Tascam DR-05

Advantages: 1. Excellent sensitivity. I use to record lectures and voice notes. Sensitivity is adjustable (you can also do autotune), so it does an excellent job with both.

2. Deep recording settings. You can customize the recording format and quality that affects the final file size. You can also set up clipping noise, which is very useful.

3. Limiter. Ideal for those who want to record without distortion and without unnecessary problems. You simply turn on the limiter function and no longer steam. You can also adjust the sensitivity manually, if you suddenly need to record a quiet sound.

4. A good time. From batteries (2x AA) will extend 10 hours of active recording. I myself use batteries in order not to spend money on batteries each time. I have enough hours for 5 active recordings;

5. Record indicator. The LED is red when recording is in progress and blinking when preparation is in progress. It is very useful if suddenly the thoughts “But have I turned on the record?” When it’s necessary to write something important, wander into my head. There is also an LED that lights up when the peak value is reached (when the sounds are very loud and it is worth reducing the sensitivity).

Disadvantages: 1. The back cover of the battery compartment rests on the snot, after two weeks of use it is barely sitting. I use batteries, so I open it once every one or two days. Well, it happens when the voice recorder in my hands is also pulling back and forth. I think that in a month he will completely get loose and will move out on its own. This is the only significant drawback of this device.

2. The need to update the firmware to make it possible to use memory cards +8 GB. Although I have quite 4 GB of embedded enough.

2. Tricky and uncomfortable interface. It is difficult to find and quickly switch the desired functions. In addition, in the Russian translation, the inscriptions are inconveniently shortened, which makes it necessary to use the original English interface. Not relevant.

3. During playback, it can respond to commands with a delay of 1-2 seconds. A little unnerving, but also does not play a serious role.

Comment: In general, the device is very pleased. The sensitivity of the microphone is really high! Worth the money. Well, with a dangling lid, you can think of something, for example, put a layer of adhesive tape from the inside.

Advantages: Great machine. I bought for direct recording of sound from a mixing console at events. Ideally, an attenuator is needed to dampen the input level into the recorder. I was very surprised when it turned out that everything was recorded perfectly (provided that the input level was ZERO (0) + LIMITER turned on). But it is on the verge of overdrive. Attenuator needed, of course.

Disadvantages: In this price category there can be no flaws.

Comment: By the way, after the purchase I immediately updated the firmware (March 2017). Manufacturer support is GREAT + !!!

Advantages: The best recorder in its (initial) price category. high-quality assembly.96 kHz / 24 bit. very sensitive microphones in my opinion. clear and easy to use interface (both soft and hard = buttons). I use for field records. convenient to work with one hand. pause mode the card in the set seems to be 4 GB

Disadvantages: No speaker, but I do not need it. It is a pity that you can not use it as a desktop microphone, but I did not regret about this at the time of purchase.

Comment: very sensitive microphones, think about windshield, I made my own (upd: made of natural leather / wool, I don’t use it anymore - the sound is too much damped). I dropped the left microphone to the ground - the protective metallic bezel stood (only cracked a little). Well done Tascam after all.

Advantages: Recording quality, manufacturing quality, ease of management, manufacturer support.

Disadvantages: There is nothing to meet my expectations. There are wishes: a little smaller dimensions (a rather large voice recorder) and engraving to the inscriptions (the paint is erased little by little).

Comment: In general, I am completely delighted with the recorder. I use more than four years to record court sessions. The quality of the recording just touches me - everything is well heard: a loud voice nearby, and a quiet one at the end of the hall. Automatic adjustment of the input signal level works fine, like everything else. And today I went to the manufacturer’s website and, to my surprise, I found out that this recorder has updated firmware and the manufacturer is still releasing them, adding new languages, including Russian, to them. This circumstance led me to write a review. A good thing.
Sample entries: https://yadi.sk/d/pufIc_rQr3UTy, https://yadi.sk/d/-7fpd-vRr3UVM.

Advantages: Used and zoom h4n and h5. This level of transparency and clarity of sound did not feel, in my subjective opinion. If you record on the built-in microphones, it turns out that the correct "sand" at high frequencies, which I felt only in the studio recording. Tremendous sensitivity and the ability to adjust it in 100 levels. At level 15, you can write clear sound in a practically quiet room, not perfectly quiet. You can write the atmosphere or subtle sound nuances of steps, breathing, and so on. The device creates the feeling of a good, high-quality thing. Mandatory windscreen.

Disadvantages: Microphones are taken out from the edges of the device, it is very dumb to drop such a thing or accidentally touch it during recording. Requires extremely careful use. Accessories need to search, not everywhere there. There is no support in Russia.

Comment: Delight. For lovers of pure, deep sound.
An example of recording on the built-in microphones at home, the sensitivity level 18. Wav 96khz, 24 bit. Easy post-noise cleaning in audition.
https://soundcloud.com/ivan-levin-3/pero

Advantages: Sound! Which sound! Crystal clear, deep. No wonder the 24 bit codec. The sound on the playback is so good that now the DR-05 has become my player.
Recording from the microphone too happy. But here the end result depends a lot on what. There is an automatic recording by voice / sound and the level is adjusted (<< >> arrows), it works fine. Apply to record radio lovers. The case and execution on 5+, all the same, Japan. It can be powered by both batteries and USB, the consumption is 80 mA. There is no internal memory, only micro SD up to 32 gigs (4 gig included). The read / write speed via USB depends on the flash drive, I have 8 megs / s. The interface is very convenient and clear, there is no Russian. Fast forward - time is configured. Playback speed from 0.5 to 1.5 - set by a hot button.

Disadvantages: The external speaker is very quiet. Size is larger than competitors. But against the background of quality, size does not matter. Unlike other dictaphones, there is no quick folder change. The Linear PCM recorder = line tape recorder is written on the DR-05, it’s more a studio in your pocket than a voice recorder. And therefore there are no many dictaphone chips. Does not play some mp3 files, has not figured out why yet. But quotes in the name and brackets exactly interfere.And you will have to find quality and probably expensive headphones, without them there will be no magic.

Comment: I was looking for a recorder with the function of recording the signal level. I found a super high-quality player that still writes high quality, easy to manage. In general, the DR-05 is a versatile thing with excellent performance of all functions. Again I listen to all my music, with a new delight and emotion. What you want. Thanks for attention.

Advantages: Excellent recorder for reasonable money. The recording quality for such a small device is very good: a wide frequency range, a good signal-to-noise ratio, sensitive condenser microphones. Most importantly, the sound is very natural!
In general, a mini-studio in your pocket (you can also connect external microphones, but I have not tried it). Recording mode up to 24 bit / 96 kHz.

Disadvantages: I wish it was even smaller and easier. Batteries are discharged faster than we would like (but it is possible to power from USB). The battery compartment lid is not securely held.

Comment: Before the exchange rate growth was the best choice, it was possible to order by mail from the USA for $ 100. Now it is also possible, but this is not so tempting :-)