Topic: Tascam PR-10

[TomBoisseau]

I just purchased a Tascam PR-10.  My requirements were it needed to be REALLY small and able to record at 48k (I do alot of video work).

I'm fairly pleased.  It's pretty simple and easy to use, and very small.  It even has a built in speaker.  Of course, as you might imagine, the line input (even when set to "line") can not handle a true line level signal.  It looks like I'll need to build a -20 attenuator cable. 

2 AAA alkalines will run continuously recording for about 2:20.  Not so good, I know, however a set of lithiums will go about 10 hours.  You can also power the device with a USB cable to a computer or power supply.

So, admitably, it's not "great" but I think it's the best thing out there that's small and will record at 48k.  I would not want this to be my ONLY recorder, but it is convienent enough that I can almost always have it with me in my basic kit.  For other stuff where I have a "heads ups", I'll reach for my H4n or the PMD6611

Anyone have  a PR-10?  What do you think?

Tom

[sunjan]

Welcome, and thanks for taking the plunge to test new gear!

Paging faninor:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=139298.msg1835208#msg1835208

If there are issues going line in with a hot signal, I would assume it's the same for the other low end recorders in the PR/VR/DR series??? Did anyone else experience this?

[faninor]

Hi there. I think you're right, and depending on what you're doing you need to attenuate your signal. At first when I got these recorders I thought the specs on the inputs were the same as the larger DR-07 but it seems their line in isn't the same.

Unfortunately I haven't had much of a chance to use mine yet as I haven't been to shows lately.

On the larger DR-07 the max input level is +6 dBV (that's good for true line level right?), but on the smaller units (I just verified in the manual for PR-10 and DR-03) it is -3 dBV. Although my degree is in mathematics, I have to admit I don't know much about the electrical side of things. Is this enough info to determine how much attenuation is needed to bring a line level down to run safely into the tiny Tascam recorders?

If someone can help me figure out how much attenuation is needed, I'll pick up the right cable and run DPA 4060s > preamp or battery box > PR-10 at a show I'm going to with my wife next month... and will post the results. Perhaps I'll even use a Y-cable and run DPA 4060s > preamp > Y-splitter > PR-10 (attenuated) / DR-07 (unattenuated) for comparison's sake if that seems like a good idea.

[F.O.Bean]

So whats the deal w/ these They look SWEET if they have a decent ADC And for the price, its a no-brainer....

Anyone have a recording done w/ this w/ mics>pre>pr10

[faninor]

As soon as I try them out at a show I'll post samples. Don't think I'll be seeing anything until the end of March though.... but in the meantime I'll play around with them some more at home.

[fmaderjr]

2 AAA alkalines will run continuously recording for about 2:20.  Not so good, I know, however a set of lithiums will go about 10 hours. 

That would be completely unacceptable to me. IMO they should have made it slightly bigger and used AA's. Then it would probably go 3 times as long. I guess they did it because they knew that super small would be a selling point, but personally I don't need anything smaller than an M10. I just don't get why so many people want everything as small as humanly possible, but to each his own.

Even if lithiums would run 10-11 hours, I wouldn't want to be forced to go that route. They are fairly costly and you'd probably have to replace them way too early to be sure you didn't run out of juice at a critical moment.  As far as I know, no recorder's battery indicator is calibrated for lithiums. The battery meter will probably stay on full until just before the battery goes dead (giving you a warning of just minutes).

[faninor]

I don't know what number is more typical, but the first thing I did with mine when I got it was put in the included alkaline AAAs (a generic brand) and ran a continuous recording until the batteries died.

They lasted about 4 hours... not sure how the OP came up with 2:20, maybe tried with batteries that weren't good? Or maybe the batteries that came with mine were just extra special.

[TomBoisseau]

I don't know what number is more typical, but the first thing I did with mine when I got it was put in the included alkaline AAAs (a generic brand) and ran a continuous recording until the batteries died.

They lasted about 4 hours... not sure how the OP came up with 2:20, maybe tried with batteries that weren't good? Or maybe the batteries that came with mine were just extra special.

I failed to mention, my 2:20 was a continuous recording at 24bit / 48k.  It may be battery life varies depending on the bit or sample rate.  Maybe my batteries were not good (they were new, but not a name brand).  I would perfer you be right and I be wrong.

Tom

[faninor]

My test was at 24 bit / 48kHz as well. But until you have another go at it don't disregard your own results.

I think I'll be picking up some Eneloop rechargeable AAAs soon and will post my test results on battery life with them. Then I just need to pick up an attenuator pad or cable and I'll be all set to try this recorder out at a show.

[cosmickc]

Put a 8gig card in mine and it says there is only 3:20 remaining at 16/44k.  Which is not correct.  It recognizes the 8gig. I'm thinking it is only showing how long it can record one whole file before it reaches the maximum file size?

[Erick del Valle]

I don't have a pr10, but some recorders has the max file size set to 2Gig, and maybe that's the info that you have, you could record any file either 10 minutes and set you how much is the maximum time that said the recorder in recording standby

Saludos

Erick del Valle
Santiago de Chile

[faninor]

I just got Eneloop AAAs and a couple 4gb micro SD cards so I'm going to test my PR-10 out again today with the Eneloops on whatever charge they were shipped with and tomorrow will test them out on a fresh charge.

[Teen Age Riot]

Put a 8gig card in mine and it says there is only 3:20 remaining at 16/44k.  Which is not correct.  It recognizes the 8gig. I'm thinking it is only showing how long it can record one whole file before it reaches the maximum file size?

Must be a Tascam thing. My DR-2d behaves like that, too.

[newplanet7]

That is what you get for 2gigs at 16/44. So it does only show up to two gigs.
So for an eight gig you should have around 13hrs and 20 min.

[faninor]

Here's some helpful info!

Testing with:
1x Tascam PR-10
2x Eneloop AAA / HR03 800mAh
2x Kingston 4GB class 4 Micro SD cards

Batteries taken straight from the package (not a fresh charge!)

Procedure:
1. format card #1
2. record from ext. in (line in) at 24 bit / 48kHz until shortly before my lunch break
3. stop recording, turn off unit and swap cards
4. format card #2
5. record from ext. in (line in) at 24 bit / 48kHz until batteries die.


Results:

- Immediately upon powering on the unit, the power remaining showed 2 (out of 3 bars).
- Within 10 minutes of beginning it was wavering between 1 and 2 bars.
- Within 25 minutes of beginning it was down to 1 bar.
- The rec. time remaining will never show a number that corresponds to more than 2 GB of data
- If the card has sufficient capacity and free space, after 2GB it will automatically start recording to a new file
- I was able to verify that the file splits are seamless, as they are with the DR-07 and other Tascam recorders.

card 1
2:04:13 (1st file)
0:37:57   (2nd file)
card 2
0:35:42 (1st file)

Total record time:
3:17:52

Eneloops are supposed to hold their charge for long storage periods, but since the battery indicator dropped to 1 bar so quickly (and it was set to the Ni-MH setting) I expect it may run considerably longer on a more recent full charge.  I'm going to recharge the batteries tonight and try it out again tomorrow.