29Sep Tascam DR-40 – First impressions
The Tascam DR-40 finally showed up on my door step this morning after several shipping delays. A few of the features seem very interesting, like the ability to record 2 copies of the same audio, each at different levels and the ability to over-dub and extra audio track, but I’ll cover more of those features once I have a chance to do a full review.
The controls on the Tascam DR-40 are almost identical to the Tascam DR-05 with the exception of 3 extra buttons just bellow the large screen and the extra play button above the unit. The DR-40 has a very plastic feel to it and even though the sides have a ruff texture around the area you hold, this texture doesn’t provide a very comfortable hand grip.
Even though the case is made mostly of plastic there is a metal 1/4 20 mount on the back of the DR-40 that should out last the plastic threads of many lower end field recorders. The 3 batteries required to power the DR-40 seems like an odd choice and gives it an strange bulge three quarters of the way up the back side of the of the case. Even with batteries installed it feels quit a bit lighter then the Zoom h4n.
With the Tascam DR-40 and Zoom h4n side by side you’ll notice that the DR-40 is slightly taller and thicker then the h4n, but even though the Zoom h4n is smaller it still feels quit a bit more substantial in your hand. The rounded rubberized corners on the h4n also make it more comfortable to hold and the over all build quality seems a few steps better then the DR-40.
There is a nice dedicated volume control button on the side of the Tascam DR-40 along with a switch to change the input sensitivity and turn on/off Phantom power. I haven’t had a chance to test out the XLR inputs or built in mics yet but I should have time to play around with it some more this weekend.
My first impression is that the build quality is lacking and the size and shape are somewhat awkward, the case feels very plastic and it’s size is larger then the Zoom h4n. I hope the audio quality gives the Tascam DR-40 a good reason to exist, because a refurbished Zoom h4n is only $50 more on amazon right now.
September 29th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Did you see a notch to be able to slip a loop through it? I came across this video for a “bag” solution the Zoom H4N. Just wondering thanks.
September 30th, 2011 at 8:29 am
Yes there is a loop notch on the bottom of the Tascam DR-40. It’s located between the XLR inputs just like the one on the Zoom h4n. If you look close you can see it in the photo showing the Zoom h4n and Tascam DR-40 XLR/ 1/4 inputs.
September 29th, 2011 at 11:58 pm
Hey,
Just discovered your site. great fun. great site.
I made the same mistake… comparing the zoom h4n to the tascam dr-40. I was playing with both in a store yesterday and couldn’t make up my mind. I liked the price tag on the tascam but it still felt kind of flimsy compared to the zoom. the price difference urges you towards the tascam but it also has no true mini in. and mini with adapters to xlr or 1/4 are so much worse than straight mini in. the zoom h4n can go mini in or xlr.
the mics on the tascam also felt cheap. mind you, all I have is the zoom H1 but I wanted something that was a massive step up not just a step up. I was browsing again today when 1 zoom h4n new randomly popped up on amazon for 272$. I pulled the trigger and eagerly await my zoom h4n.
true comparison for the dr-40? the h2whatever….which I also played with…which felt like a lump of coal in my hands. tascam dr-05 and 40 are great low end and mid range audio recorders but I think zoom takes the cake on the high end.
tascam dr-100? ever held that in your hand?! so much crap on it. not user intuitive…with that many buttons it should prefer more like a mixer than a recorder
just my two cents
great site! keep up the awesome work.
September 30th, 2011 at 10:44 am
cant wait fo the full review. i’m eyeing this recorder so it’d be nice to see a full on comparison with the zoon h4n.
September 30th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Is it ok that I’m kind of miffed that this unit has metal threads and my Tascam Dr100 which cost more $ has plastic ones (that I’ve stripped one time already).
🙁
September 30th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
I think your anger is justified. Seems like a poor choice on tascams part. Threads should be metal at the price of the dr100.
September 30th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
I am just looking for something that can get me decent sound without a mixer, etc. Because I don’t do it for a living just want to be able to have fun but do some respectable work not totally hissy and bad. I have an octava mk012 with proper sound dampening (bbg and furry), an at835b for shotgun, sony headphones 7506 – need new ear covers, a gitzo pole (used same paint flaking), and an at8415 shockmount. I have a mixpre but I want to sell it, I just need a respectable recorder and hoping the DR40 does it!
October 6th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Hi, just wondering if you had any more thoughts on the Tascam DR 40? I am curious about how long the batteries last if you are using phantom power. The $100 difference between the Tascam DR 100 and 40 is nice but if I need to get extra power to use it then the savings gets narrowed. Thanks!
October 8th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
just got the h4n today in the mail.
LOVE IT!
I already installed the latest software and played with the varying level input trick you have up.
Question tho…I’m using the sennheiser mke400 and the rode video mic pro…both with 1/8 jacks.
does the audio quality go down if you add the xlr adapter and plug it into XLR ports?
thanks!
October 10th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
I recently purchased the DR-40 and found that it would record about half of what it was supposed to. I was about to return it and get the H4n when I found there was a firmware update from Tascam, once I upgraded to the latest firmware it’s recording full length recordings now.
October 13th, 2011 at 1:45 am
The important issue is sound quality, and so far I’ve heard the DR-40 is quite similar to the DR-100. And the DR-100 sound quality is much better then the H4N.
My advice would be to go for the DR-40 over the H4N – the H4N timedrifts, and has issues with harmonic distortion. While the DR-100 does not timedrift, it will be interesting to se/hear if the DR-40 is also “time safe”.
October 17th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
I haven’t heard anything about time drift on the H4n, although the original H4 did sometimes have this problem. I’ve still been playing around with both and the DR-40 still hasn’t won me over.
October 14th, 2011 at 8:33 am
The Dr-40 has another great advantage over the H4N, the DR-40 does not time drift noticeable.
Also as a previous owner of the H4N, I don’t think the DR-40 has worse build quality. The are on the same level. The main difference being rubberized sides on the Zoom, and a metal plate construction where the quarter inch mount screw is placed on the Tascam.
Of course the build quality is not like an iPhone 4, but the Tascam feels just fine, not expensive or anything but basic and not flimsy.
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:47 am
What about the sound quality between the H4n (which reportedly has some noise and hiss) and the DR-40? Any reviews/comments?
November 20th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Still working on a back to back review. It will be out at some point.
January 26th, 2012 at 4:16 am
Jan, thanks for the comment on sound quality – very important. I have an H4n and love it, but one thing bothers me. You can only 4-track in 24-bit 48KHz with the H4n, instead of 24-bit 96KHz as all of my projects are encoded at in Logic. It seems to suggest manual that the DR40 should be able to 4-track in full 24-bit 96KHz. Can anyone confirm this? Re-encoding files to take twice the disk space and drop them in my DAW is not time / disk space I want to spend.
February 9th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
The DR40 can record from the internal mics and the inputs at the same time. I think that might be what the manual is referring to.
February 14th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
The DR-40 is fantastic, especially on a tight budget. We just purchased one for our band this past weekend and recorded an entire practice Monday night. We tried recording straight from the board leveraging the XLR inputs and also using the condenser mics. For us, the mics had a slightly better sound, but they are VERY sensitive. You need to make sure you use a tripod, as they will pickup ANY sound you make in the room. That being said, sound quality is excellent. Vocals, Bass, Drums, Guitar all sound great, including great lows from the Bass. Overall, not very muddy – quiet crisp. Its a great way to listen to yourself to provide constructive critism. We plan on leveraging this to burn a demo CD as well. Its a great, easy to use tool!
March 28th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
hey m8,
just a quick question: got myself the DR-40, and just wondering, is it possible to use phantom power while the unit is used with usb power? gotta record in my studio and dont want to run on batteries …
thanks
JB
May 24th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
is there a way to record audio with the tascam dr-40 without having to plug your headphone to the line output. every times i try it makes a weird sound i can even hear what i recorded..help plz
May 24th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
You can record audio directly to your field recorder and sync in post.