Freesound Forums

I am about to get one, but i want to avoid get involved with the small ones(microtrack, edirol, etc). Anybody here used any zzounds model?
I would like something easy to carry and set up, but a little bit more professional than the i-river lets say.
What you think about this one: http://www.zzounds.com/item--FOSFR2LE

thanx for reading guys.

I own a Fostex FR-2. It has silent and clean input circuits. The sound is good. Easy to operate. But it's bulky for walking around with, and requires 8 batteries at a time. I don't think it suitable for field-recording, so I use it only inside with power outlet.

It needed to be made more compact. That's FR-2 LE. The size shrinked, but the sound quality doesn't, I guess. Fostex guys hate to make products of poor sound however small it is, or however low the price.

I think it's worth trying.

I love the Zoom H4 because it's not as expensive but still delivers great sound. Built in 4 tracker, external mic outputs, levels, monitoring, etc. And it fits in the hand perfectly and can be concealed easily if need be. Records in high and low bit-rates, .wav, mp3, etc. Well worth the cost.

Zoom H4

The Edirol R09 is fantastic and worth considering unless you are looking for multiple or balanced mic inputs. Very user friendly, fits in your pocket, 2 AA batteries last a good long while, wav or MP3s transfer easily to mac or PC. No wind shield is my only complaint.

Herb

Hello all, check out this this recorder test result page by German Avisoft Bioacoustics:

http://www.avisoft.com/recordertests.htm

Be sure to scroll down and follow the 'noise floor comparison' link. No info on the FR 2Le. Too new I guess.

Having compared and discussed many recorders with the people at my favourite audio gear store I went for the Sound Devices 702 myself. I would be more confident with a Fostex machine then a Micro Track (phantom power below the spec) or an Edirol (noise floor too high). These last two are built for live music recording people (high SPL environments). As Heigh-hoo points out Fostex have experience with silent pre amp design, and I would imagine good pre amp gain (?) both critical when recording quiet sounds.

--Peter

thanx everybody for replying.
i guess i ll go with the fostex although 8 AA batteries operation is a limiter in outside capabilities...

Hi
to whom it may concern, the FR2 LE is out. Guys at the naturerecordist group are reviewing it:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/naturerecordists/message/27940

Saludos

Even there are some negative point the FR2LE seems to be "my recorder". But it is still not avialable in germany

-Erdie

does anybody have an idea on what is this BWF format?
how is it compatible with software apps?

sadmac
does anybody have an idea on what is this BWF format?
how is it compatible with software apps?

dobroide

sadmac
does anybody have an idea on what is this BWF format?
how is it compatible with software apps?

It's just a type of WAV file that allows metadata inclusion:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BWF
...the only difference between a BWF and a "normal" WAV is the extended information in the file header (Bext-Chunk, Coding-History, etc...), a BWF does not require a special player for playback

thank you!

OK, I got the FR2LE and could make some tests. Must say the machine is very usable, not so bulky, and the preamp sounds really good. Have uploaded a couple comparable files, one using the Fostex (http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/samplesViewSingle.php?id=34524) and a second using a good quality preamp (Shure FP24) plugged into a Edirol R09 recorder (http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/samplesViewSingle.php?id=34525).

Except for power (it has less gain than the dedicated preamp, about 25% or so less) I can tell no difference as regards sound. My only complain is that I hate plastic as a construction material for the gear I use (no ceremony here The pouch the manufacturer provides is just good to carry around, but for field use a padded bag or case is a must.

Saludos

While we are on the topic of recorders: Sonosax have anounced a new recorder, the SX-R4. It will be an 4 analog/ 8 AES digital input machine. While very expensive it is way cheaper then the SD 744T. Coming from Sonosax nothing but good is to be expected.
Check out :
http://www.sonosax.ch/index2.html

--Peter

I got my FR2LE as well for testing and decided to buy it. The preamps are good (low noise) and thats my first priority. You will hear more field recordings from me in future :wink:

-Erdie