General Features
Recording Features
Edit and Playback Functions
Specifications

General Features

Overview: The TASCAM DR-40 is a hand-held portable stereo digital recorder that is designed for musicians. You can make high quality 4-track recordings using the LPCM format, or a large number of recordings in MP3. The recorder includes a slot for an SD/SDHC card (up to 32 GB), and includes a 2 GB SD memory card for hours of recording time. It has two microphones with adjustable angles, two Mic/Ext inputs, a mono speaker, and a line/headphone output. The DR-40 operates on three AA batteries (included). The unit weighs 7.51 ounces (not including batteries).

LCD Display: The DR-40 features a 2" (diagonal), backlit, monochrome LCD (128 x 64 pixels) which indicates recording and playback information. The recorder will display the elapsed or remaining recording time in hours, minutes, and seconds.

Date and Time: The recorder features a built-in clock. If you have set the time and date, information as to when a sound file was recorded is stored automatically with that file.

Microphones: The unit features two high quality condenser microphones mounted on the top of the recorder. The angles of the microphones can be adjusted to suit the recording situation. You can choose Clear Stereo Sound by angling the microphones in a closed position (X-Y position), or choose Wide Stereo Sound by angling the mics in an open position (A-B position).

Mic/Ext Inputs: Located on the bottom of the unit are two inputs for connecting external mics or an external device. These balanced inputs have locking XLR/TRS combo jacks, which can accept 3-pin XLR or standard 1/4" plugs. The built-in microphones, and the settings of left/right channels are disabled if an external microphone is connected. If the external microphone requires plug-in power, the DR-40 can be set to provide +24V or +48V of phantom power.

Low Cut Filter: The device features a low-cut filter that can be engaged to reduce noise, such as wind noise, during recording. The cut-off frequency can be set to 40 Hz, 80 Hz, or 120 Hz.

SD Card Slot: The DR-40 Digital Recorder features a slot for inserting an SD card. The recorder is compatible with SD cards from 64 MB to 2 GB, or SDHC cards from 4 GB to 32 GB in size. A 2 GB memory card is included. The maximum recording time using a 2 GB SD card is as follows:

Formatting Memory Cards: Memory cards can be formatted in the unit to prepare them for use. You can choose a quick format, which erases all music files on the card and automatically creates new Music and Utility folders, as well as the DR-1.sys file that is necessary to use the card with the unit. Full formatting checks the memory for errors while formatting, and takes longer to complete than quick formatting.

USB: The DR-40 has a Mini-B 2.0 (High speed) USB port on the side for connecting the recorder to your computer for transferring files or for providing USB bus power. A short USB cable is provided with the unit. With the optional TASCAM PS-P515U AC adapter (which plugs into the USB port), you can operate the unit on ordinary household current. The DR-40 is compatible with the following Operating Systems: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Mac OS X 10.2-10.8.

Headphone/Line Out Jack: The DR-40 has a 3.5mm stereo jack for plugging in a pair of headphones, or for connecting to an external device or a powered monitor. You can listen to files played back or monitor the recording as it is made.

Battery Power: The recorder is powered by three "AA" batteries. You can use either alkaline (included) or Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) rechargeable batteries. Battery life varies according to the recording format as follows:

Remote Jack: The recorder has a 2.5mm sub-minijack on the bottom (between the external mic jacks) for connecting a remote. The optional Tascam RC-3F footswitch remote or Tascam RC-10 wired remote can be used to operate the unit. The 3-pedal RC-3F footswitch offers assignable functions for the left, center, and right pedal. The RC-10 has 4 function buttons, as well as six control buttons (stop, play, rewind, fast forward, record, mark).

Tripod Socket: The DR-40 is equipped with a standard 1/4" tripod socket on the back so you can mount the recorder onto a tripod, if desired.

Recording Features

Recording Format: The DR-40 records audio files in WAV and MP3 formats. The unit is compatible with the BWF (Broadcast Wave Format) for WAV files. You can choose from the following recording options:

• WAV/BWF: 44.1/48/96 kHz, 16/24-bit
• MP3: 44.1/48 kHz, 32/64/96/128/192/256/320 kbps

Recording Modes: The recorder has five recording modes to choose from:

• Mono: recordings are made in one channel
• Stereo: recordings are made of two independent left and right channels
• Dual: recordings are made using one input source (mono or stereo pair) to create two files with different input settings. This mode captures a safety track at a lower level to avoid distortion. Either two mono or two stereo recording files are created.
• 4CH: recordings are made using both the built-in mics and the external inputs to record two pairs of inputs as two files. Two stereo recording files are created.
• Overdub: This recording mode adds new sounds to the playback file. You can choose Mix Overdub, in which the playback sound and input sound are mixed to create a new file, or Separate Overdub to create a new recording file with only the input sound.

Maximum File Sizes: You can set the maximum file size in the Menu. The choices include: 64 MB, 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, or 2 GB. If the maximum set file size is exceeded during recording, the unit will automatically continue recording in a new file. It cannot exceed a recording time of 24 hours.

Recording Levels: After selecting the input (built-in or external), you can adjust the input levels to prevent recorded sounds from being distorted due to excessively high input signals, or from being inaudible due to excessively low input signals, compared to noise. There are three level adjustment functions:

• Peak Reduction: The input volume is reduced automatically to an appropriate level when excessively high signals come in.
• Automatic Level Control: The recording level is controlled automatically to increase or decrease the input level when the input signals are too small or too large. This mode is useful for recording at meetings. Manual adjustments to the recording level cannot be made.
• Limiter: Engaging the limiter prevents distortion of sounds when excessive high input signals come in suddenly. This mode is suitable for live performances with large volume changes. You can adjust the level manually during recording.

File Names: Each time a file is recorded, a file name is assigned to the recording. The file name can be either a 6-character word or a 6-digit date (yymmdd format). You can set the word file name, while the date file name is automatically set using the unit's internal clock.

Overdubbing: Overdubbing allows you to play an instrument or sing as you play back a saved track and mix and record both sounds in a new file.

Marks: The DR-40 lets you place an electronic mark in a recording to identify specific points in the recording. Mark information is stored in the file with numbers between 01 and 99. Marks stored in a WAV file are BWF-compliant, and can be added automatically or manually. During playback, you can immediately move to marks in the currently selected file when paused.

Automatic Recording: When Automatic Recording (Auto Rec) is enabled, the unit will start and pause recording, renew files, and set marks automatically, depending upon the input signal level.

Pre-Recording: Pre-recording enables you to start recording up to 2 seconds before you press the Record button. This enables you to avoid missing the exact moment a recordable event begins.

Self Timer: Like a camera, the recorder's self timer lets you start a recording after a set period of time. Self timers can be set to 5 seconds or 10 seconds.

Edit and Playback Functions

Browse Screen: The DR-40's Browse screen lets you view the contents of the Music Folder containing the audio files on the SD card. You can play or erase selected audio files, organize them into folders, and add tracks to the playlist.

Divide: A recorded WAV file can be divided into two at a specified position. This allows you to edit out unwanted portions of a track by placing them in a separate track and deleting them.

File Swap: Files recorded in 4CH or Overdub Separate modes can be swapped for other files. For example, in 4CH mode, a file recorded by the built-in mics can be swapped with a file recorded by external mics or equipment.

Playback Control: The Playback Control screen allows you to access some special playback control functions. You can playback a selected section of a track repeatedly (Loop Playback), or change the tempo of music without changing the pitch in a range from 50% to 150% normal speed (Variable Speed Audition, or VSA).

Playback Equalizer: You can choose from different sound types to enhance the sound quality of a track by using the Playback Equalizer (PlayEQ). The PlayEQ lets you make adjustments (+ or -) in the High (treble) Middle, and Low (bass) frequency ranges.

Level Alignment: If the playback sound is very small, the perceived overall level can be increased to enhance listenability.

Jump-Back Playback: During playback, you can press the play button to move back a few seconds to hear a section of the track again. The Jump-back Playback function is adjustable in the menu, allowing you to set the jump-back time to 1-10 seconds (in increments of 1 second), as well as 20 seconds and 30 seconds.

Effects: The DR-40 has built-in effects that can be applied to the input signal during recording and practice, or applied to the output signal during playback. You can choose a preset effect type and the level of the effect (0-20). The Effects Preset list includes:

• Hall 1: A bright reverb in a large hall-like space.
• Hall 2: A warm reverb in a large hall-like space.
• Room: A reverb in a small indoor space.
• Studio: A reverb in a studio-like space.
• Plate 1: A bright plate reverb.
• Plate 2: A warm plate reverb.

Tuner Function: You can use the DR-40 to precisely tune an instrument. You can calibrate the tuner by adjusting the reference tone (A) between 435 Hz and 445 Hz (in 1 Hz increments). The Tuner displays the mismatch between the tone of the musical instrument you are tuning and the reference tone. You can adjust the input level, if needed.

Mixer Function: The recorder has a mixer function that allows you to set the level of effects, stereo balance, and volume level for each channel. You can adjust the following values:

• Send: Adjusts the send level of the selected effect is used on the signal (0 to 100)
• Pan/Balance: Adjusts left-right balance (Left 12 - Center - Right 12)
• Level: Adjusts volume level (0 to 100)

Specifications

Inputs/Outputs:

• Ext Mic/Line In:
  • Connector: 2 x XLR/TRS combo (locking Neutrik Combo jacks)
  • Phantom Power: +24V or +48V available
  • Mic or Mic + Phantom:
    • Input Impedance: 2.2 kΩ
    • Nominal Input Level: -19 dBV
    • Maximum Input Level: -3 dBV
  • Line:
    • Input Impedance: 10 kΩ or more
    • Nominal Input Level: +4 dBu
    • Maximum Input Level: +20 dBu
• Headphone/Line Out:
  • Connector: 3.5mm stereo mini
  • Output Impedance: 12Ω
  • Nominal Output Level: -14 dBV (10 kΩ load)
  • Maximum Output Level: +2 dBV (10 kΩ load)
  • Maximum Output: 20 mW + 20 mW (when connected to headphones, 32Ω load)

Audio Performance:

• Frequency Response:
  • 20 - 20 kHz +1/-3 dB (44.1 kHz, EXT IN to LINE OUT)
  • 20 - 22 kHz +1/-3 dB (48 kHz, EXT IN to LINE OUT)
  • 20 - 40 kHz +1/-3 dB (96 kHz, EXT IN to LINE OUT)
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.05% or lower (EXT IN to LINE OUT, Fs 44.1/48/96kHz)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 92dB or higher (EXT IN to LINE OUT, Fs 44.1/48/96kHz)