Upgrading to a 4 channel (XLR) recorder...could use some advice!

[relefunt]

I would recommend reading all of the R44 threads on TS. There are some very smart people on those threads.

My understanding (if you could call it that) is that you don't want to set the inner knob lower than 12'clock because It can lead to clipping. as far as I can figure out the advice is to set the inner knob at 12 and then adjust the outer ring. The problem with that is that the outer ring has click steps which leave audible artifacts if adjusting on the fly.

Try reading from here: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=153957.60

[detroit lightning]

Cool, will do. Thanks!

[heathen]

Looks like you made a good choice. Congrats on the new recorder.

[dallman]

Admittedly, this is a step below the F4, PMD706 or mix-pre's feature wise, but I like it for the price point. To be a bit more informational/critical: After about 1.5 years of use with the stock PRe's, we started puttiing a Grace V2 in front of varying AKG mics, still using mic in at the deck input and the results are substantially better sounding.

I would disagree that it is a step below. In what way, as it has fantastic features. I have and very much like the MixPre6, but I also have a DR680 MKII and had the MKI originally, both being extremely versatile decks and they can be had for less than half the price of the MixPre6. The digi in is easy to set up and can be used on tracks 5 and 6, OR the digi in can be used instead of the mix track which is how I use it allowing me to use up to 8 tracks.

[Ozpeter]

Panatrope's Second Law of Recording - the number of tracks required for a recording is one greater than the number of tracks available.  But seriously, you'll do well with the R44.

[capnhook]

Yep, won't be long before you're buying another, and linking them together for 8 channels of fun. 

[IronFilm]

Both of the above are simpler to manage/setup/navigate/run than the F4/8 and SD's, which provide more capabilities which require more complex menu navigation. 

I can't speak to the Sound Devices recorders, but I've found the F4 and F8 menus to be easy to navigate and pretty intuitive.  I've never used the R44 or DR680, though, so I certainly can't say that the F4/F8 menus are comparable to the R44/DR680 menus.  In my experience, though, the F4/F8 menus have been easy to use.

I can speak as someone who used to use (and still owns) a Sound Devices 552 recorder and a Tascam DR680 recorder.

Upgrading from them to a Zoom F4 was a massive leap forward in my life. Zero regrets. Absolutely is a better experience and a better result.

Since the F4 I have then gone and pre-ordered a Zoom F8n which I've been using since day one it came out. (even though I could have afforded the likes of a Sound Devices 633, I just didn't see the value in it there for me even as as a professional who works purely at sound recording. Am happy to wait and see if I see a secondhand 633 for US$2K? That might happen. Or if a 633 mk2 comes out in the next couple of years)

[Gutbucket]

^Thanks for that input.  I was seriously considering picking up an F8 when they were on clearance for around $650 but was busy with work and missed the window.  Happy with the DR-680MK2 but would like to move to a reasonably priced recorder with 8 built-in preamps.  Might hold onto an R88 I have on loan rather than spring for the F8n at full retail, it's a fine recorder but absolutely gigantic.

[IronFilm]

I assume you're saying the R88 is gigantic? As the F8 is absolutely teeny!

And if you keep a close eye on eBay I'm sure you can find an F8 for even cheaper than they went on sale for.