DR40 REVIEW
Now this is exciting!
There are quite a few small recorders just below £200, but there are none with XLRs. Until now.
XLR mic input sockets are good because they allow you to use professional, low impedance microphones. You can sometimes use pro mics in the minijack inputs which small recorders have, but the results are uncertain - it may go well, or it may not. XLR inputs are also balanced, which mean you don't pick up hums and interference from other electrical equipment.
XLRs are virtually always better, and the DR40 has two of them for under £200.
I've just finished a short test with a production DR40 and the results were really great. In fact better than I expected.
It's an easy recorder to use - not too many buttons or menus. It's light and easy to hold in your hand - about the same size as an H4n. You can switch phantom on and off with a switch on the side; you can quickly change the mic input with a button and menu on the top; it's been well thought out for easy adjustments to the things you need to adjust.
The built-in mics work well enough and I haven't any grievance against them, but you know that I don't usually like internals. It was with my BP4025 that it really came to life with what seem to be sweet, sweet preamps offering clean, clean sound. To my ears better than a PMD661 at twice the price, and better than an H4n at £100 more. I had thought this was a recorder for constrained budgets, but now I think it's a recorder for everyone.
The DR40 promises to revolutionise recording below £200.
Read what Transom think of the DR40.
£199 IN STOCK NOW
Text from Tascam
The adjustable mics, four-track recording and extended battery life of the TASCAM DR-40 give you the flexibility you need to record tracks anywhere.
The DR-40 captures up to four tracks from built-in, high-quality condenser microphones, XLR mic or line inputs. The internal mics are adjustable from XY to AB position, helping you to tailor your recording to the sound of the room. A pair of great-sounding TASCAM microphone preamps welcome condenser microphones with phantom power, recording at up to 96kHz/24-bit resolution. It accommodates balanced XLR or 1/4" line inputs using locking Neutrik Combo jacks. The DR-40 accepts SD or SDHC cards up to 32GB, and a 2GB card is included.
Once recorded, play back your takes with EQ and the optional Level Align feature to avoid volume jumps. A stereo reverb effect is also built-in, as well as a speaker and chromatic tuner. Transfer recordings to computer using the USB 2.0 jack. Other features include overdub mode, variable speed playback, limiting and low cut filter, and much more – all with TASCAM’s simple-to-use interface. No other recorder makes home or live recording as simple as the TASCAM DR-40.
"DR-05", "DR-07MK2" and our brand new "DR-40" Linear PCM Recorders are part of TASCAM's handheld recorders. Select a model based on your functional needs.
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