TASCAM DR-10X Mic-Attachable Audio Recorder

Tascam’s DR-10X Mic-Attachable Audio Recorder is the ultimate compact news gathering system. Use its captive XLR connector to hook up a handheld microphone. Save mono audio files in Broadcast WAV format at sampling rates of 44.1/48 kHz and 16/24-bit resolution (BWF format) or in MP3 format. Offload recordings via USB connection or load the microSD card to a computer. With its professional-grade features packed into a lightweight (56.3g), fits-in-your-hand build, the DR-10X is ideal for interviews, conferences, seminars, meetings, small-scale reporting, and much more.

Plug and play to XLR handheld dynamic mics or battery-powered condenser mics. The locking mechanism ensures a tight connection to the mic, making it ideal for use with high-quality shotgun mics. Plug headphones into the dedicated output to check recorded data immediately and to monitor input during recording.

Start your recording instantly by sliding the Record Switch while turning the unit on. This switch uses a sliding mechanism, so you can’t accidentally press a button. Likewise, the Hold Function prevents recording from being inadvertently stopped.

Capture every sound—loud or quiet—with equal clarity. The DR-10X offers both manual and automatic gain control functions, a low-cut filter, as well as a limiter function to prevent overloads. The Dual Recording mode can be used to create a copy of the audio at a lower level (–6 dB or –12 dB) as a backup track in case of distortion.

The easy-to-read OLED gives real-time updates on settings and status, such as keeping tabs on battery level. Should the battery run out, an automatic file closing function prevents the loss of any recorded data by saving the file before the unit shuts down. Time information is stored in metadata for easy searching and editing.

The DR-10X saves audio files in Broadcast WAV format at sampling rates of 44.1/48 kHz and 16/24-bit resolution. Since firmware version 2.0, you can also save space with MP3 recordings at 16/24-bit resolution and a bit rate of 128 kbit/s or 192 kbit/s.

TASCAM DR-10X Features

• Compact, lightweight audio recorder
• Can be attached directly to a dynamic mic with XLR connector
• Records to microSD/microSDHC card (up to 32 GB)
• Mono/poly recording at 44.1/48 kHz sample rate and 16/24-bit resolution
• BWF-compatible WAV format allows inclusion of time information within audio files
• Recording and playback of MP3 format files
• Sampling rate: 44.1/48 kHz, resolution: 16/24 bits
• Bit rate: 128/192 kbit/s (recording), 32-320 kbit/s (playback)
• Dual recording function allows two files to be recorded simultaneously at different levels to provide a safety track in case of distortion (level reduction for secondary       recording selectable -6/-12 dB)
• Recording level can be set to High/Mid/Low
• AGC function (Auto Gain Control)
• Switchable limiter to prevent clipping
• Switchable low-cut filter conveniently reduces low-frequency noise
• Time track increment function
• Playback function for checking recordings via headphones
• Headphones output
• A warning sound can be output, when the unit is low on battery, low on recording space or when recording cannot be started
• Built-in clock for storing time information with recordings
• Fastening mechanism for a stable joint between the recorder and the microphone
• OLED display with great visibility
• Micro USB-B connector for easy data transfer with a computer
• Power supply through one AAA battery/rechargeable or USB connection
• Settings can be created in a text file on a computer and transferred to the DR-10X via USB
• Firmware update possible using the microSD card

• DR-10X Mic-attachable Audio Recorder1

• General
  • Recording media
    • microSD card (64 MB−2 GB)
    • microSDHC card (4 GB−32 GB)
  • Recording/playback formats
    • BWF-compatible WAV format, 44.1/48 kHz, 16/24 bits, mono/poly
    • MP3 format, 44.1/48 kHz, 128/192 kbit/s (recording) 32–320 kbit/s (playback)
• Audio input and output
  • Microphone input: XLR (female) (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD)
  • When MIC GAIN set to EXT (unbalanced input)
    • Maximum input level: −8 dBu
    • Nominal input level: −24 dBu
  • When MIC GAIN set to LO/MID/HI (balanced input)
    • Maximum input level: −31 dBu
    • Minimum input level: −63 dBu
  • Mic input gain
    • LO: +29 dB
    • MID: +35 dB
    • HI: +45 dB
  • Input impedance: 10 kΩ or more
  • Headphones output: 3.5-mm stereo phone jack (dual mono audio output)
• Audio performance (input to phones output)
  • When MIC GAIN set to EXT (unbalanced input)
    • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 22 kHz, +1/−3 dB
    • Distortion: 0.05% (1 kHz sine wave, maximum input level)
    • S/N ratio: 92 dB or higher (maximum phones volume)
  • When MIC GAIN set to LO/MID/HI (balanced input)
    • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 22 kHz, +1/−3 dB
    • Distortion: 0.05% (1 kHz sine wave, maximum input level)
    • S/N ratio: 80 dB or higher (maximum phones volume)
• Power supply and other specifications
  • Power supply
    • 1 AAA battery (alkaline, NiMH or lithium)
    • USB bus power from a computer
  • Power consumption: 0.65 W (maximum)
  • Current consumption (USB bus power): 0.25A (maximum)
  • Date and time data retention: Built-in lithium battery
• Dimensions (w × h × d, excluding protrusions) 52 × 95 × 28 mm
• Weight
  • 68 g (with battery)
  • 56 g (without battery)
• Operating temperature range 0–40 °C
• Approximate battery operation time (continuous operation)
  • Conditions: WAV recording, 48 kHz/24 bit, headphones not connected, limiter off, dual recording off
  • Alkaline battery (EVOLTA): 10 h (JEITA recording time)
  • NiMH battery (eneloop): 8 h (JEITA recording time)
  • Lithium battery (Energizer Ultimate Lithium): 15.5 h (JEITA recording time)