I've searched this forum for an answer but haven't seen a direct comparison between the three recorders above.

I've been using an EDIROL R-09HR but most people here seem to like the zoom or the microtrack II; has anyone seen/done a direct comparison among the three for purposes of musical recording?

Thanks a lot.

I use an Edirol 09 and so does Chris. And yes - there are discussions about these recordings scattered about the forum, but I don't believe anyone has ever done a 'side by side' comparison. That would be very interesting indeed!

I don't use any of the above gizmos, since I play a digital piano but I think your best bet is to look for comparison reviews on the Internet. I've recently read one but I cannot find the link anymore (could be o'reilly digitalmedia). There were also audio samples. Oh, I found it:

http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/audio/p ... omparison/

I'm definitely a newbie at recording, but I have recently done some comparing between the Zooms and the Mictrotrack II (not familiar with the Edirol). I ended up buying the Microtrack II because of its 48V of phantom power and its clearer recorded sound. The O'Reilly Media comparison (the one alf put up), along with the advice of some of the folks at PS, helped me decide on the Microtrack II.

Nope, I use the older R1 model. The R9 is a bit more modern with better display, controls, etc. I don't think it matters much for the sound, the microphones are likely to be the same.

I am curious about that Microtrack II. I may check into it if my Edirol ever quits working, which doesn't seem likely, though, because I've dropped it a dozen times and it still works!

It certainly sounds like a good gadget, especially when you plan on using external mics. Then again the Zoom H4 has the possibility to record a second track while listening to the first one - great for recording 4-hand. Then again the Edirol R-9 HR has a remote control, which would be bliss.... So the choice is still not easy.

Yeah - that playing four-hand pieces with a multiple-track recording devise would be great. Probably so much fun, I'd never stop fooling around with it. I’d also like to try external mics on my Edirol sometime just to see if it makes that much of a difference. Or I can wait until they make a recorder that has multi-track recording capability, a remote control, phantom power, all for under $100 bucks. (I know – fat chance)

And even if, chances are it would not be available in your favorite color....

You mean pink?

Dunno, but women seem to be peculiar to color. When my wife wants a gadget, and I ask her which model she wants, the answer is always "a blue one"

I'm with your wife on this. I think color matters to women as much as size matters to men.

Although – back to designing the perfect recorder – in addition to the aforementioned features, I’d like a larger screen than what you see on the current models. The screen on my 09 is too small; I can hardly see the words and things on it. And looking at the photos of those other models, there seems to be plenty of room on the front casing to make a larger screen. I hope someone from one of those companies is reading this and changes the design of their recorders.(and don't forget - price it under $100 too! ) (and make it blue! )

Maybe it's time to admit that you need reading glasses

That's two things you've blabbed about this week! Better watch it....

There is in fact a side-by-side comparison.

Specification comparison:
http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/compare-p ... rders.html
http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/compare-b.html

Audio sample comparison:
http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/portable- ... mples.html