Topic: 4 Channels

[Gutbucket]

[typed while you guys were posting, throwing it out there anyway]

Hey Trey,

I also run a R-44 (Oade mod) and am very happy with it.  It's a solid machine and I have no reservations at all recommending one.  It's simple, relatively rugged and just plain works without worry in any condition I've used it in.  I can't speak for the quality of the stock preamps since I bought mine from Oade pre-modded and don't feel I usually need an external preamp.  I do use a V3 sometimes but rarely into the R-44 simply because I didn't feel I gain enough from doing so and can keep the rig small and tight without the external preamp. Like 'galoot I use 9V DVD batteries with a reversed polarity connection cable at the recorder end- sleeve positive, center pin is ground.
 
I ran 8 channels last night into my DR-680 (it's not modded) by inputting two channels digitally from the V3.  That's 6 channels through the onbard 680 preamps + 2 digital in from the V3.  I'm also very happy with the DR-680 and really dig having the ability to record 8 synced channels in one small, inexpensive machine. It's menus and operation is more complex than the R-44, the switches on top can be more easily accidentally knocked and there is the well known powering related problems some have had with them when using other than the recommended voltage for outboard power.  I've had no problems with mine, and can recommend it for those who need 6 or 8 channels on limited budget, but it isn't as simple and fool proof as the R-44.  Stock preamps are fine and quiet enough, and seem more or less on par with those in the Oade modded R-44, though I haven't compared the two critically.

I haven't used the Tascam HS-P82, but it looks like a somewhat more professionally oriented machine positioned to be less costly than SoundDevices, Nagra, and the ohter big players. If you need 8 channels regularly, that may be the more attractive option.

I think it really comes down to how many channels you want/neeed.

[cybergaloot]

Here's a sample ADK-tl (Hyper)>R-44 (my unmodded unit) + board>R-44
http://home.comcast.net/~cybergaloot/AvisBerry-2009-11-15-matrix-AKG-10.wav

Ignore that the file says AKG, I goofed on labeling. BTW, this was recorded in a horrible venue, massive room reverb.

[bhadella]

I don't see the exact ones I bought a couple of years ago but it will be something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Portable-DVD-External-Battery-9V-2600mAh-23Wh-/360177858994?pt=US_Batteries&hash=item53dc45f9b2

There might be something better out now, I don't know. The R-44 can accept a fairly wide range of voltages, but watch that polarity. Edirol (AKA Roland) seems to like to make their DC input jack the reverse of the rest of the planet for some reason.

Team R-44 here at the Taper's Section can answer any questions you might have about any quirks.

Go with a 5400mAh or 6000mAh one that will run the R44 for 10 hours or so.

Examples:  http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=dvd+battery+5400&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=7907595887575868810&sa=X&ei=8WDzTuHrIery2QWl4tykAg&ved=0CIABEPMCMAE#

[twoodruff]

who can make said polarity issue cable?

[Gutbucket]

Go with a 5400mAh or 6000mAh one that will run the R44 for 10 hours or so.

Examples:  http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=dvd+battery+5400&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=7907595887575868810&sa=X&ei=8WDzTuHrIery2QWl4tykAg&ved=0CIABEPMCMAE#

I get about the same run time with those batts and four channels of phantom on, but not a huge current draw.

Ted, or any of the cable makers can make you a power cable.  I just soldered the right sized plug from RadioShack onto one of the cables that usually come with the DVD batteries.

[cybergaloot]

Go with a 5400mAh or 6000mAh one that will run the R44 for 10 hours or so.

Examples:  http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=dvd+battery+5400&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=7907595887575868810&sa=X&ei=8WDzTuHrIery2QWl4tykAg&ved=0CIABEPMCMAE#

I get about the same run time with those batts and four channels of phantom on, but not a huge current draw.

Ted, or any of the cable makers can make you a power cable.  I just soldered the right sized plug from RadioShack onto one of the cables that usually come with the DVD batteries.

I never throw out wallwarts so I just dug around in the box until I found the right sized ends, cut them off the wallwarts with enough cable left and soldered the wires together making sure they 'crossed.'

[Fried Chicken Boy]

Go with a 5400mAh or 6000mAh one that will run the R44 for 10 hours or so.

Examples:  http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=dvd+battery+5400&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=7907595887575868810&sa=X&ei=8WDzTuHrIery2QWl4tykAg&ved=0CIABEPMCMAE#

I get about the same run time with those batts and four channels of phantom on, but not a huge current draw.

Ted, or any of the cable makers can make you a power cable.  I just soldered the right sized plug from RadioShack onto one of the cables that usually come with the DVD batteries.

If you go the DVD battery route (use one myself and get very long runtimes with 4 channels of phantom), I'd echo the recommendation that you should get one with a capacity of at least 5400 mAh.  The price point seems about the same for all of them nowadays (~$50) so you might as well read the specs and get the highest capacity.

Ted's the man for a Battery>R-44 cable.  He does great work.  If you're in a pinch, you can always go to Radio Shack and get an adapt-a-plug cable with the proper tips.  Just make sure you have the polarity correct.  Ted put together a great thread with external powering specs for a lot of different devices HERE.

[cybergaloot]

Back when I got my DVD batteries they were going for about $10 each on eBay. Those are long gone I'm sure. All I saw was the one I posted the link to.

[F.O.Bean]

Also, if running external preamps, give the Tascam DR2D a chance. It runs for about 4-5 hrs recording to all 4 channels, and is dirt cheap

[Gutbucket]

Also, if running external preamps, give the Tascam DR2D a chance. It runs for about 4-5 hrs recording to all 4 channels, and is dirt cheap

I dig mine too, but that's a different class of gear entirely then an R-44, DR-680 or especially an HS-P82. 

[Colin Liston]

Even if you aren't running 4 channels the R-44 is a great recorder.  V3>R44 is easy and sweet.

Although M148>m10 would be sweet as well.

[rastasean]

Yes, the r44 is plastic but so are most laptops and so are many stereo systems in nice cars. Sadly, I have not had a real good opportunity to use my r44 to record music since I've been very busy with school and family. I have no idea how the new price on this recorder has remained to be very high even though it is many years old. Sometimes I wish the r44 could do more (or at least have more menu options) but that would take away from its simplicity and how quick it is to start recording.
No recorder is perfect but the r44 is close to it.

[DSatz]

Trey, I'll just add my belated vote to the other people here--I've been using an R-44 as my main 2- and 4-channel recorder for a couple of years now, using internal or external batteries or AC powering, and have never had any kind of operational problems with it at all. Just absolutely none. It's raised my estimation of Roland as a brand, at least for the high end of their line.

I have no complaint with the sound quality of the recorder's preamps, but then I'm not generally someone who can go on and on talking about the sound of preamps--for me they only need to boost a signal without adding noise, distortion or coloration that I can hear. For opera and recital gigs I use a Grace V3 for the front two channels and feed the result in via S/P-DIF, but that's mainly for the more easily readable (for me, anyway) metering on the V3.

I even recorded a couple of business meetings with the built-in mikes, so that works, too, when necessary.

--best regards

[F.O.Bean]

Also, if running external preamps, give the Tascam DR2D a chance. It runs for about 4-5 hrs recording to all 4 channels, and is dirt cheap

I dig mine too, but that's a different class of gear entirely then an R-44, DR-680 or especially an HS-P82. 

Yes, I def agree, but he said ANY 4chan recorders

[noahbickart]

Also, if running external preamps, give the Tascam DR2D a chance. It runs for about 4-5 hrs recording to all 4 channels, and is dirt cheap

How does one do this? Can you meter both the mic in and the line in at the same time? From the pictures on the Tascam site, it seems like the 4 channel mode is really for the built in microphones.