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Move over NJB3, here's the Edirol R-1 Digital Recorder
comment: 13 | Tuesday, September 28 (2004) 02:34PM | Posted by Austin Vaughan

What can I say.. this thing looks awesome! Perfect for bootlegging a concert. Just add a powered mic (see soundprofessionals.com) and a big memory card. I think the Nomad Jukebox 3 can finally be retired as the recorder of choice. Read the press release and product page for more info. Price should be around 400 Euro.

  • Internal Mic (stereo)
  • Inputs: 3.5mm Mic in, 3.5mm Line in
  • Output: 3.5mm headphone/optical out (SPDIF)
  • Support CompactFlash(tm) card up to 2 GB
  • Records 1 stereo track to WAV or MP3
  • 10-band EQ
  • 24 bit 44.1 kHz AD/DA conversion
  • Runs on 2 AA batteries or AC power
  • Playback: approximate 6 hours
  • Recording: approximate 2.5 hours
  • DSP effects like Reverb, Noise Reducer
  • USB2.0
  • Mass Storage Class
  • 20 x 2 character display
  • Dimensions: 134 x 99 x 30mm
  • Weight: 205g (8 oz)


    • The only thing that looks weak is the recording time which could come into play in the middle of a long concert. Might be a good idea to strap on a home-made battery back, plugged into the AC input port, so you could double the recording time and avoid any interuption. Just an idea...

    Thanks, Bas
    Comments

    SemutaHed

    Comments: 13
         		Sep 28 (2004) 03:18PM  

    What can you say.... SICK!!!!!!
    you kno it actually DOES look awesome even tho its so 1980's radio shack looking plain awesome. ill keep an eye out for one.



    Bob Clevenger

    Comments: 10
         		Sep 28 (2004) 03:27PM  

    This unit looks VERY promising. As you say, the recording time looks like a limitation at first glance, but it's not really all that bad because of a couple of factors.

    First, you have the 2GB wav file limit; you'll run into this before you run out of battery.

    Second, I don't know of any band that plays sets that are over 2 hours and unless you are recording a marathon session of Wagner's Ring Cycle you won't hit this limit in classical nusic either.

    The good news is that between sets you can change batteries and CF cards and then you're set for another 2 hours. It uses standard AA batteries!!!

    If you are using mp3 to record due to personal preference or extenuating circumstances such as a need to record for more than 2 hours unattended an external battery pack will be easy to rig up.

    The only negative factor I can see is cost. Not the R1 so much as the need for multiple 2GB CF cards -- but the price of memory historically falls like a rock.

    This thing looks awesome for field recordists. I expect to see a lot of them on next years Dead tour. Hmmm, I just MAY have an Archos AV420 for sale soon.



    Zyclonz

    Comments: 122
         		Sep 28 (2004) 04:55PM  

    that one with 20gb+ and 20h+ battery would be nice, but for now thats just a dream :p



    Lone

    Comments: 973
         		Sep 28 (2004) 05:47PM  

    Dang that looks sweet. And I don't think you'd really need multiple CF cards, as long as you're near a computer.



    Bob Clevenger

    Comments: 10
         		Sep 28 (2004) 06:50PM  

    Zyclones,
    Oh yeah, but what a dream!!!
    What would be ultra cool would be a Hard Drive port so that you could plug in an external HD, because that would isolate the HD noise from the onboard mikes. Hmmm, I wonder if the USB port could be used for this? I doubt it as it is configured now, but future generations????

    Lone,
    Yeah, you'd need at least two, one to be recording while the other is being downloaded to the computer. You can't count on the set breaks being long enough to get the download done. They usually are, but Murphy hasn't been fired yet!



    smokydays

    Comments: 2
         		Sep 28 (2004) 07:01PM  

    Am I missing something, or is there no optical input on this thing? Don't sell that JB3 yet!



    Bob Clevenger

    Comments: 10
         		Sep 28 (2004) 08:12PM  

    smokydays, tou are correct, there is no digital input. But if the A/D converter is as good as Edirol's other products, that should be no problem. After all, your mike is an analog device. As long as you are only doing one A/D conversion and using a good low-noise mike preamp I don't see the problem.

    Now for dubbing from device to device, the digital input would be a very good thing, but I think Edirol's target market is those who record live events. After all, you can stick that CF card into your computer and duplicate it to your heart's content.

    I can't wait to see one of these babies (two months and counting!)



    coronet

    Comments: 173
         		Sep 28 (2004) 08:35PM  

    Aww... sweet! But then again, I also agree with the aged styling...



    Bob Clevenger

    Comments: 10
         		Sep 29 (2004) 01:00AM  

    Form follows function. This unit is obviously designed for ease of operation, not to be stylish. The controls are large enough and well enough separated so that you won't accidentally hit the wrong one and ruin an irreplaceable recording. I'll gladly give up flash and panache for that.

    As a player it probably is a bad choice, but it is designed as a recorder and as a recorder it looks extremely good.



    smokydays

    Comments: 2
         		Sep 29 (2004) 09:55AM  

    In just looking at this product from a concert taping standpoint, that optical input would be a very valuable addition to this product. Many concert tapers like to have outboard A/D conversion (for instance MIC's>V3>optical input JB3). In just adding the optical input feature to this product, Edirol would open up the doors to another whole taping audience. Just add the optical input to it like the optical out is. JMHO... Peace.



    PeterDLai
    Location: San Diego/Los Angeles, California
    Comments: 149
         		Sep 29 (2004) 11:46PM  

    NJB3 all the way.



    Bob Clevenger

    Comments: 10
         		Sep 30 (2004) 12:43PM  

    Peter, as an NJB3 owner I have to say that it is a very good portable digital recorder and I am very happy with mine, but it does have its faults.

    It uses expensive proprietary batteries;
    It defaults to 128kHz mp3 when you start a recording.
    It has lousy VU meters.
    It has tiny controls.
    It has no mike input.
    The Line-In plug occasionally backs out of the jack.
    It is not MSC compliant.
    It isn't made any more.

    It looks like the Edirol R1 will address some of these shortcomings. Time will tell. Why do you prefer the NJB3?



    juice56

    Comments: 1
         		Oct 19 (2004) 11:21PM  

    Very interesting product. I record professionally and use a Marantz PMD670 presently. This new unit is less expensive, but it lacks the professional features needed for my purpose. XLR mic inputs with phantom power, 6 hour battery life on AA batteries, built-in monitor speaker, and compatible with the new 8 gig card!

    I do like the smaller size though! If I could have the Marantz features in the size of the Edirol, I would be in heaven!



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