Topic: TASCAM Announces the DR-05XP and DR-07XP Portable Handheld Recorders

[Ozpeter]

How does the Portacapture X8 fit into this conversation? It has floating 32 bit as well. Melanie and I bought one in December so we can mix both soundboards and audience mics both live and in post productions where  mics and soundboards cannot be in the same locations. haven't been able to pull it off live but have synced and mixed one show (a Pink Floyd tribute band) and will be mixing a Los Lobos soundboard with Shoeps 4vs that we recorded last week with shoeps in the middle of venue with soundboard from back of facility (you know, where the "noisy "folks hang out). I'll be posting review of product as soon as we can pull off a mix right at the board instead of syncing Dr40  (mics) with DR100mklll (board feed) So far though we are really impressed with the X8. Bob

Tascam states unequivocally in their publicity that it has dual ADC and I don't doubt it.

[rastasean]

How does the Portacapture X8 fit into this conversation? It has floating 32 bit as well. Melanie and I bought one in December so we can mix both soundboards and audience mics both live and in post productions where  mics and soundboards cannot be in the same locations. haven't been able to pull it off live but have synced and mixed one show (a Pink Floyd tribute band) and will be mixing a Los Lobos soundboard with Shoeps 4vs that we recorded last week with shoeps in the middle of venue with soundboard from back of facility (you know, where the "noisy "folks hang out). I'll be posting review of product as soon as we can pull off a mix right at the board instead of syncing Dr40  (mics) with DR100mklll (board feed) So far though we are really impressed with the X8. Bob

Tascam states unequivocally in their publicity that it has dual ADC and I don't doubt it.

And just to link it here as well (also in the FR-AV2 thread), this is the page to the Tascam pre-amp product page:
https://tascam.com/us/contents/mic_preamp

FR-av2 has Ultra HDDA, while the portacaptures have HDDA.

[Ozpeter]

Just for the record - Tascam have now deleted their previous two responses from the YouTube comments on their advert for the DR-07XP and this is now their admission that it's a single ADC device -

"@ Hello! 32-bit float point recording and Dual ADC technologies do not necessarily go hand in hand. Dual ADCs give a far superior dynamic range, sure. But with a single ADC, 32-bit float recording is still possible and the clip gain can still be adjusted as such without any degradation. The only real difference between one or two ADCs is the disparity in dynamic range."

This was followed very quickly by this excellent comment by 'Rairun1' -

"@Rairun1
56 minutes ago (edited)
 @TASCAMUSA  Two points:

(1) For the record, you have argued differently in a very combative tone, and now - after admitting we were right - you've deleted your previous responses.

(2) The problem with using a single ADC is that, as far as I am aware, there are no native 32-bit converters on the market - you're still using a 24-bit ADC and then packaging the resulting data into a 32-bit float file. This 24-bit ADC can and will still clip, so you must have set a fairly conservative fixed gain level to avoid this, which in turn means a worse S/N ratio when you're recording quiet sounds.

The issue here is that your claim that "you'll never need to worry about setting input levels" is only a good thing if you're using a dual ADC setup! With more than one ADC, it makes complete sense - the signal path with higher gain clips, but the other one doesn't, so you can combine the best of both. But since here you only have ONE signal path, the fixed gain is certainly going to be less than ideal in a wide range of situations?

In other words, please tell me how exactly this is better than buying a 24-bit device and setting input levels very conservatively? You will never clip if you do this, and you will still have the option to increase gain if you're trying to capture very quiet sounds with as little noise as possible. With this recorder, all you're doing is taking this option away and hiding behind "32-bit float" marketing buzzwords. No wonder all third-party samples and reviews on youtube right now show an incredible amount of hiss for this device. "


I am debating whether to add anything myself at this point, as it's all been said.  What is now totally clear is that 32 bit float recorders with single ADC are now being marketed without mentioning that they are not dual converter devices.  Given the confusion within Tascam itself, consumers are even more likely to get confused.  The companies need to specify the number of converters in their adverts and specs to avoid that confusion and to avoid the need to pester them for the information.

[dogmusic]

Tascam should issue a DR100mkIV that is the FR-AV2 in a handheld format, with the same Ultra HDDA preamps, 32-bit float, Dual ADC etc., along with good built-in mics and the DR100mkIII’s digital input. That would be a terrific field recorder.

[adrianb]

Tascam should issue a DR100mkIV that is the FR-AV2 in a handheld format, with the same Ultra HDDA preamps, 32-bit float, Dual ADC etc., along with good built-in mics and the DR100mkIII’s digital input. That would be a terrific field recorder.

I would so buy that.

[arawak420]

interested in these units. i have some old 2004ish Sonic Studio DSM-6 mics. my old recorder bit the dust. been out of the taping scene for over a decade or so and want to get back in the game  im wondering if ill need to use the provided sonic mic power supply or if ill be able to use the tascam "mic on"  feature to power the mics? just trying to eliminate as much bulk in my pocket as possible. ill be mostly recording reggae shows outdoors and indoors which usually have a lot of bass. i have an old sound professional preamp with bass rolloff and a gain button i set low cut off at 160hz. worked great back in the day for raising levels. and flawless recordings at hollywood bowl. wondering if that will be needed to raise levels on the tascam device or will the internal preamp suffice?