Topic: Fostex FR-2LE recorder - due out 1/07

[Chris K]

I searched ts.com and didnt see any mention of the Fostex FR-2LE recorder that is projected to come out in January. I saw it on the Oade home page. It looks much smaller the the original FR-2.

here are specs from the Oade site. I couldnt find any info on it at the Fostex home page.


Fostex’s new FR-2LE records BWF and MP3
With excellent quality up to 24-bit / 96KHz recording, huge feature list and a cost-effective price point, the FR-2LE offers users of portable DAT and other formats the opportunity to make the switch to a more flexible, higher quality audio acquisition machine without sacrificing features. 

Release of the FR2 LE has been delayed until January 2007 !
BWF (stereo) or MP3 recording onType II Compact Flash Card or Micro Drive
Approx. 8-hour operation possible with Tamiya RC3600HV, Ni-MH battery.
FAT32 file system. 16/24 bit, 44.1/48/88.4/96kHz
USB 2.0 for high-speed file transfer to PC
1 take = 1 file system to eliminate overwriting
Pre Rec buffer
Built-in editing function
Phantom power
ALC (OFF/ALC/LIMITER)
Wired remote controller supplied as standard
Read After Write (RAW) monitoring
 

B&H photo has it listed with availability in January and even has a review of the device here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=newsletter3_06&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=432017&is=REG

[JasonSobel]

there's a good amount of discussion about the FR-2LE here:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=62698.0
and to a lesser extent, here:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=68950.0

it does look good.  I wonder how it'll sound?

[Chris K]

ok...is it me or does the search function on this board suck?

uh..yeah, its probably me! 

hmm...no digital input      why wouldn't a digital recorder have a digital input

[JasonSobel]

hmm...no digital input      why wouldn't a digital recorder have a digital input

yeah, it is an interesting choice to leave off a digital input.  but if the pre-amps sound good in there, it could be a nice small option for an all-in-one...

[Colin Liston]

This will be the new Marantz 660.  I'm sure the Oade's will provide upgrades too.  ACM FR-2LE!
 I'm looking forward to this one.

[flintstone]

That review on the B&H Photo Video site is for the FR-2 (the model with time code), not the FR-2LE.  And B&H estimates "January" delivery, so I doubt the device will ship January 7.    But who knows?  Maybe Santa's sleigh is packed with FR-2LEs.

The FR-2LE does not have digital input or output because Fostex does not want to cannibalize sales of the big brother FR-2.  The FR-2LE will compete in size, price and specs with the Marantz PMD660, while the FR-2 competes with the PMD671 and Tascam HD-P2.   

Flintstone

[HBK216]

I wonder why it won't do 24/192 like its big brother the FR-2. It looks interesting though I love its big brother. 

[flintstone]

OK,OK...I figured out that 1/07 means January 2007, not January 7th.

The FR-2LE doesn't do 24/192 for the same reason it doesn't have
digital inputs.  Fostex doesn't want to take sales away from the FR-2.
Since the majority of sales for the FR-2LE will be for ENG and court
reporting, there's little incentive for Fostex to load the FR-2LE with
features.  Better to keep the price point low.

Flintstone