DR-40X
Portable Four-Track Digital Audio Recorder and USB Audio Interface
Professional Features for Professional Audio Recordings
The DR-40X is a versatile four-track audio recorder for music, podcasting, cinema and any other application requiring high-quality audio. Building on the highly successful Tascam DR-40, this recorder adds several new functions to the already comprehensive feature set.
A pair of cardioid condenser microphones handles high sound pressure levels and can be set up in AB or XY orientation for a wide stereo field or extra-clear reproduction with reduced phase displacement between both channels. Users can also use their own microphones or line-level source through dual Neutrik XLR/TRS combo jacks that support both mic level and +4 dBu line level from mixers or the FOH console. The microphone preamps include 48-volt phantom power and plenty of gain to capture everything from small whispers to loud live sounds. Using the stereo built-in microphones, you can capture ambient sound of the audience while recording directly from an external console, which is ideal for live performances. Like its predecessor, the DR-40X also offers dual-level recording, a feature that helps to avoid distortion by providing a second recording file created with a lower level setting.
Simple to Operate
The layout of the DR-40X has been revamped to be quick and easy to work with one thumb. Operations like recording, adjusting levels, deleting bad takes and adding marks are just a button press away. Menus are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese. Three different auto level modes (Limiter, Peak Reduction, Auto Level) can help to prevent accidental distortion while recording. You may apply one out of six reverb effects to the input or output signal, and an Overdub feature allows voices or instruments to be added to existing audio files. There is also a Level Align function that allows to smooth out any sudden volume jumps during playback, and a built-in speaker is provided for quick check-back. Other features like variable speed audition, low-cut filtering, chromatic tuner and more can be chosen from the menu.
Transcript Your Voice Recordings
The new Dictation Mode enables you to jump back and forth in preselected increments while playing back a file. It can be combined with speed control and a special dictation EQ making it useful for transcribing minutes recordings, for example. The new tape-style Overwrite mode with one level of undo lets you select a drop-in time and replace part of an existing recording.
Videos
DR-X series overview
How to use a Tascam DR-X as USB microphone for Zoom
Can the DR-40X automatically record whenever I start speaking? Yes it can!
Four-Track Recording Mode Gives You Several Options to Record.
In addition to normal stereo recording and dual recording, the DR-40X has a four-channel mode that allows you to record two different stereo feeds simultaneously. You're flexible with the combination of the sources: record with the built-in microphones along with a pair of external mics for close-up and ambient sound, for example. Or use the built-in mics together with balanced line input to record the sound in the room along with a feed from a mixer.
A Safety Track for Unpredictable Situations.
Film-makers and videographers often experience sudden audio volume spikes during filming. An actor could suddenly scream, or a documentary subject could do almost anything.
With its Dual Recording mode, the DR-40X captures a copy of your take but at a lower level, as a safety track in case of sudden distortion. There is also an auto recording function that can detect the signal level of the input sound to start recording automatically. And the pre-recording function provides fail-safe protection by actually capturing the audio up to two seconds before you press the Record button.
Still Safe If It’s Louder Than You Thought.
Peak Reduction works in rehearsal mode or in record. So even if the sound or performance is louder than the soundcheck you’re safe. Combined with Auto Level and Limiter for preventing distortion, you never have to worry about sudden level changes.
No Need to Go Through “Take 2” All Over Again.
If you don’t like the last part of a phrase you just recorded with your guitar, or if you change your mind and want to rephrase narration, the “Overwrite mode” is exactly what you need. It allows punch-in recording from a desired point. This means destructive editing with one level of undo.
Nondestructive Overdubbing.
The overdubbing function makes it possible to record while playing a previously recorded file. This allows you to record other parts such as a guitar solo over a backing track made such as at a rehearsal studio. Overdubbing creates a new file, leaving the original file unaffected, thus making it easy to re-record.
192 Hours of CD-Quality With a Single Memory Card.
The DR-40X supports SDXC cards as recording media, which are available with very large data capacities. If you record one stereo file in 44.1-kHz / 16-bit CD quality, it can be as long as 192 hours. In MP3 format at 320 kBit/s, such a card can hold up to 896 hours (that is 37 days!).
| DR-05X | DR-07X | DR-40X | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mic type / polar pattern | Electret condenser / Omni-directional | Electret condenser / Uni-directional | Electret condenser / Uni-directional |
| Mic configurations | AB (fixed) | AB/XY (swivelling) | AB/XY (swivelling) |
| Mid-side mic support | no | no | yes |
| Audio tracks | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Recording resolution | WAV or MP3, up to 96 kHz / 24 bit | WAV or MP3, up to 96 kHz / 24 bit | WAV or MP3, up to 96 kHz / 24 bit |
| MP3 bit rates | 32–320 kbit/s at 44.1/48 kHz | 32–320 kbit/s at 44.1/48 kHz | 32–320 kbit/s at 44.1/48 kHz |
| Recording media | microSD up to 128 GB | microSD up to 128 GB | SD up to 128 GB |
| Power supply | 2 × AA, USB, PS-P520E (optional) | 2 × AA, USB, PS-P520E (optional) | 3 × AA, USB, PS-P520E (optional) |
| Battery life | 17+ hours | 17+ hours | up to 18 hours |
| Mic/line input | Stereo 3.5-mm mini jack with plug-in power | Stereo 3.5-mm mini jack with plug-in power | Balanced XLR/jack combo with 48 V phantom power |
| Built-in speaker | yes | yes | yes |
| Phones/line output | Stereo 3.5-mm mini jack | Stereo 3.5-mm mini jack | Stereo 3.5-mm mini jack |
| Remote control | no | no | RC-3F / RC-10 |
| Low-cut filter | 40/80/120 Hz | 40/80/120 Hz | 40/80/120/220 Hz |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz – 40 kHz +1/−3 dB | 20 Hz – 40 kHz +1/−3 dB | 20 Hz – 40 kHz +1/−3 dB |
| Distortion (THD) | ≤0.05 % | ≤0.05 % | ≤0.05 % |
| S/N ratio | ≥92 dB | ≥92 dB | ≥92 dB |
| Dual recording | no | no | dual-level |
| 4-track recording | no | no | internal mics + stereo line |
| Non-destructive overdubs | yes | yes | yes |
| Dictation mode | yes | yes | yes |
| Auto-level control | Peak Reduction, Auto Level, Limiter | Peak Reduction, Auto Level, Limiter | Peak Reduction, Auto Level, Limiter |
| Auto recording by input level | yes | yes | yes |
| Pre-recording buffer | 2 seconds | 2 seconds | 2 seconds |
| Self-timer | yes | yes | yes |
| Mark function | yes | yes | yes |
| Variable speed audition | yes | yes | yes |
| Playlist function | yes | yes | yes |
| Playback EQ | yes | yes | yes |
| Auto level align on playback | yes | yes | yes |
| Reverb effect | yes | yes | yes |
| Chromatic tuner | yes | yes | yes |
| Multilingual menu | yes | yes | yes |
| USB audio interface mode | yes | yes | yes |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 61 mm × 141 mm × 26 mm | 68 mm × 158 mm × 26 mm | 70 mm × 155 mm × 35 mm |
| Weight with batteries | 165 g | 171 g | 282 g |
Features at a glance
- Portable, high-quality handheld recording
- Compact size and easy operation
- SD/SDHC/SDXC cards can be used as recording media (up to 128 GB)
- Supported audio formats:
- Linear PCM (WAV/BWF format) at 44.1/48/96 kHz and 16/24-bit
- Compressed (MP3 format): 32–320 kbit/s at 44.1/48 kHz (VBR files can be played but not recorded)
- Can be used as a USB audio interface with Mac and Windows computers (two inputs, two outputs)
Recording
- Built-in cardioid stereo condenser microphone
- Accepts high sound pressure level up to 125 dB
- Easy setup (AB and XY configuration supported)
- XY configuration allows mono compatible recordings and high sound localization acuity (lively interviews or field recordings with ambience)
- Good directivity and channel separation
- Ideal for live music and field recording, news gathering, music training etc.
- MS decoder for recordings created with mid/side microphone configuration
- Stereo XLR/TRS mic/line input with phantom power (supports +4 dB line level input)
- 4-track recording
- Create two stereo recordings from the built-in microphones and the external mic/line input at the same time
- Create two stereo recordings with different level settings from the built-in microphones or external mic/line input at the same time
- Non-destructive overdub: Record a mix of one or two stereo playback files and a stereo input signal to a new stereo file or record only the input signal while playing back one stereo file
- Mixdown feature with level, pan and effect controls for each track (creates a stereo track from a 4-track recording)
- Overwrite function for punch-in recording with one level of Undo
- MS decoder for recordings created with mid/side microphone configuration
- Switchable low-cut filter (40 Hz, 80 Hz, 120 Hz, 220 Hz)
- Manual or automatic recording level setting
- Three Options of automatic level control during recording: Peak Reduction, Auto Level, Limiter
- Pre-recording buffer (2 seconds) allows a recording to start before the record key is pressed
- Auto recording start and stop by input level
- Self-timer allows a recording to start 5 or 10 seconds after pressing the RECORD button
- Create a new file during recording (manually or by file size)
- Mark function (manual or automatic, up to 99 marks for each file)
Playback
- Automatic level align allows to increase the perceived overall sound pressure during playback
- Variable speed audition to change the playback tempo without affecting the key (50–200 %)
- Repeat function (repeat one track or all tracks)
- Loop function (repeat a marked section)
- Playlist feature to play files in a certain order
- Resume function (start playback from the audio position where the unit was last stopped)
- Jump back function to instantly review playback (1–10, 20, 30 seconds)
- Equalizer for tone control during playback
- MP3 ID3 tag display (up to version 2.4)
- Built-in monitor loudspeaker
- Headphones/Line output
Other features
- Built-in reverb effect (6 presets, can be applied to input or output signal)
- Chromatic tuner function to tune your instrument
- File divide function to cut unwanted noise or to extract parts from long recordings
- Folder management to organize your files
- Hold function to avoid inadvertent operation
- QUICK menu button for easy access to various functions
- Menu language can be selected between English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese
- Clear, backlit LC display
- USB 2.0 port for file transfer to/from computer
- Power supply by 3 AA size Alkaline or NiMH batteries (up to 15 hours continuous operation with phantom power off), USB bus power or optional AC adapter (Tascam PS-P520U)
- Long-time operation of over 20 hours is possible using just the internal batteries
- Rubber feet included for improving the acoustic properties during desktop recordings
- Stand adapter (¼ inch) on bottom side to attach the unit to a tripod or microphone stand
- Optional footswitch (RC-3F) and wired remote control (RC-10)
Supported Operating Systems
Windows
- Windows 11 (version 24H2)
- Windows 11 (version 23H2)
- Windows 11 (version 22H2)
- Windows 11 (version 22H1)
- Windows 10 (version 22H2)
- Windows 10 (November 2021, version 21H2)
- Windows 10 (October 2020, version 20H2)
- Windows 10 (May 2020, version 2004)
- Windows 10 (November 2019, version 1909)
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 7
Mac
- macOS Sequoia (15)
- macOS Sonoma (14.0)
- macOS Ventura (13.0)
- macOS Monterey (12.0)
- macOS Big Sur (11.0)
- macOS Catalina (10.15)
- macOS Mojave (10.14)
- macOS High Sierra (10.13)
- macOS Sierra (10.12)
iOS
- iOS 18 / iPadOS 18
- iOS 17 / iPadOS 17
- iOS 16 / iPadOS 16
- iOS 15 / iPadOS 15
- iOS 14 / iPadOS 14
- iOS 13 / iPadOS 13
- iOS 12
- iOS 11
Specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| Recording media | microSD card (64 MB – 2 GB) microSDHC card (4–32 GB) microSDXC card (48–128 GB) |
| Recording/playback formats | BWF: 44.1/48/96 kHz, 16/24 bit WAV: 44.1/48/96 kHz, 16/24 bit MP3: 44.1/48 kHz, 32/64/96/128/192/256/320 kbit/s |
| Number of channels | 4 channels (2 × stereo) |
| Compatible computers | Windows computer with a USB port (2.0 or higher) Mac (Intel and Apple Silicon M1 or M2 hardware) with a USB port (2.0 or higher) |
| Audio inputs and outputs | |
|---|---|
| External Mic/Line input | XLR/jack combo connectors (XLR can provide phantom power) |
| Headphones / Line output | 3.5-mm stereo mini jack |
| Built-in loudspeaker | 0.3 W (mono) |
| Control inputs/outputs | |
|---|---|
| USB port | Micro-B connector |
| Format | USB 2.0 High Speed |
| Features | Mass Storage Class Audio Interface (44.1 kHz, 48 kHz) |
| REMOTE connector | 2.5-mm TRS jack |
| Audio performance | |
|---|---|
| Frequency response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz +1/−3 dB (MIC/EXT IN to LINE OUT, Fs 44.1 kHz, JEITA) 20 Hz – 22 kHz +1/−3 dB (MIC/EXT IN to LINE OUT, Fs 48 kHz, JEITA) 20 Hz – 40 kHz +1/−3 dB (MIC/EXT IN to LINE OUT, Fs 96 kHz, JEITA) |
| Total harmonic distortion | ≤0.01 % (MIC/EXT IN to LINE OUT, Fs 44.1/48/96 kHz, JEITA) |
| S/N ratio | ≥94 dB (MIC/EXT IN to LINE OUT, Fs 44.1/48/96 kHz, JEITA) |
| Note: JEITA indicates compliance with JEITA CP-2150 |
| Approximate battery operation time (continuous operation) | |
|---|---|
| Alkaline batteries (Evolta) | |
| WAV, 96 kHz, 24 bit | 14:30 (two-track recording with built-in mics) |
| WAV, 44,1 kHz, 16 bit | 18:00 (two-track recording with built-in mics) 6:30 (Phantom power, 48 V, 2 × 3 mA) |
| MP3, 44,1 kHz, 128 kbit/s | 16:00 (two-track recording with built-in mics) |
| WAV, 96 kHz, 24 bit | 8:30 (four-track recording with built-in mics and line input) |
| WAV, 44,1 kHz, 16 bit | 9:00 (four-track recording with built-in mics and line input) |
| MP3, 44,1 kHz, 128 kbit/s | 9:00 (four-track recording with built-in mics and line input) |
| WAV, 96 kHz, 24 bit | 14:00 (two-track playback using headphones) |
| WAV, 44,1 kHz, 16 bit | 19:30 (two-track playback using headphones) |
| MP3, 44,1 kHz, 128 kbit/s | 16:30 (two-track playback using headphones) |
| WAV, 96 kHz, 24 bit | 14:00 (four-track playback using headphones) |
| WAV, 44,1 kHz, 16 bit | 16:00 (four-track playback using headphones) |
| MP3, 44,1 kHz, 128 kbit/s | 16:30 (four-track playback using headphones) |
| NiMH rechargeable batteries (Eneloop) | |
| WAV, 96 kHz, 24 bit | 11:00 (two-track recording with built-in mics) |
| WAV, 44,1 kHz, 16 bit | 16:00 (two-track recording with built-in mics) 5:30 (Phantom power, 48 V, 2 × 3 mA) |
| MP3, 44,1 kHz, 128 kbit/s | 12:30 (two-track recording with built-in mics) |
| WAV, 96 kHz, 24 bit | 7:30 (four-track recording with built-in mics and line input) |
| WAV, 44,1 kHz, 16 bit | 7:30 (four-track recording with built-in mics and line input) |
| MP3, 44,1 kHz, 128 kbit/s | 8:00 (four-track recording with built-in mics and line input) |
| WAV, 96 kHz, 24 bit | 12:00 (two-track playback using headphones) |
| WAV, 44,1 kHz, 16 bit | 15:30 (two-track playback using headphones) |
| MP3, 44,1 kHz, 128 kbit/s | 13:00 (two-track playback using headphones) |
| WAV, 96 kHz, 24 bit | 11:30 (four-track playback using headphones) |
| WAV, 44,1 kHz, 16 bit | 12:30 (four-track playback using headphones) |
| MP3, 44,1 kHz, 128 kbit/s | 13:30 (four-track playback using headphones) |
| Power supply and other specifications | |
|---|---|
| Power requirements | 3 AA batteries (alkaline or NiMH) USB bus power from a computer AC adapter (Tascam PS-P520U, sold separately) |
| Power consumption | 1.7 W (maximum) |
| Current draw | 0.34 A (maximum) |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 70 mm × 155 mm × 35 mm (mics folded in) 90 mm × 155 mm × 35 mm (mics folded out) |
| Weight | 213 g (without batteries) 282 g (with batteries) |
| Permissible operating temperature range | 0–40 °C |
Design and specifications subject to change without notice.
Page last modified: 2024-12-18 13:10:46 UTC