A nice, compact unit for my own personal needs; working on film sets as a sound recorder/boom operator, I need something a little more substantial than a small field recorder. Having been a Tascam user since the old analogue tape days, I was always searching for a slightly larger unit, with more substantial controls, and I believe this will fit my needs perfectly. Also, very handy that the unit sits nicely where you place it, with a good chunk of stability built in to its design. I'm even thinking of building it a nice carry case, too, for portability on the set when I'm recording!The only drawback is trying to locate the separate battery pack; none to be found easily in Australia, and any international supplier will not deliver here.Why?The item doesn't actually ... MoreA nice, compact unit for my own personal needs; working on film sets as a sound recorder/boom operator, I need something a little more substantial than a small field recorder. Having been a Tascam user since the old analogue tape days, I was always searching for a slightly larger unit, with more substantial controls, and I believe this will fit my needs perfectly. Also, very handy that the unit sits nicely where you place it, with a good chunk of stability built in to its design. I'm even thinking of building it a nice carry case, too, for portability on the set when I'm recording!The only drawback is trying to locate the separate battery pack; none to be found easily in Australia, and any international supplier will not deliver here.Why?The item doesn't actually contain any batteries, so it's not like it's a flammable or combustible item!

Decent, but some questionable basic decisions.

I won't go into too much detail. This thing sounds decent. It's compact (too compact?). The form factor is what you'd expect from a field recorder, not handheld like most Zooms.But it's just weird what things are overlooked or done poorly 1) No quick arming of recording - you have to do it through a menu, and you can't start if you're already recording.2) THERE ARE NO DB LEVEL MARKERS. There are markers, but it doesn't say what they are. I had to scream into my mic at various volumes to get a readout of what the peak was to know how loud the db meter was reading. Super basic.3) Poor battery life when using phantom power. My Zoom H6 lasted far longer running the same amount of channels.4) It records each channel into a separate mono file. This is clumsy when ... MoreI won't go into too much detail. This thing sounds decent. It's compact (too compact?). The form factor is what you'd expect from a field recorder, not handheld like most Zooms.But it's just weird what things are overlooked or done poorly 1) No quick arming of recording - you have to do it through a menu, and you can't start if you're already recording.2) THERE ARE NO DB LEVEL MARKERS. There are markers, but it doesn't say what they are. I had to scream into my mic at various volumes to get a readout of what the peak was to know how loud the db meter was reading. Super basic.3) Poor battery life when using phantom power. My Zoom H6 lasted far longer running the same amount of channels.4) It records each channel into a separate mono file. This is clumsy when it comes to post. I'm trying to figure out if there is a way to change this, but I don't see it in the manual or online, which brings me to...5) Poor support. I've contacted Tascam and heard nothing back.All in all it will get the job done, but it makes the process needlessly rocky.

Good piece of equipment, but...

This is a very good piece of equipment, however... MAKE SURE TO TAKE THE BATTERIES OUT WHEN YOU'RE NOT USING IT! I work with a bunch of folks, and we all share equipment. It isn't uncommon for the batteries to be inadvertently left in equipment after a shoot. If you leave the batteries in this guy, for whatever reason, they seem prone to exploding more so than most other battery run equipment. I have no idea why. Once the batteries explode, forget it, it is done. No amount of cleaning will bring these thing back to life.

Great recorder/mixer for DSLR plus

I was using a zoom H5 - but wanted something that would fit under my A7III - for quick run and gun interviews. I am used to having a sound man when using the FS cameras but needed something for the A7III so I looked at an economical option. Called BH sales and they recommended the DR 70D - they were extremely helpful in discussing the various options. I just used it for five days of filming and I am very pleased with the results. Now it is not a sound design unit but for the cost it performs very well. It does eat batteries when in the phantom mode. Pre- amps are ok - again not in the league of higher end mixers but they do the job. I still do not know all the menu items - and all the features it has, however I got the basics down to proficiently record in the ... MoreI was using a zoom H5 - but wanted something that would fit under my A7III - for quick run and gun interviews. I am used to having a sound man when using the FS cameras but needed something for the A7III so I looked at an economical option. Called BH sales and they recommended the DR 70D - they were extremely helpful in discussing the various options. I just used it for five days of filming and I am very pleased with the results. Now it is not a sound design unit but for the cost it performs very well. It does eat batteries when in the phantom mode. Pre- amps are ok - again not in the league of higher end mixers but they do the job. I still do not know all the menu items - and all the features it has, however I got the basics down to proficiently record in the field. My sales person did tell the menu takes some getting used to. I did need some help in figuring out the menu system - called BH and got my sales person who patiently helped me - great support.If you are looking for an inexpensive solution to DSLR audio recording I highly recommend this product.

Great unit. User manual and menus confusing.

5 stars on performance and value. As a noob it took me some time to figure out its workings, though. I found the supplied Operation Manual unhelpful, because it is structured neither by menu nor by use case, rather as a strange hybrid of the two; you can download a Reference Manual from Tascam's website, which is much better.The menu structure is opaque and poorly thought out. After the initial configuration, I ended up only using BASIC and MIC on a recurring basis.I use this unit with a RodeLink Wireless Lav, and a Rode shotgun (both powered), and a Tascam wired lav (that needs power). Each of these 3.5 mm output units can be used individually when plugged into Ext In 1/2 on the left side, with:1. BASIC Input 1/2 ext_stereo (wired lav that needs power uses ... More5 stars on performance and value. As a noob it took me some time to figure out its workings, though. I found the supplied Operation Manual unhelpful, because it is structured neither by menu nor by use case, rather as a strange hybrid of the two; you can download a Reference Manual from Tascam's website, which is much better.The menu structure is opaque and poorly thought out. After the initial configuration, I ended up only using BASIC and MIC on a recurring basis.I use this unit with a RodeLink Wireless Lav, and a Rode shotgun (both powered), and a Tascam wired lav (that needs power). Each of these 3.5 mm output units can be used individually when plugged into Ext In 1/2 on the left side, with:1. BASIC Input 1/2 ext_stereo (wired lav that needs power uses ext_power).2. MIC MS Mode 1/2 Rec (to record on both channels).Then you can use the onboard microphones for ambient on channels 3 and 4:1. BASIC Input 3/4 Mic2. MIC MS Mode 3/4 Off.When I use combinations of these inputs, the wired lav that needs power cannot be used in XLR (phantom power is too high), so I still plug it into Ext In 1/2. That means XLR 1 and 2 are not available. However XLR 3 and 4 are available for additional inputs and sometimes I use all three this way, of course without the onboard mics.Powered sources (like the RodeLink and Shotgun) can be used through XLR 1 and 2, while maintaining inputs 3 and 4 for the onboard mics.Other menu settings (set and forget):MONITOR:Sel: MixOutput Gain: Line (must use an attenuator wire to the camera)INPUT:Limiter: On, usually as LinkLowcut: On, 40 or 80HzRECORD:Stereo, BWF 24bit/48k, Dual:offSLATE:Head + Tail at -36dB

Impressive recorder but....

While I have only recently received this unit, there are some things mentioned in other reviews that need comments. It's a Tascam and sound wise should live up the the Tascam HD-P2 recorders I have used for years, but with the added benefits of much smaller size, 4 channels (including dual recording at a lower level for safety), and can be powered from usb. Here are my observations related to comments in other reviews:1. First, it DOES record stereo files. You have to select this on the menu system. I transferred recordings to an audio editor and they displayed as stereo files.2. The menu system could be set up better, but once you learn it it's OK. For example, you have to go to a different menu category to turn on phantom power, rather than being a part of ... MoreWhile I have only recently received this unit, there are some things mentioned in other reviews that need comments. It's a Tascam and sound wise should live up the the Tascam HD-P2 recorders I have used for years, but with the added benefits of much smaller size, 4 channels (including dual recording at a lower level for safety), and can be powered from usb. Here are my observations related to comments in other reviews:1. First, it DOES record stereo files. You have to select this on the menu system. I transferred recordings to an audio editor and they displayed as stereo files.2. The menu system could be set up better, but once you learn it it's OK. For example, you have to go to a different menu category to turn on phantom power, rather than being a part of recording settings.3. The display definitely could use db level labels. I realize that there is a lot being crammed into a small space, so the display is smaller (and menu selections have to replace buttons and switches), but there are no level indicators on the meters at all.4. While it's wonderful that it will run on usb power and you can use an external usb power bank, I definitely agree that Tascam made a mistake having a usb jack for the power input, since the usb jacks do tend to fail. A much better choice would be a round power plug into a jack on the recorder like is on my Panasonic HC-VX1 4K camcorder that uses a cable with a regular USB plug on one end, but the round power plug on the other end. I consider the usb power a first class improvement over other power sources, but having a usb jack rather than a jack for a round plug a major failing.Overall, I would highly recommend this unit with the reservation about the durability of the usb power jack. Just be ready to learn the menu system.

Nice. But has some issues.

Many of the functions on this recorder work really well. But one very important function does not . And considering that this recorder was designed to work with cameras its shocking to me that they would have let this out of the factory with this flaw. The audio out causes a huge amount of noise to be transferred to your camera. Its well documented and the fix is to buy a $30 cable which is not the end of the world but the cable only reduces the noise by about 90%. There still a considerable amount and if you are using a recorder like this you probably want clean sound. You simply wont get it with this Tascam . If you were just using the recordings inside the Tascam , your sound will be excellent but if you want your camera to record via the Tascam, get something else.

No really suitable for professional use

Serious flaws render this unit unusable for live recording or professional use. In addition, quality control is sub-par, raising questions about intermittent problems. It's small, it's reasonably well built, the converters and AD conversion are fine, however, the persistent problems with the device basically means your recording is at risk, and the metering is simply unacceptable. I'm a big fan of Tascam (and Teac) products, dating back decades to the tape era. As a professional audio engineer and videographer, on our broadcast stations, we have used the DR 680 many times. So when this compact, four-channel unit came out, we thought it would be ideal for mobile audio and video recordings. On paper, it looked great. Before I get into the details, let me first just ... MoreSerious flaws render this unit unusable for live recording or professional use. In addition, quality control is sub-par, raising questions about intermittent problems. It's small, it's reasonably well built, the converters and AD conversion are fine, however, the persistent problems with the device basically means your recording is at risk, and the metering is simply unacceptable. I'm a big fan of Tascam (and Teac) products, dating back decades to the tape era. As a professional audio engineer and videographer, on our broadcast stations, we have used the DR 680 many times. So when this compact, four-channel unit came out, we thought it would be ideal for mobile audio and video recordings. On paper, it looked great. Before I get into the details, let me first just say that there is danger with this recorder that you will lose all your data, and everything else sort of has to take a back seat to that. Whether it's a concert, a video, an important interview, your kids' school performance, if this thing runs out of battery power or the lose power connector gets wiggles or a bunch or other things, all your recording just disappears, without warning in most cases. In addition, there are some bugs in the firmware that make it look like you are recording, when, in fact, nothing is being recorded. You get home, no concert. So just be aware that there is a risk that you can lose your recordings, and I think that's by far the main thing, and there are other recorders that don't have this problem. I'm a professional recording engineer, so I'm going to be picky but I'm going to be practical. Our first unit had a number of problems. The battery meter did not work, the unit would freeze on startup, it would forget the time and date, it would forget to turn on the Phantom power (for the mics) and other issues. So, out of the box, problems. We sent in the unit (at our own expense) and received a replacement. The new unit works OK, but still has the defective battery meter. This means, basically, that when you are on batteries, you have absolutely no idea when the recorder will shut down without warning. This is unacceptable from TASCAM. In addition, I would have appreciated the service department either sending me a working unit or a note of explanation that the battery meter does not work, rather than waste my time. Other minor issues include spotty and inaccurate audio metering, a poorly conceived and poorly marked battery compartment, tiny, fussy controls and menus and flimsy plastic buttons. Headphone output is only so-so in quality. The actual recording quality, if you can get everything to work, is good. The recorder is overly picky about media, and TASCAM is slow to update its approved media list. The fact is, a four channel audio recorder does not need special or fast media, it needs a well-designed buffer system: TASCAM dropped the ball here--how is it that the DR 680 can record 8 channels on standard media but the 70D requires a special card for half the data? The only explanation is software design or that the company simply did not put enough internal buffer in the device--I hope the former is the case and these issues can be resolved with a firmware update. Incidentally, the manual does not contain instructions on how to perform the firmware updates. The recorder has a dual recording feature which allows you to make a alternate, two-channel recording at a different gain level. Although this looks good on paper, the overload stage of the gain can be exceeded before the data is written, owing to the way the device is configured. Nonetheless, this is a very handy feature for live recording and video recording. I must reiterate, however, that the idea of a safety backup is rendered moot by the reliability of the product as a whole. If the battery gives out unexpectedly--and there is no way to know when that will be--your recording and your backup will be equally useless. Tascam does not provide a power supply. This is just cheap. We are starting to see more and more of this find your own USB power to save a dollar or two, and it really is not in tune with the needs of musicians. Tascam should have provided a reliable power supply, especially since battery power is unreliable as an option. Most users go and a buy a big USB brick, which works, but defeats the whole idea of small and light. For $11 you can get a thin, rectangular power bar that fits very well with tape or velcro or whatever. I bought one, and it gives you some serious battery, maybe not 20,000mah but I recorded for about 8 hours. If you yank out the plug while recording, and you have batteries, it will still keep recording. Not all recorders do this. The pots for gain: there are four, which is OK, but there is a dead spot at the bottom. The lock button locks the gain. If you start recording with the gain pot at the bottom, the gain will not work, which is a serious, serious flaw. You have to stop the machine, and start recording again to get gain. There's no way to set the input gain to the same level precisely, or gang the channels. The gain knobs are tiny and easy to bump into another setting (although you can lock the gain with the lock button). When you turn it on, it asks you for each Phantom power channel if you really want phantom power. I just want to get to the gig, turn it on and hit the record button. There's no way to record more than 4 hours (or maybe a certain file size) without starting a new file. Most recorders have this problem, but it is unfortunate. The TRS jacks on my unit do not pass the phantom power. This could be an annoyance in the field, but it isn't a deal breaker and could even come in handy at times. Unlike many other recorders, the P48 is switchable for each channel. There's plenty of gain. The converter chip is a Cirrus Logic CS42L52-CNZ, which is not exactly the top of the line, but it's very good. I'm guessing the chip is circa 2013, and almost all of the functions of the 70D are coded into the chip, so the entire unit is sort of an interface for the prefabricated board. It's possible to upgrade the chips, but that is beyond the scope of this review. Workaround #1 for the battery issue: If you buy a USB power bar, you are now effectively using two sets of batteries. Under these conditions, the meter *still* does not show the time remaining for the power supply, however, the USB power bar will often have a decent meter, and if you get a large battery, you can record for enough hours that the time is no longer a factor. Indeed, if the power bar runs out, you still have the option of the internal batteries, if so fitted. So although this makes the device larger, heavier and still problematic, it is reliable enough for live recording. The caveat here is that the USB connector is not very solid, and I recommend a right-angled connector that has a snug fit--you will have to try a few of these out to get one that lock in reliably, or use gaffer tape to hold the cord in place. Recording on batteries alone, I place four matched, fully charged Eneloop batteries in the device. The Eneloop batteries are specifically recommended in the manual. After just a few minutes, the battery meter dropped to one bar. However, the unit recorded for more than two hours. Note: with two power supplies, the batteries will act as a backup, but if the device stops, it does not incrementally save your data, as does, for example, the Fostex FR2LE. Workaround #2 for the battery issue: use Eneloop Pro batteries, fully charged, or the EverReady Lithium type, and put the batteries in just before the concert. The unit will forget it's settings, and you *must* reboot the unit after resetting all the menus, but then you are pretty much guaranteed four hour of recording time, despite what the battery meter says, However, workaround #1 is better. In both workarounds, make absolutely sure you don't turn the gain pots all the way down because sometimes this causes the recorder to malfunction. As far as the sound goes, it is good, and, if it worked reliably, it would be highly recommended. Sadly, this is not the case.

Tascam quality with efficient application for indie filming

The Tascam DR-70D provides the quality digital recording experience that many independent film makers need. This unit allows you to incorporate into your tripod setup to keep everything needed together on the same 'rig' (even with my Osmo - pictured). The AC option (same as android phone) works excellent, and avoids using a large amount of batteries through longer shoots. The memory cards are easy to access on the fly, and provide very quick change over between shots. The tilted screen also allows you to focus on camera framing, and then a quick double check with mics for sound. The jacks provide options to hear 'live' sound, as well as record into the camera (1/8" jack) if desired. Mixing is also great with options for mono, stereo, and even dual recording to ... MoreThe Tascam DR-70D provides the quality digital recording experience that many independent film makers need. This unit allows you to incorporate into your tripod setup to keep everything needed together on the same 'rig' (even with my Osmo - pictured). The AC option (same as android phone) works excellent, and avoids using a large amount of batteries through longer shoots. The memory cards are easy to access on the fly, and provide very quick change over between shots. The tilted screen also allows you to focus on camera framing, and then a quick double check with mics for sound. The jacks provide options to hear 'live' sound, as well as record into the camera (1/8" jack) if desired. Mixing is also great with options for mono, stereo, and even dual recording to capture a track at a lower db setting of your choice. I highly recommend this over for small budget operations; especially for one that has one or two people doing camera/sound work together... it's very slick!

The Budget Recorder That is Packed with Features

Overall:I ordered this Field Recorder to get better audio for my recordings with a Panasonic LUMIX G7 4K camera. I use external shotgun mics or boundary microphones depending on the shooting requirements. I can say that this gives my camera audio recording options that it didn't have before. Everything is a significant step up for the audio recordings and DaVinci Studio loves the audio files that the TASCAM DR-70D produces. I am currently a film student and when I am not using my Sony FX6, I depend on the TASCAM DR-70D to give me recording options I wouldn't have when using my Panasonic LUMIX G7 4K camera. I have already recommended this recorder to a Digital Cinematography friend of mine that also uses the Panasonic LUMIX G7. I suggest you purchase the Sescom ... MoreOverall:I ordered this Field Recorder to get better audio for my recordings with a Panasonic LUMIX G7 4K camera. I use external shotgun mics or boundary microphones depending on the shooting requirements. I can say that this gives my camera audio recording options that it didn't have before. Everything is a significant step up for the audio recordings and DaVinci Studio loves the audio files that the TASCAM DR-70D produces. I am currently a film student and when I am not using my Sony FX6, I depend on the TASCAM DR-70D to give me recording options I wouldn't have when using my Panasonic LUMIX G7 4K camera. I have already recommended this recorder to a Digital Cinematography friend of mine that also uses the Panasonic LUMIX G7. I suggest you purchase the Sescom LN2MIC-ZOOMH4N (attenuation cable) if you plan on doing some serious recordings back into your camera from the TASCAM DR-70D. The TASCAM DR-70D gives consumer-grade cameras that audio boost that make your recordings sound more professional.