Tascam DR-70D 4-Channel Audio Recorder for HDSLR Cameras

Description

Tascam DR-70D

The TASCAM DR-70D 4-channel audio recorder is the latest in their line of powerful, portable recorders, specifically designed to work with HDSLR cameras for professional and prosumer applications. TASCAM’s continuous improvements have yielded an excellent and full-featured recorder with DR-70D. With support for SDXC cards up to 128 GB, a more compact size, and various other tweaks, the DR-70D is one of the best recorders of its class available today.

Two built-in microphones — The DR-70D has two built-in omnidirectional microphones, allowing you to easily record natural stereo sound with just this unit. Used together with small shotgun mics, it is possible to record audio from people speaking in an interview plus ambient sound at the same time (on different tracks), for example — all with a compact form that’s simple to set up.

Four XLR/TRS combo jacks allow for a wide range of setups — This recorder’s four-channel design can enable use of two shotgun mics and the stereo mic to record ambiance and each speaker individually. Since channels 1 and 2 can be set to the stereo input and channels 3 and 4 can be set to the built-in mic, a large variety of microphone setups is possible. · MONO/DUAL MONO mode: Best for recording the audio of a single performer. · STEREO/DUAL STEREO mode: Best for recording with the built-in microphone or a stereo mic. · 2MIX/DUAL 2MIX mode: Creates stereo files of the signals of multiple inputs that have been mixed.

Built-in mixer with four channels, six inputs, and two outputs — The mixer can process a total of four channels from among six inputs: the four XLR inputs that support phantom power, the stereo mini-jack input, and the built-in stereo mic. In addition to allowing pan and level adjustments, this unit also offers a limiter, a five-setting low-cut filter, and a delay that can compensate for distances between mics. Moreover, a mid-side decoding function allows the use of two microphones in mid-side configuration.

High-quality audio through HDDA microphone preamps — Mic preamps significantly impact the quality of your recorded audio material, and the DR-70D uses TASCAM’s original high-quality HDDA (High Definition Discrete Architecture) microphone preamps, which provide excellent sonic quality. The DR-70D also includes a Cirrus Logic analog-to-digital converter equivalent to those used in TASCAM’s DR series of linear PCM recorders. The DR-70D supports recording of resolutions up to 96 kHz /24 bit.

Compact and tough design — The DR-70D has been specially designed to be smaller, so as not to interfere with camera-work when attached to a camera-support system or stabilizer. The unit has tripod screw threads on the bottom side and a removable camera attachment screw on its top. A hot shoe mount is also included, so you can attach the recorder whichever way is most convenient for you. Place it between a tripod and the camera, or on top of the camera with a hot shoe.

Design features:

• Stand adapter (¼ inch) on bottom side to attach the unit to a tripod
• DSLR bracket for easy camera attachment and removal · Hot shoe mount (accessible when not using the DSLR bracket)
• Handles on the front left and right sides protect the screen and can be used to attach a shoulder belt

Camera input and output — The DR-70D has a camera input jack that can be used to monitor the audio from your HDSLR camera. By using the camera input jack with the DR-70D monitor selection function, you can efficiently monitor the audio from not only the DR-70D but also from your HDSLR camera.

The camera output jack is designed to output the mixed audio to the camera, so the same audio can be recorded by the DR-70D and the camera. Since the input level varies depending on the camera maker (and there are usually only a few available adjustments related to volume on HDSLR cameras), the DR-70D has an output volume dial that can be used to make adjustments.

Slate tone generator for easy alignment with video files — The built-in generator can produce slate tones, which can be used as references when aligning audio and video. In addition to being able to produce slate tones when recording starts or when it starts and stops, the SLATE button can be used to add slate tones at any desired point.

Automatic insertion: Choose from inserting a slate tone at the beginning of recording or at both the beginning and end of recording

Manual insertion: Press the SLATE button to produce a tone.

Key Features:

• Compact, professional-grade audio recorder designed to be used in combination with a DSLR camera
• Uses an SD/SDHC/SDXC card as recording medium (up to 128 GB)
• High-quality recording inputs through Tascam original High Definition Discrete Architecture (HDDA) microphone preamps
• NE5532 operational amplifiers for even higher audio performance (also used on DA-3000)
• In addition to ordinary stereo recording, simultaneous recording of up to four channels is possible
• Four channels can be mixed down to a stereo signal
• Recording levels can be adjusted independently for inputs 1–4
• Dual recording function allows two files to be recorded simultaneously at different levels
• Recording at 44.1/48/96 kHz, 16/24-bit, linear PCM (WAV format)
• Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) supported as WAV recording format
• Two built-in omnidirectional microphones
• Four XLR/TRS combo inputs can provide phantom power (+24V/+48V)
• +24 dBu maximum input level (20 dB headroom)
• Additional unbalanced input for channels 1 and 2 (stereo mini jack) supports mics that require plug-in power, allowing the input of video mics and other high-output mics
• Switchable low-cut filter conveniently reduces low-frequency noise (40 Hz, 80 Hz, 120 Hz)
• Switchable limiter to prevent clipping
• High-quality audio can be output to a DSLR camera for recording
• Camera input enables convenient monitoring of audio from a DSLR camera
• Selectable mid-side decoding for use with MS microphone setups
• Slate tone functions (automatic/manual) to simplify synchronization of video files when editing
• Pre-recording function allows the unit to record the two seconds of sound before recording is activated
• Auto recording function to start start and stop recording by input level
• A new file can be created during recording (manually or by file size)
• Self-timer function to start recording after a set period of time
• Jump-back function allows the last several seconds of the currently played file to be replayed again by simply pressing a button
• Selectable delay to eliminate time lags caused by differences in the distances of two input sources
• QUICK button allows easy access to various functions
• Mark function convenient for moving to specific locations
• Equalizers for playback, and level alignment function to enhance the perceived overall sound pressure
• File name format can be set to use a user-defined word or the date
• Resume function to memorize the playback position before the unit is turned off
• Line output and headphones output with individual level controls (3.5-mm jack)
• Dedicated remote control jack for use with RC-10 and RC-3F (sold separately)
• Hold switch to prevent accidental operation
• Low-noise buttons
• 128 x 64 pixel LC display with backlight
• USB 2.0 port
• Stand adapter (¼ inch) on bottom side to attach the unit to a tripod
• DSLR bracket for easy camera attachment and removal
• Hot shoe mount (accessible when not using the DSLR bracket)
• Handles on the front left and right sides protect the screen and can be used to attach a shoulder belt
• Operates on four AA batteries, an AC adapter (sold separately: TASCAM PS-P515U), external battery pack (sold separately: TASCAM BP-6AA) or USB bus power