Practical Guide to the edirol r-09 Amazing 24 bit/48 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/48 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-09. 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 came with the R-09.) So, let's begin live recording with the R-09. Practical Guide to the edirol r-09 Chapter 1 : The outstanding features of the R-09 The outstanding features of the R-09. ............................................................. P.4 Chapter 1 The outstanding features of the R-09 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 Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Chapter 3 : Applied technique Application 1 : Techniques for recording specific instruments............... P.18 Application 2 : Creating CDs on a PC ............................................................... P.20 Application 3 : Deleting unnecessary data on a PC .................................... P.21 Application 4 : Layering sounds on a PC to create a sound track .......... P.22 Application 5 : Techniques for applying file names .................................... P.23 Chapter 3 Applied technique Chapter 4 : Appendix Options for recording on the R-09 .................................................................... P.24 Examples of connecting accessories to the R-09......................................... P.26 Specifications............................................................................................................ P.27 Chapter 4 Appendix Compact, with high sound quality. Chapter Unbelievable high quality The R-09's 24 bit/48 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-09 Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Chapter No rewinding. One-button recording. Unlike tapes, you don't need to search for a place to begin recording. A file is created for each recording, so organizing your files is a snap on your PC. 3 Applied 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-09 fits in your pocket or a corner of your bag. 4 Appendix The outstanding features of the R-09. No mechanical noise. Convenient built-in mic. The R-09 uses an SD card as its recording medium. 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. Practical Guide to the edirol r-09 Chapter 1 The outstanding features of the R-09 Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Record in MP3. MP3 is the most popular format for internet delivery and portable music players. MP3 provides high quality with small data sizes. The R-09 can record in MP3 format, allowing you to transfer your original music to your PC and distribute it over the internet quickly and easily. Chapter 3 Applied technique High-visibility organic EL display. The R-09 supports a wide-angle view, energy-efficient organic EL 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 change without notice. Situation 1 Recording acoustic instruments Chapter 1 The outstanding features of the R-09 Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Chapter Point 1 Setting the recording level Point 2 Positioning the R-09 First, set the recording volume. Play a phrase that has the highest volume, and then adjust the recording level so that the R-09 level meter reaches the highest level without the PEAK indicator, shown in red below, turning on. When the PEAK indicator turns on, the volume is too high. The left and right microphones on the R-09 record sound that the left and right ear, respectively, would hear. So, aim the R-09 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. the See p. 37 inlevel.Owner's Manual for setting the recording specific instru See "Techniquesinfor recordingfor recording ments" on p. 18 this guide different instruments. Point 3 Setting sound quality Practical Guide to the edirol r-09 We recommend recording instruments in WAV format. However, because MP3 recordings are compact, they can be useful for recording instrument practice. Chapter Record Mode Description 1 The outstanding features of the R-09 WAV Get professional recording quality for digital audio by recording in 24 bit/48 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-09 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. MP3 Chapter 2 See p.30-31 in the Owner's Manual for setting the recording mode. Situation practical use technique Music Format Examples Application Recording Mode Description Capacity Chapter 1. Pro Quality WAV 24bit/48kHz Professional recording quality 3 5 minutes Applied technique about 100 MB Creating CDs on the PC 2. CD Quality WAV 16bit/44.1kHz Internet distribution of music 5 minutes about 50 MB Chapter 4 3. Internet music distribution quality MP3 128kbps/44.1kHz 5 minutes about 5 MB Appendix Situation 2 Recording band performances Chapter 1 The outstanding features of the R-09 Chapter 2 Situation practical use technique Chapter Point 1 Setting the mic gain for optimum performance Point 2 Optimizing recording levels Bands are louder than normal everyday sounds. Set the mic gain in the back of the R-09 to LOW. Set to HIGH for quieter sounds Set to LOW for louder sounds Before recording the band, find where the loudest sound occurs. Adjust the recording level so that the R-09 level meter reaches its highest level without the PEAK indicator, shown in red below, turning on. 3 Applied technique Chapter The R-09 allows you to set the basic mic gain in order to utilize its microphone's features to their fullest. By setting this first, the gain is optimized, the recording level is easier to adjust, and, of course, the result is a better recording. Adjust so the PEAK indicator light does not turn on when the loudest sound occurs 4 Appendix Although this process may take some effort, there are great benefits to be gained by doing it. If the level is set too low, the entire recording will be recorded at a low volume; if the sound level is set too high, then the sound will be "clipped," with pops and snaps. the See p. 37 inlevel.Owner's Manual for setting the recording Point 3 Placing the R-09 Point 4 Setting sound quality Practical Guide to the edirol r-09 In rehearsal studios, instruments are placed in various locations throughout the room. To record the sound from each instrument equally, place the R-09 in the middle of the studio at about the height of a table. Placing the R-09 on the floor can garble the sound and the recording will not be clear. If the R-09 is placed too high, the lower frequencies will be dropped and the recording will sound tinny. Drums Choose the sound quality according to the purpose. If sound quality is important: WAV If long recording time is important: Chapter 1 MP3 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-09, 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-09 recording for an entire session for later review. p.30-31 in the Owner's See recording mode. Manual for setting the The outstanding features of the R-09 Place in the middle Chapter Bass Amp Guitar Amp 2 Situation practical use technique PA Speakers for Vocals and Keyboard The optional Cover/Stand Set is not just a simple protective cover. The optional cover/stand set (OP-R09C) 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-09 to a mic stand. With a single mic stand, you can place the R-09 in the optimal position and the optimal height in the studio. Chapter Convenient stand attachment! 3 Applied technique Chapter 4 Appendix The R-09 cover attaches directly to camera tripods The R-09 cover attaches directly to microphone stands when using the mic stand adaptor (OP-R09M) Situation 3 Recording from cassettes or MD 10 Chapter 1 The outstanding features of the R-09 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-09 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-09. The R-09's audio input uses a stereo mini-plug. 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-09 uses a stereo mini-plug. Most compact cassette players and MD 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. the See p. 37 inlevel.Owner's Manual for setting the recording 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 change without notice. Point 3 Setting sound quality Practical Guide to the edirol r-09 Use WAV format to preserve important recordings that are faithful to the source. If creating CD WAV 16bit/44.1kHz For professional quality Chapter 1 WAV 24bit/48kHz 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/48 kHz setting. However, be aware that the 24 bit/48 kHz setting takes up a lot of memory (in other words, the recording time on the SD ca ...