Topic: Edirol R-09 hidden menus- Switch off recording light (and turn on cool features)

[listener2]

Yeah, it is just a subset of all available options using that secret button press.

Hey, guess what?  I just got my new Roland R-05 this afternoon and it too has a secret menu secret buttons pressed to access just like the R-09 to get at a similar extra menu choice #6 that says "Special Setup".  It offers a lot more things to tweak though than the R-09 has.  On the R-05, you can turn the record button light on/off when in record mode from this easy access menu.
I have not found a way to get into any "Debug/Test Diagnostics" mode when powering on though (like you can with the older R-09).  My R-05 says firmware version 1.02 out of the box new.
It is smaller than my Sony PCM-M10 and lighter.  It is a tad smaller and more compact than my original R-09 plastic cased unit.  Even though they say the R-05 case is metal, it is hard to tell if it is all metal all around or if it is also plastic pieces in places.  But it dos feel more solid and compact and sturdy in your hand than the original R-09.

As for preamp noise, I am not sure about how it compares to the Sony M10 yet.  I only did very first initial test recordings with it so far and listened with my headphones.  I am inclined to say that the R-05 noise level is about the same or maybe if I am lucky a tad less than the Sony M10's mic input. However I have not done any real intensive study nor scientifically measurement tests of the units to compare them.  I just used my ears and fiddled with the input level gain controls whilst listening for the hiss levels in my Sennheiser HD600 headphones.

The Sony M10 preamp seems to have more gain than the R-05.  Seems I have to turn the R-05 mic gain control up quite high to get decent levels out of my mics (Countryman B3 low sensitivity model, Church Audio CA-11).  Internal mics are much more sensitive than my external mics I tried so far.
The Sony M10 also seems to have a more powerful headphone amp as it can play louder than the R-05 does turned to max up.  Overall so far, the R-05 seems like it is another excellent stealth portable unit!

[fmaderjr]

Overall so far, the R-05 seems like it is another excellent stealth portable unit!

Let us know when you've fully tested it.

So far I haven't heard any real advantages over the M10 and the price is similar. The M10 can take a hotter line in signal and you've said the M10's headphone amp is better and that you really have to crank the gain to get a good signal mic in with mics that aren't too sensitive. For fairly quiet stuff you may find your R-05 recordings too noisy unless you use an external pre-let us know what you find.  I'm thinking there's a good possibility that even the discontinued R-09HR may prove better for many tapers than the R-05 if you don't need more than 7 hours of battery life.

Personally, I will never again buy a piece of new recording gear until it tested by a number of taperssection members.  Learned my lesson when I was an early Zoom H4 adopter (before I heard of taperssection).

[listener2]

fmaderjr, yeah, no sweat, the Sony M10 is still the better and best buy of them all out there so far and especially now that its price has dropped lower!  The Sony is also better built but a bit larger and bulkier than the Roland R-05.  As for the preamp noise levels and sound quality characteristics, I cannot really say right now as I've not had any experience with them yet to say conclusively.  Only time will tell yes.  From what I know now owning all these units, the Sony PCM-M10 is the best designed and offers more features.  Unless later other folks measure the R-05 noise levels and dynamic range capabilities and it turns out better than the Sony M10, right now I think they are about equal in that category.  But like I said, considering features, build quality, price and all, the Sony PCM-M10 is IT ! The R-05 is very close.  I have no idea about the R-09HR as I skipped that generation.  I have the R-09 of course, but we all know that one has a noisey mic preamp and is only good for recording loud concerts where preamp noise is buried and a non-issue.

[fmaderjr]

Thanks for your input listener2.

I love it when knowledgeable tapers try out recorders because their reports give us a better idea whether something new might be worth trying.

I'm just not going to risk it myself. I hated that Zoom H4 I got stuck with so much I didn't even have the heart to try to sell it. I figured any potential buyers would be sorry they bought it too.

[tbirdbuzz]

I just received an R-09 with 1.20 firmware.  I updated it to 1.30 and followed the instructions to turn off that pesky record beacon.  Thanks.