When running all 4 channels (2 pairs of mics or 2 x mic/2 x board), what are your options? In other words, I know you can you have 2 totally seperate recordings, but can you do all 4 into a single mix - i.e. "on the fly" matrix? Is that where you run into the 4 channel BWF problems? When you convert a 4 channel BWF into a regular 2 channel WAV file, does to basically just mix both left/right channels into one left/right channel file?
I don't the specifics of the R4. However, BWF is BWF. There are two versions a poly format (i.e. multiple tracks inside one file) and a mono format (i.e. one track per file). If you create a poly-BWF file, and your DAW software doesn't support it, you can download the BWF Manager software from Fostex <http://www.fostexdvd.net/fxdvd_route/docs/techsup/bwf_manager_1.htm> , which converts the poly file into individual tracks.
So how do you mix? That really is the $1000 dollar question. I have found there are no hard and fast rules to mixing. Over in the multi-track team board area, you'll see folks who prefer to run the board at 80-90% and only include 10-20% of the audience mics. Because I use a multi-track recorder and multi-track DAW software, I use the console and my ears to figure out what the mix is. I LIKE audience tapes. That said, I'm not in the 80-90% camp (except when I'm told to run that way by the folks who ask me to record).
My methodology for mixing is mix the mics (I know this doesn't really apply to the R4 since you'll only ever have 4 channels, but still this might come in handy) until they sound like I want the mix to sound. Slowly start bringing in the board mix until it truly starts adding or subtracting to the sound. If I've added too much, then I back off and keep playing with the mix until I get it where I want it. From there, I generate a two track stereo file that I can mark for a CD.
I would be very careful about how you blend your sources. Also make sure you keep copies of the original BWF file somewhere so if you end up with something you don't like, you can always go back and start over.
Welcome to the world of multi-track! You'll never go back....
Wayne