Topic: multitrack field recording -- need advice/opinions MR8-HD?

[sailcat]

I'm trying to put together a very compact, inexpensive, easy-to-use rig to record West African percussion groups in indoor and outdoor settings. Much of the work will be in the US, but some will be in Africa, so power can be an issue -- it will need to be able to run on some kind of battery setup.  I need to be able to record at least 4 simultaneous tracks for mixing and mastering, which could take place on a computer.

Has anyone had any experience with the Fostex MR-8HD?  It's the lowest-cost muiltitracker that can do 4 at once, and I've had good experience with Fostex before. I need to keep the cost down to afford to do the work, so I realize there will be compromises, I'm just tring to minimize them.

Any suggestions anyone can offer are welcome.

[coloartist]

http://www.sounddevices.com/products/744t.htm

[guysonic]

Suggest considering an alternative aproach that has proven results.  The customers I know who do this kind of recording use 2 channel stereo-surround windscreened mic with (usually with Sharp) MD, or most found much better with Sony PCM-M1 DAT, and some most recently using Microtrack 24/96, usually battery powering the deck with external powering sled.  This approach is way more practical for field recording, and proven more consistent in capturing excellent quality live music than multitrack mic methods regardless of budget.

Samples of ethnic music recordings done in this manner with photos, and production notes are found at: www.sonicstudios.com/mp3.htm

[kirk97132]

one problem is you are limited to 1:39:59 recording time per "song block".  Time to switch "songs" or tracks as I would call them is pretty quick but you will definitatly lose something if you are trying to do it on the fly.  Plus there is the 120 AC power isue.  I'd go with something battery powered if I were you, kirk