New Tascam recorder

D

davefisk

DVXuser Sponsor
Hey Everyone.

Tascam has a new handheld recorder out, and I thought it looked interesting. I haven't used it or heard it, but just wanted to make you guys aware of it.

http://www.locationsound.com/ls/images/items/dr40.jpg

I don't work for Tascam, nor do I sell or endorse their products, but I have used them in the past with satisfaction. Just thought you fine folks would like to know about something new.
 
Reverb effect! Sweet!

But seriously this seems to be a step up from the DR-100, but why the lower number? What I do like is the "Locking XLR mic/line input with phantom power". I hope that means the XLR can actually be set to line level. And the 17 hrs recording time at 16bit/44k. It couldn't go too much lower at 24 bit, but now that I think about it they probably weren't factoring in Phantom power. Can't find a price on it anywhere... Looks cool. I hope it's less than 300.00!
 
Chadfish said:
I hope it's less than 300.00!
Click to expand...

If it is, I'll buy it and tell you how sweet it is. Seems like a step up indeed. If it does line in xlr, then I don't see a reason to recommend anything but this recorder (handheld). Especially if it has the same quality pre's/line in. Good for serious recording as well as a great new toy! Hell yeah reverb!

Thanks Dave!

P.S. My errors with the DR-100 were because of my SD card. So now I went overkill with a class 10 16gb card. No issues recording for hours on end.
 
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I'm amazed at the number of different portable digital recorders that Tascam makes. It's a challenge to try to count them all. If you go to their website, you have to hunt. They only list a few on their "handheld recorder" page:

http://tascam.com/applications/recording/handheld_recorder/

Where is the DR-1? How about the PR-10, BB800 or the DP004?

Anyhow... I had heard a rumor that Tascam was coming out with a 4 channel recorder, but I was hoping for a compact, bag-friendly design.
 
Chadfish said:
What I do like is the "Locking XLR mic/line input with phantom power". I hope that means the XLR can actually be set to line level.
Click to expand...

I might consider getting this if that is indeed the case. Love my DR-100, especially when recording 24-bit.
 
The one page i can find it listed on (a German site) the DR40 is 50 euros cheaper than the DR100 (which is listing at 429 euros, ouch).
 
I originally got the link from Location Sound Corporation's facebook page. They said the price would be $199. Not sure if that's accurate, so don't yell at me if that's incorrect.
 
It'd be sorta negative to say Tascam has had time to reverse engineer the Sony D50, but they've had time to reverse engineer the Sony D50, while adding more features along the way.

If the audio does equal the D50s sound then with 4 tracks and its other features it should sell well .. if it's priced right. 4 tracks with 48v XLR? .. around $US650 I guess.

Cheers.
 
I don't think its a matter of reverse engineering, I think it's a matter of using quality parts. All these companies know how to make awesome gear, but they have to make things that fit into a certain price point, while not eating into their higher end offering's market share. This is why you see the GH2 camera with the best video of any DSLR(ish) camera, but it still has AGC and no headphoone jack. It they spent another 2.00 per camera we could have a monster, but they their bigger camer sales would suffer.

I too have an love the D-50 for it's quality and sound. I just wish they would have included some line/mic level XLR inputs, rather than offering their stupid 500.00 XLR adapter.
 
I was pondering whether to pick up a DR-100 today, so this is especially interesting to me.

From these pics, the XLR inputs are now combo inputs that can accept XLR or 1/4" inputs.
Another link

Some more interesting info:

  • Accepts line-level inputs
  • Priced at $199.99
  • Expected to ship on 10/3/2011
To me, it looks like a larger DR-07 MK2 with XLR/line-level inputs.
For $100 more, the DR-100 adds:
  • Separate line-level & headphone outputs (monitor audio without affecting line level output)
  • Analog input level adjustment knobs
  • Independent levels adjustment (channel 1/channel 2 inputs)
  • Rechargeable battery backup (but DR-40 has longer runtime anyway)
  • Remote control
I might be wrong, but it doesn't appear that L and R channels can be adjusted independently on the lower-end recorders (e.g. DR-05, DR-07, etc.). Someone please let me know if I'm wrong, because I would buy one right now if they could do this. However, I would guess that the DR-40 does allow setting the levels separately as there are 2 XLR inputs, and tying the levels both channels together would be silly.
 
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Introducing the Tascam DR-40 4 channel recorder with XLR input and 48v phantom power at $199! You guys are going to dig the Dual mode where you can record a "safety" track at up to -12dB lower-perfect for those moments when the talent got louder all of the sudden. It's also got real +4dBu Line level input. Sweet!
dr40_ab_left_As__15264_zoom.jpg
dr40_XY_bottom_As__52552_zoom.jpg
dr40_XY_front_As__51841_zoom.jpg
dr40_XY_left_side_As__11375_zoom.jpgdr40_XY_right_side_As__39697_zoom.jpg

If you're interested, we have them in stock and ready to go. Use your "dvxuser" coupon code during checkout for additional savings. Expect a video to be up soon with sound samples.
http://www.dvestore.com/tascam-dr-40-4-channel-digital-audio-recorder-with-xlr-inputs/
 
Guy, can you confirm whether the DR-40 can adjust the input levels of the mic/line inputs independently?

Thanks, looking forward to the video.
 
You can see that on the side of the unit there is an external input selector with 3 options. Line in, mic, 48 mic. Awesome! What are the limitations here? May sound dumb but the lower number worries me.
 
Jive said:
Guy, can you confirm whether the DR-40 can adjust the input levels of the mic/line inputs independently?

Thanks, looking forward to the video.
Click to expand...

Hi Jive, yes I have mine here in the studio to test. I can confirm that the pressing the Tascam DR-40's Input Level + or - adjusts both Left and Right inputs simultaneously. The DR-40's "more expensive cousin", the Tascam DR-100 offers the ability to independently adjust 1 and 2 with a variable spinning knob.
 
Guy_Cochran said:
Hi Jive, yes I have mine here in the studio to test. I can confirm that the pressing the Tascam DR-40's Input Level + or - adjusts both Left and Right inputs simultaneously. The DR-40's "more expensive cousin", the Tascam DR-100 offers the ability to independently adjust 1 and 2 with a variable spinning knob.
Click to expand...

Thanks Guy. Wow, I really don't understand how Tascam expects the XLR inputs to be useful when you can only set both channels to the same level.
 
Jive said:
Thanks Guy. Wow, I really don't understand how Tascam expects the XLR inputs to be useful when you can only set both channels to the same level.
Click to expand...
Yeah that's pretty crappy. Though I wouldnt be using a mic without a mixer unless I'm messing arounnd with stereo micing guitar or drums for fun. I'm sure the pres aren't quality enough to use as a stand alone device anyway.
 
I hope they have good preamp, unfortunately at this price point I don't think so. Looking at the quality preamp you have nowadays with audio interfaces in the $ 150 to $ 250 range it is a bit sad that we don't have a good field recorder like this one with some good pres at even twice the price.
 
Danielvilliers said:
I hope they have good preamp, unfortunately at this price point I don't think so. Looking at the quality preamp you have nowadays with audio interfaces in the $ 150 to $ 250 range it is a bit sad that we don't have a good field recorder like this one with some good pres at even twice the price.
Click to expand...

I think that the Dr-100's are decent. For the most part I think if you aren't spending over a grand, including interfaces you will still need a separate pre of some sort to get pro quality. I've been told that the quality of the pre's/onboards/line on this device are equal or better than the DR-100's.
 
$199? is somewhat of a worry to the audio community, could be a loss leader, time will tell. Heck the 2 track Sony D50 is $499.

If it works well other serious competition will surface and we're off with a whole new ballgame.

Cheers.
 
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