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The Tascam DR-60D Linear PCM audio recorder has been designed specifically to provide a solution to DSLR shooters to capture high quality audio. It is solidly built and features XLR and TRS inputs, one mini input, phantom power, high quality preamps, 4 channel recording. GENERAL LAYOUT First thing to notice in the general layout is that there aren't any built in microphones in the DR-60D. The recorder is built with the idea that if you want to capture optimal quality audio you are going to be using either a boom/shotgun microphone or wireless lavalier microphones. Also, this recorder can be mounted on a tripod with the 1/4'-20 thread at the bottom and then you can lock your DSLR on top of it with the bolt on top of the recorder. RECORDING Audio is recorded onto SD and SDHC cards as WAV files or BWF, broadcast wave format, with a resolution of either 16 or 24 bit. Sample rates are either 44.1k, 48k and 96k. Power can be supplied either through 4 AA batteries or a power supply. Obviously the battery power will depend heavily on your recording format and whether you are using phantom power or not. Using phantom power will reduce your battery life by a few hours. If you shoot in the lower format, 16 bit, at the sample rate of 44.1k, your batteries should at least 5 hours. INPUTS AND INTERESTING FEATURES On the side you can find a stereo mini input and two XLR inputs. For the XLR inputs the recorder lets you select "Line", "Mic" and "Phantom Power" for both 24v and 48v. A nice feature is that when you select the "Phantom Power" there is a message on the screen that asks you to confirm. This is good as some microphones might get damaged if they don't require phantom power and you accidentally turn it on. Knobs below the screen allows you to adjust the recording levels. Also, in the menu you can adjust the gain from "low", "medium" and "high". A red LED light will also warn you if your levels are too high. Various recording modes are available, 4CH for all around movie shooting, mono if you're using a single source, stereo and dual mono, dual stereo if you need a back up for your recordings.. One interesting tool this audio recorder offers is the "mixer", that allows you to change various options for each device you have plugged in your Tascam recorder, for example levels, limiter, pan, HPF and delay. The mixer functionality is also easy to access as the button is external, right next to the LCD. Inputs feature a low cut option which cuts out frequencies under a certain amount of Hz, 120, 80 or 40 so that you can eliminate noise such as wind. Some functions also help you with syncing your audio with the video you capture with your DSLR, like the "Beep" feature which is basically a slate. You can either have the slate to beep when you press it or automatically give you a beep when you start recording. If you connect your DSLR to your audio recorder, the slate tone will be recorded in both your camera and your audio recorder. Additional inputs/outputs help you connect the DR-60D with your DSLR. "Camera Out" sends the audio to your DSLR so that you can record the audio from the DR-60D onto your DSLR. CONCLUSION The Tascam DR-60D is a great audio recorder that will blend with your DSLR and will make your workflow a lot simpler. The price it sells at makes it very affordable and what you get for the price makes it worth the investment. The Tascam DR-60D is built solidly, records in various formats and sample rates and has many features that audio professionals will find very useful. USEFUL RESOURCES Audio Equipment Rental Los Angeles
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