Topic: £500 Recorder?

[ahhhjrene]

Hello all,

I'm after a new 2-track recorder for a project I'm working on.  It'll be used with external mics (NT1As, amongst others) for recording musicians and also field recording.

I narrowed it down to a Fostex FR2-LE, Edirol R09-HR (with external pre) or the new Marantz PMD661.

The new 661 was going to be my choice but after hearing low end rumble on Tom Robinsons high gain test I'm forced to re-think.

http://www.uwm.edu/~type/audio-art-tech-gallery/pages/Robinson_HiMD_661_LS10_Sor_Lrg-present.htmlhttp://

Also how does the Edirol perform with external mics?

Opinions from any of you with experience of any of these recorders would be much appreciated.

[flintstone]

If size isn't important, the Fostex FR-2LE is a better choice
than other recorders in your price range, in my opinion.

Flintstone

[John Willett]

If size isn't important, the Fostex FR-2LE is a better choice
than other recorders in your price range, in my opinion.

+1

I would agree with this.

[sunjan]

I'm after a new 2-track recorder for a project I'm working on.  It'll be used with external mics (NT1As, amongst others).

Also how does the Edirol perform with external mics?

The Edirol doesn't have XLR in. If you're juggling different mics you'd be forced to buy an extra box in front.

I'd say go for the FR-2LE. If you have a friend travelling to/from the US, trail the YS here for better value. And you'll have the option to get Busman or Oade mods too!

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,118213.0.html

[TomR]

Hi All

Hello all,

I'm after a new 2-track recorder for a project I'm working on.  It'll be used with external mics (NT1As, amongst others) for recording musicians and also field recording.

I narrowed it down to a Fostex FR2-LE, Edirol R09-HR (with external pre) or the new Marantz PMD661.

The new 661 was going to be my choice but after hearing low end rumble on Tom Robinsons high gain test I'm forced to re-think.

http://www.uwm.edu/~type/audio-art-tech-gallery/pages/Robinson_HiMD_661_LS10_Sor_Lrg-present.htmlhttp://

Also how does the Edirol perform with external mics?

Opinions from any of you with experience of any of these recorders would be much appreciated.

The high gain tests were carried out using a matched pair of NT1As.  The "matched pair certificate" shows an fairly uniform frequency response curve from 20Hz to 20kHz.  At 20Hz the response is only 4dB down.  I think the 661's low frequency rumble is probably a true measure of the room noise and not a foible of the recorder.  I believe the LS-10 has a marked LF rolloff (possibly why it is not well regarded by some tapers).  It could be that the FR-2LE (a machine much favoured by nature recordists for its excellent low noise mic inputs) will also have a good low frequency capability.

My own reasons for choosing the 661 rather than the FR-2LE (as posted on the "Naturerecordists  site) :-

Things which pushed me towards the Marantz were:-

1/ Use of SD/SDHC cards rather than compact flash (already use SD/SDHC
with an Olympus LS10 - incidently, a card used in the LS10, containing
files made with that machine, can be used in the 661 as is. The LS10
files/folders do not show up in the Marantz file list. Both machine's
files show up on the card when it is read by a computer's card reader).

2/ Reported headphone amp noise on the FR-2LE

3/ Reported better build quality of the 661.

4/ The longer recording time of the FR-2LE when using Tamiya batteries
was not an issue for me (even though I already have two Tamiya type
7.2 type RC batteries) I am changing over to Eneloop AAs thereby
saving the need to recharge "normal NiMHs" just before use in order to
maximise their charge. I will also make a sled for four D batteries
which, hopefully, will allow long recording times if I ever need that
facility.

5/ The 661 is about 3 years further up the evolution trail. Hopefully
this will be of some benefit.

Based on other peoples reports (not actually used one myself) I'm sure the FR2-LE will be fine for your intended use.

Have fun with it - I am enjoying the 661
Cheers

TomR

[ahhhjrene]

Excellent, a reply from the man himself.

We'll chaps I think Mr. Robinson has swayed it for me, and with it retailing just a hair cheaper in the UK, I will be going for the 661.

Thanks for the help.

J.

[flintstone]

I can confirm that the FR-2LE headphone amp is not the highest quality.
And it's true that the PDM661 does have better build quality.  That said,
I still would vote for the FR-2LE because its preamp is very quiet, the
battery life with Tamiya RC car battery is very long, and it's a proven
commodity for field use. 

The FR-2LE is designed to be carried from the shoulder, with LED meters and
volume controls facing up at you when carried this way.  So you can monitor
the recording while standing without holding the recorder. The PMD661 has an
angled set of meters, but the angle isn't quite right to let you see it accurately
when carrying in a bag or from the shoulder.  The PMD661 is easy to use
when you can set it on a flat surface.

In favor of the PMD661, it does have digital input missing from the FR-2LE.

Flintstone