Tascam DR-701D

Tascam DR-701D
The DR-701D is Tascam’s flagship audio recorder for one-shot video production. It includes a timecode input and a timecode generator for easy synchronisation with a SMPTE generator, camera, or smart slate. The HDMI in and out allows a DSLR camera to start recording on both devices, and video clock prevents drift between sound and picture.

Four mic signals can be individually recorded and mixed to a stereo channel, for a total of six recording channels. For additional channels, multiple units can be cascaded together. The lightweight yet rigid chassis is forged from magnesium alloy. Tripod mounts on the top and bottom allow the unit to mount under a camera, attach to a follow-focus cage, or be used stand-alone.

Designed for the needs of professional filmmakers, television producers, advertisers, and documentarians, the DR-701D packs high-quality multi-track recording into a package compact enough for use with any camera.

An HDMI input and output allows the DR-701D’s internal clock and the camera to be digitally synchronised. Even when shooting long events, the video files recorded by the camera and audio files recorded by the DR-701D will not drift out of sync.

Simply pressing the camera recording start button sends a trigger to the DR-701D to start audio recording. Unlike other systems that force you to press record on both devices, the HDMI start system prevents missed takes, syncs the two recording starts together, and makes single-operator shoots much easier.
Note: This feature is dependant on camera firmware.

By connecting multiple units using HDMI, slave DR-701D units can be made to follow a master unit to start and stop recording simultaneously. Since audio can also be output through the HDMI connection, monitoring selections can be made using slave units without reconnecting headphones.

The built-in SMPTE generator allows the camera and DR-701D to store the same time reference. Several options are available to integrate SMPTE LTC into your camera system. The BNC timecode input can follow a source signal, or can be “jam-synced” a few times per day for independent freewheel operation. Cameras that send timecode through their HDMI output can be followed by the DR-701D’s timecode input. And the internal generator can be started without an external reference for a simple time-of-day stamp on recorded BWF files.