Topic: Roland R-26 - initial review

[ashevillain]

What is the DC input voltage??  5v??

9-16V/1.2A

You should check out the batteries they recommend as being compatible...they're all huge lithium batteries designed for video cameras ($200+ in price but will run the recorder with P48 on for 30+ hours). For some reason they're recommending voltages around 14V...but if it's rated 9-16V it seems like the DVD batteries should work just fine.

[jbell]

What is the DC input voltage??  5v??

9-16V/1.2A

You should check out the batteries they recommend as being compatible...they're all huge lithium batteries designed for video cameras ($200+ in price but will run the recorder with P48 on for 30+ hours). For some reason they're recommending voltages around 14V...but if it's rated 9-16V it seems like the DVD batteries should work just fine.

My thoughts exactly!   I'm thinking about grabbing one 

[aaronji]

I am using 2 x Nevaton MCE400's rated at 10mA per mic.

Thanks!  And sorry: if I had re-read your initial post I would have known that...

Now, the question is what do the Nevatons really draw?  There have been some posts suggesting that the 10 mA figure may be off (such as http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=155741.msg1968723#msg1968723 and http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=85379.msg1372993#msg1372993).  If it really does 7 hours with 10 mA mics, that's pretty impressive!

Another question: do the XLR inputs lock?  I can't really tell from the pictures I saw...

[WiFiJeff]

The XLRs don't lock. but are pretty tight.

The external power is negative center post, like the Edirol R44 (also the same 9-16V, 1.2A).  Why do they do this???  Anyway, the same battery and reversing polarity cable (Radio Shack K tip) I use for the R44 should run the R-26 fine.

You need to use low sensitivity on the 1/8" input with line-in, or the brickwalling is horrible.  With low sens setting I can use roughly the settings on my MMA6000 (one 2.5 dB click lower) that I have calibrated for my usual D50 line-in (knob at 7.5), with the R-26 setting knob at 50. 

The Avisoft numbers for it look pretty crummy, but if it has the R44 preamps it should be okay.  I am planing to use it travelling where I don't want to risk the Sonosax MiniR82, it is  bulkier than the Sonosax and about as heavy.  I will be running it 4 track with Nevaton MKE400s on "analog in" and DPA4099s > MMA6000 on 1/8" input.

Jeff

[ashevillain]

Anyone know of a case for the R-26?

Anything other than the one from Roland (overpriced) or the Portabrace (overkill)?

[ashevillain]

Just FYI (since I have not seen this issue addressed yet):

I'm doing some testing right now. If you are using a 9v DVD battery to power this unit the "EXT-POWER" setting needs to be set to "ADAPTOR" and not the 9v voltage setting -- (and yes they used the wrong spelling of adapter  )

I received a "Low Battery" message and it shut off within < 1 minute when I had 9v selected.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The external power is negative center post, like the Edirol R44 (also the same 9-16V, 1.2A).  Why do they do this???  Anyway, the same battery and reversing polarity cable (Radio Shack K tip) I use for the R44 should run the R-26 fine.

Not sure why you are using the K tip...it kind of fits but not very good at all. The M tip is a perfect fit and what the R-44 uses.

[Napo]

Roland R-26 or Marantz PMD661?

Please help me decide. My priority are best pre-amp and A/D converter.
 
I should add that the Roland R-26 should be compared to the OADE modified PMD661 ( as I would get that, if I pull the trigger).

Cheers, Mauro

[Colin Liston]

Does this have a digital input?

[tgakidis]

Does this have a digital input?

Nope, otherwise this would be perfect, IMHO.

[tgakidis]

Just got mine in the mail yesterday and so far i am very pleased with the unit.  Feels real nice in the hand and the menu/touch screen is pretty intuitive.  Looking forward to running this soon.

[tgakidis]

Roland R-26 or Marantz PMD661?

Please help me decide. My priority are best pre-amp and A/D converter.
 
I should add that the Roland R-26 should be compared to the OADE modified PMD661 ( as I would get that, if I pull the trigger).

Cheers, Mauro

Mauro,  I may have a stock 661 (not oade) in near mint condition up for sale after a few test runs with the r26.

[Napo]

Roland R-26 or Marantz PMD661?

Please help me decide. My priority are best pre-amp and A/D converter.
 
I should add that the Roland R-26 should be compared to the OADE modified PMD661 ( as I would get that, if I pull the trigger).

Cheers, Mauro

Mauro,  I may have a stock 661 (not oade) in near mint condition up for sale after a few test runs with the r26.

very tempted! Let me check if I should pay tax on second-hand equipment. If not, I send you a PM.

[nsureit]

This is a brief synopsis, but Electronic Musician gave it the 2012 Editor's Pick Award.

TASCAM DR-40

Roland R-26

SO THAT''S WHAT COAT POCKETS ARE FOR
TIE: TASCAM DR-40 and Roland R-26
Field recording is big, and these two are two of the best
We really didn''t want any ties, but what other choice is there when two products fall into the same category yet offer differing visions of excellence? With the DR-40, TASCAM nailed the affordable, multitrack recorder for musicians by including all of the Important Stuff: four tracks, variable speed, long battery life, small size, lower-level “safety track” recording, built-in reverb, and a truly affordable price. The larger R-26 costs considerably more, but hits the high end of field recording, offering up to three stereo tracks for ambient and surround recording, two stereo mic types (omni and directional), and a navigation touchscreen that''s both large and friendly. It''s also compatible with Roland''s CS-10EM binaural mics/earphones package. ''Nuff said. Tie granted.

[tgakidis]

Ran mine last night for the first time and my typical "F-Up my First Recording with New Gear" did not occur.  I ran my akg 480/a60/ck1 > Sonosax SX-M2 (mini TRS out) > R-26 TRS Mini In and used the R-26 Analog XLR inputs for the SBD.  Great recorder!!

[acidjack]

Ran mine last night for the first time and my typical "F-Up my First Recording with New Gear" did not occur.  I ran my akg 480/a60/ck1 > Sonosax SX-M2 (mini TRS out) > R-26 TRS Mini In and used the R-26 Analog XLR inputs for the SBD.  Great recorder!!

Nice. Seems like a pint-sized alternative to the R-44 in many respects.