In detail, with significant weaknesses

For many years, I take mobile to sounds. Initially, a tape recorder was used, but most of the time I worked with a DIY-Field Recorder: A MiniDisc recorder of "Sharp", an external power supply (regulated) and a fixed stereo microphone of "Sony" in a protective frame. This worked so well that were even recorded the running noise of the MD-Portis audible. It was late, I switched to the mordernen recorders with flash memory .....

..... Here I picked up the "Zoom H2", which handed in very good results with the internal microphones good / (see my Reszension there). The sound is a bit thin, probably because of the microphone capsule size (membrane area) .Störend: Very quiet noise can be due to the digital noise not record whether Internal power or various external microphones can be used. Analog noise can be effectively filter out, but this chaotic "around strum" a noise floor infested quiet recordings. As a "quiet" I refer, for example, a coffee machine from three meters away.

Now for the TASCAM DP004: After the "Tascam DP-004" was used. I had the hope that I achieve with my microphones (eg, a "Rode-stereo Mic" and a "Sony ECM-MS907"), both with impedance transformer Kondesatormikrofone ("booster"), useful recording level. I gladly took the lower recording resolution of 16 bits at 44.1 kHz sampling rate in purchasing. But again the same picture: The internal microphones of the DP-004 are conditionally suited for quiet recordings and sound and benign course not as good as a microphone for the price of DP 004th Excluding external microphones, I have tested a total -4- external microphone, you will be extremely disappointed: It is not even in the vicinity of the control when full preamplified knocks on the microphone! Discusses one of the microphones from a few inches distance, loud and clear, the result is a maximum of 40% of the maximum level (according to LCD). What can you take it? Past thundering freight trains?

Positives:

+ Neat sound using internal microphones
+ Panorama for each channel can be set directly
+ Operation clearly solved by dial
+ Fast start time of the unit
+ Zwischenabmischung (make tracks free) possible
+ Price (as quasi-four-track recorder)

Negatives:

- Entirely inadequate preamp external microphones (jack 6,3)
- No phantom power possible (without XLR connector)
- Only 16-bit / 44.1kHz resolution
- Poor signal to noise ratio of 81 dB
- No automatic creation of WAV files
- Cumbersome export the tracks to WAV files
- Four-track recorder with only two inputs
- LCD without lighting

Anyone looking for a very reasonable 4-track recorder and this can already offer pre-amplified microphone signals (mixer etc.), obtained with the Tascam DP-004 a useful device. With other sources I did not test, the "Line" input is yes for high level (1 Vpp) or intended for electric power tools.