R44 Forget settings on power cycle? at DVinfo.net

Chris Sweet · December 15th, 2009, 02:34 AM

I read a review that after swapping batteries settings need to be re-configured.. apparently it wont even remember the last folder being recorded to.. is this true?
thanks

Dean Sensui · December 15th, 2009, 01:11 PM

I don't know about folder directory settings, but the rest of the settings are maintained.

Chris Sweet · December 16th, 2009, 06:11 AM

ok, good to know. thanks.. it was this article:
Edirol R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder Review | Nice sound, but disappointing design !
pls let me know if it retains the folder as well!
cheers

Dean Sensui · December 16th, 2009, 12:52 PM

It's an honest review. So if there's an issue with folders then he's right.

Lot of the drawbacks he pointed out may or may not be relevant to all users. Depends upon how the unit's used.

I never delete files in the field, only in post-production. And because the recorder is always used in single sessions, I always record to the main directory of the card, so I've never used any folders.

Navigating through the menu is a little klutzy. It would be better if they had made use of the wheel on the panel, or arranged the up-down-left-right buttons in a cluster that mimics those directions. The buttons are distributed in a line, and I have to look at the button's label to determine what direction it'll send the menu selector.

For my work a remote isn't necessary. And I don't need to duplicate files in the field until the end of the day. On longer trips I move them to a pair of hard drives until I get back and can put them in my permanent library. Once they're safely on the pair of drives I re-format the card.

A case would have been nice, although I use mine in a custom case I built. It's set up to be totally weatherproof and runs unattended. I rely on the limiters of the wireless mic system and the R-44 to deal with any excessively loud transients. It's not the best way to operate a sound system, but in my case, it's the only option I have since there's no soundman available.

At about $1,000, the R-44 is a good value for the dollar. Four independent tracks, phantom power, limiter, solid-state recording media, and great fidelity.

For lower-noise options, take a look at the modifications available through Oade Brothers.

OADE BROTHERS AUDIO Field Recording Experts, Sony, Tascam, Marantz, Fostex, Compact Flash recorders

They explain the difference between the Concert and Super modifications on their website.

I've never encountered any noise problems. My signal sources are usually fairly noisy to begin with, and the inputs provide good signal strength, too. But for those who need to record very low and delicate sources (natural ambience, etc,) they might want to look at the Super modification. Total harmonic distortion for both mods are better than the stock version, too.

December 15th, 2009, 02:34 AM	#1
Chris Sweet Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 89	R44 Forget settings on power cycle? I read a review that after swapping batteries settings need to be re-configured.. apparently it wont even remember the last folder being recorded to.. is this true? thanks

December 15th, 2009, 01:11 PM	#2
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	I don't know about folder directory settings, but the rest of the settings are maintained. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

December 16th, 2009, 12:52 PM	#4
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	It's an honest review. So if there's an issue with folders then he's right. Lot of the drawbacks he pointed out may or may not be relevant to all users. Depends upon how the unit's used. I never delete files in the field, only in post-production. And because the recorder is always used in single sessions, I always record to the main directory of the card, so I've never used any folders. Navigating through the menu is a little klutzy. It would be better if they had made use of the wheel on the panel, or arranged the up-down-left-right buttons in a cluster that mimics those directions. The buttons are distributed in a line, and I have to look at the button's label to determine what direction it'll send the menu selector. For my work a remote isn't necessary. And I don't need to duplicate files in the field until the end of the day. On longer trips I move them to a pair of hard drives until I get back and can put them in my permanent library. Once they're safely on the pair of drives I re-format the card. A case would have been nice, although I use mine in a custom case I built. It's set up to be totally weatherproof and runs unattended. I rely on the limiters of the wireless mic system and the R-44 to deal with any excessively loud transients. It's not the best way to operate a sound system, but in my case, it's the only option I have since there's no soundman available. At about $1,000, the R-44 is a good value for the dollar. Four independent tracks, phantom power, limiter, solid-state recording media, and great fidelity. For lower-noise options, take a look at the modifications available through Oade Brothers. OADE BROTHERS AUDIO Field Recording Experts, Sony, Tascam, Marantz, Fostex, Compact Flash recorders They explain the difference between the Concert and Super modifications on their website. I've never encountered any noise problems. My signal sources are usually fairly noisy to begin with, and the inputs provide good signal strength, too. But for those who need to record very low and delicate sources (natural ambience, etc,) they might want to look at the Super modification. Total harmonic distortion for both mods are better than the stock version, too. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

December 16th, 2009, 06:11 AM	#3
Chris Sweet Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 89	ok, good to know. thanks.. it was this article: Edirol R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder Review \| Nice sound, but disappointing design ! pls let me know if it retains the folder as well! cheers