Topic: Oade Moded R1

[WiFiJeff]

I've been running an R1 since January, going line-in.  I am expecting an R1 Oade moded for line-in tomorrow, is anyone running one of these and what experience do you have with levels, response, etc?

Jeff

[goose]

I love the ease of use on this thing.  I have a stock unit.  What did Doug do in the way of mods?  What is he charging?  I am interested...

[audBall]

I love the ease of use on this thing.  I have a stock unit.  What did Doug do in the way of mods?  What is he charging?  I am interested...

Yes, inquiring minds are in wonder....

[WiFiJeff]

I love the ease of use on this thing.  I have a stock unit.  What did Doug do in the way of mods?  What is he charging?  I am interested...

He is replacing some components in the line-in path with higher grade ones, for $100 above the stock cost.  It's supposed to make the path quieter and give a faster signal response time.  I have not heard any demos, it must just be my inner gearhead getting impatient waiting for the MicroTrack and needing to spend dollars. 

The stock R1 seems to me a pretty good DAT replacement for line-in, even more trusty than the M1 I used for five years and faster to set up and then to edit.  Just wish they would implement an auto file split.

Jeff

[Yorick]

Hi.  I'm using the same system, but I don't really have much experience with it yet.  So far I've only done instrument recording, not concerts.  But FWIW, I love the thing.  In my limited tests so far, believe it or not I actually prefer the sound of 406x -> dpa bat box -> Oade modded R1 line-in, to the same chain using the MMA6000 instead of the bat box.  I know that "shouldn't be", but to me it sounds more dry, clear and defined, and not quite as rich and boomy.  I can't find my notes on the settings, but as I remember, these observations were in proportion to the amount of MMA6000 I dialed in to the equation.  But please keep in mind a few caveats:  1) I don't have anything to compare it to;  2) These results would be expected to be very instrument specific, and this was a very rich, though not quite "boomy" instrument; and 3)  I've only listened back through earbuds, which are a little bass-heavy.

So basically, these results are meaningless, but I just thought I would chime in out of solidarity for the gear. 

I've also recorded 2 week long conferences at 192k mp3, (maybe a total of 60 hours?), using no mics (just the built-in ones) for total convenience – just crank the input level to max and throw it on the desk.  Wow.  The fidelity is totally audible, and I haven't dumped anything off the 4G card yet – room to burn.

I will pick up a micro track if it turns out to be a better unit, but I must say, the convenience of this thing and the built-in mics are a big plus for me.

[macdaddy]

so how much was the whole thing (unit+mod)..?

do microdrives fit into this thing..?

am i losing anything from 48kHz sample rate..? or does the jump to 24bit more than compensate..?

this looks smaller than a d100 - is it..?

[WiFiJeff]

so how much was the whole thing (unit+mod)..?

do microdrives fit into this thing..?

am i losing anything from 48kHz sample rate..? or does the jump to 24bit more than compensate..?

this looks smaller than a d100 - is it..?

$429 + $100 plus $15 shipping = $544

It does not power microdrives, but I've got an 8GB CF card 

The stock R1 sounds about the same as an M1 going line-in, I've not had a
case yet where 44.1 kH hurts nor where 24 bits is an obvious big deal (but
who knows, and I'll be giving the modded unit a trial tomorrow).

It is about the thickness of a D100/M1, but sticks out about 1/2-3/4"
in each direction front-on.  It is lighter, though (9.9 oz with CF and
batteries vs. 13 oz for a loaded M1).

Jeff

[macdaddy]

damn, so it doesnt do microdrives... (i have two of them)...

i would also have to have my heb's re-terminated in the miniplug (i have dual rca male terminations now)...

[Depechemode1993]

everyone talking about R1's I really need to get one!

ok... this is going to sound totally lame... but did this thing go out of production? (I might be thinking JB3) if so where can I get one of these bad boys when I do have the money?

[WiFiJeff]

damn, so it doesnt do microdrives... (i have two of them)...

i would also have to have my heb's re-terminated in the miniplug (i have dual rca male terminations now)...

I switched from the Core Sound battery box to the DPA MMA6000 preamp, which also powers the 406x mics.  You need to terminate the mic cables with the DPA standard microdot connectors for this, but it's not a big jump in size or weight over that tank of a battery box.  I did this upgrade just before getting the R1, and it made a big sonic difference.  The R1s were hard to find in the spring, but everybody seems to have them in stock now.

Jeff

[macdaddy]

so are you saying you prefer the sound of the c/s batt box, or the dpa preamp..?

[WiFiJeff]

so are you saying you prefer the sound of the c/s batt box, or the dpa preamp..?

The preamp, for sure!  I used the HEB + CS box with attenuator cable to go mic-in on a DAT for four years, the improvement with the MMA6000 was very noticeable.  The R1 is just a DAT without tape, so far.  I will be doing some comparisons on piano recordings, over the next  few days, from the same seats (but different pianists), and try with some orchestral stuff later in August.

Jeff

[macdaddy]

you are the first person i have heard say that..

[Depechemode1993]

can anyone give a comparison with quality R1 vs. DAT?

[pjdavep]

can anyone give a comparison with quality R1 vs. DAT?

A friend of mine taped a show with the "DPA 4022 > SX-M2" mic/pre combo and one output went to a R1 at 24/44.1 and one output went to a modSBM-1>DAT.  It may have been 48kHz sampling rate, but the point is that it was a pretty good comparison.  I could not tell much difference between the two sources on either of my playback systems.  So at 24 bit (dithered down to 16 bit), the R1 is very close to comparison with a modSBM-1/DAT combo at straight 16 bit.  That was with a nice signal though....mic in would be a different story, I'm sure...as would a weak line in signal, like from a battery box.

Later,
   pjdavep

[noam]

you are the first person i have heard say that.

I'll second Jeff's report of the improvement with the DPA preamp. I think I listen to all his tapes, and over dozens of performances by now the improvement is very significant. The preamp clarifies the direct source of sound (soloists/orchestra) over the ambiance. Without the preamp the sound often has a quality of floating (or drowning) in the ambiance. Also, something about the sound itself is more pleasant, less colored. Bottom line, the sound with the MMA6000 is drop dead gorgeous, and as a result it's difficult to revisit the tapes made before with the battery box. - Noam

[WiFiJeff]

I ran the Oade modified R1 last night, and I am pleased with the result, although the comparisons with a stock R1 are not definitive.  I sat in the same hall, same seat (about 8 feet from the Steinway piano, no one in front of me), same levels on the DPA MMA6000 preamp with DPA4060 mics and running at 16 bits, but since the pianists and programs were different the comparisons are overwhelmed by the performance differences.  I'd say that out of a Tascam CD-RW700 or even a Panasonic portable the modded R1 is a bit clearer and crisper.  Disconcertingly, when I run the signal through a DAC1 into headphones it sounds harsher for both versions of the R1, which I have not noticed on orchestral recordings with the stock R1.  Is there something about a piano that the DAC1 doesn't like?

Jeff

[macdaddy]

has doug done the digital input mod yet - i know he mentioned it on his bbs a while ago...

[WiFiJeff]

has doug done the digital input mod yet - i know he mentioned it on his bbs a while ago...

He didn't mention it to me (but then I guess I didn't ask, either)

Jeff

[madman]

I'm thinking of getting the moded R1, but had a question hopefully someone here can answer.  I'll also see what Oade's response is.  I'm running 4061s w/a DPA batt box currently, but had been thinking about getting the MMA for two purposes: boosting the signal on my weaker mic for the sake of saving post work and being able to tape quiter shows going line-in over mic-in.  Now that Oade has the R1 mod with the optional +6 or 12+dB of gain, would choosing that over the MMA pre be sonically different?  It sounds like you guys are having good results with the 4061/MMA/R1 combo, but I've always figured no pre would sound better than having a pre.  But, I assume the gain mod is a result of an opamp providing the gain, which wouldn't sound as nice as the MMA.  Thoughts?  Thanks.

[Evil Taper]

I purchased the Oade mod R1 but haven't done a field test yet.  I got the +6db option also because he said that would be the best choice with the 4061>battbox>R1 combo.  Those mics truly do desire a hot line so the louder you can get them the better they should sound.  I'm expecting major improvements over the JB3 in terms of sound quality.  I'm gonna be stealthing Atmosphere on tuesday with the unit so I'll put it in the kickdowns and you guys can decide what it sounds like.

4061>sound pros batt box>oade R1

Also, at Oade the R1 is only 399.99 stock, it was $530 shipped with second day air.

[WiFiJeff]

It sounds like you guys are having good results with the 4061/MMA/R1 combo, but I've always figured no pre would sound better than having a pre.  But, I assume the gain mod is a result of an opamp providing the gain, which wouldn't sound as nice as the MMA.  Thoughts?  Thanks.

I'm using DPA 4060s, which are more sensitive than the 4061s, taping acoustic programs from very loud orchestral to piano and chamber music.  I just got a transparency mod, not a volume gain.  I am very pleased with the MMA6000, which I have also used with DAT and gotten a nice improvement in sound.  Two minor pluses for the MMA6000 are the stepped 2.5 dB gain, which is a hell of alot easier to calibrate accurately than the R1 input volume knob (about which the less said the better), and the powering of the 4060s (without it, I'd need a battery box anyway, no big gain in rig simplification from dropping the preamp).  I also plan to feed the MT with this, line-in.

I did have to send my modded R1 back to Doug last week, after noticing that it had started to brickwall at about -3 dB and the last light on the meter failed to come on at any input level.  I had been running pretty conservative levels, and didn't notice this until I was troubleshooting another problem and saw the ~80% of scale peak limits in Wavelab when crowd chearing would have clipped the recording at 0 dB.  Never heard the problem in any of my recordings, which continued to be good.

Jeff

[Evil Taper]

Weird, my 4061>battbox>jb3 rig was not pulling hot enough levels for my taste so i hope the +6db mod was a good idea.  In theory it should get hotter before any hiss/hum from the recorder is introduced due to gain settings.  I almost wish I had 4060s but with some of the insane SPLs I go to it's nice to not worry about clipping ever.  I just wanted to make sure my levels were significantly hotter than with the JB3 yet still leaving enough headroom for peaking without clipping.  We'll see how I like it after taping a bound to be intensely bass heavy show.

[pfife]

Weird, my 4061>battbox>jb3 rig was not pulling hot enough levels for my taste so i hope the +6db mod was a good idea.  In theory it should get hotter before any hiss/hum from the recorder is introduced due to gain settings.  I almost wish I had 4060s but with some of the insane SPLs I go to it's nice to not worry about clipping ever.  I just wanted to make sure my levels were significantly hotter than with the JB3 yet still leaving enough headroom for peaking without clipping.  We'll see how I like it after taping a bound to be intensely bass heavy show.

You can turn it down!  You'll be a'ight brah.

[Evil Taper]

Yeah I'm more or less just worried about getting levels set properly with a unit I haven't field tested and at a venue I've never been to before.  I'm hoping for results so we'll see what happens...

[Evil Taper]

The R1 sounds very very nice.  I haven't used a stock model so I can't compare that to the Oade unit.  After my first night using this thing I'd say it was well worth the money.  I had my levels set way too low expecting a loud show, but it wasn't even loud enough for ear plugs.  As a result there's a bit of hiss on the tape but it's nothing that will annoy a listener.  The recording sounds even better than the room did so kudos to this recorder.  Go buy one!