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

[Boctaper]

I really can't choice between these 2 I wanna start recording great rock shows!

[Ozpeter]

Using what else?   Or just with the internal mics?  Need more info!

[flintstone]

Both are good recorders.  Which is better depends on how you plan to use it.

The R-09HR is smaller and cheaper than the D50, can record in MP3 format, has an internal speaker, and uses less expensive SDHC cards.  The R-09HR can handle louder sound without clipping.  Edirol includes a desktop stand and a wireless remote control for the R-09HR, while Sony charges extra for these accessories.

The D50 wins in just about every other way: better preamp, better battery life, better construction, digital input and output, pre-roll buffer, 3 positions for built-in mics, 4GB of memory built in, and so on. 

In some cases the difference between the R-09HR and D50 is small.  For example, plenty of people here are happy with the R-09HR's preamp for concert recording.  The Sony's preamp is quieter, though. 

Here are Guysonic's test results that show preamp noise floor for mic and line inputs
http://www.sonicstudios.com/-35dbu_n.gif
http://www.sonicstudios.com/-35dBLOG88.2vs3SXpip.gif

And here is Raimund Specht's page showing his measurements of noise floor
http://www.avisoft.com/recordertests.htm

This last set of tests shows that the R-09HR's preamp can handle about 15 dB louder sounds without clipping.   In some circumstances, you would need to set the Sony to record at low mic sensitivity, or perhaps run an attenuator with your external mics. 

Flintstone

[Belexes]

The D50 wins in just about every other way: better preamp, better battery life, better construction, digital input and output, pre-roll buffer, 3 positions for built-in mics, 4GB of memory built in, and so on. 

[jlykos]

This last set of tests shows that the R-09HR's preamp can handle about 15 dB louder sounds without clipping.   In some circumstances, you would need to set the Sony to record at low mic sensitivity, or perhaps run an attenuator with your external mics. 

The low mic sensitivity setting works well and I have never seen the need to use an attenuator.  Running line-in, you really don't need an attenuator and the mic-in has a low sensitivity setting. 

The limiter adds another level of protection.  I recorded Leon Russell mic-in last night with Sonic Studios DSM-6/L mics and I accidentally knocked the low sensitivity mode switch to high sensitivity about 15 minutes before the show ended.   When I checked the recording at the end of the show, I found that I recorded about 15 minutes of continuous "over" levels.  I had the limiter on, however, because I knew it was a tight recording situation and I am able to salvage a listenable (actually, quite good) recording out of it.

The Sony D50 is the best portable recorder I have ever used.  I highly recommend it.

[Boctaper]

Thanks flintstone for the info on both

I will NOT use the Mp3 setting as I HATE mp3 stuff.

I like everything about the sony but I do really like how small the R-09HR is

My friend just ordered the R-09HR so I might just get the sony as we will be going to the same shows.It would be fun to compare them both at the same time I just hope I don't have much trouble sneaking the sony in

I really just want to buy the recorder first and just try it with out mic's,later I can get a nice mic for it.I just don't have another $500 to get a kick ass mic right now.

[Belexes]

You can get the D50 into shows. I have had no issues, but the venues I attend rarely have pat downs/metal detectors.

[su6oxone]

The D50 wins in just about every other way: better preamp, better battery life, better construction, digital input and output, pre-roll buffer, 3 positions for built-in mics, 4GB of memory built in, and so on.

Really?  I get 9+ hours of 24 bit recording (44.1khz) with two 2700mAh Sanyos in my R-09HR.

[jlykos]

The D50 wins in just about every other way: better preamp, better battery life, better construction, digital input and output, pre-roll buffer, 3 positions for built-in mics, 4GB of memory built in, and so on.

Really?  I get 9+ hours of 24 bit recording (44.1khz) with two 2700mAh Sanyos in my R-09HR.

The Sony D50 manual says that you can get around 12 or 13 hours from four AA batteries.  One organization tested it with four Duracells and found that they could get over 24 hours if you leave the light off.  I get 12+ hours from four AA batteries with the light usually on.

[su6oxone]

The Sony D50 manual says that you can get around 12 or 13 hours from four AA batteries.  One organization tested it with four Duracells and found that they could get over 24 hours if you leave the light off.  I get 12+ hours from four AA batteries with the light usually on.

Wow, over 12 hours... touche. 

[stantheman1976]

I love my D50.  Sony has a good history with their handheld recorders and when you use the D50 it becomes obvious they put a ood bit of thought into the unit to make it a good value.  Battery life is awesome.  Get some rechargables and power will never be an issue.

[Boctaper]

Thanks guys for voting! Im going for the EDIROL

[su6oxone]

Thanks guys for voting! Im going for the EDIROL

You won't regret it, it's a great little recorder.   

[dorrcoq]

The D50 wins in just about every other way: better preamp, better battery life, better construction, digital input and output, pre-roll buffer, 3 positions for built-in mics, 4GB of memory built in, and so on.

Really?  I get 9+ hours of 24 bit recording (44.1khz) with two 2700mAh Sanyos in my R-09HR.

The Sony D50 manual says that you can get around 12 or 13 hours from four AA batteries.  One organization tested it with four Duracells and found that they could get over 24 hours if you leave the light off.  I get 12+ hours from four AA batteries with the light usually on.

Other than worrying about having to change them, then how is 12 hours with 4 batteries better than 6 hours with 2 batteries?  That really isn't "better battery life" to me.

[jlykos]

The D50 wins in just about every other way: better preamp, better battery life, better construction, digital input and output, pre-roll buffer, 3 positions for built-in mics, 4GB of memory built in, and so on.

Really?  I get 9+ hours of 24 bit recording (44.1khz) with two 2700mAh Sanyos in my R-09HR.

The Sony D50 manual says that you can get around 12 or 13 hours from four AA batteries.  One organization tested it with four Duracells and found that they could get over 24 hours if you leave the light off.  I get 12+ hours from four AA batteries with the light usually on.

Other than worrying about having to change them, then how is 12 hours with 4 batteries better than 6 hours with 2 batteries?  That really isn't "better battery life" to me.

That right there.  When you are at a festival running from place to place or taping a bunch of bands right after each other, I prefer to have the peace of mind that I will not have to worry about changing batteries when I am busy doing a dozen other things.

Also, if the 24+ hour test of recording on a D50 holds, then it is a significant improvement in battery life over any other recorder available.