TASCAM DR-40 4-Track Portable Digital Recorder

by Tascam

Product Features

• XLR / TRS balanced MIC/LINE inputs with phantom power and +4dbu line level input.
• Switchable microphone position from X-Y to A-B
• 4-track recording - record the built-in microphones and mic inputs at the same time
• Dual recording captures a safety track to prevent distorted takes
• Up to 96Hz/24-bit resolution

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.5 x 1.4 x 6.1 inches ; 7.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B005NACC6M
• Item model number: DR-40
• Batteries 3 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (131 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #2 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Portable Recorders
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 15, 2011

Product Description

The DR-40’s four-track recording mode gives you several options to record, indicated by LEDs on the front of the unit. The 4-channel recording modes include:

• DUAL – Record a stereo signal with a copy of that stereo signal at a lower level. This gives you a safety track you can use in case the main recording is distorted. (See next section for more info)
• 4CH – Record the built-in microphones along with a pair of external mics, like close-up and ambient microphones. Or record the built-in mics along with a balanced line input, such as the feed from a mixer along with the sound in the room.
• OVERDUB – Play along with a recording you’ve already made to build up a full production or song demo

You can record up to four channels of 96kHz/24-bit audio. Mono and stereo recording is also available. Recording formats include MP3 (from 32 to 320kbps), WAV and Broadcast WAV formats.

Dual Recording Mode

Dual Recording records a second copy of your performance up to -12dB lower as a safety track. This mean if your recording gets accidentally distorted, you'll have a backup copy that isn't distorted. Dual Recording works in addition to the peak limiting and low cut filter features which also prevent distortion.

The Dual Recording mode is perfect for recording your band live. Just set the unit to record and hit the stage without worrying about the recording getting blown out.

Locking XLR Inputs

The DR-40 has a set of Neutrik® locking combination XLR & 1/4" inputs. These external inputs can accept balanced microphone or line inputs. The microphone preamp includes phantom power and plenty of gain for detailed recordings with condenser microphones.

The DR-40 is one of the only handheld recorders with a balanced line input, for recording the output of a console or other pro audio source. In 4-channel recording mode, you can record the output of a live console while capturing the sound of the room with the built-in microphones.

Adjustable Condenser Microphones

Attached to the DR-40 are a pair of cardioid condenser microphones. The stereo microphones can be arranged in an XY recording pattern for tight stereo imaging or in an AB pattern for a more ambient recording.

When flipping the microphone orientation, the left and right channels automatically flip for correct stereo placement.

Useful Playback Features

Like most TASCAM handheld recorders, the DR-40 includes playback modes to loop a section of playback or slow it down without changing the pitch, perfect for learning new music. A built-in speaker is included for checking recording without headphones. The Level Align feature smooths out level jumps during playback to help you monitor your raw, unmastered recordings.

A stereo reverb effect is available during playback or recording. Another handy additions include a chromatic tuner and tripod mount.

Full Feature List

• Handheld 4-track Portable Recorder
• Built-in condenser microphones, adjustable to XY or AB position
• XLR / 1/4” mic/line input with phantom power
• Record the built-in microphones with the XLR mic or line input for a four-track recording
• Dual recording mode captures a safety track at a lower level to avoid distortion
• Overdub mode allows recording along with a previous take
• Peak reduction automatically sets the ideal recording level
• 15-hour battery life from three AA batteries
• Up to 96kHz/24-bit WAV/BWF or MP3 recording resolution
• 2-second pre-recording buffer
• Variable speed playback from 50-150% speed without changing the pitch
• Adjustable limiter and low cut filter (40/80/120 Hz)
• Built-in speaker and chromatic tuner
• 1/8” headphone/line output
• Playback EQ and level align
• Stereo Reverb effect
• Tripod mounting hole
• SD/SDHC card slot supports up to 32GB media (2GB card included)
• Locking Neutrik Combi jacks
• USB 2.0 jack and cable for transferring recordings to computer
• Powered by three AA batteries, AC adapter (optional PS-P515U), external battery pack (optional BP-6AA), or USB bus power

What is in the Box:

2GB SD Card
Mini USB Cable
Three AA batteries (alkaline batteries or NiMH batteries)
1 year limited warranty

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

132 of 134 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Tascam DR-40 XLR input examples October 19, 2011

By Guy Cochran

Length: 7:13 Mins

Finally a recorder under $200 with XLR inputs! We wanted to hear how the all new Tascam DR-40 performed with a variety of popular mics. Guy Cochran from the DVcreators.net DVeStore jumps in the studio to audition this recorder that is sure to become a standard.

The results are very good - especially in this price range. Listen to the very end of the video when a Mackie mixer is added. The Tascam DR-40 offers true line level input for ultra clean recordings. The mics used in the examples are the RODE NT2-A large diaphragm condenser, RODE NTG-1 shotgun, the MXL 355 omni lav, and the Sennheiser E835s dynamic handheld. The mixer is the Mackie 1402-VLZ.

The feature we love the most is the dual recording - having a safety track at a lower dB is great peace of mind. Battery life is also extended over other popular recorders by using three AA batteries for up to 15 hours of operation! Of course this will vary depending on if +48v Phantom power is enabled. Note that there is also an expanded battery pack BP-6AA for longer recordings and an optional remote control called the RC-3F footswitch. Handy for starting and stopping recordings if you're playing an instrument.

Overall a solid value at the $199 price point. The Zoom H4n now has some serious competition. Also note that the Tascam DR-100 is still worth looking at - especially if you're a DSLR shooter and need the separate Line Level out to use with the DVcreator Line to Mic padded cable for input into a camera's Mic level input. The DR-100 also has nice big knobs with separate level controls for Left and Right channels. Note that the DR-40 input level controls both L&R.

62 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars BUDGET XLR RECORDER FOR INDIE FILMS December 29, 2011

By FineArtVideo.com TOP 1000 REVIEWER

The Tascam DR-40 is the least expensive portable audio recorder on the market that has the XLR mike inputs so coveted by independent film makers using these recorders in conjunction with their DSLR cameras. XLR inputs allow a much higher quality signal to be recorded from external microphones, without the noise problems that plague lesser recorders with only consumer 1/8 inch input jacks.

The DR-40 uses standard size SD and SDHC cards to record, and includes a 2 gig SD card already installed to get you started. You can fit about three hours of wav files, or 24 hours of mp3 files on a 2 gig card.

The DR-40 records in WAV formats at 44.1, 48 and 96 KHZ sample rates. Since WAV files are not compressed, all of the WAV file modes record perfectly with no audible difference between the live input audio and the recorded audio. The Tascam also records Mp3 formats at data rates from 32K to 320K. It should be noted that the 32K and 64K data rates are useless because there are so many audio artifacts, even for voice. 96K and 128K still have these artifacts, but they are low enough to be acceptable for non professional voice recordings. This is unusual, because most other brand recorders can use the 128K rate for music with almost no audible artifacts. Tascam's encoders must be less efficient at the lower data rates. At the 256K and 320K data rates, the artifacts are insignificant and inaudible, making this a useful device for professional use.

The XLR mike inputs provide balanced connections to any XLR mike. They provide clean audio pre-amps and have 48v phantom power that can be turned off when using battery powered XLR mikes. The phantom powered mikes usually provide cleaner audio than the battery powered mikes.... It should be noted that even when phantom power is turned on, there is a menu prompt each time you power up the unit that asks you to confirm your selection by pressing a button. This is to prevent accidentally using the phantom power on a mike that doesn't need it. Non-phantom powered mikes can be damaged if phantom power is selected. But this does add one extra step every time you use the device.

The DR-40 also has 1/4 inch jacks located in the center of the XLR jacks. There is a side mounted switch to select line or mike level input. This is useful for recording directly from a guitar. When connecting a guitar, I noticed some computer generated noise from the Tascam device itself coming through on the audio input. The input is not equalized for guitars even though they can work using this input. This noise does not happen with line level sources or with low impedance mikes using the same 1/4 inch input.

Selection from the internal mikes to the external mikes is made using the menu control as opposed to a dedicated switch as on the Tascam DR-100. I find this time consuming when switching between the internal and external mikes. It should be noted that the internal mikes record audio with much more low end response than the internal mikes of the DR-100, and the mikes can be arranged in an A-B or X-Y configuration simply by moving them inward or outward of center. The internal mikes do need windscreens, which are not included in the purchase price. Without them, even indoors, it's difficult not to record the popping noise from your breath against the mikes. Other than that, the internal mikes do a fantastic job sound wise for recording an announcer's vocal close up, or a musical instrument placed a few feet away.

The DR-40 operates from three standard AA batteries or from an external power source; either an AC adapter or from the USB port of a computer. The AC adapter is not included, but the USB cable is. You can not charge the batteries in the unit.

The Tascam comes from the factory at the default settings of 44.1K WAV file, and the mike setting is defaulted to internal, stereo. Install the batteries, set the date, and press the record button twice to get started recording. It's that easy to use. Once you set the date, the input and your other custom settings, recording with this device is as easy as it gets. Alkaline batteries last eight to ten hours.

Setting the level is easy with the up-down buttons located on the side of the unit. Changes can be made while recording. There is no high-medium-low switch as with the DR-100, but it is not needed. there is a lot of audio headroom before distortion occurs, as the the default setting provides clean audio with no AGC or limiting. You can set AGC or limiting in the menu. Both of these settings work well for their intended purposes, with the limiting being exceptionally smooth and distortion free, while eliminating the dreaded audio pumping action.

A nice feature of this model is the ability to record four audio tracks at the same time; two through the internal mikes and two through the XLR inputs. Two separate, synchronized files are created, allowing you to process them independently in post production. This lets you have two main actor's voices on two tracks while at the same time recording the ambient sound apart from the actors. Or, you can play two channels at the same time while recording the other two. This allows a musician to record a music track, then go back and add the vocals later. It also allows a music track to be played back on set while the actors lip sync to it, which is useful for making music videos. The recording from the other set of tracks is recorded to a separate file, but it is automatically synced to the first when played back, allowing you to process them independently in post production.

The DR-40 has a few audio effects that can be recorded. These are mostly various echo and reverb effects, and can be mixed in variable intensities. I think it's always better to record clean, and then add the effects later in post production.

In conclusion, the DR-40 is the best bargain at under 200 dollars for any recorder with XLR inputs and high quality sound. It is perfect for use with a high quality shotgun mike for independent film work, and also with a high end desk mike for voice over work. When the DR-40 is used at the higher data rates, there is no other audio recorder under 600 dollars that makes a better recording. My only three nit picks are having to use the menu to select the input, having to manually confirm the phantom power setting, and not having a way to recharge lithium batteries in the unit. My five stars reflect the performance of the device, not my nitpicks with the operation. Read more ›

66 of 69 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A good recorder September 22, 2011

By damianicus

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is certainly a good recorder. I would call it a scaled down Tascam DR-100. It's certainly priced well and is full featured. I'm using this to record sound attached to my DSLR. It's smaller and lighter than the DR-100 which is good when you're shooting hand-held.

One feature that's great is the ability to record a second track at a lower input to avoid suddenly loud noises causing distortion.

The on-board mics of the DR-40 sound better than the ones on the DR-100.

Cons:
- What the DR-100 has going for it over the DR-40 is buttons all over to quickly change a setting. Especially a wheel for L&R input level. Everything but the independent L/R input level however can be set in the DR-40s menu.
- As far as I know you can't adjust L & R XLR inputs independently. This is bad if you hook up 2 separate mics and need independent adjustment. However, the trick of using one mic and an XLR splitter to record 2 separate inputs in case of audio spikes is covered with the DR-40s setting that lets you record one track at a lower input.
- It does not have separate headphone and line-out jack. But a splitter will solve that.
- The DR-40 runs on 3 AA batteries vs the Li-Ion battery pack AND 2 AA batteries of the DR-100. Once you turn phantom power on neither of these units last more than 5 hours so you'd better bring spare batteries.

If you own a Rode Videomic Pro or a Rode Stereo Videomic you can NOT plug them into the Line-Ins on either of these units and get a usable signal. That's one thing the Zoom H4N has over either of the Tascam's is a dedicated 3.5mm mic jack. So that's the deducted star for me.

However, I just bought a 3.5mm to XLR adapter made by Rode. This worked great with the Rode Videomic Pro set on +20db gain.... However, the Rode Stereo Videomic connected to the DR-40 via this XLR adapter still did not provide enough signal to be recorded. Read more ›