Features:

  • Discontinued Model Replaced by New DR-07X
  • Adjustable Stereo Condenser Microphones (XY or AB)
  • Up to 96kHz/24-bit WAV (BWF) linear PCM recording. Stereo MP3 recording from 32-320 kbps bit rate. Reverb effect. Overdub recording mode
  • Auto Record and Auto Mark functions. Peak Reduction function, optimized for music recording, automatically sets the gain of while recording. Limiter and low-cut filter to help prevent distortion
  • Variable speed playback (50%-150%) without changing the pitch. Loop and repeat playback. Level Align feature prevents uneven volume levels during playback
  • Playback EQ setting. Editing function (Divide and delete). Chromatic tuner 1/8 Inches stereo mic/line input. Powered by 2 AA batteries, AC adapter (optional: PS-P515U), or USB bus power. MicroSD 2GB card included
Love this little thing.

This is my first and only handheld, digital recorder, so that may or may not bias my full opinion. There is a .PDF list of approved to be used SD Cards on Tascam's website that anyone who is buying should glance at before buying a separate card. The device comes with a microSD card (2 gb), but in today's market, getting a larger card isn't that expensive. I do advise to purchase a windscreen if you plan to use this product outdoors or anywhere with a slight breeze. The windscreen really cleans up and protects against unnecessary noise. All in all, this is a great product that I use currently, and for the future, to record voice notes in various settings (self-use, lectures, interviews, etc.), music (acoustic guitar, live shows), and much more. Another thing one should note is that the build quality is primarily plastic, so adjusting or moving your hand on the device when recording will produce noise, so I would say it would be best to either plan to delay what you want to record if setting the device down, or using the device's delay feature. EDIT: (link to windscreen I bought, there are others if you just search around too) http://www.amazon.com/Tascam-DR-05-Furryhead-Windscreen-Black/dp/B007VI99YM/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

Great little recorder

I looked at all the available low-cost recorders and chose this one for 1) features (USB storage, variable-speed playback, AA batteries, adequate battery life, microSD/32GB, USB microphone), 2) good reviews. It's a new hobby, so I have a lot to learn. Among other uses, I'm recording concerts at local restaurants and the artists like to get copies of their performances. I use a camera tripod and try various placements to optimize the sound mix. The DR-07mkII has performed flawlessly for about ten 2-3 hour performances. The only failures have been due to my fault--not noticing on the display that the battery was low (and not having spares!*%$@!). I would (and might) add one little feature: put a small, transparent plastic bump over the record light so I can see it without having to go stand over the tripod and look at the face of the recorder (the recorder is usually oriented face up with its microphones aimed at the performers so one cannot see the display or recording light while seated in a nearby chair).

Excellent Recorder

I bought this unit based on other reviews, and it has worked out very well. It is a great little unit. The sound quality is really good using the built-in mikes. The batteries last a really long time, so don't think you will need to put in new ones every 30 minutes or so. It will also run off the USB port of your computer, which is great in some situations. It is easy to download sound files to the computer. You just plug in the USB connector, and then drag and drop the files to a folder. It is mindless. We shoot a lot of documentary type videos and this unit gets some work that way. First we use it in one-camera situations requiring a quick video for Internet uploading. On board camera mikes are really bad and auto-focus motors can be heard, so this little unit is used instead. If we couple this recorder with say a Canon 650D, we can move quick and small to get a really good little video. Second, we also use this mike as a backup or filler when doing more complex videos. We use wireless and directional mikes for the regular production, but we will also lay this recorder down in the grass or position it in a corner of the room to catch other sounds that we might miss. It definitely can round out a production. Just a suggestion -- if you do plan to use it outside, then be sure to purchase a dead cat wind screen. In this case, I think it is actually called a dead kitten because it is so small. ANY kind of wind, and I emphasize ANY, will be heard in the mike and recorded. The dead kitten will eliminate at least 95% of it.

Great for music classes

I bought this in 2012 to record music classes and workshops that I take in both acoustic / fingerstyle guitar as well as electric guitar, bass and percussion. All of those environments are very different and require different approaches otherwise you'll wind up with only mumbling or with the sound blown out. The DR-07MKII has worked well for over 100 classes recorded. This unit has been great for picking up the human voice about 20 feet away while it has been sitting on an extra tilted music stand. With it set to auto level then I can take it to a loud percussion class or electric band class and it quickly adjusts itself to the environment. You can also set limits for clipping or set the levels manually. I've needed to do that for classes that involved a lot of lectures but then bursts of high sound. I was willing to let the bursts clip so that I didn't miss the human speaking around them. One little feature that I now love is the fact that you can preset the file names and it uses them followed by a number to create next file. I set them for certain venues that take classes or even a class name if I know that I'm going to be taking only that class for a few weeks. This makes it easy to copy to my PC and keep organized.

Excellent Recorder for the Money

WHAT I USE IT FOR: I needed a quality recording device to use for my young son's: 1) violin lessons and master classes, i.e., mostly voice; 2) violin practice sessions - intonation, phrasing, etc.; 3) concerts and quartet gigs that he's involved in; and 4) auditions. After my usual, intensive consumer research into a digital recorder that would satisfy my specific needs -- and under the maximum budget of $150 -- I decided on purchasing a TASCAM DR-07 MKII. Instead of covering all the unit features that anyone can easily read under the "Product Description," such as "Auto Level/Peak Reduction/Limiter," "24bit/98k," "AB/XY Mics," "Tuner," etc., I'll focus more on those features that I like (PROS) - particularly in view of what other brands and models do not have -- and don't like (CONS), as well as some features that are not so obvious and haven't been mentioned by other reviewers. PROS: Although TASCAM DR-07MKII Portable Digital Recorder is all constructed with plastic, including the adjustable cardioid condenser microphones (they don't look plastic in the photo), it doesn't "look" cheap like other brands. I had initially preferred a weightier body, but I quickly learned to appreciate its light weight when I realized that I will frequently be using the unit atop my Canon camcorder with a Marshall V-LCD-MT Monitor Adapter 1/4" Mount Adapter To Video Camcorder Hot Shoe For LCD Monitors for independent video and audio capture. The Built-In Speaker: this is a big plus. Although I prefer to use an external speaker at home (a simple Logitech iPod speaker), I wouldn't hesitate to rely on the built-in speaker when I need to use the recorder away from home and right out of my pocket. It actually turned out to be better than what other reviewers have led me to believe. The key thing to remember is that such devices are meant to capture the source of sound in near proximity, and that's one of the advantages of the unit's portability, that you can place it anywhere. The longer away from the source, the weaker the sound is going to be out of the built-in speaker. Capturing the sound of my son's violin playing from a few feet away, though, the built-in-speaker played back loud and clear even for my aging ears. In fact, I had to turn the internal volume down a bit. Even if the feature is a disappointment to you, at least it's useful in telling you whether something was recorded or not with immediate feedback. The auto power shut-off function: for any portable devices that mostly rely on battery power, this feature is essential, especially for those who tend to be foregetful. This power saving feature allows the user to automatically shut it down at 3 minutes of idle time, or at 5, 10, and 30 minutes. It also allows the power to always be ON, if that's what the user prefers. The unit takes either alkaline or NiMh rechargeable batteries. The manual even lists the specification on operating time using the rechargeable brand that I heavily use for my photography purposes, Sanyo's "eneloop," which is the best "low self-discharge" battery currently in the market. It retains about 80% of power even after a year of shelf-life without recharging, so going with this NiMh brand would save lots of money in the long run as opposed to alkalines. Just be sure to "set" which type you're using so that the unit can more accurately gauge the power remainder and display the status on the LCD screen. I was also impressed by the fact that you can attach an External Battery Pack with the cartridge that holds 6 AA batteries. I use a similar external battery pack for my camera flash, and attaching one of these will give you forever operating time without having to worry about the power depletion and without having to rely on the AC/USB adapter. It's an optional purchase, though (reasonably priced), and it's not being sold through Amazon at the time of this review. This battery pack can be attached to the DR-07MKII from one side and screw onto a tripod on the other side -- a well thought out design by TASCAM. Although it's overkill for my current purposes, it's still good to know that I can add the extra power when desired. The LCD screen also displays the time operated and the time remaining for recording. I'd be quite frustrated not knowing where I'm without this simple feature. Deleting files is just a click or two away rather than buried away somewhere deep down inside the layers of sub-menus. The control buttons are responsive and menu and submenu layouts are quite intuitive and easy to use. Other than the auto recording and auto marking functions (I'd rather do manual for these functions), I also appreciate that I can resume exactly where I had left off after the power was turned off. I can also pause the current recording and resume -- using the same file without being thrown to the next file. While the unit allows different ways to play back, such as repeating once or continuously, I found the function called "Variable Speed Audition" quite useful for musicians who can vary the speed of the playback without losing the pitch. The unit also comes with 6 different reverb effects, each with varying degree from 0 to 20: 1) Hall 1 (bright), 2) Hall 2 (warm), 3) Room, 4) Studio, 5) Plate 1 (bright) and 6) Plate 2 (warm). It has been fun playing with different settings. I was also sold on this particular brand and model, although it wasn't on the Black Friday sales list, because there's currently a holiday mail-in rebate of $20 (in effect until Dec. 31), which made the total price on the unit just under $100. To me, for any audio recording device, a windscreen is a must, so I purchased this, as well. CONS: It was disappointing and surprising that the AC/USB adapter wasn't included with the purchase. You have to pay that separately, and it's not cheap. A windscreen is a must for any serious recording, especially in outdoors, but you'd have to purchase that separately, as well. Add about $40 for that, too. For a sensitive unit like this with the folding plastic A-B and X-Y cardioid condenser microphone, a case would have been a nice inclusion? No such luck. I'm not sure if you can buy one even if you want to. You cannot use just any MicroSD cards if you'd like to expand the storage beyond the 2GB card that came with the unit. The list of brands that work with the unit is surprisingly very limited, and you cannot be sure that even the ones on the list would work with the unit, either. Kingston 4GB SDC4, for example, is on their list as workable. Nope, it wouldn't accept my brand new card. Considering that I've already received several "Error" messages with the 2GB card that came with the unit, I doubt that the new Kingston 4GB was a lemon. (I don't have any other electronic device that uses a MicroSD card so I couldn't verify its status.) So I just ordered another one to see if this unit would accept it -- but from the Best Buy, as they're willing to refund it at a local store if the unit happens to reject it. USEFUL ACCESSORIES: Other than the aforementioned windscreen and external battery pack, investing in a compact and light weight tripod is a good idea if you'd like to make clean recordings. Since the recorder is light weight and relatively small, I found the following tripod during the Amazon.com's Black Friday Sale week that is perfectly suitable for it: Manfrotto 7322YB M-Y Tripod with Ball Head. (This tripod recommendation is only for small and light devices like the recorder under review and point-and-shoot compact cameras, and NOT for anything heavier like regular DSLR cameras and such.) With the built-in ball head you can swivel the recorder to any position. Once folded, it's so compact and light that you can take it anywhere with ease. Because it's such a pain to screw the recorder onto the top of the tripod ball head each time, it's worth every penny by investing in a Manfrotto 323 RC2 Rapid Connect Adapter with 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate - Replaces 3299 (Black) with which to attach the recorder onto the tripod. With this set up, attaching and detaching the recorder to and from the tripod is a matter of quick snap on and snap off. An additional benefit of using this set up, too, is that the application of the rectangular Rapid Connect Adapter actually helps not only to protect the tripod attachment screw hole on the back of the recorder from stripping, but provides a nice, firm support whenever the recorder's menu button is pressed while attached to the tripod. I'm afraid that relying just on the recorder's tripod hole on its back to screw onto the tripod's thread with each use would eventually destroy the plastic screw hole. For those of you who would like to use the recorder attached on top of either a camcorder or a DSLR camera by means of a hot shoe adapter, a great solution is the Marshall V-LCD-MT Monitor Adapter 1/4" Mount Adapter To Video Camcorder Hot Shoe For LCD Monitors in conjunction with the aforementioned 323 RC2 Rapid Connect Adapter with the Quick Release Plate. With all of these attached to the recorder and sitting on top of my Canon HG10, I didn't feel any undesirable, cumbersome weight to the whole set up. Although I don't own a video capable DSLR camera, I tried the same set up on my Canon 40D just to see how it looks and feels. Again, I loved the look and the feel. The end of the recorder didn't stick out enough to interfere with my forehead (while looking through the viewfinder) with either the camcorder or the DSLR set up. One great benefit of using this particular hot shoe adapter is the spacing between the units that is far enough to accommodate any fluffy deadcats or a windscreens without getting in the eyes of the lens. DR-07MKII VS. Tascam DR-05 Portable Digital Recorder: For anyone who's sitting on the fence between the DR-07MKII and the cheaper, earlier model, DR-05, as I've done, here's what led me to choose the later model: the price difference between the two is something like $30. So then what can you get for this extra $30 if you're leaning on the more expensive one? They're both just about identical except the following three feature differences: 1) while the DR-05 comes with the fixed A-B mic configuration, the DR-07MKII comes with both A-B and X-Y mic choices; 2) the latter model also comes with the overdubbing capability while the former can't; and 3) as mentioned earlier, six different reverb effects are built into the DR-07MKII whereas these are not included in the DR-05. For me it was no brainer that extra $30 was well spent. Over all, I'm very happy and content with the purchase decision.

Worked fine out of the box, and even better after I studied the manual

There's a lot to like about this superb little audio recorder. It took me awhile to learn how to use its various features, but the time I spent with the manual in one hand and the DR-07 in the other continues to pay off. Now it's like a miniature recording studio. Features I like: -- Captures excellent audio in .WAV and .MP3 formats. -- External mic jack supports plugin power, necessary for some of my mics. -- Recording levels are easy to monitor with easy-to-read meters. -- Indicator lights for Record and Peak Level. -- Screen is easy to read, informative; backlighting is good and has flexible options. -- Foolproof connection with computer to easily manage files and folders: copy, move, delete, create folders, rename. -- Battery meter can be configured for alkaline or rechargeable. -- Playback and editing options are versatile: equalization, playlist, playback speed, looping, file divide, dubbing, switchable playback compression. -- Recording options: record inaudible "marks" while recording to indicate locations; auto-record options that respond to long pauses; reverb effects (can be added to playback, or recorded into a file). -- Standard tripod socket on back enables easy attachment to tripod. (A "gorilla pod" works great as a desktop mic stand.) Possible Concerns: -- Operation controls require some learning. While logical and well-organized, controls are not always intuitive. There's a learning curve here. -- The built-in mics are sensitive to wind noise. (See below.) Useful Accessories: -- A case to hold extra batteries, maybe an extra memory card, external mic, etc. -- Rechargeable batteries. -- A windscreen: a furry-looking cover over the microphones to reduce wind noise. Tascam sells these, but I made my own with some fake fur from Goodwill. Now I can record outside without intrusive wind noise. (Works well to avoid popping when speaking close to the mics, too.) In summary, I'm glad I discovered the Tascam DR-07 mkII. I make videos and enjoy messing around with audio equipment and software. This recorder is proving useful in recording good-quality digital voiceover recordings, as well as "double-system" audio for video production (i.e., recording audio on both the camera's mic and the Tascam).

"As expected" is a good thing

I purchased this product a few weeks ago after reviewing and "kicking" the tires of this one and it's competition. I will tell you up front my decision to buy the DR-07MKII over the Zoom H1 came down to the inclusion of a guitar tuner and the ability to be a phrase trainer! I'm a musician and a wanna-be videographer, since the quality of captured sound was the same on each test I read about (DR-07MKII vs Zoom H1) and listened too on YouTube I decided the tuner would keep my gig bag the same size. Most reviews never touched on the phrase trainer feature targeted at musicians. Tascam makes a line of phrase trainers that typically cost between $150-200 and don't even have high quality microphones, so discovering I could toss an MP3 of the song I was learning and slow it down to figure out the chords and lead guitar parts was an unexpected surprise. This is the better choice for musicians. Other features I appreciate about the DR-07MKII, the adjustable microphones, quick turn on and being armed to record, the file system, the low battery consumption. I should also mention that straight out of the box i attempted to record, after all, everyone said how easy it was to simply open it up, power it up and start recording. Well, I got a recording without sound! The unit comes from the factory with the record level at zero. Once I figure that out all was right again in my universe. You will want to start with a recording level that is high and adjust lower to suite your recording situation. I found out the hard way how much of a waste of time it was to start low first, a few of my early attempts at recording our church worship team practice was disappointing. The more aggressive recording level solved that problem. I purchased a standard microphone windscreen for it, after the first time or two of stretching it on with some difficulty the windscreen loosened up enough to make it a simple process. I have tried recording outside with this unit and the windscreen with good results. I still don't know how I will solve the wind noise issue when recording ambient sound (microphone capsules facing out) since the windscreen will only cover the microphones in the XY pattern position. I'm sure someone makes the smaller windscreen though. For my video work I use inexpensive hd capable camcorders. My new fascination is with the Song Bloggie (swivel camera lense), they are inexpensive now ($50 on Craigslist these days) and with the DR-07MKII all my video pieces have wonderful sound to go along with the surprisingly good picture quality I get from the Bloggie. One last detail, at the point of purchase I discovered Amazon was doing a special on my purchase and discounted the DR-07MKII to the same price point as the Zoom H1... win win! I got what I expected with my purchase, you will too.

My first TASCAM product is fine with me.

This is a nice one. It's operation seems quite intuitive and it will serve my needs. There is no battery charging in the device. This is not a serious matter for me as I usually operate it plugged into a USB adapter. I have not noticed any ground loops using my a.c. adapter and 1/8" phone input (between the microphones) or output (on the side of the unit). Very hefty construction yet convenient size. Beautiful sound and plenty (for me) of memory. I'm just beginning to learn all that it can do.

Great little recorder

I've used lots of recorders in the last 40 years. Reel-to-reel, Professional Walkman, Mini-discs and digital recorders. This one is close to perfect and cost less than any of its predecessors. The built in mics are just fine for everything but the most critical recordings (really, do you want to record a CD with a $125 device?) I like the layout of the buttons and screen is just big enough so I can read everything with my 55-year-old eyes. It looks like a good deal of thought went into the layout of the buttons and menus. I really like the quick button. It gives you access to the functions you need, when you need them. For example, when you are preparing to record, the quick button lets you change recording options. Long batter life (as others recommended, use Eneloop rechargeables). Setting levels is great. There are separate levels for recording and monitoring. Most of the controls are intuitive. I didn't have to read the manual to figure out almost all the functions. I have just a few minor negatives about this device: 1) It really needs a remote control if you are going to use the internal mics. Otherwise, you better have your levels set right and not touch the device. You'll hear every touch and button press in your recordings. I like that you can set the recorder to append two seconds before you start recording, however there will be a noticeable click two seconds in. If this is going to be a problem, you can plug in an external mic. 2) The file directory can only go two levels deep. This is probably sufficient for making your own recordings, but if you want to use this as a music player it means you probably will have to work out a different file structure from what you have on your computer. 3) While there is a way to change the basic file names that the device creates when it records a new file, there is no way to rename the files or the folders other than plugging it into your computer. I don't understand the folder names it comes up with. It would be nice if there was a way to change default folder name as there is with the file names. There is also no way to delete folders from within the device. 4) The equalizer function is very basic -- only six simple presets (treble+, treble-, mid+, mid-, bass+ and bass-). Not very useful. Would it be that difficult to put in a real equalizer? For recording, I don't think this is a problem -- I want to record everything without equalization -- but I'd like to equalize my headphones (and my aging ears) for playback. This is not a problem if you are using really good headphones and have really good ears, or if you don't need to do critical listening in the field. 5) While it is great to have a built-in pitch tuner, it would be really nice if it had a frequency readout and added how much deviation there was in cents (+/-).

Songwriter's Dream Tool, WHOA, NOT FOR $400, THOUGH!!! EDITED REVIEW

Everything below is still true, but I got mine for like a hundred dollars, lol. Just saw the new asking price. Not quite worth that. I'm gonna risk sounding like a company reviewer (I'm not) and say this is the best product I've ever ordered for music. I had the DR-05 already, but it was tied up with a long project and I thought it might be cool if the overdub feature on this one worked at all. It did work, and it's really simple to use. And the quality is pretty great for what it is. I'll tell you what I use it for, and maybe you can deduce from that if it will meet your needs: 1. I record a drum track. Not a real one, something from Beta Monkey or the like. Something to keep the beat and interesting enough to promote songwriting. 2. I pick out a chord progression and, in overdub mode, strum guitar or rhythm/ block chord piano until I have a little backing music. 3. I sing babble-phrases over that until a lead vocal melody emerges. 4. I begin writing the lyrics and record draft versions over the older recording of just drum and guitar/piano (you can go back to any step in the multi-tracking and re-do it using any stage in the process you want. Just keep paper and pen so you can index which numbers go with which stages. Or you can probably name them, but I haven't tried.) And from there, I can dink around with it as needed until I'm done. The convenience is, of course, that it travels easily. But the quality is no joke. Is it as good as rigging up a good mic and recording with software in a treated room? No, but the step down isn't what you'd think. If you mind your volume balance within reason, you end up with a recording rich enough to play in a car stereo and sound reasonably like a quality demo. In fact, I wouldn't hesitate to submit a demo made on this device for publication, although mainly I use it for the creative process and then lay down something better with a room rig. I have played around with the built in reverbs a little, and I like them for vocals. But to say more about those - or the majority of the features offered - would go beyond my experience. I love this thing. There are a lot of ways to use it besides what I'm doing, but this is surely one thing it works very well for.

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