At first glance, the $2000 Edirol R4 Pro field recorder looks
identical to the $1200 R4 model. Both are hard disc recorders with
preamps for each of four mic inputs. Both are a little bulky for
field use, but can be carried in a gear bag.
After a closer look, I was surprised by the number of improvements the
R4 Pro provides. Below is a list of differences that caught my attention.
--oryoki
Preamp
R4 Pro has "improved" and "excellent" electronics, different from R4
(Edirol's statements)
R4 is mediocre, with noticeable self noise (my experience)
Sampling Rate
R4 Pro samples up to 24/192
R4 up to 24/96
Analog Inputs
R4 Pro has 4 XLR analog mic inputs, but no line inputs (use external
pad for line level)
R4 has 4 XLR or 7mm phone plug inputs for line or mic level (switch
selectable)
Analog Input volume
R4 Pro has mic sensitivity (trim) knob dial as well as input level
(volume)
R4 has volume only
Mid/Side mic recording
R4 Pro has Mid/Side decoding during recording and playback
...including adjustable dispersion angle
R4 has no Mid/Side support
Digital inputs
R4 Pro has 2 XLR AES/EBU digital input channels
R4 has 2 RCA SPDIF digital inputs
Recording flexibility
R4 Pro can record two channels of analog and two channels of digital
simultaneously.
R4 Pro can record 2 internal mics at same time as 2 external mics
R4 is either analog or digital only, internal or external mics
Line outputs
R4 Pro has four line outputs
R4 has two line outputs (stereo)
Time Code
R4 Pro synchs to SMPTE time code.
R4 Pro allows you to manually set time code starting value
R4 has no time code support
Internal storage
R4 Pro has 80GB hard drive
R4 has 40GB drive
External storage
R-4 Pro can copy files to any external USB storage device, including
...flash card in a card reader, external hard disc, DVD burner, thumb
drive, etc.
R4 can copy to Compactflash or to computer
Power input
R4 Pro has locking 4 pin XLR power jack
R4 has cylindrical jack plus cable lock
Low voltage alarm for external battery
R4 Pro lets you specify the voltage when the "low voltage" warning is
displayed
R4 has no setting
Finish
R4 Pro has an all-black finish, looks professional
R4 is black and grey, looks like a consumer device
Third party modifications
Doug Oade (www.oade.com) offers an "Ambient Mod" for the R4 that
significantly upgrades the analog input path for low sound pressure
level recording. Price is about $1500, including the R4 recorder.
Oade plans modifications to the R4 Pro, but has not announced details.
Cascade Media (www.cascademedia.net) also offers a custom R4 preamp
upgrade using premium components. Contact them for more details.
"Microphones are not ears,
Loudspeakers are not birds,
A listening room is not nature."
Klas Strandberg
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