Overall User Ratings

"Good value, no frills, solid, easy-to-use"

This reviewer purchased this item from Same Day Music.

Feature:
Has guitar input with range of sounds, XLR inputs for mics, TS inputs for line inputs (preamps) etc. Mic and amp simulation and 33 EQ input presets are occasionally useful. Mixdown to a final stereo wav file creation is VERY EASY. 3 mastering settings but I don't usually use them. All tracks are wav files that can be imported into recording software for processing. Loops, punch-in and punch-out capability included. Phantom power is on/off for all 4 XLR inputs at once, and this is annoying sometimes. Features are limited but the sound is quite good. This makes a good portable field recorder.

Quality:
Mine has held up well (have had it about 15 months now) and has been very reliable. Had to send back to Fostex to get a buzz fixed after about 3 months - they added some padding and it is quiet now. The hard drive makes a soft little noise, but less than a audio computer hard drive and fan. Quality is fine.

Value:
Some places sell the MR16HD for $350 now. Very good value. I paid $399 which was the best price around 15 months ago.

Desirability:
Looks fine. Not a big priority with me.

Sound:
Sounds good for 16-bit recording, especially if using external preamps. Onboard preamps are weak, so if you turn them up to get good recording levels, you can hear some hiss. I get good sound with external preamps. I cannot bypass the onboard preamp circuitry, but I can turn down the trim all the way and the external preamps work fine (very quiet, no hiss).

Ease of Use:
Mic setup and room isolation measures take longer than making a recording with this unit - very easy to operate.

Support:
Support has answered all four of my emails. And they repaired my unit under warranty within a week or so. Good support.

Overall:
I will move up to an audio interface in a couple years. I like this for now. Used with a good preamp like Sytek MPX 4Aii, this makes good recordings. Recordings with the onboard preamps can be a bit noisy.

"The Best Deal for the Dollar!!!"

This reviewer purchased this item from Same Day Music.

Feature:
for the money great

Quality:
for the price you can't beat it !!

Value:
GREAT !!!!

Sound:
Very good playback and easy to do.

Ease of Use:
now here, there maybe some drawbacks the unit is esy to use once you get to using it, but the manuel must have been made in another language with a very poor translation it's hard to understand at times and runs you from point to point. But like i said once yo get to using the recorder you will LOVE IT !!!!!it's not hard at all.

Support:
haven't had to use it yet !!

Overall:
It more than fits my needs at the moment,i may up grade some day.