- Compact, affordable portable digital recorder for 96kHz/24-bit WAV or MP3 recording to SD cards
- Stereo condenser microphone design with improved signal to noise ratio
- Dual recording function records a copy of your audio at a lower level
- Variable Speed Audition function changes the playback speed without changing the pitch
- Powered by two AA batteries or optional power supply
Update: V1.02 Firmware appears to have fixed the NiMH battery issue. No premature shutdown with full or partially discharged NiMH and unit shuts down gracefully on low battery condition. I'm very pleased.
Original Review:
I did my homework and narrowed the choice down to the Olympus LS-11, the Sony PCM-D50, PCM-M10, and the Zoom H4n.
My primary requirement was superb internal mics.
Secondary were a clean Line In (no preamp)if possible, 4-track capability, battery life, and construction quality.
The LS-11 has top end clarity but anemic bottom end (20 hrs.
The D50 is sonically neutral and a standard in this performance/feature category, but pricey.
The M10 has phenomenal battery life >40 hrs, but to my ear, the internal mics are in a class below the other candidates.
The Zoom H4n has much to recommend it and is a 4-track recorder (but not at 96kHZ sampling), but the build quality is not up to the other units and battery life is just passable.
And then this gem popped up when I visited the German Audiotranskription review site:
(use Google translate to read their opinions/methods)
I suggest you listen carefully and compare the organ samples. I was blown away.
Audibly it is an extraordinary performer and exceeds my original narrowed field (even the D50 IMHO).
I have an SD-10 concert grand and the DR-2D reproduces it faithfully.
Plus its a 4 track recorder and at 96hHZ, 24-bit.
It has a clean Line In.
Is solidly constructed.
Menu access/navigation is easy too.
Cons:
Battery life is limited to ~4-5 hrs recording on an AA pair.
I also have had erratic battery low error messages on full eneloop NiMH batts. I just downloaded the latest firmware v1.02.
Hopefully that issue is now fixed. Will update this review if it is/isn't.
I doubt the problem is specific to mine as others have reported battery issues.
It is my only complaint/concern in all other respects the unit is the overall best of the pack IMHO.
There are numerous other review sites out there with lots of audio samples -
Good luck,
Mark
Buy Tascam DR2D Portable Digital Recorder Now
I use this device to record myself playing harp and it works great. Clean sound, easy to use interface, solid construction, easy navigation. 4 stars because it's not perfect (see my observations below).
I did a lot of research before I bought this recorder and the reviews I found comparing the DR-2D with other top recorders like the LS-10/11, Sony PCM-M10, Zoom H4n were more favorable to the mic quality of this one. I am satisfied with the mic quality.
I compared this recorder side-by-side with the DR-05. The buttons of the DR-05 are bigger and considerably easier to use, but the DR-2D is not bad. The wheel helps, mainly because the DR-2D has many more functions, but is not as good as DR-05's big and solid buttons. I loved the simplicity of the DR-05, but given that the internal mic of this one is better, I preferred the DR-2D.
The buttons of the DR-2D are tiny, but I got used to them.
If you're planning to buy an AC adapter, I bought a Sony PSP 1000 adapter and it works fine. The Tascam adapter costs twice as much. Both are 5V, 2A.
(By the way, kudos to the Sony adapter, I use one on my 2wire AT&T modem after the original died, which seems to be a known problem for this modem.)
A few observations that might help novices like me:
1. All the recorders I used (Zoom H2, Tascam DR-05 and this) record my harp with clean sound, but at very low level (with mid to high mic gain even). I always need to normalize using Audacity to get a volume level comparable to mp3's I have (and it sounds great). Not a flaw, just an observation. I think these recorders are made to record high volume like a full band playing, and acoustic instruments are recorded at low volume. Interestingly, the output is high enough when played from the device itself, in all cases.
2. Mic placement makes an enormous difference. I use this recorder on a $20, light-weight, Polaroid tripod that you can buy from Amazon and it works great. Then I tested many positions until I found which give the best recording.
3. You will probably not find the perfect recorder. I like the DR-2D because of the mic quality, possibility of recording true 2 channel (2 independent files), solid construction, comes with a remote. But I wish the buttons were fantastic as DR-05's, for example. I need 3 buttons clicks to delete a file in the DR-05, and 6 on the DR-2D. Or, as another reviewers said, I wish I could bookmark different sets of gain/sensitivity, etc. Mic sensitivity and volume have dedicated buttons on the side that sometimes I like, sometimes I prefer the DR-05 way. And all this is subjective. So try not to lose your mind doing your research...
Read Best Reviews of Tascam DR2D Portable Digital Recorder Here
By now, it should already be well-known that the Tascam DR2d records very well with its built-in mics (very airy and detailed sound). In this respect it beats Zoom's models, which sound rather muffled in comparison.
The unit itself is packed to the gills with features. The metronome, the ability to change the speed without altering the pitch, the ability to add reverb (albeit in a crude way) during recording or playback, the provision for plugging in an external microphone, dual-recording level operation, and wireless remote are all great attributes for the musician on a tight budget. For the current asking price through Amazon, this is one deal you cannot refuse even if you're not a musician.
Unlike other reviewers, I am reviewing the DR2d from an audiophile's perspective.
What persuaded me to buy this was the fact that the DR2d has the ability to record uncompressed 96kHz, 24bit WAV files and it contains a dedicated line-in jack. The less expensive DR-05 (already a super good deal) has the former but not the latter. The dedicated line-in jack is important to anyone who would want to at least occasionally use the DR2D as a recorder to archive or digitize their analog sources (LPs, cassettes, open-reel, Beta/VHS HI-FI soundtracks, etc.). It is a much better alternative compared to using your computer's soundcard because its built-in A-D and D-A converters are better and the electronics are quieter. At the same time, it's less expensive than most outboard A-D and D-A devices. The combined mic-in/line-in jack that so many competing digital recorders have is a major compromise because they often require an attenuator to sufficiently lower the recording level for recording line-level sources. By the time an attenuator is inserted into the signal path, the frequency response (tonal quality) may be altered.
Although the line-out and headphone jack are the same jack on the DR2D, it is fortunately not a sonic compromise. Hooking this jack into a preamp or receiver and turning the preamp's volume all the way up without music revealed no audible noise whatsoever! This is great news to me because it revealed that Tascam did not include a noisy headphone/line-out amplifier to defeat the purpose of its 96kHz, 24bit recording mode.
These numbers translate into recording/playback response extending to 40kHz (or more) with well over 120dB dynamic range. Just a few years ago, you'd have to pay thousands to buy any equipment with those specs but for less than $140, you can have it now. For the hardcore professional willing to pay a much higher price, he can buy a digital recorder with a 192kHz, 48bit recording mode. But with all else being equal, I doubt anyone can even detect a difference.
In audiophile terms, if I would describe the sound quality of the DR-2d, I'd say that it can reproduce virtually all the qualities of the original line source. I can't fault its ability to reproduce the subtle textures like horn and stringed-instruments as well as the ability to put out all the transient kick of a high-hat or bass pedal. If there is one thing the 96kHz, 24bit recording mode may do better than the 44.1kHz, 16bit mode it would be the ability to reproduce timbre/texture and the subtle decay of reverberation. Most high-end analog recorders can't do as well. But if there's one thing they might be better at, it is imaging and depth (separation). The differences are very subtle but I think I can detect a slight edge for high-end analog tape in this respect.
I have to say that the battery life initially seemed short but a firmware update seemed to have solved that issue.
In any case, for less than $140 what can you expect?! For the price, the build quality is great too. You just can't expect to throw it around and still see it work. But if you treat it in a reasonable manner, it will reward you with great sound and reliable operation in return.
Want Tascam DR2D Portable Digital Recorder Discount?
Solid build, no frills, good sound, and
user intuitive. Batteries? Buy brand-name.
Built-in speaker for quick editing.
Stereo sound slightly not as good as the
DR-07, but good separation and quality,
and much more solid and compact.
Buy a Vanguard case from Amazon for
protection.
Save 62% Off
The recorded files are awesome. I couldn't be more happy with the quality of the audio regardless of whether I use external mics, or the internal ones, or even my computer's audio output. This recorder gives back what you give it. I am especially pleased with how well the internal mics work to create stereo separation at live events. The built-in features that allow full control over audio levels (both record and playback) are engineered extremely well. Performance is definitely 5-stars but, read on to see why I downgraded it somewhat.
1st: Though understandable and NOT a reason NOT to buy, it is a power hog. After all, to power the A/D conversions and other features takes a huge toll on the batteries. Getting 2 hours from a set of 2 double-A's is what I've experienced on a good day. Usually, I change batteries after 1 hour if my recordings are going to be long and I don't want to risk the battery going dead. However, the optional power supply takes care of this issue at home in the studio. I downgraded the STAR rating because, under these circumstances, the recorder's weakness should be offset by INCLUDING the A/C adapter. The adapter is not just a optional nicety it's absolutely necessary !!
2nd (Most importantly): I love the flexibility of controlling record and playback options of gain, sensitivity, compression, etc. but with each recording environment, I have to go in and go through EVERY menu to be sure things are set back to what I know works. So, for example, live concerts have a whole set of parameters I like that are successful. Recording in a quiet classroom environment may require totally different settings. What would be EXTREMELY NICE is to be able to simply SAVE SETTINGS of standard situations. I have screwed up on several occasions when rushed to get it set up and simply overlook the fact that a feature was enabled or incorrectly set up.
I would give this 5-STARS even if #1 remained the same. (After all, I WANT the electronics being powered.) But, #2 is a firmware feature that could easily be programmed without adding to the hardware costs. This is something I believe TEAC may have overlooked.
Please ADD this firmware feature and issue an update to the firmware and I'll give this TASCAM DR-2d a big FAT 6-STAR REVIEW !!
