Marantz CDR420 Portable
The Marantz CDR420 is a stand-alone audio recorder to record either MP3 or uncompressed .WAV file with a 20 gig HD and CD burner built in. You can burn a series of traditional audio CDs or one MP3 data CD internally, without the need to transfer to a computer.
The Marantz CDR420 can record and store up to 1800 hours of MP3 quality recordings or 24 hours of uncompressed 44.1/48kHz quality recordings. This unit also incorporates USB 2.0 for fast file transfer to computer. Aditional features: XLR, 1/4 inch and Digital S/PDIF inputs, Phantom Power (For external Condenser Microphones), High-Quality Built-in Condenser Microphone, Integrated Limiter and Auto Record Level Control. MSRP $1099 US.
-paul.
I picked up one of these because I wanted the ability to create CDs right away after recording. Overall it’s pretty nice, lots of good features, but the preamps distort very easily. I think I’m going to have to use an outboard preamp. Another thing is that when I turn the limiter on, the volume jumps, the sound becomes very noisy, and the distortion kicks in. I think I’m going to have to use an outboard limiter too.
Does it really make sense to include a CD writer if it has a hard drive? It seems to be pretty redundant as it would be easier to just directly extract the data without an intermidiate CD. Maybe it’s just showing my ignorance of how some shops work with certain types of proprietary mastering systems that don’t have USB.
Yeah, it would be redundant to use it to transfer data–the CDR420 has a USB for that. I use it to burn audio CDs at the performance for the participants, and maybe to sell to listeners who want a copy.