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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: IronFilm on November 02, 2016, 08:56:42 PM
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For those looking at an alternative to the Zoom F8, I noticed that B&H has a "New Arrival", refurbished Rolland R-88 units selling at nearly half their launch price (I guess Zoom is providing some serious pricing pressure! They might even be new units, and only "refurbished" in name only?!):
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1286630-REG/roland_r_88b_r_88_8_channel_recorder_and.html
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The new r88 is still $1995 with the refurb being $800 less. That is a substantial discount, but a new f8 is still $999. Haven't compared the r88 with the f8, but the obvious question is what makes the r88 twice the price of the f8?
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Yeah the cheaper price of the F8 and its smaller size, means I'd personally still prefer the F8 over R88. But others might see the comparison differently and jump on the chance to get the R88 cheaply.
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The decks have different functionality. For instance. the R-88 has Digi in and out. That is a big difference alone, which to some would make the cost difference worth it. If that is not important , than the higher price of the R-88 is probably not necessary. The 2 decks have differences and are both valuable depending on what one is looking for.
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Was $795 on flash deal at BH Photo a few days ago and now showing discontinued.
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The decks have different functionality. For instance. the R-88 has Digi in and out. That is a big difference alone, which to some would make the cost difference worth it. If that is not important , than the higher price of the R-88 is probably not necessary. The 2 decks have differences and are both valuable depending on what one is looking for.
Besides digital I/O, R-88 provides 8 XLR outputs, whereas F8 only provides two main XLR outs + two aux (mini XLR). Again, features which are more important for some folks.
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For the next four days, the Roland R-88 is on sale again, for US$795 @ B&H (not "refurbished", brand new):
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892317-REG/Roland_R_88_8_CHANNEL_RECORDER.html
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Great rig, ridiculous price. But, miniaturization is the order of the day. Some comparisons...
Roland R-88 ($795)
10.25" x 9.25" x 3.69"
5.9 lbs
Zoom F-8 ($999)
7.0" x 5.5" x 2.1"
2.1 lbs
SD MixPre-10T ($1799)
8.15" x 6.88" x 1.4"
2 lbs
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Oh for sure, I'd much rather have the even cheaper F4 (or an F8, or splurge a few hundred more for the MixPre10T) than have an R-88!
But I'm sure for some small niche of people they'd prefer the R-88, and this would be an amazing deal for them.
For instance if they really really want the 8x full size XLR outputs, or the digital I/O.
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I just bought a used R-88. Love it so far! Much lighter, less cumbersome than I originally thought. My experience with the Roland R-26 really helped in learning the touchscreen menus. The Pres on it are really quiet too. IMO, this thing was really designed for Music first, ENG second. Can't wait to take it out on its maiden voyage. I have some SBD-patch opportunities coming up.
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The Pres on it are really quiet too. IMO, this thing was really designed for Music first, ENG second. Can't wait to take it out on its maiden voyage. I have some SBD-patch opportunities coming up.
I think when we were at the Funky Biscuit in January, it might have been one of the first times getting a SBD feed from the new sound guy Ray. Good going on the R-88, Dan..!
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The Pres on it are really quiet too. IMO, this thing was really designed for Music first, ENG second. Can't wait to take it out on its maiden voyage. I have some SBD-patch opportunities coming up.
I think when we were at the Funky Biscuit in January, it might have been one of the first times getting a SBD feed from the new sound guy Ray. Good going on the R-88, Dan..!
The XLRs out for each channel is certainly nice. I would love that...
I will be down for the JKB shows at the Funky Bisquit and Skippers next week. I think I met each of you at the trwo venues. Are either of you going to these shows (or any of the upcoming JKB shows)? I know I can get SBD patches for these and can bring a patch bay...
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I might be tempted if it had that wifi control dealio...
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I might be tempted if it had that wifi control dealio...
Very very very few have that though. I know my Tascam DR22WL does, as does the Tascam DR44WL. And there is the add on Sound Devices CL-WiFi for the 788T
I'd struggle to think of any others?!
Those that do have wireless control of some sort would tend to use Bluetooth instead (such as Sound Devices's Wingman app is over bluetooth, or the Zoom F8 which I rented for a week last month specifically for that wireless control which my F4 lacks. Although I really wish it was Wifi rather than bluetooth! As sometimes I'd really struggle with its range while on a few shoots).
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I might be tempted if it had that wifi control dealio...
Very very very few have that though. I know my Tascam DR22WL does, as does the Tascam DR44WL. And there is the add on Sound Devices CL-WiFi for the 788T
I'd struggle to think of any others?!
Those that do have wireless control of some sort would tend to use Bluetooth instead (such as Sound Devices's Wingman app is over bluetooth, or the Zoom F8 which I rented for a week last month specifically for that wireless control which my F4 lacks. Although I really wish it was Wifi rather than bluetooth! As sometimes I'd really struggle with its range while on a few shoots).
To note - The control program for the CL-WiFi for the 788T is limited to 32bit, so on iOS you cannot use newer versions (i.e. 11 and above) - no further development is being considered for the CL-WiFi
https://www.sounddevices.com/tech-notes/cl-wifi-ios (https://www.sounddevices.com/tech-notes/cl-wifi-ios)
Ambient makes this though (for the 6xx and 788t) :
http://ambient.de/product/master-lockit-sound-devices-control/ (http://ambient.de/product/master-lockit-sound-devices-control/)
For a cool $1300:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1045432-REG/ambient_recording_acn_ml_master_lockit_acn_hub.html
OUCH - generates/syncs TC as well as Wireless control
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Oh yes, I forgot my :wave uses WiFi too for the SD 600 series!
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1194641-REG/timecode_systems_tcb_wave_ce_timecode_systems_wave.html
https://www.timecodesystems.com/products-home/blink/