Fostex D-2424--Hard Disk Recorder Review

Fostex D-2424
Hard Disk Recorder Review

by Eddie Ciletti

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There are several stand-alone multitrack hard disk recorders designed specifically to replace linear tape in both analog and digital forms. (Others have evolved from sampler technology.) I am considering five Manufacturers that are directly competitive - Timeline (via Tascam), Radar (via IZ), Mackie and Alesis (reorganizing after declaring chapter 11) - Fostex stands out as one company whose experience in the field spans nearly ten years - before it was affordable and before many people considered it an acceptable concept. While you've been wrestling with jammed tapes and crashing computers, Fostex has been quietly perfecting their dedicated hardware.

The Fostex D2424 ($3995) is a 24-track recorder at standard sample rates, the jump from16-bits to 24-bits reduces recording time but not the total available tracks. At doubled sample rates, the D2424 becomes an 8 track recorder at 24-bits only. All mode options are detailed in Table-1, including ample virtual tracks. There are no drive-size limitations. Essentially, a 10GB drive has room for over 72 minutes of recording in either 24-track "standard" mode or 8-track "high-resolution" mode.

Sample Rate =>	44.1kHz		48kHz		88.2kHz	96kHz
bits =>	16	24	16	24	24	24
tracks =>	24 real tracks + 32 virtual tracks				8 real tracks + 48 additional tracks
Capacity of 10GB drive	1888 track minutes	1258 track minutes	1735 track minutes	1156 track minutes	628 track minutes	577 track minutes
Table-1: Sampling Rate and Bit-Depth options for the Fostex D2424. Approximate recording times are based on a 10GB drive.

THE CADDY
The test unit was shipped with a single 30GB drive in a removable caddy with room for a second removable drive. It is very easy to install a drive into a caddy and prepare it for recording. The machine will query the drive(s) and report their status. If blank, the options are Quick Format (really fast) or Standard Format (depending on drive size this can be an overnight hotel stay, a European meal or both!) Backup options include DVD-RAM as well as S/P DIF. On the rear there is a half-pitch (high-density) 50-pin SCSI connector that supports one drive.

THE FACE
Drive Access is behind the removable front panel, which becomes the remote control with an optional 30-foot (max) extension cable. The High Density 15-pin D-sub looks just like a computer monitor connector. Definitely order this cable at the time of purchase. The front panel includes a fluorescent display for viewing track levels, status indicators (sample rate, chase enable, lock, etc.), error messages, plus song and track names.

GET DOWN TO BIZ, FAST!!!
Rather than death by feature overload, let me get right to point. The Fostex D2424 wins major points for ease of use - it behaves pretty much like a tape recorder, only better and faster - being about as plug and play as you can get. Invest just a little time with the front panel and you'll be ready to record. There is ample documentation. At 160 pages, the Reference Manual may be a bit overwhelming - with more than just a hint of Jinglish - but the Quick Operation guide is a lighter meal at 24 pages cover to cover.

One of the idiosyncrasies of digital recording requires that the Sample Rate and Bit Depth must be chosen up front, before formatting the hard drive. After formatting, I handed the unit over to my friend Ted who transferred a CDs worth of songs - 24 tracks in one pass - from three adats, no manual, including how to label the songs. The Fostex D2424 has three pairs of optical I/O that converse in either adat lightpipe or standard stereo as S/P DIF. Analog I/O includes 24 outputs and 8 inputs - operating / reference levels and bal / unbal options are selected from the front panel. This is an extremely smart and considerate feature.

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