Topic: Edirol r-09 HR vs ZOOM H4

[RAQnasty]

Hello

thinking of buying a small recorder to take to shows and to maybe do a little home recording...

keep coming back to the Edirol r-09 HR and the ZOOM H4.  Since I dont live anywhere close to a store that i can look at one, thought i would ask the experts...

whats the best choice here?

just for a little perspective, either will be a step up for me and the current "quick and dirty" setup i have is a small sony ECM-DS30P > old school sony MD.

any comments appreciated

thanks

[Nixoo]

I would definately pick up the R-09HR! About half the size, better recording quality when using mic-in and so on. The only thing the Zoom has and the R09HR doesn't is the XLR connection with phantom power. If you'd consider a Zoom I'd better pick the Zoom H2 which is far smaller than the H4. Still, the R09 is a better recorder.

[RAQnasty]

thanks for the input.... is was leaning towards the edirol, so its nice to hear someone echo that

[stevetoney]

Second the opinion on the R-09HR. As proof of that, there are hundreds of R-09 users on TS.com and I don't think there are more than just a few H4 users.

[John Willett]

Of the two - the R-09HR - though I went for the Olympus LS-10 in the end (and the Sony PCM-D50 was also on my short list).

[rastasean]

When I first entered the world of portable recorders, I was leaning towards the zoom h4 because of the xlr inputs but I shortly learned they were kinda noisy and the unit itself is kinda cheap feeling, but I did like the fact it could do four track recordings with a computer. It took a lot of reading and listening of audio to come to the conclusion that I would be happier with the R09. I haven't bought the R09 or the R09HR or the H4 but what I will but is the R09HR. As ugly looking as the R09 is, at least to me, I have fallen in love with it and the H4 and I don't even talk anymore.

I suggest you do the same kind of reading and go over to the archive LMA and listen for yourself.

One thing you will notice when you get a new recorder--whichever it is--is that you will buy microphones and pre-amps without even thinking about it.

[flintstone]

"Since I dont live anywhere close to a store that i can look at one..."

There are dozens of internet retailers that will let you order the two recorders, try them out for a couple of days, and send back the model you don't like.  B&H Photo Video, Sweetwater, Minidisco, and Sound Professionals are four examples.  Check the retailer's return policy to be sure.  Be extra careful with the recorders and the packaging so you won't be hit with restocking charges.

You'll have to pay for postage, but there's no substitute for testing the units with the types of material you want to record, using the mics and other gear you already own.

Flintstone

[Church-Audio]

If you want a really high noise floor and sampling rate errors then the H4 is the way to go. Its a plastic toy made by a company that's main business is making guitar effects processors * another thing they cant get right*

[suites]

If you want a really high noise floor and sampling rate errors then the H4 is the way to go. Its a plastic toy made by a company that's main business is making guitar effects processors * another thing they cant get right*

Ha...tell us what you really think