Recording problem with Edirol R-09HR

dave_bass5 · #1 05-31-2009, 04:09 AM

Ive had the above for a good few months now and its always been fine. Last night we we recorded our gig and during the second set the recording jumps every 14 secs. First set was fine.
Not sure what it can be. It MAY be the card but ive just tried a short recording and that seems ok.
The recorder had been on a long time but battery level is fine.

Just wondered if anyone else has had this problem?
Even if its a one off its very worrying.

EDIT: Actually it might be a play back error as the files sound ok on my PC. I was doing a lot of FF so maybe its a buffer thing.

amclaussen · #2 06-18-2009, 01:15 PM

My almost new R09HR has been used less than four times...
But last time it started to act strangely: when I pressed the on-off button, it started powering up, but after showing the welcome screen, it froze up all controls, even the power button, which required me to REMOVE the battery to be able to turn it off!

I've found that the only way to operate it, is by partially extracting the SD-Card, then pushing the power button, which then powers-up the recorder normally, but shows "NO-CARD" message, then I push the SD-Card fully, which causes the display to show "LOADING..." ; after which the recorder appears to work OK.

Even when the manual states that SD-Cards should not be removed or replaced with power on, this is the ONLY way to unfreeze my unit.

I guess the Firmware has a glitch or a bug, but could be that the SD-Card I'm using (a Kingston 16 GB) gives it some trouble.

My email messages to the people at Roland hadn't been answered yet.

Hope this helps. It is a shame such a marvelous concept of a product is flawed or can't be trusted, just imagine trying to record an important, irrepetible Live concert, and being unable to record it!

amclaussen,
Mexico City.

dave_bass5 · #3 06-18-2009, 02:08 PM

Hi mate, thanks for replying
Sorry to hear about yours, ive used mine around 20-25 gigs and its always been fine.
Im also using a Kingston SDHC card, i wonder if its related. I do also have the "no card" error at first boot up but i figure the larger the card the more time it takes to read it.
I notice with smaller cards it all seems to get to a ready stage quicker. Might be worth trying a smaller card.
You could maybe try reloading the Firmware. Ive just updated mine from 1.04 to 1.06. Not sure how long 1.06 has been out so you might already have it but you can always download it and re instal it.

Keep me posted if Roland do reply. Good luck with it.
I hardly ever play back the recordings on the unit itself so not sur eif i have always had this problem but the recordings are fine on my PC.

amclaussen · #4 06-18-2009, 02:59 PM

Hi Dave,
I forgot to say that my Firmware version is 1.05

Last time I've checked their website, the last one posted was 1.04, but my unit, purchased in Houston's Guitar-Center in January-09 came with the 1.05 already installed, so I left it is it was.

Good to know it is now 1.06, I'll try it when I'm at home soon.

Now that I remember better: It appears the first time it started misbehaving, it was with a couple of Alkaline cells, because when I changed them to a couple of NiMH Rechargeables, the problem apparently went away. But it returned soon, so I'm not shure it was batt voltage related. (In both cases I selected the proper battery type setting in the menu).

This next Sunday I have an important Concert to record, I'll be testing my unit tomorrow and will try updating the firmware... I just hope it doesn't fail completely!

At least these forums can give us some idea about the reliability of this unit.

Anyway, if you discover anything new, pls be in contact.

THANX A LOT!

OlSkewl56 · #5 06-19-2009, 05:27 PM

I bought one recently (have recorded 2 practices with it).
Records great, but what do you do to get the output volume up?
I've got mic gain on low, and AGC on. I set the input level at 30 and it seems too high.
At 20 it's very clean, but output in either setting is fairly low volume.
Any tips?
Thanks,

amclaussen · #6 06-19-2009, 05:58 PM

Hi, I'm also new user of this unit; anyway, if I understand correctly, the HEADPHONE output is low?
First, when I'm recording a live session, my input vol goes around 55-70 to get the meters reading up to -4 dB on the highest peaks, that is backing two clicks from where the PEAK LED flashes very briefly, so that it stops flashing but I'm not far form starting to flash. That way the final volume is adecuate for me.
The selection of mic gain depends on how loud is the band or musician playing, how far or close, what matters is to get a correct meter reading, not too low (peaks under -6 Db), neither too high (Peak LED flashing). Personally, I wouldn't use AGC unless recording a voice meeting, for music you want to use the limiter, just to catch any very brief overloading that is too brief to flash the Peak LED.
But let me tell you that this unit output isn't solid enough. When driving more or less hi-efficiency headphones (I have a Sennheiser HD280-Pro) which are medium to high efficient, the volume is barely adecuate, but I have to rise the OUTPUT vol to 95-100... When I use my 5 year old Shure E-1 In-Ear (canal) Earphones, which are very sensible, then I have to reduce the output vol to 75 max, because it is too high over 80. As you can see, when listening tru headphones or earphones, the sensitivity or efficiency is very important. Compared to an Ipod, the R09HR output is lower. Now, if you handle the file on the PC, you can normalize the volume, then it will sound with higher proper volume.
Good Luck,
amclaussen, Mexico City

OlSkewl56 · #7 06-19-2009, 06:15 PM

Thanks, I'll give that a try tomorrow.

dave_bass5 · #8 06-21-2009, 04:42 PM

I agree with amclaussen.
I find i use mine with the level almost full up. certainly in the 90's. This is partly down to me using a low input level though.
I dont really find its a problem as i rarely use it to play back recordings. I put the .wav files in Audition and convert them to .mp3, at the same time joining the files(normally different sets).
I tend to have mine strapped to our singers mic stand as its in the centre of the stage. It picks up everything really well and gets a good stereo image. We have a monitor right by his stand so the vocals come out well.
I have the mic set to low, Limiter on (never use the AGC except with it set to limiting) and the input around 14-18. This does seem quite low but it gives a nice clean recording that can be increased in Audition afterwards. I feel its better to get a clean signal to start with rather than go for max level and risk distortion. I do find the limiter works very well though and you dont get any of that digital distortion you get with some other devices.
This unit has a very good dynamic range so you do need to be careful with the input levels if you wish to keep it as clean as possible. This is why you

By the way, depending on what website you go to you will either see firmware 1.05 or 1.06. I think i got mine from the main Roland site. One of their websites only had 1.05 as the latest.