My Fostex FR-LE2 is on the way!!

[Chamber005]

I'm sooooooo excited!!!! It took me, no bullcaca, like 6 months to finally decide on this unit. The Edirol-44, to me, is the cream of the crop, but the pricing just never worked. The D-50 is awesome, but I couldn't get past the 1/8" jack.

Got the Fostex for 300 bucks, retails at 600. Super awesome price! Gotta love a recession.

I was going to buy one that had a Transparent preamp mod for 400, but enough people felt that it didn't need the mod, so I decided to skip it. I can always get the mod done if I feel it needs it (approx 150 bucks).

I picked up the Fostex on a "tapers" site called www.taperssection.com Lots and lots of audio people selling audio gear in their "yard sale" section once you sign up (it doesn't show up until you log in).

I was nervous buying anything that wasn't from ebay, but the members over there came out in force representing for the seller, so that made me feel good about the purchase, also I talked to the seller several times about the item, got more info, etc. so I'm pretty stoked.

I'll probably have to rent some better mics to get a good test on it, but, christ man, it has to be lightyears better than the Behringer mixers into my DSR200 cam (DV tape) I was using previously for my audio recordings!

So, yay me!!

 

[thisisapocalypse]

Nice! I Think you're going to be happy with it and you got it for what you'd pay normally for a new Zoom H4N. I like my H4N for its built in mics, but I think the FR2LE is a much better sounding recorder when it comes to using XLR mics. Not to mention that it is far more robust.

 

[Chamber005]

Nice! I Think you're going to be happy with it and you got it for what you'd pay normally for a new Zoom H4N. I like my H4N for its built in mics, but I think the FR2LE is a much better sounding recorder when it comes to using XLR mics. Not to mention that it is far more robust.

I know!!! Great price!

You really have to dig for the great deals, though. I was super fortunate because the guy who was selling the Fostex with Transparent mod on ebay actually referred me to the site where he'd seen a similar model (sans the mod). I gotta say, having spent the last year learning about filmmaking, the sound people have been by FAR the most gracious with their time and information. I mean, how many people who are trying to sell you something tell you where to find something that's similar for a bit cheaper? I have audio guys here actually PM me to get into greater detail about their posts regarding audio!

Somehow I can't see the cinematographers doing that.

The holy grail, though, for low budget audio is the Edirol R-44. I'm using the Fostex to do the first season of the show, but I'm hoping to pick up an Edirol at some point.

After that you're looking at a SD 744 right?? Zang!!
:kali: :2vrolijk_08:

 

[Chamber005]

Just...wow. Not only am I blown away by how pristine the recorder was kept (it's like brand new out the box -- it actually arrived in its original box and original packing), but it sounds friggin AMAZING. The guy gave me an 8 gig card with it and he left a couple recordings on the card that he'd done of live bands...just ridiculous. I'm so, so, so, SO happy with this unit I can't even tell you. Simple interface, sturdy; came with two rechargeable batteries. 300 bucks? Just amazing.

Can't wait to start using it!!!!!

(and I mistitled the thread. lol FR2-LE thankyouverymuch)

 

[DrDave]

Great price, I paid $550 for mine when it first came out. Get a racing car battery and an AMS lightweight power supply that is used for hard drive enclosures. Don't be fazed by the headphone output, the SQ is excellent.

 

[Chamber005]

Great price, I paid $550 for mine when it first came out. Get a racing car battery and an AMS lightweight power supply that is used for hard drive enclosures. Don't be fazed by the headphone output, the SQ is excellent.

Yeah, I need to put the word out here on DVX about www.taperssection.com Apparently there are these mutants of the audio world -- "tapers" -- who are so obssessed with recorders and mics it's just...bizarre. But what that obssession breeds is some great deals on their used equipment. I am seriously swinging by their "yardsale" section (which you have to be a user to view) every other day now just to see what new stuff they've posted.

Not all of their stuff applies to film audio equipment, but getting a Fostex like new in the case for pretty much half the cover price just shows how desperate these guys are to be out with the old and in with the new, even though some of these recorders really don't lose their value over the years.

I haven't been this excited about a single other piece of equipment I've ever purchased. Unlike my film camera or my HD camera stuff that needs a super computer to work, I can just PLAY AROUND with this recorder and feel happy inside -- it's that awesome. I think the only thing that might compare to it in the near future will be when I finally break down and get a DSLR.

In the end I'm actually really glad that I had to work with such horrific audio equipment for so long -- it makes me appreciate this recorder's innate ability probably more than a grown man should.

I'm also glad that I spent MONTHS researching the differences (among them price and preamps and performance) between the FR2-LE, H4N/H4, Edirol R-44/4 and PCM D-50 before making my decision. All the extensive homework and advice from fellow DVX members made my decision a sound one and something that I won't regret.

I think I'll always be a proponent of the Edirol R-44 for those who can swing it and can find it at an awesome price, but for me (wanting the XLR inputs which the D-50 doesn't have), the Fostex is just 100% without a doubt the perfect recorder for me. Love it, love it, love it!

:beer: