Reference Guide

ManualsBrandsTascam ManualsPortable Digital RecordersDR-40X 4-Channel / 4-Track Portable Audio Recorder and USB Interface with Adjustable Mic

TASCAM DR-40X

Table of Contents

1 – Introduction ....................................................................4

Features .................................................................................................. 4

Conventions used in this manual ................................................. 4

Trademarks and copyrights ............................................................ 5

About SD cards .................................................................................... 5

Precautions for use ........................................................................ 5

2 – Names and Functions of Parts .......................................6

Top panel ............................................................................................... 6

Front panel ............................................................................................ 8

Left side panel ..................................................................................... 8

Right side panel .................................................................................. 8

Bottom Panel ....................................................................................... 9

Home Screen ...................................................................................... 10

Recording screen .............................................................................. 11

Menu item list .................................................................................... 13

Using the menu .................................................................................14

Basic operation .................................................................................. 15

3 – Preparation ................................................................... 16

Powering the unit ............................................................................. 16

Using AA batteries .......................................................................16

Using an AC adapter (sold separately) ................................. 16

Using USB bus power ................................................................. 16

Turning the power on and off (standby mode) .....................17

Turning the unit on ..................................................................... 17

Turning the unit off (standby) ................................................. 17

Resume function ..........................................................................17

Setting the date and time .............................................................18

Inserting and removing SD cards ...............................................19

Inserting cards .............................................................................. 19

Removing the card ...................................................................... 19

Card write protection ................................................................. 19

Preparing an SD card for use ........................................................ 19

Using the built-in speaker .............................................................20

Connecting monitoring equipment .......................................... 20

Using the built-in microphone ....................................................21

Setting the mics to record a wide stereo sound

(A-B position).................................................................................21

Setting the mics to record a clear stereo sound

(X-Y position) ................................................................................. 21

Swapping the left-right channels of the built-in micro-

phone pair ...........................................................................................22

Microphone position detection .............................................22

Attaching the tilt foot .....................................................................22

4 – Recording ..................................................................... 23

Setting file format and sampling frequency

(REC SETTING) .................................................................................... 23

Preparing the recording inputs ...................................................24

Recording with the built-in mics ............................................ 24

Recording with external mics (EXT MIC IN) ........................ 24

Recording an external device (LINE IN) ...............................24

Setting the external input type .............................................. 24

Using phantom power ...............................................................25

Adjusting the input level ...............................................................25

Manually adjusting the input level .......................................25

Independent L/R channel EXT IN input level setting

function ...........................................................................................27

Using the LEVEL MODE function............................................27

Overview of recording modes .....................................................28

Recording (MONO/STEREO recording) ..................................... 28

Make recording settings ...........................................................28

Setting where files are saved ...................................................29

Starting the recording ...............................................................29

File names when recording in MONO/STEREO ................. 29

Simultaneously recording two files at different input levels

(DUAL REC) .......................................................................................... 30

Enabling dual recording ............................................................30

Starting dual recording .............................................................31

Dual recording file names ........................................................31

Recording 3 or 4 channels ............................................................. 31

Making settings for 3/4-channel recording .......................31

Starting 3/4-channel recording .............................................. 32

File names when recording in 4-channel ............................32

Recording playback and input sounds together

(overdubbing) ....................................................................................33

Setting the overdubbing mode .............................................33

Select the file you want to overdub ......................................34

Conducting overdubbing .........................................................34

File names when overdubbing ............................................... 34

Using the automatic recording function (AUTO REC) .........35

Continuing to record in a new file (track incrementing) .... 36

Manually incrementing files during recording .................36

Automatically incrementing files by a set time ................36

Using the low-cut filter ................................................................... 37

Capturing a few seconds before starting recording

(PRE REC)..............................................................................................37

Using tone output ............................................................................ 38

Setting the AUTO TONE function ........................................... 38

Setting the AUTO TONE length ...............................................38

Adjusting the AUTO TONE volume ........................................ 38

Self-timer function ........................................................................... 39

Solo function ......................................................................................39

Recording duration .......................................................................... 40

5 – Working with Files and Folders (BROWSE screen) ..... 41

Screen navigation.............................................................................41

Icons on the BROWSE screen .......................................................41

File operations ...................................................................................41

Folder operations .............................................................................43

Creating a new folder ......................................................................43

6 – Playback........................................................................ 44

Adjusting the playback volume ..................................................44

Setting the playback area (AREA) ...............................................44

Selecting a folder for the playback area (1).............................45

Selecting a folder for the playback area (2).............................45

Using the playlist ..............................................................................46

Adding files to the playlist ........................................................46

Editing the playlist ......................................................................46

Selecting files for playback (skipping) ......................................47

Playing recordings ...........................................................................47

Pausing ............................................................................................47