Topic: Second recorder to compliment R-09HR

[auto_pilot]

I'm in the fortunate position of being able to get occasional SBD access at some shows.
I bought an R-09HR last year and have been happily making audience recordings with that and Sound Pro mics. I'd like to buy a second recorder so that I can record from the SBD and the audience at the same show should the opportunity arise.
(Before anyone comments, leaving a recorder at the sounddesk isn't a problem, friendly soundmen or mates of mine to check recording levels etc.)

Budget - around the same as the R-09HR (or less, if possible!)
Similar size to the R-09HR or smaller would be good.

I don't particularly need the second recorder to have internal mics, as I never use them on the R-09HR.

Deal clincher for me would optical input/usb output on the recorder, because I can then also use it to continue archiving my collection of minidiscs whilst also being able to do other work on the PC.

Any suggestions on a recorder that might fit the bill?

[Belexes]

Sony M10 would be good, but no optical in.

[adrianf74]

Sony M10 would be good, but no optical in.

I was gonna say that earlier, however, unless the OP wants to forego Optical In, it doesn't fit the criteria. 

[johnw]

Microtrack II is in the budget and has digital in but not optical and isn't regarded as being reliable.

Sony D50 is a bit larger than the R09 and is more expensive but has optical in

[jbell]

Sony PCM D50 is the only solution with an optical in/out, but it is out of your price range!  An Iriver H120 is in your range and has the optical, but isn't 24bit. 

[auto_pilot]

Sony PCM D50 is the only solution with an optical in/out, but it is out of your price range!  An Iriver H120 is in your range and has the optical, but isn't 24bit.

Iriver H120:
No 24-bit isn't ideal, but nonetheless an interesting option - thanks for the suggestion. Comment seems to suggest that even though it's relatively old-skool technology, it's a good reliable recorder. Stockists is another matter - just spent 45 minutes on a basic web search and not found a single unit for sale. Any suggestions?

That Sony D50 looks great but it's a bit too expensive at the moment, sadly.

[earmonger]

eBay for H120. Mine is gone, perhaps unfortunately. but in the real world I didn't need opt-in. \

 Sony PCM-M10 is the bomb for me. What a great unit.

[stevetoney]

To clarify, you need to use ebay for the irivers because they're out of production. 

An option for the optical input would be to buy a used Edirol UA-5 preamp, which unmodded seem to be available for around $100 or so lately...modded units are running $200 to $300.  Then you could buy an MTII for $150 and connect SPDIF cables to use the MTII as a bitbucket.

I generally don't regard the MTII as a viable recorder for what we do because of balky interface and generally clunky operation that ends up costing you recordings.  However, in my experience, it works fine as a bitbucket and is reliable as a bitbucket as long as you have an external battery solution since the internal battery tends to last only 3 hours or so.

[auto_pilot]

Thanks for the advice. I'll have a hunt around for an iRiver and see what I can find. The Microtrack doesn't look like it's up to the job of being a reliable second recorder.

[earmonger]

If you do get an iRiver, you need to install Rockbox to get rid of recording glitches in the standard firmware. The H120 and H140 are what you're looking for--only difference is the hard drive, 20G or 40G.

iRiver people are serious tweakers, with lots of info here: http://www.misticriver.com/iriver-h1xx-series-h110-h115-h120-h140/

[flintstone]

Not to bust anybody's chops, but...

"To compliment" means to praise, admire or congratulate.  So "a recorder to compliment R-09HR" might go like this

M10: "That's a lovely new case you've got, R-09HR."

R-09HR "Thanks.  I was admiring the way your new Kind Kables accessorize with your mics."


Now, "to complement" means to complete, or to make whole.  So the dialog might now sound like this:

Marantz PMD661: "Together, we make a great team, R-09HR."

R-09HR:  "You complete me, PMD661."

[auto_pilot]

Not to bust anybody's chops, but...

"To compliment" means to praise, admire or congratulate.  So "a recorder to compliment R-09HR" might go like this

M10: "That's a lovely new case you've got, R-09HR."

R-09HR "Thanks.  I was admiring the way your new Kind Kables accessorize with your mics."


Now, "to complement" means to complete, or to make whole.  So the dialog might now sound like this:

Marantz PMD661: "Together, we make a great team, R-09HR."

R-09HR:  "You complete me, PMD661."

Hey!
My R-09HR is lonely. Even inanimate objects need an ego boost now and then.

[yltfan]

iRivers pop up in the yard sale pretty regularly, or maybe post an ISO. I love the iriver, I was using them as my primary recorders for several years to do exactly what you are planning. The only drawback (apart from the lack of 24 bit) is the internal battery. In decent shape, the battery will last plenty long. But putting in a new one is a major pain, so ask about the battery before you buy 

[it-goes-to-eleven]

M10: "That's a lovely new case you've got, R-09HR."
R-09HR "Thanks.  I was admiring the way your new Kind Kables accessorize with your mics."
Marantz PMD661: "Together, we make a great team, R-09HR."
R-09HR:  "You complete me, PMD661."

Reminds me of...

[auto_pilot]

iRivers pop up in the yard sale pretty regularly, or maybe post an ISO. I love the iriver, I was using them as my primary recorders for several years to do exactly what you are planning. The only drawback (apart from the lack of 24 bit) is the internal battery. In decent shape, the battery will last plenty long. But putting in a new one is a major pain, so ask about the battery before you buy 

Thanks for the tip.