Topic: How is the Tascam DR-05 through the LINE IN?

[jj69]

I've searched the forums and I'm not finding much useful info on this unit.  Has anyone used it to record with external mics/battery box into the LINE IN?  Can it take a hot signal (i.e. loud rock band) without having to use an attenuator? 

I've also found some confusing comments about the DR-05 online.  One Amazon review claims it doesn't have a "real line input," but doesn't explain what that means.  Some posts here claim that it only allows adjustment of the input in the digital domain, but other posts dispute that. 

The only Tascam I have any experience with is the DR-03, and it's completely useless unless you want to use an attenuator.  It's also unbearably noisy.  Just wondering if the DR-05 is a more serious design.  For $85, it might be a nice backup to my PCM-M10. 

In fact, has anyone used both the DR-05 and the a PCM-M10?  A comparison of both units using their LINE IN jacks would be most helpful. 

[jj69]

No one has tried the DR-05 with powered mics? 

I just ordered one for the heck of it because I found a great deal.  At the moment, Amazon has it for $77.87 with free shipping.  Tascam is also running a Holiday Mail-In rebate on several models, including the DR-05.  The rebate on the DR-05 is $10, bringing your total cost down to $67.87 shipped. 

If someone finds it for a better price, feel free to PM me. 

[F.O.Bean]

I too was contemplating getting a DR05 or the like from Tascam, but in the end said F*&K IT, and just boughtr another M10, since theyre proven reliable and can take hot signals

So my advice to you is to save up and get another M10

[jethro bo deen]

Guitar Center has the TASCAM  DR-05 priced at just $49   thru   Mon Sept 3, 2012   during their Labor Day sale.

That is  pretty cheap.            I   don't have   a   DR-05     so  I  can't  comment on it's capabilities.      The only people that I've ever seen using   a   DR-05    was    some  young kids  about  22 to 24 years old in a bar band.     These kids almost about the age of my kids said it works for them to get recordings of their band's shows.     I asked them if it was any good  and they said better than the videocamera they were using,  ....they weren't   high tech  ,  hi-fi stereo recording experts....just kids hopin to get something that they could listen to and evaluate their performance  and if it comes out good enough on some songs in certain bars/clubs,  they might use it on their website and promos for fans.     They said only about   20% of the shows that they have taped were really good sounding and its finding where to place the DR-05  to get the best of the bad sound reflections in the clubs that they play in....

[fmaderjr]

I've searched the forums and I'm not finding much useful info on this unit.  Has anyone used it to record with external mics/battery box into the LINE IN?  Can it take a hot signal (i.e. loud rock band) without having to use an attenuator? 

I've also found some confusing comments about the DR-05 online.  One Amazon review claims it doesn't have a "real line input," but doesn't explain what that means.  Some posts here claim that it only allows adjustment of the input in the digital domain, but other posts dispute that. 

No way it's going to take a hot signal. According to the manual, all it has is one input jack marked mic/external in. There is provision for turning off the plug in power, but not for providing additional attenuation, so that's what the review meant by saying its not a real line input.

[newplanet7]

Two weeks ago I ran Schoeps MK4~> CMC4~> VMS 42~> R-05 and it came out pretty sick IMO.
Ran with 20db gain on the VMS. However, some of the wav's were squared off at the louder parts.
There is zero audible negatives from it though.
I can post a sample if interested. Before I looked at the actual wav's I wouldn't have hesitated grabbing one.
Because they are so cheap it would be great as a back-up.

[ilduclo]

yes, please post a sample including a part with the topped off wavs.  Was this a loud band? I have been considering one for a back up as well..

[newplanet7]

The band is Club d'elf.
If you are not familiar with them they are a very dynamic band that has varying instruments from week to week.
I ran ortf, DFC, 3ft HIGH. Instruments this night were Drums, Hammond, Keys, Guitar, Turntables, Bass, and Sintir.
It was onstage so I am pretty sure being 6-'8 ft from a full drum set qualifies. Plus I always run less conservative always trying to hit that magic -2.5db
and for most of the show, that is wher it was going. So these are the credentials you are looking for. Hot signal that is often loud.
Bottom line is, I was pretty happy with the result as I think it was clean for the most part. Other than Bumping up the highs, this is RAW.
You will hear the very loud part about 1:15 in.
http://soundcloud.com/newplanet7/delf2012-08-17s1t0201

AND ANOTHER ONE FOR YOU FUNKHEADS.
http://soundcloud.com/newplanet7/delf2012-08-17s1t10