The Roland Edirol R-1 measures about 4X5 inches (10 X 12 cm.) The version I use recognizes a 1GB Flash card. It writes (stereo only) MP3 and WAV files up to 24 bits deep and up to 320MBpS, respectively. (Whether the analog front end justifies the 24 bit depth is debatable.) Built-In Mics: The omni-directionl electret mics deliver adequate sound quality. An external microphone, such as the Sony ECM-MS907 mid/side stereo electret condensor is preferred for higher fidelity, better directionality, and more comfortable operation, and for stand or boom use. Example of Use: Close-micing with the internals is especially awkward. Here's a recording using the inbuilt mics. The subject delivered a good, American Jazz Banjo And Vocal performance, gracefully tolerating the R-1's placement mere inches from his face, the distance necessary to produce a tight stereo image of the tenor banjo, and a well-balanced, almost monophonic close-miced voice, while minimizing subway noise. |
Edirol R-1 Recorder By Roland
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R-1 (Actual Size)
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The Roland Edirol R-1 Operates nearly three hours on two AA NIMH batteries. It provides power for an external mic through the 1/8" minijack. Alternately , a second minijack accepts line level input. Compared to MD: I made many MD recordings before the technology was updated (to HiMD, I think they call it). I find no easy reason to go back. My associates and I lost so many recordings on MD, that we knew it was a fatally injured animal. Though Flash cards can indeed be killed, they are well worth the investment. Compared to Cassette Tape: This thing blows away every mobile cassette deck I've ever used in every respect except that the R-1's playback shuttle speeds (FFWD/REW) are even slower than some cassettes. |
Features
Hold Switch: (Top of unit) locks selected state, (such as record.) Watchit ...If you power the unit down in "Record" Mode with the Hold Switch engaged ...You Lose! (Maybe a firmware update would bring an improvement.)
Stereo Compressor: Use the 'limiter' (could be actually a compressor) in loud and dynamic situations, but get to know it, first. The meter seems to change modes with the limiter's on, so that you should not allow the recording levels to rise into any of the top three bars continuously. Check for "cross-pumping" before using this in 2-channel applications, as amplitude-stimulated compression on either channel may affect the other.
File Renaming: File renaming is difficult and time consuming with this sort of user interface.
Review
What it is:
A solid and reliable example of Flash card technology. Does what it says on the box and nothing more.
Rocks:
A reasonable "Pro-Sumer" device, tough and versatile enough for most recording needs. The controls and interface are easy enough to learn, but neither immediately obvious for most people nor particularly facile. Works well with this Sony Binaural mic. Dreadful for XLR mics. No phantom power for real condensors.
Wide dynamic range makes this useful for less- predictable levels of spontaneous unmonitored field recordings, though the limiter is tricky and not extremely helpful. Ambient acoustic noise will tend to be more of a problem in many more cases than will machine noise. You can amplify a surprising amount of useable quiet sounds right out of the 'mud' with editing software.
Sucks:
The lack of XLR mic inputs and phantom power are the most important shortcoming, compared to the more expensive Marantz Flash Recorder. (I believe the Marantz recorder even accepts a mini Hard Drive, and having owned one of their cassette recorders, I would have tended to stick with the Marantz brand. I went with the R-1 for reasons of practicality. Oade Brothers offers modified Marantz recorders.
Random access of playback is limited by the single and snail-paced review speed. The "value" button falls off all the time, apparetly adding extra value. It will some day be lost in the field, accelerating decay of the unit. "Hold" button can prevent some dangers, but causes another, more fatal one...hard shutdown of unclosed sound file due to accidental powering down, power failure (or battery failure?)