I am in a band (drums) and also record live shows, stealth and mic. When I am playing, if the soundboard is on stage, which is about half the time, I can have a recorder, normally the DR2-d (discontinued) near me to monitor inputs with a mic-in feed from external mics (AT853 or CM300) into the unit from FOH with a line in feed from the soundboard. When the soundboard is on stage, I do not want the recorder FOH unattended. If the soundboard is FOH, then its straight forward and have the soundman check on the inputs from the external mics and line in. Or use the on board mics and line in. The M10 (also discontinued), while it seems to be a great recorder, cannot handle external mics and line in for 4 channel recording (similar to the DR-40 and DR44)
I upgraded to the DR44-WL for the better mics, but it does not have four channel input with line in and external mic in only on board mics and line. I like the onboard mics for for quick recordings easy set up etc or band practice with a line in soundboard feed. Why Tascam did not put a separate mic in on the "ugraded" DR44, I'll never know.
Besides the H4n Pro or H5, is there another recorder that can record on board mics or line in and mic in inputs like the DR2-D? I'm leaning toward the H4n Pro because of size compared to the H5.