Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

Very reliable bit of kit and good value. Pres get a bit noisy at max sensitivity would be my only complaint.

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

I use the R44 to record depositions. The sound quality is superb! Much better than the sound I get from my AG-HMC40. The batter backup works flawlessly, and the effects are really helpful to enhance the voice for our transcribers.

The only thing I wish was different is that it would keep the configuration after a reboot. Other than that, great unit.

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

I wanted to write a review to share some information that I found hard to find before I bought this recorder. This info pertains to people using this device for video work.

I haven't field tested this yet, so I can't speak to the sound quality (although my early tests have yielded very good results, to my ears).

One important function for me is that you can mix down all four channels to a single line out channel (select this by pushing the monitor dial). This means while recording all 4 channels independently, you can send a mixed-down line signal to the camera/DSLR. This can greatly speed up the editing process, as you can edit using the audio sent to the camera, and then when you come to the audio mix, go back to the original individual channels if needs be. It should also simplify the syncing process.

The only downside is that the line out is not a balanced signal, but for these purposes I think it's fine. In fact, I tested it by hooking the line out signal to a wireless transmitter, and then sending that to the camera's second channel. So your sound guy and camera guy don't even need to be tethered to each other.

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

Just used this to record 4 channels at a few concerts, as well as two channel interviews.

Was able to split the mics to seperate wav files, or have the combined to a single 4 channel wav file. Inputs and buttons are durable. Only complaint would be the read out of the levels is a little small. Trying to hit -12db can be tough because its so small. Wish they could make a firmware update to use more of the screen, which doesn't seem so hard. I highly recommend the bag for it as well. I used it on house power and battery power and could hot swap with no problems.

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

Love this recorder! I would highly recommend this to anyone that is looking for great audio quality

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

Great sound.
Would like to mount it on a tripod.

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

The R-44 is the best field recorder I've used. It's sturdy, simple to use, interfaces easily with multiple computer formats. Never had a problem with the machine in many different field recording applications. Big thumbs up!!!

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

Just purchased this recorder and used it for a low budget commercial shoot this weekend. Everything sounded great and our sound guy was able to use the EQ functions to more closely match the shotgun to our lavs.

I did a lot of research and we were very happy overall.

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

I have two Mixers. A Sound Devices 302 and MixPre. With this set-up I can take full advantage of the R-44 using all four channels separately.

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

I use this in recording the sound for doc films, interviews, etc. The clarity is excellent and it's a snap to download the files to a PC. I'll be using this for a long time to come.

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

Very nice unit with great sound. Useful to mix tracks in 192K to take them to mastering studios. Would be nice to be able to overdub to tracks, with multitrack option.

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

Professional 4 tracks combo XLR/TRS input, Clear Sound, Uses SDHC cards for quiet operation, Easy To Use, The Edirol R44 looks and feels very solid.
Work great with Earthworks QTC40 mic!

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

Other than the lack of gain control in addition to and separate from the level control, the need high recording settings on low to mid priced mics to attain acceptable sound levels and the inability to remember the last settings after it is turned off, this is a great recorder for beginners. It is extremely simple to learn and easy to use. The recording levels problem can be easily solved by adding a mixer before the R-44 and turning up your gains with that.

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

This is a great little recorder that is simple enough to use right out of the box. It's controls are well thought through & extensive for an under $1000 piece. If you don't need timecode, this is the way to go! Also great for on-location podcasting & Foley. Most importantly, the audio sounds great!

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

This very versatile 4 channel recorder is so good that I am seriously considering buying a second unit especially since 2 units will sync together giving me 8 channels!

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

I do remote recording, usually small jazz groups. The small size and weight are perfect. The recording quality is great. The preamps are better than expected, only showing a little hiss with some dynamic mics and ribbons. Solid unit.

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

BE SMART: Always purchase from B&H !

PROS: Over the past two years I have carefully reviewed nearly every 2- and 4-track field recorder on the market. It was my expectation that the R-44 would be the long-awaited alternative to the extremely expensive Sound Devices recorders, which we all wish we could own, but can not afford. Unfortunately, the R-44 does not fully step up to the challenge. The positive attributes of the unit are: solid-state SD memory (not included); superb sound quality (except at high sensitivity/gain settings); highly compact "miniature" design (plastic), made in Japan ... not China; well-organized controls; good work flows; and an excellent, but very small, outdoor-viewable LCD. Except for some unnecessarily small, poorly marked control buttons, and inadequate button illumination, the unit's logical layout makes it quite efficient to operate in daylight. Recording in low light is a different story.

CONS: (1) The R-44 does not retain important settings between power cycles. Among these, and especially distressing, is that it does not remember the project folder last selected. There appears to be no practical method of updating the firmware or customizing the menus to correct this problem; (2) The R-44 was designed as a "portable" recorder, and owners will no doubt have many occasions to use the unit outside at night or in dimly lit environments, both indoors and outdoors. However, the unit is ill-equipped for this task because many of the switches are not illuminated, and because a number of important buttons, although lit, are too small, not marked, and therefore unreadable in the dark. Also, the illumination levels of the "power" and "record" buttons are preset to a high intensity, the bright glare of which makes operating the unit in darkness distracting, conspicuous to others, and very annoying. These two buttons cannot be dimmed. Ironically, the illumination of these buttons, and the other buttons indicating mode selection or unit activity, although bright in the dark, is not visible in daylight or even in bright shade. Obviously, vivid, but dimmable, LED button illumination should have been employed throughout the unit's design; (3) There is no "Standby" button for headphone monitoring. Instead, two buttons must be pressed simultaneously. This may be acceptable in a desktop unit, but in a portable this two-finger exercise makes initiating recording awkward, day or night; (4) The level of introduced noise, or hiss, at high sensitivity (gain) settings, is clearly audible in standby monitoring (using headphones). The resultant recording quality could be better at higher gain; (5) "Projects", i.e. WAV files, must be deleted one-at-a-time. Folders containing files can not be deleted at all. This makes multiple file deletions an unnecessarily tedious and time-consuming chore. The only efficient way to delete more than a one file at a time is to reformat the SD card ... an impractical non-solution that will not thrill users; (6) A carrying case (important), an SD card (essential), as well as a starter set of batteries ("got to have power"), should all have been included with this rather pricey recorder. Most customers will want their recorder ready for use when they receive it. Including these small, but essential items would have been a thoughtful courtesy and probably created a happier state of mind with the new purchase; (7) No remote control is provided or supported. A good, long-range remote is often essential for recording whether in the field or indoors; (8) The R-44 has no treaded mounting holes or mounting provisions whatsoever. This is too bad because it greatly limits use options and negates other virtues and potential flexibility of the unit's compact size. It's use is thus relegated to either a carrying case (not provided) or table top. If this small unit had mounting capabilities, and if it were not entirely plastic, it could easily be attached to microphone stands, light stands, or positioned most anywhere. Flexibility in positioning is particularly important in small mobile devices. I had to fabricate a small platform, and use a small bungee cord, in order to attach the unit to a light stand, otherwise I had few options for using it; (9) The unit requires high sensitivity/gain settings with most low-end to mid-range mics. "Hot" mics, such as the Audio-Technica 4073a or Sennheiser ME66, are therefore highly recommended. I first tried a Rode NTG-2, which yielded fabulous results for voice over or close recording situations, but was wholly inadequate for wildlife and ambient sound pickup due its relatively broad supercardioid pickup pattern and concomitant high gain requirements; (10) Wi-fi is a "must have" convenience that dramatically increases efficiency and usability of portable devices in many situations. Even low-end video cameras have it for years. It was unwise not include this feature in the R-44; (11) Two SD card slots would have been nice. I often have occasion to copy files to a separate card for distribution while continuing to record to the one in the unit; (12) The R-44 could also have acted as a computer interface. Other manufactures are starting to incorporate this highly sought after and flexible function, e.g., the Zoom H4; (13) Firewire is much faster and reliable than USB, and it is designed to "stream" media. Surprisingly it was not implemented in this unit, even though much less expensive devices have it, e.g., Alesis (all); (14) I was a bit surprised at the high power consumption rate for such a small device. Even with only one phantom-powered mic attached the batteries last just a few hours, even while not recording, and they get very hot in the process! Users of the R-44 will want to use the much more economical and much longer lasting NiMH rechargeables rather than relentlessly swapping out sets of 4 alkaline AA's.
Because this potentially innovative field recorder could have been a "great" recorder with very little effort or extra design and manufacturing costs, because it inexplicably did not incorporate several obvious and thoughtful refinements common in other units, and because the recorder does not come "ready for use", I have awarded the R-44 only 3 stars.

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

Indie film maker here! I love my new R-44 When filming I get perfect sound ever time. It's easy to understand and it records crystal clear. We have stated using it on every project

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

Internal mics are actually quite good if convenience is most important factor for you. Internal speakers are pretty much worthless, but that's not why you buy this piece of equipment. The user interface is simple enough, and the quality of the recording is outstanding, particularly when using good external mics. I do wish that it had RCA line level inputs in addition to the mic inputs.

Comments about Edirol / Roland R-44 Solid-State Four-Channel Portable Field Recorder:

What a great tool for my film studio, It works great perfect sound every time. It was well Worth the purchase. I Love it!