TASCAM DR-05X Stereo Handheld Digital Recorder and USB Audio Interface

Capture clean audio of live performances, rehearsals and more on TASCAM's handheld recorder, with stereo microphones and a 2x2 USB audio interface built in.

TASCAM DR05 Portable Digital Recorder

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With onboard stereo microphones, 24-bit resolution, and a built-in peak limiter, this handheld recorder puts high-quality recording right at your fingertips.

When shopping for your next portable recorder, skip past the bells and whistles and get right to the features that count: built-in stereo microphones for high-quality audio capture, direct recording to microSD or microSDHC media, and a tiny footprint for point-and-shoot recording on the go. The pocket-sized TASCAM DR05 provides these essential features and more, enabling musicians, songwriters, sound designers, and so forth to get 96 kHz/24-bit resolution audio anywhere.

High-Performance Audio Capture

With TASCAM's DR05 digital recorder, it's easy to save your musical ideas, quickly record a jam, create demos, and round up found sounds. Put it in your pocket, turn it on, and record up to 17.5 hours of audio with the kind of clarity and low-noise performance that you'd expect to get from pricey studio gear, not a hundred-dollar recorder. Capture every little detail, from the loudest blasts to the most subtle whispers, with the DR05's pair of stereo condenser omnidirectional microphones, which can handle up to 125 dB SPL. Even though built-in mics are convenient, there will be times when you want to record other sources, and for that reason the DR05 sports a 1/8-inch stereo input for adding your own mic or line-level source. The DR05 saves in either MP3 or WAV format, direct to microSD or microSDHC media.

Its low-impedance design and separately built digital and analog circuit boards keep hiss and unwanted environmental noise in check, so you won't have to edit a recording read more to oblivion to make it sound good. The DR05 sounds good as it is. Clean, clear sound comes courtesy of a signal to noise ratio of over 92 dB, 0.05 percent total harmonic distortion (THD), and 20 Hz to 40 kHz response at 96 kHz/24-bit resolution.

The Easiest Digital Recorder on Hand

With a layout specifically designed for one-thumb operation, the handheld DR05 puts important functions like recording, adjusting levels, and the ability to delete takes and add markers right where you need them. Hold the DR05 in one hand and a drink in the other. Limiting, low-cut filtering, a built-in chromatic tuner, and other features are just a thumb's press away.

Recording features like Quick Menu and Peak Reduction provide no-fuss ways to fine-tune your audio files right on the recorder. The Peak Reduction setting automatically sets your recording level by listening to the input and adjusting levels for the best sound, without adding any distortion.

When transcribing an interview or learning a new song, take advantage of the recorder's Variable Speed Audition feature, which allows you to loop and slow down music without changing the pitch. And when you want to smooth out any sudden volume jumps, switch on the DR05's Level Align function, and get instant playback via the built-in speaker.

The Ultimate in Portability

The TASCAM DR05 recorder runs on two AA batteries. Power it on and record up to 17 and a half hours of high-quality audio! If you're low on battery juice, connect the portable recorder to a computer via its USB 2.0 port or plug in the AC adapter and get all the external power you need.

Features:

- Handheld portable digital recorder -- pocket-sized and perfect for recording on the go
- Built-in stereo condenser omnidirectional microphones with sensitivity up to 125 dB SPL
- Up to 96 kHz/24-bit WAV (BWF) linear PCM recording
- Stereo MP3 recording from 32 to 320 kbps bit rate
- Peak Reduction function automatically sets the gain while recording
- Limiter and low-cut filter to help prevent distortion
- Automatic or manual level setting
- Self timer recording starts recording 5 or 10 seconds after pressing the record button
- Auto and manual track increment
- Variable speed playback (50% to 150%) without changing the pitch
- Loop and repeat playback
- Level Align feature prevents uneven volume levels during playback
- Playback EQ setting
- Editing function (Divide and delete)
- Up to 99 mark points on each file
- Chromatic tuner
- 1/8" Stereo mic/line input
- USB 2.0 port for transfer to PC and external power
- Up to 2-second pre recording buffer
- Jump back function returns to previous point with one action (1 to 10, 20, 30 seconds)
- 1/8" Headphone/line output
- Built-in speaker
- microSD (64 MB to 2 GB)/microSDHC (4 GB to 32 GB) card slot (2 GB card included)
- Powered by 2 AA batteries, AC adapter (optional: PS-P515U), or USB bus power
- Tripod socket hole

If you've been looking for a simple, affordable portable recorder, TASCAM's DR05 is it.
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- Dimensions (W x H x D): 2 3/8 x 5 9/16 x 1 in.
- Weight: 4 1/16 oz

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 323-726-0303
Web: https://tascam.com/us/support/contact

TASCAM DR-05 Portable Digital Recorder

TASCAM's DR-05 brings high-quality stereo recording to an easy-to-use portable powerhouse with a size and price that anyone can handle. The TASCAM DR-05 records in MP3 or WAV format - including 96kHz/24-bit high-resolution audio - to microSD or microSDHC media. A pair of microphones handles up to 125dB SPL with the sensitivity to capture every detail. With recording features like Peak Reduction and Quick Menu, the TASCAM DR-05 puts album-quality recording in the palm of your hand.

Premium-Quality Sound

Everything about the TASCAM DR-05 is designed to get the best quality recordings of your music. A pair of built-in microphones withstands up to 125dB SPL - the volume of a jet plane from 200 feet away - yet still have the sensitivity to capture every detail of a performance. You can add your own microphone or line-level source through the 1/8" stereo input, including plug-in power for microphones that need it.

Internally, the TASCAM DR-05's digital and analog circuit boards are built separately to increase noise performance, with a low-impedance design to further decrease hiss. A separate power supply is sent to the A/D and D/A converter for even better audio performance. The result is clean sound quality - over 92dB signal to noise ratio, under 0.05% total harmonic distortion and 20Hz to 40kHz response (-1/+3dB) at 96kHz/24-bit resolution.

Simple to Operate

The layout of the TASCAM DR-05 has been revamped to be quick and easy to work with one thumb. Operations like recording, adjusting levels, deleting bad takes and adding markers are just a button press away. Dig deeper to find features like limiting, low cut filtering, a built-in chromatic tuner and more.

One feature that makes the TASCAM DR-05 easy to operate is the 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 Reduction works in rehearsal mode or in record, so if the performance is louder than the soundcheck you're still safe. Used with the built-in limiter, it's unlikely you'll distort your career-making live recording.

Other classic TASCAM features are included, like Variable Speed Audition to loop and slow down music without changing the pitch - perfect for transcribing or learning music. A Level Align function can be switched on for playback, to smooth out any sudden volume jumps, and a built-in speaker is also provided. The two AA batteries are enough to power the recorder for 17 1/2 hours, even while recording at CD quality.

For musicians and recordists at any stage of their career, there's no easier way to get great-sounding recordings than TASCAM's DR-05.

Features:

- Handheld Portable Recorder
- Built-in Stereo Condenser Omnidirectional Microphones with sensitivity up to 125dB SPL
- Up to 96kHz/24-bit WAV (BWF) linear PCM recording
- Stereo MP3 recording from 32-320 kbps bit rate
- Peak Reduction function, optimized for music recording, automatically sets the gain of while recording
- Limiter and low-cut filter to help prevent distortion
- Automatic or manual level setting
- Self timer recording starts recording 5 or 10 sec. after pressing the record button for waiting until you are ready
- Auto and manual track increment
- Variable speed playback (50%-150%) without changing the pitch
- Loop and repeat playback
- Level Align feature prevents uneven volume levels during playback
- Playback EQ setting
- Editing function (Divide and delete)
- Up to 99 mark points on each file
- Chromatic tuner
- 1/8" stereo mic/line input
- USB 2.0 port for transfer to PC and external power
- Up to 2-second pre recording buffer
- Jump back function returns to previous point with one action (1-10, 20, 30 sec.)
- 1/8" headphone/line output
- Built-in speaker
- microSD (64MB - 2GB)/microSDHC (4GB - 32GB) card slot (2GB card included)
- Powered by 2 AA batteries, AC adapter (optional: PS-P515U), or USB bus power
- Tripod socket hole

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (12 ratings)
Submitted November 16, 2011 by a customer from verizon.net

"Quality. Easy to use. Sound that will you!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Not sure if I will outgrow this. Not sure if I even need to use an external mic. The build in condenser mics are great.

Sound
I don't have a lot to compare to except for an old Sony digital voice recorder. I can say, however, that the sound of this DR-05 is an order of magnitude, maybe two orders of magnitude better. I am using this for digital sampling for music. The background noise is really low, and the sensitivity of the built in mics is high. I won't outgrow this for my musical use for quite some time. I was sort of frightened by the zero distortion, noise-free, high signal recordings I made. It's a little spooky.

Features
File transfer of the .wav file to the computer was easy as pie. The no-frills, no-bells, no whistles approach is perfect for me. I didn't want a lot of junky sub-par features that hindered my use of the device as a recorder. I just wanted an inexpensive recorder that could make high quality recordings. That's what this is. My first attempt produced really weak sound until I figured out how to turn on the built in mic and set the recording level, so don't give up on this device right out of the box.

Ease of Use
There is a bit of a learning curve. You don't just turn it on and use it without looking at the manual. But I found my answers and got up and running quickly after a quick scan of the manual.

Quality
So far it seems read more pretty solid. I have only had it for one day. I don't see the cheap plasticy look and feel that another reviewer complained about.

Value
It seems like a pretty good buy. I am getting seemingly studio quality sound samples for just under $100. I don't expect to beat that.

Manufacturer Support
N/A I have not contacted support.

The Wow Factor
Yah, now that I have this to make digital samples for my music efforts, I would loath to be stuck with a lower quality tool.

Musical Background:
Amateur (so far) Computer based composer (www.kavamusic.com)

Musical Style:
jazz, jazz fusion, neo-classical, new age, electronic
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