Michael Liebergot
June 8th, 2006, 08:35 AM
This is a quick first impression review of the new Edirol R-09 recorder. I currently own and use a M-Audio Microtrack recorder, which I will be making comparisons to.
Edirol R-09, just using the built in mics: (I did these tests recording songs from my monitor speakers at various loudness levels, and ambiant room audio)
1. Sensativity: The mics are very sensative, and when placed close to the sound source, easily isolate the sound, but when placed farther away from the source, easily pickup sound from the sides. The internal mics would be best suited for ambiant room audio pickup, or definitely readings (placed on pulpit) during a ceremony.
2. Sound and noise: The sound was very clean with little noise, even at quiet passages
3. Mic Gain: When used at high decibles, the mic gain switch switch should be set to low. When this is done the R-09 worked well, as it should preventing clipping and enabling me to record at higher input levels.
3. Level Meters: Level and peak light meters, responded very quickly and accurately
4. Setup: Setup was as simple as could be, including firmware update (although the M-Audio is a bit easier)
5. Transfer Speed: Transfer to computer via USB, is super fast. (I would normally not use the unit to transfer audio, as I would use my 12-1 card reader to do so)
6. Build Quality: The body is plastic, but has a good solid feel to it (doesn't feel like it is going to fal apart, like my Microtrack does). Having seperate 1/8 mic and line in jacks on the top is a welcome addition as well, as there's no having to go into the system menu to setup input feed, just plug i you line to the appropriate jack and you're set. The black and silver look is sexy, and the addition of the Record Button being bright Red while in standby or Recording is a welcome feature, as it's easy to tell when you are recording and when you are not.
7. The Screen: Fantastic and easy to read Black and White Screen. The best I have seen to date!
8. Conclusion: At first glance the R-09 is easy and fast to operate, as the menu is laid out simply, and is not really needed, as most of the functions needed for recording setup and operation are external (Thank you Edirol). Aas a result setup and usage of the R-09 is very well suited for a quick necessary setup, when going from 2 different locations, and setup time is at a premium (It takes me much longer to setup and set levels on my Microtrack).
The unit performed without a hitch (Good firmware, especially for 1st gereation, although this is really the R-1 shrunk down) while recording for 1.5 hours straight, and the audio was supprisingly clean a crisp (for built in mics). The addition of having Balanced XLR or even 1/4 TRS inputs, would have been nice, but for someone like myself who won't be using long cable runs with this unit, is not a real concern of mine.
All in all, it looks like Edirol may have a real winner here, more testing will tell.
Next up for me will be recording using external AT822 mic fed into R-09, as well as using my PSC Promix 3 Mixer and matched pair of Rode NT5's fed into the R-09's Line In.
More to come...
Edirol R-09, just using the built in mics: (I did these tests recording songs from my monitor speakers at various loudness levels, and ambiant room audio)
1. Sensativity: The mics are very sensative, and when placed close to the sound source, easily isolate the sound, but when placed farther away from the source, easily pickup sound from the sides. The internal mics would be best suited for ambiant room audio pickup, or definitely readings (placed on pulpit) during a ceremony.
2. Sound and noise: The sound was very clean with little noise, even at quiet passages
3. Mic Gain: When used at high decibles, the mic gain switch switch should be set to low. When this is done the R-09 worked well, as it should preventing clipping and enabling me to record at higher input levels.
3. Level Meters: Level and peak light meters, responded very quickly and accurately
4. Setup: Setup was as simple as could be, including firmware update (although the M-Audio is a bit easier)
5. Transfer Speed: Transfer to computer via USB, is super fast. (I would normally not use the unit to transfer audio, as I would use my 12-1 card reader to do so)
6. Build Quality: The body is plastic, but has a good solid feel to it (doesn't feel like it is going to fal apart, like my Microtrack does). Having seperate 1/8 mic and line in jacks on the top is a welcome addition as well, as there's no having to go into the system menu to setup input feed, just plug i you line to the appropriate jack and you're set. The black and silver look is sexy, and the addition of the Record Button being bright Red while in standby or Recording is a welcome feature, as it's easy to tell when you are recording and when you are not.
7. The Screen: Fantastic and easy to read Black and White Screen. The best I have seen to date!
8. Conclusion: At first glance the R-09 is easy and fast to operate, as the menu is laid out simply, and is not really needed, as most of the functions needed for recording setup and operation are external (Thank you Edirol). Aas a result setup and usage of the R-09 is very well suited for a quick necessary setup, when going from 2 different locations, and setup time is at a premium (It takes me much longer to setup and set levels on my Microtrack).
The unit performed without a hitch (Good firmware, especially for 1st gereation, although this is really the R-1 shrunk down) while recording for 1.5 hours straight, and the audio was supprisingly clean a crisp (for built in mics). The addition of having Balanced XLR or even 1/4 TRS inputs, would have been nice, but for someone like myself who won't be using long cable runs with this unit, is not a real concern of mine.
All in all, it looks like Edirol may have a real winner here, more testing will tell.
Next up for me will be recording using external AT822 mic fed into R-09, as well as using my PSC Promix 3 Mixer and matched pair of Rode NT5's fed into the R-09's Line In.
More to come...