For filmmaking, television, and web broadcast applications where you want to record direct sound and ambience, the TASCAM DR-70D 6-Input Multi-Track Field Recordermulti-track field recorder is an ideal companion for your DSLR. Capture up to four tracks of high-resolution audio from external sources and the onboard omnidirectional microphones, route audio to and from your camera, and conveniently monitor through headphones. With strap-friendly handles, a tripod mounting socket, and a camera-mount screw attachment, the DR-70D is compatible with a variety of setups and working styles.

Versatile powering methods and remote-control options make the DR-70D ideal for location recording and extended video shoots. Its four balanced XLR-1/4" combo inputs handle mic- or line-level signals (even +4 dBu from high-end sound mixers) and can independently supply phantom power. A 3.5mm mic/line input with selectable plug-in power is provided for situations that require you to record a lavalier microphone or the output of a wireless receiver. Utilize settings such as stereo safety track recording, limiting, and low-cut filtering to achieve a clean, undistorted recording.

Filmmaking, TV & Web Broadcast    Optimized for DSLR Shooters    Dual Onboard Omnidirectional Microphones    4 x XLR-1/4" Inputs with Phantom Power    3.5mm Mic/Line Input with Plug-In Power    Records in WAV up to 96 kHz    3.5mm Camera/Line & Headphone Outputs    Supports Battery, AC, or USB Powering    Supports SDXC Cards up to 128GB    Limiter, Low-Cut Filter & Polarity

The DR-70D's two onboard condenser microphones empower you to capture stereo sound without external mics. The omnidirectional mics respond to sound from all directions and are permanently spaced apart in an A/B configuration, yielding a broad, sphere-like pickup pattern. Use them in combination with a shotgun, handheld, or lav mic to record direct sound and ambience at the same time.

Four locking XLR-1/4" TRS combo jacks support mic level and +4 dBu line level, allowing you to record external microphones or balanced outputs from a professional multichannel mixer. With individually switchable phantom power (24 or 48V) and up to 63 dB of gain, the low-noise HDDA (High Definition Discrete Architecture) mic preamps can serve a variety of microphones such as dynamic, ribbon, or condenser types.

For maximum intelligibility and optimal vocal tone, recordists often prefer to use lavalier microphones that can be attached to their subject's clothing. The DR-70D's 3.5mm mini-jack input is designed for precisely that situation; clip a lav mic (available separately) to the talent, then plug it into the 3.5mm input on the DR-70D. Knowing that many lav mics require a small amount of voltage called plug-in power, TASCAM offers a selectable setting to supply plug-in power to the 3.5mm input. If you need to record the output of a wireless microphone receiver or an audio mixer, the 3.5mm input can accommodate it because it supports line-level signals and handles a maximum input level of +10 dBV.

The DR-70D boasts two 3.5mm outputs for simultaneous hookup to your camera and headphones. The headphone output offers a dedicated volume control next to the jack, while level for the camera/line output port can be changed in the menu system. Plus, the side-panel 3.5mm camera input is ideal for simple monitoring of playback from your camera.

To maximize compactness and portability, the DR-70D records directly to media cards (available separately). It supports supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards (up to 128GB capacity) for long recording times in standard or high resolution. With an 8GB card, the DR-70D can record in stereo for over 13 hours at 16-bit / 44.1 kHz using the uncompressed, BWF-compliant WAV format.

Using four AA alkaline batteries (available separately), you can power the DR-70D for up to six hours of stereo recording time at 16-bit / 44.1 kHz resolution with the external inputs, or for up to 11 hours using the onboard mics. For long-duration sessions that require extended recording time, the DR-70D may be powered via a USB connection to a computer, mobile battery, or optional BP-6AA battery pack, or through the TASCAM PS-P515U AC adapter (available separately).

The DR-70D can be placed between a DSLR camera and a tripod or mounted to a cage or follow-focus rig. A tripod socket is on the bottom of the unit, and a removable tripod bracket is mounted on the top. Remove the tripod bracket to access the integrated hot shoe. Also, handles on the front left and right sides protect the screen and permit the attachment of a shoulder belt. All batteries can be replaced without removing the DR-70D from the camera or tripod/rig.

In the likely event that you need to use the transport and slate buttons while shooting, you don't need to worry about picking up clicks in the recording. The DR-70D's soft-touch rubber keys are designed for quiet operation to eliminate handling noise.

Filmmakers and videographers often experience sudden audio volume spikes during filming. An actor could suddenly scream, or a documentary subject could do almost anything. The DR-70D has a dual-recording mode that captures a copy of your take (from a selectable mono or stereo input) up to 12 dB lower (adjustable in -1 dB increments) as a safety track in case of sudden distortion.

Enhance the sonic impact of your audio with the DR-70D's built-in mixer. Each input features adjustable panning, level, limiting, polarity, and up to 150ms of delay. Mitigate wind noise and low-frequency rumble by selecting the low-cut filter, which can be set at 40, 80, 120, 180, or 220 Hz.

An internal tone generator makes it easy to synchronize files recorded on the DR-70D and your camera. When the DR-70D is connected to a camera, the adjustable slate tone may be sent to the camera and recorded to the DR-70D. The resulting tones can be used as guides when synchronizing the files in video editing software. Generate slate tones automatically at the head (or head and tail) of each clip, or manually via the slate button. Playback can be skipped to the slate tone insert position using the data dial.

Hand- or foot-operated remote control is possible via the RC-3F footswitch or RC-10 wired remote (both available separately); start/stop recording, make marks, increment tracks, and more without having to touch the DR-70D.

• Angled 128 x 64 pixel graphic LCD with backlight for easy viewing
• Simple, efficient file transfer via USB 2.0 connection to a computer
• Adjustable delay function eliminates time lags caused by differences in the distances of two sets of inputs from the sound source
• Hold switch prevents accidental operation
• MS decoding function allows proper stereo monitoring of a mid-side mic configuration
• Automatically creates a new file when the maximum file size is reached
• Resume function retains the last stop point even when the DR-70D is powered off/on
• Track incrementing function allows a recording to be split by creating a new file when desired
• File name format can be set to use a user-defined word or the date
• The first six characters of the file name for recording can be set freely

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Are the 4 tracks capable of recording simultaneously?

A: The Tascam DR70D is able to record all 4 XLR mic inputs simultaneously.

Q: 2. Does the screen fold flat on the recorder or is it fixed in the angled position?

A: The screen is fixed in the angled position.

Q: 3. Hello, the audio recorder seems to be separating each track into a different file, is there a way to avoid this while recording or do it in post? Thanks

A: Hi Carlos- If you're only recording mono, i.e. one single mic, just turn off any channels you don't want to record. Likewise for stereo recording; just turn off any channel(s) without input. (Menu/Basic/Record...) Otherwise, these devices by default record individual files for every track- this is the typical workaround for the limitations with recording audio on DSLR cameras.When I edit with multiple files like this (e.g.: a-Sound on one channel-Nat sound on another), I generally do a sub-edit in one sequence, and copy/paste those edited clips into the master edit. You could also sync the video and related audio channels in one sequence, then export the whole thing as a self-contained file with whatever audio config you want (1ch stereo, 2 monos, etc.). When you bring that clip back into your project, it would then have the audio embedded with the video. Hope that helps...

Q: 4. The XLR inputs are combo jacks meaning I could also use those same inputs with TRS cables, correct?

A: Correct, however, you will want to be careful using Phantom power with TRS cables due to the way they connect. They can cause shorts in the signal and damage your unit.

Q: 5. Anyone using this device for documentary production? What are the best recording gain and volume for this device for interviews and following characters in a documentary? I just tried testing Ch1 with a Sennheiser wireless lav,ME2, and the gain was set to Medium in the Tascam DR-70D, the volume knobs set in the middle and the I was watching the triangle in the LCD to stay up to that volume level. I took the recorded audio to Premiere and the audio waveform is kind of low. What happens if the volume in the triangle gets pass this and the knobs are higher? And what happens if the Gain is set to High instead? Would I get audio noise of any kind? Thank you for your answers!

A: The triangle you mentioned is the -18dB mark, the next mark is the -6dB. So make sure your recordings are between here. The next mark is -3dB you don't want to go beyond it. But in case if the sound goes beyond -3dB slightly it can still be recovered. At the bottom left corner, you can see the dB readings as the meter bars move.

Q: 6. How does this compare to Zoom H6? Thanks!

A: Works great and I recomend both the Dr-70D and the H6. I have had no issues with either unit.Ron WhittingA F ProductionsTyler,Texas

Q: 7. Can you solo tracks while recording and playing back?

A: Each track is independant can be on or off and generate his own file

Q: 8. Does the DR 70D allow for external power source. If so, what is needed that it didn't come with please?

A: Yes the Tascam dr-70D does allow for an external power source via the USB port on the left side of the product. I am currently using a Cygnett portable powerbank Cell with 11000mAh. i can record on it for 8 hours plus while it provides Phantom power to one XLR port. I havent been in a situation to run all four XLR ports on Phantom power yet to see how long the powerbank can last. I also still use 4 fully charged AA batteries cause if the powerbank runs out i still will have the batteries to safety my recordings just incase it runs out halfway why recording.

Q: 9. Has anyone had any audio sync issues when you take the audio files back into a editing program like Final Cut Pro or Adobe? I have had issues with past Tascam audio files. The audio would seem to go out of sync from the video by several frames after about 45 min or so. I with that had a timecode input.

A: When dealing with audio and video files of this length and not syncing to code, drift is inevitable. Both devices are recording files using their internal clock sources which will vary in accuracy. If you are only experiencing drift at the 45 minute mark, this is actually impressive. Unfortunately without the ability to lock to code or clock, you will not achieve perfect sync.

Q: 10. Can I use a Sennheiser ew 100 ENG G3 Wireless Microphone System Combo - B (626-668 MHz) with the DR-70D?

A: The Sennheiser Combo system ships with output cables that will allow you to connect the receiver to the Tascam DR70D via XLR or 3.5mm input jacks.