Fostex MR-8HD manual

Owner’ s Man ual Digital Multitracker 8588062100 (428387)[...]

2 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Safety instructions/Contents) CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER - SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN 11. Grounding or Polarization - The precautions that should be taken so that the ground[...]

3 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Safety instructions/Contents) Important Safety Instructions 1) Read these instructions. 2) Keep these instructions. 3) Heed all warnings. 4) Follow all instructions. 5) Do not use this apparatus near water. 6) Clean only with dry cloth. 7) Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer[...]

4 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Safety instructions/Contents) Read this chapter fir st! ...................................................................................................... .......9 Intr oduction .................................................................................................................. ........10 MR-8HD main fe[...]

5 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Safety instructions/Contents) Input connection ..................................................................................................................33 Input channel ..............................................................................................................33 INPUT A SEL switch ............[...]

6 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Safety instructions/Contents) T rack bouncing ................................................................................................................ .......63 Preliminary knowledge .......................................................................................................64 Track bouncing example ..[...]

7 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Safety instructions/Contents) MIDI synchr onization .......................................................................................................... ...85 Synchr onization using MTC ...............................................................................................86 Connection .....................[...]

8 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Safety instructions/Contents) T rouble f or recor ding ......................................................................................................... 132 T roub le for pla yback ..........................................................................................................133 T roub le for effect ..[...]

9 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Read this chapter first!) Read this c hapter fir st! This chapter describes precautions before using, as well as features and basic knowledge of the MR-8HD. To understand the MR-8HD features and basic functions, read this chap- ter before using.[...]

10 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Read this chapter first!) Thank you very much for purchasing the Fostex MR-8HD digital multitracker. The MR-8HD is a digital multitracker which can record 8-track audio at 44.1 kHz/16 bits on the internal 3.5-inch hard disk. Up to four tracks can be recorded simultaneously. The MR-8HD is also equipped with an 8-channel [...]

11 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Read this chapter first!) About power suppl y • Be sure to connect the MR-8HD to the power supply specified in the specifications section of this owner's manual. Do not use an AC outlet of any other voltage. • Do not connect the MR-8HD to the same AC outlet to which devices that could generate noise (such as a [...]

12 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Read this chapter first!) This section describes the basics of the MR-8HD you should know before using the MR- 8HD. Recor ding method The MR-8HD is fitted with a 3.5-inch hard disk drive. Songs are recorded on a hard disk along with the ABS time (from 00m00s000ms to 99m59s999ms). The ABS time shows the absolute time on [...]

13 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Read this chapter first!) About song To understand songs, imagine separated rooms as shown below. Each room can be regarded as a song. With the MR-8HD, you can create up to 99 rooms (songs) on the hard disk (although the available space may limit the number of songs). Recorded track data is stored in a song as mono W A [...]

14 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Read this chapter first!) Time base Input monitor and repr o monitor The term, "time base", is used as the reference of recorder position information. Using the [TIME BASE SELECT] key, you can select from among two time base modes: ABS time and bar/beat mode. Each screen example below shows the recorder is loc[...]

15 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Read this chapter first!) [TRIM] control You must pay great attention to the [TRIM] control adjustment when recording to the MR-8HD. The analog signal received at each input ([INPUT A] through [INPUT D]) is sent to the TRIM control, by which the signal level fed to the A/D converter of the MR-8HD is controlled. You can [...]

16 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Read this chapter first!)[...]

17 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Names and functions) Names and functions This chapter describes the names and functions of the controls, keys, connectors, etc. on the MR-8HD top panel and rear panel, as well as details of the display. See this chapter whenever you want to know the function of a control, key, etc.[...]

18 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Names and functions) 1 . [INPUT A] input connectors (XLR connector and phone jack) MIN MAX 10 0 LR 10 0 LR 10 0 LR R L MIN MAX LINE MIC LINE MIC LINE MIC LINE MIC REC SELECT 01 0 1 2 3 4 5/6 MASTER MAX MAX MIN MIN 7/8 LOCATE REC END A-B PLAY LOCATE ABS ZERO PLAY STOP RECORD REWIND F FWD GUIDE RHYTHM CONTRAST 1-8 > SO[...]

19 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Names and functions) <Note>: This switch cannot turn off the power completely. When this switch is "up", the MR-8HD enters standby mode (i.e. the power does not completely turned off). Therefore, if you do not use the MR-8HD for a long time, we recommend unplugging the power cord from the AC outlet. 5 . [...]

20 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Names and functions) MIN MAX 10 0 LR 10 0 LR 10 0 LR R L MIN MAX LINE MIC LINE MIC LINE MIC LINE MIC REC SELECT 01 0 1 2 3 4 5/6 MASTER MAX MAX MIN MIN 7/8 LOCATE REC END A-B PLAY LOCATE ABS ZERO PLAY STOP RECORD REWIND F FWD GUIDE RHYTHM CONTRAST 1-8 > SONG NEW 1-6 > 7/8 1-4 > 5/6 STEREO WA V FILE BOUNCE POWER[...]

21 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Names and functions) 30 . [MASTERING (PO WERFUL/NA TURAL/ BRIGHT] keys Used to select the desired mastering effect during track bounce or mixdown. You can select from three effect types by pressing an appropriate key (see page 62). In the menu mode, the [POWERFUL] key is used for character entry of J, K, L, j, k, l and [...]

22 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Names and functions) Either of the [BAL] XLR and [UNBAL/GUIT AR] phone connec- tors can be used. Set the switch to this position when the source is an external microphone or line level source. MIC/LINE GTR DIST GTR CLEAN 4 . [DIGIT AL OUT] connector (T oslink optical connector) 5 . [MIDI OUT] jac k (DIN 5-pin connector)[...]

23 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Names and functions) When turning on the MR-8HD, the display shows the startup screen (showing the startup status of the MR- 8HD), followed by the "home" screen, which is similar to the one below. In this condition, the previously loaded song is loaded and the recorder is located at the beginning of the song. [...]

24 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Names and functions) When the display shows the home screen, pressing the [TIME BASE SELECT] key switches the time base mode between ABS and bar/beat. Example of ABS display Example of bar/beat display You can adjust the display contrast by rotating the [MENU/ENTER] knob while holding down the [CON- TRAST] key. Rotating[...]

25 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Names and functions) If a serious problem happens to the MR-8HD during operation, an appropriate warning message is shown on the display. Most warning messages are being shown until the [MENU/ENTER] knob is pressed. Note that there are also not-so-serious warning messages besides the following. Pressing the [MENU/ENTER][...]

26 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Names and functions)[...]

27 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) Basic operations This chapter describes power connection, power on/off, demo song playback, etc., as well as basic multitrack recording. If it is the first time for you to use a Multitracker, read this chapter carefully first so that you are familiar with the MR-8HD basic opera- tions, then read other [...]

28 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) The MR-8HD operates by AC power. Before you start using the MR-8HD, you must connect the supplied power cord. INPUT A SEL USB USB HOST AC-IN DIGITAL OUT FOOT SW MIDI OUT GTR CLEAN MIC/LINE GTR DIST Connect between the [AC IN] connector on the MR-8HD rear panel and an AC outlet using the sup- plied powe[...]

29 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) Connect headphones to either of the two [PHONES] jacks of the MR-8HD. Both jacks feed the same signal so you may connect headphones whichever you like. If you have a powered monitor speaker, you may connect it to the [STEREO OUT] jacks of the MR-8HD. Connecting headphones (or a monitor speaker system) [...]

30 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) In the demo song, approximately 1-minute audio is recorded on all eight tracks. Follow the procedure below for listening to the demo song. In the following procedure, it is assumed that the MR-8HD is turned on and a pair of headphones (or a monitor speaker system) is connected. Pla ying bac k the demo [...]

31 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) This section describes how to create a new song for recording on the hard disk, while keeping the demo song. In the following procedure, it is assumed that the MR-8HD is stopped at the begin- ning (ABS ZERO) of the demo song. 1) While the recor der is stopped, press the [MENU/ENTER] knob to enter the m[...]

32 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) 6) After completing song name entry , press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The cursor moves to “[ENTER]” at the bottom of the screen. 7) While “[ENTER]” is flashing, press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display now shows the home screen of the newly created song (My_Song). As shown in the lower screen exam[...]

33 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) The MR-8HD provides four input channels: [INPUT A], [INPUT B], [INPUT C] and [INPUT D]. Each channel provides both the XLR and 1/4" phone connectors. INPUT A INPUT B INPUT C INPUT D INPUT A INPUT B INPUT C INPUT D • When you use the [INPUT A] channel, set the [INPUT A SEL] switch on the rear pan[...]

34 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) The following shows the recording track combinations and available input channel(s) by the number of tracks simultaneously recorded. Recor ding track combinations and a v ailab le input channel(s) Recording to a single trac k Only [INPUT A] is av ailable. Y ou can record only the [INPUT A] channel sign[...]

35 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) You can record onto any one of tracks 1 through 4. When making recording to a single track, you can record a signal fed to the [INPUT A] channel. The following describes the procedure for recording an acoustic guitar onto track 1 via a micro- phone. We assume that Song02 is loaded and no sound is recor[...]

36 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) 6) While playing the guitar , adjust the recording le vel using the [TRIM] control of the [INPUT A] channel. Adjust the level appropriately so that the PEAK indicator does not light. Turning the [PHONES VOL] control clockwise raises the headphone monitor level. The screen shows the input level of track[...]

37 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) Overdubbing is recording something new while listening to the previously recorded track(s). It is a very important method in multitrack recording. The following describes an example of over- dubbing for recording a stereo keyboard to tracks 7/8 while listening to the guitar on track 1. See the procedur[...]

38 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) 9) While holding down the [RECORD] ke y , press the [PLA Y] key to start recording. The recorder records the keyboard while playing back track 1 (guitar). 10) When recording completes, press the [STOP] ke y to stop the recorder . <Note>: We recommend to press the [REC SELECT] key for tracks 7/8 t[...]

39 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) You can simultaneously record up to four tracks. See page 34 for the available combinations of four recording tracks. The following describes the procedure for recording different sound sources simultaneously to tracks 1 through 4. You can make four-track simultaneous recording with any available track[...]

40 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) 6) While pla ying the music, adjust the recor ding level of each trac k using the [TRIM] contr ol of each input channel. Adjust the level appropriately so that the PEAK indicator does not light. Turning the [PHONES VOL] control clockwise raises the headphone monitor level. The screen shows the input le[...]

41 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) <Tip>: By sliding up or down the MR-8HD [MASTER] fader gradually, you can fade in or fade out recording. 3) Adjust the recor ding level of the master recor der while rehearsing mixdo wn. See the manual of the master recorder for details about how to adjust the recording level. 4) After rehear sin[...]

42 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Basic operations) 1) Connect the [DIGIT AL OUT] connector of the MR-8HD to the digital input connector of a digital master recorder using an optical cab le. <Note>: The [DIGITAL OUT] connector of the MR-8HD is the Toslink optical type. If your digital recorder provides only the coaxial type connector, use the Fost[...]

43 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Advanced playback and locate functions) Ad v anced pla ybac k and locate functions This chapter describes advanced playback functions including cue- ing, partial playback (between points A and B), special play modes, as well as the locate function.[...]

44 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Advanced playback and locate functions) • By holding down the [F FWD] ke y during pla y bac k, the recorder starts cueing f orwar ds at 3 x speed. During forward cueing, ">>" is shown on the display. • By holding down the [REWIND] ke y during pla y bac k, the recorder starts cueing bac kwar ds at 3 x[...]

45 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Advanced playback and locate functions) While the recorder is stopped, each time you press the [PLAY MODE] key, the play mode switches among "Off", "Auto Play", "Auto return" and "Loop". The current mode is shown on the screen as follows (when "Off" is selected, there is[...]

46 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Advanced playback and locate functions) In the Auto play mode, when locating to the ABS ZERO, REC END, LOCATE A or LOCATE B point, the recorder automatically starts playback from the point. The following shows the auto play function after locating to the LOCATE A point (see page 48 for the locate function). The auto ret[...]

47 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Advanced playback and locate functions) When the loop mode is active (while the auto punch in/out mode is inactive), the LOCATE A and LOCATE B points are used as the loop start and end points. When the auto punch in/ out mode is active (while the loop mode is inactive), the LOCATE A and LOCATE B points are used as the p[...]

48 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Advanced playback and locate functions) The following describes the locate functions, which allow you to immediately skip to a specified point in a song. Time locate Regardless of the current recorder position, you can locate to the beginning (ABS ZERO) of the song or the recording end (REC END) of the song. • While t[...]

49 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Advanced playback and locate functions) Locating to the LOCA TE A or LOCA TE B point You can set the desired point of a song as the LOCATE A or LOCATE B point. The LOCATE A and B points can be used not only for locating, but also for auto punch in/out, play modes and part editing, etc. Setting the LOCA TE A or LOCA TE B[...]

50 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Advanced playback and locate functions) Locating While the recor der is stopped, press the [LOCA TE A/IN] (or [LOCA TE B/OUT]) key . The recorder instantly locates to the appropriate point. <Tip>: By selecting the play mode to "Auto play", the recorder automatically starts playback after locating the LOC[...]

51 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Punch in/out) Punc h in/out Using the punch in/out function of the MR-8HD, you can overwrite the desired part of the recorded track. "Punch in" means switching from playback to recording, while "punch out" means switching from recording to playback. The MR-8HD offers three methods for making punch in[...]

MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Punch in/out) 52 1) Press the [REC SELECT] ke y f or the track y ou are going to make punch in/out recor ding. The track is record-armed. 2) Locate the recorder to the point bef ore the punch- in point and press the [PLA Y] key to start playbac k. It may be a good idea to play the instrument along with the playback sound, [...]

53 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Punch in/out) 1) Connect the f oots witc h to the [FOO T SW] jac k on the MR-8HD rear panel. 2) Press the [REC SELECT] key f or the trac k y ou are going to make punch in/out recor ding. The track is record-armed. 3) Locate the recorder to the point bef ore the punch- in point, and press the [PLA Y] key to start play ba[...]

MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Punch in/out) 54 By setting the punch-in and punch-out points in advance, The recorder automatically makes punch in/out recording for you. You can rehearse punch in/out recording as many times you like. Setting the punch-in and punc h-out points 3) When the recor der reac hes at the point where you want to make punc hing o[...]

55 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Punch in/out) After setting the punch-in and punch-out points appropriately, you can rehearse the auto punch in/out for checking the punch-in and -out points or practicing punch-in and -out timing. <Tip>: You can immediately locate to the punch-in point by pressing the [LOCATE A/IN] key. Therefore, by pressing the[...]

MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Punch in/out) 56 After rehearsing the auto punch-in/out operation, it's time for executing actual auto punch in/ out operation. 1) Locate the recorder to the point bef ore the punch- in point. 2) Make sure that "A UT O PUNCH" is shown on the screen (i.e. the auto punch mode is active). If it is not shown, pr[...]

57 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Using ef fects) Using eff ects The MR-8HD provides the insert effects for recording (microphone and amplifier simulation effects), the delay/reverb effects for track bounce or mixdown (for tracks 1 through 4 only), and the master- ing effects for L/R mix. You can also use an external effect device connected to the [INSE[...]

58 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Using ef fects) The [INPUT A] channel of the MR-8HD provides two types of insert effects: microphone and amplifier simulation effects. These effects can be used during recording. These effects simulate popular microphones and guitar amplifiers. If you use the microphone simulation effect when you record an acoustic guit[...]

59 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Using ef fects) During recording, you can apply external effects to a sound source connected to an input con- nector in the [INPUT A] channel. The [INPUT A] channel has the [INSERT] connector (phone jack). You can connects an external effect unit (typically, a compressor/limiter) to this connector using a Y-cable, as sh[...]

60 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Using ef fects) Selecting an effect type The MR-8HD has the original built-in reverb/delay processor featuring the newly-developed algorithm. You can apply the reverb or delay to playback signals of tracks 1 through 4 during mixdown and track bouncing. Details of each effect type R OOM HALL PLA TE DELA Y Simulates rever[...]

61 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Using ef fects) As shown in the signal flowchart below, a track (playback) signal after the track fader is fed to the [EFFECT SEND] control and adjusted, then fed to the effect processor input. The effect processor's stereo output signals (wet signals) and stereo (L/R) signals (dry sig- nals) are merged together an[...]

62 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Using ef fects) The MR-8HD provides the dedicated mastering effects for the L/R stereo buss. You can use the mastering effects when bouncing more than one track to stereo tracks or when mixing down tracks 1 through 8 to stereo and sent to an external master recorder for recording. PO WERFUL NA TURAL BRIGHT <Bouncing [...]

63 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack bouncing) T rac k bouncing This chapter describes track bouncing which is an important function in the recording process. The track bouncing mixes several tracks and records onto other two tracks. By using this function, you can record more sound materials to the MR-8HD tracks. Three track bouncing modes are avai[...]

64 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack bouncing) You can record more than eight materials using the track bouncing function as shown in the following example. <Step 1> Make recording to tracks 1 through 6. <Step 2> Bounce tracks 1 through 6 to tracks 7/8. <Step 3> Delete tracks 1 through 6. <Step 4> Overdub new materials to tra[...]

65 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack bouncing) • "1-6 > 7/8" mode (see page 68) In the "1-6 > 7/8" mode, tracks 1 through 6 are played back, mixed down to stereo, and bounced to tracks 7/8. In this mode, you can apply a reverb (or delay) to tracks 1 through 4, as well as the mastering effect to the mixed signals. You can [...]

66 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack bouncing) Before executing track bouncing, you can rehearse it. While rehearsing track bouncing, you can control the playback level, panning and reverb (or delay) send setting of each source track, as well as apply the mastering effect to the mixed L/R signals. We recommend to make rehearsal thoroughly until you [...]

67 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack bouncing) 5) After finishing rehearsal, press the [STOP] ke y to stop the recor der and locate it to the beginning of the song. Do not move the controls and faders after finishing rehearsal. 1) Before carrying out actual trac k bouncing, make sure that the bounce mode is selected to "1-4>5/6". 2) Pre[...]

68 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack bouncing) You can bounce tracks 1 through 6 to tracks 7/8. As described earlier in "Bouncing tracks 1 through 4 to tracks 5/6", you can rehearse track bouncing as many times as you like before executing actual track bouncing. Before executing track bouncing, you can rehearse it. While rehearsing track b[...]

69 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack bouncing) 5) After finishing rehearsal, press the [STOP] ke y to stop the recor der and locate it to the beginning of the song. Do not move the controls and faders after finishing rehearsal. 1) Before carrying out actual track bouncing, make sure that the bounce mode is selected to "1-6>7/8". 2) Pres[...]

70 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack bouncing) You can bounce tracks 1 through 8 to tracks 7/8 of a new song. A new song is automatically created when executing track bouncing ( <Note>: In the “1-8 > NEW SONG” mode, y ou cannot bounce the desired part of a song by using the trac k bouncing and auto punc h in/out functions together ). Be[...]

71 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack bouncing) After finishing rehearsal, let's carry out actual track bouncing. 1) While the recor der is stopped, press the [1-8 > NEW SONG] key . The [1-8 > NEW SONG] key lights up and the display shows the screen below. If you execute track bouncing, press the [MENU/ENTER] knob while holding down the [R[...]

72 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack bouncing) The MR-8HD can mix input signals of [INPUT A] through [INPUT D]. The following diagram shows an example of mixing signals of INPUT A through INPUT D when bouncing tracks 1 through 6 to tracks 7/8. As you can see, the signals of INPUT A through INPUT D are mixed to the L/R stereo buss together with the b[...]

73 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack bouncing) The default panning settings are as below. You can set each input to the desired panning position from L10 (hard left) to R10 (hard right). Input A CNT (center position) Input B CNT (center position) Input C CNT (center position) Input D CNT (center position) 3) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select th[...]

74 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack bouncing) Typically, bouncing is executed from the beginning to the end of a song, as shown in Figure 1 below. However, you can bounce only the desired part by using the track bouncing and punch in/out functions together. The following assumes that the song you are going to execute track bouncing is loaded and yo[...]

75 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Rhythm guide function) Rh ythm guide function The MR-8HD offers the rhythm guide function, which allows out- putting the rhythm guide click during recording. This chapter describes how to output the rhythm guide, set the time signature/tempo and create the conductor map.[...]

76 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Rhythm guide function) The MR-8HD provides the metronome function which can output the rhythm guide click during recording. You can easily output the guide click from the [STEREO OUT] jacks by pressing the [RHYTHM GUIDE] key on the top panel. Two types of the rhythm guide are available: one has the constant time signatu[...]

77 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Rhythm guide function) Rhythm Guide: Off Conductor Map: Off Rhythm guide No output Bar/beat indication The "Signature" and "T empo" item settings are effective. Rhythm Guide: Off Conductor Map: On No output The conductor map is effective. Rhythm Guide: On Conductor Map: Off Output: The tempo and time[...]

78 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Rhythm guide function) 2) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select "Song", and press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display now shows the song editing screen, where "<< Back" is highlighted. 3) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select "Signature Map" on the second page, and press the [MENU/EN[...]

79 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Rhythm guide function) 4) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select "---Bar -> ---", and press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display now shows the screen for setting the new time signature event, where "<< Back" is highlighted. Bar 1 through bar 3: 4/4 Bar 4 through bar 7: 3/4 Bar 8 through bar 11[...]

80 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Rhythm guide function) • Deleting an unnecessary time signature event You can delete an unnecessary time signature event. 2) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select "[DELETE]" at the bottom, and press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The event is immediately deleted and the display returns to the signature map screen. [...]

81 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Rhythm guide function) By default, the bar/beat value at the beginning (ABS ZERO) of the song is set to "bar -2/beat 1". This offset (the bar/beat value at ABS ZERO) is called "bar offset". You can change the default bar offset to the desired value. 2) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select the desir[...]

82 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Rhythm guide function) Bar 1/beat 1: 120 bpm Bar 4/beat 2: 180 bpm Bar 8/beat 3: 90 bpm Bar 12/beat 1: 120 bpm Bar 16/beat 4: 250 bpm After setting the time signature map, you have to create the tempo map by adding the necessary tempo event(s). Like a time signature event, a tempo event specifies the tempo at the tempo [...]

83 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Rhythm guide function) 7) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select "Beat = 1 ", and press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. "1 " starts flashing and you can now set the beat number. You can enter the beat number between 1 and 8. 8) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to enter the desired beat number , and press the [MEN[...]

84 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Rhythm guide function) • Deleting an unnecessary tempo event You can delete an unnecessary tempo event. 2) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select "[DELETE]" at the bottom, and press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The event is immediately deleted and the display returns to the tempo map screen. • Editing a tempo ev[...]

85 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (MIDI synchronization) MIDI sync hr onization By connecting the external MIDI devices (such as a sequencer, sound module, computer, etc.) via the [MIDI OUT] connector of the MR- 8HD, you can make powerful recording. For example, by synchronizing a sequencer with the MR-8HD dur- ing playback, you can mix down signals (suc[...]

86 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (MIDI synchronization) The following describes how to synchronize a sequencer to the MR-8HD which supports MTC (MIDI Time code). Connect the [MIDI OUT] connector of the MR-8HD to the [MIDI IN] connector of an external MIDI sequencer using a MIDI cable. (Note that no MIDI cable is supplied with the MR-8HD. Use a commercia[...]

87 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (MIDI synchronization) The following describes how to synchronize a sequencer to the MR-8HD using MIDI clock. Use this method if the sequencer does not support MTC (MIDI Time code) <Notes> • To synchronize a sequencer to the MR-8HD using MIDI clock, you have to make the signature/tempo map in the MR-8HD. The MIDI[...]

88 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (MIDI synchronization)[...]

89 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Data export to a personal computer) Data e xpor t to a per sonal computer This chapter describes how to export song data on tracks 7/8 to a personal computer. To export the desired song data to a personal computer, you must convert the song data to a stereo WAV file. You can export the converted (WAV) file to the person[...]

90 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Data export to a personal computer) By converting track data recorded on tracks 7/8 (which consists of an L/R pair of mono WAV files) to a stereo WAV file, you can export the data to a personal computer. The following describes how to convert data on tracks 7/8 (which may be bounced from other tracks or simply recorded [...]

91 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Data export to a personal computer) 5) Press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The MR-8HD quits the conversion function and the display returns to the home screen. <Editing a file name> You can edit a file name by the following procedure. 2) Enter a ne w name using the c haracter entry keys. Pressing a different character en[...]

92 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Data export to a personal computer) The MR-8HD is equipped with the USB port for direct connection to a personal computer using a USB cable. The USB connection allows you to export the stereo WAV file data, which is converted from a pair of mono WAV files on tracks 7/8, to your computer. The exported data can be played [...]

93 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Data export to a personal computer) 3) Highlight "USB" b y r otating the [MENU/ENTER] knob, then press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display shows the USB menu screen. 1) T urn on the power of the personal computer and the MR-8HD . 2) Press the [MENU/ENTER] knob to enter the menu mode. The display now shows the f[...]

94 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Data export to a personal computer) The MR-8HD internal hard disk is protected by default. The protection is effective only in the USB mode in which the MR-8HD is used with a personal computer. You can make the hard disk “read only” (protected) or “read/write enabled” (unprotected). The default is “read only?[...]

95 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Data export to a personal computer) You can archive song data recorded by the MR-8HD by using either of the following methods. (1) Using the W A V Mana ger supplied b y Foste x The WAV Manager converts each track data to a single mono file. Data is compressed so you can save the file in small size to a personal computer[...]

96 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Data export to a personal computer)[...]

97 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Song management) Song mana g ement This chapter explains the following five operation procedures for song management. 1) Selecting the desired song. 2) Editing a song name. 3) Deleting an unnecessary song. 4) Protecting a song. <Notes> While a menu screen is shown, you can go up the menu screen level or directly e[...]

98 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Song management) The following describes how to select the desired song from the disk when more than one song is created on the disk. You can also create a new song by the similar procedure. See "Basic operations" (page 31) for details about how to create a new song. 1) While the recor der is stopped, press th[...]

99 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Song management) You can edit a current song name save the edited song name. Only the current song can be edited. 1) Load the desired song of which y ou are going to edit the song name. 2) While the recor der is stopped, press the [MENU/ENTER] knob to enter the menu mode. The display now shows the first page of the menu[...]

100 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Song management) <Notes> • You cannot delete a song which is protected. To delete such a song, release the protection of the song first (see the next page). • A deleted song file still remains as a “hidden file” on the hard disk. So deleting a song file does not increase the remaining (recordable) space o[...]

101 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Song management) You can protect a song to prevent an accidental erasure. The protection can be released when- ever you want. To keep a recorded song safely, we recommend protecting it. You can make protection setting only for the current song. 5) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select "On", and press the [ME[...]

102 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Song management) <Note>: You cannot make recording or editing to a protected song. If you want to make recording or editing to a protected song, you must release the protection first. <Note>: When you set the protection to "On", all the recording-related keys, such as the [REC SELECT] and [BOUNCE][...]

103 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack editing) T rac k editing This chapter describes how to edit whole data of a selected (mono or stereo) track. Track editing does not consume the hard disk space. Therefore, the remaining space of the disk does not change by ex- ecuting track editing. <Undo/redo of trac k editing> By pressing the [UNDO/REDO][...]

104 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack editing) 5) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select "Erase T rack = *", and press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The currently selected option flashes and you can now select the desired option by rotating the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The available options are: • 1 through 8 (mono trac k) • 1/2, 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8 ([...]

105 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack editing) 8) Press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display now returns to the track edit menu screen, where “Erase Track >” is highlighted. 9) Press the [ST OP] ke y to e xit the men u mode. You can copy whole data (from ABS ZERO to REC END) of the desired track(s) of the song cur- rently loaded and paste it to[...]

106 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack editing) 9) Press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display now returns to the track edit menu screen, where “Copy-Paste Trk >” is highlighted. 10) Press the [STOP] ke y to e xit the menu mode. <Note>: If a destination track has recorded data, pasting the copied data overwrites the previous data. <Note&[...]

107 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack editing) TRK 1 TRK 2 TRK 3 TRK 4 TRK 5 TRK 6 TRK 7 TRK 8 ABS ZERO REC END You can move whole data (from ABS ZERO to REC END) of the desired track(s) to the other desired track(s). After the data is moved, the original track(s) is(are) silent. You can only move track data within the current song. <Note>: Yo[...]

108 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack editing) You can exchange whole data (from ABS ZERO to REC END) between the desired track(s). <Note>: You cannot exchange track data of a song protected. Release the protection before exchang- ing track data. TRK 1 TRK 2 TRK 3 TRK 4 TRK 5 TRK 6 TRK 7 TRK 8 ABS ZERO REC END <Note>: If you want to canc[...]

109 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack editing) 4) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select "Change T rack >", and press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. 5) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select "Source T rac k = *", and press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. You can now select the desired exchange source track(s) by rotating the [MENU/ENTER] knob.[...]

110 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T rack editing) 9) Press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display now returns to the track edit menu screen, where “Change Track >” is highlighted. 10) Press the [ST OP] key to e xit the men u mode . <Note>: If you are not satisfied with the re- sult, press the [UNDO/REDO] key to undo the operation (see page 103[...]

111 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Part editing) P ar t editing This chapter describes how to edit a "part" (*) of recorded song. You can edit data of a track or tracks between the "LOCATE A" and "LOCATE B" points. Part editing does not consume the hard disk space. Therefore, the remaining space of the disk does not change [...]

112 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Part editing) The time (or bar/beat/clock) value changes in realtime as the recorder moves (i.e. when it plays, fastforwards, rewinds, locates, etc.). When you carry out the locate operation to the LOCATE A or LOCATE B point and the current position matches the locate point, "LocA=" (or "LocB=") is [...]

113 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Part editing) TRK 1 TRK 2 TRK 3 TRK 4 TRK 5 TRK 6 TRK 7 TRK 8 Silent LOCA TE A point LOCA TE B point REC END ABS ZERO <Note>: You cannot erase the part(s) of a song which is protected. Release the song protection before erasing the part(s). 1) Load the song y ou want to edit. 2) Set the LOCA TE A and LOCA TE B po[...]

114 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Part editing) You can copy the desired part(s) of the selected track(s) and paste it(them) to the same time position of the other desired track(s). The copy/paste operation of a part or parts can be made only within the current song. You can also make the copy/paste operation of a part or parts using another method des[...]

115 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Part editing) 10) Press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display now returns to the part edit menu screen, where “Copy-Paste Part >” is highlighted. 11) Press the [ST OP] key to e xit the men u mode. 6) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select "Source T rack = *", and press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display n[...]

116 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Part editing) You can copy the desired part(s) of the selected track(s) and paste it(them) to the other time position of the desired track(s). Unlike the method described above in "Copying/pasting the desired part(s) (1)", the part data is copied to the (virtual) clipboard and then pasted to the specified pos[...]

117 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Part editing) 6) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select "Copy T rack >", and press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display now shows the screen for selecting the copy source track(s). You can select the copy source track(s) by rotating the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The available options are: • 1 through 8 (mono trac[...]

118 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Part editing) 5) Press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display now returns to the part edit menu screen, where “Paste Part >” is highlighted. 6) Press the [ST OP] ke y to e xit the menu mode. <Note>: If you are going to carry out the paste operation when no data is pasted on the clipboard, the error message (?[...]

119 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Part editing) You can move the desired part(s) of the desired track(s) to the other desired track(s). The part move operation can be made only within the current song. After the part move operation is carried out, the source part(s) becomes silent. <Note>: You cannot move data of a song protected. Release the pro[...]

120 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Part editing) 9) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to mo ve the cursor to "[ENTER]" on the screen, and press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display shows "Please Wait", immediately followed by "Completed" when the MR-8HD completes the move operation. <Note>: You cannot select the same track(s[...]

121 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Part editing) 5) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select "Change Part >" in the second page, and press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display now shows the screen for selecting the source track(s) and destination track(s) of the exchange operation. Initially, "<< Back" is highlighted. 6) Rotate [...]

122 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Part editing) 10) Press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display now returns to the part edit menu screen, where “Change Part >” is highlighted. 11) Press the [STOP] ke y to e xit the menu mode. 8) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select the destination track(s), and press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The display shows the s[...]

123 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Other functions) Other functions This chapter describes the following functions which are important for using the MR-8HD. (1) Hard disk f ormatting (2) P eak hold time setting (3) Pre-roll/post-r oll time setting (4) Beat resolution mode on/off (5) Phantom power on/off (6) Initializing the MR-8HD <Notes> While a [...]

124 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Other functions) You can reformat the MR-8HD internal hard disk by using the FAT32 file system. By reformatting the hard disk, all existing song data on the hard disk is erased, while all setting data including the menu settings are initialized, and a new song (Song01) is automatically created. <Note>: You cannot[...]

125 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Other functions) The level meters shown on the display have the peak hold function. When it is enabled, the meter peak value during recording is held for the specified time. The default meter peak hold time is three seconds. You can disable the peak hold function or change the peak hold time. 1) While the recor der is [...]

126 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Other functions) As described earlier on page 47, when both the auto punch in/out and loop modes are active, the pre-roll and post-roll are effective in the loop function. You can set the pre-roll and post-roll time value by the following procedure. When both the auto punch in/out and loop modes are active, the loop st[...]

127 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Other functions) While the time base is set to the bar/beat mode, if you set the "Beat resolution" item in the menu to "On", the LOCATE A and B points are set in beat resolution. When "Beat resolution" is set to "On", the clock digit in the bar/beat/clock value is automatically r[...]

128 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Other functions) The MR-8HD can supply phantom power (+48 V) to the XLR balanced connectors of [INPUT A] through [INPUT D]. So you can connect condenser microphones which require phantom power. You can turn on or off phantom power to the XLR connectors via the menu mode. <Note>: The phantom power can be supplied [...]

129 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Other functions) 4) Rotate the [MENU/ENTER] knob to select "On", and press the [MENU/ENTER] knob. The screen shows a warning message for few seconds, and returns to the previous screen. While the message is shown, all input channels are muted. When the message is dismissed, the mute is released. If you select[...]

130 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Other functions) By initializing the MR-8HD, you can initialize all global menu settings common to all songs, as well as the time base and display contrast level. 1) While the recor der is stopped, press the [MENU/ENTER] knob to enter the menu mode. The display now shows the first page of the menu selection screen, whe[...]

131 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T roubleshooting) T r oubleshooting If you encounter any problem while operating the MR- 8HD, check the following for the possible cause of the problem before contacting our service station or dealer.[...]

132 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T roubleshooting) <T rouble 7> During overdubbing, I cannot monitor the playback sig- nal of the recorded track. • Is the track fader f or the pla yback trac k raised? During overdubbing, raise the faders for both the playback and recording tracks appropriately . Otherwise, you cannot make overdubbing while lis[...]

133 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T roubleshooting) <T rouble 8> I cannot execute auto punch in/out. • Is " " shown on the screen? If it is not, press the [AUTO PUNCH] key to make the auto punch in/out function active. • Are the punch-in and punch-out points set correctly? T o check each point, press the [LOCA TE A/IN] or [LOCA TE B[...]

134 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T roubleshooting) <T rouble 1> I cannot apply the effects. • Are the [EFFECT SEND] control for the trac k you want to appl y the effect and trac k fader raised appropriatel y? Raise the [EFFECT SEND] control(s) for the track(s) (1 through 4) you want to apply the effect to send signal(s) to the internal digital[...]

135 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T roubleshooting) <T rouble 1> I cannot hear the rhythm guide click. • Is the [RHYTHM GUIDE] key is illuminated? When the [RHYTHM GUIDE] key is not illuminated, the rhythm guide function is not active and you cannot hear the rhythm guide click. • Is the "Int Click le vel" item in the " Rhythm G[...]

136 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (T roubleshooting)[...]

137 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Specifications) MR-8HD Specifications[...]

138 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Specifications) [Inputs/Outputs] 0dBu=0.775V rms, 0dBV=1.0Vrms, Reference level: -12dBfs Analog input [INPUT A - INPUT D] Connectors : XLR-3-31 type (#2: hot balanced) : 1/4-inch, phone type Input level : -48dBu (MIC) to +4dBu (LINE) Input impedance : 1.5k Ω or more : 400k Ω or more (When the INPUT A SEL switch is [...]

139 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Specifications) MIN MAX 10 0 LR 10 0 LR 10 0 LR R L MIN MAX LINE MIC LINE MIC LINE MIC LINE MIC REC SELECT 01 0 1 2 3 4 5/6 MASTER MAX MAX MIN MIN 7/8 LOCATE REC END A-B PLAY LOCATE ABS ZERO PLAY STOP RECORD REWIND F FWD GUIDE RHYTHM CONTRAST 1-8 > SONG NEW 1-6 > 7/8 1-4 > 5/6 STEREO WA V FILE BOUNCE POWERFUL [...]

140 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Specifications) When using the bounce mode (1-4 > 5/6 mode) When using the normal mode DISTORTION CLEAN INPUT A INPUT B INPUT C INPUT D TRIM TRIM TRIM TRIM A/D A/D A/D SIMULA TION FX A/D BAL BAL BAL BAL IN7 IN8 OUT7 OUT8 IN5 IN6 OUT5 OUT6 IN4 OUT4 IN3 OUT3 IN2 OUT2 IN1 OUT1 RECORDER REC SELECT TRK 1 FADER TRK 2 FADE[...]

141 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Specifications) When using the bounce mode (1-6 > 7/8 mode) When using the bounce mode (1-8 > New Song mode) DISTORTION CLEAN INPUT A INPUT B INPUT C INPUT D TRIM TRIM TRIM TRIM A/D A/D A/D SIMULA TION FX A/D BAL BAL BAL BAL IN7 IN8 OUT7 OUT8 IN5 IN6 OUT5 OUT6 IN4 OUT4 IN3 OUT3 IN2 OUT2 IN1 OUT1 RECORDER REC SELE[...]

142 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Specifications) <Digital multitrac ker> T ransmitted Recognized Remarks Function............ Basic Def ault Channel Changed Def ault Message Altered Mode Note Number : T r ue V oice V elocity Note ON Note OFF After K ey's T ouch Channel's Pitch Bend Control Change Program Change: T rue # System Exclusiv[...]

143 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Specifications) <A> Amp simulation ...............................................................58 Auto return ......................................................................45 Auto play .........................................................................45 ABS time .................................[...]

144 MR-8HD Owner ’s Manual (Specifications) Declaration of EC Directive This equipment is compatible with the EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) - Directive on approximation of member nation's ordinance concerning the electromagnetic compatibility and with the Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC) - Directive on approximation of member nation's ord[...]

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FOSTEX CO . 3-2-35, Musashino, Akishima-shi, T okyo, Japan, 196-0021 FOSTEX AMERICA 13701 Cimarron Avenue Gardena, CA 90249 U.S.A. © PRINTED IN CHINA JUNE 2005 8588062100 428387[...]