Customer Ratings: 
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $199.00
Today's Bonus:
- 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
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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.
Buy TASCAM DR-40 4-Track Portable Digital Recorder Now
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.
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UPDATE: The DR-40 suffers from a noise issue when recording Mp3 files. There is a low level background noise generated by the Mp3 encoder within the recorder. Louder recording levels of recordings will mask the noise. It will only be heard during the silent or very low volume passages of an Mp3 recording. It gets worse with the lower data rates. While this noise is a byproduct of the mP3 encoding process, it usually is not heard at the higher data rates of other recorders. The same noise is present on all the newer model Tascam recorders, but not the older units. This indicates an engineering change in the mP3 encoder. The older style Tascam DR-100 model does not have this noise. My Zoom recorder and my Sony recorders do not have this noise at the data rates of 128 or higher. No other brand of Mp3 recorder has this odd noise at the higher data rates. It's only in the later model Tascams. Fortunately, this encoding noise is not present when recording in the WAV format, but let's face it, it should not be heard in the higher data rate Mp3 modes either.
NOTE: In the video clip provided, I have used AGC processing of the Mp3 file to make the volume of the noise loud enough for you to hear what it is. In a normal recording, it is not this loud. It shouldn't be there at all.
Read Best Reviews of TASCAM DR-40 4-Track Portable Digital Recorder Here
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.
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Review Tascam DR40: This was purchased to go along with my Zoom H4N.
The unit is simply excellent imo and esp for the money looks like it's a purchase that can not be beaten!
Recording in multiple modes, 4 Tracks, xlr facility and dual recording with one track at a set db below is a priceless function. Self noise is 100% nil in most set ups and absolutely minimal in set ups where there is some self noise.
The ability to select any input level you require is great, most units have selectable input levels, with this unit you can gradually move the input up and down till your just on the level you want.
Cant say enough positive things for this recorder.
Brilliant recording quality: The following Podcast was recorded direct into the DR40 Listen to the first three recordings of Dyslexia Thinking Positive and also the short intro for Mac in Business for the recorders recording sound quality.
The cons are: High handling noise when using internal mics, you WILL need to take this onto account and possibly use a hand grip of some sort as I do...Then handling noise is nil.
As with most all field recorders used outside, the inbuilt mics will pick up wind and breeze across the top of the mic creating noise. You WILL need a Dead Cat or some other form of wind protection for the mics if your planning on using this unit outside, they are very sensitive indeed!
To end it provides faultless recording quality, is easy to use, very clear to view settings and recording levels and has excellent functions others do not have. You will not be disappointed with the purchase...At this price point IMO its simply awesome.
I love this recorder. Great sound & easy to use. 4 channels & safety recording are a dream. There also is a $15 rebate available at tascam.com on all purchases through 12/31/11. If you were lucky like me & scored one of these during the $149.99 Lightning Deal, it drops the final cost to $134.99!!!
