Question: Now that you have used the Tascam DR-40 for almost a year, how do you feel about the audio recorder?

Q: "OK, now that you have used this [the Tascam DR-40] for almost a year are there any things you feel differently about the recorder?  I am looking to purchase a recorder and am just researching them.  Thanks for your updates."
-Chris Johnson on Tascam DR-40 Unboxing, First Look, Built-In Mics Sound Test, & Review (Budget Sound Recorder)


A: I still am very happy with my purchase. Even though the Zoom H4n is pretty much the go-to when people are looking for a 4 track/2 input audio recorder for under or around $200, I think the Tascam DR-40 is superior in many ways. This was made clear to me this spring when I was taking the entry level film production course at college. We were given Zoom H4's (don't even think about buying) to use for recording the audio for our projects. When I asked the professor why the college didn't have the newer Zoom H4n's instead, he replied that all of the onboard mics had simply broken off within the first semester of use. This is one of the main flaws of the H4n which the DR-40 addresses by incorporating metal microphone guards. Even if you don't plan on using the onboard mics, it is still nice to have them not break off just in case you need to use them as backup.
I would definitely still recommend the DR-40 to anyone who was looking for an audio recorder for under $200. I have had nothing break on it and really my only complaint is that the SD card slot's rubber door is sometimes hard to get open.

Tascam DR-40 Initial Review and First Impressions (Plus Audio Test)

I just received my Tascam DR-40 yesterday and quickly opened it up (filming it so you can watch it below of course) and began testing out it's capabilities. It is very easy to use right out of the box as everything you need to get going, 3 AA batteries and a SD card, is included. I inserted batteries, turned it on, and in no time was testing recording capabilities of the DR-40 with it's built in mics. 

With just a little practice (emphasis on little little) I was able to get some good, quality-sounding audio tracks out of Tascam's budget minded recorder. I found that the mics were able to capture vocals, dialogue, instruments (piano), and field recordings (a fountain, a car, bees, a basketball) all pretty accurately. The recording quality also improved as I got better at setting the input levels and mic placement. Check out the video below to see my unboxing of the Tascam DR-40 as well as some sample recordings to give you an idea of the sound.

So far, the Tascam DR-40 has impressed me on all fronts. It offers the ability to record audio that is instantly way better than what you are already getting with your camera's built in mic at a price $100 cheaper than it's main competitor (the ZOOM H4n). I can't wait to try more of the features that the DR-40 offers as well as just spending more time using it because as they say: "Practice makes perfect" (or at least makes better).