Cymatic Audio LR 16 USB Live Recorder Review
In this video James takes a look at the new Cymatic Audio LR-16 Live Recorder and finds that it is more than just a hardware recorder.
After seeing this video, Cymatic gave us some additional information about the unit.
You do a TREMENDOUS job on your reviews. No wonder your site is as popular as it is! I can’t thank you enough for hitting all the key points. My only comments are:
#1
- The LR-16 uses Inserts as its main connectivity. When using line level direct outputs we recommend these cable types.
Connecting recording sources
The Live Recorder LR-16 is best connected to recording sources that provide per-channel inserts. Connect your recording source with standard TRS to TRS ‘insert cables’ to the LR-16 inputs on the rear panel of the device.
Recording sources can be:
• Mixer desks equipped with channel inserts
• Audio interfaces or amplifiers equipped with channel inserts
If you are not using an insert source for recording (tip=send, ring=return) it is recommended to use a special cable where only the tip is connected and the ring is left unconnected. The LR-16 should always have a TRS connection to ensure proper unbalanced loads.
How do you connect to Direct Outs on a console or Mic Pre?
Since the LR-16 uses Insert Style Inputs it is recommended to use a special cable where only the tip is connected and the ring is left unconnected. You can also use TRS Male to TS Female adapters to bring balanced and unbalanced line inputs into the unit. For example use a TS Female-to-TRS Male adapter at the LR16 inputs (e.g.PF2-PM3-ADPTR by Cable Up or GPP-419 by Hosa), to avoid shorting audio to GND. This will allow you connect a standard TS to TS cable to the LR-16 without signal loss or attenuation.
#2- As for the Thumb Drive….we are quite aware that many commonly found thumb drives do not have the write speeds and access memory to sustain multichannel recording but there are a growing number of drives that do. Here is what we state on our FAQ section on our site.
USB 2.0 Thumb Drives
Thumb drives used for Direct-to-USB recording have to be USB2.0 compatible and guarantee a sustained data transfer rate of at least 25 Mbit/s when writing in order to ensure drop-out free 16 track recording.
In order to prepare and optimize the file system on a USB thumb drive, it is strongly advised to format the drive with the Live Recorder’s format function regardless of the outcome of the USB device performance test in order to minimize the risk of drop-outs during recording.
Some USB thumb drives show, even when the Live Recorder performance test was passed successfully, an unstable performance when used for longer recordings.
For ‘mission critical’ recordings please use a USB2.0 hard disk or make sure to thoroughly test the thumb drive you are intending to use by recording to it for a longer period of time and checking whether the device indicates that drop-outs have occurred while recording (number of drop-outs will be shown at top of screen)
Endorsing any specific brand or model is very difficult due to varying chip set integration. Many manufactures change chip sets due to cost and this makes endorsing any particular model and brand next to impossible. Below are some 3rd party recommendation however to help you in your search for an adequate drive. One last remark, the use of Thumb Drives is more of a novelty due to the cost per MB value you get with a regular USB Hard Disk…hence our consistent recommendation of that format.
USB Thumb Drive Performance from Tom’s Hardware
Who Rates It?
http://www.whoratesit.com/Best-Flash-Drive/Comparison/1
Please don’t think I am being snippy! :) These are just things I thought you should know in case people comment or you wish to make any comment addendum to your video. In some ways its best that you said what you said as it creates more confusion or discussion for some guys.
I also just want to emphasize that we take our tech support very seriously and want to address many of these kinds of questions head on and give the guys the answers they are looking for before buying the product. I’m not sure if you know but I started RME in North America in 1999 and was their CEO in the States for their first seven years and brought them to prominence and this is my newest baby. I want to bring that level of support to products like this at a great price to boot.
Please have a look at our FAQ section and feel free to join our User Forum and share your insights!
We really are looking forward to having a strong partnership with you! All my best,
Tom Sailor
Director of Marketing & Communication