21Apr Tascam DR-60D Audio testing with samples
Here are the audio tests you’ve been asking for of the Tascam DR-60D. This first sample is taken directly from the 5d mark III which is fed from the camera out port on the left hand side of the Tascam DR-60D. The output volume control on that port is set to 10. In this case the DR-60D is being used in the same manner as a Beachtek or Juicedlink device.
DR-60D camera output sample (right click to download)
The next sample is also taken directly from the 5d mark III, but this time the audio is fed from the line out port on the right hand side of the Tascam DR-60D. The output volume control on that port is set to 2 and again the DR-60D is being used in the same manner as a Beachtek or Juicedlink device. On a side note audio passes through to the camera regardless of whether the DR-60D is in record mode or not, so if you are using this as an audio interface you don’t have to worry about pressing the record button every time you want to film.
DR-60D Lineout output sample (right click to download)
This sample is taken directly from the Tascam DR-60D. In this test the channel gain is set to low and the volume knob on the front of the unit is turned all the way up. At the end of the clip you can also hear me demonstrate the rotary encoder issue. Note that this causes problems with a constant audio signal applied, but doesn’t affect speech.
DR-60D Low gain test (right click to download)
In this test the channel gain is set to mid and the volume knob on the front of the unit is turned a quarter turn up.
DR-60D Mid gain test (right click to download)
This final test is with the channel gain set too high and the volume knob on the front of the unit turned all the way down. Note that the noise floor is really starting to creep in on this sample. Even so I would say the audio from the Tascam DR-60D still sounds very good for a device in this price range.
I should have a full video review of the Tascam DR-60D out today or tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted.
April 21st, 2013 at 3:10 pm
The line output into the 5d was definitelely better than the camera out. I would be using the audio going into camera mostly, so I was really hoping for something that is as good as a juicedlink and I think the line out option really comes fairly close. Not to mention the external recording option too, which in these tests seemed crystal clear.
April 21st, 2013 at 4:45 pm
I haven’t had a chance to compare the RM333 with the DR-60D yet. From the audio I’ve recorded with DR-60D so far, I would say it’s easily as good as any of the $500 or $600 two track units on the market as far as the pres are concerned. The rotary encoders are an issue compared to more expensive models but only for constant signals or when you have to rotate the volume knob extremely fast across the entire sweep (which is unlikely).
April 21st, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Wow, I’m pretty impressed by the low gain and mid gain tests, I expected the pre amps to be nosier – partially because of Robert’s juicedlink comparison/review of the product, but that was worse case scenario (with a dynamic mic) I would say these tests are a bit more realistic. From my experience the SNR seems much better than the h4n. Unfortunately the line/camera out seems alright for monitoring but unusuable for a backup track.
April 21st, 2013 at 6:28 pm
I didn’t think the line out/camera out sounded too bad, but you’re right it’s a little noisier than what’s captured by the unit. In practice i’ve found that if the noise floor stays under -40db, you can easily cover it up by capturing a loop track of location sound and dropping it into the mix.
Oddly actually got better results from the audio captured at the other camera being sent by the Wi audiolink from the line out port in some of the other tests i ran. Not quite sure how that happened.
April 21st, 2013 at 7:20 pm
I’m very noise sensitive coming from even amateur music production but of course the source signal is much much stronger in the beginning so it’s not a fair comparison. I’m fairly certain I’m going to go with this device, price seems very reasonable given what you’re getting. Being able to hand this over to your sound guy for standalone recording far away from the camera is a plus as well. Still, I’ll wait for your review for more information, for example I know the battery isn’t going to last your a whole lot, I’m interested in your experiences with that. Thanks for the tests they’re very helpful.
April 21st, 2013 at 8:05 pm
I’ll have the video up on the site tomorrow morning, but you can check it out here, ahead of tomorrows post. Battery life with standard AA batteries is around 3 hours depending on phantom power use (24/48 volt selection). With good Eneloop XX 2500mAh batteries you get around 5 or so hours, again depending on phantom power use.
April 30th, 2013 at 7:41 pm
Hi,
Do you think you can compare the Tascam to the Juicedlink Riggy with audio coming from the 5D mark 3? Would like to know if there is a noticeable difference between the two or if they perform about the same.
April 30th, 2013 at 8:38 pm
It’s on my list of things to do. I’ll try to get to when I get back from Oregon next week. Still have a large list of items in the review queue.
June 3rd, 2013 at 10:33 am
Thanks for all these tests! I don’t know what we all would do if people like you didn’t exist!
I don’t know how it’s possible to produce a specific “camera in” feature when anybody can hear that the “line out” is clearly better? It’s a chance that there is a potentiometer on every ports, so the “line out” level can be reduced to go in a DSLR. I’m curious of what Tascam will have to say with that.
However, the DR-60D seems amazing, with quality preamps. And I really like the design.
What would be great would be to have an audio test between Tascam DR-100 MKII and this DR-60D to compare the quality preamps of both recorders. Do you think DR-60D is notably better than these $300-$500 mic-recorders?
August 26th, 2013 at 9:20 pm
Great review. I’ve been using this device for a 2, 3 times and found some things I didn’t know about the device. Best DR60 review around the net. Thanks for that.
One thing to add to the cons, it’s a bit flimsy and the plastic structure was allowing it to shake… It seems more flimsy on the bottom of the DR-60.
When mounted between camera and tripod, it created quite a bit of camera shake when shifting focus, zooming etc. I never attach it under camera after experience.
A thing that comes in handy is the USB power box, I got as a free accessory upon purchase. I leave it in my DR60 bag, use it as a backup battery, when there’s not much time to change the main batteries. (it takes time to change the main battery. wished they had battery magazines…) I have it handy so when the battery is looking low, I plug it in, and boom. Extended life. When I have more time I will change the main.
As a cameraman who shoots occasional DSLR, I think the DR-60 is a great device. It’s too bad it’s not really up to spec for other applications, fader quality, XLR out etc. but I don’t regret my purchase since it’s so useful to have with DSLR shoot.
September 25th, 2013 at 11:12 pm
Ever tried Roland UA-22 as a pre? I’ve just done a simple test at home but I think it performs pretty good for the price. Not like my Pro ENG mixer but better than my Sony PCM M10.
Cheers.
October 3rd, 2013 at 12:05 pm
In terms of noise, is it ideal to have the menu gain at low with the knob turned up, or menu gain at medium, with knob turned up less?
I’m trying to understand what the relationship between these two is. Is one the equivalent of digital zoom in photography? Or is it more that the menu setting sets a base level of volume and then the knob fine tunes it?
October 6th, 2013 at 8:53 pm
1. I’m also wondering– is low gain w/ the knob fully up better than medium gain and the knob a quarter of the way?
2. Also, I hear a significant amount of hissing when I feed my DR60 back into my camera… But, when I listen to the DR60 recordings themselves, it’s much, much better. Is it then fair to say that I should always use something like pluraleyes? Or, is it possible to get only the sound from the DR60 to be captured by the Mark iii without the hissing?
THANK YOU! You’re so helpful!