Tascam DR-60DMKII – Portable linear PCM Stereo Recorder for DSLR

When it comes to budget-friendly pre-amps and field recorders there are two names that tend to dominate the conversation - ZOOM and Tascam. Having used ZOOM field recorders for several years while working in radio production it should have been my first choice when it came to freelance work and personal usage, but I was never happy with the file system used by ZOOMs. So I decided to give Tascam a chance and bought a DR-60D Mk II in March of 2018. Since then it has proven to be an absolute workhorse for fieldwork. It's been dropped (more than once - I do not recommend it), suffered through blizzards, storms and blazing hot weather, and in general been so much of a reliable bit of kit that I went and bought a DR-70D as well! I've heard some people complain about it feeling plasticky and lacking in sturdiness, which are fair points but if you want something that's basically a brick with XLR and TRS inputs then expect to pay a hell of a lot more. Now there may be some complaints about audio quality but I can honestly say that most of that will be equipment-based. Like most recording devices it will pick up what you feed into it, so if your mics or cables aren't connected properly or something has a fault then it will show up on your recordings. Unfortunately for me, I worked in 2nd-line tech support for many years in a previous life so I'm a little bit OCD when it comes to fault checking and in five years of usage there have only been a handful of occasions where I couldn't definitely isolate an audio problem - and n each of those occasions the DR60-D Mk II worked perfectly fine with alternative microphones, cables and cameras. Controls on the DR60-D Mk II are surprisingly easy to grasp and it doesn't have the annoying file system of the ZOOMs. I have to admit I prefer the smooth volume and gain control offered by the knobs on the DR60-D Mk II to the stepped approach of the DR-70D. One of the biggest plus point for the DR60-D Mk II is the fact that you can run it and any attached XLR mics with phantom power from a battery bank. It also serves as a rather good pre-amp for video production, although connecting it so that your audio feeds directly into the camera can be a little fiddly. Overall I'd say that the Tascam DR60-D Mk II is a great field recorder and pre-amp and it easy holds up well against its nearest competitors.

Excellent piece of equipment. I was worried about buying something a little more complex than I was used to. I was torn between this and something simpler like a Zoom handheld recorder. I'm very happy I chose this instead. Two XLR cables with phantom power allow you to connect microphones easily and quickly to either record two tracks or one stereo track. There's a 3.5mm jack that allows you to add two more lines (channel 3 & 4 for lapel mics or wireless mics). The dials on the front allow you to control the gain very easily and there's a clear monitor that tells you the DB. On the right hand side there's a jack for headphones for direct monitoring and lines for Camera in and Camera out (if you want to make a scratch tape I believe but I don't do this and my camera doesn't have a microphone jack so I can't comment on the success of that). I use this to record audio separately and then synchronise it with the video - the SD card is on the side and is easy to take out and insert into the PC or you can connect the two via USB. Some people have criticised this for not being sturdy. I would disagree. It is a solid piece of equipment, well put together. Would it survive being dropped from a height? Probably not, but I doubt many field recorders would. This is sturdy, well designed and easy to use. It produces very high quality, broadcast-quality audio, for amateurs and professionals alike. The only flaw is the recorder eats batteries amazingly quickly. If you get this, I would recommend also buying a ANKER powerbank or something similar. The DR60 will run for less than an hour on regular rechargeable batteries - powered by a powerbank it will run for almost a working day. You can get an AC adaptor so you can plug it in the mains, but that obviously reduces the portability of the DR. Overall, it might seem a little expensive but it is well worth it. If you are interested in recording audio for video, or recording interviews this is a must-have especially for amateurs starting out.

The DR 60D was purchased for a specific purpose, to record 4 mics 2 from XLR and 2 using a two channel 3.5mm source so this was the perfect device. This is quite simple to use especially if you have used digital audio recorders before. Menu system is quite straight forward. Having actual buttons and dials rather than being forced to use on screen menus is useful. Plenty of recording options including a back up at a different gain level. When recording from a RODE Wireksss Go and Go II I had to use some gain to get a useable volume level and you do pick up some noise on the recordings thereofre you may need to clean this up in post. Audio quality not quite as good as my old Sony PCM M10 but thats only 2 channels. Recording quality also dependent on what mics you use and the enviroment. Certainly audio is good enough for my professional needs and has been used on a broadcast TV show, Build quality is a bit plasticy but it doesn't look as though it will break. I transport it in a padded bag. For the price, the fact it has ,4 channels, the input options, and features, it gets a solid 4 stars. Better cleaner pre-amps would have given an extra half star. I am satisfied with the purchase.

If you want excellent sound quality, for your DSLR videos, then this is a perfect way to get it! I also have a DR-05, but the DR60, has all the controls immediately to hand, on buttons, instead of having to scroll through lots of menus, as with the DR-05. Plus the obvious XLR inputs (with Phantom Power). You can find many reviews & tutorials, on YouTube, to make getting acquainted with this unit easier. I've read a lot of negativity, regarding the plastic casing & mounting points. Let’s be clear, here. If you want to be throwing your recorder around, you're looking at the wrong unit. If you're making a DSLR video, you would be using a tripod or video support rig. Not hand holding. Stacking equipment is never advised, as it puts a lot of strain on even the beefiest tripod head. (Simple leverage principles apply) Not to mention, hugely increasing the likelihood of camera shake It’s far better to mount the camera & recorder separately. Either on separate tripods, or maybe as I did, with a twin mounting plate, so the camera & recorder sit next to each other on the tripod head (or one behind the other, if on a shoulder rig). These are easy to make (photo), or fairly cheap to buy.

I use this for recording outside with both video cameras and on its own for podcasts. I have attached a padded neoprene strap to the unit and this sits comfortably around my neck and the unit is just below my chest which allows for ease of access. I use it with 3 inputs, which are a wireless lapel microphone which connects via XLR 1, a separate shotgun cardioid microphone which connects via XLR 2 and a third microphone which connects via the stereo 3.5mm connector. I did have problems getting the lapel microphone to work on the 3.5mm socket, but this was primarily due to the lapel mic needing 'plug in power'. This is enabled in the settings for the Tascam unit, but it took me a couple of days to realise why my lapel mics weren't recording at a decent volume. I did buy a stereo plug splitter which gives two separate mono 3.5mm inputs and allows for two mono inputs to be added to the Tascam 3.5mm stereo input. The unit works really well, is very lightweight and can be used with USB power should the batteries run down. I have a RavPower 26800mAh USB battery pack which I keep in my bag should it be needed. My only bugbear is the rotary input level knobs. They do not work in a linear manner and are stepped, a minor gripe which doesn't really impact on the usability of the unit but thought I would mention it.

I now have the original and Mark II version of the Tascam DR60D and they are excellent. Pros: The ability to phantom power an onboard shotgun mic (Rode NTG-2) whilst separately feeding a hand held mic and mixing for event filming is very useful. The slate function with feed to the camera makes syncing the DR60-D's recording in post a relative doddle - no need for hand clapping or clapper boards at the beginning of each take, and can all be done from behind the camera. Mixing between inputs is easy with proper dials, rather than menu selection. The dual track feature is ideal for filming in environments where you don't have too much control over background noise (e.g. exhibitions). Chances are one of the tracks will get what you need! Cons: It's a bit plasticky - I'd definitely prefer it if it were an aluminium casing as I don't know how its going to fare when I eventually drop it. For this reason I tend to keep it permanently attached to my tripod / rig. It's a bit of an odd shape and will take up quite a bit of space on your rig! I must have moved mine half a dozen times now and I'm still not totally happy with it!! Overall, I'm giving it 5 stars, as I don't think there's a better option out there at the moment for my needs, but I look forward to a "pro" version in the future with a more robust casing.

This is a terrific little unit for when you don't have enough XLR / 3.5mm inputs on your cameras for additional microphones. Filmed a wedding at the weekend, using my usual 9 cameras, but needed additional mics. due to the huge size of the venue. Both phantom-power outputs worked perfectly, and the radio-mic and the mic on the lectern were all picked up and recorded as if the people were standing beside me! When you get this, I would strongly recommend having a play with it to ascertain which input does what, etc. The manual isn't terribly clear in some instances, but you can't really damage anything. One of the most useful features is the 'double-check' you get if you've left one of the phantom-power switched on to the XLR inputs. This could save you a lot of popped mics and sweary words. Strong, sturdy, well made and very simple to use. I tried running it from a large 12V battery (via a suitable USB / voltage adaptor, obviously!) but it sounded like a generator was running in the room when this was connected.... but not every time, which was a tad frustrating. In the end I just ran it on internal power, which was perfect. I have it on the desk in front of me, and the only way I can see a camera falling off is if it's not screwed on tightly enough. I've made shed-loads of camera mounts over the years for various TV production companies (with not one failure), and this one is good enough to have been made by me - I can't give it higher praise than that. ;-) Very, very pleased with!

This field sound recorder is getting on a bit now, with several new models, but it remains an excellent sound recorder and I can honestly say that I simply love this thing. Sound quality in terms of recording is excellent, with two XLR inputs and a 3.5 inch jack input and an output to your camera too. It is fairly light, but the build quality is good, with input controls for up to three mic, assuming you use all inputs available. It has phantom power, which can be turned on or off, with a failsafe check as to whether you need power for each of the mics you use, so if you aren't using condenser mics, or otherwise powered mics, you can turn it off. All mics are different, so the controls prove a wide range for gain and you can get really clean sounding recordings; I use a range of sound recorders for film making, all of which have their pros and cons, but I can't think of anything that this sound recorder does not do well or superbly - the 3.5 inch jack, possibly is not the best, but that is about it. As it stands, this is extremely good value for what it does.

Der Tascam DR-60DMK2 tut genau das wofür ich ihn gekauft habe: Er erlaubt mir nicht nur mit verschiedensten Mikros in sehr guter Qualität verlustfrei aufzunehmen, er schleift auf Wunsch das Tonsignal auch zu meiner DSLR (bzw. jeder Kamera mit Mikrofoneingang) durch. In vielen Fällen reicht (mir) die Qualität des durchgeschleiften Tons schon. Wenn man den Ton stärker bearbeiten und nicht auf die durch die Kamera komprimierte Tonspur des Videos zurückgreifen möchte, kann man ohne Probleme mit den unkomprimierten Aufnahmen des Rekorders arbeiten. Der Rekorder bietet mit der Slate Funktion eine sehr clevere Möglichkeit der Tonsynchronisation. Außerdem bietet er (neben vielen anderen Features) 48 V Phantomspeisung für die beiden XLR Eingänge (Kanal 1 und 2), einen Trittschall bzw. Hochpassfilter (verschiedene Frequenzen einstellbar), einen Limiter (der das "Dual Recording" mit verschiedenen Lautstärken fast schon unnötig macht). Die Möglichkeit Equalizer Einstellungen fürs Abhören bzw. nachträgliche Anhören der Aufnahme zu machen habe ich noch nicht verwendet, hat aber sicherlich einen gewissen Mehrwert für manche. Ich betreibe den Rekorder via ein per USB angeschlossenes Battery-Pack - da kann ich ohne Probleme bis zu 12 Stunden am Stück mit arbeiten - oder mit einem einfachen USB Netzadapter. Sehr cool! Alles in allem, halte ich den DR-60DMKII für ein "rundum sorglos Paket" speziell für Low Budget Filmer. Die Tonqualität ist absolut mehr als in Ordnung und der Preis (trotz des - zugegebenermaßen - sich sehr billig anfühlenden Plastik-Gehäuses, das ich wirklich als den einzigen Schwachpunkt des Geräts ansehe) erstaunlich günstig.

軽量コンパクトなのでDSLRとの組合せでは気軽に運用できます。 音質はキャノン端子からの運用であればクセの無い素直な音が記録できます。 接続するマイクの音質による部分がかなり大きくなります。 (1〜2万円のマイクでは中級レベルの音しか録音できないです) 音質重視なら5万円以上のクラスのマイクを付けることをお薦めします。 単三電池以外にもUSBから外部電源を補助的に利用できるのも便利な点です。 難点はUIがわかり難いので説明書が無いと直感的に操作ができません。 この辺は慣れが必要かと思われますが、価格が安く安定感も有るので満点評価とします。

Het enige wat niet professioneel aan deze recorder is, is de behuizing. Die is namelijk van plastic en de voeding is met AA batterijen. Maar verder zit er veel meer op dan je ooit nodig zult hebben. Perfect voor bij een Sony systeemcamera want met de monitormix kun je precies bepalen wat je naar de camera stuurt en wat de DR60 zelf opneemt. Interface en schermpje ook helemaal in orde. Werkt superfijn met Rode Go en een paar condensatormicrofoons via XLR. Sluit 'm aan op een powerbankje en hij doet het dagenlang. 4 kanaals audio bij je video voor een speels prijsje. Toppertje!

A la hora de adquirir mi primer equipo de audio "profesional" (poned todas las comillas que considereis) me encontraba con dudas entre adquirir la Tascam DR 60 y la Zoom CH4. A continuación, enumero las ventajas que, para mi, tenían cada una sobre la otra: TASCAM - Previos de mejor calidad - Posibilidad de colocarla sobre un trípode o rig, y sobre esta la cámara - Posibilidad de engancharle una correa - Sistema "push" en las entradas XLR ZOOM - microfonía stereo integrada - Menor tamaño POR QUÉ ESCOGÍ TASCAM Dejando aparte el tema de los previos (que es discutible, y cuya diferencia seguramente será mínima), en mi caso, que en muchas ocasiones tengo que llevar solo el audio y el vídeo, me parecía importante poder acoplar en un solo cuerpo la cámara y la grabadora, formando un combo en el que, sobre la grabadora acoplo la cámara, y sobre la cámara engancho un Rode NTG2. Además, cuando llevo el micrófono en una pértiga, me es muy cómodo poder llevar la grabadora al cuello, ya que me libera las manos para sostener la pértiga. A QUIÉN LE RECOMIENDO LA ZOOM En mi caso, invertí en un sistema de audio bastante completo para grabaciones casi profesionales. Si no desease invertir tanto, compraría la Zoom, ya que su sistema de microfonía integrado permite acoplar la grabadora directamente sobre una pértiga, omitiendo el gasto en microfonía, paravientos y demás.

La calidad de audio es buenísima. Tiene 2 IN mono balanceados y uno extra estereo (que te puede salvar, aunque no sería balanceado). Es pequeña y no pesa tanto. Está espectacular