required)

MR-8mkII Main Features

MR-Series Digital Multitrackers
Their ease of use is only matched by their uncompromising sound quality and huge feature lists.
The Fostex MR-Series are the easiest route into digital multitracking. With their easy to use cassette-like controls youll be creating your next hit within minutes of powering up and pluggin in - it doesnt get any simpler. But dont confuse ease of use with a lack of features as these machines offer awesome, un-compressed sound quality, phantom powered mic inputs, sparkling in-built digital effects, guitar amp and microphone simulation plus crunching analog guitar distortion. Whether you go for the MR-8HD with its large built-in hard drive, 4 fully-featured inputs and 4-track simultaneous recording, or opt for the convenience of the battery or mains powered MR-8mkII which records direct to CompactFlash, youll have everything you need.
MR-8HD 8-track recording to internal HD
All the essential controls are right where you need them - no confusing menus to wade through to crank up the built-in guitar distortion, its right there on the top panel. Real knobs. Real faders. The MR-8HD features 4 balanced phantom powered XLR / unbalanced jack inputs. The 8 tracks record at true uncompressed CD quality to the internal hard drive, theres the facility for 4 track simultaneous recording, built-in mic and guitar amp simulation, reverb / delay and cool mastering effects. Plus, the USB interface and the WAV file recording make it a snap to transfer recordings to and from a PC for further editing / CD burning.
8 Recording Tracks to CompactFlash High quality sound - 16-bit resolution at 44.1 kHz without quality-sapping compression 2 track Simultaneous Recording Great for capturing multiple instruments / vocal parts 2 XLR Inputs With phantom power and trim control Extended Recording Time LP Mode (16-bit/22.05 kHz) doubles recording time Full 8-track bouncing Mix-down all tracks in stereo WAV Recording High Speed USB port for easy transfer of recordings to PC with WAV Manager software Mains Power or Battery Operation Approx. 4 hours operation time with batteries Fantastic Built-In Digital FX Including reverbs, delays, guitar amp simulations and microphone simulations Analog Guitar Distortion Plug a guitar right in - awesome distortion available with dedicated control knob Direct CD-RW Connection Master direct to externally connected USB CD-RW (no PC required)
MR-8mkII 8-track recording to CompactFlash

Quite possibly the dream solution. The ultra-convenient MR-8mkII features superb uncompressed multitrack recording to CompactFlash cards with battery or mains power. This makes it great for instant capture of your inspiration wherever you are; swirling guitar at the beach, mega vocals in an abandoned factory, you name it. You dont even need a microphone - its got one built in. 2-track simultaneous recording is offered, as well as all the effects, simulators and guitar distortion features of its bigger brother. New for the mkII is a High Speed USB port making for faster transfer of files to a PC for further editing.
MR-8HD Interfacing 1 Input A: Unbalanced guitar input or Balanced XLR mic input 2 Insert point (TRS phone jack) 3 Inputs B, C, D Inputs: Balanced XLR and unbalanced jack 4 Master Stereo Out x Headphone Outs with level control
6 USB connector 7 USB Host 8 MIDI Out
9 Optical S/P DIF Out 10 Footswitch

MR-8HD Specifications

RECORDING / PLAYBACK Recording Medium Recording Time Sampling Frequency Quantization A/D & D/A Converters No. of Recording Track No. of Simultaneous Rec. Recording/Reproduction Dynamic Range T.H.D. INPUTS/OUTPUTS Analog In (4ch) Connector Input Level Input Impedance 3.5 inch, hard disk (E-IDE type) Approx. 943 mins (8-track on 40GB) 44.1 kHz (Format FAT32) 16-bit linear (non-compression) 24-bit Delta-Sigma 8 tracks maximum 4 tracks Frequency 20 Hz - 20 kHz 88dB or more (typical) 0.05% or less (typical) XLR-3-31 type (Pin2:hot) and 6mm TRS phone -48dBV (MIC) - +4dBV (LINE) 1.5k ohm or more (MIC/BAL) 40k ohm or more (LINE/UNBAL) 500k ohm or more (GUITAR/UNBAL) Stereo Out (L, R) Connector Output Level Load Impedance Headphones Connector Max. Output Load Impedance MIDI Out Connector Foot Switch Connector Digital Out Connector Format USB 2.0 Hi-Speed USB 1.1 Host GENERAL Dimensions Power Requirement Power Consumption
GETTING A GREAT SOUND MADE EASY

Mic and Amp Simulation

Getting a great vocal or guitar sound has never been easier! Just plug your mic or guitar into Input A (no DI boxes, no pre-amps required) and choose from two types of insert effects: microphone or amplifier simulation. These effects can be used during recording and emulate popular microphone types and guitar amps. 3 types of mic simulation are offered: Dynamic (Professional dynamic microphone) Condenser (studio condenser microphone) Tube (Studio tube microphone) 3 types of guitar amp simulation are offered: Brit Stack (British 800-series tube guitar head) US Metal (High gain metal guitar amplifier) Bass Combo (Popular tube combo amp) In addition, you have full control over the built-in guitar distortion effect. Crank it up!

6mm stereo phone -10dBV (unbalance) 10k ohm or more 2 x 6mm stereo phone 20mW or more (@32 ohm) 16 ohm or more DIN 5 pin 6mm phone Optical IEC 60958 (S/P DIF) 44.1kHz B Type connector A Type connector 312(W) x 264(D) x 88(H) mm, 3 kgs 100V - 230V, 50/60Hz 14W
MR-8mkII Interfacing 1 Input A: Unbalanced guitar input or Balanced XLR mic input 2 Guitar distortion control 3 Input B: Unbalanced line input or Balanced XLR mic input 4 Master Stereo Out x Headphone Outs with level control
6 USB connector 7 Footswitch 8 Input A selector
9 MIDI Out 10 USB Host 11 CompactFlash port

Reverb / Delay

The MR-Series also has 4 terrific types of built-in reverb/delay all featuring the newly-developed algorithm. Room reverb Hall reverb Plate reverb Delay You can apply the reverb or delay to playback signals of tracks 1 through 4 during mixdown and track bouncing.

MR-8mkII Specifications

RECORDING / PLAYBACK Recording Medium Recording Time Recording Format Sampling Frequency Quantization A/D Converter D/A Converter No. of Recording Track No. of Simultaneous Rec. Recording/Reproduction Dynamic Range T.H.D. INPUTS/OUTPUTS Analog In (Input A/B) CompactFlash Approx. 6 mins (8-track on 256MB) FAT16 44.1 kHz (normal), 22.05 kHz (LP) 16-bit linear (non-compression) 24-bit Delta-Sigma 24-bit Delta-Sigma 8 tracks maximum 2 tracks Frequency 20 Hz - 20 kHz (normal) 87dB or more (typical) 0.05% or less (typical) XLR-3-31 type (Pin2:hot) and 6mm TRS phone
-48dBV (MIC) - +4dBV (LINE) 1.5k ohm or more (MIC/BAL) 500k ohm or more (GUITAR/UNBAL) +48v (on/off selectable) 6mm stereo phone -10dBV (unbalance) 10k ohm or more 2 x 6mm stereo phone 20mW or more (@32 ohm) 16 ohm or more 6mm phone B Type connector A Type connector 286(W) x 219(D) x 67(H) mm, 1.6 kgs 100V - 230V, 50/60Hz Fostex AC Adaptor, AD12A DC12V
Input Level Input Impedance Phantom Power Stereo Out (L, R) Connector Output Level Load Impedance Headphones Connector Max. Output Load Impedance Foot Switch Connector USB 2.0 Hi-Speed USB 1.1 Host GENERAL Dimensions Power Requirement Power Supply

Mastering Effects

3 handy mastering effects are included which make getting a great sound a snap. Powerful (Adds power to the sound. Good for rock) Natural (Great for acoustic music) Bright (Gives the mix a snappy feel) You can use the mastering effects when bouncing more than one track to a stereo track or when mixing down tracks 1 through 8 to the master stereo L/R output for external mastering.
Distributor / Authorised Dealer

www.fostex.jp

Fostex Company, 3-2-35 Musashino, Akishima, Tokyo, Japan 196-0021 Tel: +81 (0)42-546-4974 Fax: +81 (0)42-546-9222
In accordance with our policy of continuous development, we reserve the right to change specifications without notice. E&OE.

8588074000

(436808)
MR-8HD Owner's manual V1.20 supplement
With the new MR-8HD version 1.20 software, the [USB HOST] port is now supported. You can burn a CD-DA* format audio CD using an external CDR/RW drive. Please read this supplement for burning an audio CD using an external CD-R/RW drive.

* CD-DA

CD-DA stands for "Compact Disc Digital Audio". It is the official designation for the audio format on CD. The specifications for the CDDA format are described in the "Red Book". Sound is recorded as stereo digital signals which are PCM-coded at 44.1 kHz sampling and 16-bit quantization.
Read this page before using!
Before connecting an external CD-R/RW drive and burning a CD-DA-format audio CD, read the following.
Important! CD-R/RW drives which can be connected to the MR-8HD
You can connect the MR-8HD [USB HOST] port to any CD-R/RW drive which has a [USB] port and can be powered by AC main or batteries. The MR-8HD does not provide USB bus power facility (which allows supplying power to an external device from the MR-8HD), therefore, you cannot connect a CD-R/RW drive which only can be powered by USB connection. Also note that the models which can be used with the MR-8HD may change. Check currently available CD-R/RW drives from Fostex website (http://www.fostex.com) before purchasing a drive unit.

Usable discs

Only discs with any of the following icons can be used with a CD-R/RW drive connected to the MR8HD.
<CD-R disc>: You can make additional recording to a CD-R disc until it is

Recordable

finalized if it is brand new and still has enough recordable area.
<CD-RW disc>: You can make additional recording to a CD-RW disc until

ReWritable

it is brand new and still has enough recordable area.
<CD disc>: You can view TOC information of a disc with this logo (such as
a commercially available CD) but you cannot make recording. <Note>: Using a CD-R/CD-RW drive connected to the MR-8HD, you can record CD-DA format audio tracks converted from stereo WAV files but you cannot play back audio discs you created (or commercially available audio CDs).
Notes on handling of discs
* When handling a disc, be careful not to dirty or scratch the surface of the disc. We recommended that you hold the disc with your finger on the disc edge and center hole. Do not stick any paper, etc. on the label side. Also, do not scratch the label side, which may cause problems during playback or recording. Use only a felt pen or equivalent for writing any memo on the label side. Using a ball-point pen, pencil, etc. that has a hard tip may damage a disc. Never use a warped or chipped disc, which may damage the CD-R/RW drive.

Notes on care of discs

* If there is a dust, dirt or fingerprints on the disc, which may cause error in playback or recording, wipe the disc with a soft, dry cloth or alcohol from the center out. Never wipe from the outside to center. Read the attached manual packed with the disc before using it.
Connecting an external CD-R/RW drive
You can connect a CD-R/RW drive to the [USB HOST] port on the MR-8HD rear panel using a USB cable, as shown below (a USB cable is not supplied with the MR-8HD).

CD-R/RW drive

INPUT A SEL
GTR CLEAN MIC/LINE GTR DIST

USB HOST

MIDI OUT

DIGITAL OUT

FOOT SW
AC outlet AC outlet [USB HOST] port USB 1.1A type standard compatible USB cable CD-R/RW disc
Song data which can be recorded to a CD-R/RW disc
You can record a stereo WAV file converted from two mono files on tracks 7 and 8 (final mixdowned files) to a CD-R/RW disc in the CD-DA format. Mixdowned files on tracks 7 and 8 can be created by in either of the following track bouncing methods.

(1) (2)

Bouncing tracks 1 through 6 to tracks 7/8 of the same song. Bouncing tracks 1 through 8 to tracks 7/8 of the new song.
See pages 63 through 74 of the MR-8HD owner's manual for details about track bouncing. See pages 90 and 91 of the MR-8HD owner's manual for details about how to convert files on tracks 7 and 8 to a stereo WAV file.
On the MR-8HD, a stereo WAV file converted from track 7/ 8 data is stored to the "2 MIX" folder in the Song folder of the original song (see the illustration on the left). Also see page 93 of the MR-8HD owner's manual.

*********.wav

#####001.wav
Only stereo WAV files in the "2 MIX" folder can be burned to a CD-R/RW disc in the CD-DA format. Therefore, you must load the song in which the desired stereo WAV file(s) is/are stored. Before creating an audio CD, read the <Note> on the next page.

#####002.wav

#####003.wav

#####008.wav

Song01

Song02

Song03
Procedure of creating an audio CD
<Note>: Before creating an audio CD, you must load the song in which the bounced track data on tracks 7/8 has been converted to the stereo WAV file (see the example below). <Example>: If five songs (01 through 05) are recorded on the hard disk and the stereo WAV file to be burned to a CD-R/RW disc is stored in the "2 MIX" folder of Song 03; Load Song 03 before starting the operation below. Especially when you burn multiple audio files from different songs to a disc, make sure to load an appropriate song each time before you burn a file. To load the desired song, use the "Select Song" menu item in the "Song" menu. See page 98 of the MR-8HD owner's manual for details about the "Select Song" menu item. In the procedure described below, it is assumed that the following preparations are made. The MR-8HD and the CD-R/RW drive is correctly connected using the USB cable and the both machines are turned on. The song which has the stereo WAV file to be burned is loaded.
1) Insert a blank disc to the CD-R/RW drive.
Operate the CD-R/RW drive to open or close the disc tray. The USB HOST menu has three menu items (see below). This menu item is used to record a stereo WAV file in the "2 MIX" folder to a CD-R/RW disc in the CD-DA format. By repeating the "CD Burn" operation, you can burn multiple tracks to a CD-R/RW disc. After recording all desired files to the disc, finalize the disc using the "CD Finalize" item below. To complete audio CD recording after recording all desired files to a CD-R/RW disc using the "CD Burn" operation, you must finalize the disc using this menu item. Finalizing a disc means you cannot add any more tracks to it. This menu item is used to view the TOC information (including the number of tracks and total recording time) of an audio CD (regardless of whether it is a commercially available CD or not). You can also see the TOC information after making "CD Burn" or "CD Finalize".

While the MR-8HD is stopped, press the [ENTER] key to enter the MENU mode.
The display now shows the menu selection screen, where "<<Back" is initially highlighted.

CD Burn

CD Finalize
Use the [MENU] dial to select "USB HOST>" on page 2 of the menu selection screen and press the [ENTER] key.
The display now shows the USB HOST menu selection screen, where "<<Back" is initially highlighted. CD TOC
Operation example of making an audio CD
To make an audio CD with a single track (1) Execute "CD Burn" once. (2) Execute "CD Finalize".
To make an audio CD with multiple tracks (1) Execute "CD Burn" repeatedly. (2) After completing "CD Burn" for the final track, execute "CD Finalize".
<Note>: Depending on a CD-R/RW drive, the following screen may pop up when entering the USB HOST menu selection screen. While this pop-up screen is shown, the internal operation between the MR-8HD and the CD-R/RW drive is being executed. The popup screen will disappear after about ten seconds. After the screen disappears, you can select the USB HOST menu. 5)
<Note>: The following shows a screen example where multiple stereo WAV files exist in the "2 MIX" folder of the currently loaded song.
Use the [MENU] dial to select the desired WAV file and press the [ENTER] key.
The MR-8HD starts writing to the CD-R/RW disc, while the display changes to show the following screen.
<Note>: If "Not Mounted" is shown at the bottom of the screen when selecting the USB HOST menu using the [MENU] dial, the MR8HD is not correctly connected to the CD-R/ RW drive.
While the MR-8HD is writing to the disc, "Writing." is shown and the "ACC" flashes on the screen. The access indicator on the CD-R/RW drive will also flash. In such a condition, do not turn off the power or press the eject key of the drive. Also note that all of the MR-8HD keys are disabled while the MR-8HD is writing to the disc. When the MR-8HD finishes writing to the disc, it stops disc access and the display changes to show the following screen.
If you press the [ENTER] key in this condition, "Warning: Not Mounted!" is popped up. In this case, disconnect and then connect the USB cable while the MR-8HD stops accessing to the internal hard drive or the external CD-R/RW drive. Then confirm that "Not Mounted" is not shown on the USB HOST menu selection screen, and press the [ENTER] key. 4) Use the [MENU] dial to select "CD Burn>" and press the [ENTER] key.
The display changes to show the screen for selecting a desired stereo WAV file from the "2 MIX" folder of the currently loaded song. The following (bottom) shows a screen example where only one stereo WAV file exists in the "2 MIX" folder.

Press the [ENTER] key.

The display returns to show the USB HOST menu selection screen, where "CD Burn>" is highlighted.
If you write more than one stereo WAV file to the disc, execute steps 4 through 6 above repeatedly and go to step 7 for finalizing the disc. You can view the TOC information after carrying out "CD Burn". See "Viewing TOC" on the next page for details.
Use the [MENU] dial to select "CD Finalize>" and press the [ENTER] key.
The display changes to show the confirmation screen for finalizing, where "<<Back" is highlighted.
Following the screen prompt, press the [ENTER] key.
The display now shows the USB HOST menu selection screen, where "CD Finalize>" is highlighted.
You can view the TOC after finalizing. See "Viewing TOC" below for details. To finalize the disc, press the [ENTER] key. To cancel finalizing, press the [CANCEL] key, followed by the [ENTER] key.
Press the [STOP] key to exit the MENU mode.
You can also exit the MENU mode by selecting "<<Back" and pressing the [ENTER] key repeatedly.
Use the [MENU] dial to select "[ENTER]" and press the [ENTER] key.
The MR-8HD starts finalizing the disc, while the screen shows "Finalizing.". When finalizing completes, "Completed!" is shown and the disc is automatically ejected from the CD-R/RW drive.

Viewing TOC

You can view the TOC when completing "CD Burn" or "CD Finalize". Therefore, when you burn more than one track to a disc, you can check the remaining time (the recordable time left) by viewing the TOC whenever you complete burning a track.
<TOC>; TOC stands for Table of Contents. TOC lists number of CD tracks, their starting locations, playing time of each track on the disc, etc.
Viewing TOC after completing "CD Burn"
1) Use the [MENU] dial to select "CD TOC>" and press the [ENTER] key.
The display shows "Please Wait.", followed by the track number and playing time, as well as the disc remaining time.
<Note>: You cannot add any more tracks to a finalized disc. If you reload the finalized disc to the drive and attempt to burn an additional WAV file, the following warning message appears and you cannot burn the file.

After checking TOC, use the [MENU] dial to select "<<Back" and press the [ENTER] key.
The display returns to the USB HOST menu selection screen. You can finalize the disc by selecting "CD Finalize>".
<Note>: The following shows the screen example when you burn multiple WAV files. You can check the playing time of each track as well as the disc remaining time.
<Note>: The following shows the screen example when you burn multiple WAV files and finalized. You can check the playing time of each track as well as the disc remaining time. In this case, the remaining time is also shown as "00h00m00s".
Viewing TOC after completing "CD Finalize"
3) 1) Close the tray of the CD-R/RW drive (because after finalizing the disc, the tray opens).
You can close the tray by pressing the eject key or push the tray lightly.
After checking TOC, use the [STOP] key to exit the MENU mode.
The display returns to the Home screen.
<Note>: When you close the tray, the access indicator starts flashing while the drive is reading the disc. Therefore, do not carry out the next operation until the drive stops accessing and the access indicator gets unlit. 2) Use the [MENU] dial to select "CD TOC>" and press the [ENTER] key.
As with viewing the TOC after "CD burn" operation, the display shows "Please Wait", followed by TOC. However, in this case, the remaining time is shown as "00h00m00s", which means no more tracks can be recorded.
<Note>: You can also view the TOC of a commercially available audio CD, as with an audio CD you made using the MR-8HD. To do this, set an audio CD to the CD-R/RW drive and carry out the same operation as described above using the "USB HOST" menu in the MENU mode. Note that you can view only the playing time of each track. You cannot view track titles.

FOSTEX CO.

3-2-35, Musashino, Akishima-shi, Tokyo, Japan, 196-0021

FOSTEX AMERICA

13701 Cimarron Avenue Gardena, CA 90249 U.S.A.
PRINTED IN CHINA OCT. (436808)