[Lightstalkers] M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:55:35 +0000

Hi I'm about to buy an audio recorder but would like advice from those who actually use these recorders. My main use initially for it will be for gathering audio to produce Sounslides projects on my Powerbook and maybe also later as a backup audio recorder for video work. So, should I go for the M-AUDIO MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09? The M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 seems to retail here in the UK for £ 269 GBP and the Roland Eiodirol R-09 for approx £ 299 GBP Also, is the Roland Eiodirol R-1 still in production and if so should I consider it? Thanks in advance, Terry

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 20:01:36 +0000

check out this thread: http://www.lightstalkers.org/what_kind_of_audio_recorder_do_you_use I recently bought the R-09 and it is incredible... Granted, it's the only one I've ever used, but based on my experience with it so far and the comments from the above post, I just don't see how it could get any better with a different unit.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 20:15:26 +0000

Here's another circa-November, 2006 "thread":http://www.lightstalkers.org/which_mp3_recorder_for_multimedia_slideshows. I had the exact same question you posted. I ended up getting the Edirol. Absolutely no regrets.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 20:28:59 +0000

Same x me. The 09 is great. Although I find that the construction could have been a bit sturdier. The plastic of the screen scratches very easily for example.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 20:32:30 +0000

Hi Lance and Max Thanks for the quick response. I had seen those threads before and couldn't find them. After your comment and reading both those threads I am now definately favouring the R-09 over the MicroTrack, mainly because of the batteries but I'm now also wonder about the Samsontech Zoom H4 because of the price and XLR inputs?!?!?!?!?!?!? I would love the Marantz for quality and XLR inputs but am ruling it out, not on price but on size. Thanks again, Terry

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 20:34:01 +0000

The accessory "leather cover/stand":http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=437113&is=REG&addedTroughType=search might be good. But for $50 it's rather pricey.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 21:49:01 +0000

Terry, i've had the microtrack for more than a year and used it extensively in the field: cambodia, india, bhutan etc...and made excellent recordings with it. the only drawback is that when the built in batteries kick the bucket, i'll have to send it to the manufacturer for replacing. the other drawback with the micro is that it has a separate small microphone...this can get lost. i have a friend who has the zoom, and swears by it. i've handled the zoom, and it's similar to the micro...it has built-in microphones and regular batteries. i suppose if i had the choice now, i'd go for the zoom for the convenience of the batteries, and microphones.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 03:46:08 +0000

Terry - I bought the microtrack first, then eventually returned it and went w/ the R-09. One thing I seldom see mentioned about the microtrack is how slow it is to turn on. It's at least 5-10 seconds from the time you press the power button until it's fully on. To catch some sound in the moment is nearly impossible because of this and it led to all sorts of frustrations as my interview subjects had to wait for me to 'boot up' the microtrack. As Tewfic mentioned, having the built-in battery was another pain and made it difficult to use when off the grid. I've only been using the R-09 for about a month, but am much happier with the usability of it.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 04:03:48 +0000

I'm thinking that Roland should start donating $$$ for the upkeep of LS for the many enthusiastic endorsements of their product from members of this community. I'm only half-kidding. Cheers!

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:05:52 +0000

Stephen is right on the money...it's really aggravating to wait for the unit to boot up (i think it's actually a bit more than 10 seconds)...but it's the built-in battery that's the main downside for me...it costs $75 to install a new one by the manufacturer. when i got it, there were few competitors...now there is. good luck with your choice.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 08:26:55 +0000

Same here. We went with M-Audio units first but they are painfully slow, low battery life. Added a R-9 on this trip to Iraq and it worked beautifully though I still need to find a good shotgun mic. You can check out some of the slideshows at www.militarytimes.com or www.armytimes.com. Best, JLee

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 09:08:07 +0000

I got R-09. I didn't try other proffesional recorders before. The quality of sound it gets is amazing. Also the built-in stereo microphone works very well, so in most of cases you don't need to carry an external microphone. Very happy.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:30:24 +0000

It's not directly related to the main thread but I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on this:

I'm trying to get going a sound recording system whilst trying to keep the $ minimum. I have a 60 gig ipod which i thought i could use if i bought the Griffin iTalk Pro ( http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipod/review/griffin-italkpro-stereo-microphone-for-ipod-5g/ ) and an external mic perhaps. Any suggestions as to this would be good enough?

Thanks.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:46:48 +0000

Oops, just saw the other articles answering those very questions i was asking.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 10:16:06 +0000

I've been told that Marantz is coming out shortly with their new version of the PMD660, which will be fantastic and probably below $500. The R-09 sounds great...wish I had that...and there are external USB rechargers to be found (or built) that will recharge in the field from batteries. Search the 'net. The microphone is your biggest investment. I just got the Sennheiser ME66, and it's great. So much easier to mic from 18" than 6", and I've just been mounting it and recording from 3ft away, and the sound is excellent. Not "oh my god I can't believe it's not real" but very close.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 23:37:04 +0000

The Samsontech H4 recorder is a nice recorder and powerful for most applications, it is primarily designed for music recording. Even I have no major complains, it has few problems: 1. No real time clock, you have to record in someway the approximate start of your recording. 2. Is not a tank, plastic enclosure feels fragile. 3. It gets noise from you when you hold it with your hand, you need to add an small tripod to isolate it properly. 4. You have to keep your eye on the battery indicator before it runs out of power. 5. No case included. If you need something more rugged, I could suggest any Marantz model.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 20:28:58 +0000

Hi Terry, Found it cheaper at http://www.planetgizmo.co.uk/product.php?productid=16257&cat=258&page=1&gclid=CNP-1ueP-ooCFTwHQgodkGzYqg Edmond

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:54:57 +0000

I did some research recently before our paper bought a whole slew of them for multimedia and photo staff. We chose a third option, the ZOOM H4 over the Edirol and M-Audio http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1901 Several reasons... Mini mic OR XLR dual mic inputs Takes 2 AA batteries Manual or Auto control for levels. I've been very happy with it so far.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:18:25 +0000

Zoom will launch the H2 this year, a very flexible and lightweight recorder with timestamps support. It's smaller than the H4 and lacks the XLR inputs. A small preview is available "here":http://homerecording.about.com/od/newproductfirstlooks/a/zoom_h2_review.htm.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:57:16 +0000

Terry- i have the zoom h4 .....its pretty nice so far...might be worth checking out the smaller h2.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:07:46 +0000

There is a thread going about the Nagra... There is this link about it: http://www.solidstatesound.co.uk/nagra_ares-m.htm Makes me wonder if the Edirol 09 is the BEST choice. Because with the Nagra you have clip-on mikes, windshields (wind being a real issue with the built-in mikes of the Edirol), editing on the spot, 2 AA batteries, a sturdier build. BUT only 1Gig internal memory, no removable memory. It is also quite a lot more expensive than the Edirol though... "John Vink":http://www.johnvink.com

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 19:01:04 +0000

http://tinyurl.com/2q73yd Zoom H2 info.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 20:29:07 +0000

I finally ordered a Minidisc recorder last night. This is the latest Sony minidisc recorder with an external microphone, but it pluggs right into the recorder unit with no wire. I decided I have too many minidiscs to archive to change to another digital recorder, so I needed the latest minidisc recorder. "Here is Sony's description of the recorder":http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplayModel?m=10013&p=10&sp=83&id=84320 B&H used to have this model MZ-M200, but they seem to be out of the unit, and had only the MZ-RH1, which is the version without a microphone. I paid $350 for the MZ-M200 at minidisco.com. It should arrive sometime next week.

Re: M-AUDIO - MicroTrack 24/96 or Roland Eiodirol R-09

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 23:13:30 +0000

Damn, wish I'd gone for the Roland. I love the Microtrack, but the battery is pure shite. Damn...