Topic: Edirol R-44 - Solid State 4 channel recorder

[BayTaynt3d]

Yes, please, let's have a thread somewhere to talk about dynamic range, mike vs. line inputs, pads on mikes versus pads on preamps, and in-line pads (an alternative which wasn't mentioned here, but is often preferable to the other two). Some of the information which people claimed as gospel truth in this thread was accurate; other such claims or assumptions, stated with equal vehemence, were not.

Dude, you can't just drop that like that without elaborating. Share the wealth, share what you know, we'll all benefit from it. Thanks.

[Rick]

Also, in case it has been overlooked, from the R44 manual:

The R-44 is able to synchronize to the clock signal of the Digital input jack

This is in the section on digital recording, so it sounds like the R44 will not resample (will be bit accurate) when doing 2ch digital recording.

The manual doesn't say the same thing for 2ch digital + 2ch mic recording, so it might be resampling the digital stream for 4ch recording (using its own internal clock).

Just a fyi, but the R4 Pro Manual about the Digital Recording and Dig+Analog is essentially the same as the R-44. In the digital recording section is says "The R-4 Pro is able to synchronize to the clock signal of the digital input connector." and there is no mention of this in the 2ch digital + 2ch mic recording section either

[Colin Liston]

Take this FWIW:

I spoke with a rep from Sweetwater the other day and asked him if he knew if the digi input resampled or not.
He called me back today and said he spoke with someone at Edirol and that the R-44 is like the R-4 Pro in that it did NOT resample the digi input.

[spcyrfc]

i think this machine may be The Winner in my book.  cant wait to hear it / see it / touch it / feel it

[Gutbucket]

Wow, did we get off-topic or what? LMAO!!!

This actually deserves to be it's own thread, cause I'm curious about other devices and other's experiences on this front...

...Yes, please, let's have a thread somewhere to talk about dynamic range, mike vs. line inputs, pads on mikes versus pads on preamps, and in-line pads (an alternative which wasn't mentioned here, but is often preferable to the other two)....

OK, lets have at it:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,99261.msg1321995.html#msg1321995

[ascouserinnewyork]

Greetings to all... after a brief call with Markertek they 'claim' they can get me the R44 by March 8th.  Order placed, let's see if they deliver. 

Just moved over to radio after working television for 16 years and decided I need a good field recorder - everywhere I go the R4's keep coming up as the for field recording/interviews... then I find the R44 which seems works out cheaper, with a safer recording medium.

Oh, my name is Michael Wilkins, home-based in Central New Jersey, hailing from Liverpool, England - which is where the radio station broadcasts from.

[dennisrtyler]

Greetings to all... after a brief call with Markertek they 'claim' they can get me the R44 by March 8th.  Order placed, let's see if they deliver. 

Just moved over to radio after working television for 16 years and decided I need a good field recorder - everywhere I go the R4's keep coming up as the for field recording/interviews... then I find the R44 which seems works out cheaper, with a safer recording medium.

Oh, my name is Michael Wilkins, home-based in Central New Jersey, hailing from Liverpool, England - which is where the radio station broadcasts from.

welcome!

[BayTaynt3d]

Man, if I were doing field interviewing, I'd probably use an Oade-Modded PMD660. Way smaller, still has XLR, can even patch a news bay directly (only the modded unit), noise floor is plenty low (again only on modded unit), rechargeable batteries last forever, instant on/off, uses standard CF cards, and 16-bit (which for voice seems plenty adequate to me, and possibly preferrable even). The ONLY reason I could think of using an R44 would be if I needed four mics/lavs for a big interview, otherwise the modded PMD660 kills on ENG use IMHO. The stock R4 is a gigantic heavy brick that takes 30-secs to boot compared to it -- although I'm sure the R44 would be better, I'd still go PMD660 unless I absolutely had to have 4-channels. (BTW, this is coming from someone who owns both an R4 and an Oade PMD660).

[ascouserinnewyork]

dennisrtyler - many thanks

BayTaynt3d - As I don't know what situations I will find myself in, I would rather have the 4 channels, then wish I had them - although the PMD660 looks like a terrific, tiny, unit.

Got to drop a "hello" to Rick who has quite the interesting Avatar - The only question is are you a plastic scouser or an ex-pat in TX 

[Rick]

Got to drop a "hello" to Rick who has quite the interesting Avatar - The only question is are you a plastic scouser or an ex-pat in TX 

Plastic 

[Rick]

It looks like the Sweetwater ship date of 3/10 has been pushed back to 4/11. Bummer.

[Colin Liston]

It looks like the Sweetwater ship date of 3/10 has been pushed back to 4/11. Bummer.

Sweetwater told me they were getting 5 on 3/10 and that those have been spoken for. 

Then they expect another shipment in April, which they already had 5 orders for.

Yeah bummer indeed. 

[Rick]

It looks like the Sweetwater ship date of 3/10 has been pushed back to 4/11. Bummer.

Sweetwater told me they were getting 5 on 3/10 and that those have been spoken for. 

Then they expect another shipment in April, which they already had 5 orders for.

Yeah bummer indeed. 

Yeah I was one of those 5 for 3/10. At least that's what I was told.

[ascouserinnewyork]

Yep, just got off the phone with Markertek - direct from Roland, they will not be shipping until Mid-late April.  That now leaves me in a quandry - what is a low-cost alternative so that when I pickup the R44 I won't be out of pocket that much?

Rick - plastic or not - you support a good team. 

[leehookem]

plaaastic...