Topic: Edirol R4 review

[bhtoque]

You won't even be allowed to make an archive recording for the band?

That sucks.

JAson

[jkoch]

sounds impressive....

few spelling errors for ya

For the taper folks:

recording quite acoustic music

quiet

General use:

I prefer the segmented metes vs. the R4s "bar"

meters

Since there have been coments by other users

comMents

[Nick's Picks]

fixed.
thanks!

[boa]

Could you elaborate, comment more on the meters? 

Here is a photo showing the metering: 48 - 24 - 12 - 6 - 3 - C (clip), a second with Stereox02 pairs at a good level and the last shows a clip on the master meter.

[Massive Dynamic]

I know the 40gb hard drive makes this ideal for festivals, but I wonder about heat issues.  Anyone got plans to run this at an outdoor summer festival?  The one I attend usually has temps of 90-100° with humidity to match.

[boa]

I know the 40gb hard drive makes this ideal for festivals, but I wonder about heat issues.  Anyone got plans to run this at an outdoor summer festival?  The one I attend usually has temps of 90-100° with humidity to match.

I ran it outside yesterday here is StL, MO (90 degrees and god-awful humidity) for a couple of 75 minute sets and saw no issues.

[joemango]

OK... a question about the sensitivity issue...  can I still run Phantom 48v if the XLR inputs are set to line level?  I'm thinking of selling my Wmod ua-5 and JB3 to raise funds for one of these bitches, and I'd prefer to not run an external pre.

I'm prolly going to buy one from Oade so I can send it back and get it modded when Doug figgers it out, but I'd like to use it right out of the box.

[joemango]

cool thanks.  I guess that locks it in for me.

[Nick's Picks]

thats the only way i've been able to run it.
MIC in is too sensitive, and it will distort.  you have to run LINE in, which is just a switch per pair.  Its a 28db pad I believe.

[kgreener]

thats the only way i've been able to run it.
MIC in is too sensitive, and it will distort.  you have to run LINE in, which is just a switch per pair.  Its a 28db pad I believe.

might be a dumb question, but do you lose any quality or detail in your recording when a pad like this is running?  is the pad strictly for SPL's?  and what advantage does mic-in have over line-in, if any?

thanks.

[wbrisette]

Here is a photo showing the metering: 48 - 24 - 12 - 6 - 3 - C (clip), a second with Stereox02 pairs at a good level and the last shows a clip on the master meter.

It's too bad they couldn't make the LCD panel just a tad bigger. They really had to cram stuff into the current screen design.

Wayne

[Nick's Picks]

this box is not built with concert recording in mind.  That is why the mic input is so sensitive.  It was intended to record quiet sources...not rock concerts.

do you loose any detail?
I dont know.  Can't test it because you can't run mic in at a concert.  It is what it is.  And it sounds good line in.  the pad is attenuation.  Its to deal with hot signals.  MIC in is a very hot signal...especialy when the mics are recording a loud environment that the preamp can't handle.  Which is the case with the R4 as well as the Fostex FR2.
It doesn't mean you can't compensate w/the gain knobs...which will bring the levels up to where you need them when running LINE in.

the LCD panel is fine, imo.  plenty of info and easy to read.  I dont find it cramped or confusing. YMMV

[kgreener]

this box is not built with concert recording in mind.  That is why the mic input is so sensitive.  It was intended to record quiet sources...not rock concerts. do you loose any detail? I dont know.  Can't test it because you can't run mic in at a concert.  It is what it is.  And it sounds good line in.  the pad is attenuation.  Its to deal with hot signals.  MIC in is a very hot signal...especialy when the mics are recording a loud environment that the preamp can't handle.  Which is the case with the R4 as well as the Fostex FR2. It doesn't mean you can't compensate w/the gain knobs...which will bring the levels up to where you need them when running LINE in. the LCD panel is fine, imo.  plenty of info and easy to read.  I dont find it cramped or confusing. YMMV

thanks Nick...+T

[wbrisette]

the LCD panel is fine, imo.  plenty of info and easy to read.  I dont find it cramped or confusing. YMMV

I think this is because we've all grown accustomed to reading cell phones! As a technical communicator, I'm constantly appalled by the human interface placed on electronic devices. But, that's my opinion, and I'll have to admit I've been spoiled by the large color screen on the DEVA.

Wayne

[Nick's Picks]

well shit...
I would be to!