Topic: Zoom H2 vs. Edirol R-09

[danzz1234]

I'm thinking of buying a new recorder (24bit) and I'm wondering if its worth spending +$200 on the R09, as I've heard pretty good recordings with the H2.

Also, with the extra $200 I could buy a ST-9100, for example.


What do you guys think about it?

[Semayat]

i did not have the R-09, but the H2 is very great. I tested it running AT mics through line in, and i still have to test the internal mics (that may come with a friendly reggae band in my area)
What i can say is the H2 is small, weight light and is easy to use. For that price i would jump on it with no hesitations;)

Semayat

[Belexes]

I saw more favorable posts about the R-09 board than the H-2 at the time I made my decision, so I went with the R-09 and have no regrets.  I've seen both for-sale in the Yardsale if you are looking to save $$.  The ST-9100 is well worth saving for and getting.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

It would be interesting if someone with an h2 would do an a/d comp with a v3.  In that config the r09 a/d did very, very well.

[Ozpeter]

The summary on the H2 is that you can make very acceptable recordings with the built in mics, which allow considerable flexibility in post production if you record the front and rear pairs to separate stereo tracks.  The line input is over-sensitive but otherwise fine.  The mic input is generally accepted as being disappointingly noisy. 

You emphasise 24 bits as a requirement.  Some would say (well, I would) that there's no demonstrable benefit in using the 24 bit settings on the H2 as the analog stages only merit 16 bit operation.  I suspect this is actually true of the majority of such miniature recorders, but I'm open to correction.

[guysonic]

It does seem either r-09 or H2 works best with external preamp.  However, the H2 has very limited LINE input level ability before distorting, the R-09 does not have any of this limitation.

Consider the following:

H2 maximum LINE input level is a very low -1.9 dBu at maximum working #100 REC level adjustment.  This makes it likely to easily get slammed with most any external preamplifier on today's market, and requires an external attenuation of 6-12 dB with external preamp connected.

R-09 will work well with up to +16 dBu input level, requiring no input conditioning with most any model of preamplifier.  See tech review of R-09 inputs at: www.sonicstudios.com/r-09revw.htm#inputs

With external preamplifier, the H2 does a reasonable job very similar to R-09 as shown below in the noise plots.




R-09 plot is less easy to view (below), but look at external pre (green) verses R-09 internal pre (yellow) to get similar-to-H2 test conditions