New Tascam recorder

J Michael said:
OK the manual for the DR-40 says when the EXT IN switch is set to MIC or MIC+PHANTOM the input impedence is 2.2 kohm, nominal input level -19dBV, max input level -3dBV. For EXT IN set to LINE numbers are >= 10 kohm, +4 dBu, +20 dBu.
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Been looking for the manual for the DR-40 online and can't find one on the Tascam site. Any source for a downloadable PDF?
 
No idea, I have the dead tree version. If you need some specific info I'll try to look up for you. I picked a DR-40 up a couple of days ago at the local Guitar Center so I haven't had time to do much testing yet.
 
Jive said:
If all you need is recorder than has a 3.5mm mic input, what makes the H4n better than the cheaper devices (H1, H2n, DR-05, DR-07, etc.) for you needs?
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Well I did like the expansion possibilities of XLR. I read Tascam > Zoom. But Tascam clearly only wanted you to plug in XLR and Zoom is 3.5mm mic friendly.
I've got a Rode 3.5mm to XLR adapter coming. If that doesn't work I'm returning the Tascams. I really wanted a solution that worked with my existing mics in the short-term.

If all I need is 3.5m now, I'm going to look hard at the H1. I like that it's small and light for on-camera.

My DR-40 should arrive tomorrow and I'll give my feedback. I'm still shocked it won't have individual channel levels.

[edit]

Oh here's one mystery solved. The optional AC adapter plugs into the USB port:
http://bit.ly/qTPpJB
 
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J Michael said:
No idea, I have the dead tree version. If you need some specific info I'll try to look up for you. I picked a DR-40 up a couple of days ago at the local Guitar Center so I haven't had time to do much testing yet.
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In the light of some of the responses in this thread I'm curious of the 1/4 inputs actually accept mic level signals or are line level only. You mentioned the EXT MIC/LINE switch in a previous post and I'm curious if it switches the sensitivity of both the XLR and 1/4 inputs or switches between which of those two inputs are active? Looking at Jive's post above, I have my doubts that you could use a 1/8 TRS-F to 2x 1/4 TS-M breakout cable to successfully feed a mic-level signal from a Videomic into the DR-40 via the 1/4 inputs.
 
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To clear this up here is an email I got from Tascam:

"Mitch,

There is a switch that goes between whether those inputs are at Mic level or Line level.
The quality is really good on this unit, you have the ability to record up to 96 kHz/24 bit wave files. You also have the option to record in broadcast wave format. So as far as sound quality it is as good on this unit as in the DR-100, if not better."

Hope this helps.
 
Mitch.Kear said:
To clear this up here is an email I got from Tascam:

"Mitch,

There is a switch that goes between whether those inputs are at Mic level or Line level.
The quality is really good on this unit, you have the ability to record up to 96 kHz/24 bit wave files. You also have the option to record in broadcast wave format. So as far as sound quality it is as good on this unit as in the DR-100, if not better."

Hope this helps.
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Thanks. Looking forward to some hands-on user reports
 
Since the DR-40 doesn't have a separate line-out and headphone jack. I'm wondering if this will work with it. I do want to try feeding signal back into my Canon 60D:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/749722-REG/Sescom_DSLR_MIC_MON_3_5mm_Mic_to_Mic.html

There are other cables by Sescom that say they're specifically for the Zoom H4N or Tascam DR-100. The Zoom cables are a -25db pad at mic connection. The cables for Tascams claim -35db.
The one I linked above doesn't say for some reason.

Here's the one for Zoom:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/750963-REG/Sescom_LN2MIC_ZMH4_MON_3_5mm_Line_to_Mic.html

[EDIT]

Well good news and bad news. My DR-40 arrived and its really cool. Here is an unboxing vid:

http://youtu.be/GIhjPBIhMf8

The bad news is that I tried plugging my Rode Videomic Pro and Stereo Videomic with a 6.3mm (1/4) adapter - switch it to Ext Mic input, and they are still vastly underpowered! This is a real shame. Hopefully my Rode 3.5mm to XLR adapter will correct this when it arrives next week.

Here's another video with the unit on:

http://youtu.be/NFU5kpt1GFo
 
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damianicus, thanks for the footage. so tempting! I just want to hear/read a few more reviews. Let us know which one you decide to keep. Thanks.
 
Thanks for the vids Guy and damianicus.

@damianicus, when you plugged in the mics did you also have the input level turned to max?
 
Thanks for making those vids guys! I'm a little bummed that the 40 doesn't have dials for record level, but oh well. It still looks pretty sweet so far.
 
Here is a little audio from my video shoot Friday: http://damiandodd.com/Files/48khz.wav

Recorded with the DR-40's internal mics (set narrow) at 48khz. The Tascam was about 3.5 feet from the Cello on a tripod. I had it on +68 input and the recording output was still low. I need to find where you set the mic gain in the DR-40.

I also received my Rode 3.5mm to XLR adapter today. My Rode Videomic Pro set at +20 gain has great input. Sadly my Rode Stereo Videomic still has super low unusable input with the XLR adapter, so I guess I need to sell it and buy a phantom powered Cardioid for recording music.
 
damianicus said:
I also received my Rode 3.5mm to XLR adapter today. My Rode Videomic Pro set at +20 gain has great input. Sadly my Rode Stereo Videomic still has super low unusable input with the XLR adapter, so I guess I need to sell it and buy a phantom powered Cardioid for recording music.
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Damianicus,
I realise you used the DR-40 on board mics for that cello but if you used your Rode Stereo Videomic connected to your Rode XLR adaptor plugged into one DR-40 XLR input you are only recording the mics left channel, and with the stereo VM pointing straight at the cello, then at 3.5 feet the cello is actually off mic and would contribute to its 'super low unusable input'

See manual page 90, the 'level align' feature might help with your current Cello recording.

Seeing you already have the mono Rode Videomic Pro, buying a mono phantom powered cardioid mic is doubling up .. before you buy any more mics for music recording, try using the DR-40 on board mics in the stereo position and use headphones (or test recordings) and move the DR-40 around for the best musical balance. Maybe use your funds to buy a better set of headphones.

See manual page 49-50 to adjust DR-40 mic. recording levels. Hope this helps.

Cheers.
 
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damianicus, thanks for the clip. I guess I am untrained because it sounded nice to me, considering it was not adjusted/corrected in any way, right?

@Raster, sounds like you have one? any chance we could get a clip off of a condensor mic onto the tascam dr 40?

Thanks!
 
prexdealer said:
damianicus, thanks for the clip. I guess I am untrained because it sounded nice to me, considering it was not adjusted/corrected in any way, right?

@Raster, sounds like you have one? any chance we could get a clip off of a condensor mic onto the tascam dr 40?

Thanks!
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Prex, have you heard a cello up close in person? That would help you understand, and you would have a decent comparison. There was a lot of BG noise up front, and the richness of the cello was off, felt "clamped down". A lot of the overtones were missing. Recording is about capturing audio as if you captured the sound source itself. When you play it back, you want the source to sound as alive as if it were right next to you.

And many times that is the mic and/or placement, which has already been discussed here, so I will leave with this: Mic placement and choice for music, huge subject. There are websites and forums dedicated to just that. And the difference between 10 degrees of axis change, 1/4" of distance, or where on the instrument you place/aim the mic, can make significant changes in what is recorded or what your mic picks up.

Damianicus, what I have said has no reflection on you, but on the technique. And you just chose a very aurally complex instrument, one that is a very difficult one to capture like I said.
 
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Still, I'm not terribly happy there isn't a mic gain in menu on the DR-40, since it's the one I planned to keep.. sent the DR-100 back already.
 
damianicus said:
Still, I'm not terribly happy there isn't a mic gain in menu on the DR-40, since it's the one I planned to keep
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Did you get the instruction manual with the DR-40? If you didn't, download one from the Tascam site.

The mic gain level is on page 49 and it's the button on the DR-40 left side panel. When you press the INPUT LEVEL + or - button, a pull-up menu appears to indicate the input level setting. More info on level setting is on page 50.

Cheers.
 
Have you thought about a 2 channel out mixer? It would solve your gain issues immediately and you'd get a knob that you could adjust on the fly without having to access a menu.
 
prexdealer said:
@Raster, sounds like you have one? any chance we could get a clip off of a condensor mic onto the tascam dr 40?

Thanks!
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Hi prexdealer, I don't have a DR-40, as part of the run up to buying one I got the instruction manual from the Tascam site.

Like a lot of folk I'll wait till more votes are in, but indications are it'll sell like hot cakes.

I've got the Sony D50 and while I'm very happy with it, there are some features this Tascam has that make it attractive not the least of which is the 200 bucks. :Drogar-Shock(DBG):

But it'll be more than that here + the freight.

Damianicus, I agree with Doc, if you're going to seriously record instuments like the cello, buy or rent come CDs, look up some concerts and even schools, just front up and ask can you sit in. Nothing like being there and not with your D-40 .. just listen. That's what famous classical engineers like Tony Faulkener did to start out. Ear training courses help too, when I started out there were two, now look!

Cheers.
 
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