User manual EDIROL R-09HR - GUIDE

PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE EDIROL R-09HR Amazing 24 bit/96 kHz super sound quality! Ultra-lightweight recorder. Fits in your pocket! Functional! Fun! Record anywhere! Detailed explanation of practical techniques. Welcome to the World of Live Recording. Record band performances. Record bird songs. Record children singing. Record trains. Record realistically. Record the air around you. Record in uncompressed 24 bit/96 kHz. Record, record, and record some more. Everyone wants to record the sounds of their lives. This book is written for those who are new to the world of Live Recording using the EDIROL R-09HR. It's a practical how-to book filled with hints and explanations for every recording situation. (For specific operating instructions, please see the owner's manual that cames with the R-09HR.) So, let's begin live recording with the R-09HR. PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE EDIROL R-09HR Chapter Chapter 1 : The outstanding features of the R-09HR The outstanding features of the R-09HR. ....................................................... p. 4 1 The outstanding features of the R-09HR Chapter Chapter 2 : Situation practical use technique Situation 1 : Recording acoustic instruments ............................................... p. 6 Situation 2 : Recording band performances.................................................. p. 8 Situation 3 : Recording from cassettes or MD............................................... p. 10 Situation 4 : Recording vocals............................................................................. p. 12 Situation 5 : Recording outdoors....................................................................... p. 14 Situation 6 : Recording meetings ...................................................................... p. 16 2 Situation practical use technique Chapter Chapter 3 : Applied technique Application 1 : Techniques for recording specific instruments............... p. 18 Application 2 : Save to a PC!! ............................................................................... p. 20 Application 3 : Deleting unnecessary data on a PC .................................... p. 21 Application 4 : Creating CDs on a PC ............................................................... p. 22 Application 5 : Techniques for applying file names .................................... p. 23 3 Applied technique Chapter Chapter 4 : Appendix Options for recording on the R-09HR .............................................................. p. 24 Examples of connecting accessories to the R-09HR................................... p. 26 Specifications............................................................................................................ p. 27 4 Appendix 3 Compact, with high sound quality. Chapter Unbelievable high quality The R-09HR's 24 bit/96 kHz quality is suitable for professional recording studios and surpasses the 16 bit/44.1 kHz standard for CDs. You can capture the dynamics and details of recorded sound. 1 The outstanding features of the R-09HR Chapter No searching!! Start recording immediately by pressing a button!! Immediately playback!! Unlike tapes, you don't need to search for the beginning of a recording. And you can check the recording on-site with the internal monitor speaker!! 2 Situation practical use technique Chapter Ultra-light. Take it anywhere, anytime. A heavy recorder is just another burden when you're carrying a lot of luggage. The ultra-light, compact R-09HR fits in your pocket or a corner of your bag. 3 Applied technique Chapter 4 Reduce operation noise with the remote control!! You can adjust recording levels or start playback using the remote control. You can also eliminate worry about recording noise from button operations by using the remote control even when recording nearby. Appendix 4 PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE EDIROL R-09HR The outstanding features of the R-09HR. Chapter 1 No mechanical noise. Convenient built-in mic. The R-09HR uses an SD card as its recording media. Recording doesn't involve moving parts, so you don't have to worry about recording the mechanical noises associated with tape- and disc-based recorders. The built-in stereo mic is both practical and powerful. The outstanding features of the R-09HR Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Includes "pyro Audio Creator LE" from Cakewalk!! Includes "pyro Audio Creator LE" software for waveform editing. You can freely edit recorded sounds on a PC and create CDs! Chapter 3 Applied technique High-visibility OLED display. The R-09HR supports a wide-angle view, energy-efficient OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display that can be used outdoors or onstage. The level meters respond quickly, and the display has a separate peak indicator. These features allow you to precisely set your recording level. Chapter 4 Appendix Note: The actual specifications, appearance, or display screen of the product may be subject to change without notice. 5 Situation 1 Chapter Recording acoustic instruments 1 The outstanding features of the R-09HR Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Chapter Point 1 Setting the recording level Point 2 Positioning the R-09HR First, set the recording volume. Play a phrase that has the highest volume, and then adjust the recording level so that the R-09HR level meter reaches the highest level without the PEAK indicator, shown in red below, turning on. When the PEAK indicator turns on, the input volume is too high. The left and right microphones on the R-09HR record sound that the left and right ear, respectively, would hear. So, aim the R-09HR to directly at what you want to record. Also, moving closer to the sound source creates a more distinct recording, while moving further away softens the sound by recording the ambient sound of the room. 3 Applied technique Chapter Aim directly at the sound source. 4 Appendix If the level is set too low, fidelity is lost. If the sound level is set too high, pops and snaps may be produced. See p. 45 in the Owner's Manual for setting the recording level. 6 See "Techniques for recording specific instruments" on p. 18 in this guide for recording different instruments. Point 3 Setting sound quality PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE EDIROL R-09HR We recommend recording instruments in WAV format. However, because MP3 recordings are compact in file size, they can be useful for recording instrument practice. Chapter Record Mode Description 1 Get professional recording quality for digital audio by recording in 24 bit/96 kHz. Recording in 16 bit/44.1 kHz allows you to transfer data to the PC and burn a CD without any conversion. The MP3 data format was created to preserve the quality of WAV data while compressing the file size. Until now, you had to convert WAV file to an MP3 on a PC, but the R-09HR allows you to record in MP3 format directly. Not only can you transfer data to a PC and distribute it directly on the internet, you can also record hours of practice, taking advantage of the smaller file size. The outstanding features of the R-09HR WAV MP3 Chapter 2 See p. 38-39 in the Owner's Manual for setting the recording mode. Situation practical use technique Music Format Examples Application Recording Mode Description Capacity Chapter 3 1. Pro Quality WAV 24 bit/96 kHz Professional recording quality 5 minutes Applied technique about 200 MB Creating CDs on the PC 2. CD Quality WAV 16 bit/44.1 kHz 5 minutes about 50 MB Internet distribution of music Chapter 4 3. Internet music distribution quality MP3 128 kbps/44.1 kHz 5 minutes Appendix about 5 MB 7 Situation 2 Chapter Recording band performances 1 The outstanding features of the R-09HR Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Chapter Point 1 What is a good level? Point 2 Placing the R-09HR Bands are louder than normal everyday sounds. Set the mic gain in the back of the R-09HR to LOW. Set LIMITER/AGC to ON When instruments are placed in various locations in a room, like a rehearsal studio, you should position the R-09HR in the middle of the studio to record the sound of each instrument equally. The microphone should be placed at about table height. If the mic is placed on the floor, the sound is muffled and unclear; if it is placed too high, you lose the bass range and the sound becomes tinny. Drums 3 Applied technique Chapter Set to HIGH for quieter sounds Set to LOW for louder sounds Bass Amp Place in the middle 4 Appendix Also, you should turn on the limiter. The limiter is a feature that suppresses noise by lowering the volume level when the sound input is too high. Guitar Amp PA Speakers for Vocals and Keyboard Remote Of course, once the R-09HR is setup, you can use the remote to adjust the recording level or to start/stop the recording. 8 Point 3 Optimizing recording levels Point 4 Setting sound quality PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE EDIROL R-09HR Before recording the band, find where the loudest sound occurs. Adjust the recording level so that the R-09HR level meter reaches its highest level without the PEAK indicator, shown in red below, turning on. Choose the sound quality according to the purpose. If sound quality is important: Chapter WAV If long recording time is important: 1 The outstanding features of the R-09HR MP3 Adjust so the PEAK indicator light does not turn on when the loudest sound occurs For example, we recommend recording in WAV format when you want to archive material or when you'll use the recording as the master for making a CD. WAV format maximizes the features of the R-09HR, so it's appropriate for recordings you want to keep. On the other hand, we recommend recording in MP3 format when reviewing practices at rehearsal studios or when making long recordings. You can leave the R-09HR recording for an entire session for later review. See p. 38-39 in the Owner's Manual for setting the recording mode. Chapter 2 When you are using a remote control, you can use the remote indicator to determine the recording level. Adjust the level so that the remote indicator does not blink fast. See p. 45 in the Owner's Manual for setting the recording level. Situation practical use technique The optional Cover/Stand Set is not just a simple protective cover. The optional cover/stand set (OP-R09HR-C) is not just a protective cover--it connects to the included stand. The cover can also attach to commercially available tripods for cameras or video cameras. So if you need the extra stability, you can use a tripod in place of the stand. In addition, you can use the mic stand adaptor (OP-R09M) to attach the R-09HR to a mic stand. With a single mic stand, you can place the R-09HR in the optimal position and the optimal height in the studio. Chapter Convenient stand attachment! 3 Applied technique Chapter 4 Appendix The R-09HR cover attaches directly to camera tripods The R-09HR cover attaches directly to microphone stands when using the mic stand adaptor (OP-R09M) 9 Situation 3 Chapter Recording from cassettes 10 1 The outstanding features of the R-09HR Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Chapter Point 1 Setting the recording level Point 2 Selecting the cables to use First, check the volume setting on the playback device. If the volume is set too low, then the volume of the recording will be too low no matter how high the R-09HR input level is set. Conversely, if the volume is too high, the sound will be distorted no matter how you adjust the level on the R-09HR. The R-09HR's audio input uses a stereo miniplug. Select a cable that's compatible with the output jack(s) on the playback machine. Most combo or radio-cassette units use an RCA plug; most compact players use a stereo mini-plug. Verify the type of plug used by the playback device in its owner's manual. 3 Applied technique Chapter The R-09HR uses a stereo mini-plug. Most compact cassette players and digital audio players also use this plug type. If the recording level is too low, the level meter doesn't move much. If the recording is made with these settings, then the sound at playback will be unsatisfactory. 4 Appendix Next, find the loudest point of the song to be recorded. Every song has its loudest and quietest points. Set the level so that PEAK light doesn't quite turn on when the loudest section is played. See p. 45 in the Owner's Manual for setting the recording level. RCA connectors are often used for sound input to mini component stereo sets and video decks. Note: The actual specifications, appearance, or display screen of the product may be subject to change without notice. Point 3 Setting sound quality PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE EDIROL R-09HR Use WAV format to preserve important recordings that are faithful to the source. If creating CD Chapter WAV 16 bit/44.1 kHz For professional quality 1 The outstanding features of the R-09HR WAV 24 bit/96 kHz Because 16 bit/44.1 kHz is the same setting used on audio CDs, it's ideal for burning to CD for playback on a CD player. This format is great for making CDs to pass out to friends, or to keep. If the sound source is high quality, it may be preferable to use the best quality 24 bit/96 kHz setting. However, be aware that the 24 bit/96 kHz setting takes up a lot of memory (in other words, the recording time on the SD card is shorter). Also, when making a CD on a PC, you'll need software capable of handling a 24 bit/96 kHz sound recording. See p. 38-39 in the Owner's Manual for setting the recording mode. Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Checking the playback settings is also important! Portable cassette players and MD players often have built-in features such as equalizers or bass boosters to intensify the sound. These features are important when listening outdoors so you can enjoy the music. However, we recommend turning these features off when recording on the R-09HR for your archives. Mini component stereo sets and cassettes players also use features such as bass boosting or loudness to intensify the sound from the compact speakers. These features should also be turned off. If these features are left on, then the lower frequencies will be louder than the other frequencies. If recorded in this state, the original sound will not be recorded faithfully. Also, it's difficult to edit or process these recording later on so that they resemble the original sound. The best method is to faithfully record the original sound, and then use editing software on a PC to do any additional processing. Doing so allows you to preserve a faithful recording of the original sound. Using a copy of the recording, you can then edit or process the sound as much as you like. Chapter 3 Applied technique Chapter 4 Appendix See p. 20 in this guide for PC applications 11 Situation 4 Chapter Recording vocals 12 1 The outstanding features of the R-09HR Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Chapter Point 1 Setting recording levels Point 2 Placing the R-09HR Have the singer sing the loudest section of the song. Since the singer may quickly tire of singing just for setting a recording level, try to determine the level quickly. Remember that body temperature rises after singing for a while, and the voice can get louder. It may be a good idea to set the level a little lower to compensate for this. See p. 45 in the Owner's Manual for setting the recording level. When using the R-09HR internal mic, use the R-09HR as if it's a microphone. You can place the R-09HR as you would a microphone by using the optional cover/ stand set (OP-R09HR-C) and the mic stand adaptor (OP-R09M). 3 Applied technique Chapter 4 Appendix Unlike other types of recording, when recording vocals, you should be aware that the singer's breaths may be captured by the mic. You can prevent this by using a pop guard (see photo on left). Point 3 Setting the recording quality Point 4 Precautions when singing PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE EDIROL R-09HR Using for vocal training and checking vocals Sounds like vocals have subtleties that are best captured by high sound quality. Since long recordings are not likely, use 16 bit/44.1 kHz or better high-quality WAV format. Keep in mind that if you use the 16 bit/44.1 kHz WAV format, you won't need to do any conversions on your PC when using the recording to make a CD. The R-09HR internal microphone records in stereo, so sound is recorded realistically. However, if the vocalist's head moves during the recording, the sound will move from side to side during playback. The playback of such a recording results in minute fluctuations that don't sound very good. The R-09HR internal mic is omni-directional, so these fluctuations are less noticeable. Consequently, this caution does not have to be strictly observed, but with a little effort, a steady recording can easily be made. Don't move your head Chapter 1 The outstanding features of the R-09HR Using as a voice memo recorder If you're using the R-09HR to record ideas for songs or melodies, use the MP3 format. The sound quality is sufficient to jog your memory for melodies. Because the data is compressed, you have the additional bonus of being able to record for longer periods of time. See p. 38-39 in the Owner's Manual for setting the recording mode. Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Using the Reverb function to add ambience Often when recording for CD, a reverb effect is added to vocals and acoustic instruments. Reverb is an effect that adds an aesthetic ambience to a song like one might hear in a concert hall. The R-09HR has a feature to add a reverb effect during playback. This feature is convenient for listening to a recording to hear how it sounds with reverb applied. When using the reverb feature, record about 4 inch (10 cm) from the mic to cut out unnecessary natural ambience. If ambience is recorded, it will interfere with the reverb and the sound will become garbled. Chapter 3 Applied technique Chapter 4 Appendix Press the REVERB button to apply four types of reverb effects during playback on the R-09HR! 13 Situation 5 Chapter Recording outdoors 14 1 The outstanding features of the R-09HR Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Chapter Point 1 Setting the recording level Point 2 Using the Limiter Effectively Set the R-09HR mic gain to HIGH when recording bird songs or other quiet sounds. This setting makes the microphone very sensitive so that even the smallest sounds are captured. Conversely, set the mic gain to LOW when recording nearby loud noises such as trains for proper mic sensitivity. Set to HIGH for quieter sounds Set to LOW for louder sounds The limiter is a feature that reduces the recording level when the sound being recorded becomes too high. When the limiter is on and a loud sound is suddenly played, the noise is moderated. But, if the sound being recorded often goes over the set input level, then a sound that you want may be moderated. When you listen to the recording later, the overall sound may be muffled. In the end, setting the input level to the correct level is a major point. 3 Applied technique Chapter 4 Appendix Set LIMITER/AGC to ON After setting the mic gain, check the input level. Remember to check the PEAK indicator when the loudest sound is heard! See p. 45 in the Owner's Manual for setting the recording level. Point 3 Positioning the R-09HR Point 4 Setting sound quality PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE EDIROL R-09HR It is best to plan where to point the mic by imagining listening to the recording later. For example, you can create a realistic feel by recording the murmuring of a brook on the right and the twittering of the birds on the left. In normal situations, when you want even just a little better quality, it's best to record in WAV format. However, if you're recording outside, you will probably want to record for an extended time. For this situation, MP3 may be best. MP3 recordings are about 1/10 the size of WAV recordings (at 128 kpbs). Recording time for 256 MB 300 minutes Chapter 1 The outstanding features of the R-09HR Increase realism with stereo recording 250 minutes 200 minutes When the wind is strong, try changing the mic direction or to use some wind break, such as a handkerchief or urethane sponge, so that the wind doesn't directly blow into the mic. You can determine the right direction by recording while monitoring with headphones to keep noise from being recorded. Chapter 150 minutes 100 minutes 2 Situation practical use technique 50 minutes minutes WAV (44.1 kHz/16 bit) MP3 (44.1 kHz/128 kbps) When an external mic is convenient Whenever you record outside, there's always the chance that you may not be able to get to the place you want to record from. With an external mic, you can sometimes reach those hard-to-get-to spots. Use the optional stereo mic (CS-15), sold separately. This mic can capture sound from a specific location, allowing you to target the sound you want. So you can target the sound you want. And since the R-09HR operates independently of the mic position, you can move more freely in the outdoors. Chapter 3 Applied technique Chapter Using LOW CUT to block wind noise If a strong wind blows into the mic, other sounds will be affected by the sound of the wind. Sometimes the wind is louder than the sound you're trying to record, making it impossible to get the recording you want. If this happens, try turning on LOW CUT located on the back of the R-09HR. Because the wind sounds produce low frequencies, you can reduce the noise by cutting out the lower frequencies during recording. 4 Appendix Turn LOW CUT on to cut out lower frequency sounds 15 Situation 6 Chapter Recording meetings 16 1 The outstanding features of the R-09HR Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Chapter Point 1 Setting the recording level for meetings Point 2 What mic should I use? Where should I point it? First, set the mic gain to HIGH. For normal everyday volumes, such as meetings, setting the mic sensitivity to HIGH is best. You can do level checks by putting the R-09HR into recording standby during the pre-meeting chatter. You can also turn AGC (Auto Gain Control) on. It automatically raises or lowers the recording level to match the loudness of the sound. When you listen later, you will have a record that has a balanced volume. Because the same switch is used for the limiter, set the switch function to AGC on/off. The R-09HR mic is omnidirectional, so if you want to record all participants equally in order to clearly record conversation, place it in the middle of the table. When placing it on the table, you can eliminate noise from the table by using a cover stand set (OP-R09HR-C), sold separately. You should exercise some caution because a loud noise for even a short time can interfere with recording the conversation. Also, when recording a distant single speaker or sound source, such as a lecture, it is advantageous to use the separately sold stereo mic (CS-15). This mic records only the sound from the targeted point, so you can reduce the sounds from the audiences, such as talking or coughing. 3 Applied technique Chapter Set LIMITER/AGC to ON SET MIC GAIN to HIGH 4 Appendix See p. 102 of the Owner's manual to set the function of the LIMITER/AGC switch. The R-09HR with the optional cover/stand set. The R-09HR looks quite stylish on the tripod. The external microphone can also be setup as shown. Point 3 Setting sound quality Point 4 Playback Feature can also be used for transcribing PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE EDIROL R-09HR Since the purpose of recording a meeting is to be able to hear what is being said, there is no strict requirement for good sound quality. More importantly, the recording will often be for an extended time, so MP3 is probably the best format. MP3 is recommended for extended recordings If you need to record for a longer time, set the bit rate to 64 kpbs. Although this level of compression will degrade the quality, it's sufficient for recording conversations during meetings. See p. 38-39 in the Owner's Manual for setting the recording mode. You can change the R-09HR playback speed by pressing the SPEED button during playback. So you can slow down playback when the lecturer speaks too quickly to understand. You can also use the AB repeat buttons during playback to define a section to play over several times. The R-09HR can become a valuable assistant for transcription if you freely use the "slow playback" and "repeat playback" features. See p. 64 in the Owner's Manual about setting playback speeds. See p. 56 in the Owner's Manual about using the AB repeat buttons. Chapter 1 The outstanding features of the R-09HR Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Using Auto Gain Control (AGC) The AGC automatically changes the recording level according to the volume of the sound being recorded. You may think that this convenient feature should be left on all the time. However, there are times when using AGC is not appropriate. This is especially the case when you're trying to capture the true nature of a sound. For example, if you record a piano recital with AGC on, you would lose all the inflection and dynamism of the piano because the sound would be recorded at the same volume throughout. Also, the recording level is constantly being increased and decreased, giving the recording a less natural sound. For meetings and lectures, it's best to keep the volume even so that you can capture what's being said. This is when the AGC feature can be best put to use. Chapter 3 Turning AGC on causes the recording level to be automatically adjusted Applied technique Chapter 4 Appendix 17 Application 1 Chapter Techniques for recording specific instruments Vocals Ideally, recording occurs in a studio or other enclosed space that excludes outside noises. If you're recording in a room, choose a room where there is little environmental noise (street noise or city noise) and that doesn't echo much. The mic should be placed directly in front of the singer. However, you can place the mic a little below the mouth to reduce the sound of breathing. By doing this, a more rounded sound, with more lower frequencies, can be recorded, depending on the voice quality or the settings. To prevent this effect, set LOWCUT to ON. Doing so will make the sound more crisp. 18 1 The outstanding features of the R-09HR Chapter Record from the front Avoid recording breaths (when breathing is loud) Acoustic Guitar The acoustic guitar provides rich mid and low frequency sounds. However, if these sounds are too loud, the music may sound muffled. In this case, don't change the position of the mic (which should be around the 15th or 17th fret), but change its angle so that the mic is at an angle from the neck of the guitar. This should make the sound clearer. When you want to record the sharp sound of strumming the guitar, place the microphone away from the body near the point where neck is attached, in order to record the string vibration while reducing the level of the low and mid frequencies. Sound hole 2 Situation practical use technique Chapter Muffled sound Clear sound Capture the strumming sound 3 Applied technique Chapter Loud output 3m Quiet output 1m Electric guitar or bass Emphasize high frequencies When playing the guitar or bass in a studio, the volume and settings are the same as for performances, in general. If you want to give the feeling of recording in a room, place the microphone 10 feet (3 m) or more away. Be aware however, that if you place the microphone too far away, the sound may become less clear because there's too much room ambience. On the other hand, to create the impression of the instrument playing directly in front of the listener, place the microphone about 3 feet (1 m) away or less. If you're recording in a room, it's best to directly connect an effect processor with an amp modeling feature, or an amp to the R-09HR via cables. Devices with internal amp modeling can provide realistic sounds when connected via cables. Emphasize low frequencies 4 Synthesizers and organs Connect digital instruments such as synthesizers, organs, samplers, or rhythm machines directly to the R-09HR LINE IN jack. In particular, digital synthesizers may have effects or mastering features that allow the faithful recording of their sounds through cable connections. For instruments using an amp, use the same distance rules as for an electric guitar using an amp, as shown above. Appendix