TASCAM DR05 Portable Digital Recorder

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

Overall User Ratings (based on 12 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(12) (see rating details)
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 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
73 of 74 people (99%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!

Submitted November 24, 2011 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Fantastic!!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I would buy another like this.
Sound
Sounds very good. haven't tried it in a live setting yet, but of all the hand held recorders I've talk to people about, this one is right up there with being the best.
Features
Very easy to record and play back, and to delete unwanted tracks.
Quality
Tascam is always my choice for recording equipment. I had a very early 4 track recorder, I have the 788 8-track, and now this portable recorder.
Value
I didn't think of trying the upgraded models, because I knew this would suit my needs, and the price is pretty incredible!
The Wow Factor
If you are just starting out recording your music, or live bands, I would suggest this.

Musical Background:

30 years

Musical Style:

Folk, rock, singer-song writer style
10 of 10 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!

Submitted November 29, 2011 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Great little recorder at a great price!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I hope to stay happy with my product, and if I was to loose it I would buy another just like it or the next model up from it.
Sound
This recorder sounds really good, I was very surprised. The sound of it played back really sounds professional, at a very reasonal price. I couldn't ask for a better product. With a good set of speakers it sounds amazing!!! I think for the price you can't beat it!
Features
I use it when I'm drumming, I just use the very simple features, I don't have alot of equipment to hook it up with so I'm very happy with just turning it on and recording.
Ease of Use
Its very easy to operate and if you do have problems you can go to you tube and get a full demonstration, its pretty cool!
Quality
I think its made very well, it seems very durable, and very light weight. Fits right in you shirt pocket!
Value
I feel its worth what I paid for it, infact I think I got a pretty good deal.
Manufacturer Support
I have not dealt with the company who made this product so i can't answer this question.
The Wow Factor
I didn't know what I was getting until I purchased the product. The appeal of it is nice because its compact and easy to carry around.

Musical Background:

I've been playing the drums going on 2 years. I just jam at home with friends

Musical Style:

mostly rock
34 of 36 people (94%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!

Submitted November 11, 2017 by zachary H in Paris, TN

"Great device"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I bought my guitar from zZounds was highly satisfied got this recorder and was highly satisfied also it is easy to use makes you sound like you recorded professionally for low cost and best part zZounds shipped it very fast I ordered one day got it next.......wow same thing with guitar got it in two days very fast also! But yes if looking do home recording and stuff this unit is perfect.

Musical Background:

10 yrs playing guitar I'm semi pro

Musical Style:

Metal/rock music
3 of 3 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!

Submitted June 12, 2011 by a customer from msn.com

"Great product and quality, great for what it is designed for."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Don't know
Sound
This is an excellent recording device. For what it does, there is a lot of quality that has gone into this product. I recommend it for those who not only want to record voice or music through the built in mic's or for those who would plug a keyboard into the stereo input, and record a song. Great quality.
Features
Built in mics work great!
Ease of Use
The interface took a bit of studying to understand but it is easy to set up and record, and then take to a computer and plug it up and move the music from the device to the computer.
Quality
Great quality.
Value
Good price for what it does.
Manufacturer Support
Not had to deal with the company.
The Wow Factor
No comment.

Musical Background:

Musician

Musical Style:

Contemporary Christian
12 of 13 people (92%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!

Submitted May 12, 2014 by Ray P in Galesburg, IL

"Tascam DR-05 Portable Digital Recorder"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
The recorder captures and reproduces good quality sound in environments with a lot of background noise. Out-performs similar recorders in the same price range.

Musical Background:

40 years - trumpet , french horn - school bands (high & college) military band, municipal bands

Musical Style:

I appreciate Christian style to the greatest degree.
4 of 4 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!

Submitted June 27, 2011 by a customer from gmail.com

"I've been recording me and bandmates for 40 years. OMG! Sure, I'm old, but I'm also experienced. I wish I'd had this DR-05 al"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Sound
Decades ago, it would have taken a trunk-load of recording equipment to record what this baby does from my shirt pocket. Now, if I want to digitize an old cassette, or record a gig or a practice session, pop this baby into my shirt-pocket, turn it on, and it records 3 hrs of stuff. Bring home the DR-05, transfer the files to PC, use Audacity to break out the tunes, get rid of the dead space, and bada-bing! I LOVE this thing. Good price, too. Has more features than I'll ever use.
Features
comes w/ the USB transfer/power cable, SD card big enuf to hold 3 hrs of recordings.
Value
I first became aware of this type product when I buddy of mine recorded a gig over New Year's Eve. Really loud music. 2-gits, keyboards, 2 vocalists drummer, bass. Me (on lead git), and my buddy on Bass both had in ear plugs....L O U D. Even so his gizmo got a great recording of the gig. This DR-05 will do same. DR-05 was 1/2 the price my buddy paid for his "better" model. I'd pay more if I wasn't on a tight budget. But, it's selling price made it easy for me to pull the trigger on this one.
Manufacturer Support
Have had no issues requiring contacting the mfr. Don't expect any.
The Wow Factor
Yeah, I wanted it. So, I bot it! :-) Sexy? I guess so, if you're a nerd. I guess with all the gizmo's out there today, git players have a nerd factor about them. E.g. Eric Johnson.

Musical Background:

hobbyist, active muscian, recordist...all the hats

Musical Style:

currently: blues, rock, country, formerly: jazz, classical
20 of 23 people (87%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!

Submitted April 14, 2011 by a customer from gmail.com

"Simple, practical and feature-lite . . . like an expensive version of that thing you took notes on in college . . ."

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
It isn't perfect; again, feels cheap but sounds good. Could I get by with the dime store alternative for $70-80 less? Yes. If I could do it all over again, would I buy this or the dime store alternative? Well, it's only for sketches. So, do I need the 24-bit quality? Meh. I could probably get by on less. . .
Sound
Holy crap this thing sounds GOOD!! I about slapped myself when I saw I could have saved a few bucks and bought an Olympus or Sony voice recorder at the local Walgreens for $20. And then I played back my first test demo. Wow. . . The accuracy of the built in condensers is comparable to that of the AT-2020s I have in my home studio. I'm glad to be able to get a comparable quality field recording when I'm away from the house.
Features
What can I say?? It's a linear recorder, i.e. a glorified note-to-self taker. There are no tracks, no real editing functions, no effects, none of that that hoopala. Not even a metronome. You hit record, you play and sing your song, and then you hit stop. Simple and feature-lite; PERFECT for my rough ideas.
Ease of Use
I experienced a little learning curve with set up and sound output. But the manual is easy to follow and I had kinks worked out in 5-10 minutes.
Quality
Honestly, it feels pretty cheapily made. I wouldn't play catch with it or take it into a mosh pit. But I don't make my recordings in those settings, either.
Value
Eh. Only because it sounds as good as it does, the $100 price tag is warranted. But it does feel like a toy. Were it not for the sound capture being as high quality as it is, the lack of features and cheap plastic construction would have compelled me to send it back and buy a dime store alternative. If you only need something for rough sketches, I might suggest the same.
Manufacturer Support
No experience thus far, but I've trusted Tascam with my recording gear and never been let down. You can't beat the no-nonsense, minimalist approach they take in their interfaces.
The Wow Factor
Well, I have been wanting a field recorder for some time now for sketches. It'll work . . .

Musical Background:

Current Hobbyist with some prior road experience and church music team experience

Musical Style:

I try to do my own thing, but I keep getting that darn Damien Rice comparison . . .
18 of 26 people (69%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!

Submitted May 27, 2015 by Denise T

"Tascam DR-05 recorder"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
The device is exactly what I wanted and exceeded my expectations. I purposely purchased it to be able to make backup copies of voice messages from my iPhone.

Musical Background:

Been playing music since second grade. Piano and guitar and sing

Musical Style:

classic rock and country
1 of 2 people (50%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!

Submitted August 28, 2014 by Michael F in Middleburg, OH

"Need To Be a Sound Engineer"

Overall: 2 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Very confusing instructions. When trying to figure out how to it sends you to another section then back to the section you are on then back again etc. I finally figured out how to record with it and play back but that's as far as I can go. Very confusing to say the least. I am having my recording engineer help me with it. He does all my studio recordings.

Musical Background:

Playing professionally for 42 yrs.

Musical Style:

50's,60's,70's top 40 plus original material
of 4 people (0%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!

Submitted November 26, 2015 by Bernard Owens in Brown Mills, NJ

"DR-05"

Overall: 0.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Sort of happy with my purchase. Hard to adjust incoming sound to reduce distortion and no way to advance your recording once you start playback. And, no instruction on downloading to pc. Wasted my money....

Musical Background:

Drummer since 6th grade....

Musical Style:

Rock as well as former "mobile dj",
of 6 people (0%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Please wait.