Topic: Tascam DR-5

[mhlsr]

http://tascam.com/product/dr-05/


Looks nice.

[setboy]

So how many DR's do they have out now. It seems like every time I turn around they have a new one. does look interesting

[Todd R]

So how many DR's do they have out now. It seems like every time I turn around they have a new one. does look interesting

They got a bundle of different recorders, and none of them are too great for concert recording IME (DR-680 being the exception).

They keep coming out with recorders and I keep looking into them them wondering if they have a good, small, 2ch option.  The DR-5 takes a max ext/line input of -4dbV, which is consistent with most of their products it seems (can't remember, maybe outside the DR6880 some models take something like a max of +2dbu ??).

My Sony D50 can take a +24dbu signal, and I think the M10 is similar.  At -4dbV max input, the DR-5 is only suitable for going mic-in when doing concert recordings (and maybe not even then).  Pretty much no way you could put a preamp in front of it.

Too bad, I wish Tascam would expand their line of recorders that can take a hot signal, which is pretty much only the DR680 I think.

[flintstone]

The DR-05 seems to be the successor to the DR-07, with a few improvements in specs, and for a lot less cash. 

Tascam describes the DR-05 as providing "premium sound."  The built-in mic design is reportedly all new.  The electronics are new, too. 

It will be interesting to see if the DR-05's preamp is an improvement over the DR-1, DR-2d and DR-07, which are mediocre performers.
 
Tascam certainly has the under-$200 (street price) range covered.  Models include

DR-03 ($80) and DR-08 ($125)
The most compact recorders, two AAA cells

DR-05 ($99), DR-07 (discontinued, $99)
mid size, two AA cells

DR-1 (discontinued, $150), GT-R1 ($195), DR-2d ($195)
standard size, AA cells

[TimeBandit]

interesting:

A new pair of built-in microphones withstands up to 125dB SPL

But this one looks good to be the follow up of the DR-07. the DR-08 is smaller but not easy to handle (for me, too small buttons)

Hold Button not the same as power switch, also good. and the mic/ line input has now a really better position then on the DR-07.

But the position for the strap is really rubbish, it´s on the down side - if using the internals for recording (and if they really do that SPL i really like to test them). I loved the yamaha pocketrak CX - or now the W24 (same chassis) for that.  Just put the necklace through the mic protection cage and wear it under the shirt, perfect if stealthing was needed!

[sunjan]

One new feature that makes the DR-05 easy to operate is the new Peak Reduction feature. This setting automatically sets your recording level by listening to the input and adjusting for the best level. Unlike Auto Gain settings, this one only goes down to prevent accidental distortion after a period of low level like a break. Peak Recording works in rehearsal mode or in record, so if the performance is louder than the soundcheck you’re still safe.

IIUC, this is like Safety Clip on rockbox. Definitely a good feature if it works the same way,
Best spent $99 for any newbie taper, if it performs up to specs.

More detailed description in the manual, p 50-51 (unfortunatey copy-protected, can't paste any text here):
http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/558/e_dr-05_om_va.pdf

Initial street price in the UK £99:
http://www.imuso.co.uk/Studio/Recorders/19958-/Tascam-DR-05-Linear-PCM-Recorder

[flintstone]

In USA, Sound Professionals is showing a $149 MSRP and $100 sale price
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/TAS-DR-05

As delivered, the DR-05 includes a MicroSD card, but I can't find information that says how big its capacity is.  I'm thinking 1 GB, but a 2GB card would cost Tascam maybe $1 more (given the quantity they must purchase).

[setboy]

In USA, Sound Professionals is showing a $149 MSRP and $100 sale price
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/TAS-DR-05

As delivered, the DR-05 includes a MicroSD card, but I can't find information that says how big its capacity is.  I'm thinking 1 GB, but a 2GB card would cost Tascam maybe $1 more (given the quantity they must purchase).

I know they were giving away 2GB cards with the DR-07 when I got mine

[dogmusic]

Sound Professionals is showing a 2GB card included.

It can run on USB power. I wonder if an ordinary USB to AC adapter will work.

http://www.amazon.com/USB-AC-MP3-Players-White/dp/B000A2BLEC

[soundpro]

Hello:

2GB is correct. Also worth mentioning is much longer battery life with this new recorder - 17.5 hours with CD quality recording.

Lastly, I'm not going to post an advertizement here, but we are running a TS member only special on the retail forum.

They are arriving next week.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Best Regards,

Chris Carfagno
sales@soundprofessionals.com
www.soundprofessionals.com
The Sound Professionals, Inc.
3444 Sylon Blvd
Hainesport NJ, 08036
800-213-3021
609-267-4400
609-267-0054 fax

[dogmusic]

It can run on USB power. I wonder if an ordinary USB to AC adapter will work.

http://www.amazon.com/USB-AC-MP3-Players-White/dp/B000A2BLEC

I'll answer my own question -- it will:

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?item=SP-USB-POWER

That's handy.

[Federico78]

This is my first topic in this interesting forum.

I'm a pianist / keyboardist who wants to buy a handheld recorder and has been listening/reading pretty much everything in the internet to make the right choice.

This Tascam DR-05 is pretty tempting but I'd like to hear some records made by it before taking any decision.

My big concern is that all this audio quality claimed how is it possible to stay in 99 bucks? Strange...

I'm considering also Sony PCM-M10, Zoom H1, H2, H4n but I'm going a little bit OT...

I really hope to hear some demos by someone who'll buy the DR-05!

[sunjan]

Welcome!

My big concern is that all this audio quality claimed how is it possible to stay in 99 bucks?

Economies of scale, simply!
I was just as amazed about the great value for money offered when the M10 was launched, or the R-09HR before that, or even the Iriver back in the days.

Well, someone always have to take the first plunge. The first sources usually surface within a month or two after they start shipping, if you're willing to stick around and wait. Otherwise, go ahead and be the guinea pig! I'm sure the resale value is decent, at least until the next successor is announced. 

[Federico78]

Welcome!

Thanks!

I'm sure the resale value is decent, at least until the next successor is announced. 

No please! I want to deal as less as possible with craigslist! 

Well, if the audio quality of the internal mics will be comparable to PCM M10....

I'm also struggling with myself to understand if for my use (record some of my stuff at acoustic piano and live concert recording) the money to buy a PCM D50 is justified or not...

[johnnyrockstar]

Hey all-

Just picked up the DR-05.... I've been using the DR-07 for quite awhile and have been happy with it for the most part.   The cheesy plastic power button broke, however, so I replaced with the DR-05 which seems to be an upgrade in terms of the buttons and controls.

Does anyone know what unity gain is on this recorder?   The input gain control is now part of the digital controls and no longer located on the outside of the recorder.  It adjusts digitally from 0 to 99.   Wondering where I should start when I record with my Church Audio CA'14s.

Anyone?!

[TimeBandit]

Hey all-

I've been using the DR-07 ... The cheesy plastic power button broke,

How have you did this   

Someone already tested it with the internal mics (they promised 125db SPL) ?

[johnnyrockstar]

Hey all-

I've been using the DR-07 ... The cheesy plastic power button broke,

How have you did this   

Someone already tested it with the internal mics (they promised 125db SPL) ?

>> referring to my old dr-07.... just happened during regular use.   the power button has to be held for a couple seconds to power up... somehow the plastic button broke off and went inside the case of the unit.   

i was able to macguyver it for awhile and power up by inserting a paperclip into the hole and touch the contact, but this is a tricky process and i would prefer to be ready to record at a moments notice.

>> about the dr-05... not concerned about the spl's on the internal mics.    i want to know unity gain so that when i use external mics i am using as little preamp from the dr-05 as possible.   i would rather get the gain i need from my ca-9100.

[TimeBandit]

>>  somehow the plastic button broke off and went inside the case of the unit.   

But now it´s failsafe against unwanted Power - Off


Maybe i getting the DR-5 und will run it with my CA gear also .. but also testing the internals ... maybe a bit waiting if the first ones are shipped and tested - EU release will be april 2011, i ran the DR-07 with around 6 on the gain wheel ... let´s see.

[johnnyrockstar]

used the DR-05 for the first time on st. patty's.   my usual CA14 omnis > CA9100 > DRxx (44/16)   had the recorder preamp set to 0, and the CA-9100 on less than half way up to get a good level so i can't see ever needing the preamp gain from the DR-05 unless using the built in mics.

also on a good note, i had the recorder powered up for 5-6 hours total with the 'stock' batteries and still is at full power.  that's a promising sign for some great battery life.

audio to come....

[F.O.Bean]

I might get 1 of these to play around w/ too. I think it will work fine behind the LittleBox....

[techgui]

Is the preamp on the Dr-5 as good as either the Sony M10 or Tascam Dr-2d?

[Todd R]

I might get 1 of these to play around w/ too. I think it will work fine behind the LittleBox....

I'm not sure the basis of your assertion, but I'd keep those input transformers dis-engaged if you get the tascam and the gain at the absolute minimum.  Assuming you're planning on recording PA amplified music anyway.

[F.O.Bean]

I might get 1 of these to play around w/ too. I think it will work fine behind the LittleBox....

I'm not sure the basis of your assertion, but I'd keep those input transformers dis-engaged if you get the tascam and the gain at the absolute minimum.  Assuming you're planning on recording PA amplified music anyway.

I have ONLY ran w/ the IN Xformers dis-engaged. I havent even had the chance to use the IN xformers

[johnnyrockstar]

here's audio from my 3-17 recording using the DR-05...

http://www.archive.org/details/bk402011-03-17

loving the extended battery life and more solid feel of the DR-05.

[teemell]

wow.  that sounds great!  gives me some faith in the 05

here's audio from my 3-17 recording using the DR-05...

http://www.archive.org/details/bk402011-03-17

loving the extended battery life and more solid feel of the DR-05.

[F.O.Bean]

Yeah, Im sure I could use one behind my LB

[dogmusic]

here's audio from my 3-17 recording using the DR-05...

http://www.archive.org/details/bk402011-03-17

loving the extended battery life and more solid feel of the DR-05.

Were the drums mic'd? I love the sound of the kick.

Do you think the record level control on the DR05 is post-AD converter?

[Todd R]

If the specs for the DR-05 are accurate, I wouldn't add more than 6-8db of gain from an external preamp with this recorder if you're recording PA amplified music, better yet, add no gain at all.

With the overload of the DR-05 and typical condenser mics, if you add 6-8db of gain with a preamp, that should allow you to record up to about 118db SPL's before you overload the DR-05 inputs.  118db sound levels are certainly high, esp with A-weighting, but unweighted sound pressures of 118db particularly with pumping low frequencies from subwoofers at a show really isn't too hard to hit.

Which is what I was getting at with the LB, esp with tranfo's engaged.  With the input tranfo's the LB has a minimum gain of 18db, without them, the minimum gain is 6db.  It would really be best to run the LB at the minimum gain to avoid any overload distortion on the DR05.  A little easier with the Church 9100, since iirc it is 20db max gain, and I think the gain goes down to 0db at the minimum.

[F.O.Bean]

Yeah, exactly Todd, Id have to run at +6db min gain on the LB. W/ the R09/M10, I can run it at 12'oclock or higher

[johnnyrockstar]

Were the drums mic'd? I love the sound of the kick.

Do you think the record level control on the DR05 is post-AD converter?

The drums were mic'ed, but what you are hearing is all stage volume.   I record on-stage with omni's.   They are placed in center of the stage so the vocals and horns are being picked up from the stage monitors and the drums, bass, fiddle, guitars are being picked up from stage volume directly from the amps and drums.   The mic position definitely lends itself to great drum sounds, (they are only a few feet away in proximity) however sometimes the vocals and stage left/right guitars can get muddy depending on how good the on stage mix is.

I really have no idea about the A/D converter.   Using the external mics and preamp, the signal was quite hot, so the internal record level for me will always stay on '0' and any gain will come from the CA9100 preamp.   As mentioned earlier in this thread, my biggest concern will be with not overloading the inputs on the DR-05.  I set this recording to peak at about -20db and boosted the signal in Audacity.   No overloading on this recording, so I will likely keep the settings around the same next time out.

[F.O.Bean]

Were the drums mic'd? I love the sound of the kick.

Do you think the record level control on the DR05 is post-AD converter?

The drums were mic'ed, but what you are hearing is all stage volume.   I record on-stage with omni's.   They are placed in center of the stage so the vocals and horns are being picked up from the stage monitors and the drums, bass, fiddle, guitars are being picked up from stage volume directly from the amps and drums.   The mic position definitely lends itself to great drum sounds, (they are only a few feet away in proximity) however sometimes the vocals and stage left/right guitars can get muddy depending on how good the on stage mix is.

I really have no idea about the A/D converter.   Using the external mics and preamp, the signal was quite hot, so the internal record level for me will always stay on '0' and any gain will come from the CA9100 preamp.   As mentioned earlier in this thread, my biggest concern will be with not overloading the inputs on the DR-05.  I set this recording to peak at about -20db and boosted the signal in Audacity.   No overloading on this recording, so I will likely keep the settings around the same next time out.

GREAT, thanks a bunch fpor the info. I'm going to buy one since they're so cheap. I could use it for SBD patches or as a backup recorder, since I have the M10 and all!

[dogmusic]

The drums were mic'ed, but what you are hearing is all stage volume.   I record on-stage with omni's.   They are placed in center of the stage so the vocals and horns are being picked up from the stage monitors and the drums, bass, fiddle, guitars are being picked up from stage volume directly from the amps and drums.   The mic position definitely lends itself to great drum sounds, (they are only a few feet away in proximity) however sometimes the vocals and stage left/right guitars can get muddy depending on how good the on stage mix is.

I really have no idea about the A/D converter.   Using the external mics and preamp, the signal was quite hot, so the internal record level for me will always stay on '0' and any gain will come from the CA9100 preamp.   As mentioned earlier in this thread, my biggest concern will be with not overloading the inputs on the DR-05.  I set this recording to peak at about -20db and boosted the signal in Audacity.   No overloading on this recording, so I will likely keep the settings around the same next time out.

Sounds great. How far apart were your omni mics spaced?

So, does this mean that changing the DR05 record level will only affect the digital signal, not the input?

[johnnyrockstar]

Sounds great. How far apart were your omni mics spaced?

I run the omni's split about 20cm.

[dogmusic]

Sounds great. How far apart were your omni mics spaced?

I run the omni's split about 20cm.

Thanks for that info.

I'm sorry to be so thick about this (and in fact started another thread to try and get an answer) but does the lack of a physical dial on the DR05 for record input level mean that you can only affect the level of the digital signal, i.e., post-AD converter?

Any info on that would be appreciated.

[johnnyrockstar]

no problem, i am just not certain about that issue so i don't want to say one way or the other...

[dogmusic]

no problem, i am just not certain about that issue so i don't want to say one way or the other...

I understand.

Well, anyone else know if the lack of a physical dial on the DR05 for record input level means that you can only affect the level of the digital signal, i.e., post-AD converter?

[F.O.Bean]

Were the drums mic'd? I love the sound of the kick.

Do you think the record level control on the DR05 is post-AD converter?

The drums were mic'ed, but what you are hearing is all stage volume.   I record on-stage with omni's.   They are placed in center of the stage so the vocals and horns are being picked up from the stage monitors and the drums, bass, fiddle, guitars are being picked up from stage volume directly from the amps and drums.   The mic position definitely lends itself to great drum sounds, (they are only a few feet away in proximity) however sometimes the vocals and stage left/right guitars can get muddy depending on how good the on stage mix is.

I really have no idea about the A/D converter.   Using the external mics and preamp, the signal was quite hot, so the internal record level for me will always stay on '0' and any gain will come from the CA9100 preamp.   As mentioned earlier in this thread, my biggest concern will be with not overloading the inputs on the DR-05.  I set this recording to peak at about -20db and boosted the signal in Audacity.   No overloading on this recording, so I will likely keep the settings around the same next time out.

That sample of Back Forty sounds AWESOME. I listened to the "Suzie" song! I left a review on the LMA

I was going to sell my R09, and get this Tascam DR-05, but since I now have a Sony PCM-M10, I might forgo getting the Tascam and just keep the R09. I am pretty much broke until mid-April, and DESPERATELY need the $$, but still might keep the R09, for SBD patches and patches from other tapers Not exactly sure what to do w/ the R09 at this point, since I now have an M10, and LOVE the M10 already?!?! I just want the DR-05 because its new

[jbell]

^ if you have an m10 I wouldn't was money  on the tascam!!!

[F.O.Bean]

^ if you have an m10 I wouldn't was money  on the tascam!!!

Yeah, I kinda feel the same way. I just like it because its new and because it looks cool, and simple

[johnnyrockstar]

here's another, 24 bit this time:

http://www.archive.org/details/bk402011-04-16

[Gutbucket]

They got a bundle of different recorders, and none of them are too great for concert recording IME (DR-680 being the exception).

They keep coming out with recorders and I keep looking into them them wondering if they have a good, small, 2ch option.  The DR-5 takes a max ext/line input of -4dbV, which is consistent with most of their products it seems (can't remember, maybe outside the DR6880 some models take something like a max of +2dbu ??).

Max input level of the DR2d line input = +6dBV
However the max input level for its mic input = -16dBV

It would be prefereable if there was a menu selectable setting to switch the mic-input to line-level sensitivity for use with two external preamps (the only way I use the DR2d) or with one external preamp + SBD feed (how I imagine many others would use it.  I run SBD feeds into the 680, R44, or R09 and have never tried to patch one into the DR2d).

[BitRater]

used the DR-05 for the first time on st. patty's.   my usual CA14 omnis > CA9100 > DRxx (44/16)   had the recorder preamp set to 0, and the CA-9100 on less than half way up to get a good level so i can't see ever needing the preamp gain from the DR-05 unless using the built in mics.

also on a good note, i had the recorder powered up for 5-6 hours total with the 'stock' batteries and still is at full power.  that's a promising sign for some great battery life.

audio to come....

Sounds like TASCAM took all the complaints about the DR-07's mediocre battery life to heart. Mine just eats batteries, and I don't even have to use it that much!

[jbou]

johnnyrockstar, any update on how the DR-05 is working out for you? I'm thinking about getting one because of its attractive price. I know everyone will say to save for a Sony M10, and I would love an M10, but if I wait for one I won't have a recorder for a while.

[newplanet7]

http://www.archive.org/details/bk402011-05-27

Love the old crow medicine show cover!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mutha funkin' wagon wheel son!

[jbou]

To be more specific I was wondering if you had run into problems overloading the mic in. When the DR-05 came out, that seemed to be the biggest concern. I'll have to check out some more shows you have uploaded. But from what I've listened to they sound good!

[johnnyrockstar]

To be more specific I was wondering if you had run into problems overloading the mic in. When the DR-05 came out, that seemed to be the biggest concern. I'll have to check out some more shows you have uploaded. But from what I've listened to they sound good!

THanks for the feedback JBou,
I have not had any overloading issues with the DR-05.   I have, however been much more careful with levels than with previous recorders.   Lately I have been recording 24 bit.   I leave the DR-05 preamp at zero of course and then dial the CA9100 up to max out at around -20db.  I boost the audio in post with Audacity and have not had any peaking issues.    So for the $$ the DR05 has performed well for me.   Oh, and the battery life is a BIG improvement.

[F.O.Bean]

To be more specific I was wondering if you had run into problems overloading the mic in. When the DR-05 came out, that seemed to be the biggest concern. I'll have to check out some more shows you have uploaded. But from what I've listened to they sound good!

THanks for the feedback JBou,
I have not had any overloading issues with the DR-05.   I have, however been much more careful with levels than with previous recorders.   Lately I have been recording 24 bit.   I leave the DR-05 preamp at zero of course and then dial the CA9100 up to max out at around -20db.  I boost the audio in post with Audacity and have not had any peaking issues.    So for the $$ the DR05 has performed well for me.   Oh, and the battery life is a BIG improvement.

How long do the batteries last

[hoppedup]

My  9 YO daughter expressed an interest in taping, so I gave her my DR-05 and SP-CMC-4u. She taped yesterday using my CA-9100 for one act, then hand held with internals for a song at a side stage. Then clamped to someone else and used the CA-14 cards with the PIP. I listened to all of the raw files a bit and they sound pretty good. She's gonna transfer and track. I'll post samples of each when that happens.

Bean, I think the stated battery life is 15-17 hours.  That seems about right, though I haven't counted. And I have used it for playback quite a bit, too.

[jbou]

Thanks for the info. I'm definitely interested....

[F.O.Bean]

My  9 YO daughter expressed an interest in taping, so I gave her my DR-05 and SP-CMC-4u. She taped yesterday using my CA-9100 for one act, then hand held with internals for a song at a side stage. Then clamped to someone else and used the CA-14 cards with the PIP. I listened to all of the raw files a bit and they sound pretty good. She's gonna transfer and track. I'll post samples of each when that happens.

Bean, I think the stated battery life is 15-17 hours.  That seems about right, though I haven't counted. And I have used it for playback quite a bit, too.

Thats awesome. The more tapirs, the better

[jagraham]

received my dr05 from UPS the other day.  will be trying it out a couple times next week and at a fest that weekend.  ive used the dr07 for the past year and a half and it seems like it will be similar.

the only concern i have is the "MIC/EXT IN" input.  the DR07 has both Mic In and Line In.  i'll mainly be using line in from CA-11s > STC-9000 but may also use ECM-MS957 > mic in.  do I need to change the settings to differentiate between Mic and Line In?  or should i be using Line in from the ECM since it is battery powered anyway?

also, i could not find any examples on archive of the internals.  the times i have used the DR07 internals as a backup i was impressed with the sound so im curious as to how they sound in comparison.

[dogmusic]

do I need to change the settings to differentiate between Mic and Line In?  or should i be using Line in from the ECM since it is battery powered anyway?

also, i could not find any examples on archive of the internals.  the times i have used the DR07 internals as a backup i was impressed with the sound so im curious as to how they sound in comparison.

You don't need to change settings to go from Mic In to Line In. There's no option to do so. However make sure that mic power is off in "REC SETTING".

Also, I always leave the record level set at "0" no matter what I'm using because it's only digital level that is affected by the control.

I made a concert recording with the DR05 internals which I've been meaning to post. I'll try to do it today.

I do like the DR05 line in. But my recordings are all of ambient sound which would not give you much of an idea for concert use.

[jbou]

Also, I always leave the record level set at "0" no matter what I'm using because it's only digital level that is affected by the control.

Could you clarify what you mean by saying only the digital level is affected?

[dogmusic]

Also, I always leave the record level set at "0" no matter what I'm using because it's only digital level that is affected by the control.

Could you clarify what you mean by saying only the digital level is affected?

There are many, many people on this forum who can answer that in a more technically satisfying manner than I can, but basically the analog signal coming into the DR05 is not changed by the record level control which affects only the digital signal post A/D (analog-to-digital) converter.

I think of it as the difference between optical and digital zoom on a camera, but that's probably an imprecise analogy.

[jbou]

Ok. So I think that means that if the signal coming in is to hot, the record level control can't do anything about that before the A/D. Right?

[dogmusic]

Ok. So I think that means that if the signal coming in is to hot, the record level control can't do anything about that before the A/D. Right?

Yes, that's my understanding of it. You would need an external preamp.

[hi and lo]

Ok. So I think that means that if the signal coming in is to hot, the record level control can't do anything about that before the A/D. Right?

Yes, that's my understanding of it. You would need an external preamp.

If the incoming signal is too hot, an external preamp is the last thing you need. Preamps are amplification devices and many of them have minimum levels of amplification, so the already hot signal is only going to get hotter.

What you need are attenuators. There are many people on this board that frequently tape soundboard feeds with the Tascam units, particularly the DR-2d, and they religiously bring along several in-line attenuators for whatever the situation dictates. Attenuators are not ideal because they add noise as a trade-off between a lower signal level, but when it's simply impossible to record a hot soundboard feed without overloading the recorders line input, they become necessity.

[jbou]

What you need are attenuators. There are many people on this board that frequently tape soundboard feeds with the Tascam units, particularly the DR-2d, and they religiously bring along several in-line attenuators for whatever the situation dictates. Attenuators are not ideal because they add noise as a trade-off between a lower signal level, but when it's simply impossible to record a hot soundboard feed without overloading the recorders line input, they become necessity.

Got it. Do you know what type of attenuators people use for things like the DR-05 or the DR-2D that have an 1/8" input?

[dogmusic]

Ok. So I think that means that if the signal coming in is to hot, the record level control can't do anything about that before the A/D. Right?

Yes, that's my understanding of it. You would need an external preamp.

If the incoming signal is too hot, an external preamp is the last thing you need.

So I guess the CA-9100 would not be a good solution.

[sunjan]

I've seen several users here run the M-Audio 10db pad:
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/399621.html

SoundPro does one with variable attenuation, but my guess is that noise would be slightly higher:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-ATEN-1

[the_artist]

Thanks to everyone for the reviews of the DR05.  I'm impressed so far.  And for the price it seems a no brainer. 

I have used three basic combinations since I started recording 4 years ago. I record in stealth mode and almost exclusively rock . 

I started with a Sony MZ NH600 and Sound Professionals SP-TFB-2 in ear binaurals.  Because the Sony had only a Line-In I used a Sound Pro SP-Preamp which I generally just set the dial to Max and adjusted the volume on the Sony unit if it looked like it was peaking.  This worked well. 

I changed to a DR07 and kept the mics but found that I didn't need the Preamp at all.  I plugged the mics into the Mic-In and and could keep the recording from peaking by adjusting the volume knob.  I used the Limiter only.  This worked really well as I had one less thing to carry and I could always transfer my files to the PC. The sound is good enough for bands to use the recordings on my [___], bandcamp, CDs, and in one case a vinyl live LP.

Recently I replaced the SP-TFB-2 with the new MS-TFB-2 and found that I needed a battery box to give me a reasonable signal.  Without it there was clipping on the lower side of the waveform display if you know what i mean.  With the battery box the clipping disappears though the lower section of the waveform is stronger still.  No idea what this means to the sound but the sound is still good enough.

Now I am looking to replace the DR07.  The wav file count is up to 1227 of which 95% would be 40 min sets and it is looking a little bit beaten and the replay vol rocker is jammed probably from knocking it cause I don't replay much.

So the question is.  With the DR05 will I need a preamp, a battery box, nothing, an attenuator like the SP-ATEN-1, or even the battery box and the attenuator. Or something else entirely.

Bonus question: Is there anywhere where I can get simple instruction in what all the technical stuff means and how it fits together.  Stuff like Input Impedance, Nominal Input Levels, Frequency Response, Harmonic Distortion etc  Can be online or a book for beginners.  Thank you all.

[jbou]

I've seen several users here run the M-Audio 10db pad:
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/399621.html

SoundPro does one with variable attenuation, but my guess is that noise would be slightly higher:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-ATEN-1

Awesome. Thanks