Tascam DR-70D at DVinfo.net

Michael Wisniewski · December 15th, 2014, 06:01 AM

Neato update to this line of recorders, just need to figure out the battery situation. It can be powered via USB for longer battery life.

Darren Levine · December 15th, 2014, 07:43 AM

I've done a review on it, will update the video as well.

Tascam 70d review: A 4-track mixer/recorder for $299? Sure!

The main takeaways....

-$300 is damn cheap for a 4 track recorder
-Nice size, not too tall, and just wide enough to fit proper controls and screen
-4 XLR/TRS inputs, line/camera out, camera in
-Phantom power for all XLRs
-Sufficient gain settings for inputs and outputs
-Limiters and lowcut
-SD card in the rear(can't see where else they could have fit it anyways)
-Battery/SD door can be annoying, i might just take it out.
-Wish all the 1/8" ports were 1/4", but again, size limitation, so can't really nitpick
-Battery life is OK, but Zoom's are amazing.
-A compressor would have been nice
-MP3 option would have been nice
-It would have been great if it could make bacon pancakes

Overall there's not much you can complain about for 300 bucks

Zach Love · December 15th, 2014, 10:13 AM

"Nice size, not too tall, and just wide enough to fit proper controls and screen"

I would say much better design than the DR-60D. The 60 I felt just didn't look right on the side or under a camera, this one seems like they consulted some DSLR users & figured out how to make it really work with a good rig.

Stinks that battery life isn't great, but can it be powered via USB like the 60D? If so, pick up a $20 - $40 usb battery bar & you can use that in conjunction with the AA batteries.

Marco Leavitt · December 18th, 2014, 12:42 PM

Nice. Amazing how far technology has come. I think of the days of suffering along with minidisc and wonder how I ever managed.

Jay Massengill · December 18th, 2014, 09:12 PM

Or of paying $10,000 for a Deva 4-channel hard drive audio recorder only 15 years ago...

Greg Miller · December 19th, 2014, 12:07 PM

Or lugging around a 40-pound Ampex "prosumer" (the term had not been coined back then) reel-to-reel machine in 1965, that cost $600 at the time (around $4,500.00 in today's dollars).

December 15th, 2014, 06:01 AM	#1
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Tascam DR-70D Neato update to this line of recorders, just need to figure out the battery situation. It can be powered via USB for longer battery life. Tascam DR-70D __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

December 15th, 2014, 07:43 AM	#2
Darren Levine Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NJ/NYC Posts: 563	Re: Tascam DR-70D I've done a review on it, will update the video as well. Tascam 70d review: A 4-track mixer/recorder for $299? Sure! The main takeaways.... -$300 is damn cheap for a 4 track recorder -Nice size, not too tall, and just wide enough to fit proper controls and screen -4 XLR/TRS inputs, line/camera out, camera in -Phantom power for all XLRs -Sufficient gain settings for inputs and outputs -Limiters and lowcut -SD card in the rear(can't see where else they could have fit it anyways) -Battery/SD door can be annoying, i might just take it out. -Wish all the 1/8" ports were 1/4", but again, size limitation, so can't really nitpick -Battery life is OK, but Zoom's are amazing. -A compressor would have been nice -MP3 option would have been nice -It would have been great if it could make bacon pancakes Overall there's not much you can complain about for 300 bucks __________________ C100 - GH4 - NYC Shooter www.DarrenLevine.com

December 15th, 2014, 10:13 AM	#3
Zach Love Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 944	Re: Tascam DR-70D "Nice size, not too tall, and just wide enough to fit proper controls and screen" I would say much better design than the DR-60D. The 60 I felt just didn't look right on the side or under a camera, this one seems like they consulted some DSLR users & figured out how to make it really work with a good rig. Stinks that battery life isn't great, but can it be powered via USB like the 60D? If so, pick up a $20 - $40 usb battery bar & you can use that in conjunction with the AA batteries. __________________ Nothing says you're a serious video maker like S-VHS

December 18th, 2014, 12:42 PM	#4
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Re: Tascam DR-70D Nice. Amazing how far technology has come. I think of the days of suffering along with minidisc and wonder how I ever managed.

December 18th, 2014, 09:12 PM	#5
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Re: Tascam DR-70D Or of paying $10,000 for a Deva 4-channel hard drive audio recorder only 15 years ago...

December 19th, 2014, 12:07 PM	#6
Greg Miller Trustee Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,792	Re: Tascam DR-70D Or lugging around a 40-pound Ampex "prosumer" (the term had not been coined back then) reel-to-reel machine in 1965, that cost $600 at the time (around $4,500.00 in today's dollars).