Hi & hello all,
As this is my first post I thought I'd jump straight in & ask for your collective help in choosing a new recorder for me. I'm on a really tight budget due to limited funds (I'm disabled & can't work due to loss of use of my right arm, hence tight budget). I'm limited to £160 max for the recorder & have narrow my choices down to either the Roland R-05 or a Olympus LS-5. Both are so closely priced, specs differ so slightly I can't make my mind up.
I like the pre-record 2 second buffer of the R-05, but it doesn't offer a remote; where-as the LS-5 has a remote available as an additional option. From what I understand the LS-5 is effectively a LS-11 but without that aditional pack-ins such as software & remote etc.
I read this on one German site:
"In an interview with Olympus we were assured that the LS-5 built-in microphones and technology are identical to the LS-11. The new recorder is supplied only with less equipment, less memory and in a different exterior color."
So if this is true, surely the LS-5 makes for a better purchase?
I was wondering if anyone can help me out here, what do you all think?
Cheers
Mark
The two recorders have similar price ($200 in USA) and similar preamp performance. The LS-5 has superior battery life. The R-05 will handle somewhat louder sources before overloading. I prefer the LS-5's control layout and display, but I could live with either one. I see why you're having trouble choosing between these two recorders.
Two models that Tapers Section readers recommend are the Tascam DR-2d and the Sony PCM-M10. The Tascam is less expensive, and is capable of recording mic-in and line-in simultaneously. The Sony has excellent battery life and very good built-in mics. You'll find lots of information on these two recorders on this board.
I'd go with the R05!! I had one, but never used it. I liked the size and build plus roland has had proven track record with the R09HR.
Another vote for the R-05 here. It's a great piece of kit for the price -- around £155 in the U.K. I'm thinking of getting one myself, for a second rig.
Flintstone mentions the Sony PCM-M10, which is a wonderful recorder, but difficult to find cheap in the U.K., especially if you care about having the 240V AC adaptor. (The ones offered on Amazon U.K. are U.S. imports with a 110V adaptor in the box.) I recently picked up a brand-new M10, with 240V adaptor, from Creative Video in the Midlands at the bargain price of £159 + shipping. Unfortunately for the OP, Creative Video have now increased the price on their website to £230.
But anyway ... having used the R-09HR prior to switching to the Sony, I would have no hesitation in going for the R-05.
Hemming and hawing over the quality of the respective internal mics is moot, IMO. It depends what you are recording, of course, but it's worth budgeting for even a cheap set of externals, especially if you want to record music.
Quote from: MAP68 on March 03, 2012, 03:14:54 PM
I read this on one German site:
"In an interview with Olympus we were assured that the LS-5 built-in microphones and technology are identical to the LS-11. The new recorder is supplied only with less equipment, less memory and in a different exterior color."
Yes, the LS-5 is identical to the LS-11.
The only differences are a smaller internal memory and it does not ship with the case and remote control that the LS-11 does.
I would go for the LS-5, myself - I have used the LS-10 since it came out and recently also got the LS-20M.
I have a LS-5, and one thing that comes to mind is that it's quite ergonomic and simple to use with one hand. Is the R-05 good for one hand use?
Also, will you be using internal or external mics, and for what situations? If external I think they would both do well, but as for internal I know that the LS-5 is a bit noisy. If a well-defined stereo field and directivity isn't important, it could be worth it to stretch to, or wait for, the M10.
Thanks all,
I'm grateful to everyone for the replies, the Sony is definately out of reach for the time being. I plan to use the recorder for a bit of everything if I can, but it's main purpose is going to be recording bat calls via a BatBox Baton bat detector. The tracks will be uploaded to a PC, into Batscan. With a stereo lead from the 'line out' of the Baton connected to a recorder, it will produce sonograms, allowing detailed analysis of calls when used with BatScan software.
However over the weekend I have been inspired by the London Sound Survey to perhaps expand my horizons. I fully intend to buy or make an external microphone at some point. Major purchases have to resevered for birthdays & Xmas, little bits & pieces purchased from Fleabay as & when I can find a bargain.
Tell me, which of the two has the better build quality?
Cheers
Mark
Will you be using the bat signal?
(http://api.ning.com/files/XuN3pdVVikWxfBC-bb2Jo2C10LXpuwqzLOIm-RlIbIZTXebGF3-oM0ff1f3mO3CjJEkDF3zZi-XNpbzznTiwHxN3yLbFN0-9/batsignal.png)
Quote from: MAP68 on March 04, 2012, 07:42:33 AM
Tell me, which of the two has the better build quality?
Welcome to TS, Mark.
I've never handled any of the Olympus recorders but recently picked up an R-05 to replace my aging and well-used R-09. The build on the -05 seems a bit more rugged, heavier and "tighter" (for lack of a better word) than the -09. I've never babied my R-09 and it's still ticking without any hiccups (got an incredibly good deal on the R-05 which is why I bought it) so that can give you a rough indication of build quality. I also think they've improved the overall ergonomics by putting some of the controls on the -05 in better/easily-accessible spots. Someone mentioned the ability to operate it with one hand, which I haven't had any problems doing with the R-05; the most needed buttons are on the front of the recorder.