Whether you’re interested in producing professional audio content for your job or you love to record concerts and various events you attend, this digital audio recorder is an option you might want to consider.
Designed for various applications, the unit comes packed with features that promise to ensure high-performance regardless of the location of your recording. What’s more, it was built to make it easy to use it. In case you’re new to such devices, here is what makes this particular model stand out from the crowd. Check out these features for a more informed decision.
Main advantage
The unit might seem not too different from other models in this category, yet when you dive deeper into its specs, you learn that this little gadget can cover a wide variety of recording-related needs and perform professionally no matter the one you employ it for. The main advantage of this unit is thus its versatility.
The wide covering range ensured by this model will make it easier for you to record anything you’re interested in ranging from music to speeches and interviews. What makes this possible is the different features the product is equipped with.
In order to ensure high-quality recording, the Tascam dr-40 Digital Audio Recorder boasts stereo built-in condenser microphones. These microphones will help you capture a wide spectrum of sounds. You can employ it to record anything from whispers to jet engines or loud sounds of up to 125dB SPL.
The mics featured are adjustable unidirectional microphones, which means that you can use the product to record in an X-Y position or an A-B pattern. The first position is ideal for tight stereo imaging whereas the second pattern renders the item great for ambient recording, so you won’t leave any events you’re interested in unrecorded.
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Main disadvantage
In case you intend to use this unit for long recording sessions, you might have to stock up on AA batteries to make sure you don’t run out of power. The product requires two AA batteries to work, yet it provides up to 17.5 hours of recording when used with standard 2ch WAV, 44.1kHz/ 16bit format and alkaline batteries.
What’s great, though, is that you can also power it by a USB mobile battery if you need to use the recorder for a long time. The only thing is that you will have to make sure that you always have a pair of spare batteries if your needs involve heavy use. This adds to the final cost of the product.
Main features explained
Recording your guitar sessions, speeches, a concert you attend, or an interview might not always be possible since high-quality recording calls for professional equipment. The Tascam dr-40 Digital Audio Recorder makes it easier to carry out such activities and do so professionally without too much effort or expensive recording gear involved.
Versatility
One of the first benefits provided by this digital audio recorder is its wide range of applications. With this unit, you can easily record the next concert of your favorite band, an interview, your most-loved music, or your guitar, piano, or other musical instrument practice sessions.
The item measures only 2.76 x 1.38 x 6.1 inches, which means that you can easily take it with you wherever you go and that further means that you no longer have to carry heavy equipment for your recording needs.
To ensure such versatility, the product is packed with stereo built-in condenser microphones and these very microphones are designed in such a way to enable you to capture anything you’re interested in. From whispers to loud sounds of up to 125dB SPL, this unit has got it covered. Plus, all these sounds you get to record will be rendered in high-quality audio.
The microphones are adjustable and unidirectional and allow for recording in both X-Y and A-B patterns. You can thus employ the item for tight stereo imaging as well as ambient recording. Such features provide users with tremendous versatility. Whether it’s casual or more professional recording you’re on the lookout for, this unit is bound to cover such needs nicely.
Overdubbing and live performances
In case you’re a lot into the music industry and you need a compact yet professional recorder to help you capture live performances beautifully, this unit is worth adding to your list of options. The product was built to enable users to record live sessions with little effort and ensure high-quality sounds.
The recorder has dual Neutrik XLR/TRS combo jacks and can thus support both 4dBu line-level and mic-level. Simply put, these inputs can support the line level or balanced microphone from the FOH console or mixers. What’s more, the +48V phantom power included in the microphone preamp and the plenty of gain offered ensure detailed recordings with both electret and condenser microphones.
As we’ve said above, you can thus use the built-in microphones to record ambient sounds such as the ones of your audience while recording directly from an external console. All that renders this recorder ideal for live performances.
Moreover, with the Tascam dr-40 Digital Audio Recorder, you can turn your room into a studio. The USB Audio interface mode allows you to connect the unit to your PC or Mac, so you can use the item as a voiceover tool, for live streaming sessions, or for recording the music you create. The mics featured will thus work as USB microphones.
To take your experience even one step further, the product allows for overdubbing as well. The unit comes equipped with the functions needed for overdub recording while playing a file you’ve previously recorded.
For example, if you’ve recorded your performance at a rehearsal studio and you’d like to record a new part over this file, you can easily do so with the overdubbing function. Just activate it to record a guitar solo over your previously recorded file.
Furthermore, this function will create a new file, so the original one will remain unaffected. You can then re-record as often as desired. The four-channel recording mode for multi-track recording and nondestructive overdubbing are part of the features that render this model worthy of attention.
Extended battery life
The Tascam dr-40 Digital Audio Recorder is powered by two AA batteries, but you can also power it via a USB mobile battery. Since practice sessions, concerts, speeches, and other activities you want to record can stretch over hours, the product delivers extended battery life.
Even if frequent recordings will require you to buy batteries often, which might make it a bit pricey in the long run, the unit still performs as far as battery life is extended. If you use alkaline batteries and record with standard 2ch WAV, 44.1kHz/ 16bit format and the built-in microphones, you get 17.5 hours of recording.
For extended recordings, you can power the unit via a USB mobile battery. Now, you might also be interested in the data capacity provided by this recorder. The unit excels at this as well. Designed to support a single SDXC card, the product will enable you to engage in long recording sessions.
If you use a 128GB card and 44.1kHz/ 16bit CD quality to record a stereo file, then you can get 192 hours of recording. If you record in MP3/320kbps, you will get up to 896 hours of recording. Whichever option you choose, you still get a noteworthy data capacity.
Easy operation
On top of everything mentioned above, the product is built to make it easy for users of all levels to employ it for their needs. Easy operation is thus another advantage you will get to benefit from when employing this product. The layout of the recorder has been improved to ensure quick, comfortable, and easy one-thumb operation.
You just need to press a button once to record, delete, add markers, or adjust various levels. Plus, the different modes, controls, and functions available simplify the user’s experience significantly. For example, if there’s a part of your recording that you don’t like or you’d like to rephrase narration, you can easily do that with the Overwrite mode.
All the specs featured will help you customize your recordings and tailor them according to your needs. You will also get an optional RC-3F footswitch as well as RC-10 wired remote control.
Additionally, the Tascam dr-40 Digital Audio Recorder is compact and easy to carry around. It measures only 2.8 x 1.4 x 6.1 inches and weighs 7.4 ounces. As long as you have the required batteries, you can comfortably add it to your gear when traveling.
The batteries needed to power the unit are included in the pack. The recorder is available in both original and updated versions. The improved model is a bit pricier than the old one, though, yet this is understandable.
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