The HD8CD allows 8-track playback, and 2-track simultaneous recording with 80 virtual takes. Tracks are recorded onto the 80 GB internal hard disk drive via 2 balanced XLR – ¼” phone combo inputs with phantom power.
The HD8CD also has two Hi-Z inputs facilitating direct connection of guitars to the recorder. The HD8CD offers 16-bit/44.1kHz linear PCM recording in WAV format, and over 100 internal effects for guitar / bass and vocal recording, mixing and mastering. In addition to these effects, over 500 drum and bass sounds reside in the integral Drum/Bass machine which has touch sensitive pads. There is a sampler function which lets you add original drum sounds to the drum kits available, and this sampling memory is now 60 seconds (compared to 22 seconds on the MRS-1608). Audio tracks can be edited by copy / move / erase / trim / reverse and fade in-out functions.
The HD8CD also offers a new control surface function for DAW software and is bundled with Steinberg Cubase LE software. Each track has assignable encoders for controlling 3-band EQ, pan and send levels. In addition the HD8CD now has easily viewable 5-segment LED levels meters, an integral USB2.0 port (which was an option on the MRS-1608), internal CD/RW drive and is packaged in a stylish low profile metal chassis which is approximately half the cubic capacity than that of its predecessor.
