Portable Recorders Are Awesome: Tascam DR-07 MkII

Portable digital recorders are everywhere these days. The manufacturers of these handy little devices are comparable to the overall standard of quality you can expect from the various other recording products sold by a particular company. Tascam has always been know for making very affordable recording equipment but without compromising a very basic standard of quality. The Tascam DR-07 mkii is no exception. This device will run you considerably less than most other portable recorders but that’s only because they have simplified the recorder for those out there that just want a quality audio recording. Instead of cluttering the interface with pages, menus, and a whole lot of effects, Tascam has made it easier to navigate the various functions on the DR-07 mkii. It records in 24 bit/96k, uses micro SD for storage and mini USB for transferring files, has the option for an external 1/8th inch mic input, and the ability for both X-Y and A-B mic configurations.

I took the DR-07 mkii out to a local pub and recorded a band from about 10 feet away and dead center in the room. I was impressed by how clear the audio was from the X-Y condenser mics. When I wanted to take a break from recording, the recorder fit easily into my pocket without feeling like I had a recorder bulging out of the side of my pants. The fact that I could casually record live music without feeling like I had to put the recorder in a safe place is awesome. The ability to fit this thing into a small pocket is what really sets it apart from other bulkier recorders of comparable quality. One limitation however was that I could not plug it directly into the mixing console without some sort of XLR or TRS converter for the 1/8th inch external mic input. This may not matter for some of you but for an audio geek like me, I found this recorder to be limited in that respect.

In addition to the ease of use and optional mic configurations, I really like the size and weight of the DR-07 mkii. It is thin, lightweight, and extremely portable. Again this is because Tascam has taken out all of the non-essentials like 4 track recording, built in effects, and replaced them with a recorder that allows for a no hassle ease of use. If you are in the market for a portable digital recorder that’s compact, affordable, and easy to use, the Tascam DR-07 mkii should be on your list.