Description
Tascam DR-40X Four-Track Digital Audio Recorder and USB Audio Interface
From the manufacturer
- Recording Media: SD card (64MB to 2GB), SDHC card (4GB to 32GB), SDXC card (up to 128GB)
- File System: FAT16/32
- Number of Channels: 4-channel (2 Stereo)
- Playback Speed Control: 0.5 to 1.5 times (in 0.1 increments) * 44.1k/48kHz only
- Built-In Microphone: Unidirectional, Stereo (switchable between A-B and X-Y positions)
- EXT MIC/Line In Connector: XLR/TRS Combo jack (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: Cold)
- Phones/Line Out Connector: 1/8″ (3.5mm) Stereo Mini jack (Unbalanced)
- USB Connector: USB Micro B-type
Tascam DR-40X
Four Track Digital Audio Recorder and USB Audio Interface
Versatile four-track audio recorder for cinema, music, podcasting and any other application. Easy-to-use compact design with a high-performance feature set and versatile audio I/O, all to produce professional content.
DR-40X Features:
- Dual unidirectional stereo condenser mics scalable for A/B or X/Y recording
- XLR/TRS combo inputs compatible with +4dBu line level/+48V
- Built-in +48V phantom power
- 4-channel recording mode for nondestructive overdubbing or multi-track recording
- MS Decoding functionality for Mid-Side microphones
- Optional RC-3F foot switch and RC-10 wired remote control
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Professional Deal for live capture: line level inputDual Neutrik XLR/TRS combo jacks support both mic-level and +4dBu line-level. These inputs can accept balanced microphone or line level from Mixers or the FOH console. The microphone preamp includes +48V phantom power and plenty of gain for detailed recordings with condenser microphones, as well as electret type microphones. Using the stereo built-in microphones, you can capture ambient sound of the audience while recording direct from an external console, which is ideal for capturing live performances. |
Wide covering range: from whispering voice to jet engineDR-40X allows high-quality recording with its stereo built-in condenser microphones. Every detail is captured from small whispers to loud sounds up to 125dB SPL. These built-in microphones are adjustable unidirectional microphones for recording in an X-Y pattern for tight stereo imaging, or in an A-B pattern for a more ambient recording. |
Simple operationThe layout of the DR-40X has been revamped to be quick and easy to work with one thumb. Operations like recording, adjusting levels, deleting bad takes and adding markers are just a button press away. |
Turning your room into a studio – in a minute.Connecting to a PC using USB Audio interface mode, and DR-40X becomes a tool for voiceover work, live streaming and songwriting with studio-quality audio. Built-in microphones work as USB microphones. |
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Extended battery lifeDR-07X uses only two AA batteries and has ultra-long battery capability. When using built-in microphones, recording lasts 17.5 hours when recording with standard 2ch WAV, 44.1kHz/ 16bit format using alkaline batteries. Also DR-07X can be powered by a USB mobile battery as well for super long extended use. |
No need to go through ‘take 2’ all over againIf you don’t like the last part of a phrase you just recorded with your guitar, or if you change your mind and want to rephrase narration, the ‘Overwrite mode’ is exactly what you need. Overwrite mode allows punch-in recording from a desired point. It is destructive editing with one level of undo. |
Nondestructive OverdubbingThe overdubbing function allows for Overdub Recording while playing a previously recorded file. This allows you to record other parts such as a guitar solo over a recording previously made such as at a rehearsal studio. Overdubbing creates a new file, leaving the original file unaffected, making it easy to re-record. |
192 HoursThis is how long you can record CD-quality sound with single SDXC card. DR-40X support a SDXC card, which can record longer with larger data capacity. If you record one stereo file in 44.1kHz/ 16bit CD quality, 128GB card holds 192 hours maximum. In MP3/ 320kbps, it can record up to 896 hours. (that is 37 days!). |
maskedgamer –
Cheap Build Quality, Lots of Plastic, Not Durable, and Noisy… oh so Noisy!I ended up sending mine back. Box came damaged but the unit was in even worse shape. Don’t worry though I brought that one for my job which forces me to use these things all the time so I have plenty of experiences to tell you. These units get praise for their price and features but nobody ever really mentions how poorly built they are. They are not durable at all. This thing is the cheapest piece of plastic I’ve ever held in my hand. Tascam 20 years ago used to be known for quality. Today they’re basically the Harbor Freight of recording equipment.Good enough to get the job done but too cheap to last. Recording wise the microphones pickup a lot of external noise. The microphones also pick up wind noise (as in air from your mouth) so this isn’t a good choice if you plan on speaking into it or singing without a pop filter or wind screen of some sort (Items Tascam sells separately in a kit that should have been included).Battery life… doesn’t last long enough. If you’re using disposables they don’t last at all. If you’re using rechargables they last slightly longer but not nearly long enough. If you’re using phantom power or any effects say goodbye to your battery life.This model also has the option of using a charger with it (They also should have included but make you buy it separately). Not to worry though if you have a USB power charger you should be fine… no actually not this model uses a strange uncommon USB connector type that most products don’t use “USB Micro B-type” good luck finding one of those.Even Tascam apparently couldn’t find one to put in your box with this unit. You end up going on a wild goose chase to find some cable that nobody makes. Very poor design choice by Tascam.Dear manufacturers when making recording equipment please stick with commonly available cables like Micro USB that most people already have in their desk drawers or laying about their households.Sound recording. It’s simple to do but hard to find your files if you have recorded a lot of them. You’ll be pressing the arrows to skip past files till you find the one you need. If you recorded a hundred sounds you’ll be going through all 100 of them till you find the sound you’re trying to recall. This could use a “Find” function”.Computer updates (haven’t used them don’t have a compatible USB cable… and it didn’t come included) at work we just swap the SD cards. I recommend you do the same unless you can find that magic cable.but what if you don’t mind poor build quality or cables you can’t find? How does it sound?Well it sounds okay. Depending on if you set it up right but there are things you can’t get around like how noisy much white noise the microphones have or how much background pickup you’ll hear in your audio. You really do have to play with the settings to find the “sweet spot”. There are options with this device but they’re not in layman’s terms. You’ll have to be an audio engineer to understand them or just go by trial and error like pretty much everyone else that picks these things up.They can be effective but I believe these are best used as recording interfaces. That’s how I use them at my job. I just connect external microphones to them and run the sound through a mixer and into the recorder to record. It by passes all the headaches of fumbling with the stock microphones and useless/limited effects… and especially the annoying EQ that never does much.That being said would I recommend this product to anyone? Not unless you like to punish yourself. My job uses these for a reason and it’s because they’re cheap. I would give anything for a Zoom and that’s what I’m going to get with my refund. Tascam is too much of a cumbersome headache for me to deal with in my private time.
Liz –
Where do I begin? This just works and then some!I needed something to record my short stories and voice-over work while on the go and while this does require some learning and testing as you go, it’s been a joy to discover all its bells and whistles. There are 2 internal stereo microphones that you can set in 2 configurations (A-B and X-Y). It’s perfect for ASMR recording if you’re into that. There are also 2 XLR inputs and you can plug in microphones that require phantom power (although make sure the mics require phantom power before you turn that feature on or it will blow your mic) which will give you 4 microphones altogether. It can even do overdub which is great for voice-over and role-play audios. It can do punch-and-roll although I haven’t mastered that one yet.My favorite option is the Dual recording where it records 2 tracks with the second track recording lower than the first in case you end up peaking or get distortions. I don’t know my tech terms but hopefully you get what I’m saying. It’s pricey if you’re buying it only as a regular recorder but if you do voice over and role-play audios like I do, it’s perfect. It records in wav, mp3 and one other format I don’t use and can’t remember what it is and I usually record in wav, transfer to Audacity for post-production, then export as mp3. I’ve also recorded in mp3 for direct upload but it’s better to record in wave and clean up everything (mouth sounds, clicks, etc) in post later.It can also serve as an interface if you want to record directly to your computer although I haven’t tried that yet since I bought it so I could use it on its own while on the go.
Jacob F. –
Noisier than what other reviews had me believeWriting this quick review as a person who wanted a field recorder for sound design and some outdoor recording.-The self noise on this is far greater than I would have expected, if you’re getting this as a starter recorder do a little more research into self noise and what to expect at the various price points. No matter what gain level, there was always more hiss than I’d ever prefer since the removal of it severely damaged the samples I wanted to use (could maybe be fixed with izotope RX, but if you’re starting you probably do not have that) The hiss also changed when going from 56 to 57 as the input level, it was a tiny bit better but not sure if this is the norm or only my unit-The Interface and buttons of the recorder are actually wonderful, you can get it started and recording within a few seconds which I greatly appreciated when I’d hear something interesting that I didn’t already plan to record. Whatever you can’t figure out by skimming the manual to get the basics you can google and get great videos by Tascam on how to do whatever you might want, this was very useful when trying to figure out how to start transferring to the PC- The unit doesn’t really come with anything which is why it’s priced cheaper than the Zoom equivalent. You will NOT get a usb cable or any kind of internal storage so you’ll need to buy those too separately from the unit. Luckily does come with 3 triple A batteries to power it, so at least it’s something. Would also HIGHLY recommend getting the windscreen for this because the capsules are extremely sensitive and will get blown out by any kind of wind or movement.-Overall if you just need good sound for video that doesn’t need any kind of altering and like to have the option to for AB or XY recording then this unit will serve you well.-If you are interested in sound design I’d probably recommend saving up for the H5 or DR100 so you don’t immediately run into the issues I have had. Personally am going to try the DR100 as the signal to noise ratio seems a bit more appealing for my own needs, but will edit this later if I’m horribly wrong.
Ronnie Bradley –
Very sensitive microphones and packed with features for under $200.I tested out the field recorder one night to record some background stuff (croaking frogs and crickets). It did that well but my location is close to a natural gas pipeline / pumping station so it picks that up to. Not the fault of the recorder but it shows the sensitivity of the built in mics. What I really love about the DR40X is the ability to move the microphones from a close XY pattern to a wide one (YX I guess? lol)., I haven’t learned the UI yet so some of the functions I will have to get to know over a period of time. All in all, I’m glad I bought the recorder. I haven’t tried it with music yet but samples that I have heard online (via Youtube) has me rather impressed. Plus, with 2 XLR inputs on the bottom of the unit, I can plug in higher quality condenser mics (DR40X has phantom power) and record 4 channels if I so desire. Last but not least, there is NO reason to buy Tascam’s power supply in order to save on batteries. Here is what you can do: The unit runs just fine using a micro USB to USB-A cable hooked to a computer, external battery, or a charger wall-wart with a USB-A output (obviously using a USB-A to micro USB cable). Take your pick.
Double J –
Useful for speeches & interviewsA coworker recommended this to me. I use this product to record interviews for a radio station, but also for my video production needs as well. I can tap into an audio system directly thanks to the XLR/TRS ports available, and it works fantastic for when I am hired for capturing speeches or presentations. My colleagues in radio refer to TASCAM as the brand for quality audio equipment.Now, my weakest link in production is video, when it used to be audio. This device features automatic limiting, a full size SD card slot, and two built in directional microphones that have flexible adjustment. You are guaranteed to get better audio than your standard built in camera.My only critical note is that when I was trying to preview an audio file on the device, it froze while seeking to a specific point in the audio file, hence the loss of a star in this review. It was an awkward moment when trying to preview audio I captured on behalf of a client, but other than that, it is a slick device.Also, I purchased a used model, and it was worth the savings. Couldn’t notice a single scratch. I’m not sure if it is capable of charging rechargeable AA batteries, but I can survive. So far, this has helped me for 6 hours of back-to-back audio capturing nonstop while still having at least a third of battery life with some mid grade rechargeable batteries.I would definitely buy one of these again.
Erik –
Pretty solid device! Perfect for digitizing analog media or recording demosI bought this specifically for the purpose of digitizing my record collection and it does an amazing job at doing this. My only complaint is that when using it as an audio interface with the PC I am unable to run it any higher than 48 kHz, I would prefer to be able to interface at 96 which is the only reason I’m giving it 4 instead of 5 stars. This is somewhat trivial because for my purposes I record at 96 and mix the individual tracks down to 48 for platback and I can always just record direct to the device at 96 and transfer later. I just prefer the convenience of using the PC to control and monitor my recording.I also want to say that I am really impressed with the options for connecting to the device and the stereo XLR inputs that double as a 1/4″ jack are a nice feature. As a musician I also plan to use this for recording demos and things of that nature and the connections paired the ability to do multi-track recording make this a handy device on the go.
Blank –
This Does So Much MoreI love this little recorder. I use it for interviews, voice overs, and all my recording needs. For interviews I mount it on a tripod with the 1/4″ hole on the bottom and it does a great job. Although it does need to be fairly close, I keep it just out of frame.For voice overs, I put a foam cover over the mics and can record my VO while watching the video and it doesn’t get in the way. However the best use I have found for it, is paired with my wireless lavaliere kit. I purchased an XLR adapter and plug the receiver in to the Tascam. This gave me awesome sound and I didn’t have to be right on top of the actors with a shotgun mic or have a heavy receiver mounted to the hot shoe of my camera.If you are looking for a great recorder that has great sound and gives you plenty of recording options, get this recorder.
Mara Shields –
Great qualityGreat quality, my DR40 died and is no longer available. This one is very similar and sounds even better!
Johnny Orange IV –
Affordable Recorder, quality audio, and di connectivity.I purchased this device used through Amazon warehouse and it was was in fairly good condition; as in I couldn’t really see anything wrong with it. However, I recently purchased a device that uses midi (5-pin) to communicate with my computer and other devices. So I was unable to keep this device, as my needs just grew passed what this device could offer. If you’re a singer/songwriter or even a producer that works exclusively with analog signals and don’t require a midi (5-pin), then this would be a great weapon in your arsenal.
Jared R. Myers –
Pretty good for notation but XLR Shotgun mic is needed if you want the best audioThis is a great device but it’s not a final solution for all your recording needs. I recorded some guitar with it, it was serviceable. I recently got a shotgun mic and have been using that via XLR, it really showcases the convenience of having a small field recorder to use it with. Definitely recommend the Tascam but just know that it’s not going to get the audio you want if you’re doing sound library/recording audio for film.