Getting around the deficient audio in DSLR video production is always a tricky problem for one reason or another. There are several ways to do it , depending on which camera you are using but it also depends on whether you want to shoot separate audio tracks and sync in post using Plural Eyes , or whether you want to record straight into the video track on camera. The latter route will never be as high quality but sometimes you just don’t have time for the extra step in post of syncing and managing the audio files. Of course the first step to better audio is just to use better microphones and those all have XLR outputs on them so you need a way of connecting XLR’s to your camera. A popular solution has been the ZOOM H4N and it’s been good at that price point though it was never really designed for this use. The H4N is several years old now, predating the so-called DSLR revolution in fact, and was designed to record music, both live and at line level through 1/4″ plugs from guitars. One of the problems with it is the sensitivity of the 1/4″ line in signal is not at a typical line in level so inline pads are required as well as xlr-1/4″ TRS conversion of you want to record a line level signal and bypass the pre amps in the H4N. For me, no line level XLR input on the H4N is a big shortcoming for the flexibility of it’s usage.
The Tascam DR-100 was also used by quite a few people instead of the H4N but the original version also lacked the line level input that I would like to see. Tascam has just recently started to ship two new recorders though that BOTH feature mic and line level XLR inputs. The updated MKII version of the DR-100 and the brand new DR-40 which now takes over from the H4N as the most affordable XLR recorder on the market at around $200. Let’s take a look at their main features:
Tascam DR-40
- Compact Design
- Adjustable Condenser Mics
- Records to SD/SDHC Media
- WAV/BWF and MP3 Recording
- XLR and 1/4″ Combo Inputs
- Phantom Power
- USB 2.0 Connector
- Integrated Speaker
- 3.5mm Headphone/Line Output
- Battery, AC, or USB Power
Tascam DR-100 MKII
- 4 Built-In Microphones
- Dual XLR Inputs with 48V Phantom Power
- 24-bit/96kHz WAV and MP3 Recording
- Record to SD and SD-HC Cards
- Line Level I/O
- S/PDIF Input
- Variable Speed Playback (-50% to +16%)
- Built-in Speaker
- Rugged Aluminum Casing
- AC or Battery Power
So What’s The Difference ?
The recording functions of both units are very very similar but the DR-100MKII has a lot more physical buttons. The DR-40 on the other hand is very menu driven. Buttons cost money ! So the DR-40 had to loose a few in order to come in at a $200 price point whereas the DR-100 MKII is $330. The physical gain dials on the side of the DR-100 in particular are a very nice addition. Another big difference is that the XLR input levels of the DR-40 are linked together whereas the DR-100’s can be adjusted independently. This is the most important difference to be aware of in my opinion ! If you are plugging two different microphones into a DR-40 , they will have to be at the exact same level. They can be increased and decreased, but only by the same amounts. If you intent to run an external mixer into the DR-40 then no problem but if you want to mix 2 mics together then the DR-100 is going to be a better bet for you. The DR-40 also has position changeable mics as you can see from the images. They can be flipped inwards for a tighter field or outwards to capture more ambient from a scene. This is a really nice feature to have if you intend to just use he on board mics.
A lot of people have taken to running the line out from a recorder into the mic input of a DSLR to provide a scratch track for syncing, or just for a faster solution in general. On a Zoom H4N this is possible by using a -25db pad cable to get the line level back down to a mic level input on a DSLR. For a Tascam recorder you need a -35db pad cable . The problem has been though that you loose the headphone jack for monitoring with the H4N and the same is to be said for the DR-40 as it only has a headphone jack as a line out. Some manufacturers are selling -25db pads with a headphone splitter for the H4N but I haven’t seen a -35db version for the Tascam yet, though it could be made. A benefit of the DR-100 MKII though is that it has BOTH a line out AND a headphone socket. So you can monitor audio and , using the –35db cable send the audio to record directly in camera.
Other differences include a small size and weight difference and the DR-40′s ability to accept 1/4″ TRS plugs within the XLR socket.
Which One To Buy ?
I’ll try and keep this simple for the sake of brevity. If you are looking for a good, well priced ambient recorder and intent to use the onboard mics the new DR-40 looks to be a winner over both the H4N and the DR-100 MKII. If you intent to send the audio directly into the camera via the line out then I would take the DR-100 MKII over the other options. If you intend to use more than one XLR mic then I would take the DR-100MKII with the one caveat being unless you are running an external mixer.
In short, to me the venerable Zoom H4N has been replaced as the go-to digital recorder for those looking to make the first steps to better audio. Aside from the inability to apply separate gain to both XLR inputs, even the cheaper DR-40 seems to be a better proposition. The price difference between H4N and DR-100 MKII is worth it for having proper XLR line inputs (not just mic level) and also for having more physical buttons and gain dials , plus the extra line out socket.
Hello
Thank you for this.
very helpful
am
Thanks for reading !
Hi Dan
Thanks very much for this. Is it possible to plug a shotgun mic into the Tascam (either XLR or 1/4″) and the Tascam into your dslr AND record from both the Tascam’s on-board mics and the shotgun simultaneously? I’d like to record dialog etc with a shotgun and ambient with the on-board stereo mics onto the Tascam simultaneously (i.e. four tracks total) while monitoring what the Tascam is recording with headphones and piping the whole lot off to the camera to get solid reference/back-up audio (I don’t ask for much hey!?).
Have a great season. I’m super jealous of the pow already!
Yes , you can do this. Both feature a 4CH mode which creates 2 audio files simultaneously. 1 stereo file from the on board mics and 1 stereo file from the XLR mics. If you want to monitor then probably best go for the DR-100 MKII though.
Perfect right ?!
Thanks for this great review, helped me out in the end i picked up the dr-100mkii it’s pretty good, so was the DR40 which I nearly bought, But in no way is the DR100mkii rugged aluminium casing, is that a typo from Tascam? it’s plastic, it’s hard plastic same as before but it’s not aluminium, also I had some annoying DIN unlock problems for a few hours, maybe a bug as a friend experienced the same thing, remedied by removing the batteries and turning it back on.
Anyway it’s good but the Aluminium Casing is bogus, same as original DR100 – plastic.
Well that is interesting to hear. It certainly says that right on their website http://tascam.com/product/dr-100mkii/
I have one on the way to me for testing so I’ll check this out and try and follow up with Tascam.
Searching around the net….. it really does suggest it is aluminum. Even the original one. I’ve seen pics of the black paint scraped off and it looks like aluminum to me. Pretty much everything I can find written about it says it’s aluminum.
Dan, great review, I just ordered the DR100 MKII this morning and you just solidified my purchase, expecially pointing out the separate headphone jack and passthrough to my DSLR. But there is one other feature of the DR100 MKII that sold it to me, that beats the Zoom H4N out of the water (and I was convinced to go with the H4N until last night): the mic preamps in the DR100 MKII are phenominally better than the H4N and DR40. The noise floor is pretty bad on the H4n, not terrible on the DR40 & old DR100 and excellent of the DR100 MKII. The measurement is called EIN, and at a 16-bit/44.1kHz test setting you see the H4n coming in at a noisy -107db, the DR40 & DR100 at a better -113db, and the DR100 MKII at a respectable -119db, quite nice! That means that a condenser mic like a Rode NTG-2 will do well on all three especially with a loud source and good recording levels. But once you switch to a standard dynamic mic like a Shure SM58 or even the EV RE20 where the mic gain will have to get cranked up, the H4N will fall apart quality-wise, the DR40/100 will be passable/usable, and the DR100 MKII will shine. I’m glad I spent the extra $50 and went for the DR100 MKII for that reason and the reasons you listed. Great review!
Great! Thanks for taking the time to respond Paulie.
Been in pro broadcast video for 30 years, now downsizing (from shoulder mount cams) to DSLR and this review rocks. Speaks my language, knows the real issues. PaulieDC also did a great comment below.
Now with independent XLR gain controls, by the way – http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9234748.htm
What would happen if you used a -25db cable instead of -35?
Hola!
He aqui una video-review de la Tascam DR40 (en español)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf2RdrhhbZk
Revise las principales funciones y también comento acerca de sus micrófonos y la calidad de grabación del mismo (en la descripción del video encontraran un grabación hecha con la interfaz)
I know this thread is 5 years old now, but I thought I’d comment as I stumbled across it looking for a DR100 comparison. NOTE: The DR40 DOES now allow independent gain control between the two XLR inputs – you can set the level independently with a software update. Which means really the only reason for the DR100 is more buttons, and better line out capability.
…ha! I see someone already posted this above.. Right. Back to real life or something…
Thanks Matt!
hello