Roland's line of CD based digital audio recorders has a long history of solid quality and many useful features. The new Roland CD-2i digital audio recorder shares a very similar visual design to it's predecessor, the CD-2e but replaces the old slot loading CD drive with a tray based drive and a greatly improved navigation system including larger, illuminated buttons. Still, the CD-2i remains a mostly practice and rehearsal oriented recording and playback device due to some missing features that are describe lower in this review. Selling for around $600 at retail, the Roland CD-2i has a mid-range price tag for this type of table top digital audio recording device but is it worth the money?
To compare this portable audio recorder with other similar recorders from other companies please visit our Portable Digital Audio Recorder Buying Guide or our Desktop Digital Recorder Buying Guide
Major Features of the CD-2i:
- Tray loading CD burner
- Supports SDHC media cards
- Quickly transfer music from SD to CD
- Built in internal mics
- Phantom power for external XLR mics
- Karaoke mode
- Large, illuminated buttons
- Easy navigation and customization of settings