


Review Summary
2021-12-23T07:17:31
Excellent entry level audio recorder. The preamps are noisy with dynamic mics, otherwise it should get the job done using anything else. There is plenty of online user information on this unit.
Michael P.
2021-12-06T12:34:26
I picked this recorder up for the unique feature set; I also thought the silver had a retro 90's aesthetic I appriciated. The ability to record into the unit and the built in microphones simultaneously seemed like a cool feature to have. I've had lower end tascam recorders before and liked their ease of use and build quality. I've tried other brands and not found them as durable.
ALEC P.
2021-12-03T08:59:53
Good sound quality.
KAAN O.
2021-11-09T09:54:20
It?s exactly what you see. Great four track recorder with a fast start up time and simple user friendly controls! Gets the job done with ambiance or even some ASMR.
Daniel G.
2021-10-24T09:10:08
Great quality recording options, PRO quality. Menu is easy to learn after a use or two. Compact, lightweight, and portable. About 20% cheaper than leading competitor (Zoom H4n) and has more functionality. Apples to Apples I more often prefer the Tascam audio with same settings/processing. It is less durable. More plastic. I purchased a separate 5.5? external HD hard shell case for around $10 or $11. And I?d recommend you invest in a dead kitten style furry windscreen. Any wind while recording outdoors will peak your audio. But Adorama had by far the best price online, I couldn?t pass it up. Definitely worth it!
David J.
2021-10-24T08:51:46
Adrorama had by far the best price on this Tascam recorder, I had to get it. It was more than $100 less than the competitor brand (Zoom H4n), with actually MORE functionality. Though, less durability. This recorder works great, pretty easy to get used to the menu after a couple uses. If you move the microphone positions from XY to AB, it notices and asks if you?d like to change modes. And offers high quality pro recordings, or smaller file sizes with really good but lower bitrate settings. Because it is plastic and does feel like it would only hold up to so much of a beating, I do wish it came with some kind of case, and you definitely need a deadcat style mic guard for outdoor recording, the wind will peak all of your recordings, despite how low you put your levels. However this is not a valid complaint due to the low low cost of this particular deal (mine was a sub $200 recorder plus lav mic bundle). Though the lav mic is on back order. I?m sure if I wanted to spend more I could?ve found a case and deadcat bundle. And besides if you see my included photo, I bought a case for around $10 (a hard shell hard drive case). And I have a dead kitty windscreen that may fit and if not, they can be found inexpensively online. Yes, this recorder is a great solution for high quality field audio, with a small footprint (compact).
David J.
2021-08-03T18:17:36
My item was packaged,shipped,and delivered within 4 days! Everything as ordered with great packaging! I am delighted I would purchase from again,as well as recomend Adorama to a friend! Thanks!
BRAD H.
2021-07-29T08:28:38
Works as intended. Good unit.
Bruno R.
2021-07-20T12:40:39
Great product
BILLY I.
2021-07-20T12:39:52
Great product
BILLY I.
2021-07-18T08:20:58
Looks funky but works very well. Husband can record music from radio and play it back. Can hear it perfectly.
JOHN S.
2021-05-03T09:47:13
I ordered by phone and the service was easy and overall excellent. The shipping was very fast. Love my Tascam DR-40x. Works perfectly. Such a great recorder for the price. The red color is the bomb.
CALVIN G.
2021-04-22T04:25:39
Quite happy with this purchase. The DR-40X works well. Giving it 4 stars (I'd give it 4.5 if I could), as the menu system is a bit confusing and not very intuitive. One thing to keep in mind - you have to hit the record button twice to start the recording. I haven't used the built in mics (other than for a quick test), but recording from external unbalanced sources is working great.
JOHN D.
2021-03-12T14:55:21
I needed a recorder to use with my DSLR, but needed it portable, as well as being able to take the balanced outputs of my mixer board. It can be set to introduce a tone that can be used to sync with video, which works awesome. It works with my phantom condenser mics, as well as my shotgun mics. Very easy to set up, and use, and change configuration on the fly, because I use a wireless lapel mic also, and can shift quickly between two mic setups. I also can plug in my power bank to keep from killing the batteries One star off for a little noise, if you crank the inputs.
Avelina S.
2021-03-09T12:53:29
It works well for everything EXCEPT as a USB microphone on my Mac M1 running Big Sur. According to Tascam "With macOS Big Sur, however, these audio interfaces cannot be recognized and continuing to maintain support for them has become extremely difficult. For this reason, we will no longer confirm operation or provide support for newer operating systems starting with macOS Big Sur." If you have a Mac and plan to interface with this device I would recommend you not purchase this and save yourself the frustration.
Christopher S.
2021-01-06T09:21:50
A better sound than I was expecting and, in my opinion, even more pleasing than its nearest competitor (which I use at work) that costs much more. The build quality is certainly not as substantial as some other units, but its lightweight makes it a much more desirable item to bring along. There is nothing about it that feels cheap to me, but I definitely wouldn't recommend it for use in a risk environment.
chad w.
2020-12-24T06:36:43
A very versatile device from Zoom that takes TRS or XLR mics with or without phantom power. The built-in mics are useful but don’t seem to have the quality I get from my old Zoom H1 mic/recorder; however, I haven’t made a direct A-B test of the mic quality yet. The USB interface makes this a good device for connecting mics to computers that’s especially useful now in the new ‘age of Zooming’.
JAMES T.
2020-12-08T07:47:57
Tascam DR-40X is a replacement of my Zoom H4n. Great product. Works well for my wedding audio recordings
Femsterimages P.
2020-12-07T07:22:47
One of the best external recorders out there. Perfect for wedding gigs.
Steven M.
2020-09-17T09:02:44
The only thing any amateur would need to record quality audio. Just add some quality mics.
CHENG-SE W.
2020-09-17T09:01:07
Takes care of the audio recording side for anything an amateur blogger or musician would want. All you need is mics.
CHENG-SE W.
2020-09-12T11:10:20
Of course these little digital recorders that record on SD cards have been around for over a decade. But the DR-40x is unique because it can also function as a USB interface, allowing you to record into Reaper, Protools or whatever recording software you use. Note that although the unit can record 4 tracks at once internally, as a USB interface, you can only record 2 tracks at a time. You can of course also just grab all the tracks you recorded internally, and then drop them into your recording software, so it's pretty versatile. Things to pay attention to: 1. You need to update the firmware as soon as you get it. The factory firmware has a major bug. Get the current code at Tascam's website (I was not allowed to post the link). Get the USB driver while you are on the download page, too. 2. The built in mics are great. When using external mics, you should choose Condenser mics (they use batteries or the built-in Phantom Power) Non powered mics are a little noisy through the DR40's preamps. 3. The unit is large, probably the size and weight of 4 cell phones stacked. 4. The metallic red color will make sure you don't leave it behind in a tangle of black cables. 5. The little rubber foot has a space inside the battery compartment for storage. 6. The unit knows if you change the built in microphones from X-Y to A-B configuration. 7. Pressing REC does not start the recording. That first press arms the unit (red light flashing), the second press of REC actually starts the recording. This is a really great piece of tech. It has really got my creative juices flowing during the Pandemic!
ERIC W.
2019-07-16T09:40:35
I write music and needed a way to quickly record on-the-fly tracks without having to boot up my DAW or waste time scrolling through a hundred sub-menus on a "portable multi-track recorder." This is perfect. The simplicity of the interface is the key. I have it hooked into my mixer so I'm ready to go in an instant for vocals or instruments. Power on: five seconds. Arm track: two seconds. Check levels: two seconds. Hit record. So less than ten seconds from start to go and none of my ideas get lost. Also, I can unhook it and record anything, anywhere. The 96 khz / 24 bit sound quality means I can export the files to my DAW at native rates if I want to.
Kenneth S.
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Browse our FAQ
4
96 kHz / 24-Bit
Built-In Cardioid Condenser Stereo Pair, A/B or X/Y Configuration
Yes, 0.3 W Mono
Monochrome LCD (Backlit)
microSD (64 MB to 2 GB)
microSDHC (4 GB to 32 GB)
microSDXC (48 GB to 128 GB)
None
BWF, MP3, WAV
WAV:
44.1 / 48 / 96 kHz
MP3:
44.1 / 48 kHz
16 / 24-Bit
32 to 320 kb/s (Record)
32 to 320 kb/s + VBR (Playback)
Auto Gain, EQ, Limiter, Low-Cut Filter, Reverb
None
WAV 44.1 kHz/16-Bit:
1 Hr 41 Mins per GB (Stereo)
WAV 48 kHz/16-Bit:
1 Hr 33 Mins per GB (Stereo)
WAV 96 kHz/16-Bit:
46 Mins per GB (Stereo)
WAV 44.1 kHz/24-Bit:
1 Hr 7 Mins per GB (Stereo)
WAV 48 kHz/24-Bit:
1 Hr 2 Mins per GB (Stereo)
WAV 96 kHz/24-Bit:
31 Mins per GB (Stereo)
MP3 32 kb/s:
74 Hrs 32 Mins per GB (Stereo)
MP3 64 kb/s:
37 Hrs 16 Mins per GB (Stereo)
MP3 96 kb/s:
24 Hrs 50 Mins per GB (Stereo)
MP3 128 kb/s:
18 Hrs 38 Mins per GB (Stereo)
MP3 192 kb/s:
12 Hrs 25 Mins per GB (Stereo)
MP3 256 kb/s:
9 Hrs 19 Mins per GB (Stereo)
MP3 320 kb/s:
7 Hrs 27 Mins per GB (Stereo)
2 x Combo XLR-1/4" TRS Female Balanced Line/Mic Input (Lockable)
1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Female Unbalanced Headphone/Line Output
None
+24 / 48 V (Applied to All Inputs)
3 mA per Channel
No
1 x Micro-USB (USB 2.0)
20 Hz to 20 kHz +1/-3 dB (At 44.1 kHz, JEITA)
20 Hz to 22 kHz +1/-3 dB (At 48 kHz, JEITA)
20 kHz to 40 kHz +1/-3 dB (At 96 kHz, JEITA)
Mic Inputs:
-3 dBV
Line Inputs:
+20 dBu
+2 dBV
20 mW per Channel into 32 Ohms
Mic Inputs:
2.2 kOhms
Line Inputs:
10 kOhms
Line Outputs:
12 Ohms
Line Outputs:
>92 dB
<=0.05%
125 dB SPL
Batteries, USB Bus Power, AC/DC Power Adapter
3 x AA (Included)
WAV 44.1 kHz/16-Bit:
18 Hours (Alkaline, 2 Channels, Phantom Off, Recording)
6.5 Hours (Alkaline, 2 Channels, Phantom On, Recording)
9 Hours (Alkaline, All Channels, Phantom Off, Recording)
19.5 Hours (Alkaline, 2 Channels, Playback, with Headphones)
16 Hours (Alkaline, All Channels, Playback, with Headphones)
16 Hours (NiMH, 2 Channels, Phantom Off, Recording)
5.5 Hours (NiMH, 2 Channels, Phantom On, Recording)
7.5 Hours (NiMH, All Channels, Phantom Off, Recording)
15.5 Hours (NiMH, 2 Channels, Playback, with Headphones)
12.5 Hours (NiMH, 2 Channels, Playback, with Headphones)
WAV 96 kHz/24-Bit:
14.5 Hours (Alkaline, 2 Channels, Phantom Off, Recording)
8.5 Hours (Alkaline, All Channels, Phantom Off, Recording)
14 Hours (Alkaline, 2 Channels, Playback, with Headphones)
14 Hours (Alkaline, All Channels, Playback, with Headphones)
11 Hours (NiMH, 2 Channels, Phantom Off, Recording)
7.5 Hours (NiMH, All Channels, Phantom Off, Recording)
12 Hours (NiMH, 2 Channels, Playback, with Headphones)
11.5 Hours (NiMH, All Channels, Playback, with Headphones)
MP3 128 kb/s:
16 Hours (Alkaline, 2 Channels, Phantom Off, Recording)
9 Hours (Alkaline, All Channels, Phantom Off, Recording)
16.5 Hours (Alkaline, 2 Channels, Playback, with Headphones)
16.5 Hours (Alkaline, All Channels, Playback, with Headphones)
12.5 Hours (NiMH, 2 Channels, Phantom Off, Recording)
8 Hours (NiMH, All Channels, Phantom Off, Recording)
13 Hours (NiMH, 2 Channels, Playback, with Headphones)
13.5 Hours (NiMH, All Channels, Playback, with Headphones)
VDC Not Included
100 to 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz
1/4"-20 Female
32 to 104 Degree F (0 to 40 Degree C)
2.8 x 6.1 x 1.4" (70 x 155 x 35mm) (Mics Closed)
3.5 x 6.1 x 1.4" (90 x 155 x 35mm) (Mics Open)
7.5 oz (213g) (Without Batteries)
9.9 oz (282g) (With Batteries)
043774034444
Perfect tool for my needs
By Kenneth S.
I write music and needed a way to quickly record on-the-fly tracks without having to boot up my DAW or waste time scrolling through a hundred sub-menus on a "portable multi-track recorder." This is perfect. The simplicity of the interface is the key. I have it hooked into my mixer so I'm ready to go in an instant for vocals or instruments. Power on: five seconds. Arm track: two seconds. Check levels: two seconds. Hit record. So less than ten seconds from start to go and none of my ideas get l...
View full Review
Tascam DR-40X
By ALEC P.
I picked this recorder up for the unique feature set; I also thought the silver had a retro 90's aesthetic I appriciated. The ability to record into the unit and the built in microphones simultaneously seemed like a cool feature to have. I've had lower end tascam recorders before and liked their ease of use and build quality. I've tried other brands and not found them as durable.
Versatile four-track audio recorder for cinema, music, podcasting and any other application. Easy-to-use compact design with a high-performance feature set and versatile audio I/O, all to produce professional content.
DR-40X allows high-quality recording with its stereo built-in condenser microphones. Every detail is captured from small whispers to loud sounds up to 125dB SPL. These built-in microphones are adjustable unidirectional microphones for recording in an X-Y pattern for tight stereo imaging, or in an A-B pattern for a more ambient recording.
Simple Operation.
The layout of the DR-40X 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.
Extended Battery Life.
dr-07x uses only two AA batteries and has ultra-long battery capability. When using built-in microphones, recording lasts 17.5 hours when recording with standard 2ch WAV, 44.1kHz/ 16bit format using alkaline batteries.
Also dr-07x can be powered by a USB mobile battery as well for super long extended use.
Versatile four-track audio recorder
Versatile four-track audio recorder for cinema, music, podcasting and any other application. Easy-to-use compact design with a high-performance feature set and versatile audio I/O, all to produce professional content.
Features
Professional Deal for live capture: line level input
Dual Neutrik XLR/TRS combo jacks support both mic-level and +4dBu line-level. These inputs can accept balanced microphone or line level from Mixers or the FOH console. The microphone preamp includes +48V phantom power and plenty of gain for detailed recordings with condenser microphones, as well as electret type microphones. Using the stereo built-in microphones, you can capture ambient sound of the audience while recording direct from an external console, which is ideal for capturing live performances.
Wide covering range: from whispering voice to jet engine
DR-40X allows high-quality recording with its stereo built-in condenser microphones. Every detail is captured from small whispers to loud sounds up to 125dB SPL. These built-in microphones are adjustable unidirectional microphones for recording in an X-Y pattern for tight stereo imaging, or in an A-B pattern for a more ambient recording.
Simple operation
The layout of the DR-40X 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.
Choose your language
Menu display of dr-40x supports 10 languages: English/ Spanish/ French/ Italian/ German/ Russian/ Chinese/ Korean/ Japanese/ Portuguese
Extended battery life
dr-40x uses only three AA batteries and has ultra-long battery capability. When using built-in microphones, recording lasts 17.5 hours when recording with standard 2ch WAV, 44.1kHz/ 16bit format using alkaline batteries.
Also dr-40x can be powered by a USB mobile battery as well for super long extended use.
Turning your room into a studio - in a minute.
Connecting to a PC using USB Audio interface mode, and DR-40X becomes a tool for voiceover work, live streaming and songwriting with studio-quality audio.
Built-in microphones work as USB microphones.
Back up your transcription work: record and play with one unit
Writing down what you hear - Easier said than done, but it is actually easy with DR-40X. In addition to its capability to capture crisp voice recording, DR-40X can help you with its Jump back function, variable Speed function and equalizer preset for human voice.
Four-track recording mode gives you several options to record
In addition to normal stereo channel recording and Dual Recording mode, DR-40X has "4CH Mode" that can record two different stereo feeds simultaneously. The combination of the sources are flexible; recording the built-in microphones along with a pair of external Mics such as close-up and ambient microphones, or recording the built-in Mics along with a balanced line input such as the feed from a mixer along with the sound in the room.
Safety track for unpredictable situation
Film-makers and videographers often experience sudden audio volume spikes during filming. An actor could suddenly scream, or a documentary subject could do almost anything.
DR-40X has a Dual Recording mode that captures a copy of your take but at a lower level, as a safety track in case of sudden distortion. Also, Auto recording function can detect the sound input signal level and automatically start recording. The Pre-recording function with up to 2 seconds pre-record provides fail-safe protection.
Still safe if it is louder than you thought.
Peak Reduction works in rehearsal mode or in record. Even if the sound or performance is louder than the sound check you're safe. Combined with Auto level and Limiter for preventing distortion, you never have to worry.
No need to go through "take 2" all over again
If you don't like the last part of a phrase you just recorded with your guitar, or if you change your mind and want to rephrase narration, the "Overwrite mode" is exactly what you need. Overwrite mode allows punch-in recording from a desired point. It is destructive editing with one level of undo.
Nondestructive Overdubbing
The overdubbing function allows for Overdub Recording while playing a previously recorded file. This allows you to record other parts such as a guitar solo over a recording previously made such as at a rehearsal studio. Overdubbing creates a new file, leaving the original file unaffected, making it easy to re-record.
192 Hours. This is how long you can record CD-quality sound with single SDXC card.
DR-40X support a SDXC card, which can record longer with larger data capacity. If you record one stereo file in 44.1kHz/ 16bit CD quality, 128GB card holds 192 hours maximum. In MP3/ 320kbps, it can record up to 896 hours. (that is 37 days!).