Xvive XV1-R Portable Stereo Audio Recorder Announced With 32-Bit Float Recording – Only $89.99

Audio News

by CineD StaffJanuary 29^th, 2025

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The XV1-R Portable Stereo Recorder from Xvive records 32-bit float audio and is suitable for musicians, filmmakers, podcasters, and content creators. It features a built-in stereo microphone array with preset menus for quick setup. Let’s take a closer look.

32-bit recording is now available to a wider crowd of users with the introduction of the XV1-R recorder from Xvive. Although nearly identical in shape and features to the previously released Zoom H1essential Portable Audio Recorder, the XV1-R is priced $10 lower, potentially making 32-bit float recording even more popular.

For those who are not familiar with the benefits of recording in 32-bit, here are the key advantages:

1. Virtually unlimited dynamic range and headroom: The 32-bit float format can represent an enormous range of values from extremely quiet to extremely loud without clipping or distortion. Even if you record too hot or too quiet, you can adjust post-production levels without losing quality.
2. No need to set gain staging perfectly while recording: Since there’s essentially no clipping point, you don’t need to carefully set input levels. This is especially valuable for field recording or live situations where you can’t predict peak levels.
3. Better noise floor characteristics: The floating-point nature means you maintain good resolution even with very quiet signals, unlike fixed-point formats where quiet sounds use fewer bits.

Features

Talking about recording in the 32-bit float format, this is the recorder’s key feature since it means you effectively never have to worry about setting proper input levels or audio clipping during recording.

A few other notable benefits:

• Compact size that fits in a pocket
• Simple one-button recording operation
• Can be used as a USB audio interface
• Accepts both line and mic level inputs

The XV1-R can record on a range of SD and MicroSD cards: MicroSD (up to 2 GB), SDHC (up to 32 GB), and SDXC (up to 128 GB). A 32GB card is included in the package. According to the company, the powering options include 2 AA batteries (12-hour runtime) or USB-C.

The XV1-R can be mounted on top of a DSLR/mirrorless camera and used as a stereo sound recording device for video. The recorder can generate slate tones, which can later be used to accurately sync the audio and video when editing if needed.

Like with the Zoom recorder, I like the idea of having a small on-board speaker when you don’t have headphones or earphones nearby or want to check or identify recordings.

Xvive XV1-R vs. Zoom H1essential

As noted earlier, it seems as if the Xvive XV1-R recorder is competing head to head with the Zoom H1essential 2-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder. Now, we haven’t tested any of those in-house, so we cannot comment on the differences in audio quality, but this aside, here is a quick overview of what to expect when it comes to differences or shared features:

Price:

• XV1-R: $89.99
• H1essential: $99.99

Key features (both):

• Built-in stereo mics
• 32-bit float recording up to 96 kHz
• USB audio interface functionality
• Pocket-sized design
• WAV recording
• 3.5 Line/Mic input

XV1-R advantages:

• Lower price ($10 less)
• Simple one-button operation
• Onboard X/Y Mics handle up to 130 dB SPL (vs 120 dB SPL for the Zoom recorder)

H1essential advantages:

• Clearer LCD display
• Accessibility features for the blind or visually impaired
• Some might argue that Zoom has a more established brand reputation

For more information about the Xvive XV1-R Portable Recorder, head to the company website here.

What do you think about the new portable recorder from Xvive? Do you have any experience working with their audio devices, and if so, are you happy with them? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.