New Tascam recorder

I took a ear training course designed for audio engineers. Not only did it help with the way you hear things but very much with the perspective of the way audio sits in real world to post recording.

I definatly think that any instrument should be recorded in studio or hall with proper acoustics and gear.
 
Mitch.Kear said:
I took a ear training course designed for audio engineers. Not only did it help with the way you hear things but very much with the perspective of the way audio sits in real world to post recording.

I definatly think that any instrument should be recorded in studio or hall with proper acoustics and gear.
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Nice! Bet you learned tons about sound just from using your most important tools......your ears.

There are some exercises, that I was taught in school, that I can share here. One. Listen for each instrument in a band. Not so much a modern band, but it will do. Pick one instrument and focus on it. See if you can follow it and the music it is playing for the entire song.

Here is the hard part: describe how it associates with all the other instruments. Was it ever out of tempo, or out of key? (most of the modern stuff, this is hard due to modern editing and Auto tune).

Go back to 70-80's music.....much easier to do.
 
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Doc Bernard said:
Nice! Bet you learned tons about sound just from using your most important tools......your ears.
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Completely. As much as digital is convienent, audio isn't meant to be engineered or produced from sight. It took me a while to learn how to listen instead of looking at numbers on a screen. Might be hard to understand to some but learning to listen has been the most helpful tool when working with audio, go figure.
 
Hey guys,
I have Zoom H2 and I'm unhappy with it. I thought to upgrade to Zoom H4n or to buy Tascam DR-100. I was listening samples and I want to buy Tascam DR-100, but I want to get your opinions.

Thanks.
SH
 
Talk about thread drift...;~)
From a thread about a new Tascam recorder and using it for film to ear-training for studio music recording.

The more you know the more you know so it's all good but most post (for film) work is kind of backwards. You are generally trying to create a sound that matches an image. So the ear training is more along the lines of how do I take an image apart interns of it's sounds.

When you are recording you usually are not so much trying to capture the definitive recording of XYZ but trying to get a sound that is part of that breakdown you did earlier.

In music the recording is or is close to the final goal, but in film the recording is just a raw material to be crafted into what you need.

Production dialog is a bit closer to music recording and of course recording the score actually is music recording.

As related to this recorder, FX rarely needs more than two tracks, dialog often doesn't need more than one, music often wants a lot of tracks.
 
lets put this thread back on track. The new dr-40 looks cool, and the price point is certainly where I need it to be. Is there or has there been any side by side with with the 100 yet. Could the pre-amps in the 40 be better given newer technology, or is it going to be equal or worse given the price. I like the pro style gain knob on the 100 and has the option of 3.5mm inputs, but no xlr line? pluses and minuses. If the 100 is still clearly better sound wise I'd pay the difference. If it is not I'll save some cash and get the 40 for now, maybe they'll upgrade the 100 soon, or come out with something more geared to video production at dialogue levels not music.
 
Dop

The DR-100 does have line-in via a 1/8" stereo plug. Though this isn't what I would prefer, it does work well with a line-level mixer output though not bag friendly. Another nice feature is the dual power supplies.

Grant
 
Raster said:
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.
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I got the manual. I was referring to mic gain, not input level. The DR-100 has a L/M/H gain button. The DR-40 just has input level it seems.

Thanks for all the Cello recording suggestions. My freelance is never the same twice. I doubt I'll ever record Cello again :-)

Let's talk DR-40 remotes a sec, I should have checked this out while I had the DR-100 too. Tascam lists the remote for the DR-40 as the wired RC-10. Anyone know if the wireless DR-100 remote works with it too?
 
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Raster said:
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,
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I was hoping Cardiods came in stereo.
Raster said:
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.
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This was how I recorded the Cello, with on-board mics and a pretty decent quality pair of Sony headphones.
 
damianicus said:
I got the manual. I was referring to mic gain, not input level. The DR-100 has a L/M/H gain button. The DR-40 just has input level it seems.
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The mic gain is the input level and the input level is the mic gain. Tasacm call it 'input level' because it can refer to mic gain or line input level whichever you are using at the time. Check page 23 .. left side panel button 27.

It's a gaff in the manual, they should label it 'mic or line input gain' No offence but at 200 bucks that'll catch many other users too.

Cheers.
 
damianicus said:
I was hoping Cardiods came in stereo.
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Many Cardioid mics do come as stereo ouyput, eg: the Rode NT4.

But with a recording unit that has 2 XLR mono inputs (your DR-40) you have to have an XLR stereo mic that feeds its left XLR output channel to the XLR left input and the right to the right. The NT4 comes with the necessary XLR mic cables as standard.

damianicus said:
Let's talk DR-40 remotes a sec, I should have checked this out while I had the DR-100 too. Tascam lists the remote for the DR-40 as the wired RC-10. Anyone know if the wireless DR-100 remote works with it too?
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No it won't because as you say, Tascam list the RC-10. If you try any other remote, there's a possible chance you'll blow your DR-40 up .. and it won't be covered by anyones warranty. HTH.

Cheers.
 
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Raster said:
The mic gain is the input level and the input level is the mic gain. Tasacm call it 'input level' because it can refer to mic gain or line input level whichever you are using at the time. Check page 23 .. left side panel button 27.

It's a gaff in the manual, they should label it 'mic or line input gain' No offence but at 200 bucks that'll catch many other users too.

Cheers.
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DR-40 doesn't have left/right adjustment. Workaround in a sticky situation might be to use the dual feature.
 
damianicus, just curious if you had any more thoughts you could share with us on the Tascam, really appreciate your sharing.
 
More thoughts? Ok

DR-40 Pros:
-$200, cheapest XLR recorder.
-Better internal mics than DR-100, now by "better" i mean the narrow or wide positioning. I can't vouch for a quality comparison between the two, perhaps someone will record both. I didn't do recording comparisons, because my apartment is too noisy.
-"as good or better preamp" as DR-100 according to a Tascam rep.
-1/4" L/R Line-in
-Far more menu-driven than DR-100. Pro or Con, see below...
-4-track recorder and tuner.. very H4N-like
-Auto recording of a 2nd lower-input track. (Though If you want to do this on the DR-100 just get an XLR splitter and turn the R channel down some)

DR-40 Cons:
-Far more menu-driven than DR-100. It's complicated to set mic gain. I'm still not sure how to set headphone volume. All things an easy to find switch on DR-100 solves.
-No included remote (I'm already wanting a remote.. factor that cost + shipping)
-Doesn't turn into a USB mic when plugged into computer like the H4N

Tascam DR-100 Pros:
-Independent L/R adjustment
-A ton of out-of-menu switches and adjustments
-2 sources of internal power
-included wired/wireless remote, case, and foam mic cover
- Separate headphone and line-out.

Zoom H4N Pros:
- Your mics are 3.5mm powered and you want to plug in directly without adapters.
- Use while charging USB

Zoom H4N Cons:
- recording drift (something I've read)
- AC adapter causes buzz in recording
-I've heard it's very easy to pop open the SD card cover while using the side buttons, something that obviously stops recording immediately.

Bottom line is, decide if the $120 worth of extras in the DR-100 are must-haves. If not, then the DR-40 is a great recorder. I had both in my hand and kept the DR-40 and honestly I have some regrets. My Rode 3.5mm powered mics have required me to buy XLR adapters. I already am wanting a remote (more$$). And personally, I don't need the 4-track recording or tuner.
 
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Raster said:
The mic gain is the input level and the input level is the mic gain. Tasacm call it 'input level' because it can refer to mic gain or line input level whichever you are using at the time. Check page 23 .. left side panel button 27.
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Raster, we're literally not on the same page. The DR-100 has BOTH a Mic Gain switch, LMH AND an Input level wheel. People using the DR-100 said they usually kept this gain switch on High. The DR-40 ONLY has a +/- Input Level buttons. "Whichever you are using at the time" huh? you use both at the same time when you record and all it does is set record level. So I stick to my statement that the DR-40 has no separate mic gain control.

I recorded a Cello with my DR-40 2 1/2 feet from the instrument with the internal mic level set on +68 (out of 90) and I got a recording that had some hiss but also had to be bumped up in post. I'm thinking the DR-100 set on High Gain wouldn't have had to have it's level so high, which may have produced less hiss and a louder recording.
 
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The Mic Gain on the DR-100 is not a boost. "Hi" is normal, and the others are just cuts, so You probably don't need the Mic Gain unless you are recording a drag race.
 
damianicus, Thanks so much! Any idea on how long it might last on phantom power? Just one xlr mic. I am curious, that is my one thing I am trying to figure before buying it. I don't want to be swapping batteries all the time, and if I need to start buying a lot of external power then it starts getting closer to the DR 100 in price which as both internal lithium and batteries. Thanks so much for being one of the first to buy one and sharing with us!
 
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