Edirol R4 review

[Nick's Picks]

yes, its a 4 track 24/96 recorder.

[Flarnet]

Can it be used for 4-track recording in the "porta studio" sense? I.e. can it play back any of the 4 channels while recording on the remaining one(s)?

[Nick's Picks]

hmm....good question.
probably not, but I dont know for sure.  a good question for edirol, imo.

[bhtoque]

Can it be used for 4-track recording in the "porta studio" sense? I.e. can it play back any of the 4 channels while recording on the remaining one(s)?

Nope. When in 4 channel mode, all 4 channels are recorded as 1 wave file. So a) you need software than can deal w/ a 4ch .wav file and b) even without 4 input sources, you get a 4 ch .wav with silence in the empty tracks.

JAson

[Nick's Picks]

see Jason....these are the things you should have been writing up for me.

[bhtoque]

see Jason....these are the things you should have been writing up for me.

You need a PDF of the manual. I just read the section on 4ch mode.

BTW, I'll bring it back to you Thursday night. I forgot it was in my hard case when I gave John the R-4

JAson

[Nick Graham]

I do have one comment/question...

In the review you state you've had no problems running 24/96, but didn't you get multiple errors at one point (a Derek Trucks show I think?) from being too close to the PA?

Am I imagining this? Was this somebody else?

Not trying to call you out at all, just seeing if I remember correctly.

[wbrisette]

Nope. When in 4 channel mode, all 4 channels are recorded as 1 wave file. So a) you need software than can deal w/ a 4ch .wav file and b) even without 4 input sources, you get a 4 ch .wav with silence in the empty tracks.

Download the Fostex Broadcast Wave utility (from Fostex's site) and it will split a broadcast wav file into separate tracks. This works on both Windows and Mac OS computers.

Wayne

[Nick's Picks]

I do have one comment/question...

In the review you state you've had no problems running 24/96, but didn't you get multiple errors at one point (a Derek Trucks show I think?) from being too close to the PA?

Am I imagining this? Was this somebody else?

Not trying to call you out at all, just seeing if I remember correctly.

you talkin' to ME !

that was w/the FR2.  I've had zero problemw w/the R4.  Jason?  Youve used it more than anyone probably.

[Brian]

Nope. When in 4 channel mode, all 4 channels are recorded as 1 wave file. So a) you need software than can deal w/ a 4ch .wav file and b) even without 4 input sources, you get a 4 ch .wav with silence in the empty tracks.

Download the Fostex Broadcast Wave utility (from Fostex's site) and it will split a broadcast wav file into separate tracks. This works on both Windows and Mac OS computers.

Wayne

whoa...cool!  I wonder if it puts together to seperate mono .bwf files to form an interleaved stereo .bwf file.  thanks for the heads up wayne.

[bhtoque]

I do have one comment/question...

In the review you state you've had no problems running 24/96, but didn't you get multiple errors at one point (a Derek Trucks show I think?) from being too close to the PA?

Am I imagining this? Was this somebody else?

Not trying to call you out at all, just seeing if I remember correctly.

you talkin' to ME !

that was w/the FR2.  I've had zero problemw w/the R4.  Jason?  Youve used it more than anyone probably.

Yeah, I've seen a couple shows were vibration killed nick or carl's FR-2. No problem with the R-4 though.

The only problem I had with the R-4 was I brickwalled the crap out of my first recording with it because mic in was too sensitive for the Oktava's and Mofro. Well, that and having to give it back 

JAson

[kgreener]

man, the way y'all keep talking about this unit, i'm ready to go get one right now.  but with a reminder about the line-in deal you and nick have mentioned, i think i might wait it out for a Doug mod before taking the plunge.  then again, i've heard some of your (jason's) recordings and they sound great.  but i hate waiting!

what to do, what to do...

[Nick Graham]

I do have one comment/question...

In the review you state you've had no problems running 24/96, but didn't you get multiple errors at one point (a Derek Trucks show I think?) from being too close to the PA?

Am I imagining this? Was this somebody else?

Not trying to call you out at all, just seeing if I remember correctly.

Gotcha...

You've been the "guinea pig" for so much new gear, I couldn't keep straght which was which.

+T

you talkin' to ME !

that was w/the FR2. I've had zero problemw w/the R4. Jason? Youve used it more than anyone probably.

[Nick's Picks]

Doug sounds like he plans to offer mods.  And i'm sure they will be the same ones he always offers.  This box is capable of having two mods, one of each flavor on the different stereo pair inputs.  now THAT would be cool.

There is no doubt that it would improve with these modifications, or by running a nice preamp in front of it.  I still maintain that it is not a necessity, but is favorable.  It sounds good stock.  I hve not found myself wishing for anything in front of it.  But I could see picking up a V2 for the front end.  Extra baggage, but probably the same price as the extra mods will be.

I dont know what Doug sells these for.  But add probably $400+ for mods.  that puts it in the 722 price range?  I dont know what those cost either.
I bet a W+ or T+ mod R4 would blow the doors off of any other hdd recorder under $8k.

[boa]

Nevermind. Ya think I'd learn learn something from the wealth ofknowledge here...D'oh!

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=38945.msg521872#msg521872

When running low on battery power you have to stop recording and power down before switching to the Walwart, otherwise your recording and settings you might lose.

I was using a 8xAA Powercell 2300mah to power the R4 and was running Stereox02 with MG SMS210 (DINA) and DPA4061 (spaced 36").
Second time I had used the Powercell units and noticed their quick decline on the meter throughout the first 5 minutes of TBC @ Little Rock, AR. At the end of the first song, I grabbed the power adapter and plugged in and the R4 turned off. Completely. Then I powered it up, and it recorded fine the rest of the night.

Outside of that lesson learned the hard way, the rest of the show smokes and I cant wait to run it again in June, provided I can stealth the R4 for the Crowes/Petty tour...