Thanks to Jason Sobel who first posted about this on the Tapers
Section forum.
Tascam recently added a new recorder named the DR-1 to its web site.
Read the web pages here:
http://www.tascam.com/products/dr-1.html
This new recorder has specifications similar to "point and shoot"
recorders like the Edirol R-09 and Marantz PMD620. MSRP of the DR-1
is only $299.
-- Built-in stereo mic pair
-- mic angle can be adjusted 90 degrees (point the mics "forward" or "up")
-- two jacks for external mics: 1/8-inch or 1/4-inch
-- plug-in power is available on the 1/8-inch input jack
-- record and play back MP3 or WAV up to 24/48
-- analog gain control
-- file storage on SDHC flash memory cards (up to 32GB ok)
-- mic sensitivity switch, low cut filter, limiter, AGC available
The following issues may lead people to choose another recorder
-- rechargeable Li-ion battery of only 1800 mAh. I estimate this is
enough for 4 to 5 hours of WAV recording. The battery does appear to
be field-replaceable, however.
-- maximum file size is 2GB. Recording stops at this limit
-- no built-in speaker (headphones or external speaker required)
-- if I'm reading the specifications correctly, the built-in preamp
can boost the signal only by 16 dB over the level provided by the mic
Other useful features include
-- in/out marker and loop playback via buttons on the outside of the DR-1
-- playback list is a subset of all files in memory
To spice things up a bit, the DR-1 includes
-- built-in instrument tuner
-- overdub feature so you can add audio (narration, music) to an
existing WAV recording
-- slow down speed of playback without changing pitch
The DR-1 is large for a "point and shoot" recorders. It's a little
smaller than the Sony PCM-D50 and Zoom H4, but larger than the Edirol
R-09, M-Audio Microtrack II, Marantz PMD620 and Zoom H2. It's right
at the edge of being too large to be easily carried in a pocket.
MSRP is $299. Tascam gear is often discounted 20%, so a street price
of $249 is a possibility. I didn't see any information about how soon
the DR-1 will be available for sale.
--oryoki
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