TEAC TASCAM is the professional audio brand in the field , covering almost all areas of the music industry class audio products , CD player , tape recorder , mixer, effects, multitrack digital processor . . TASCAM invented the world 's first 4 -track recorder , the first RDAT recorder, the first digital multitracker. . . In the field of professional recording , tascam recording equipment has accumulated a wealth of experience and hundreds of design patents , and denon, marantz recording industry are famous brand . In ordinary home audio market, some tascam professional equipment , there are many people use , such as the classic broadcast DAT machine DA60, DA60mk2, portable DAT recorder DA-P1, portable hard drive digital recorder HD-P2, is the audio market in two hands on common equipment. Tascam equipment solid workmanship , durable, advanced technology, a very good reputation in the professional market . This is what I decided to acquire the confidence of the source DR-100 in the absence of any available information and never listen to the premise .
Preface:
DR-100, TASCAM current flagship voice recorder, jars posts on this machine and talking about very small fire a few years with the D50 compared , DR-100 is a popular machine , small audience , talk less , do not have a systematic, comprehensive post to a detailed analysis of this machine. I am familiar with this ID friends may know, I D50, D1 has to start all over , there are also more detailed description of these two machine message . Today, I want to share is that some of my experience on the DR-100 use and sound quality .
PS: Considering the price of DR-100 and D50 similar function and location are basically the same , I will be between DR-100 and D50 do comparison .
PS2: Considering the purchase of DR-100 is mainly to do playback use , this article does not do too much on the recording , mainly focused on the appearance , workmanship, practicality, quality and other aspects
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Describes all aspects of the machine
First, the machine overview
DR-100 in recording function, is to be higher than a lot of D50 , 4 mic, built-in speaker , microphone XLR access to support , with phantom power . Although the two main mic DR-100 can not adjust the direction , but the actual recording test down , sound effects and no influence on the positioning , distortion better than the D50 out of a chip. There is also the same with d1 separate left and right channel level adjustment function that is not inferior fiber input and output.
DR-100 headphone port output power is 32 Euro under 25MW +25 MW, but the actual use of it, I feel a little thrust to be smaller than the d50 , is also connected OK1, D50, D1 volume is turned up to 3.5-4 I have enough sound pressure , but in the DR-100, to be open to 5.5-6.5 to get the same sound pressure .
Measurements DR-100 is 153 * 80 * 35mm, compare D50 measurements (154.5 * 72 * 32.7mm), is to be slightly larger , about the same weight and D50 , although weight is only 290g, but count the cells, and D50 almost the whole weight of 365g .
The feeling in your hand
The initial version of DR-100 is not supported 24bit/96khz , but the latest version of the system has been upgraded to 1.11 , can provide support for 24bit/96khz PCM 's , I only bought the version that has been upgraded to good , according to factory time judgment, in the past six months have been upgraded over the machine .
DR-100 hybrid power solutions , you can also load lithium batteries and 2 AA batteries , but in reality this is not simultaneously use two kinds of power , you can choose in the menu or the main power source is lithium AA batteries , and the remaining one is as a backup power supply , it will first run out of power when the main power and then automatically go to standby power. The advantage is that you do not shut down during recording or playback to replace the battery, you can turn to replace the battery in the boot state , to ensure continuity of use. The standard Li-ion battery can be used 5 hours , 2 rechargeable battery can be used four hours , for a total time of 9 hours. Personally feel that this hybrid scheme pros and cons battery , lithium batteries always fail one day , when alone 2 aa batteries , battery life will be shorter , although you can turn more prepared to replace the battery , but the day to replace the battery or 2 times will be a little inconvenient , D50 -wide adoption of the kind of program on the 5th battery -powered I like some .
However, DR-100 comes standard with an AC power supply is no (power is optional ) , but one big advantage is that you can charge via USB , rechargeable lithium battery to the machine through a computer usb, time is 6 hours ( optional power charging time is 3 hours ) . Some six hours charging time is too long , but I used the apple of 5v, 1A DR-100 charger to charge time is reduced to about 4 hours , can also be accepted , although DR-100 can use while charging side , but I still recommend shutdown after charging .
DR-100 supports SD and SDHC cards , I am currently using kingmax 32G SDHC card , the machine stores the write speed of 6.85mb / s or so , compared to the D50 5mb / s, D1 of 3mb / s , be regarded as the fast . For my own use , the terms for the recording and playback , class4 SDHC card enough , I only SDHC card class 10 , and is simply overkill , the speed advantage did not play .
Second, the machine work and key layout
SONY TASCAM industrial design and is completely compared to another style, color gives the D50 is a stylish and feeling young, and the color gives the DR-100 is a feeling of calm and professional, early look will find a pitch-black big lump , but to appreciate the down will find it engaging , rigid lines of the body , rigorous faint atmospheric modeling revealed a powerful force.
DR-100 before and after the two panels are made of metal , frosted . Connected to the middle part is plastic , in order to cover up the plastic texture, manufacturers in a similar cast aluminum surface uneven surface treatment , the benefits look like metal , grasp , they also can increase friction and prevent slip fall accidents hands . Although the battery back behind the plastic, but also posted a piece of metal to fit a whole.
Screen resolution and D1 DR-100 is similar , less than D50 delicate, size is also smaller, but still very complete display function , you can adjust the brightness .
Silver microphone, workmanship and D50 one level , as D1 extremely fine and tight.
Built-in speaker in the middle o
f the main microphone , 0.4w power output , listening to a sound, the
request can not be too high.
DR-100 button is all round and round edge shape of black opaque plastic and silver plated two kinds . This Class 2 rounded buttons and a sense of the main body of the Founder , brings a better visual effects, black and silver with both keys can distinguish different functions , but also to prevent the rigid panel on the layout . Keys feel good , key-way medium , flexible, once the recall played a domestic artifact that pit father's keys are not even the most basic identity , not to mention the keys feel really can not help but sigh , the development of the domestic artifacts road long way to go .
I believe first saw DR-100 's panel will note that a prominent silver circular wheel, the wheel is a major feature TASCAM series machines , most functions can be used this wheel and intermediate button achieve operational , especially in the choice of folders, tracks, playback speed , the wheel has an irreplaceable role . Aluminum car from the system, the above non-slip inserts trimmed with plastic , very delicate, very practical. Personal and practical down , to say what are the deficiencies , poor damping sense that some tactless , compared to other middle round button keys feel loose, poor sense keys . The wheel has 24 scale , struck a scale you can fast forward or backward one second , to facilitate precise positioning of the file .
Main DR-100 's control buttons , in addition to the record button , are not backlit display , night only blind operation , but the presence of a wireless wire , the problem is not a problem .
DR-100 is no optical input and output , only LINE in / out. I am somewhat plastic interfaces grade DR-100 is not enough, if it is made of metal , the better.
Next step is to introduce my favorite little details , If you have read my previous posts D1 dissect friends D1 may remember the small details that attracted me the most is the memory stick dust cover. The DR-100 which attracts me most is the small details signal input selector, this little switch you can choose four different input modes : LINE / UNI / OMNI / XLR, this purely mechanical switch inherited numerous small recording predecessors have a great pedigree, if you are one of the players from the tape era began to see from this device will resonate with a familiar classic sense . . . Breakthrough times, while continuing to advance forget tradition , people had no deep understanding of the evolutionary process , is unable to understand such feelings of .
Third, accessories introduced
DR-100 and D50 , are made in China , but parts DR-100 is much richer than the D50 .
A new DR-100 includes the following components :
1 Host
2 windscreen
3 wireless remote control
4 -wire adapter
5 wire cable
6 USB cable
7 2G SD card
8 rechargeable lithium battery
9 Wireless remote control button batteries
10 Soft Case
SONY very shrewd , D50 windshield , wire , leather is sold separately , add expensive , DR-100 is much more kind In contrast , sending windshield , wireless remote control , soft case.
D50 single holster sold to more than 300 yuan, but only down two skins, on both sides of the sides are streaking . Even installed holster , but also not the machine and keys , coins, mobile phones and other hard objects stuffed in a bag. The soft foam package value DR-100 although not donated some money , but it can be completely loaded into the DR-100, all aspects of protection, even in a hard object and fragmented bag , do not worry about scratching the surface , worry lot.
Wireless remote control that comes with DR-100 is a big advantage, worth focusing mentioning. This compact remote control can control playback \ pause, stop, around the selections \ fast forward back, recording , sub song, covers the most commonly used functions, you can put DR-100 on the bag , use the remote to control the playback of conventional , in the bus, the subway, do not care about other people strange vision , so that sufficient low-key. Moreover, this wireless remote control adapter can be attached to the wire from the radio into a wired control to adapt to different occasions . In my own experience is concerned, this wireless remote control within 3m of the remote machine is no problem , just the remote receiver position is aligned to the top of the machine . Since then do not frequent the bricks in our hands, the song selection , this remote is very practical value. SONY remote control for the D50 with not only the wire does not say , less functional , the price also two hundred dollars , really pit father . .
Fourth, the machines introduced
Let's take a look at the boot screen DR-100 , the traditional opening drive wheel LOGO, highlights the professional recording equipment positioning.
LOGO screen when connected to USB .
DR-100 supports three folders support , and its structure is: root folder ( default is Music, can not be changed ) - " Custom Folder - " subfolder .
Root folder can put song files directly , you can also folders and sub-folders into the folder in the Add File.
Detail about setting folder:
DR-100 's system settings have File name format option , meaning you have to set a word (Word), for example, I set the MYRY ~ ~, after setting up the word , your custom folders name must be recognized by the machine to begin with MYRY ~ ~ . Subfolder named is not limited.
For example, I created in the root folder (MUSIC) under three folders : MYRY ~ ~ enya, MYRY ~ MJ, MYRY ~ ~ Eagles, these three folders can be identified correctly the machine , but if you did not add MYRY ~ ~ this prefix , three folders can also be recognized by the system , but does not display the internal songs , the folder appears to be empty .
In setting the MYRY ~ ~ enya this folder , I can also add this folder subfolders , subfolders named the unrestricted free to name the internal songs can be displayed properly.
The following three pictures can show the relationship between this structure :
Benefits of DR-100 is no D1, D50 comes with 10 not delete the system folder , easy to use structure. Very simple and suitable for perfectionists ( I've been on this 10 can not delete the folder can not be renamed to heart , a lump in the throat ) . Folders can be added ( but only deleted on the computer ) on your machine, you can delete all / folder / singles.
DR-100 can browse through the menu root directory / custom folders / subfolders within the file, you can quickly select the folder or song by wheel speed depends on your APM, which is very user-friendly, and similar ipod wheel than D50 by clicking on the fast forward and rewind it is a lot easier .
Wheel can also control playback speed and fast forward and rewind when playing a song , a scale forward / back a second, in a suspended state , faster.
Playback mode , you can select all / folder / singles 1 / loop. You can also set your own playlist, press the playlist playback. Playlist lists can freely add, delete songs , you can delete the entire playlist, re-set .
After the DR-100 can be set to automatically shut down the still 3mim/5min/10min/30min , asleep at night listening to music forgot to shut down the machine have to worry about getting up the next day no electricity . D1/D50 are only close the LCD screen , you can not automatically shutdown .
Fifth, the sound quality evaluation
Currently only one in my hand assertive line Ok1 available for testing , with the DR-100 is a sound comparison my desktop cd Kodak PCD880 (Philips CDF100 OEM), which is a very famous and classic small desktop cd machine, using Philips cdm9 turntable, sound relaxed warm, soft and delicate , very highly , sound basic win all the old portable cd drive. I personally like a cd drive.
Contrast music is some of my own favorite type of music , newage, pop, rock and so on. Contrast method is PCD880 play genuine cd, and DR-100 player EAC ripping wav file. Maintain the same volume, switching back and forth with an OK1 contrast audition . But also with the memory of D1, D50 sounds do some comparison .
First want to say is , DR-100 reveals a very strong force , if it is not good quality audio files, it is easy to hear the low noise , and the same low noise cd album on PCD880 much smaller , taking into account the 10 Over the years advances in technology , analytical DR-100 has reached a very high level , recommended that players try to use good quality wav files, or else it would be more painful when listening to music . When I play 24bit/96khz files , DR-100 will perform well , every tiny detail and dynamics have performed lucidity , high density filling rate documents
Feeling and the amount of information .
Secondly , DR-100 Voice Recorder basically continues the consistent fidelity, bass dye, neutral voice to correct . This sounds like people will really like , do not like people will be very annoying. And PCD880 contrast , mellow sound of the DR-100 has a certain gap. When playing a large dynamic , scalability, and inadequate appeal , low frequency of loose , flexible and PCD880 there is a certain gap, rigid, thin, slightly dry , with a certain aggressiveness. IF moderate thickness , less glitches, slightly dry and hard . And PCD880 than sound DR-100 is undoubtedly belongs to cold
Sound, and impressions of the D50 compared to sound more neutral listener , PO mouth more general quality of D50 , sounds a bit mixed , PO mouth DR-100 is not found in this phenomenon.
Line Out DR-100 's quality is good, three-band equalizer , rich in detail . The DR-100 can be used as a portable digital audio . Given its small thrust PO mouth , not direct push big headphones , you can consider LO output tied portable amp .
DR-100 sound performance chiseled , grainy , very small , fast transient response , both the density and velocity . Sound field and D50 almost , roughly showing an oval-shaped area , the width is greater than the depth , musical instruments to restore the true , the good high frequency extension , but less than D1, D1 sound sense of cohesion and a sense of abundant energy left me a deep impression . But in general , DR-100, D50, D1 are heavy quality , light sense of hearing models ( to different degrees ) , after all, voice recorder, have a certain lack of musical taste.
DR-100 is suitable for playing classical , newage, part pop, not suitable for jazz, rock, of course, is not absolute , in some of the more thick warm with earplugs or amp , it was believed DR-100 can also provide a good sense of hearing .
Considering the OK1 is also a neutral pH of the ear, with the DR-100 may exist with the problem , so I will continue to try other ear after updating my sense of hearing , so as to minimize an objective and impartial commentary equipment. But I can be sure of is that if you are looking for a sound correct, no dye neutral source , DR-100 would be a good choice following the D50 later .
Finally, to summarize the main advantages and disadvantages DR-100 :
Advantages : a wealth of practical accessories
2 full-featured folder settings
Three pairs of battery-powered solutions
4 Powerful recording function
5 cheap and reasonable , cost-effective
Disadvantages: a short battery life
2 thrust is small, not suitable for direct push headphones
3 slightly larger
4 No optical input and output
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