There was a time when Tascam was associated with cheap, solid mobile gear for recording, like the Portastudio. The handheld DR-03 could be a landmark for a more digital age. It’s just US$99 for a microSD recorder with built-in stereo mic in a package Tascam describes as “smaller than an energy bar.” It’s designed to be operated handheld without a lot of noise (we’ll have to test that), and – in what I think may be the killer feature – it includes looping and Variable Speed Audition, so you can use it easily as a practice, music transcription, or interview transcription tool. Just slow down the audio, without impacting the pitch.
Feature set from Tascam:
- Stereo condenser microphone design
- Up to 48kHz/24-bit WAV recording or MP3 recording modes
- Records to microSD media
- Auto-recording function starts when input exceeds a reference level
- Limiter, low cut filter and auto gain control for input
- Variable Speed Audition changes the playback speed without changing the pitch
- Loop playback mode
- USB 2.0 connection for file transfer
- 1/8″ stereo microphone/line input
- 1/8″ stereo headphone output
- 96×96 backlit LCD display
- Powered by two AAA batteries or USB bus power
- Built-in speaker
- Built-in desktop stand
- Includes 2GB microSD card and AAA batteries
Available now.
http://tascam.com/product/dr-03/
And yes, there are higher-end options from Tascam if you so choose, though that gets them into competition with Sony, Roland/Edirol, M-Audio, Korg, and Zoom, all of whom make some nice options. I’m guessing the $100 price point and pitch control option could be the winner for a lot of customers. (There are some reasons to look at the full line; the DR-03 has fixed stereo mics; on the DR-08, the stereo mic flips out like cute Mickey Mouse ears for better spatialization. I’d probably chose the -03 as a practice recorder.)
See also the awesome and likewise adorable Zoom H1:
Zoom H1 @ Samson
Big minus for the H1: no pitch control. Big plus for the H1: a shoe mount for attaching to a camera. The H1 is a little larger, so a tripod mount becomes possible. That’s probably your deciding point right there. The Tascam only works as a handheld, as it’s smaller, so you’ll have to prop it up against something or use its desktop kickstand. If transcription is your main application, the Tascam wins. If you want to be able to shoot with a camera or put it somewhere other than your hand or balanced on a ledge, the Zoom is a better choice.
I wonder how this compares to the $100 Zoom H1?
@Justin: good point, just added. The Zoom is much easier to mount – you can put it on a tripod or mount it to a camera. But you lose pitch control. The Tascam seems well-designed as a handheld, and it does have a desktop stand, but no shoe mount. But if you want pitch control, the Tascam wins. I think it depends on your desired application.
Just today my Zoom H-1 arrived! I guess I'll keep it, since tripod mounting possibility is important for me (joby's gorillapod rocks!).
A lot of handling noise compared to bigger and heavier (and 5.5 times more expensive) Marantz PMD 661 I had for some time.
If someone knows a cheap windjammer (available in europe), please let me know! Rycote is too expensive IMHO.
And the fake fur I got loosing hair and beeing too stiff is not good.
Good source for that also appreciated.
Yeah, to be honest, I'm not sure I believe Tascam when they say they've reduced handling noise, unless they've changed the laws of physics. (Well, maybe they *reduced* it.) That makes the Zoom's attachments very appealing, indeed.
i was jsut thinking about getting something like this last week.. do want!
Anyone know of a portable recorder that only has line-in (no built in mic)? Creative used to include this feature on a $60 Zen V, but dropped it in subsequent releases. I want something small and cheap to record DJ gigs, and I don't need the mics. Although, $99 opposed to $60 is not too painful, the price point on some of these is getting better.
There is a new Olympus, the WS-520M. I haven't tried it yet, though I work a at retailer so I plan on A/B testing a few in the downtime..
P.S. I am only referring to sound quality in the A/B test, features come second for me at this point.
One thing I like about the Zoom H1 design is that all the settings are physical switches — very straightforward. No menu fiddling.
@faber you might look at http://furryheadwindscreens.com/
looks neat and pretty usable!
Are the mics/converters of similar enough quality to dismiss that in doing a comparison? Been wanting a better recorder for practices.
Looks like it costs a hefty penny to own…nice specs though…
The Zoom H1 has got 96kHz/24-bit recording capabilities and needs one AA battery only, which is good for up to ten hours.
I don't know the Tascam's sound yet, but the Zoom H1 sounds unbelievably well in relation to its street price…
tekfro: see the m-audio microtrack. no built-in mics. i have the original and it is still kicking butt, even if the battery solutions are a little weak.
@tekfro what are you using to DJ with? if you're using traktor or serato you can record on the same laptop you're using to DJ with provided it's got a good processor, ram, hard drive space. Live can record a set as well. when i was just using turntables/vinyl/cd's to mix i recorded my sets to miniDisk line in and that worked great.
Had a DR-07 for a while now, solid, dependable, very good quality recordings. This is skirting the edge of "can it be that good at that price" territory, but at least it LOOKS a heck of a lot less cheap and tacky than M-Audio and Zoom's options.
More cheap tech? Bring it on!
Cheap alternative to foam or fur windshield for the Zoom H1: stockings! Cut out a small piece, wrap it around the mic enclosure, then hold it in place with a rubber band. Cheap, easy to do, and works really well. Add another layer of stocking for added wind protection.
well in my application the zoom does sound good but suffers from near extreme handling noise, the threadmount is plastic and already dying… 🙁
the over all build quality is 2-3/10. i'll be checking out the tascam cuz i've been impressed by the build quality of their "cheap" stuff in the past.
btw: syafii's comment is valid, however i like to build a mini harness (a trimmed up yogurt cup) and then add the nylons. i also paint the cup black and use black nylons cuz i'm vain like that…
I'd go for the Zoom H2. Ok, it's a bit more expensive, but can also be used as a USB mic. Nice feature.
would any of these two be capable of doing nice field recordings? i'm looking for a nice and handy audio recorder that is able to record an ambience and nature in good detail. thanks
hi brovski, i have a zoom h2 for this purpose, and it does an passable job. to do this properly you'll need a decent mic/preamp combo…
I'd still go for the Alesis Protrack (iphone/ipod) add on. It allows for 2 phantom powered mics or 2 1/4" mono inputs. It has a mount so you can put on a regular tripod, also 2 decent cardiod mics. Another bonus is that it allows monitoring of incoming audio (I'm sure the new Tascam does as well) Since I already always have my idevice with me, something like this make more sense, even at the $150 price point.
Spend a few more bucks for the TASCAM DR-08 or DR-2d if you can. DR-2d sounds AMAZING.
I just purchased a DR-03. I'm happy with it so far. I just thought I would let you guys know that the main windscreen from the WS-DR08 kit for DR-08 fits the DR-03. The body is a perfect fit, and has to be stretched just slightly to cover the protruding microphones.
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