Fostex FR-2LE

Fostex FR-2LE Description

• Recording on Type II CompactFlash™ card
• Light weight, yet tough with a highly rigid chassis
• FAT32 file system & BWF Stereo file format
• MP3 recording/playback
• Up to 24 bit 96kHz audio performance

With a location recording pedigree which includes the original portable timecode DAT machines (PD-2, PD-4), and more recently the innovative PD-6 DVD-RAM recorder, it was only natural that Fostex should develop the FR-2, the acclaimed professional CompactFlash-based field recorder.

And now, it seems, Fostex have done it again with the launch of the new FR-2LE - a compact audio recorder designed from the ground-up to meet the needs of professionals in the field.

For a start, the FR-2LE records to CompactFlash in Broadcast WAV Format (BWF) at 24bit 96kHz quality. It’s equipped with two professional phantom powered XLR microphone inputs (XLR-phone combo) complete with precise control over the recording level.

It features a 1 take = 1 file recording system which eliminates overwrites and the 2 second ‘pre-record’ buffer means there should never be a missed take or lost soundbite. There’s even an MP3 mode and built-in stereo microphones designed for interviews.

Feature rich and elegant in operation, the pedigree of the new FR-2LE looks assured.

Features

• Recording on Type II CompactFlash™ card
• Light weight, yet tough with a highly rigid chassis
• FAT32 file system & BWF Stereo file format
• MP3 recording/playback
• Up to 24 bit 96kHz audio performance
• 2 x professional phantom powered XLR mic inputs with precise recording level adjustment control
• ALC (Off/On/Limiter) and HPF (On/Off, 100Hz -12dB/Oct)
• Built-in stereo microphones for quick memo recording
• USB 2.0 for high speed file transfer to PC
• 2 second Pre Rec buffer
• 1 take = 1 file system (eliminates overwrites)
• Approx. 8 hours battery operation
• Wired remote controller with mic attachment belt

Long battery life

The FR-2LE can run up to 8 hours on standard off-the-shelf NiMH batteries

Extended recording times

Over 12 hours @ 16bit 44.1kHz recording on an 8GB CompactFlash card

Professional inputs

Dual XLR inputs (XLR-phone combo) with top quality microphone pre-amps, trim control and phantom power. Analog out is offered on RCA connectors

BWF or MP3 recording

Record up to 24bit 96kHz audio

Tough construction

Manufactured from high-grade materials and specifically designed for professional location recording

Fail Safe Recording

In addition to a 1 take = 1 file system to eliminate overwrites, the FR-2LE also features Auto File Closing which closes files at one minute intervals, thus preserving the data in the event of a power failure.

USB 2.0

The USB 2.0 port allows direct connection to PC and MAC for easy file transfer.

Recording Times (approximate in minutes)

Specifications

• Recording / Playback General
  • Recording Medium Compact Flash Card
  • File Format BWF (Broadcast Wave Format), MP3 (MPEG Layer-3)
  • Sampling Frequency 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 /96 kHz
  • Quantization 16-bit linear (44.1 / 48 kHz)
  • 24-bit linear (44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96)
  • MP3 192bps (stereo)
  • No. of Recording Track 2 tracks (stereo)
  • No. of Simultaneous Rec. 2 tracks (stereo)
  • Recording/Reproduction Frequency 20 Hz - 20 kHz ±2dB (FS 44.1/48kHz)
  • 20 Hz - 40 kHz ±3dB (FS 88.2/96kHz)
  • S/N (ADC-DAC, 24bit, 48kHz)
  • Line (Input Gain: +4dBu) 95dB (typical)
  • Mic (Input Gain: -60dBu) 85dB (typical)
  • Dynamic Range 95dB (typical) (ADC-DAC, 24bit, 48kHz)
  • T.H.D. (ADC-DAC, 24it, 48kHz)
  • Line less than 0.008% (at 1kHz – 1dB, typical)
  • Mic (trim max) less than 0.01% (at 1kHz – 1dB, typical)
  • Channel Separation more than 90dB (at 1kHz 0dB) (24bit, -20BFS, 48kHz)
  • Reference Level -12dBFS
  • Locate Memory 99 Cue points per file
  • Battery Operation Time approx. 8 hours (Tamiya RC3600HV, Ni-MH battery) approx. 4 hours (4 x AA Alkaline / Ni-MH battery)
• Inputs / Outputs
  • Analog In (L/R)
  • Connector XLR-Phone Combo Type
  • Line In
  • Connector 6mm dia TS Phone Jack (unbalanced)
  • Input Impedance more than 10k ohm
  • Reference Input Level -10dBV
  • Maximum Input Level +2dBV
  • Mic In
  • Connector XLR-3-31 Type (balanced, 2-pin hot)
  • Input Impedance more than 6k ohm
  • Reference Input Level -50dBu to -10dBu
  • Maximum Input Level +2dBu
  • Phantom P48
  • Monitor Out <L, R>
  • Connector RCA Pin Jack (unbalanced)
  • Load Impedance more than 10k ohm
  • Reference Output Level -10dBV
  • Phones
  • Connector Stereo Mini Phone Jack
  • Load Impedance more than 32 ohm
  • Maximum Output Level 15 + 15mW (32 ohm)
  • USB 2.0 (for PC)
  • Connector Series “B” Receptacle
  • Built-in Speaker
  • Maximum Output 300mW
• Physical
  • Included CF card (128MB), AC Adaptor
  • shoulder strap, remote control and carry pouch
  • Dimensions 57(H) x 206(W) x 132(D) mm
  • Weight Approx. Approx. 0.8kgs (w/o battery)