Topic: TASCAM DR-08 - announced at NAMM

[sunjan]

The slimmed-down successor to DR-07?! Comes with Mickey Mouse ear fold-out microphones...
http://www.tascam.com/products/dr-08.html

TASCAM's compact DR-08 portable digital recorder packs serious audio quality into a handheld dynamo that fits in your pocket. It captures audiophile-quality 96kHz/24-bit WAV files - or web-friendly MP3 files - to robust MicroSD media. The built-in microphones have a unique mechanism to change the width and angle of the elements, allowing you to tailor the pattern for the perfect recording. There's even a built-in kickstand for placing the recorder right where you want it. A pair of AAA batteries allows you to record for hours to the included 2GB card, then transfer the recording to your computer using high-speed USB 2.0.

Like TASCAM's other best-selling portable recorders, the DR-08 has features like auto level control and a low cut filter for clear recordings. Add your own microphone or line-level source using the 1/8" stereo input.

    * Portable digital recorder
    * WAV recording from 44.1/16-bit up to 96kHz/24-bit
    * MP3 recording from 32k - 320 kbps
    * Records to MicroSD media (2GB card included)
    * Two cardioid microphones with variable angle mechanism to adjust width and angle of microphone elements
    * Variable Speed Playback - adjust the playback speed from 50% to 200% without changing the pitch to learn new music
    * Auto recording mode starts recording when the input reaches a certain sound level
    * Timer recording mode for beginning recording at a certain time of day
    * Manual and automatic gain control modes
    * Low cut filter and noise cancel functions for clearer recording and playback
    * Built-in foldable stand for desktop recording
    * Pre-recording buffer (up to 2 seconds)
    * 1/8" stereo mic/line input with plug-in power
    * 1/8" stereo headphone/line output
    * Playlist and folder management
    * Built-in speaker
    * Transfer recordings to computer using fast USB 2.0 connection (Micro-USB, B-type connector)
    * 96x96 backlit LCD display
    * Powered by AAA batteries (included), USB power or optional PS-P520 power supply
    * Dimensions: 1.45" W x 5.41" D x 0.59" H (37mm x 137.5mm x 15mm)
    * Weight: 2.72oz (77g) including batteries
    * Included accessories: 2x AAA battery, Micro-USB cable, 2GB MicroSD card

[Ozpeter]

"    * Timer recording mode for beginning recording at a certain time of day"

That's a first in this kind of package I think, and a handy feature if you want to locate the recorder somewhere inaccessible and have it start itself at the (scheduled...) beginning of the show.

[flintstone]

The Yamaha Pocketrak 2G and CX have a similar feature.  In the Pocketrak units, you can program the recording start time up to 24 hours in advance, and the recording duration. The duration choices are 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours and until the memory is full.  Once set, you can turn off the recorder.  At the appointed hour, the recorder wakes up and starts recording.

The Sound Devices 722 has a feature like this, but I think you have to leave the recorder powered up in record/pause mode for it to work.

This feature is useful if you need to record a TV or radio broadcast at a particular time.  It's also useful for nature recording.  Setting the recorder to start by itself at 4am is a great way to catch the dawn chorus while you remain in dreamland.

Flintstone

[Ozpeter]

Thanks for the information!

Yup, 4am is not a good time to be up and deciding which button to press

[sunjan]

Sweetwater put up a video demo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iQOUbhMwzw

[sunjan]

Pre-orders are $199 with binaurals bundled:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?item=TAS-DR-08&source=froogle

[it-goes-to-eleven]

One big concern... The photo of the dr8 shows a combination HOLD-ON-OFF button...

That makes me wonder if sliding the hold too far could turn the recorder off.  That would be a deal breaker for me.    You can see this on the dr8 photos but that side of the dr2 is not pictured.  Hope I am mistaken.

[chris319]

If they had designed it so that the diaphragms were 17 cm apart when splayed at a 110-degree angle, thus giving you an ORTF configuration, I would be interested. From the pictures it looks a little small for that.

[sunjan]

Did anyone here jump the gun on this yet?

I found two reviews, but neither have anything useful to say:
http://www.wired.com/reviews/product/pr_tascam_recorder
http://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-08-Portable-Digital-Recorder/product-reviews/B0036UO4ZI

I'm curious about the mic-in and line-in quality.
For a super-stealth rig, imagine running mics into a Church-UBB bbox, going mic-in. Smallest 24bit rig so far!

[flintstone]

The Avisoft mic preamp test shows the DR-08 to be significantly noisier than the DR-07.
Neither has a quiet preamp, but I could hear that the 8 is noisier than the 7 when I checked
out the recorders recently.

http://www.avisoft.com/recordertests.htm

Flintstone

[lukpac]

I'm contemplating one or two of these, but noticed this in the manual:

Setting the recording level manually
1 Set the REC LEVEL switch on the right side panel to MANUAL.

2 Press the REC key to put the unit into recording standby. The recording indicator blinks and the recording screen appears.

3. Use the |<< and >>| keys to adjust the input level. The input level is shown at the bottom of the display.

Can the record level *only* be adjusted when in standby? That seems like a significant weakness if true.

[lukpac]

One big concern... The photo of the dr8 shows a combination HOLD-ON-OFF button...

That makes me wonder if sliding the hold too far could turn the recorder off.  That would be a deal breaker for me.    You can see this on the dr8 photos but that side of the dr2 is not pictured.  Hope I am mistaken.

FYI...I got 2 of these today, and the switch is not HOLD-ON-OFF, but rather HOLD-*-0/1. The movement from * to 0/1 is spring loaded. Switching in that direction briefly activates the backlight. You have to *hold* it at 0/1 for about 2 seconds before it shuts off.

So, no, nothing to worry about.

And, to answer my own question, you can set levels while recording, not just while in standby.