“The adjustable mics, four-track recording and extended battery life of the TASCAM DR-40 give you the flexibility you need to record tracks anywhere.” -Tascam

The Run Down

The world of portable sound is really coming into it’s own. Units like the Zoom H4N ($299) and the Tascam DR-100MKII ($330) have been the two standards in this realm.  But for the money, this new Tascam recorder ($179) is the best entrance into professional portability out there. With live monitoring, XLR and Line out options for external mics, and 48V phantom power, the DR-40 is sure to become a hit with podcasters and DSLR video shooters alike. The recorders writes directly to an SD card making transfer a breeze. Here’s a few ideas for using the DR-40 in a youth ministry context:

• Audio Testimonies
• Sermon Recording
• “Man on the Street” Interviews
• Mobile Podcasts
• Capturing Sound for Video (Rigged with a Sennheiser G3 Pack)
• Leaving Hidden in the Church Bathroom

The Sound

Earlier today I ran a quick test to let you hear the audio quality. Both sound clips were recorded in my office (hence background noise), and were not EQ’d in post. These are raw files right off the SD card.

DR-40 Internal Mics

The internal mics on the DR-40 sound really good. The mids are crisp, and articulate. I have a thin voice to begin with, so I don’t typically sound well recorded, but I feel like the recorded sounds magnificent.

DR-40 External Mic

I used my Blue Mic Yeti Pro to record this clip. The Yeti sounds sooo good. The warmth of the lows really help give you a “radio voice”.

The Bottom Line:

For $179 (this is the price my local supplier quoted me) the Tascam DR-40 is a steal! If you have a serious need for portable recording this is the answer.