Compact, SD-based digital audio recorders have been hot for many years now, and Roland has been a leader in this product category since the beginning. Most devices of this type deliver simple stereo audio capture via built-in mics or line inputs; the popular R-05 WAV/MP3 Recorder fits this bill nicely, offering hi-res, 24-bit/96 kHz sound quality in a compact, go-everywhere design that's perfect for recording music events, rehearsals, lectures, and more.

But there are many applications where more flexibility is desirable along with all-in-one portability, particularly when you want to capture audio with a high level of dimension and detail (e.g., acoustic music performances, video shoots, recording environmental sounds, etc.). This requires extremely sensitive microphones and low-noise, high-resolution preamps, and involves more sophisticated multi-channel recording techniques using multiple mic types and configurations. The ultra-portable R-26 is your perfect partner for these situations, offering unparalleled sound quality and convenient mobile performance at a breakthrough price.

Two Stereo Mics, External Inputs, and Multi-Channel Audio Capture

Designed from the ground up for superior audio performance, the R-26 is equipped with everything you need to capture rich, multi-dimensional sound. It features not just one pair of stereo mics on board, but two—one set of cardioid XY mics, and one set of omni mics. There are also two XLR/TRS inputs (with phantom power) for connecting your own external mics or line-level devices, as well as a stereo mini-mic input with Plug In power.

All channels—both for the internal mics and external inputs—are outfitted with high-performance, low-noise preamps based on those found in Roland’s R-44 professional field recorder. They also feature the proprietary Isolated Adaptive Recording Circuit (IARC), which provides independent power and isolates the analog input signals from the digital circuitry for extremely clear sound.

Utilizing the onboard mic pairs and the external stereo inputs in combination or by themselves, the R-26 can record one, two, four, or six channels of audio at once directly to SD/SDHC media up to 32 GB. Available recording resolutions include 16- and 24-bit WAV audio at rates up to 96 kHz, with support for broadcast WAV (BWF) format, which provides time-stamping and other info. MP3 audio can be captured as well—perfect for long recording sessions—and WAV and MP3 files can even be created simultaneously.

Touch Me

One of the coolest features of the R-26 is its large touch-screen display. It gives you quick fingertip navigation of the unit’s many functions, and also provides high-resolution input metering, a large time counter, file info, and more. You can even perform simple edits of your recordings (split, merge, and trim) right in the field with the detailed waveform display.

The controls on the R-26 are ergonomically oriented and easy to operate, with large input gain knobs for precise level adjustment. There’s a headphone connector on the side of the unit, along with a convenient monitor speaker to quickly check your recordings on the spot.

Power is provided with the included AC adapter or four AA batteries, which give up to 10 hours of continuous operation. For long sessions in field recording applications, the R-26 supports external battery power, with selectable operation from 9 to 12 volts.

Powerful Extras

The R-26 has a number of useful features to make recording easy and trouble free. An onboard limiter and high-pass filter can be engaged to prevent accidental overloads and low-frequency rumble. AUTO-SENS—first developed by Roland for the acclaimed OCTA-CAPTURE audio interface—makes setting perfect recording levels simple: simply press the front-panel SENS button and input the audio source, and the R-26 will analyze the incoming signal and recommend the ideal input level setting. This time-saving feature helps you quickly set the optimum level and avoid recording errors such as distortion from too-hot signals or low-resolution capture due to insufficient levels.

The Pre-Recording function ensures that you’ll never miss a sound by pressing the record button just a little too late. When Pre-Recording is active, the R-26 is always “listening”—that is, the selected input source is always active, even when the unit isn’t recording. When you press the record button, the previous two seconds is also added to the start of the recording, so you won’t miss a beat! This function is handy when capturing audio as it happens, such as recording nature sounds.

There are a number of other useful features as well, including timer recording, the ability to split recordings in midstream, and many others. USB connectivity makes it easy to swap/edit files with a computer, and you can even use the R-26 and its built-in mics as an audio capture device (with loop-back functionality) for your favorite Mac or Windows computer music software! The included SONAR LE DAW provides Windows users a professional audio recording program, and the ability to perform detailed edits and mixing of R-26 recordings on the PC.

The R-26 can be mounted on a standard camera tripod stand, and there's an adapter available (OP-MSA1) to mount it on a mic stand. A foam windscreen is included for outdoor use. For sound designers and video pros, an upgraded fiber windscreen is available in the OP-R26CW set, which also includes a protective cover with a shoulder strap for the R-26.

A Recorder for Any Situation

With two different types of onboard mics, you can capture stereo audio with a stunning level of space and detail. The cardioid XY mics—with their forward-facing pickup pattern—are ideal for capturing instruments close up, or for recording at a distance to create a wide soundstage. The omni mics pick up sound in all directions, allowing you to capture the sound of an entire space. By using both mics at once and blending the result, you have an amazing level of control over the imaging in your recordings. The flexible R-26 lets you mix the mics as you record, or you can capture the two mic pairs to separate files and mix them together later in a computer DAW.

The flexibility doesn’t end there—with the XLR/TRS inputs, you can plug external mics, instruments, mixers, and other devices into the R-26 and record them as well. The Plug In mic input works with many lavalier-type mics, as well as the CS-15S Stereo Microphone, which comes with a desk mount, handheld mount, and a windscreen. The CS-10EM Binaural Microphones/Earphones can also be used via the Plug In jack, allowing you to create some mind-blowing “in your head” 3D recordings. As mentioned earlier, the external inputs can be recorded along with the internal mics in various combinations, either mixed inside the R-26 and recorded as a single file, or captured as up to three separate stereo files (six channels total).

In the chart below, you can see just a few of the recording applications for the R-26. If you’re an audio professional, videographer, web content producer, sound designer for film and games, or just a serious sound hobbyist, you really need to check out this powerful portable recorder—the possibilities are truly limitless!

Sound Recordings Made with the R-26

Want to see and hear it in action? Check out the following video, where we use the R-26 in a number of recording applications.