Topic: Down to 2 recorder choices (Please help me decide)

[Scooter123]

Two points:

The Sony is nice, but awfully big.  The Edirol is the size of a packet of cigs. 

You'll need a preamp/battery box anyway, so the pres on the machine are really irrelevant; Any outrigged preamp will probably be better than what is inboard with the Sony. 

I do hate the button layouts on the Edirol, though, and the remote is retarded.  But no biggie. 

[F.O.Bean]

I don't own either, but I definitely like the look and size of teh R9HR Plus, A LOT of Team Philly and many NBox owners, have switched their big 7xx decks, into a simple and smaller 24-bit ADC/Recorder combo, and is less than a 1/4 of the size of a 7xx If I had a pair of mics and a preamp, and was sending an ANALOG signal into either of those, I'd also pick the R9HR, but maybe just because Ive heard ALOT more stuff from the R9HR than I have w/ the Sony D50 All of those small, very portable recorders, w/ GREAT ADC's, they've come a long way even since the old Sony D-7's and D-8's. The M1/d100 were a step up, but not by much. Now the R9HR has 24bit capabilities, and has a pretty damn good ADC in it, MUCH BETTER than those older "walkman" style DATS from 10-15 years ago which were even bigger than the R9HR! Like I said, I don't own either of them, but if I was buying one, I'd go the r9HR, maybe just because its already proven reliability in the field as an ADC/24bit Recorder

[rastasean]

When I first started reading this board, neither one of these recorders were around and that was just a little over a year ago and at the time I thought the Edirol R09 was the ugliest thing ever made and it looked like an electric shaver.

Now I am a proud owner of the R-09HR. I had a hard time picking one over the other but I have not regretted the recorder at all. I have a buddy who has the Sony D50 and I played with it just once. It was nice high quality but its bigger and the accessories are extra whereas the 09HR COMES WITH THEM. Neither one of these have XLR inputs so the mic in for the pre amps may be something to think about.
I will tell you one of the things I don't like about the D50 is the built in memory. In a time where memory is cheap, why is this built in?

Whichever you get, you will be pleased!!

[Belexes]

I will tell you one of the things I don't like about the D50 is the built in memory. In a time where memory is cheap, why is this built in?

I think it's a plus. Memory cards are prone to failure.  A couple of times I recorded *nothing* on my R-09 
I've never had an issue using the internal memory on the Sony plus there's no issue of going to the gig and accidentally forgetting to put a memory card in. It's handy as shit.

[Brian Skalinder]

Memory cards are prone to failure.

What do you think is inside the Sony?

there's no issue of going to the gig and accidentally forgetting to put a memory card in. It's handy as shit.

No doubt!  I've forgotten DATs plenty of times, though not a memory card...yet.

[Belexes]

Memory cards are prone to failure.

What do you think is inside the Sony?

there's no issue of going to the gig and accidentally forgetting to put a memory card in. It's handy as shit.

No doubt!  I've forgotten DATs plenty of times, though not a memory card...yet.

Small HD? I guess I never thought there was a card in there.  I'm not brave enough to crack it open.

I forgot DAT tapes once and swore it would never happen again.

[stantheman1976]

I thought the D50 was advertised as having 4GB of built in flash memory? 

I think the built in memory is fantastic.  It's a decent amount and lets you hold off on buying a card if you want.  I know when buying a $500 recorder an extra $50 on a memory stick shouldn't be a big deal but for people like me $500 is a huge chunk of change.

[jlykos]

the accessories are extra whereas the 09HR COMES WITH THEM.

What accessories are extra on the D50?  It comes with a USB cable, built-in microphones, and 4GB of internal memory.  You can start recording right out of the box.  What else do you want to come with it?

I will tell you one of the things I don't like about the D50 is the built in memory. In a time where memory is cheap, why is this built in?

You can add memory to the D50 through the external slot.  And including 4GB in the Sony is certainly a nice gesture.  As I said, you can take the D50 out of the box and immediately start recording with it if you like.  In my world, this is a good thing.

[Mike R.]

Memory cards are prone to failure.

What do you think is inside the Sony?

I think there is flash memory soldered to the circuit board.  Same basic memory technology as a card, but is more reliable soldered down opposed to connectors and user-inserted devices.

[rastasean]

the accessories are extra whereas the 09HR COMES WITH THEM.

What accessories are extra on the D50?  It comes with a USB cable, built-in microphones, and 4GB of internal memory.  You can start recording right out of the box.  What else do you want to come with it?

Its been mentioned that the remote is extra and its not wireless and I have read it does not come with a wall power adapter.
While the former is not necessary to start recording, the 09hr has one with it and its wireless.

So to the OP, when are you getting the recorder??

[xpander]

Its been mentioned that the remote is extra and its not wireless and I have read it does not come with a wall power adapter.
While the former is not necessary to start recording, the 09hr has one with it and its wireless.


Like Jlykos said, D50 is ready to go, right out of the box. It comes with external power supply AND batteries, along with the already mentioned USB cable, software cd-rom and manual. Remote is extra, that's true, but not that necessary to get you going either. It would be nice if the package would've also had some kind of carrying bag/belt clip or even just simple wrist strap...and maybe some basic windscreen too. Any of those I would need more than a remote, but that might be just me.

About the D50 battery life; so far I've been able to get about 12 hours with light and leds on, recording with internal mics (gain at 5) and monitoring thru 600 Ohm studio headphones (volume at 5) at the same time. Not bad at all, I'd say.

[nak700s]

This thread has all been very informative.  I've been wondering the same thing myself, but I have been holding out on getting one because I want a small flash recorder that I can adjust right and left recording levels separately.  I feel it's only a matter of time.

As to Sony, I trust their portable recorders now, with my PC-M1 and have for the past 25 years with my TC-D5M.  I have confidence that the D50 would do the job.

I loved the comment about the R-09 looking like an electric shaver!  It really is true and made me laugh.  I have one on loan to me and just tried it out at a show.  I will bring glasses the next time I decide to use it.  I could barely see the tiny screen!

As to the internal memory on the D50, I think it's a blessing.  I can't say I've ever forgot to bring tapes or a card to a show, but my concerns are different.  What if you get popped?  It's nice to have something to give up to security but still have the recording on an internal drive.  That, unfortunately, I can relate to.

Personally, if I weren't going to wait and money wasn't in issue, I'd put my faith in the Sony.

[Boctaper]

Shaver was first thought when I got it!

I had a very hard time between the sony and the edirol! But the BIG selling point was the size!

Here's my set up!!

[gmm6797]

... Sony says they will charge $50 per retrieved file.

All the more reason to go with an Edirol R-09HR, IMHO

[Belexes]

Shaver was first thought when I got it!

I had a very hard time between the sony and the edirol! But the BIG selling point was the size!

Here's my set up!!

Damn, you almost have a Constanza wallet there.