TASCAM DR-05X Stereo Handheld Recorder Reviews

Great! sounds nice, but you do half to buy a micro SD card with it. I use it on drums, and it does what it is supposed to! Also sounds great recording piano.

Nice product great bang for the buck. I go to Sweetwater for all my musicalneeds they never fail me. Toni is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great way to catch spontaneous musical ideas and further develop

I use the DR-05X to record my synth setup in stereo. I have a stereo jack out from my mixer into the mic input on this recorder. It does the job perfectly! You can also see the L and R channel levels in real time when recording, so you can visually confirm how you are panning L/R and if you're going to clip (so I can turn down the volume on my mixer). You can also monitor your recording in real time by plugging in headphones.

In addition, the onboard microphones sound amazing. Wish I had this recorder to record lectures back when I was in school. I especially like how I can use it as a microSD card reader to directly connect it to my computer and download the audio files. I haven't used it as an audio interface, but using it as an external mic for remote work would be perfect.

I teach woodwinds remotely, and my students and myself are responsible for purchasing dozens of Tascam DR-05's for use as a PC, Mac, or iOS interface. That is the little known function that this little machine does so well! Find me another interface that:
1) is a stand alone recorder with simple audio file transfer to a computer.
2) works flawlessly as an interface with Zoom or with your DAW
3) has a great sounding pair of mics
4) has great metering that allows you to easily monitor levels
5) has 40, 80, and 120hz high pass filters
6) has a limiter that can be engaged to prevent the occasional peaks from distorting
7) has excellent sounding reverbs that can be engaged to taste, either just for monitoring, or on the recording.
8) has a full selection of recording formats and revolutions for mp3 or wav
9) can be switched from stereo to mono, which greatly affects file
10) has a standard camera mount adaptor on the back so you can put it on a tiny tripod for easy access.
11) can drive a pair of full size pro headphones.
12) the list goes on.
This little machine is NUTS. Get it as a recorder or as an outstanding interface—you can't lose. I would give it 14 stars, if I could.
(Avoid using up batteries by getting the outstanding adaptor I've shown below.)

Lucino stayed in touch, took care of all my details and the product is a pleasure. Terrific company! KN

Just Get it..!!

I bought it to replace my Tascam DR-07, which I have had for years and it's taken a beating over the years. I hope this will last as long...being a Tascam, I'm sure it will.

Justg waht I was looking for in a handheld recorder. Price was right and I already had the earphone to 1/4 inch adapter to take it to an amp for playback.

This device makes far better recordings than an iPhone. Highly recommend for practices, concerts or recoding songwriting ideas.

Nice recorder / player for on-the-road use.

I use it for testing setups by playing music while I am connecting a sound system. "Repeat All" works well as the audio never stops while I'm doing setup/test.

Easy to operate. Very clean sunlight readable display.

Easy to set up music files and folders using the USB connection

The micro sd card means you have to have a micro to full size sd adapter to connect directly to your pc but the usb cable works just as well for moving files in/out of the recorder.

I record using the 1/8" audio input jack. Excellent quality sound recording.

If you are a songwriter, this TASCAM DR-5X might be your new best material friend. It is small and easy to use. It is nice to have it handy for capturing that musical idea or poetic inspiration before it slips away into memory's confusion about initial details. It is also a great tool to use for practicing presently for an upcoming live performance; there's nothing like being able to listen to yourself critically in a listening mode while not actually practicing in a performing mode. Anyhow, if you want a good tool to improve your performance and contribute to your creativity, this is a good one.

This small device offers so many features for the price. I wished I had purchased it sooner. A lot of players avoid home recording because it is cumbersome and involves so much hookup and time. This makes it so easy that you will end up recording more. The free accessory package came after I submitted the small form and is very nice. You owe it to yourself to give this powerful device a try. Now, I record almost every practice session.

I've read all the reviews as of 3/9/21 @ 5:00 am GMT and I so agreed with all of the folks who said the sound sucked. Then, I recorded a backing tracking and just guitar. Sounded horrible on the speaker of this device. Then I took the device to the computer, copied the WAV file and played it back through pretty sucky PC add on speakers. The same track that sucked through the device speaker sounded 100x's better through my cruddy add on PC speakers. This is exactly what I was hoping to find. An easy to use device that will let me record myself mistakes and all so I can learn what to do/play and what not to.

Haven't had it a long time yet, but very pleased so far. I used it to record our Church Service, the music was distorted as it was up on the stage with me and was overloaded. It would have been much better if it had been down off the platform. Live and learn. Voices were very clear even those who were providing testimony's.

The sermon sounded very clear. I put a 16GB mini SD card in and the hour plus service only was 754K so lots of storage on that 16GB. The batteries are holding up well, I may invest in the wall wart at some time. I also used it as an input to the computer via the mini usb port. Good for I don't know, face time things like that.

Along with the unit I also bought the little tripod for it and it works really well. The TASCAM DR-05X has a standard 1/4 inch female screw in receptacle on the back so if you have a tripod for a camera it should work. But the little tripod is handy, and I have used it for meetings with the Marine Corps League Officers meeting, worked great.

Bottom line I like it for the applications that I have used it for.

I am replacing an old Olympus LS-10 with this and I am HAPPY to say that I wish I could have found This recorder years ago

I've been using the DR-05 for several years to record rehearsals and an occasional gig. It is very convenient due to it's small size. Battery life is very good, and sound the quality is also. I had to replace it with the DR-05X due to an accident. Before that I was experimenting with a small mixer and 4 microphones and was pleasantly surprised with the results. It's a great little recorder and the price is right.

The TASCAM DR_05X HAND HELD RECORDER THAT WAS bought from Sweetwater it is the most amazing little thing that I go to in putting Gods music in the company computer We love it
It will be the first time that we will be able to record music Thanks to Mark Johnson and The most Wonderful people At SWEETWATER

Bought this to record church services thru the sound system,works great and recording is clear! I'm so non-sound guy but didn't take long to fig. out for my purpose. Sweetwater of course is awesome.

- Easy to use
- Excellent quality
- Very portable

We purchases this unit (TASCAM DR-05X Stereo Handheld Recorder) to replace an earlier version we had been using for the past seven years. The new unit is perfect for our purposes and we are very pleased that we were able to find a replacement, place the order, and receive the equipment most expeditiously and even sooner than expected and promised. Very, very happy to do business with Sweetwater.

Tom

You can't go wrong with the tascam recorder, I was surprised how good this is for the price, add Sweetwaters fast free shipping makes this deal even better

this recorder is the real thing

This is a great piece of hardware for recording. I dont know how it matches up against similar models because it is the only of this type that I ever owned.

Initially I HATED this unit and wanted to throw it against the wall. I purchased it because I needed a solution to record my 5 hour dj sets. I plugged the until with a Y cable (1/8 inch connector to RCA) to the output of my Pioneer mixer. This drove nuts! I learned the unit inside out, experimenting with its setting trying to control the input signal. Any time I recorded, I was clipping. The recordings were horrible. After trying everything under the sun I was ready to return it. I was going to buy some attenuators for the input, but they were a little pricey. Instead I inserted an old Mackie Stage mixer I had laying around into the sound chain. Pioneer mixer into the mackie studio channel 1 input. Output of mackie to my studio monitors. The mixer record out to the tascam input. At this point the mackie mixer no longer over drove the tascam. I could record with my signal not going over -9 db. There was plenty of head room in the recording to breath. After my session I importanted the mix into sound forge for editing. I selected the entire recording to Normalize. The recording came out super clean. I even received compliments from other djs on the recording quality. Tascam is a super cool unit for the price range.

Sweetwater is a dream to purchase equipment through, and their shipping is always lightning fast. I also love my new Taascam recorder. The sound is crisp and the equipment is easy to use for beginners and practical to use for those who have been around the block. Thanks Sweetwater!

I love this thing! Captures sound with amazing detail. Primarily use it for recording song ideas on guitar, etc. So handy! Great for recording band rehearsals as well. Basically replaces the cassette recorders I used back in the day, but sounds phenomenally better than those! One note, as with the cassette recorders, these units brake over time. A co-worker said the on/off button just stops working at some point. For me it's about 3 years with mild daily use.

I tried this as a stand alone recorder and it sounds really good. It has a a female 1/4-20 threads like a camera so you can mount it to a tripod. I did have to add 2 wind screens but they did not noticeably change the audio. I bought this to capture "Nature" sounds to add to my own music. The audio sounds studio quality when brought in to my DAW. I am very happy with the recorder. I have not tried it as a direct interface but that is not why I bought it.

I love it! It's easy to use and records sound very well. I'm using it for youtube videos and for my audio classes. Buy it!

2 Shotgun Video Mics should fix any problem concerning nature recordings of any sort. The Tascam is designed for close recordings thru onboard microphones.

Thanks,

Jon

I bought this to sync the audio with video while playing at a gig. I used the recorder's internal mics. The sound quality is so much better than my $600 camera's internal mic, by far. It's a night/day difference.

Although I am not a tech wiz (truth), this product has many fans on social media to point out the little things that make it easy to operate and enjoy. I recommend getting a tripod (threads included), or taping it to a mic stand as opposed to placing it on a surface that might vibrate during recording.
Using two AA batteries, but coming with no accessories, it is worth the price!

Hi. I am sometimes sitting behind a drum set. I think it would be helpful if this device came with a remote so that I can pause the recording mode Any opinions

It was a little difficult to operate in the beginning, but after a while you catch on. It does everything Drake said it would. I am pleased with the results and the help I received in the selection.

Very good recorder for my use.

All I wanted was a simple recording device. No bells no whistles with reasonable sound quality. What I got was a multi-functional device with not so good sound quality but it serves its purpose

I purchased this item as a gift for my adult son, who has all of the musical abilities in our family.
He sent me a link to the Sweetwater site so I would know exactly what to get him.
Once I placed my order I never expected to hear from the company again until the item was shipped, but was I wrong!
I instantly received an email from Alan Carter who updated me every step of the way. He even noted that if I had any questions about the product to please email him any time.
Needless to say if my son ever needs another piece of musical equipment I will be ordering it from Sweetwater!
Thank you Alan Carter and thank you Sweetwater!

Not a bad little recorder and priced reasonably; serves its purpose well. Over-all pretty easy to use. The mics are not full range but sensitive enough to pick up even an unplugged Stratocaster. Transfer of clips or ideas is simple via SD card to your PC or Mac. (.wav files)
Doesn't come with a micro SD card but Tascam will send you one by way of "rebate" when you register your product, (at least for now) or they're sold basically everywhere.
I am satisfied with this purchase.

This was purchased as an upgrade for my thirty year old cassette recorder. It has taken me some time to figure out how to use it. The reference manual doesn't come with the recorder, and you have to download it. Also it needs a micro SD card which is not included. Another issue is the playback speaker is very small and not great for music playback. I recommend an external speaker for playback. Otherwise it's great and does what I need it to do. I recommend this for the price.

DR-05X could have been made simpler to program to start recording. Without setting up files with a lot specs. But I did get it to work without the specs. But you have to bring the book around to remember everything. 2 I thought the recording would be louder and clearer. That small speaker in the back doesn't cut it to make a nice clear sound, and no volume. I'll try plugging in another speaker to see if it comes out better or listening w/ headphones. I need a recorder, rec. sounds clearly to add to my studio music.

Overall excellent, but one major flaw. The onboard speaker is nearly inaudible. If there's any ambient sound during playback, it is inaudible. You shouldn't be forced to plug in headphones, external speakers, or transfer files to another device, for playback. Great if a firmware update alone could fix it, but doubtful.