4-Channel Portable Recorders (or 2x 2-ch)?

[iluvatar]

I'm in the market for a 4-ch portable recorder (with 4 preamps & phantom power), primarily for sound effect & ambience gathering, not classical recording. I really have to stay under $1200, but for the sake of discussion let's pretend I can go up to $2500 - I'd rather wait and save for something better than buy crap now. I'm also open to buying used.

From looking around, their don't seem to be too many options: Edirol makes the R-44 and R-4 Pro (and the recently-discontinued R-4). Sound Devices has the 744T which only has 2 preamps and is considerably out of my price range. Other than that, I couldn't find much. There are boat-loads of 2-ch models as well as some pricey 6+ch options, but not many with 4 channels. Are there any I'm missing? Maybe something discontinued?

One thing I've noticed from reading various articles is that it seems like a lot of guys at all levels (amateur to high-end pro) readily use a couple 2-ch devices at the same time, instead of one multitrack. I was a bit concerned about sample drift on longer recordings, but if it's not a significant problem, would/could I be better off with just a pair of stereo recorders? It seems like that would open up a lot of options.

-Dan.

[NorseHorse]

OADE BROTHERS AUDIO Field Recording Experts, Sony, Tascam, Marantz, Fostex, Compact Flash recorders

My own R-44 is on it's way now. Oade Audio sells R-44, R-4, and R-4Pros at the same price as everywhere else, but these are modded (improved preamps). I won't have the opportunity to compare mine to a stock one, at least not for some time, but I figured since the mod is the same price, I better go with it. I will be able to compare/combine it with some other preamps I have.

One of the main reasons I chose to go with the R-44 is because it records to external media (SD card) instead of an internal hard-drive. While I'm at it, I might as well just spill my thoughts. R-44 looked good to me because:

- Four channels
- 24-bit
- Mic/Line-Ins, phantom power
- No special cables
- Battery powered, if needed
- SD Card
- Small/Light

I've run parrallel recorders before and sample drift is a pain.

[Ozpeter]

The R-44 is just fine for music recordings, in terms of preamp noise. If you wanted to make nature recordings of the kind where very high amplification is required, its noise level is not necessarily the best possible. But I stress that that's in situations where freaky gain is involved - in real world music use, you'd never hear any noise.

Avisoft Bioacoustics - Microphone Input Noise Comparision makes interesting reading.

[Ozpeter]

Zoom Gear & Home Recording Forum • View topic - Where were you with your H2? Sample recordings thread. is a link to a Zoom H2 ambience recording - well, it's a four channel device, but not for external inputs.

[boojum]

I have two SD 722's that I can link via "C-Link" so that the word clocks synch to the master unit. Drift is not an issue that way. The two units start and stop based on the button of the master. Kind of sweet. Just to answer your quesiton. I know you are not looking to spend that much.

Good luck in your search.

Cheers

[John Willett]

Probably the best without going to a Nagra VI or 788T is the 744T with a stereo external mic. pre. for the other two channels.

If this is definitely out of budget, then the Edirol R-44 or R04-Pro are the best bet.

A friend of mine has ditched his Deva and gone for the 04-Pro as he finds it better!

[matthewd]

I love the Sound Devices and hire them from time to time and have considered buying the 788. Then a friend bought the R-44 which I have taken out a few times and for the money, it is a great bit of kit. Nice build, well thought out and easy to use. Unless you need timecode, it is hard to justify the Sound Devices unless you want the reassure of industrial strength.

Matt

[aracu]

An advantage to using two linked Sound Devices is that you can monitor a mid side recording without processing it, while monitoring two more channels, and monitor different volume levels between two mic pairs without effecting the recording. Still, it might be preferable to use one Sound Devices 788 or Nagra VI, to simplify things.