Roland R-44 Portable Field Recorder

M

Movie_Dude_3

Well-known member
Hey guys,

Just got one of these babies at work: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542280-REG/Edirol_Roland_R_44_R_44_Solid_State_Four_Channel_Portable.html

Thought I'd use it to film round table discussions or interviews that consisted of more than one person at a time.

Up until this point, I have used Sony lavalier mics with a Panasonic GH1 camera. In order to hook the mic up to get on board audio, I have required a 3.5mm to 2.5mm adapter. I thought the R-44 supported this connection but upon receiving it, noticed that it had 4 XLR ports. It still insists, I believe, that my adapter is compatible. Take a look at this image:

IMG_9371.jpg

Please let me know if I'm mistaken. If I am, I'll need to find an XLR adapter. Any recommendations would be terrific!
 
Look like you need a 3.5mm to 1/4" adapter. The XLR plugs are hybrid XLR+1/4" plugs. The question is, do the lavs need plug-in power, which the Roland probably won't supply.
 
edinc90 said:
Look like you need a 3.5mm to 1/4" adapter. The XLR plugs are hybrid XLR+1/4" plugs. The question is, do the lavs need plug-in power, which the Roland probably won't supply.
Click to expand...
It does supply phantom power, but the lavs run on AA batteries.
 
edinc90 said:
Look like you need a 3.5mm to 1/4" adapter. The XLR plugs are hybrid XLR+1/4" plugs. The question is, do the lavs need plug-in power, which the Roland probably won't supply.
Click to expand...
If the XLR/1/4" combo connector does not automatically switch to Line level, a 3.5mm to 1/4" adapter would likely work if in fact the mics have their own battery power. Or a 3.5mm to XLR adapter., in either case. Make dang sure the Phantom Power is switched OFF.
If the 1/8" plugs are on the mics are set-up to feed both channels, you could have serious phase issues inputting to balanced.
 
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Chadfish said:
Many lavs run on "Plug-In Power" and I think the Rode 3.5-to-XLR adapter converts Phantom to Plug-in power. Can't 100% sure. Maybe email them.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/387850-REG/Rode_VXLR_VXLR_Mono_Mini_Jack.html
Click to expand...

Nope, the Rode adapter does no power conversion. Is wired both TRS tip and TRS ring to pin 2, TRS sleeve to pin 3 with jumper to pin 1. When a stereo mic is plugged into it, it puts both left and right in parallel onto the XLR hot pin.
 
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Movie_Dude_3 said:
Got the XLRs and everything seems to plug in, but I'm still getting no sound.
Click to expand...

A couple of years ago I bought a special 3.5mm to XLR inline compact adapter from Trew Audio that converted phantom 48v down to lavelier power. It cost me $140 at the time, and it's worked perfectly every since.
 
TheDingo said:
A couple of years ago I bought a special 3.5mm to XLR inline compact adapter from Trew Audio that converted phantom 48v down to lavelier power. It cost me $140 at the time, and it's worked perfectly every since.
Click to expand...

Would I need this even if the lavs provide their own power? (via double A battery)
 
Movie_Dude_3 said:
Would I need this even if the lavs provide their own power? (via double A battery)
Click to expand...

I doubt it. The battery powered lavs should be putting out a MIC level signal and a Rode 3.5mm to XLR adapter should work with this. Your recorder is definitely set to MIC level input ? ( with phantom OFF )
 
You should test your lav set up in a different recorder as one test. Then Plug a regular XLR mic into the R44 as another test. You need to track down what the issue is - either your R-44 or your lavs.
 
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