Tascam DR-10 Micro Linear PCM recorder

This is the same concept as the JuicedLink Little Darling, correct? It says "wireless," but is really just a recorder that can be used as a pass-through backup to a separate wireless unit, if I understand it correctly.

I hope it's available soon since the Little Darling is taking its time in being delivered.
 
Eric Coughlin said:
This is the same concept as the JuicedLink Little Darling, correct? It says "wireless," but is really just a recorder that can be used as a pass-through backup to a separate wireless unit, if I understand it correctly.
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From the link:

"Two versions are available: the DR-10CL for Lectrosonics mics and DR-10CS for Sennheiser microphones."

That makes it sound like they are mic specific, and you can't just plug in any old lav. Otherwise why would they make separate units for different mics?
 
Can you plug just any lav into the Little Darling? My understanding is that lavs are hardwired for a certain type of input (i.e., Sennheiser wiring for Sennheiser inputs, Lectrosonics wiring for Lectrosonics inputs, etc.). Thus, unless I am wrong in that, I would think the Little Darling would have to be setup to take a specific type of input, or, as Tascam is doing, to offer multiple types.
 
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In all the talks by Robert from JL, I never heard him say that different models of DARling were coming out, as is the case with Tascam (DR-10CL for Lectos and DR-10CS for Senns). I doubt there will be a DARling for every mic out there. And if it is mic specific then that limits things tremendously. What if you go to a different mic type, your entire investment in the specific model, of which you could have several, goes up in smoke?
 
Aside from ordering the desired input jack (for Lectro, Sennheiser, Shure, ect.) Obviously it supplies bias current (Plug-in power). There's not much to set except gain and the other usual recorder parameters.
 
OldCorpse said:
In all the talks by Robert from JL, I never heard him say that different models of DARling were coming out, as is the case with Tascam (DR-10CL for Lectos and DR-10CS for Senns). I doubt there will be a DARling for every mic out there. And if it is mic specific then that limits things tremendously. What if you go to a different mic type, your entire investment in the specific model, of which you could have several, goes up in smoke?
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I would suspect the wiring of the Little Darling is the same type as used on other pocket recorders such as the Zoom H1, Roland R-05, and Sony PCM-M10. When I bought Countryman lavs to go with my Roland R-05 and Sony PCM-M10, I had to request a specific wiring for the lavs to be compatible with those recorders. If I wanted it to work with a Senheisser transmitter, I would have had to have requested a Sennheiser wiring. So while the Little Darling probably uses a typical pocket recorder input, the Tascam offers a few types of wireless transmitter company wiring. Overall, it doesn't really make much difference; it kind of depends on what lavs you already have. If you have Senheisser wired lavs, then transitioning to the Tascam would be easier, while if you have lavs wired for pocket recorders, then transitioning to the Little Darling would be easier, and if you don't already own any lavs, then the difference between the units in terms of what lavs they can take may not be an important decision in deciding what unit to buy.

I believe you can have a lav rewired to different transmitters or recorders without needing to buy entirely new lavs (the rewiring probably costs around $50-$100). I know for one the Little Darling has a locking connector, so I am unclear if my current Countryman lavs which are not locking would fit into the locking connector. Still, even if they don't work and I'd have to pay $50-$100 to get a locking connector, it'd be worth it to me.
 
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Ticks all the right boxes but why does Tascam have a mic input gain of only low, medium, and high. The juiced linked might be better if its dial adjustable.
 
"The juiced linked might be better if its dial adjustable"
I'm not familiar with JL products. Like a lot of budget gear, the record volume is digital. On most Tascam gear, the L-M-H switching is preamp gain, which is actually more important than digital record level. I would assume the Tascam would have some kind of (digital) record level as well.
 
Rick R said:
"The juiced linked might be better if its dial adjustable"
I'm not familiar with JL products. Like a lot of budget gear, the record volume is digital. On most Tascam gear, the L-M-H switching is preamp gain, which is actually more important than digital record level. I would assume the Tascam would have some kind of (digital) record level as well.
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You're probably right Rick. I think I may have assumed wrongly because I remembered that some recorders had a clickable adjustable gain level as opposed to a non clickable and that was where my mind went.
 
I would be curious to see how well the plug-on version will do with dynamic interview mics or a battery powered shotgun. It would be pretty awesome if it had a headphone jack and not a 3 position gain switch. Dynamics or the cheaper shotguns need plenty of gain so it would be good to see how it actually performs. It could be pretty useful as a wireless plug-on alternative.
 
Rick R said:
Tascam DR-10 Micro Linear PCM recorders. Available for a variety of wireless type input connectors. TA5/4/3, 3.5mm, ect. I don't think they are available with Phantom Prw. though.
Stay tuned.

Tascam DR-10X
http://tascam.com/product/dr-10x/
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This is so close to what I want. So close, yet so far away.

What I need is a version of this without the analog circuits, that will plug into an XLR port on a MixPre-D and record the AES3 digital output from the MixPre-D. This unit is exactly the right size, and is used almost exactly the same way. But I don't need or want the mic preamp, or the ADC, or any of the level controls. Just take the AES3 as it comes and record it.

Heart breakingly close. Sigh...
 
I agree with Bruce.

The 10x is interesting. Am I reading it correctly in that I can't use my (let's say) dynamic mic and passthrough on this, only record? And rely on the closeness of the shotgun on the camera for the syncing track?

I also see this as very interesting for radio and podcast use. I'll likely buy one primarily for that.
 
For those wondering if their mics would work, the Sennheiser version is 1/8" input so that may work with mics with 1/8" plug. I had similar situation with using a Tram TR-50 lav mic prepped for Sennheiser wireless pack with 1/8" plug. I wanted to use it with my Roland R-05 recorder. I called Tram and asked if I could run mic by plugging it into regular recorder, and they said they couldn't recommend, but tried it and it's worked perfectly for over a year. So maybe if your mic is 1/8" plug it would work on Tascam model with Sennheiser 1/8" input. Maybe call Tascam or your mic's manufacturer to check if mic or recorder would be damaged.
 
All of my mics (Countryman, OST, Sanken, Sennheiser, Tram, VT) that have a 3.5mm plug wired for Sennheiser G2/3 work w/ portable recorders. (w/3.5mm jack and Plug-in Prw)
 
My understanding is that any / all specific wiring on a lav is done at the connector end. Lectrosonics uses TA5 jacks, Sennheiser uses a locking mini jack, Sony 4 pin something, Shure 3 pin something.

So I'm pretty sure you can have a mic made for Lectrosonics, chop off the end & put on a new jack (wire it correctly) & you're good to go. And / or there might be adapters you can use to go from one connector to another.

There are some specifics, like if you want to plug a dynamic mic into a Sennheiser beltback you can't just use any type of XLR to 1/8" cable, you have to wire it specifically to what the beltpack is set up for.


JL only showed off a recorder that used the locking connector found on Sennhieser belt packs & I never heard of any plans to make various models for other wiring set ups.

One thing I think is nice, it that I read that the In / Out is passive, so if your DR-10c recorder loses power the mic signal still passes through.

Since the DR-10x doesn't have a loop out, I'm wondering a little bit if the XLR to TA5F cable I have for my Lectrosonics belt back would work. When I use that cable, the beltpack powers a dynamic microphone essentially turning the beltpack into a small cube transmitter. If it works the same way with the Tascam, then you could plug a XLR mic (no P48) into the DR-10x to record & loop out to a Lectrosonics belt pack. A little bulky & a couple extra wires, but could be an option.
 
Putting a digital input on this thing isn't really what it's designed to do. There aren't digital lavs, as far as I know. If you want a recorder with a digital input, then you can get a recorder with a digital input, but at that point you are looking at higher end recorders with mic pres just as good as the MixPre-D and you would not need the MixPre-D anymore. For the target market, a recorder of this size doesn't need digital in and besides, adding that would add to the size and cost.
 
davefisk said:
... For the target market, a recorder of this size doesn't need digital in and besides, adding that would add to the size and cost.
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I think you are right about the market but it really wouldn't need to add to the cost and size. You are basically just tapping in to the digital signal from the A/D to the record section.

Market wise I think there is a market for that type of device, a really simple bit bucket, but you are right that that market is not what this is aimed at. This is a really nice and more "professional" option for all those folks using small handhelds as "mock wireless", and also would be a nice safety net for those situations where you only get one shot. I can see doc makers using them as a safety, and I would have slapped a few on some of the event things I have recorded. It's a backup BEFORE the part in the chain most likely to have a glitch.

I can see folks carring a pile of these around.
 
I got to play with the DR-10 today at the Vistek Pro-Fusion Video Show in Toronto. It's a tiny device, about half the size of a Sennheiser UHF G3 transmitter.

Color me impressed, as it seems to be quite a solid little unit. The Tascam rep said that the batteries last for 20 hours with this recorder.

I will definitely buy a couple of units to go with my Sennheiser G3 gear.
 
TheDingo said:
I got to play with the DR-10 today at the Vistek Pro-Fusion Video Show in Toronto. It's a tiny device, about half the size of a Sennheiser UHF G3 transmitter.

Color me impressed, as it seems to be quite a solid little unit. The Tascam rep said that the batteries last for 20 hours with this recorder.

I will definitely buy a couple of units to go with my Sennheiser G3 gear.
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Dingo, did you notice what the safety track level is set at or is it adjustable? And auto gain is it able to be shut off?
 
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