Fostex FR-2 LE - 2-Channel Compact Flash Field Recorder

Comments about Fostex FR-2 LE - 2-Channel Compact Flash Field Recorder:

For field recording, I used an AKG 414 $1000 mic and turned the preamp three-quarters of the way up to record elk bugling in yellowstone only about 100 yards away. The hiss (noise) was too loud. I'm considering Sound Devises MP-1, MM-1 or Mixpre-D to upgrade the preamps. It also doesn't record mono files, so the files are twice as big as they need to be if you only want one channel.

Comments about Fostex FR-2 LE - 2-Channel Compact Flash Field Recorder:

It has pretty good preamps in it and the functions are pretty fool-proof. All-in-all Id say well worth the money I spent.

Comments about Fostex FR-2 LE - 2-Channel Compact Flash Field Recorder:

As soon as I pulled the FR-2 out of the packaging I was ready to use it. It is a very user friendly system that is more or less ready to go when you pull it out the first time.

There are many different recording options including file types and sample rates. The mixer is simple to run, audio preview, one button press to record and stop. New files are created each time you hit record and numbered in sequence.

Possibly the coolest feature that I didn't expect was a scrub feature when rewinding. If you record a file and then hit STOP, it is possible to hold the rewind button and listen to the sound file backwards as it rewinds, just like a tape player. This feature is very useful when trying to find a specific point in the audio file for quick playback.

It takes four AA batteries that fit into a special battery case that is then inserted into the device. I went and purchased two RC style battery packs with a charger that are meant to fit into the device. Now I can recharge larger batteries and not burn through my wallet on AA batteries. This is possibly one of the best aspects of the FR-2 design.

This device is excellent for field recordings, location sound, videography sound, sample recordings or even patching into an out from a mixer board.

I highly recommend this item.

Comments about Fostex FR-2 LE - 2-Channel Compact Flash Field Recorder:

I got the product a few days ago, I've already recorded trains and around the house sounds, I plan to record crowds, junkyards, etc.

I am an field-experienced amateur sound designer, I've recorded animal handlers wrestling alligators to get them to hiss and growl, guns, helicopters. I even recorded kangaroos - only to find out they don't vocalize.

I used to use the Microtrack II, and it is just terrible. Then I got a very high quality mic pre which made it just plain bad. Then I used a Tascam DR-100 which was better, but I always have to use too much NR and I never get a crisp, detailed sound.

This product gives that to you. It is still necessary to have a good microphone or you will get about 45db of noise on quiet sounds (such as cd drives opening). I am using the AT815b, with occasional access to the sanken lavs.

You can't get better sound. Its plastic and feels a little flimsy, but you shouldn't be dropping it even if it were solid steel. It has easily accessible controls, great control over file naming and structure - too much, even. Battery changing is also somewhat strange, but its onboard mics are surprisingly decent, and the simple shoulder strap is stupidly awesome for production sound, or field recording at a moments notice.

If you can manage it, record foley with this and a rhode NT1-A for epic SNR.

Comments about Fostex FR-2 LE - 2-Channel Compact Flash Field Recorder:

I have owned this for over a year and a half and it still works great. The quality is pristine with my rode nt4 and my audio-technica stereo shotgun. I record urban and natural ambiance, birdsong, small ensemble performances, etc. I also own a zoom h4 and this recorder is miles above that one in terms of noise and sound quality. I agree the headphone and the monitor outs are noisy which is annoying but the recording quality is what really counts and that is great. I find the interface to be easy, others not so much.

Comments about Fostex FR-2 LE - 2-Channel Compact Flash Field Recorder:

I use the FR-2LE with a RODE NTG-2 primarly for dialogue. It works really well outdoors, but also indoors, if the mic is close enough, (about one foot away). The volume of the recorded audio is a bit low but I can hear almost no hiss. When I import the audio file to my editing program and do some basic noise reduction, trix with the EQ, the result is extremely good. Now I can hear NO hiss, and the audio is louder and sounds way better than the original.

It can get a bit tricky to get an idea of how the audio is going to sound like while recording, because the headphone amp is noisy. But, the end results are very good, much better than my previously Marantz PMD 660.

Comments about Fostex FR-2 LE - 2-Channel Compact Flash Field Recorder:

I have used this as a multi-purpose field recorder for 18 months or so, usually connected to decent Sennheiser microphone(s).

Now that several newer portable recorders have hit the market, I'm not sure this box is worth the price I paid. Never been happy with the build quality -- the whole thing is plastic and seems at risk anytime you swing it over your shoulder and take it outdoors. Plugging in to AC power adds a noticable hum to the input signal, which is a avoidable while toting it with batteries, but adds to the sense of inferior quality.

Interface is not intuitive, although I suspect that those familiar with the long history of Fostex machines would have fewer problems than I did. Manual is cludgy.

Yes, it works. But it also seems like a device built by a company still stuck in a previous era.

Comments about Fostex FR-2 LE - 2-Channel Compact Flash Field Recorder:

I am a video producer and need to record narrations and some field ambience. I use a high end microphone (Sennheiser). Once I learned how to use the FR-2 LE - 2 is seems to do a fine job but operation was not intuitive and the manual is extremely long, 110 pages, and you better keep it handy at first. There is no index so you have to hunt and the words used are often different than I would. I looked a long time for "erase," or "over-record." Nowhere. You have to go to "menu," scroll to "file" and select, then scroll to the file number, select it, then scroll to "delete" — all easy once you get used to it. I thought I could record a narration by plugging a single input and the machine would record to both channels. Not so (unless I couldn't find the page). I had to buy a "Y" connector and go into both channels. There is no output on the machine marked "out." Only R & L female jacks marked "Monitor." What is the quality? Also an earphone "out." There is a USB "out" but I learned after purchase that it works only with PC's. I produce my shows on a Mac. Sorry! I will have to go out through the monitor jacks and into the back of my Mac with a stereo mini. I haven't tried it yet. Does the monitor volume control also control output volume instead of a steady line?

Comments about Fostex FR-2 LE - 2-Channel Compact Flash Field Recorder:

We use this product with or ENG package. We love how it recorders all types of audio and the ease of use.

Comments about Fostex FR-2 LE - 2-Channel Compact Flash Field Recorder:

I bought this item for use with some core binauralmicrophones. My main interest is ambient recording ofsources such as natural sounds, urban sounds, soundwalks,etc. For this particular purpose, in most situations i haveto really turn the trim controls up all the way (though itend not to go beyond 3/4 full gain) and then the overallrecording level close to full. In quieter environments thelevels are a little low at these settings, but in general Iam very pleased with the results. Battery life is very goodwith a pair of high mah nimh, i find the menu system andrecording controls very easy to use, and the product seemsreasonably sturdy - don't be fooled by the metal look in thepicture however - it's mostly plastic!

Expertise: Multimedia and experimental audio artist

Problems Encountered: My biggest complaint is the headphone amplification - Itried it with a pair of sennheiser hd202's and some cheapin-ear mics (that i received with some mp3 player) -monitoring is then tainted by a significant amount of hissnoise. In fact, while the monitoring level was still atzero, i put the headphones on and turned the unit on -immediately there was a strong hiss, meaning that the noiseis not even due to excessive levels on the headphone - it'salways present. This makes it very difficult to monitor thequality of the sound - i can only use the headphone forjudging the sound level...Strangely enough, I then tried ona pair of ancient KOSS headphones (K/125 - a model from the70's) - and with these phones I get a lot less hiss withoutlosing any level. It might be because the koss has a higherimpedance, or maybe less frequency range on the high end?I'm not too sure. Still the phone amp is an irritating issue...Once transferred to the computer though all my tests so faris brilliant quality - I am very pleased overall.

Items I Recommend: niMH batteries, a better carry bag with extra pockets, big memory card (4GB or higher)

Comments about Fostex FR-2 LE - 2-Channel Compact Flash Field Recorder:

With the 7.2V battery pack go to his maximum.Very easy to use.I testing it with a couple of Rode Nt1a with very good exit for the total price invested.Best regards.

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: None

Items I Recommend: RC 7.2V battery pack

Comments about Fostex FR-2 LE - 2-Channel Compact Flash Field Recorder:

Great recorder from Fostex. Easy to use and no learningcurve. Recorded BWF files sound great..... Very happy withthis piece of equipment. I bought the Time code version....

Problems Encountered: None

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: All Fostex professional field recorders, PD-4, PD-6w, EX-12, FR-2

Items I Recommend: Porta brace bag, DC to 4 pin-pigtail, 2GB CF cards, NIMH AA Bats.