Topic: Anyone know anything about this Fostex FR2 LE (previously FR3 LE)

[Jorge7]

I have done about 30 hours of 16/44 recording on Kingston 8 GB 133x CF cards with no problem. NT4 > FR2LE internal battery or full phantom.

[flipp]

Saw one last weekend a friend had purchased from Musician's Friend as a scratch&dent item. He said the unit that arrived was a NIB item. I went to their website and they list the S&D at $469.99 (free shipping) with the S&D sale running through Tuesday October 2nd. Regular non-S&D price is $599. Spent all week debating whether to order one of these or wait a month or two and get an FR2 or PMD671. Decided the finances where a little too shaky to opt for one of the other units immediately and didn't feel like waiting so placed an order with MF and got a little surprise, website still shows $469.99 for a S&D but was quoted and charged $399.99! It should ship Monday and I'll update after arrival as to how this open-box item is cosmetically. If you're feeling adventurous (unit won't arrive before the sale ends) and want to take your chances on a scratch and dent unit, give MF a call and see if they quote you the $399.99 price. Haven't found a better price anywhere else.


http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fostex-FR2LE-High-Definition-Field-Recorder?sku=240346X

MF's S&D description:

Scratch and Dent Items ("Blems")

This is a Scratch and Dent item. What does that mean? These items are primarily products that have been previously returned by other customers. They are products that may have some cosmetic flaws such as scratches or nicks, or may be slightly experienced. Either way, they are guaranteed to function perfectly. If you can live with a minor blemish and a "not-so-pretty" box, you'll save some serious bucks! Because of the random nature of flaws on specific items, we are unable to list specific details. All Scratch and Dent products include our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee so you can take a full 45 days to check out the gear before deciding to keep it.

UPDATE 02 October - just got off the phone with MF's customer service to check on status of the order since I had not received a confirmation e-mail. Order had been cancelled. Could not get an explanantion why but I suspect it was because they sold took orders for more than they had available. In light of the no communication from MF and the order taker saying they had them in stock ready to ship, I can not recommend this seller and in the future will take my business elsewhere.




UPDATE #2 - 07 NOV - just got off the phone with MF's Customer Service to find out what was in the box that was on my front porch yesterday and to ask for an RA# and a UPS call tag. Seems they reinstated the S&D order they had previously cancelled. From the CS agent and the invoice, they reinstated the order on Oct 11 but didn't have a returned unit to ship until Nov 2. They also honored the $399.99 price I was quoted back in September. Only problem is in the meantime I bought an FR2 and I don't really need two new recorders.

While Musician's Friend has a great price (and the unit looks like it had never been out of the box), I still had no contact from Musician's Friend that I did not initiate. A phone call or an e-mail informing me the order had been reinstated would have been considerate and would have saved me about a grand or even a message of some sort that it had been shipped, though at that point it would not have prevented me purchasing the FR2. If you want to deal with Musician's Friend, be aware that you probably will not be informed of what is going on; you place your order and you may see the product in two days or you may see it in 6 weeks with no contact from them.

MF, good/great prices, non-existent contact letting the customer know what is going on. I probably won't be dealing with them again.




UPDATE #3 - Dec 26:  After returning from a mid-December vacation, still no return shipping label from Musician's Friend. I can't recommend MF other than to suggest taking your business elsewhere; I certainly will after the no communication/no followup I've received from them.

I decided to keep this after reviewing my finances. Was borderline about keeping it anyway because the price was so good and with a little Christmas cash, I can keep it and order a couple of larger CF cards for it and the FR2. With the FR2LE and the unmodded one my friend purchased, I can finally do some mic comps I've been wanting to for some time.

[eric.B]

I will be getting a Oade TCM FR2LE on thursday..  so I'll post experiences in this thread (or start a new one)..

questions for users..   the 2g or 4g file size option..  Does the recording stop entirely at these values?  Or while you're recording does the machine just close the file and start a new one(seemless split)at the value you choose?   

and..   I will be using the TRS line-in option to run a pre in front (v2) for the first test (then maybe second set just as all-in-one)..  With the trs connectors, while they don't "lock" in place (im guessing), what happens if they are turned and you are recording?  ex:  can you spin the 1/4 inch connector around and not have the signal interrupted?

thanks.. and I will post feedback on the unit when I have it..

[Jamos]

  I will be using the TRS line-in option to run a pre in front (v2) for the first test (then maybe second set just as all-in-one)..  With the trs connectors, while they don't "lock" in place (im guessing), what happens if they are turned and you are recording?  ex:  can you spin the 1/4 inch connector around and not have the signal interrupted?

thanks.. and I will post feedback on the unit when I have it..

They are the standard Neutrik XLR / 1/4" combo jacks.  They are "locking" connectors for the 1/4" as well as the XLR.  Although this is true, with enough force you could pull out the phone plug without disengaging the release, but it does hold pretty well.

I believe you can rotate the plug while connected, but it's not really advisable unless you have to.

Hope that helps.

[eric.B]

  I will be using the TRS line-in option to run a pre in front (v2) for the first test (then maybe second set just as all-in-one)..  With the trs connectors, while they don't "lock" in place (im guessing), what happens if they are turned and you are recording?  ex:  can you spin the 1/4 inch connector around and not have the signal interrupted?

thanks.. and I will post feedback on the unit when I have it..

They are the standard Neutrik XLR / 1/4" combo jacks.  They are "locking" connectors for the 1/4" as well as the XLR.  Although this is true, with enough force you could pull out the phone plug without disengaging the release, but it does hold pretty well.

I believe you can rotate the plug while connected, but it's not really advisable unless you have to.

Hope that helps.

yes it does help.. thanks! 
I've never used the "combo" jacks before, so I was just curious..  oh and I have *no* interest in turning the jacks, but I was jus' wondering what would happen if you did..  of course, these questions will be answered when I get the deck..  +t

[eric.B]

as this show was yesterday I obviously don't have any opinions on the deck, but first impression is    so far so good...

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=510056

Steve Kimock
w/ George Porter Jr., Robert Walter, John Morgan Kimock
Mexicali Blues Cafe, Teaneck NJ
October 5th, 2007 FRI

disc one - set one
01. High and Lonesome
02. Nature's Rock and Roll
03. You're The One
04. Going to the Country

disc two - set two
01. It's Up To You
02. Funky Miracle
03. Tongue n' Groove

disc three - set two cont.
01. Five B4 Funk*
02. Kickin' Up Dust*


source: Neumann tlm170 - FOB
lineage: tlm170 > grace v2 > OADEtcmMOD FR2LE > CDWave > .flac
taper: ericBowne eric.bowneATgmailDOTcom

Steve Kimock - various guitars
George Porter Jr. - bass
Robert Walter - keys
John Kimock - drums
*John Fadem - guitar

notes: Steve Kimock's Birthday
Mexicali Blues 5th Anniversary

[George2]

  I will be using the TRS line-in option to run a pre in front (v2) for the first test (then maybe second set just as all-in-one)..  With the trs connectors, while they don't "lock" in place (im guessing), what happens if they are turned and you are recording?  ex:  can you spin the 1/4 inch connector around and not have the signal interrupted?

thanks.. and I will post feedback on the unit when I have it..

They are the standard Neutrik XLR / 1/4" combo jacks.  They are "locking" connectors for the 1/4" as well as the XLR.  Although this is true, with enough force you could pull out the phone plug without disengaging the release, but it does hold pretty well.

I believe you can rotate the plug while connected, but it's not really advisable unless you have to.

Hope that helps.

The line in are TS.... not TRS. The locking is only when using the XLRs/mic in.

[Colin Liston]

Just got mine today!  Busman "Vintage" mod.  I can't wait to get out to use this thing. 

[JiB97]

Checking in here, made the jump and bought one of these units.

Re: CF cards

I have had it relayed to me that the Sandisk cards will work.

Can anyone else repost on what other types of cards are compatible for 24/48 recording?

Can't wait to try this thing out!

[eric.B]

Checking in here, made the jump and bought one of these units.

Re: CF cards

I have had it relayed to me that the Sandisk cards will work.

Can anyone else repost on what other types of cards are compatible for 24/48 recording?

Can't wait to try this thing out!

so far just a sandisk extremeIII 4gb..  works fine at all bit/sample rates..

btw..  also running a 7.2 3000mah tamiya battery which I have tested.  Ran the fr2le yesterday for a test..  16/44 - 4gb file size - mic in/phantom with tlm170's..  ran until the card was full which was just under 6 hours..  battery meter showed the capacity at about 3/4's when it stopped recording..  so Im think at least 7 hours a pop on a tamiya 7.2v 3000mah pack with phantom (and lcd light on as well)..

[cd2go]

Can anyone report a AA battery life test with phantom on @24/48? Would be appreciated 

[eric.B]

Can anyone report a AA battery life test with phantom on @24/48? Would be appreciated 

not that it'll help, but first night with this unit were with 4 aa alkalines running line in (no phantom)..  little over three hours and the batt bar went down 1/3..  It'll depend on how hungry your mics are for power..   I won't be able to answer this question for you though, as Im not going to waste aa's for a 'test'.. 

[tenesejedd]

So I'm considering grabbing one of these and getting it busman modded. My concern is that my current software will not be able to process .bwf files.  Do any of you have any way to send me or post a small snippet of a .bwf file so i can be sure that i will be able to process these files.

I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

[eric.B]

So I'm considering grabbing one of these and getting it busman modded. My concern is that my current software will not be able to process .bwf files.  Do any of you have any way to send me or post a small snippet of a .bwf file so i can be sure that i will be able to process these files.

I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

so far I've had no problems opening the .bwf files in cdwave and soundforge7...  I was also able to open a greater than 2 gig file in cdwave (4 gig file actually), but not in soundforge for there is a 2 gig limit with it..

If you'd like me to send you .bwf file, send over a pm...

edit:  tested with a 4gb 24/96 file last night, opened up no problem in cdwave

[Jammin72]

So what's the technique for doing 24/96 over the 4GB limit? Can you seamlessly start a new file on the fly or does the recording have to be stopped and restarted.

Thanks.