Product Description

The TASCAM DR-1 puts world-dominating power into your pocket. Its built-in stereo microphones include a unique variable angle mechanism, so you can set it to record from any angle. The DR-1 is the first portable recorder to include a 1GB card, so you'll have plenty of CD or MP3-quality recording time for long rehearsals and concerts. And with a street price of just $299, everyone's gonna want one.

A pair of microphones is mounted on a variable angle mechanism, which allows the recorder to record from almost any angle. The built-in stereo condenser microphones are arranged for a wide stereo image, and an external mic can also be used. The unit includes a generous 1GB SD card for hours of recording at MP3 or WAV file formats. The DR-1 also includes auto gain control and analog limiting for easy setup and a low-frequency cutoff to eliminate handling or wind noise.

Specifications

• Portable, Handheld Recording
• Built-in High-quality Stereo Condenser Microphone
• Variable Angle Microphone Mechanism with A/B Configuration
• 48 or 44.1kHz 24-bit Recording Resolution
• MP3 and WAVE file Recording and Playback
• Switchable Low Cut Filter
• Analog Auto Gain Control
• Analog Limiter
• Rechargeable/Replaceable Lithium-Ion Battery
• USB 2.0 Connection to Computer
• Built-in Tuner and Vocal Cancel Features
• Overdub Feature to record narration, singing or instruments over an existing recording
• 1/8" stereo microphone input with 2.3V power
• 1/8" stereo line input
• 1/4" stereo microphone input
• 1/8" stereo headphone output
• WAV recording resolution: 44.1kHz/48kHz, 16-bit or 24-bit
• MP3 recording rate: 32-320 kbps
• Battery life: About 7 hours when recording MP3 format with the built- in mic (varies with operating conditions)
• Dimensions (not including protrusions):
  • 70 (W) x 27 (H) x 135.3 (D) (mm)
  • 2.8 (W) x 1.1 (H) x 5.3 (D) (inches)
• Weight: 208 g (7.34 ounces) including battery

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #364 in Musical Instruments
• Brand: Tascam
• Model: DR-1
• Released on: 2008-04-08
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 3.25" h x 5.50" w x 6.50" l, 1.50 pounds

Features

• Portable, Handheld Recording
• Built-in High-quality Stereo Condenser Microphone
• Variable Angle Microphone Mechanism with A/B Configuration
• 48 or 44.1kHz 24-bit Recording Resolution
• MP3 and WAV file Recording and Playback

Customer Reviews

Not just for music!
I am a professional sound designer working in the video games industry. For years I've hauled around bulky DAT recorders with mic cables draped over shoulder, several microphones, and DAT recorder batteries that just don't last very long.

The result of this is that going out to record things or organizing a foley session was just that; A feat of organization.

For years I couldn't wait until the technology reduced the form factor size and weight of the recorders, and extended battery life. That time is now, and near-pocket-sized recorders like the DR-1 are the way of the future.

But let me be honest. My biggest fear was between the stereo microphone and the recorder, the quality would simply not be high enough. I had read posts about the DR-1 on various audio forums suggesting that this device was for amateur musicians only, not for professionals, much less professional sound designers.

Granted the electronic components you would find inside this little beast if you were to take it apart are not of the same caliber you would find inside thousands of dollars of high grade pro audio equipment. But that begs the question; Does it matter?

To me all that matters is the end result, and after using the DR-1 in several foley sessions I can say I no longer have any doubt about the quality of its recordings.

I paid $1200 in 1996 for my Tascam DA-P1 DAT recorder, plus several hundred dollars more for a pair of Audio Technica lipstick condensers for recording. For a mere $300, the DR-1 gives all that expensive equipment a serious run for its money. In a lot of ways the DR-1 recordings sound better. There is less noise and more headroom due to solid state and the lack of tape mechanisms. I believe I am getting better recordings than I used to with my DA-P1, with none of the bulky hassle.

Foley sessions are now a breeze. Just make sure you get the accessory kit.

Do you need an extra battery? I try to keep my sessions down to 1 hour in length to reduce fatigue -- remember after all that recording you've got some serious editing to do! Since the DR-1 battery lasts about 6 hours, 1 hour a day means you can record *all week* without having to recharge.

The 1 gig SD card that comes with the DR-1 is actually quite generous and definitely usable in most situations if you're regularly dumping the files onto a computer. But for $15, I ordered a 4 gig SD card and now I can literally record hours upon hours just for peace of mind.

All in all the DR-1 is a beautiful example of efficient innovations in audio electronics. I have no problem vouching that this is not just for amateur musicians -- unless you enjoy wasting thousands of dollars so you can feel like an elitist snob.

A lower end shotgun mic will run you around $700. You could buy two fully outfitted DR-1s for that price, and the quality would more than suffice.

Don't listen to the snobs, this thing is awesome.

Great interface, great functionality
I've had a DR-1 for several months now; I chose it over others (though the Zoom H2 was really tempting) for a variety of reasons.

First, it has both 1/8 and 1/4 microphone inputs. That means that I can plug a guitar cable directly into the recorder, without needed a cable adapter or using the built-in mics. This means that I can make recordings in an open room without interference from external sounds.

Second, it has a really cool overdub feature; essentially, this makes it into a quasi-multitrack recorder. For example, I can record a rhythm track, then overdub it with a lead. When it does the overdubbing, it creates a new sound file that's a combination of the original track plus the newly-recorded materials. I imagine a vocalist could start with an instrumental track, and then add vocals later. Since you're overdubbing, you don't have to start completely over if you make a mistake; you just re-record the last track and keep going.

Third, it has a rechargeable battery, much like a camcorder or digital camera. If you run low, plug it into the nearest USB port and you're good to go in half an hour.

Fourth, it has a nice set of effects that you can add either during recording or during playback. For example, the reverb is really nice, and not too overwhelming.

Finally, it has the ability to play back a track at a very slow speed without changing the pitch. If you're trying to learn the opening licks to Boston's "More Than a Feeling," this lets you slow the whole thing down to practice, then increase the speed until you get it to real time. Very cool.

The sound quality is very good, but that's true of nearly all the small digital recorders.

An Excellent Recorder for the Price
Tascam DR-1 Review 3/3/09

HIGHLIGHTS OF MY ASSESSMENT OF THE RECORDER: This recorder produces excellent results when recording off of a mixer with Line In, using the mixer to maximize the recording volume on the DR-1. The quality is probably comparable to a Mini Disc recorder and the DR-1 sound card allows for much quicker and easier transfer to computer than is the case with Mini Discs. It also works well using Line In to record directly off of the TV, VCR, radio, etc. (with some situations allowing greater recording vol. than others). (For digital editing, with some Line In recordings, you will need to increase the vol. of the DR-1 recording on the computer.) The internal mic has too much background noise for professional use but suffices for general recording purposes. Mic 1 input works well but has a little more background noise than Mic 2 input. The use of the Mic 2 input with a good quality mic, placed the proper distance from your mouth, can result in a good quality recording (using an XLR to 1/4" transformer/adapter for dynamic mics with XLR, to increase recording vol.). Even with a transformer, however, the recording vol. is lower than ideal for digital editing work, although, in most cases, this problem can be rectified on the computer program by "normalizing" to increase the volume. When recordings are played through the headphones with the DR-1, the recording volume is fine. While monitoring with headphones during recording, the degree of background noise sounds worse than it actually turns out to be when the recording is assessed with a digital editing program. I like that the DR-1 has an easy to use button for recording, pausing, and resuming recording. Also, when resuming recording there is no concern about recording over previous material. A new file is created. The display window and display letters/numbers are large enough and easy to understand and, with a little time studying the manual, the controls are easy to use. And, for the most part, the recorder seems pretty sturdy.

THE INTENTION OF THE DETAILED MATERIAL THAT FOLLOWS IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT WILL HELP SOMEONE DECIDE IF THE DR-1 IS RIGHT FOR THEM AND TO GIVE INFORMATION THAT WILL BE HELPFUL TO THE ACTUAL PURCHASER OF THE RECORDER.

It takes a while to study the manual, but once you do that and take some notes and practice a little, you get the basics down fairly easily. It comes with a "Quick Start" guide with the main info as well as a "full length" manual. If you wish to study the manual before purchasing the recorder, the manual can be downloaded from www.tascam.com. (Where to find the manual on their website will be described near the end of this review.)

The DR-1 will take an AC power adapter that can be plugged into a power strip or wall socket, a feature I really like. For some reason none of the descriptions of this recorder mention that it works with a power adapter. The adapter has to be bought separately. It can be purchased from www.tascam.com for about $30 including shipping (model PS-P520). The recorder comes with a rechargeable battery, which my tests indicate will record either stereo or mono WAV or stereo MP3 files for about 7 to 7 & 3/4 hours on a charge. (The tests were conducted using Line In to record the radio.) I have read that it is quicker to recharge it with the power adapter than the computer. Recharging my depleted battery to its full capacity, using the power adapter, takes just over 2 & 1/2 hours. If you want to do quality recordings, do a lot of tests, with and without the power adapter. With some mics the adapter adds a background hum when using Mic 2 input and it can even increase background noise a little with Mic 1 input in some situations.

I work with WAV 44.1 kHz, 16 bit files, and I like that I can program the DR-1 to record in that format and I can put it's recordings directly onto my PC and onto my Adobe Audition digital editing program without needing to convert them to my desired format. You can also record in MP3 and other WAV formats. Since I use mono mics, I adjust the DR-1 to "mono." (One reviewer wrote that "even when it looks like it is recording in mono it is a stereo file so it uses more space on the sound card," but my understanding from Tascam (TEAC) tech support is that that is not correct. The DR-1 records in two channels regardless, but the recording is mono or stereo in accordance with the setting used.

I did over 50 tests with the DR-1. They included a variety of recording options, including a high quality Shure SM58 dynamic wire mic (XLR) with and without a "transformer/adapter" (mic input 2); a high quality $100 Audio Technica Pro 70 lavalier (lapel) wire mic (XLR) with and without a "transformer/adapter" (mic input 2); a good quality $60 Sony T145 lapel mic, a $50 mic with an optional in-line battery (mic inputs 1 & 2); a Shure MX391 omni-directional boundary mic (XLR) with and without "transformer/adapter"; an "average" microphone from an old inexpensive cassette recorder; the DR-1's internal mic; and recording off of a mixer (Mackie 1202-VLZ Pro). Recording with the TV, VCR and radio were tried (with and without the mixer with the TV and VCR). I also compared two different transformers during recordings with the DR-1. In addition, I did tests to see if using the DR-1's AC power adapter with different mics resulted in more background noise than using the recorder's battery, to determine recording time for battery use with different recording settings, to assess battery recharge time, to check handling noise, etc. Most tests were put on a Adobe Audition digital editing program for analysis and some were put on CD for assessment. I am not a musician and did not do tests using musical equipment. I did not assess its special features like overdubbing.

As I indicated in the first paragraph of this report ("highlights"), the recording vol. of the DR-1 (especially without a mixer) is less than ideal for digital editing work, although this can be compensated for with an editing program. Test results using the SM58 and Audio Technica PRO 70 lavalier mic came out very good - both with DR-1's Mic 2 input and when using a mixer and the DR-1's Line In. The Mic 1 input works pretty well but the Mic 2 input creates higher quality recordings. Recording with the T145 lapel mic had good results (using Mic 2 input and the DR-1's battery), but the higher quality PRO 70 (Mic 2 input) yielded a higher recording volume. With adjustments ("normalizing") for various distances between the person speaking and the mic, the Shure boundary mic results with the DR-1's Mic 2 input were not radically different than with the mixer. Both types of recording situations with the boundary mic resulted in a fair degree of background noise but a clear voice.

Assessing the internal mics depends on what your purpose is for buying this recorder. I mentioned that it has too much background noise for professional recording. If you want to use it to record your voice while you are speaking or reading and put it on a table so the mics are a couple of feet or so from your mouth, the voice comes out very clear, and the degree of background "fuzz" in the recording may be acceptable. (After being "normalized" on my digital editing program, the background fuzz for a recording made with the mics two feet from my mouth was about -24 dB while the voice - which was very clear - was between -9 and -1 dB [mostly -7 to -4 dB].) Any handling noise, movement on a table or floor the mic is placed on, etc., will adversely affect the recording when this mic is being used. Likewise, if you change a setting on the DR-1 during recording with the internal mic you can hear conspicuous "pops" in the recording from button pressing.

I tested the "average" mic from an old cassette recorder (which uses a AAA battery) to get a sense of how the DR-1 would work for people who want to use a microphone but are not interested in quality mics or recordings. As is the case with the internal mic, if a person is not concerned with some background noise, they can get a good voice recording with a mic that is not too expensive or not on the level of the other ones I tested. If the mic needs to be held close to the mouth, a windscreen (or piece of foam secured around the mic) might be needed to prevent recording distortions.

Line In, Mic 1 and Mic 2 inputs - unlike the internal mic - have virtually no handling noise or noise from foot traffic or nearby vibrations (unless the cable connected to one of these inputs is tweaked).

For those people familiar with digital editing: I did a recording test with the SM58 (about 1" from the mouth while speaking normally) connected to the Mic 2 input of the DR-1, without a transformer. When it was put on Adobe Audition (mono, 44.1 kHz, 16 bit), before normalizing, the dB reading was "mostly" about -16 to -22 dB, with essentially no background noise. In another test with the transformer it was "mostly" about -12 to -16 dB, with very minimal background noise. When the SM58 was recorded through the mixer and onto the DR-1, with the mixer maximizing the recording vol., the result on Adobe Audition was "mostly" about -1 to -4 dB (which is pretty good), with essentially no background noise. The voice quality was excellent in all of the recordings.

About transformers: If you run a low impedance XLR cable to the DR-1's Mic 2 input, it is helpful to use a small transformer that is part of a female XLR to male 1/4" adapter, in order to increase the recording volume. A standard transformer that lets you connect a balanced, low-impedance microphone cable to a high-impedance input is what is desired. With the DR-1 I tested both a Radio Shack adapter/transformer (model 274-016; $17.59) and a higher quality Shure unit (A95UF; $35) and found very little difference between them in terms of the quality of the recording. Shure tech support recommends that your XLR cable between the microphone and the transformer be no longer than 15 feet. Tests with the SM58 and DR-1's Mic 2 input resulted in a very slight background hum when the transformer was used (when using either the DR-1's battery or power adapter), but not enough for me to worry about.

If you need the highest recording vol. for Mic 1 or the internal mic, set the input wheel at "10", gain on "High," and, in general, the level at "Limit" or "Off". (Setting the mic gain for high results in both higher recording vol. and more background noise. However, when mid gain is used and the resulting recording is "normalized" or increased to the same vol. as high gain recordings, the degree of background noise is similar in most cases.) The only way to affect the recording vol. for Mic 2 is by using the input wheel. When using the "Line In," the rec. vol. has to be controlled by the external source.

For playback with headphones, with the DR-1 set for "monitor," you need to have the DR-1 set for Line In or Mic 2, with no audio input occurring. Otherwise you might hear audio input at the same time you are trying to listen to a previous recording.

In reading the descriptions of the DR-1 I thought the references to the option of mic power meant that it had phantom power, but that is not the case. There is a power option for Mic 1 if you have a mic with a 1/8" plug which has it's own optional battery source. Instead of using the mic's battery source you can turn on the DR-1's mic "power". I tested this feature with the T145 lapel mic and it works well. (I wish the unit had a phantom power option for Line 2.)

I would have liked for the DR-1 to have internal mics that can work omni-directionally for some non-professional recording situations (without a lot of background noise). The DR-1's internal mics are directional, although you can rotate them up or down to adjust the recording angle.

If the recorder exists without any source of power for a period of time, any settings you made, except for the date and time, will be retained. I really appreciate this.

One reviewer complained that it is cumbersome to use the DR-1 to erase files on the sound card that you don't want but I find that task extremely easy to do.

I like the fact that as long as the recorder is turned on, your mic input is selected, and your mic is in place (or you are using the internal mic) the display window shows you the ongoing recording level, without the recorder needing to be on standby, pause or actually recording. As for the decibel reading on the display window during recording, it seems fairly accurate when compared to the dB reading for the recording on Adobe Audition.

For about $45 you can get an accessories kit, which includes a small tripod and mounting unit and a windscreen. According to Tascam tech support, the tripod should lessen, but not eliminate, the effect of vibrations from people walking on the floor or movement on a table, when using the internal mic. You would only need a windscreen if you are using the internal mic to record outdoors, around air movement indoors (for ex., near a heating duct when the heater is on), or close to the mouth of someone who is speaking. If you don't plan on using the internal mic or are not concerned with its recording quality, you might as well keep your $45. If you do use the internal mic indoors, you can make a small "foundation" for it that will lessen vibrations from nearby movement.

The little door for changing the sound card feels a little fragile, but it is probably sturdier than it appears and it works fine with careful use. Otherwise the recorder seems very durable. With the unit I bought, the seconds don't work for the time program, but that is a very minor concern. With the lithium battery the back lighting is only on for a max. of 30 sec. before needing to be reactivated, which I don't like, but I guess that is necessary to conserve the battery. With the power adapter the light stays on.

A big plus: Tascam (TEAC Corp.) tech support is extremely good, although if you call them you may be on hold for quite a while before a tech person is able to answer the phone. Emailing tech support results in a reply in one or two days. They will respond to any of your questions. (Phone: [323] 727-7617; Email: custser@teac.com)

It has been recommended that you download the latest version (latest "update") of Firmware from the Tascam website. It took me awhile to figure out what this meant and I wondered if this was a program for the computer that helped it accept files from the memory card. Firmware is a software program that is actually installed onto your DR-1 recorder. The recorder comes with a version of it, but you want to be sure you have the latest version. To find it (as of 3/09 - the procedure may change over time), you go to the website, then do a "search" for "DR-1" and bring up the entry for that (www.tascam.com/products/dr-1.html), which presents the description of the recorder, etc. Then go to "Resources" to find downloads for one or more versions of the software. You then download the latest version (currently v2.00) to your computer after which you can open the PDF file that describes what the software does, how to determine what version you now have on your recorder, how to transfer the latest version onto your recorder (if you have an earlier version on the DR-1), etc. The directions make it very easy to do.

The DR-1 also comes with a 1GB SD card. From the Tascam website you can print out a list of various sound cards that have been tested with this unit. (See the preceding paragraph about finding "Resources" for the DR-1; this is where you will be able to access the list of "tested media." You can also find a copy of the owner's manual under "Resources," that can be downloaded.) I was unable to find the SanDisk cards listed on the media list at local stores (at K-Mart, Radio Shack, Staples, etc.), apparently because there are later versions of some of the cards on the list that have different numbers. I have tried the following SanDisk "multi-use" cards which are readily available and work well with the DR-1: SD 2GB (SDSDB-2048-A11); SDHC 4GB (SDSDB-4096-A11); and SDHC 8GB (SDSDB-8192-A11). These numbers are current as of Feb. 2009. A 1G card will accommodate 1 hour and 40 minutes of recording at 44.1Khz 16 bit. Tech support points out that you can check all the recording times with different sample rates in the record settings of the unit. Apparently the DR-1 will handle sound cards up to 32 GB.

As should be the case with other recorders with sound cards, you can put recordings that are on your computer onto the sound card to play on the DR-1. In this regard the recorder can function like an iPod.

COMPARED TO SOME OTHER RECORDERS: I also have a Sony ICD-MX20 digital recorder (which uses memory sticks). It costs about $200, a little less than the DR-1. It is very easy to use and its pair of internal mics are definitely superior to the DR-1's, producing higher recording vol. and less background noise. They also can be omni-direcitonal, while the DR-1's are directional. The ICD-MX20 produces good "non-professional" recordings that can be put on CDs via computer or listened to with the recorder. I love the ICD-MX20 but I did have to send it back for repairs twice during the warranty period. Compared to the ICD-MX20 the DR-1 has the advantages of being able to record off of a mixer and to create good recordings with high quality external mics. Once the recording vol. is increased on the computer, if necessary, I have to imagine that use of the DR-1's Mic 2 input with a quality mic and use of Line In will produce quality recordings equal to, or better than, any other recorder anywhere near its price range when similar recording options are compared. I wanted a recorder for use with the mixer and for general recording work and selected the DR-1 over the Zoom H2 and H4 because reviews indicate that the DR-1 is higher quality, more user-friendly and has a recording pause button. It is possible that the H2 and/or H4 produce better internal mic recordings than the DR-1, I don't know. One well-qualified web reviewer ("Brad Linder's Blog: A Short Review of the Tascam DR-1") wrote that a recording with the DR-1's Mic 2 input was superior to H2 or H4 recordings. Unlike the DR-1 the Zoom H2 offers the option of recording omni-directionally with its internal mics, but I do not know how good the quality of the recording is.

The only reason I am giving this recorder four instead of five stars is because of the low recording vol. in general (for digital editing work) and the background noise with the internal mic. Otherwise, it is an excellent little recorder. (This ia a pretty new model. Later versions may make improvements that mitigate my concerns.)