Topic: Tascam DR-03 vs. DR-05 vs. DR-07 -- Which one should I get?

[jj69]

I'm abandoning my MicroTrack II due to battery issues.  I'm a casual concert taper, usually stealth taping, and I prefer a simple, low aggravation setup.  Essentially the audio equivalent of a point & shoot camera.  I always record at 44.1 khz, 16 bits.  In the past, I have used the MTII with a simple $50 Olympus ME-51S T-mic.  The results have always been sufficient for my purposes.  I have always found that my location in the room has more impact on quality than my gear. 

Since I'm only using the mic through the 1/8 mic in jack, would all these different Tascam models produce the same quality recording, or is one unit better than another? 

I'm open to any suggestions. 

[F.O.Bean]

I like the look and feel of the Tascam handhelds, but it is a known fact that they overload/distort easily. I would recommend getting a Sony PCM-M10 and you will DEF be happy you got one. It's small, lightweight, has a good ADC/Recorder, and runs for 30hrs on 2 x 2300mah Energizer rechargeables

And if you have a device that can do 24bits, why not record in 24bit You could run your levels very conservatively at the show, to avoid getting busted, and just add the rest of the gain in post. If you do that w/ 16bit files, you will hear the noise floor come up in volume as well. That's just one of the main advantages of recording in 24bit

[jj69]

That sounds like good advice, Bean.  I've always stuck with 16 bit to avoid the hassle of having to convert to 16 bit later.  I guess I never thought about it. 

Since all of these units will record at 24 bit, I guess the main factors to consider are the quality of the internal mic preamp and the ADC. 

Does anyone know if the pre and ADC in the MicroTrack (an older device) were better or worse than those components in the DR-03 or PR-10? 

My only reservation about the Sony is the price.  The DR-03 can be had for $60, while the Sony is over $200.  I don't want to pay more just for features I'll never use.  What about the size?  Isn't the Sony a much larger unit? 

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

I've owned the DR-07, Microtrack, Microtrack II AND Sony M10, and there is NO QUESTION...the Sony is the best (and it isn't even close).

Battery life in the Tascam and MT's were mediocre at best. Mic in on both were pretty bad (and the MT's were just worthless Mic In without an attenuator).

You can record to the M10 @ 16 Bit, but I would suggest recording at 24/48 and using that to edit your files (if you plan on adding EQ, Compression, or adjusting volume in post). Converting to 16 Bit is pretty easy (I use r8brain...it's free).

Size wise the Sony and MT's are about the same. Here are some pics to compare size:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=137545.msg1786236#msg1786236

I realize the Sony is 2x the price, but it is SO worth it. The battery life is scary good. If it makes you feel better, factor in the cost of batteries in the future.

[TimeBandit]

For Tascam: get the Dr-05, if your listing means the dr 7 mk2 (the new one) it isn´t worth the extra price for some options which aren´t so useful for tapers.

Mics aren´t good for concert taping on all, invest in a preamp  or battery box + good mics too. Popular choose is ca9100 pre + ca14 mics from Church audio and run via line in.

if you struggling with money a nice rig with an used Dr-07 (the old one) + church gear from the yard sale section here you get the most bang for the buck.

[jj69]

The prices I've seen are DR-03 for $59, while all three of the other models (PR-10, DR-05, and DR-07) are $99 (those are the original versions, not the MkII).  The DR-03 and PR-10 have the advantage of smaller size, while the other two models MAY have superior pres and ADCs. I think street prices of the MkII versions of the 05 and 07 are closer to $150, which is approaching Sony territory. 

So I would just grab the DR-03 for $59, unless one of the other $99 models has significantly superior pre and ADC.  With a big company like Tascam, I would not be surprised to find that all four models have exactly the same hardware.  I can't find detailed specifications on Tascam's web site.  It's not like 25 years ago when the published all the data.  Heck, I remember when Tascam provided a full schematic with every piece of gear they sold! 

An external pre is out of the question.  I want to go smaller and less cumbersome, not more so.  For my purposes, the MTII through the 1/8" mic input has always been satisfactory in the past, so perhaps even the $59 DR-03 would be a step up from the MTII?  Then again, would there be any advantage to spending the extra $40 on the DR-07 while they're still available at retail for $99? 

[TimeBandit]

check them out, maybe the very small ones like dr-3 are difficult to operate in darker conditions with their tiny buttons.

if you want to run the mic straight into without an pre the Sony is the choice.

[faninor]

I used the PR-10 at a show last night and had no problem with the buttons after memorizing their locations relative to each other. But I think the DR-07 (or maybe one of their newest models?) is easier to get better results with.

I can't really speak to the mic inputs on any of these as I always run line-in, but as far as line-in goes the DR-07 is better than the PR-10 or DR-03 in terms of ADC, and it can take a much hotter signal without distorting. DR-07 is definitely different hardware, but PR-10, DR-03, and DR-08 are probably the same on the inside.

I have a feeling since the OP isn't inclined to upgrade to a more high-end mic that the DR-07 would be perfectly sufficient and the M-10 would be overkill.

[spyder9]

I like the look and feel of the Tascam handhelds, but it is a known fact that they overload/distort easily.

Wrong.

Straight from the SBD
http://www.archive.org/details/rads2009-11-07.spyder9.sbd.flac16

AKG c568eb > Denecke PS-2 > Tascam DR-1.
http://www.archive.org/details/furthur2010-02-06.akg568.spyder9.106769.flac16

No preamp out in front on either case.

[F.O.Bean]

I like the look and feel of the Tascam handhelds, but it is a known fact that they overload/distort easily.

Wrong.

Straight from the SBD
http://www.archive.org/details/rads2009-11-07.spyder9.sbd.flac16

AKG c568eb > Denecke PS-2 > Tascam DR-1.
http://www.archive.org/details/furthur2010-02-06.akg568.spyder9.106769.flac16

No preamp out in front on either case.

He never mentioned the DR-1 tho, he mentioned the DR3/5/7. And ToddR has stated numerous times that these 3 handhelds can easily overload/distort

[matahaka]

I have the 03, and they are good for me in terms of quick recording during practicing and playback, with vari-speed playback.. But the internal mics do not work well for recording a group, sounds like too much noise.. when I have the time and chance i'll post something i recorded with that.

for the price though, its good! =D