Tascam DR-70D - Audio Recorder

Presentation Tascam DR-70D

The DR-70D is a compact audio recorder, enabling users of DSLR cameras/camcorders to record high-quality audio while shooting. The recorder can be inserted directly between tripod and camera, or mounted on top of the camera, making for a compact configuration in either case.

Thanks to its two built-in microphones, the DR-70D is instantly ready for use. It also features four Combo inputs (mixed XLR/TRS jack), which can be used to record four high-quality audio signals from professional microphones. It is equipped with an audio output, so that the stereo signal mixed in the recorder can be recorded on the camera itself to facilitate subsequent editing, complementing the recorder's Slate function. It is also possible, in reverse, to listen to the audio signal from the camera on the recorder.

The DR-70D features high-quality, hard-to-saturate mic preamps with built-in high-pass filter and limiter. It handles microphone signals in MS (Mid/Side) format, offers 24 or 48 volt phantom power for condenser mics, and offers a host of functions, both common and rare, to facilitate recording, listening and post-processing of sound tracks.

2 built-in microphones

The two omnidirectional microphones allow you to record in stereo with a natural sound, without adding anything to the unit. By adding small shotgun microphones, you can even simultaneously record interviewees and ambient sound, on different tracks, with a very compact configuration.

4 Combo connectors (XLR/TRS jack) used as inputs ensure great configuration versatility

The four tracks available allow you to use two shotgun microphones and the built-in stereo pair simultaneously, so you can record the ambience and each speaker separately. As input channels 1 and 2 can be assigned to a stereo input, and channels 3 and 4 to the built-in microphone, you can use a wide variety of microphone configurations.

• MONO/DUAL MONO: Best suited to recording a single musician.
• STEREO/DUAL STEREO: Best suited to recording with the built-in microphone or a stereo microphone.
• 2MIX/DUAL 2MIX: Creates stereo files from mixed input signals.

Integrated mixer with 4 inputs and 2 outputs

The mixer can handle up to 4 channels, corresponding to the 4 phantom-powered XLR inputs, the stereo mini-jack input and the built-in stereo microphone. In addition to input level and pan control, the recorder features a limiter, a 5-position low-pass filter and a delay to compensate for distances between microphones. What's more, an MS decoding function enables a pair of microphones to be used in this configuration (Mid-Side).

High audio quality thanks to HDDA mic preamps

The microphone preamp circuits, which receive and amplify microphone-level signals, have a decisive influence on the audio quality of the final recording. The DR-70D uses mic preamps based on Tascam's proprietary HDDA (High Definition Discrete Architecture) technology, implemented with carefully selected components. For example, we have chosen a Texas Instruments NE5532 integrated circuit as the operational amplifier, which greatly enhances audio quality. The microphone preamplifier circuit is based on a discrete architecture and uses carefully selected components, enabling us to achieve an equivalent input noise level (EIN) of -120 dBu.

The A/D converters are made by Cirrus Logic, and are equivalent to those used in our popular DR series linear PCM recorders. Maximum recording resolution: 96 kHz/24 bits.

Compact, robust design

The designers of the DR-70D have placed great emphasis on compactness, so as to avoid any hindrance to the camera when attached to a stand or stabilizer. The camera features a threaded tripod insert on the base, and a removable camera mount on the top. A shoe-mounting device is also provided, so you can attach the recorder in the way that's most convenient for you, either by interposing it between the tripod and the camera, or by inserting it into a shoe at the top of the camera.

Stand thread (¼ inch pitch) on the bottom, for mounting the camera on a tripod
Special DSLR bracket, for easy installation and removal on camera
Shoe mounting (accessible when DSLR bracket is not in use)
Handles on front left and right sides, to protect screen and attach shoulder strap

Slate frequency generator for easy alignment with video files

The built-in generator generates reference frequencies (Slate) for subsequent sound and image alignment. These frequencies are generated at the beginning and/or end of recording, and the SLATE button can be used to add them at any time.

Automatic insertion: at beginning of recording only, or at beginning and end of recording.
Manual insertion: each press of the SLATE button generates a Slate frequency.