Personal View site logo
Wanted some gear but couldn't afford it? It is perfect chance to get it for cheap. Special deals for amazing prices.
If you want to support this project, select one of the options below.
It is going to reversing and project support costs (hosting, etc).
I am spending good amount of time on it and your support allows to improve and expand this site.
contribution size
Tascam DR-100 MK II
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev
    image

    - Improved mics
    - Improved preamps with more gain and less noise (this is big)
    - Better AD/DA converters
    - Locking XLRs
    - SPDIF input
    - Looks like it can record 4 external channels

    Via: http://tascam.jp/product/dr-100mkii/

    Very interesting
  • 38 Replies sorted by
  • brianlucebrianluce
    Anyone know the street price?
    I have the old DR100, the locking XLR's is also a nice upgrade.
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev
    As far as I remember around the same as TR100, <$350
  • fehafeha
    This is great news, added to my list
  • everoevero
    Better preamps is essential, will be very interesting to see how much better! But they didn't change the cardoid mics direction (like their newer smaller models, and zoom h4n)? I also hope it will have some 4 channel capability, utilising both external and internal like zoom h4n and roland r-26 (but from what I can see, it doesn't look like that). Maybe easier to read the specs when the english site is updated:)
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev
    @evero

    Their cardiod mikes direction is already the same as on Zoom.
    They are at the same angle, just inside this metal things :-)
  • fatpigfatpig
    external and internal simultaneously would be great :)
  • VisuaLancerVisuaLancer
    Damn, I just buy the TASCAM DR-100 two months ago.. I wish It released earlier ;(

    Anyone had try this? Is it big improvement from the old model?
  • duchduch
    Looks like it will be a two tracks only recorder like the first version :(

    http://translate.google.fr/translate?sl=ja&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=fr&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftascam.jp%2Fproduct%2Fdr-100mkii%2Fspecifications%2F
  • AthirilAthiril
    Tascam's website states for the DR-100:
    "High-performance microphone preamp with 60dB of gain
    Premium AKM Audio4Pro™ A/D converters with over 100dB signal to noise ratio"

    While the DR-100 Mk II states:
    "S/N Ratio 92dB or more（XLR LINE 1 IN→LINE OUT, Fs44.1kHz, +24dBu input, JEITA）"

    Wouldn't the original DR-100 be better in noise then? Because it looks like the A/D converter is better in the original just going from the specs?



    Was looking at getting the DR-100.. 4 channels would be awesome though. But B&H says its a 2 channel recorder, not 4.

    edit: Another section of the page says "The section AD / DA will use the electronics IC ※ Asahi Audio4pro ™ brand beyond the S / N 100dB", so looks promising.
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev
    @Athiril
    All recorders use good AD converters.
    Problem lies in microphone preamps.
    DR100 have low gain and quite noise preamp.
  • PhenixonePhenixone
    If this thing has 4 tracks, then it is mine otherwise, no... (I need it for lavalieres)
  • AthirilAthiril
    I thought the DR-100 Mk I had -good- pre-amps, ie: better than the DR-40 which is the same as one of the lower models, and better than the Zoom H4n
  • ikoniqikoniq
    Thanks for the heads up Vitaliy! I really like the Tascam DR100 when I need a mic-xlr-DR100-padded cable-DSLR signal chain for dual sound. I will likely be picking up this new version when it comes out.

    This is a great list of recorders by Signal/Noise Ratios http://www.avisoft.com/recordertests.htm some surprise performers in there like the Sony PCM-M10 and Roland R09HR.
  • duchduch
    @phenixone > it doesn't have 4 track.
  • PhenixonePhenixone
    sad.com/4tracks
  • everoevero
    Dispite not beeing 4 channel, I still have hopes for this recorder. But what do you guys think of pairing this DR100 mk2 with a Røde NTG 3 shotgun?

    The NTG3 must have phantom power, and in my limited experience with the first DR100, using Phantom seemed to drain the batteries pretty fast. On the Roland R-26 it's possible to specify phantom on/off indicidually on the two XLR inputs. I hope this is possible on the DR100 mk2, because the other XLR will connect to a Sennheiser G3 (doesn't need phantom).

    So...
    - DR-100 mk2
    - Røde NTG3 (used NTG2 before with original DR100, but that was not a good combination, from what I've heard the NTG 3 have lower noise floor, and requires less from the preamp)
    (And a Sennheiser G3 from time to time)

    ... Does it seem like a reasonable sound setup for documentary production?
  • brianlucebrianluce
    I get about 3 to 4 hours off phantom power. That's pretty good. Batteries are cheap too.

  • everoevero
    @brianluce wow. Is that with included (Li-Ion) battery? Or combined with both Li-Ion and AA batteries?

    Any opinions on using the NTG 3 mic with Tascam DR100/DR100 mk2?
    (sorry if I'm a little offtopic here, but I hope others also are interested to see what equipment/shotguns mics that suits there recorders well)
  • digitaldoodadigitaldooda

    I am in the market for a field recorder and am very interested in this unit. Any one have any experience with the DR100mk2 yet? It sells for $299us at Sweetwater, 2 year warranty and free shipping. The Roland R26 sells for $499, 2 year warranty free shipping. The Tascam is a 2 stereo track recorder the Roland is 6 track, 3 stereo.

  • alcomposeralcomposer

    Hey @digitaldooda,

    I currently have the MK11. Can say that it is a VERY good unit. The pre-amps are VERY clean, and the unit is very well made.

    Personally I use this for NTG3, and also for recording line out of theatre / music shows. Works very well on both occasions.

    Let me know if you have any questions...

  • danyyyeldanyyyel

    You have the new olympus LS-100 in between the Tascam and the roland r26. It seems to be quite good for $ 400.

  • digitaldoodadigitaldooda

    Could be except it supposedly only captures 2 channels at a time. It cannot record both XLR audio signals and the built-in condenser mic signals at the same time.

  • alcomposeralcomposer

    @digitaldooda,

    You talking about the Olympus...? I am aware of this limitation with the MKII.

  • digitaldoodadigitaldooda

    Yes. The Olympus LS100. I have not confirmed this as yet. Tascam's literature suggests the DR100MkII can record from both the internal mics in stereo and the XLR/Line inputs at the same time either in stereo with 2 mics or mono fed to both channels. Is this so? The Roland R26 can record to 6 mono channels or 3 stereo according to their add literature. All 4 internals and the XLR/Lines simultaneously. I will report more info on the Olympus as it becomes available.

  • aprioriapriori

    The DR-100mkii has a major selling point which hasn't been mentioned: S/PDIF input. Prior to the DR-100mkii, the most affordable digital recorder with an S/PDIF input was the Marantz PMD661, which retails for double the price of the Tascam at $600.

    Although 2-track recording may be a significant limitation (2 channels are fine for my needs), I think the ability to receive external digital signals outweighs it. I plan to connect a Sound Devices USBPre2 with my DR-100mkii via S/PDIF output, which should allow for degradation-free recording at $950 total (Tascam - $300, SD - $650).

    If you like the idea of using a higher end device as the front-end of your recording chain, the DR-100mkii offers incredible value. If you're looking for an all-purpose field recording device, the Oly LS-100 or Roland R-26 look great, and may be better options. (I can't attest to the DR-100mkiis performance as a stand-alone recording solution quite yet, as I'll be using it for the first time on a shoot this weekend.)

  • JiveJive

    @apriori yes, this is one reason that I'm very keen on the MK2. The ability to keep the signal digital from mixer to recorder is awesome.

  • digitaldoodadigitaldooda

    Just got delivery of my Tascam DR100 mkII yesterday. Played with it a little. Need to get to know it very soon as I will be using it on 2 shoots latter in the week along with a rented Sound Devices 744T. Will report back after the week end. So far the only down side is it eats up AA batteries with phantom power on (Duracel alkaline). About 10 min of recording time on just the AAs. Not an official test though. Hadn't charged the rechargeable so don't know about that one yet.

  • alcomposeralcomposer

    @digitaldooda,

    Make sure that you use NiMH batteries. Alkaline are useless for pro gear as they contain next to no power. I have used the MKII for over an hour with power to spare off 2500mah NiMH. They are also VERY cheap!

    Great to have the built in backup power available!

    So power up!

  • brianlucebrianluce

    I have the old DR100, does the Mark II record a hotter signal? I've always got my level dials way high for dialog, presumably this is because of DR100 music roots.

  • alcomposeralcomposer

    @brianluce, Don't have the Mk1- so can't tell... but the level is nice and hot...

  • everoevero

    Review comparing Zoom H4n with DR-100 mk2: http://www.pauljoy.com/gear/camera-accessories/tascam-dr-100mkii-vs-zoom-h4n-review/ Reviewer tested with Sennheisser MKH416 shotgun mic, and I'm a little suprised that he didn't comment on differences in pre-amps, but I've asked and hopefully he will respond on the issue.

    I've concidered the DR-100 mkII a lot, but start to think the Olympus LS-100 is a better choice for me. It's a little more expensive, but: - from what I understand it might have an edge on the preamps/noise levels, but I'm really on thin ice trying to compare results from eg. http://www.avisoft.com/recordertests.htm - LS-100 battery capacity is stated to 12,5 hours (according to Olympus. And I expect that to drop markebly when using phantom power, which I need). The DR-100 mkII using built in mic will record 5 hours with Li-Ion battery + 4 hours AA NiMh batteries (accordring to Tascam). I guess it's a close call, but I actually prefer buying an extra Olympus battery, and forget about the battery fuss on set.

    I haven't found many reviews on the LS-100 yet, only a german preview: http://www.audiotranskription.de/olympus-ls-100 Lastly, ofcourse the Roland R-26 is still a good candidate. I like the ergonomics, but I find it a little too big.

  • yoclayyoclay

    The LS-100 looks the first serious candidate for challenging the low self noise and quality of the Sony PCM-D50 as a portable recorder AND which also has built in XLR inputs. It also appears to have more dynamic range than the Sony. I love my Sony, so much so that I even converted a Denecke PS-2 as an XLR phantom power to work exclusively with it. The quality is almost on par with an Sound Devices 302 mixer. Still it means carrying two units in a very small Thinktank pouch rather than one, and that is where the Olympus has a real opportunity to clean up. I would say that it is no contest compared to the Tascam.

    update: Having listened to the german preview, unfortunately he concludeds (and I agree) that it still falls short of the Sony. If you listen to the tracks at the end there definitely is a rumble which needs a low pass cut and there is some serious susceptibility to wind noise. I would say that the search for a small all-in one portable recorder which can contend with mixer/recorders still continues. It is true that the Marantz continue to be the only other player that can approach the Sony.

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    You can look at DR-100 MK II review make by Ken, it has various measurements

    Like all these little portable audio recorders, performance is only at a 15- or 16-bit level even if set to "24 bits." Even though 24 bits wiggle, the bottom 8 bits are just noise; "24 bit" is a sales feature and not related to actual quality. There is no measurable or audible improvement in the 24-bit mode

    http://kenrockwell.com/audio/tascam/dr-100mkii.htm

  • alcomposeralcomposer

    This is a sad sad day that Ken is now reviewing audio devices, (albeit for DSLR's... don't know why- wasn't he anti DSLR at one point??)

    As for 24 vs 16 - describing the bottom 8 bits as 'just noise' is a bit of a joke. As you would know @VK it doesn't really work that way...

  • zigizigizigizigi

    The review mentioned by evero few posts above claims that
    ...the DR-100 mkII drifted out of sync with recordings on my cameras slightly on very long shots. With both recorders running side by side with my Sony EX1 for an hour the audio from the H4n would sync up correctly whereas the audio from the Dr-100 was 4 frames too long towards the end.

    Can anyone of DR-100 MKII owners confirm that?

  • luca_vasconluca_vascon

    I've got the ZoomH4n. Pretty decent mics, decent mic preamps (a GOOD preamp is another thing, and cannot share the case with something else!! and I've got one) but what I like most is WIRED REMOTE! If one, the problem of all these tools is WIND. I've got a custom deadcat-sac that covers it all. Remote is the killer solution. I can record the field noise, have a sennheiser me66 on the boom AND a mono wireless tie lavallier. 4 tracks in one 250 eur machine. I'll not upgrade it soon, it is still too good to be true! :-D However, till now nothing compares to the sound I heard from the Sony stuff, that are priced double.

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    I've got the ZoomH4n.

    What is this doing in Tascam topic?

  • AlexAlex

    very interesting read:

    Audio Recorder Roundup: Zoom H4n vs. Tascam DR-100mkII vs Tascam DR-40

    http://nofilmschool.com/2012/04/audio-recorder-roundup-h4n-zoom-vs-tascam/#more-21070

Add a Comment