Topic: Tascam FR-AV4

[Colin Liston]

Tascam FR-AV4
32-Bit Float 4-ch Field Recorder with Mixer, Timecode Generator and HDMI Sync

https://tascam.com/us/product/fr-av4

$1000 at B&H

[heva]

Looks like an upgraded DR701D 😎

[jbell]

At that price makes more sense to grab a Mixpre 6 II.

[Colin Liston]

At that price make more sense to grab a Mixpre 6 II.

Exactly what I was thinking

[aaronji]

Looks like an upgraded DR701D 😎

Looks like the TascPre-4 II...

At that price make more sense to grab a Mixpre 6 II.

I had the same thought.

[adrianb]

At that price make more sense to grab a Mixpre 6 II.

It even looks like one.

[aaronji]

^ As does the new(ly announced) Deity. The Tascam is a little bigger than the MixPre-6, according to the specs. It doesn't look as polished, either, although it is admittedly hard to tell without actually seeing/handling one in person.

[grawk]

I guess it's likely the Deity PR4 will look like the picture.  I don't believe the specs will be the same, and I dont' think we'll see it for at least a year.  I think tascam is probably ready to come to market.

[Gutbucket]

Took at look at the manual. Was mostly curious about what the input level pots do when the unit is set to 32-bit floating-point recording mode.  It does not say.  It says only:

Adjusting input levels
Turn the input level adjustment knobs to adjust the
audio signal levels recorded in recording files.

While watching the level meters, adjust the input
level adjustment knobs so that levels average around
−12 dB and the peak indicators do not light.
Recording sounds might distort when peak indicators light.

NOTE:
>If a input level exceeds –2 dB, the peak
indicator for that input will light.
> If an overload occurs with an analog circuit, the
entire level meter will become red.
Since this could cause the recorded audio to become
distorted, make the following adjustments.
> Distance the mic from the sound source.
> Lower the volume of the sound source.

And from the specs:
Mic amp EIN (equivalent input noise)= –127 dBu or lower.
Dynamic range Input jacks 1–4 (MIC IN) to PCM data (20kHz LPF,
A-weighted, JEITA) = 133 dB or higher

^
Based on that I presume analog preamp gain to the dual ADCs is fixed, and the input level adjustment is digital, occuring after the dual ADCs but prior to writing to file.  So, if in 24 bit mode it remains necessary to set input levels to avoid clipping the digital output to file, while setting input levels in 32bit-float presumably sets initial playback level (which may be changed in post).  That would mean adjustment of the input level knobs does not alter the recorder's noise-floor.  It also means any mic-input which exceeds +4 dBu, or line-input which exceeds +24 dBu will clip regardless (input specs in a post to follow).

Implication is that users recording in 24bit mode should be able to initially determine an input gain setting based on the max output level of whatever mics are being used, then leave the input level knobs locked and untouched from that point on and achieve the same effective performance as recording in 32 bit float mode.  Just like when recording in 32bit mode such users will need to normalize levels afterward, but won't need to revisit input level settings again until switching to a different set of mics.  Set reasonably, there should be no noise floor penalty.

Old school 24bit tapers can set levels higher as they always have which may eliminate the need to normalize, but at the risk of clipping, same as it ever was.  But there should be little to no change in noise floor.

[Gutbucket]

A few things I found of interest (my bolding)-

Powering:
Do not connect or disconnect the AC adapter
when using phantom power. The unit could turn
off even when batteries are installed, resulting in
recorded data becoming damaged or lost

^ That could be problematic for hot-swapping external batteries while recording.
External power source must supply >1.5A, else one must switch to low power mode which eliminates phantom power.

Setting marks:
Adding marks when peak levels occur
Set this by pressing the MENU button and using
MARK/SLATE TONE > PEAK MARK.
When this is on, marks will be added automatically
when input signals exceed the peak level during
recording. These marks can be used after recording
to find parts where the peak level was exceeded.
Options: Off (default), On

^ Cool feature.

Analog audio input ratings:
Mic/line inputs jacks 1–4 (balanced)
Connectors: XLR/TRS combo jacks
XLR3-31 equivalent (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD)
Supports phantom power only when MIC input
selected
6.3 mm standard TRS jacks (balanced)
(Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND)
TRS jacks do not support phantom power
When MIC input selected:
Maximum input level: +4 dBu
Minimum input level: −76 dBu
Input impedance: 2.0 kΩ or more
Phantom power: +24V or +48V (selectable
when MIC input selected)
When LINE input selected:
Maximum input level: +24 dBu
Nominal input level: +4 dBu (GAIN setting at
minimum)
Input impedance: 8 kΩ or more
Line input (unbalanced): /EXT IN jack (can
provide plug-in power)
Connector: 3.5 mm (1/8”) stereo mini jack
(Tip: L ch, Ring: R ch, Sleeve: GND)
Input impedance: 6 kΩ or higher (when plug-in
power is off)
1.6 kΩ or higher (when plug-in
power is on)
Nominal input level: −19 dBV (GAIN setting at
minimum)
Maximum input level: +1 dBV
Minimum input level: −79 dBV
Plug-in power: +2.5 V / +5.0 V

Mic amp EIN (equivalent input noise)
–127 dBu or lower

Dynamic range
Input jacks 1–4 (MIC IN) to PCM data (20kHz LPF,
A-weighted, JEITA)
133 dB or higher[/i]

[justme]

But why stick the single memory card in the back and behind a door?
Fiddly at best and hopeless if bagged.

At least it’s not needed to remove the battery pack as on the MixPre’s.

[grawk]

probably to protect it from accidentally getting popped out.  Large memory cards make it so you shouldn't ever need to mess with the card during a recording.

[datbrad]

The battery sled requirement is one thing I do not like. The first desktop portable 24bit recorder Marantz made, PMD-671, used a sled and any jostling of the unit in the bag could cause the the sled to break connection and the deck would loose power. Maybe Tascam's design is better, but if I was interested in getting one of these, I would definitely use external bus power instead of batteries.