Topic: Tascam DR100mkii Review

[manleyf]

BTW- I've shipped my DR-100mkii back to JR.com for a refund.

In the mean time, I ordered from GuitarCenter.com, drop ship to store.... I found a 12% coupon online, but with tax it ended up being about $330.

A banner ad on TS before I posted this shows Sweetwater having them for $299, free shipping, and no tax for me, but NOT IN STOCK YET....   I LOVE Sweetwater's service too.....
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DR100mkII?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&gclid=CLG69Nfx0q0CFTEBQAodFgq8mA

On another note, while I wait for my DR-100, I'm having second thoughts, wondering if I should have bought a DR-40.

For me, the reason I went for the DR-100 was the SPDIF in, to run it as a back up device off my V3, along with my DR-680.

But, I'm starting to wonder if having a DR-40 would be a more versatile piece, and still serve as an even more full proof backup to hang off the V3.

Here's my logic, advantage / thought process:

DR-100mkii: SPIDIF in, potentially better pre's and capsules than DR-40, but only 2 channel.
DR-40: no SPIDIF in, BUT, could be a backup deck off my analog outs of my V3, and more fool proof if my V3 digi out section went out.  Obviously that is probably pretty unlikely, and the V3 conversion should be superior.
DR-40 also offers an advantage for occasional use as a light weight live recording rig for my bands, where I could grab ambient with the built in mics and board feed, all in one tiny package compared to the V3-DR680 rig....

Thoughts?
TiIA,
Manley

[F.O.Bean]

tonedeaf ran his m221b tubes>mic-in. Im psyched to hear it

[Sebastian]

I finally recorded my first show with the DR-100mkII. The results are available on Dime. However, please don't expect any wonders as this was a stealth job in one of the worst sounding venues I know (an old tunnel).

What I can say, though, is that I found the unit to be a bit hard to operate in the dark with the hold switch and the level control on two opposing sides. But I guess that's just something I need to get used to. Oh, and I had to set the mic gain to "M". The "L" setting gave me levels well below -20dB. I got peaks at around -10dB with the "M" setting and the level knob at "2" with the MBHOs.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Any word from Tascam on the power issue and a firmware update?

They've had a while to investigate.

[BMillz]

manleyf,
I returned my DR-40 for a DR100mkii and I'm very glad I did!

[manleyf]

manleyf,
I returned my DR-40 for a DR100mkii and I'm very glad I did!

Thanks for the feedback!
What led to the exchange, why are you glad?
The only thing that has me thinking twice really is the 4 track capabilities, even if it's 2 tr+ mics....

[doblecombo]

I just want to know 3 things:


1) Comparing the built-in mic quality, xlr hiss/noice and the preamps of the mkii and the mki, Which one is better overall?

2) Which one you think is better this one or the zoom h4n?

3) Is the 3.5 mm good as the sony pcm m-10? Like for using this? Rode VideoMic Pro


Thanks a lot people.

And I would like you to let me know whick one you preffer for built-in mics and for externals aswell.

Zoom h4n vs Dr-100 vs Dr-100 MKii

[manamana]

as anyone compared the A-D / line level performance of the m10 and the DR100MKII? I may finally upgrade my old R-09 - looks like the M10 wins on size and battery life, the DR100MKII has better level adjustment and XLR-IN.

[newplanet7]

Did anyone run straight in at a show yet with this deck?
I listened to your samples steve and the pres sound good but, we need to
know how they react in a high spl environment too.

tonedeaf ran his m221b tubes>mic-in. Im psyched to hear it

WHAT UP STEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gutbucket]

Just met Steve last night at a jazz gig down here in FL and he was running this deck.  A nice sounding room but no PA so not a high SPL situation.

[F.O.Bean]

Just met Steve last night at a jazz gig down here in FL and he was running this deck.  A nice sounding room but no PA so not a high SPL situation.

NICE! He's BY FAR one of the coolest and nicest people you will EVER meet

[F.O.Bean]

And Steve ran mk41>m221b>DR100mkII and I ran mk41>sax>m10, so it will DEF be a good comp for people to check out

[Gutbucket]

..BY FAR one of the coolest and nicest people you will EVER meet

True!

[stevetoney]

Did anyone run straight in at a show yet with this deck?
I listened to your samples steve and the pres sound good but, we need to
know how they react in a high spl environment too.

tonedeaf ran his m221b tubes>mic-in. Im psyched to hear it

WHAT UP STEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here ya go guys!

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=153006.0

[stevetoney]

I just want to know 3 things:


1) Comparing the built-in mic quality, xlr hiss/noice and the preamps of the mkii and the mki, Which one is better overall?

2) Which one you think is better this one or the zoom h4n?

3) Is the 3.5 mm good as the sony pcm m-10? Like for using this? Rode VideoMic Pro


Thanks a lot people.

And I would like you to let me know whick one you preffer for built-in mics and for externals aswell.

Zoom h4n vs Dr-100 vs Dr-100 MKii

These questions are valid questions, but the chances of getting a good answer aren't very good.  I doubt that anyone owns all three of these recorders in order to do a head-to-head comparison that you want. 

Perhaps you could get a response directly from Tascam about the performance of the DR100 against the DRMKII.