Tascam DR-70D Recorder

Overview
The Tascam DR-70D is a compact and professional-grade audio recorder designed to be used in combination with a DSLR camera. It uses an SD/SDHC/SDXC card as its recording medium, with a capacity of up to 128 GB. The recorder features Tascams original High Definition Discrete Architecture (HDDA) microphone preamps, as well as NE5532 operational amplifiers for even higher audio performance. It allows for high-quality recording through its four XLR/TRS combo inputs, which can provide phantom power of +24V/+48V.

In addition to ordinary stereo recording, the DR-70D also allows for simultaneous recording of up to four channels, which can then be mixed down to a stereo signal. The recorder offers various features such as a dual recording function, low-cut filter, limiter, and mid-side decoding, making it a versatile and convenient tool for recording audio for video projects. It can be powered by four AA batteries, an AC adapter, external battery pack, or USB bus power.

Summary
Recording Formats:
BWF
WAV
Outputs: 3.5mm
Battery Mount / Type: AA
Included in box
1x DR-70D Recorder

About the Tascam DR-70D Recorder
Two built-in microphones

The two omnidirectional microphones allow you to easily record natural stereo sound with just this unit. Used together with small shotgun mics, you can even record audio from people speaking in an interview and the ambient sound at the same time (on different tracks), for example, with a compact set up.

4 XLR/TRS combo jacks allow a wide range of setups

Tascam DR-70D The four-channel design enables use of two shotgun mics and the stereo mic to record ambiance and each speaker individually. Since channels 1 and 2 can be set to the stereo input and channels 3 and 4 can be set to the built-in mic, a large variety of microphone setups is possible.

MONO/DUAL MONO mode: This is best for recording the audio of a single performer.
STEREO/DUAL STEREO mode: This is best for recording with the built-in microphone or a stereo mic.
2MIX/DUAL 2MIX mode: This creates stereo files of the signals of multiple inputs that have been mixed.

Built-in mixer with 4 inputs and 2 outputs

Tascam DR-70D The mixer can take a total of 4 channels from among the four XLR inputs that support phantom power, the stereo mini-jack input and the built-in stereo mic. In addition to enable pan and level adjustments, this unit also offers a limiter, a five-setting low-cut filter and a delay that can compensate for distances between mics. Moreover, a mid-side decoding function allows the use of two microphones in mid-side configuration.

High audio quality through HDDA microphone preamps

Tascam DR-70D Mic preamps, which receive and amplify microphone input signals, have a large impact on the quality of the recorded audio material. The DR-70D uses Tascam original HDDA (High Definition Discrete Architecture) microphone preamps that we created through careful selection of parts. For example, we chose the NE5532 for the operational amplifier, which has a strong effect on audio quality. With a mic amp circuit that uses discrete architecture comprised of meticulously-chosen parts, we have achieved an equivalent input noise of −120 dBu.

The A/D converter that converts analogue signals to digital is made by Cirrus Logic and is equivalent to those used in our successful DR series of linear PCM recorders. Recording at resolutions up to 96 kHz/24 bit is supported.

Compact and tough design

Tascam DR-70D The designer of the DR-70D focused on making the unit small so that it does not interfere with camera-work when it is attached to a camera support system or stabilizer. The unit has tripod screw threads on the bottom side and a removable camera attachment screw on its top. A hot shoe mount is also included so you can attach the recorder in the way most convenient for you by placing it between a tripod and the camera or on top of the camera with a hot shoe.

Stand adapter (¼ inch) on bottom side to attach the unit to a tripod
DSLR bracket for easy camera attachment and removal
Hot shoe mount (accessible when not using the DSLR bracket)
Handles on the front left and right sides protect the screen and can be used to attach a shoulder belt

Camera input and output

Tascam DR-70D The DR-70D has a camera input jack that can be used to monitor the audio from the DSLR camera. By using this with the DR-70D monitor selection function, you can efficiently monitor the audio from not only the DR-70D but also from the DSLR camera.

The camera output jack is designed to output the mixed audio to the camera so that the same audio can be recorded by the DR-70D and the camera. Since the input level varies by camera maker and there are usually few adjustments related to volume on DSLR cameras, this unit has an output volume dial that can be used to make adjustments.

Slate tone generator for easy alignment with video files

Tascam DR-70D The built-in generator can produce slate tones that can be used as references when aligning audio and video. In addition to being able to produce slate tones when recording starts or when it starts and stops, the SLATE button can be used to add slate tones at any desired point.

Automatic insertion: Choose from inserting a slate tone at the beginning of recording or at both the beginning and end of recordingManual insertion: Press the SLATE button to produce a tone.

General
Recording media SD cards (64 MB – 2 GB)
SDHC cards (4–32 GB)
SDXC cards (48–128 GB)
Recording/playback formats WAV: 44.1/48/96kHz, 16/24-bit
BWF: 44.1/48/96kHz, 16/24-bit
Number of channels 4 maximum (stereo x 2)
Analogue audio inputs and outputs
1/L, 2/R, 3/L, 4/R XLR-3-31, 6.3-mm standard TRS jack
(can provide phantom power)
EXT IN 1/2 3.5-mm stereo mini jack
(can provide plug-in power)
IN 3.5-mm stereo mini jack
PHONES 3.5-mm stereo mini jack
OUT/LINE OUT 3.5-mm stereo mini jack
Other inputs and outputs
USB port Micro-B connector
Format USB 2.0 HIGH SPEED mass storage class
REMOTE input 2.5-mm TRS jack
Audio performance
Frequency response (LINE IN or MIC IN to LINE OUT, JEITA) 20 Hz – 20 kHz +0.5/−2 dB (Fs 44.1/48 kHz)
20 Hz – 20 kHz +0.5/−3 dB (Fs 96 kHz)
Distortion (LINE IN or MIC IN to LINE OUT, JEITA) 0.02 % or less (Fs 44.1/48/96kHz)
S/N ratio (LINE IN or MIC IN to LINE OUT, JEITA) 92 dB or more (Fs 44.1/48/96kHz)
Equivalent input noise (EIN) −120 dBu or less
Recording times (4-GB SDHC card, hours: minutes)
WAV/BWF 16 bit/44.1 kHz (stereo) 6:44
WAV/BWF 24 bit/96 kHz (stereo) 2:04
Requirements for connected computers
Supported operating systems Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 (including 8.1)
Mac OS X 10.2 or newer
Power supply and other specifications
Power 4 AA batteries (alkaline or NiMH)
USB bus power from a computer
AC adapter (TASCAM PS-P515U, sold separately)
External battery pack (TASCAM BP-6AA, sold separately)
Power consumption 5 W (maximum)
Dimensions (W x H x D) 169 mm x 55 mm x 107 mm
(with top adapter attached)
Weight 625g (including batteries)
530 g (excluding batteries)
Operating temperature range 0–40 °C
Approximate battery operation time (continuous operation, hours:minutes)
Alkaline batteries (EVOLTA)
2-ch recording, WAV format, 44.1kHz/16-bit 6:00 (XLR/TRS input selected, phantom power not used)
11:00 (MIC input 3/4 selected)
NiMH rechargeables (eneloop)
2-ch recording, WAV format, 44.1kHz/16-bit 6:15 (XLR/TRS input selected, phantom power not used)
10:30 (MIC input 3/4 selected)

Compact, professional-grade audio recorder designed to be used in combination with a DSLR camera
Uses an SD/SDHC/SDXC card as recording medium (up to 128 GB)
High-quality recording inputs through Tascam original High Definition Discrete Architecture (HDDA) microphone preamps
NE5532 operational amplifiers for even higher audio performance (also used on DA-3000)
In addition to ordinary stereo recording, simultaneous recording of up to four channels is possible
Four channels can be mixed down to a stereo signal
Recording levels can be adjusted independently for inputs 1–4
Dual recording function allows two files to be recorded simultaneously at different levels
Recording at 44.1/48/96 kHz, 16/24-bit, linear PCM (WAV format)
Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) supported as WAV recording format
Two built-in omnidirectional microphones
Four XLR/TRS combo inputs can provide phantom power (+24V/+48V)
+24 dBu maximum input level (20 dB headroom)
Additional unbalanced input for channels 1 and 2 (stereo mini jack) supports mics that require plug-in power, allowing the input of video mics and other high-output mics
Switchable low-cut filter conveniently reduces low-frequency noise (40 Hz, 80 Hz, 120 Hz)
Switchable limiter to prevent clipping
High-quality audio can be output to a DSLR camera for recording
Camera input enables convenient monitoring of audio from a DSLR camera
Selectable mid-side decoding for use with MS microphone setups
Slate tone functions (automatic/manual) to simplify synchronization of video files when editing
Pre-recording function allows the unit to record the two seconds of sound before recording is activated
Auto recording function to start start and stop recording by input level
A new file can be created during recording (manually or by file size)
Self-timer function to start recording after a set period of time
Jump-back function allows the last several seconds of the currently played file to be replayed again by simply pressing a button
Selectable delay to eliminate time lags caused by differences in the distances of two input sources
QUICK button allows easy access to various functions
Mark function convenient for moving to specific locations
Equalizers for playback, and level alignment function to enhance the perceived overall sound pressure
File name format can be set to use a user-defined word or the date
Resume function to memorize the playback position before the unit is turned off
Line output and headphones output with individual level controls (3.5-mm jack)
Dedicated remote control jack for use with RC-10 and RC-3F (sold separately)
Hold switch to prevent accidental operation
Low-noise buttons
128 x 64 pixel LC display with backlight
USB 2.0 port
Stand adapter (¼ inch) on bottom side to attach the unit to a tripod
DSLR bracket for easy camera attachment and removal
Hot shoe mount (accessible when not using the DSLR bracket)
Handles on the front left and right sides protect the screen and can be used to attach a shoulder belt
Operates on four AA batteries, an AC adapter (sold separately: TASCAM PS-P515U), external battery pack (sold separately: TASCAM BP-6AA) or USB bus power