TASCAM iM2 Channel Portable Digital Recorder

by Tascam

Product Features

• Adjustable stereo condenser microphones
• 125dB maximum level for recording loud concerts and instruments without distortion
• Built-in analog to digital converter and microphone preamp for low noise recording
• Switchable limiter attenuates high-level signals to prevent recording overload
• Powered through Apple dock connector

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 1.5 x 4.8 inches ; 2.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0065GF5VW
• Item model number: iM2
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #8 in Electronics > Portable Audio & Video > Digital Voice Recorders
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 15, 2011

Product Description

Color: black

From the Manufacturer

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Great-sounding stereo mic for your iPhone

TASCAM's iM2 turns the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch into a high-quality stereo recorder. A pair of condenser microphones - the same high quality as TASCAM's best-selling DR-series recorders - plugs into the dock connector of your Apple device.

The microphones are adjustable over 180 degrees for the best sound placement. The uni-directional elements are arranged in an AB pattern for detailed stereo imaging while capturing the ambience of your room.

The iM2 contains its own microphone preamp and analog-to-digital converter for low noise and great audio quality. Unlike mics that use the built-in iPhone preamp, the iM2 can handle up to 125dB sound levels to capture the loudest concerts and instruments without distortion.

Full-featured recording

Also contained in the iM2 is a stereo limiter to tame sudden loud sounds. The microphone level is adjustable with a knob on the side, making it quick to adjust without even looking at the unit. It's powered through the dock connector so no battery is required. A USB input is provided to charge your Apple iOS device for long recordings, either through a computer or TASCAMs PS-P515U power adapter.

Available for free download, TASCAMs PCM Recorder app is the perfect companion for the iM2. PCM Recorder turns the iPhone or iPad into a stereo recorder, based on the popular TASCAM DR-series. Record mono or stereo files at CD-quality for up to 12 hours in the application. High and low EQ are built-in, as well as stereo limiting and a low cut filter. After recording, files can be accessed through iTunes or uploaded to SoundCloud right from the iPhone. PCM Recorder raises the bar for recorders on the iPhone and iPad, and its available for no charge.

The ultra-portable iM2 is a must have for musicians who want to capture inspiration on their iPhone or iPad without sacrificing recording quality. It's the perfect recording accessory for musicians of all skill levels available at an unbeatable price.

Full Feature List

• Stereo condenser microphones for iPhone 4, iPod Touch or iPad dock connection
• High-quality stereo condenser microphones - same as our best-selling DR-series recorders
• Microphones adjustable 180 degrees front to back
• Built-in analog to digital converter and microphone preamp for low noise recording
• 125dB SPL maximum level for recording loud shows without distortion
• Switchable limiter attenuates high-level signals to prevent recording overload
• Adjustable input level control
• Powered through iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch dock connector
• USB input allows the iPhone or iPad to be charged from a USB connection or optional TASCAM PS-P515U
• CD-quality digital recording (44.1kHz/16-bit linear PCM)
• Compact size ideal for mobile use
• Compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch 4G, iPad, iPad 2
• PCM Recorder application available for free download on the iTunes store
• Dimensions: 2.3" W x 2.2" H x 0.75" D
• Weight: 1.05 oz

Product Description

TASCAM's iM2 turns the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch into a high-quality stereo recorder. A pair of condenser microphones - the same high quality as TASCAM's best-selling DR-series recorders - plugs into the dock connector of your Apple device.The microphones are adjustable over 180 degrees for the best sound placement. The uni-directional elements are arranged in an AB pattern for detailed stereo imaging while capturing the ambience of your room.The iM2 contains its own microphone preamp and analog-to-digital converter for low noise and great audio quality. Unlike mics that use the built-in iPhone preamp, the iM2 can handle up to 125dB sound levels to capture the loudest concerts and instruments without distortion.

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Great-sounding stereo mic for your iPhone

TASCAM's iM2 turns the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch into a high-quality stereo recorder. A pair of condenser microphones - the same high quality as TASCAM's best-selling DR-series recorders - plugs into the dock connector of your Apple device.

The microphones are adjustable over 180 degrees for the best sound placement. The uni-directional elements are arranged in an AB pattern for detailed stereo imaging while capturing the ambience of your room.

The iM2 contains its own microphone preamp and analog-to-digital converter for low noise and great audio quality. Unlike mics that use the built-in iPhone preamp, the iM2 can handle up to 125dB sound levels to capture the loudest concerts and instruments without distortion.

Full-featured recording

Also contained in the iM2 is a stereo limiter to tame sudden loud sounds. The microphone level is adjustable with a knob on the side, making it quick to adjust without even looking at the unit. It's powered through the dock connector so no battery is required. A USB input is provided to charge your Apple iOS device for long recordings, either through a computer or TASCAMs PS-P515U power adapter.

Available for free download, TASCAMs PCM Recorder app is the perfect companion for the iM2. PCM Recorder turns the iPhone or iPad into a stereo recorder, based on the popular TASCAM DR-series. Record mono or stereo files at CD-quality for up to 12 hours in the application. High and low EQ are built-in, as well as stereo limiting and a low cut filter. After recording, files can be accessed through iTunes or uploaded to SoundCloud right from the iPhone. PCM Recorder raises the bar for recorders on the iPhone and iPad, and its available for no charge.

The ultra-portable iM2 is a must have for musicians who want to capture inspiration on their iPhone or iPad without sacrificing recording quality. It's the perfect recording accessory for musicians of all skill levels available at an unbeatable price.

Full Feature List

• Stereo condenser microphones for iPhone 4, iPod Touch or iPad dock connection
• High-quality stereo condenser microphones - same as our best-selling DR-series recorders
• Microphones adjustable 180 degrees front to back
• Built-in analog to digital converter and microphone preamp for low noise recording
• 125dB SPL maximum level for recording loud shows without distortion
• Switchable limiter attenuates high-level signals to prevent recording overload
• Adjustable input level control
• Powered through iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch dock connector
• USB input allows the iPhone or iPad to be charged from a USB connection or optional TASCAM PS-P515U
• CD-quality digital recording (44.1kHz/16-bit linear PCM)
• Compact size ideal for mobile use
• Compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch 4G, iPad, iPad 2
• PCM Recorder application available for free download on the iTunes store
• Dimensions: 2.3" W x 2.2" H x 0.75" D
• Weight: 1.05 oz

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 95 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Works great with my iPhone 4S - Hear it for yourself January 13, 2012

By Bob Tobias #1 HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Color Name:black

Length: 1:03 Mins

The microphone is small and light (a bit larger than a box of matches and about as heavy as for quarters). However, it has a solid, well made feel. It works great (and looks great) on my iPhone 4S.

The attached video does two things. It provides a detailed look at some of its features and gives an audio comparison so you can judge the quality for yourself. I recorded a short poem simultaneously into a regular iPhone, an iPhone with an iM2, and a Tascam DR40 Portable Digital Recorder. To me the iPhone with iM2 sounds more like the high quality digital recorder than it does a regular iPhone. Does it sound good enough to justify the expense? I think so and now you have a way to judge for yourself.

Update: In response to a comment I checked and you can use this mic while recording a video on you phone. In addition to the improved fidelity you can direct the mic backwards, towards your subjects or towards you which would emphasize any comments you make.

68 of 76 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice, but room for improvement January 14, 2012

By Gauntletwielder

Color Name:black|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a recording engineer in Miami. Ever since I saw the iM2 announcement on DVICE, I have been looking forward to getting my hands on one! A TEAC product. I have always had good luck with TEAC products.

That luck has run out...sort of.

The PCMRecorder, and the iM2 stereo mic intended to be used with the app, both seem like beta versions. (i.e. not ready to be sold)

The iM2 does NOT work with Garage Band. The iM2 does work with Twisted Wave...but only in an environment that has other AirPlay devices. The iM2 shows up as an AirPlay device in Twisted Wave.

Do not even think about playing back a recording while the iM2 is connected to an iOS device. It will not happen. The iM2 must be unplugged from a device before attempting playback.

The Limiter and Input Level indicators are on the BOTTOM of the device. Not the best location for them.

The iM2 came in a box that had a "Made for iPhone 4S" label on it. I will believe it when I see it. As soon as the iM2 was connected to my iPhone 4S, the 4S lost cellular signal and spent five minutes "Searching" for a signal. It only stopped searching whenIi removed the iM2. Then it immediately found a signal. That is just plain bad news. Airplane Mode looks like a good idea, if you are willing to miss calls.

The iM2 is powered by the device it is connected to. Not thrilled about that, but the iM2 draws less current than I expected it to. A definite plus.

After getting past the numerous limitations, idiosyncrasies, etc...I was finally able to record audio. I was determined that my money was not going to be wasted.

The PCMRecorder app feels minimal and obligatory. The app only uses the upper left corner of the screen on an iPad. This leaves lots of wasted screen real estate that could have been used to add functionality to improve the app. The app is NOT intuitive. It takes a bit of patience to get used to it.

Bottom line, PCMRecorder is great for adjusting the stereo input levels. Would be much better if the app had additional ways to export audio files. At present, it only supports SoundCloud. SoundCloud is nice, but the app should support AudioCopy at the very least.

I was able to achieve the best consistent results using this technique:

1. Use PCMRecorder to adjust the input levels
2. Use StudioMini XL (with the Stereo Recording switched ON!) to record
3. Use iTunes File Sharing, e-mail or a web browser to export the audio

After all is said and done, the audio quality is good. (Much better than built-in mono mic on iOS devices) But concerts sound like they were recorded in a room. I will tinker with using another app later to improve the sound.

Both the app and the iM2 could be better, but for the $73 I paid, I can live with it. It just has an awkward learning curve and the app is NOT user friendly. The hardware also has limitations. Would be great if it had it's own internal rechargeable battery.

Maybe version 2.0 will be an improvement?

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Works great on my iPhone 4s December 31, 2011

By Brian Ziegler

Color Name:black|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've been looking for a high quality microphone for my iPhone 4s and it has finally arrived!
Works great and I am using it with the FiRe version 2 app.