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Tascam DR-40
  • skiandbikeskiandbike
    New 4-track recorder (with XLR) from Tascam!

    image

    •Handheld 4-track Portable Recorder
    •Built-in cardioid 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



    Information

    http://tascam.com/product/dr-40/



    Order and pricing:

    Pricing is $157.59

    http://www.amazon.com/DR-40-4-Track-Portable-Digital-Recorder/dp/B005NACC6M/


    Missing some of the analog features of the DR-100, but control dial looks much better. Zoom H4n killer?

    I have been going back and forth on the DR-100 and H4n for a few weeks. Anyone have insights into how this might compare?
  • 120 Replies sorted by
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    Tascam DR-40 4-Track Handheld Digital Audio Recorder, $120

    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1399570-REG/tascam_dr_40lg_dr_40_portable_pcm_recorder.html

  • Alex_KAlex_K

    I think there is a mistake in battey type settings. Switching to NiMh - gives me 1 bar. ALKALINE - gives me 2 bars.

  • ahblezaahbleza

    @Ironlungs -- maybe a bit late, but I use the Anker Astro Pro2 for powering the DR40.

    http://www.amazon.com/20000mAh-Multi-Voltage-External-Netbooks-Notebooks/dp/B00B45EOYS

  • ThomasoThomaso

    I didn't get the driver cd with my dr-40. Anyone know where I can get one?

  • IronlungsIronlungs

    Power supply question - need correct connector:

    I have the Tascam DR40, love it so far. Use it to record band rehearsals and some gigs. After getting my other equipment going and helping others / checking over PA system, I find that I often don't have time to do much more than turn it on and hit record. Unfortunately, this has lead to missed events due to the unit shutting off midway through (low batteries).

    I need to use the power supply, but I don't know which to buy.

    ** Can someone please include some actual links of units that would work with the correct plug. **

    I've heard a lot of people saying an AC adaptor from an iphone charger or ipod, but my ipod plugin certainly doesn't have the same connector as the DR-40. I've also tried to plugin my phone charger (htc EVO 4g), but its not the same... the phone connector is a bit slimmer than the DR40. Thanks!

  • B3DB3D

    mo7ies-- Yes, I was very concerned about possible noise/hum when the idea was brought up to use USB power on the Tascam 40 and the 60D. Fortunately, after dozens of shoots, we've never had a problem with it. But we still always check it carefully before each shoot, just in case.

  • mo7iesmo7ies

    Well, I have to vote against using the power supply, unless absolutely necessary. Reason: possibility of electrical noise (all those new 5V supplies are switching types, so emit EMI like crazy!), and also ground loops.

    You may or may not run into this problem, but why set yourself up from the beginning?

    I own and use Dr-40, it will work easily for half-day on one set of rechargeable batteries.

    Yes it is best to charge them the night before the gig; however certain types will hold charge for months without a problem. Get this Eneloop, they are the best: http://goo.gl/p0fegK

  • _OZ_OZ

    Great tip, just tried it and will be using it for a gig this weekend.

  • fosterchenfosterchen

    I've started to also use USB to power the DR-40 if a wall plug was close and available at my shoot location.
    Rechargeable batteries do last, but are not 100% reliable, as I found out one time on a shoot where the recorder turned off after 5 minutes. A tip on using rechargeable AA's, don't charge them way ahead of time or they might just loose charge, even new ones! Best to charge them the night before for immediate use for best results. And drain them COMPLETELY before the next charge!
    I've had 5+ year old rechargeables work better than ones I just bought a month ago - Energizer 2300mah.
    I have a handy Sony wall plug to USB converter that's from another camera (Sony TX100 point shoot) which works great for this purpose, and it's small and light. This thing also charges iPhones no problem! So vice versa, an iPhone wall charger should work fine too for the DR-40.

    Thanks for the tip @Fulgura!

  • B3DB3D

    Yes, it works fine that way, as long as the AC>USB adapter provides enough juice. But I've used 3 different ones in the past and they all worked. We run the DR-60D the same way, btw.

  • Sph1nxsterSph1nxster

    @b3d The DR-40 can be powered by USB cable with no batteries?

  • B3DB3D

    You'll need one Sescom or the other if you plan on using the audio in the GH2. The 3.5>3.5 w/ a Hosa 3.5>2.5 adapter would be good if you do get that GH3.

    We've not had any issues other than certain mic's sound better using the DR-40's phantom instead of their own. We power ours with a plug-in USB wall adapter, which works great & saves batteries. Turn the GH2's mic level down to lowest setting.

    If you're only going to use the Tascam's audio, you won't need the Sescom. Pluraleyes will sync w/ just the camera mic's sound. If doing that, it can be helpful to turn up the GH2's mic some.

    Btw, Dualeyes can do both syncing & stretching of the audio if it's very long... otherwise it gets out of sync from the video. You can manually stretch it though if you don't have Dualeyes (but it should have come w/ your Pluraleyes 3). I wish Pluraleyes had that feature built-in!

  • smoke23smoke23

    I finally purchased a Tascam DR-40 from B&H as they were on sale for $140 plus Pluraleyes 3 included. I've always used the Beachtek dxa-slr for run & gun work. I'm primary going to use this for interviews, wedding ceremonies, and when I need to capture clean audio. I have three questions:

    1. If I plan to sync with the GH2/GH3, do I need to purchase the Sescom cable Sescom LN2MIC-TAS-MON or the LN2MIC-TAS-GH1 ? I plan on getting a GH3 soon so would the 3.5 to 3.5 be a better purchase?

    2. I have a Audio Technica AT875 shotgun mic, are there any problems with the mic to work with the recorder?

    3. Are there any tips & tricks I need to know about the DR-40 to work better with the GH2 & GH3?

    Thanks!

  • QuickHitRecordQuickHitRecord

    Let me preface by saying that audio is not something that I know much about.

    I have this recorder and I'm trying to find a way to record in Dual mode (single XLR into two channels of varying DB) while also recording in the GH2 (connected from headphone jack via mini cable). So far I have not been able to produce a satisfactory result -- the audio recorded on the GH2 has a significant hiss to it (and this is after I dialed down the in-camera gain). I read about bad pre-amps on these units, but is there any kind of workaround out there? I really could use some pointers. Has anyone posted about doing something like this?

  • No_SuRReNDeRNo_SuRReNDeR

    @Fulgura Ok so essentially your saying a Seinheisser M66 isnt a balanced mic?... I'm lost.

    @vicharris just I just had the same thing happen with the audio technica lavs I use. Wound up having to record the audio on the old Xh_a1 and sinc the files in post. The funny thing is the internal mics on the DR40 are fine...but I get nothing on the XLR inputs now.

  • vicharrisvicharris

    @Fulgura Checked with a few batteries. Going to try external power in a bit. I'm first dealing with a bunch of bad footage that I shot yesterday with Moon. Trying to figure out what went wrong with that first!

  • FulguraFulgura

    OK, will consider this Thanks...

    @vicharris Sorry to hear that DR-40 went belly up. Have you checked whether it is some sort of a power issue? New batteries should be the first test. Also, try using a USB cable to connect it to a computer. The external power provided from the USB bus may wake it up. DR-40 operates with the external power perfectly.

    Best

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    The manufacturer has been informed about this already but so far the only response has been the comment sort of saying "Please use a balanced microphone on DR-40". It is either too difficult for them to implement or they do not consider that kind of a use typical on DR-40. We are still waiting.

    Just bombard them with requests. It is TASCAM, after all.

    Cite from US-800 topic here:

    This unit has one of the worse drivers in the world :-)

    You can go to their site and get PDF for drivers update.

    Interesting read.

    "We have big memory leak that could cause instant reboot of your Windows 7. This is normal. Try to reboot your PC regularly before any unit usage."

    "We also have other big memory leak, and you can just browse or watch movie and memory will still leak, so stop working like this and reboot your PC regularly."

    "Also our drivers do not recognize unit after each reboot. And any power on/off cycle of the unit can cause instant reboot of your PC"

  • FulguraFulgura

    Yeah, quite possibly. The manufacturer has been informed about this already but so far the only response has been the comment sort of saying "Please use a balanced microphone on DR-40". It is either too difficult for them to implement or they do not consider that kind of a use typical on DR-40. We are still waiting.

    Anyway, I have found cheaper solutions as stated in my earlier message and DR-40 is OK with GH2 and 600D so far.

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    @Fulgura

    Seems like screen induce interference on audio lines. You can write about this to manufacturer, as fix seems simple.

  • vicharrisvicharris

    Ahh, all my mics are balance so that's why I never hear it. Funny thing though, went to set yesterday. Pulled out my gear, hooked up my Sony Lavs to the talent. Hooked everything to my 40, turned it on...nothing. It's dead in the water. It's never been dropped and in a protected bag since I bough it. Don't think it's a year old yet. Not good.

  • FulguraFulgura

    The helicopter sound is the result of using unbalanced input. DR-40 is designed to be used with balanced mics. However, there is a work-around to get rid of that bug. When you start recording, you begin to hear the chop-chop interference, which must be due to some sort of internal clocking getting active (timecode clock?). Then, you press the MENU button. The moment you see menu appears (and timecode disappears), you get a clean signal. The recording still goes on, but you just do not see the timecode. Nevertheless, the moment you press MENU again, chop-chop comes back with the appearance of timecode.

    Try and see for yourself. I assume Tascam never assumed that unbalanced mics will be used in XLR ports. A future firmware may (or may not, depending on the nature of the bug) correct this but so far I either used balanced mics with no chop-chop or used unbalanced ones with the MENU trick.

    Alternatively, you can buy a $15 or so unbalanced-balanced converter and use your unbalanced mics on the Dr-40 with no problem.

    Also, instead of the overpriced Sescom cable, buy a $8 KOSS VC-20 volume controller to attenuate the line-out output to mic-level. It also protects the camera's mic port.

  • vicharrisvicharris

    @No_SuRRenNDeR Do you have an example of the helicopter of death? I use a DR40 and not sure if I've heard this before but I do know the noise floor isn't that great.

  • No_SuRReNDeRNo_SuRReNDeR

    Yes its worth it...I use this one but I am Gh2 still...

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VIOZSK/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

  • Sph1nxsterSph1nxster

    @no_surrender recommend the Sescom cable then?

    I'm just trying to avoid post-sync as much as I can

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