Zoom H4-N vs. Tascam DR-40

[Pete Burger]

Brent, thank you very much for your suggestion!

I totally agree! Preamps are the single most important “feature” of a recorder! I know, there are better recorders than the Zoom and the Tascam. But they fit my budget at the moment…

I asked specifically for those two, because they are the only ones I know (please correct me if I’m wrong) with a decent sound quality, with XLR-inputs and are in a price range of about max. 300$.

I worked with the Zoom H4N a couple of times and I was quite pleased with the results. From what I read the Tascam DR-40 is the direct competitor and seems to have a comparable sound quality at even a lower price.

Please don’t get me wrong, I appreciate your answer very much! Wasn’t aware of the quality of the Rolands and I’ll definitly have them in mind, when I’ll have to improve my sound equipment even further. Next step is of course to get better mics…

For my one- or two-man jobs, the Tascam (I bought it in the meantime) is a great improvement to recording directly into the camera or having to rent a recorder every time I need one.

So thanks again and all the best!

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“Tragedy is a close-up; comedy, a long shot.” – Buster Keaton

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[Pete Burger]

Found these two videos a couple of days ago.

Maybe interesting for someone who has the same question I had and stumbles upon this thread might them find useful:

Tascam DR-40 Vs Zoom H4n
https://youtu.be/QmwuS9QOlvs

Tascam DR-40 Feature Review (with a little bit of a contradiction to the above)
https://youtu.be/jBbj9GpiRbQ

——————————————
“Tragedy is a close-up; comedy, a long shot.” – Buster Keaton

Me on Twitter (english/german)
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[David Rehm]

Hello, I have been a reader here for a long time – this is my first post.

I have direct experience with the Zoom and the Tascam DR-40. Last February I bought my first DSLR and naturally I needed a good audio recorder. I went to the local Sam Ash store and tested the Zoom against the DR-40. The Zoom was almost $300 and the Tascam was (because it was being discontinued according to Sam Ash) $150.

I had the money to buy the Zoom – so the price did not play a factor at all – I just wanted something pro sounding. I tested them both in identical ways (simple tests) – recording my voice holding them near my mouth and I did a test holding them at waist level. I went home and compared both and to my ears they were identical in all ways. So I went with the Tascam. I have not regretted it – I use it every week.

The Zoom is considered the top-dog in this area but one of the main reasons why I locked on (also) to the Tascam in the first place was because of a function to record a 2nd (backup) track at a lower dB for safety reasons. (I don’t think the Zoom does this)

The only “con” probably would be there is no 1/8″ inch plug on the unit to plug a mic in. There are XLR and 1/4″ plugs though.

David R.

[Pete Burger]

David, sorry for the late reply! I saw your post just at this very moment.

I work with the Tascam for a couple of weeks now, and I’m extremely pleased with it. From a perspective of sound-quality I also didn’t notice any difference between the Zoom and the Tascam, although I must admit I did not do direct side-by-side testing.

The “safety-option” on a lower level of the Tascam, that you described is a blessing, so is the possibility to directly connect to a mixer, which is also a feature that the Zoom does not have.

The only thing I really miss, is the the possibilty to use the DR-40 as a USB device… But… well, you can’t have everything…

Thanks for sharing your experience!

——————————————
“Tragedy is a close-up; comedy, a long shot.” – Buster Keaton

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