Need a new recorder

I

Ivan63

New member
I need a new recorder to replace my Portadisc MDP 500, and am looking for suggestions. First of all let me say that I am sad to see the Portadisc go. Its a really great machine with alot of excellent features. I would however, like to get a machine that can sample at a higher rate and one that can transfer files quicker than real time. From what I have seen the new Sound Devices machines appear to be exactly what I am looking for, however, I don't think that I can afford one at his time. Other machines that I have looked at include the Fostex FR 2, Marantz PMD 671 and 660 and the Roland R -4. Ideally I would like a machine that is compact and has XLR inputs that are line/mic switchable as I would use it in conjunction with my mix-pre. I have read some recent unfavourable posts about some of the above mentioned machines. I have also read that Marantz has recently replaced the mic pres on the 671 and possibly the 660 with better quality ones. Does anyone know if this is true? Any comments /advice about any of these recorders would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
If you don't need timecode, go with the R4. You get 96Khz, 24 bit on a 40 gb hard drive. Sounds good. Easy to use. Fast transfers. Good price. That's the one I'd get.

-Dave
 
Dave,

Thanks for the reply. The R 4 does look like a decent machine. 4 channels would also be a bonus. I noticed in another post that you recommended it for sound FX. Have you recorded dialogue with it? Do you have any suggestions for a production case? Previously with the Portadisc I was able to find an old style portabrace SQN case that had been sitting on the shelf unsold for years really cheap. I took it to a wardrobe person I knew with an industrial machine and did some mods and was able to attach my mix-pre cs1 to the front of it using the velcro attachments.

Thanks again,

John
 
The R4 comes with an over the shoulder bag. It's not great, but good enough. I would use the R4 to record almost anything.

-Dave
 
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