Looking for recorder capable of recording line level (+4dbu) from mixer.

1) If you want to buy a recorder on a budget of $200, then select the best one you can find for that limit and get it.
2) Selecting a recorder on the basis of the maximum line level it will handle is a fool's errand. Changing the value of a 2-cent resistor will change the max input level specification. It has no relevance to the quality of the recorder.
3) It is practically impossible that you will encounter even +4dB out of an RCA "Tape Out" on a mixer. 99% of them will be consumer "line level" -10dB.
But 1/4 inch phone outputs may very well be +4dB, and in some cases up to +20 dB.
4) An input that handles up to +20dB is not sensitive enough to handle -10dB inputs. That is why we use attenuators internal or external.
5) If you have a constant need for an attenuator, have someone build an attenuator into a cable if you have such an aversion to additional parts.
An attenuator for unbalanced signal consists of a pair of resistors which probably don't cost 10 cents together. And for balanced signals, maybe a couple more 5-cent resistors.
6) Long lengths of cable (particularly balanced) will have no significant effect on the signal, especially if it is such a high signal level. We regularly run microphone-level signals 100s of feet.
7) A proper attenuator will NOT result in ANY loss of signal quality. In fact it is more than likey it will INCREASE to signal quality if you have a dramatic mismatch of source vs destination levels.
8) If you work with a variety of different sources (RCA, 1/4 inch, XLR, at different levels), you set up an impossible situation for yourself thinking you can find an inexpensive recorder that will natively handle everyrhing from -10dB to +20dB natively. Your seeming arbitrary preference for not using an external attenuator seriously limits your ability to get decent results within your budget. I would not place such limits on myself.
9) I keep a wide-range attenuator like Rolls DB25b in my kit to handle everything from speaker level down to mic level.
10) Blanket statements about signal levels from particular kinds of connectors are not reliable and of no practical use IMHO.
 
Thank you Richard for the great reply. I agree with you that i cannot achieve everything with one recorder. I am buying 6db and 12db inline rca attenuators and have fixed up my mind on the tascam dr 40. I was off for a month and did not have enough cash to spend on the recorder, now that i have it i find the dr-40 to be the best bet for the money i m spending. It has mic/line level switch so if i put the switch on mic level the input level ranges from -10dbv to around +2db and if i choose line level then i can feed input as hot as upto +20db and so this should be more than adequate for my needs.

Thank you again to you and everyone for all the inputs and help - I appreciate it a lot - Cheers!
 
External attenuation for a DR-40 should not be necessary as it supports (nominal) +4dB operation via XLR / 1/4" combo connectors. It's switchable to balanced mic level (w/Phantom Power) but does not have an additional 1/8" unbalanced mic input like the DR-100mkII. Attenuation would be necessary though if one wanted to feed a line level signal to the recorders input in mic level mode. At least 25dB of attenuation would be necessary in that case...
 
Last edited:
Not sure if OP bought one yet but

I just bought a dr-60d for $249 at BH Photo. Price is back up to $319 now but I think Amazon still lists them at $249.

The DR-40 is listing on both for $140 currently.

BH and Amazon seem to be having a running pre-Christmas battle on tascam products right now.

DR-60D has Balanced and unbalanced inputs and better preamps if you need them. Also apparently less (none?) audio drift over time. Just wished they would have used analog gains instead of digital gains. I wonder if Tascam can at least increase the number of digital steps so it's less noticeble when changing levels duiring a busy scene or recording live music. The -6 or -12 safety track helps though. Can almost set it and forget it.

I'll probably still run audio through my ancient but built like a tank AT4462 mixer first.
 
Last edited:
You've missed the point. +4dBu is not just a higher level, it's a 'feature' - designed to allow more expensive and sophisticated equipment to be linked correctly, pretty well via XLR type connectors for all the benefits they offer. This means that equipment that is designed for +4dBu is also more expensive. If you wish to use perfectly good cheaper equipment that operates at the lower level and unbalanced spec, you need adaptors. If you don't want them, buy the more expensive kit?

If you can solder, or know anyone who can, then the cost of the adaptor could be pennies - typically just 4 small components, which you could squeeze into an XLR M-F barrel, or even into a connector.

It's a very, very simple solution that gives you access to many more recorders.

I've not come across a DJ mixer for years that didn't have a pair of phono sockets on the rear panel for recording to consumer level kit - DJs kind of want this facility themselves - odd your place doesn't have this available?
 
Last edited:
B&H has a deal on the H4n at the moment:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ay-Tues-_-131210-_-Body_Retail_Zoom-H4n-Handy

That fits well within your budget. You would need to use a pad cable or suchlike but as others have explained that is a non-issue its so cheap and easy. I use a -25dB one routinely.

I've not come across a DJ mixer for years that didn't have a pair of phone sockets on the rear panel for recording to consumer level kit

This as well. I don't even carry alternative connectors any more

Pete
 
Thank you again guys for all the inputs :)

I do not want to buy a zoom recorder and use the attenuation pads as i prefer the recorder to handle both -10db and +4db signals. I will still keep -12db inline rca connectors with me incase i have a need for them. (I am not tech savy or confident enough to build on my own :p)
External attenuation for a DR-40 should not be necessary as it supports (nominal) +4dB operation via XLR / 1/4" combo connectors. It's switchable to balanced mic level (w/Phantom Power) but does not have an additional 1/8" unbalanced mic input like the DR-100mkII. Attenuation would be necessary though if one wanted to feed a line level signal to the recorders input in mic level mode. At least 25dB of attenuation would be necessary in that case...
Click to expand...

Thank you Rick - this is exactly what i was looking for. If I am taking outputs from the -10db tape out ports of the mixer then i vl set the level to mic and if i m taking output from the 4db ports then i will set the level to line.

I am only confused about which cable do i need to use? I currently have a 10 meter long aux cable (3.5mm male plug on both ends) and i use this with a 2rca to 3.5mm convertor if i need output from tape out ports or i use it with (1/4inch stereo to 3.5mm female) converter if i need output from the headphone out on the mixer. Since the dr-40 has only xlr/trs inputs will this be a problem - do i need a new cable??


Which cable do i need to buy. Can i buy something like 2 xlr to 3.5mm female adapter/cable ?? Will there be an issue with balanced vs unbalanced signal ??

I currently only know the tape out ports and headphone ports of mixer to get the direct sound output - is there any other port available on mixer that i can use (maybe xlr out ports that i can buy an xlr to xlr cable and plug it directly from mixer to my recorder without any convertor?? ) (i have very little knowledge regarding mixers :(

Just to confirm if i want stereo sound i need to plug both the channels on the recorder that is both the xlr inputs or both the 1/4inch inputs, right ???
 
You should have XLR to XLR and/or cables/adapters to get to feeds from a console's 1/4" output connectors. In the case of the DR-40 you could use 1/4" to 1/4" cables (TRS).
"if i want stereo sound i need to plug both the channels on the recorder that is both the xlr inputs or both the 1/4inch inputs, right ???"
- Right
If you want stereo (two separate channels) to the recorder from a headphone jack, you may have to make custom cable. The headphone TRS plug would have to be wired with the Tip terminal going to the left cable/channel input and the Ring terminal going to the right cable/channel. On the recorder end, each XLR would have pins 1 and 3 tied together. (typical for unbalanced operation) (OR.. using mono (TS) 1/4" plugs, on the recorder end would accomplish the same thing.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top