Three new pocket-size field recorders were announced at the Musikmesse
conference this week. Details below
--oryoki
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Korg MR-2
http://www.korg.com/Product.aspx?pd=575
price unannounced, I'd guess about $500 when released in summer 2010
This is a replacement for the Korg MR-1. The MR-2 continues to offer 1-bit DSD
recording at 2.8 MHz, as well as PCM recording up to 24-bit/192 kHz. DSDIFF,
WSD, DSF, WAV[BWF], MP3 and MP2 recording formats are supported. Has a pair of
mics built in, using XY configuration. The angle between the mics can be
changed to one of 8 different settings.
Battery life was a weakness of the MR-1. The MR-2 can be powered by 2 AA
cells, or externally via the USB port for longer recording sessions.
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Roland R-05
http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=1077
msrp $299, so I'm guessing the street price will be $225
The R-05 appears to be an updated version of the Edirol R-09HR. the R-05 has
improved battery life (7 hours vs 12 hours using 2 AA cells) so it most likely
has different electronics than the R-09HR. It appears that Roland/Edirol will
continue to sell the R-09HR, which is a proven field recorder with a good
preamp, as the "pro" hand-held recorder. The R-05 will be marketed as a tool
for musicians.
I'm hoping that the Roland engineers took the opportunity to modify the R-09HR
design to improve the built-in mic preamp and mic capsule. The R-05 starts
shipping in May 2010.
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Zoom H1
msrp $199, street price about $130. Delivery starts in June 2010.
Described by Zoom as the "little brother" of its portable recorder line, the H1
is a stereo recorder that uses technology from the Zoom H4n. In an effort to
be as slim and compact as possible, the H2 design utilizes a microSD flash card
and a single AAA cell for power. The single cell runs the H1 for about 10
hours. The H1 is so slim that most control buttons were moved to the side of
the recorder, leaving a single large "record" button on the front.
The slim profile of the H1 might make this a perfect second recorder to keep in
your pocket for field notes and unexpected recording opportunities that won't
wait for you to set up your main recorder. The H4n has a good preamp behind
its mic capsules, so the H1 may have lower self noise than the price would lead
you to expect. We'll know the answer this Summer.
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