Roland R-05 Reviews 4.5/5.0 based on 17 customer reviews
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Brian Haasfrom Slidell, LA USA May 6, 2013Music Background: Software Engineer Outstanding RecorderGreat functionality, outstanding product, superb recording quality
from San Diego, CA February 11, 2013Music Background: church audio tech Fantastic quality in small packageDid everything advertised, works well amazing size.
Phil Notermannfrom Seattle, WA November 16, 2012Music Background: Hobbyist muscian Amazing sound from a small recorderI LOVE this recorder. It's very user friendly, has a number of convenient and useful options for working with the recording. But above all it sounds GREAT!When I took it out of the box, one the first things I did was put the R-05 in front my stereo and recorded a piece with a wide range in dynamics, tone color and frequency from booming deep base to the high pitched "chimes". The result was very impressive -- I couldn't tell the difference between the original and the recording. The bass was clear, rounded, full and body vibrating, the high pitched chimes were crystalline. All was balanced and the spatial separation of the instruments well preserved. Then I placed the recorder about 35 feet away and whispered -- very very quietly. It was almost scary. I could make out every word on the recording, though I had to put the volume way up. Since there was no background hiss that was no problem. Time will tell its durability, but it looks rugged to me. But clearly, in every other way I can see the I "scored" with this product.
Andyfrom July 24, 2012Music Background: Pro Musician, sound engineering, sound exploration and development and other stuff here and there. Does what I need it to.I know the two main competitors for the portable digital recorders are ZOOM and Roland as far as the price range they're in. I haven't tried the ZOOM and chose the Roland over it because I've been buying Roland gear for a while and am a loyal consumer. That isn't the only reason, though.I like that it's exterior is metal. I would think that plastic would feel kinda cheap. It has some heft to it. Not a bad heft but the kind of heft that lets you know it's build to do it's job right for a long time. Navigation of the menu is very simple and is extremely easy to switch between formats and bit rates. The gain level features could be a little better but for the price you won't find much else that offers something similarly as good. The limiter works really well. I tested it near my washer and dryer and I got some nice metal clanking noises out of it without the deep hum of the dryer. I've done some field recording and as long as you have the case for it, it won't make hardly any handling noise if you're trying to avoid it. The record button is a tad awkward because it's sunken into the device and when the cover is on it, it's even more difficult to get to it but I'm only saying this because I'm a picky person. One of the great features I do like about the recording is that it has rehears mode when you press it the first time. This allows you to mess around with the settings with the gain, limiter, lowcut, etc and get the proper levels before you actually start recording. When you press the record button a second time, it begins recording. Very nice feature. The sound quality is definitely wonderful. I'm not sure how the xy xy setup on the ZOOM sounds but the Roland's stereo mics are perfect for recording samples or oneshots of stuff you find outside to bang on. I carry a pair of drumstics everywhere just in case I see something I think would be a good perc sound. You can hook sound devices up to it also (with a Y adapter.) with the line in feature. I use it a lot to get a thicker noise out of my sounds being filtered thru a tape cassete recorder. I now have the ability to make my sounds feel a bit more "fuller" because of this device. It's also SUPER handy if you're recording acoustics wile jamming with a buddy. I haven't ran into any problems recording any acoustic instruments. Even if you feel you're not getting the quality or correct sound you want, it has a mic line in that allows you to use the appropriate mic you want. I put five stars down because this is the first portable digital recorder I've had and it's surprised me with the many creative things you can do with it. Even if you're in the middle of nowhere, you can edit your sounds on the fly or shorten a sample that's too long. I haven't had any trouble transferring files. I use FL Studio and haven't had any problems getting the sound files I recorded to work in it. I definitely recommend this device. I even use it to record my verbal recollection of my dreams and have also used it to start a dream diary. If I can use it when I'm extremely sleepy from waking up then I'd say it's fairly easy to operate. It really is nice to have a portable recorder.
David Dyerfrom San Antonio September 13, 2011Music Background: 29 years of public school choral directing, bluegrasser Roland R-05Love the product and the trustworthy advice from my Sweetwater rep, Jeff Barnett.
Manny (Mandogg) Lopezfrom Washington May 1, 2011Music Background: Recording Engineer Greatest Recorder Of 2011This is a great recorder. The sound is quiet and clear. I am a self recording acoustic guitar player and singer and when I recorded my first song on the R-05 I couldnt believe it wasn't recorded in a studio! I love this recorder, it's very easy to use, easy to transfer files from both the machine and any external source. Very portable and microphones are very high quality. Definitely worth the price and highly recommend to anyone looking to buy a good portable recorder.
Hien Nguyenfrom Pickerington, OH USA March 18, 2011 Excellent Portable Digital Recorder!I just got this recorder on Thursday, March 1, 2011, and I love it! The sound quality is excellent! You can even record audio in wave and mp3 format at the same time. Also, You can edit and convert your recordings from wave to mp3 format without using a computer. For $249.00, you cannot find a better portable digital recorder!
Hien Nguyenfrom Pickerington, OH USA March 5, 2011 Excellent Portable Digital Recorder!I just got this recorder on Thursday, March 1, 2011, and I love it! The sound quality is excellent! You can even record audio in wave and mp3 format at the same time. Also, You can edit and convert your recordings from wave to mp3 format. For $249.00, you cannot find a better portable digital recorder!
from Santa Rosa, CA August 2, 2012Music Background: Hobbyist Very easy to useVery handy recorder---does not require time saving to file, unlike my previous recorder. I have not used the features yet, but so far so good. Easy control buttons. The only surprise was that I couldn't change the position of the mics.
from November 17, 2011Music Background: Student Roland R-05I loved working with Sweetwater and am so happy my brother found them. I liked his recorder so much that I bought one.The device is easy to use & has several features for saving, editing, copying, etc., and the sound quality is fascinating.
Kit Laughlinfrom Canberra, Australia November 14, 2011Music Background: pro videographer Brilliant little recorderThe on-board mics are great (thinking here particularly for the money) and pro. mics can be used via an RCA mini-jack. I used a Sony radio mic setup on my last job, and the sound quality was excellent.The controls are simple, and perfectly adequate. I added the silicon rubber case (reduces handling noise considerably) and one 8GB SDHC card. All works as advertised. Can't take XLR inputs—but is the fraction of the size and weight of the Zoom H4n I also own.
Tao Mokodafrom Louisville, KY May 15, 2011Music Background: Bassist, composer Easily One Of The Best!While I haven't tried ALL of the recorders priced under $300, I have tried enough of them to know that the Roland R-05 is one of the best, if not THE best.It's the perfect size and weight (I like a little bit of heft to a device like this; too light and it just feels cheap). The controls are neatly and conveniently laid out, so that most functions can be accessed in the dark because you don't have to go searching through menus, and the display shows a lot of useful information. Battery life is awesome; probably the best in this class, and with the limiter and low-cut features this thing can make some great recordings. The rehearse feature, which lets you play something for a short time while it automatically adjusts to the best recording level is both very nice and unique. I gave it 4.5 stars for overall awesomeness, but I do have a few very minor complaints: Playback sounds very clear, but just a tiny bit bassy, if you're fiddling with settings, there's no way (that I could find) to quickly get back to the Home screen without backing out of menu levels, and it would be nice to have the unit remember what folder you were in the last time you used it; it currently defaults to the Root folder each time you turn it on. Still, these are so minor that together they still don't matter enough to keep it from deserving 4.5 stars from me. I am glad I bought it and I have enjoyed it and use it daily since the day I received it. Strongly recommended. 
Frankfrom Bay Area, Ca. April 26, 2013Music Background: Musician Great for the price!Having a lot of fun recording with my accordion and arranger. Sounds almost like a pro recording when played back through a good sound system. Easy to use and some nice extra features.
Cloud58from Chepachet, RI. USA May 14, 2012Music Background: Part Time Luthier, Hobbist Musician Great Recorder/PlayerSound of my Acoustic guitar from onboard mics and inside the guitar condenser mic is first class. There is no overdubbing though, requires an external mixer. If you make a mistake deleting is easy. Did a great job of the birds in the morning. Can make wav and mp3 file at the same time. Comes with 2 gig SD card but get a 16 gig one if you want to do wav files.
James Swainfrom NC May 1, 2012Music Background: Praise Band Great gear to haveThe R-05 does the job. Easy to use and sounds great on playback. It gets the job done. Exactly what I ask for on the phone, they delivered. Ask for Nick
jason jonesfrom atlanta November 10, 2011Music Background: prophetic worship leader oh yeah!Its very handy! Works great for quick tracking new acoustic riffs. Captures many things very well.
Donfrom KCMO April 23, 2012Music Background: pro guitar player live band recording is excellentrecording was excellent, however my display went black so I am returning it and will probably get another since I am a loyal Roland customer
Roland R-05Handheld 24-bit/96kHz Recorder with Stereo Microphones, Extended Battery Life, and Practice Tools 
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