Topic: R4 in my hands...

[Nick's Picks]

Just showed up today..I didn't even know to expect it.  Edirol told me they'd send one for me to beat on, looks like it arrived.

I"m looking around for my flashcard to take some pics for you.

first off:
- its BIG.  About HHB portodat big, maybe taller.  FR2 big any way.  Same footprint.
- Light as a feather!
- takes AA batteries, and I bet todays 2000+mAh cells will power it at least 2 hours..but otherwise its 9.6v DC.  RC packs and old Edirol barrell size are still good w/this.
- 4 XLR inputs.  I dont think the 744 has that.  Phantom is supplied in pairs.  You can run 4 mono or two stereo (or just a single stereo pair)  two rigs into this one box !!  nice for testing. 
- probably same ol' mic preamps from the FA-101 / UA5, i'd guess.  but we'll see.  Thats not so bad if thats the case.
- its plastic.  A little more fragile feeling than i'd like.  more knobs and things to break than an FR2, but its about the same feel.
- all I/O options are on the sides, including usb and battery.  all analog on one side, all digi on another
- comes w/a nice little pack with velcro side access for all the jacks.

is this thing really only going to cost $1500 ?
wow.  I'd say they will sell A LOT of these.
definatly not as nice looking as the SD boxes.  Build quality is far from road-warrior robust, but its pretty slick still.
its standard Edirol Fare from what I can tell.  High value.  EAsy to tweak.  This box has cool options about it though.  ST-250 B format directly into this !!  that would be slicker than shit.  Cheapest surround setup I can think of, sans post processing software costs.

[timP]

finally somebody has one!

run it hard and let us know what it osunds like

[Nick's Picks]

pics...
but you can find better ones on edirols www site

[bhtoque]

I can help ya field test it if you want Nick.

JAson

[krebsy]

Niiiice!  Can't wait to hear some taper feedback.  +T's in advance!

[creekfreak]

very cool...look forward to hearing the feedback on it.

[John Kelly]

is this thing really only going to cost $1500 ?
wow.  I'd say they will sell A LOT of these.

I found a place online that was selling them for around $1350.

[silentmark]

These do resample through the digi in though, correct ?

[Nick's Picks]

yes.  stated in the manual specificaly.."will not lock on to external clock", and no matter what digital signal you feed it, it will clock it according to the settings on the R4 itself. 

also, it appears to only be able to handle 2gb files, yet it doesnt mention what happens when you get there (other than a light coming on).  No auto stop/start is mentioned.  I'm looking into this as my priority question for Edirol.  Waiting for a reply.
-EDIT-
found it in the manual.  it makes new seamless files.  all 2gb in size.  just like any other recorder I suppose. 

It has a pre-record buffer function, which is really sweet.  9 seconds at 24/96 stereo.  24 or so with 16bit.

the more I play with this, the more I like it.
we'll see how it sounds come soon.
Panic on 4-12 , a couple other new england shows after that.

one thing, not a stealthable deck.
;-)

[Rick]

also, it appears to only be able to handle 2gb files, yet it doesnt mention what happens when you get there (other than a light coming on).  No auto stop/start is mentioned.  I'm looking into this as my priority question for Edirol.  Waiting for a reply.

That's not good

[Nick's Picks]

found it in the manual.  it makes new seamless files.  all 2gb in size.  just like any other recorder I suppose. 

[nickgregory]

found it in the manual. it makes new seamless files. all 2gb in size. just like any other recorder I suppose.

that is probably why the buffer is there as well...allows it to do the switch from one file to the next

[Ed.]

so...
the r4 isn't bit accurate
the 671 only does 24/48 digitally
the r1 only does does 24/44.1 and only has analog in
PDAudio means you get to deal with core sounds
and the 722 is pricey

so far, i'm finding 24 bit recording to be a headache. (but i can't wait to upgrade)

[John Kelly]

so...
the r4 isn't bit accurate
the 671 only does 24/48 digitally
the r1 only does does 24/44.1 and only has analog in
PDAudio means you get to deal with core sounds
and the 722 is pricey

so far, i'm finding 24 bit recording to be a headache. (but i can't wait to upgrade)

Looks like the gist of it right now.

[pfife]

Is the analog inputs only on the R-1 really that big of a disadvantage?  Don't many people run 24bit using edirol a/ds?  Why would the R-1 be any worse than a UA-5?  (Granted, a modded UA-5 may not be a V3, but still...)

I realize that V3 owners can see this as a downgrade, but for many others, it seems its a distinct upgrade.  Unless I am missing something.