Topic: DR-2D, M10 or ...

[adrianf74]

Hey Everyone:

Recently sold my beloved Edirol R09 and am looking for a new recorder but am a little out of touch as to what the next move is.

I know a lot of people swear the M10 is the best recorder in the ~$225 range but I've been reading a lot of good things about the DR-2D. 

I'm generally using my CA mics (CA-14/C or /O or CAFS-Omnis) with a 9100 pre-amp.  Sometimes I'll use the ugly if I need to.   

Just wondering which is the better bet and why.

Thanks in advance.

[F.O.Bean]

I sold my R09 and got a Sony M10, and I LOVE the M10 so far Its proven reliable and has a good ADC/Recorder. And the battery lasts 24 hours

[Belexes]

I use CA products and really like the results with the M10.  You'll really like the extended battery life.  Good meters as well.

[stantheman1976]

If you're not going to be using the internals on the unit and don't need the dual record function get the M10, no doubt.  The DR-2d is a good unit overall.  The battery life is not horrible but does pale in comparison to the M10.  My only other complaint is in dual record mode using line in you can't adjust the line in signal while recording.  You can adjust the mic in signal on the fly though.  So you basically have to set the line in signal to a lower level that you know will be safe and amplify in post.  Not really a huge issue since 24 bit allows this, but it would be nice to be able to change all settings while recording.

[earmonger]

Another vote for the M10. I haven't used the Tascam but the M10 is like the Edirol R09 minus the quirks. You can read the meter. The remote starts and stops recording. The batteries go on and on. Just plug the CA gear in and go.

[F.O.Bean]

I just did battery runtimes w/ my M10. With 2 x 2300mah AA's, I got it to record 30 hours

[bgalizio]

The battery life of the DR-2d isn't so bad. You just need the proper batteries or an external battery. We're spoiled by the super run-times of devices like the M10.

I love my DR-2d because most bands I tape are SBD/AUD friendly. It's the easiest, cheapest way for me to have 4 channel recording capabilities.

[adrianf74]

Thanks everybody for replying.  Sorry for my tardiness in a response; I had to move on the 31st so it's been a super long week.

@ Bean: 30 hours, huh?  I know they spec it at 23 hours.  I will *NEVER* be in a position where I need it to run that long.  Heck, I've only ever had to change batteries once at a show - and that was because it started at an Amphitheatre around 3pm and ran until 11:15.  Other than that, I've always managed to run on a single pair. 

@Belexes: Hey again.  I'm *VERY* pleased with my CA stuff.  I've done some excellent captures both in 007 and fully open with mic stand.  I had the opportunity to run an A/B comparison with my buddy who runs a Tascam 680 with AKG 480's and, yes, his mics sound better (more separation/clarity) but if his recording was deemed 100%, I'd say my recording was around 80-85% of the same quality.  The venue was quite crap so it's not a "fair" comparison but since they were inches apart on the same stand it was nice to be able to try it out.  The same guy runs the M10 for tighter spots and he's saying the same thing so I might borrow his M10 for a couple of shows and try before I buy but I'm leaning that way.

@Stantheman1976: Battery life _isn't as_ important to me as build/record quality.  That sucks in Dual Record mode simply because I'm not always able to have the pre-amp on hand and occasionally have to run off a battery box.  Even with the pre-, I've had some incidents where I've needed to gain the Edirol up from unity by about 7 or 8 levels in order to not completely max out the pre- (or in cases where I've even had to).  Not being able to adjust recording levels on line-in on dual mode is a *NASTY* bug IMHO.  I know I can always boost my levels in post when running 24-bit (have run 24-bit only since the first R09 recording in May 2008).

@earmonger: I like the option of the remote when I need to be even more 007 than normal. 

@bgalizio: The 4-channel option is only the duplicate recording at the "lower" recording level, correct and not assignable to a secondary source as there's only one line-in, correct?

Thanks everyone... I think it's safe to assume my purchase will likely be the M10.  As mentioned above, I'm gonna borrow my buddy's M10 first and try it out for a little bit.

My main question/concern is that I've read that the hold function doesn't apply to the level wheel - a feature that I loved in the R09.  How problematic/sensitive is this as I often leave my recorder in a bag while I'm taping.

[techgui]

One or the DR-2d's dual recording options is a second recording at a lower level. the other  option allows recording from both externals and internals at the same time to effectively achieve 4 channels.  Here is how Tascam explains it.

"Another advantage to the dual recording feature is recording two sets of inputs. For live recording, you can record your set using the built-in mics as well as a direct "board mix" from the front-of-house mixer to the line inputs."

[bgalizio]

One or the DR-2d's dual recording options is a second recording at a lower level. the other  option allows recording from both externals and internals at the same time to effectively achieve 4 channels.  Here is how Tascam explains it.

"Another advantage to the dual recording feature is recording two sets of inputs. For live recording, you can record your set using the built-in mics as well as a direct "board mix" from the front-of-house mixer to the line inputs."

This is correct. I record SBD > Line In AND Mics > Mic-In for true 4 channel recording. You can mix them on the recorder, or take the 2 stereo files and mix them on your computer in post.

[stantheman1976]

One or the DR-2d's dual recording options is a second recording at a lower level. the other  option allows recording from both externals and internals at the same time to effectively achieve 4 channels.  Here is how Tascam explains it.

"Another advantage to the dual recording feature is recording two sets of inputs. For live recording, you can record your set using the built-in mics as well as a direct "board mix" from the front-of-house mixer to the line inputs."

This is correct. I record SBD > Line In AND Mics > Mic-In for true 4 channel recording. You can mix them on the recorder, or take the 2 stereo files and mix them on your computer in post.

What sensitivity settings are you using on the mic in when you do 4 channel?  I'm using CA-11 omni/CA-9000 combo.

[bgalizio]

Depends on the venue/type of music/distance from stage/etc. You'll have to experiment with your mics, venues, and artists.

[adrianf74]

@stantheman1976: I've only ever run my CA-14's (or my CMC-8's prior to that) with a battery box or pre-amp via line-in (and not mic in).

@bgalizio: Quite often louder rock/new wave/blues about 30' feet from the lip of the stage in clubs.  That's the main reason I run the pre-/battery box via line-in.

[techgui]

Just a heads up.  Guitar Center has the DR-2d (white) on sale today for $199 with free shipping.  They also have a $30 off coupon that's good until April 4th (today).  I just ordered mine for $170 plus tax. 

By the way, why would the white one be so much cheaper.  Is this the red headed step child to to the black DR-2d?  According to the Tascam site, it's a limited run...

[flintstone]

To the list of contenders, add the Roland/Edirol R-05.  It's an update of the R-09HR. 
Kinda pricy at $250, but it performs well.
http://www.roland.com/products/en/R-05/index.html

Flintstone