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I have the Fostex Mr8 recorder and its making a weird heartbeat type sound when I turn the mic volume up. Only does this when I press record but not when I arm the track or tracks. Does this with both my SM57s and all cables. Also each time this sound is happening there is 'ACC' at the top right of display screen blinking after each sound I described. What could be the issue? Thanks.

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RemyRAD Thu, 11/08/2012 - 17:23

I was thinking power supply motor boating? We've all heard that sound. Could also be clocking noise due to a ground loop? Of course when you hit record, it starts clocking. Doesn't do that until you hit record. So ya might want to carefully try some of those AC mains ground lifter plugs? Because I think that's really what's doing it?

I'm not as well educated as Boswell so just take this with a grain of green beans.
Mx. Remy Ann David

anonymous Thu, 12/20/2012 - 14:34

Fostex MR8

I run a pair of Mr8s and had this problem myself. I simply moved a few leads around and it went away, never to recur. What you are hearing is the electrical 'click' from the lamp switching on and off and I'm afraid, you will have to keep power leads and mic leads as far apart as possible. If this doesn't resolve your issue, try arming the track(s) first, then pressing the record button. I mention this because sometimes the delay/reverb functions will only operate if the track is armed first.

The flashing ACC is quite normal and flashes during normal modes of operation. This apart, the Fostex Mr8 is a great bit of kit and will kick the pants off other, more expensive and much revered mixer recorders. Now unavailable it has been succeeded by a newer model which seems to offer nothing new other than a snazzed up fascia. We have recorded six albums on our pair of Mr8s and have no intention changing anything.

One other thing, if your Mr8 is plugged into a multi socket extension lead, especially if it is a cheap one, try getting one with an isolator or anti surge as sometimes our domestic ring mains are like transmitters.

If we could record without electricity, life would be so simple

MS

anonymous Fri, 12/21/2012 - 07:04

moonbaby, post: 398006 wrote: Quote:"...If we could record without electricity, life would be so simple"...
Maybe, but there's no buzz better than a good ol' electric shock when you're standing barefoot on cement and holding the ungrounded lead running to a Marshall Super Lead 100. Try THAT without the aid of electricity!

Yup. Definitely a waker-upper, particularly when you touch a mic with your lips and get a dose of "the blue flash"....

Although, I must say that in my own experience, I found it to be a very pretty shade of blue. LOL

RemyRAD Fri, 12/21/2012 - 18:52

Not sure if I ever posted this story? If they can have? It's still one of the funniest things I'll never forget am lucky that no one got seriously hurt.

I'd work for the largest studio south of NYC that was in Baltimore in the early 1970s. I went on to build a second largest studio in Baltimore in the later 1970s. I also worked in broadcasting in Baltimore in the 1970s. There was this camera guy from Channel 13. He also did disco work at the local nightspots for extra cash. So me and my buddy Philip Rattus nightspot having just finished opening our new studio. There was the brother of the guy that owned the biggest studio that I had worked for previously also there. And there was Bill Spicer doing his DJ set. And it was also a special guest MC that evening, Mike March from radio station WFBR. A legendary Baltimore radio station that I had also worked for. And he had a 58 on a cord. He went behind the bar. The was taking drink orders from people while talking on the microphone. And he would frequently put the microphone down on the wood bar while getting drinks. But for one drink order he was holding the microphone as he grabbed at the stainless steel lid on the drink refrigerator. And as you can well imagine, he couldn't exactly open up the beer refrigerator. Because every time you want to touch it, he got a good shock. So he got smart. He figured he had to put the microphone down. So he put it down on top of the lid of the stainless steel beer refrigerator. And of course what ensued next was a huge explosion from the PA system. A secondary flash and big poof of thick black smoke coming from Bill's DJ mixer and amplifier and this bright flash on top of the beer refrigerator. Were that nice now fried SM58 metal ball was now welded to the stainless steel lid of the beer refrigerator.

I have to tell you we nearly laughed ourselves nearly to the point of vomiting. Three studio owners watch the DJ blow the sound system of like a Three Stooges or Marx Brothers or Charlie Chaplin Laurel and Hardy movie. It was precious as Mike March also frequently came out to our studio to do voiceovers for the advertising agency account that we had and after I had worked with them when I worked at the station. Mike was a bit chagrined and rather surprised. It's OK he was a drinker. Probably why the initial 110 V didn't kill him to begin with?

Poof! LOL LMAO LOL
Mx. Remy Ann David