Fostex FR2 V Edirol R4 V Sound Devices 722

Steve Shovlar

Steve Shovlar

DVXuser Sponsor
Hi all, just want peoples thoughts on the three hard disk recorders mentioned in the title.

I need to buy a hard disk recoder for an upcoming feature we are shooting next summer. No better time than now to get folks thoughts on what is good/bad/mediocre. Is it worth spending the extra thousand on the Sound Devices HD recorder? Is the Fostex or Edirol good enough?

So does anyone on here own/used one of these that can give their thoughts? Is there another hard disk recoder in a similar price bracket which should be considered?

Thanks
Steve
 
I don't think my option is on the same level as any of those 3, but I went with a 671... once I get a chance to check it out I'll post some samples.

If you could afford it I'd get the 722... just 'cause it's perfection.
 
MattinSTL, have you played with the Sound Devices 722? What are your thoughts?

I am shooting a micro budget feature next June and we are going to use a Panasonic HXV200 with M2 adaptor, and are going to record sound seperately. I already have the Sennheiser ME66 with softie and zeppelin. But I want good sound and so a good hard drive recorder will do the job. just chosing the right one. I have read reviews of all three and they all scored very well, though of course its a bit unfair including the Sound Devices 722 as its a thousand more at least. In fact I saw the Fostex FR2 on Ebay last week at $999 inc postage brand new "buy it now". A remarkable price.

The sound Devices 722 is very expensive in the UK, at £2200. I can get it in the States for the same ammount in dollars, so if I chose to get that model I will have a weekend over in New York and the money I save will pay for the trip and a break!(plus no duty either!)
 
That's a non-timecode camera, right? If so, then I'd go with the either the Edirol R4, or the 722. I'm not a fan of the FR-2 at all, for reasons I don't have time to get into, as there are many of them.

The R4 is great because it has 4 record tracks, so if you have 4 people on lavs, you can put each person on their own track. It's mic pres aren't the greatest, though, which is where the 722 really shines. If money is a factor, then the R4 is definitely the way to go. It's nice if you can put a mixer in front of it.

-Dave
 
I have used both the Sound Device 744t (same as 722 except 722 has no timecode and 2 channels instead of 4) and the Fostex FR2. Have no experience with the R4 but have heard both good and bad on it.

The advantages of the R4 would be 4 channels instead of 2. Disadvantages would include an interface that is not designed for over the shoulder work. Plastic casing wil almost certainly lead to RF interference with any wireless in close proximity. I have been told the preamps are moderate to poor quality (4 of them at the price, they would have to be). You would need to spend another $1300 to put some decent pre-amps on all 4 channels.

That is what I have heard/know about the R4, anyone who has direct experience with it, please chime in.

The advantages of the Foxtex include ability to upgrade to TC. Disadvantages include very poorly powered (eats thru battery like a hog), has moderate pre-amps, moderate s/n ratio, ok but not great interface, can't continuously feed audio signal thru if you stop recording(learned that one from Jay Rose's review), Actually there is a complete review of the FR2 at DV.com, do a quick search.

As to the 722, it pretty much sets the bar for moderately priced 24 bit NLR. Awesome preamps, great s/n ratio, unbeatable limiters, small and light, easy to view and use interface, great battery life (uses consumer camcorder batteries so it's cheap to get enough rechargable power for several days), can record to CF and HDD simultaneously (the other 2 do not), and great customer service. On top of already being a great recorder, Sound Device is responding directly to customer request and improving thru firmware upgrades. There are no compremises in quality anywhere on this machine. IMHO, Sound Device is everything a good company should be. If you had to find a weakness it would be the pots are small and might take some getting use to.

Recording to 4 channels definately has it's advantages (8 would be even better :grin: ). So if you have mics to fill it out then that is a good reason to consider the R4. The Foxtex is a pretty good recorder for the price if you can't spend more. Plus it does have the ability to upgraded to do TC (although I have heard that you have to send it to an authorized center to upgrade it). The 722 gives you 2 great channels with no need to put better preamps in front. But of course it is the most expensive of the bunch and has no TC option.

Your recording will be no better then it's weakest point which at this point would be the me66. If you have limited funds then building up the rest of your gear before you get the recorder might be the best use of funds. The HVX should have "pretty good" audio.

Just some thoughts to consider...
 
I understand the difficulty. I want wireless, buut listening to one of the tests, the Audio Technica AT4073A sounds far better!
 
I gotta' agree... I cringed and kept reading hoping somebody would point out the obvious... which is to say that getting a 722 to record the audio from an me66 is pure insanity.

The short answer is get a 4073a... the long answer is contained in the link wabbit posted.

I know a guy locally that records live music and does some studio stuff with a 722... but I haven't even TOUCHED it yet. All I know is he just got it at the beginning of August and he's been worshipping a little Sound Devices statue he made ever since.

I wish I could have afforded that route, but my rig is MixPre feeding the 671... and I hope that will satisfy the damn HUNGER that tigeba put into me on the "dvx audio showdown" thread!:huh:
 
I just looked and the cheapest 4073A seems to be B&H in New York. I would have to pay 20% import tax on that but it still would be cheaper than buying in the UK.

So say I go that and wanted to use it on the end of a long boom pole. Can you recommend the best XLR cable to get for it? Would be no point in having a good mic if the cable was crap.

I think I will be heading for the Sound Devices 722. Looking at it, and the quality, if I don't use it much after the feature, I will get a good chunk of the money back on Ebay. I would imagine there would be a Battle Royale taking place over it.
 
No doubt the 722 will be an easy resale for the next couple of years at least (maybe longer depending on what the competition does). I have heard that they are particularly difficult to get in Europe so that should make selling a used one even easier.

The 4073 is considered the perfect compemise of price versus quality. But don't forget you will need a hyper mic if you are trying to get good sound all around. Along with all the other items of mention in that thread. After you fill out those items, a NL recorder is your next best investment toward great audio. If you got those things covered and have the budget for it...Sound Devices all the way.

Still working on my Sound Device alter but in the mean time I just sing it's praises constantly. :grin:

Best
 
Steve... I didn't realize you were in Europe! You might want to check around on the mic... In Germany you can get a 416 (p48) for around $700-800. If you can get a Sennheiser 416 for $700 you should DEFINITELY do that instead of the 4073a...

I love and recommend the 4073a all the time, but that's 'cause it's $550 (in a B&H kit) instead of $1K+ for the 416... if you're in Europe you may be able to get a 416 so cheap that the 4073a would be a worse choice.

I'm sure everybody on this forum will agree with that advice.

The question is whether or not you can get hooked up with one of those mics and not get killed by VAT and import.

Either way I'd check it out.
 
Not sure if this makes a difference in your case, but the Edirol R-4 can be controlled via your cameras LANC. It will start and stop record with the camera.

I have a used R-4 for sale if you're interested PM me.
 
I have the 722. It's beautiful. Small, perfectly formed design. Simple to use. Built like a tank, but sleek, nice battery options, high-end components.

Played with the Fostex. Too clunky for my liking plus I've read bad things about the preamps.

Budget is a factor but I think the resale value of the 722 will remain good for a long time to come as Sound Devices are constantly developing the product with downloadable updates.

Once you get your hands on one you will want to part with the money. Cripes that price is steep in the UK though. I bought mine here in New Zealand for around UK1400 pounds.
 
Looked online at the 722 and most stores seem to have it out of stock. Demand must be high. In the UK it sells for £2200, a ridiculous price as its the same in dollars.

B&H have it at a good price bu none in stock and want my money up front. I would pay a sensible price if it was in and able to be sent straight out.

Now having read all the reviews and listened, i think I will pay the extra and get the 722. I don't think I can go wrong, as others have said its the best, upgradable and will retain its value for a long while.

Now where to get one from?
 
Sound Device is actually backup on most everything they make because of the HUGE demand for the 700 series recorders. I have heard from people in Europe they are damn near impossilbe to get without some sort of long waiting list or knowing someone. From what I have hear is the 744t is actually easier to get then 722 because they make more of the 744t while the demand for the 722 has been much larger then expected....at least that is what I have heard/been told. They also got back logged on production last Spring when the LCD screens took longer then expected to pass thru customs (was brought in from Asia I believe). This lead to a stacking up of the all ready long waiting list.

Anyways, if you are coming to the states you could probably pick up the 744t here and resell it in Europe when your project is done for break even money. How much do you have to declare when you are coming thru customs? The figure of either $5000 or $1000 sticks in my head, I forget.

Anyways, I believe you can find a much shorter waiting list for the 744t (I know of at least one store that has them in stock).

Good luck (great choise by the way :) )
 
Trouble in the Sound Device 744T is $4000! Too much money for me to spend. No wonder there is a shortage of 722's. I can get one in the UK, but its the equivelent to $4000!

I haven't seen one come up on Ebay just yet, though I will continue to look every week. guess I will be in for a hell of a battle though. I do have until next April to source one.
 
You probably won't find one (legit) on ebay. At this point anyone who buys one and plans to sell it will likely use the audio dealer they bought it from. My retailer said she would buy mine back for pretty much a hundred or 2 less then I bought it for 8 months ago...not on your life :)

I tried to inch you up the price ladder with moving from the 722 to 744t...can't blame a guy for trying. Four channels is pretty sweet. Sound recording has never been easier or funnier.

If you got until next April you should be fine for the 722, I believe the waiting lists are a month or two at worse...but not sure.

Good luck
 
Mic: AT4073a
Wireless: Sony UWP-C1 kit with whatever mics you enjoy using (UWP-C1 is good value for money IMHO)
Recorder: SD anyday! Its the best - if you can afford the extra cash, just buy it! Its an awesome investment, like all SD products.
 
I just got some M-Audio Microtrack's in. They are $399. You might want to check one of those out for a secondary recorder. I haven't played with it yet, as a co-worker has it in his hands right now.

-Dave
 
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