The DR-05 offers portable, high-quality stereo recording in MP3 or WAV format – including 96-kHz/24-bit high-resolution audio – using microSD or microSDHC media. A pair of A/B-oriented omni-directional microphones handles up to 125 dB SPL with the sensitivity to capture every detail. Users can also use their own microphone or line-level source through the mini-jack stereo input which includes plug-in power for microphones that need it.

The DR-05 is quick and easy to use with one thumb. Operations like recording, adjusting levels, deleting bad takes and adding marks are only a button press away. Other features like limiting, low-cut filtering, Variable Speed Audition, chromatic tuner and others more can be chosen from the menu. The new Peak Reduction feature automatically reduces the level to prevent accidental distortion. It works in rehearsal mode or in record and can be combined with the built-in limiter. There is also a Level Align function that allows to smooth out any sudden volume jumps during playback, and a built-in speaker is provided for quick check-back.

Internally, the DR-05’s digital and analogue circuit boards are built separately to increase noise performance, with a low-impedance design to further decrease hiss. A separate supply voltage is used for the A/D and D/A converter for even better audio performance. The result is clean sound quality with high signal-to-noise ratio, very little distortion and wide frequency response.

Two AA batteries can power the recorder for more than 17 hours, even while recording at CD quality. Operation by USB bus power or an optional AC adapter is also possible.

Main Features

Portable, high-quality handheld recording

Small size and easy operation

Uses a micro SD/SDHC card as recording medium (2 GB included)

Supported audio formats:

Linear PCM (WAV format) at 16-bit/44.1 kHz (CD quality) or 24-bit/44.1 kHz

Linear PCM (WAV format), 24-bit/48 kHz

Linear PCM (WAV format), 24-bit/96 kHz

Compressed (MP3 format): 32–320 kbit/s at 44.1/48 kHz (VBR files can be played but not recorded)

Recording features

Built-in omni-directional stereo condenser microphone

Accepts high sound pressure level up to 125 dB

Easy setup

Natural sound independent of the sound source’s position

Ideal for live music recording or news gathering with atmo

Switchable filter to minimize unwanted low-frequency noise (40 Hz, 80 Hz, 120 Hz)

Manual recording level setting for music and field recording

Three Options of automatic level control during recording: Peak Reduction, Auto Level, Limiter

Pre-recording buffer (2 seconds) allows a recording to start before the record key is pressed

Timer allows a recording to start 5 or 10 seconds after pressing the RECORD button

Create a new file manually during recording

Set marks to quickly locate certain audio positions (up to 99 per file)

Stereo mic/line input with plug-in power to connect an external source or microphone

Playback features

Automatic level align allows to increase the perceived overall sound pressure during playback

Variable speed audition to change the playback tempo without affecting the key (50–200 %)

Repeat function (repeat one track or all tracks)

Loop function (repeat a marked section)

Playlist feature to play files in a certain order

Resume function (start playback from the audio position where the unit was last stopped)

Flash back function to instantly review playback (1–10, 20, 30 seconds)

EQ for tone control during playback

MP3 ID3 tag display (up to version 2.4)

Built-in loudspeaker

Headphones/Line output

Other features

Chromatic tuner function to tune your instrument

File divide function to cut unwanted noise or to extract parts from long recordings (WAV format only)

Folder management to organize your files

Hold function to avoid inadvertent operation

Clear, backlit LC display

USB 2.0 connection for file transfer to/from computer

Power supply by 2 AA size Alkaline or NiMH batteries, USB bus power or optional AC adapter (Tacsam PS-P515U)

Stand adapter (¼ inch) on bottom side to attach the unit to a tripod or microphone stand

Analogue audio inputs and outputs

Microphone/Line input 3.5-mm stereo mini jack (supporting plug-in power)

  Input impedance 25 k?

Nominal input level –20 dBV

  Maximum input level –4 dBV

Line/headphones output 3.5-mm stereo mini jack

  Output impedance 12 ?

  Nominal output level –14 dBV (10 k? load)

  Maximum output level +2 dBV (10 k? load)

  Maximum output power (phones) 20 mW + 20 mW (32 ? load)

Built-in loudspeaker 0.3 W (monaural)

Other inputs and outputs

USB jack Mini-B type

  Format USB 2.0 HIGH SPEED mass storage class

Audio performance

Frequency response 20 - 20 kHz +1/–3 dB

(44.1 kHz, EXT IN to LINE OUT, JEITA)

20 Hz – 22 kHz +1/–3 dB

(48 kHz, EXT IN to LINE OUT, JEITA)

20 Hz – 40 kHz +1/–3 dB

(96 kHz, EXT IN to LINE OUT, JEITA)

Total harmonic distortion 0.05 % or less

(EXT IN to LINE OUT, Fs 44.1/48/96 kHz, JEITA)

S/N ratio 92 dB or more

(EXT IN to LINE OUT, Fs 44.1/48/96 kHz, JEITA)

Note for JEITA Conforming to JEITA CP-2150

Computer compatibility

Supported OS Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7

Mac OS X 10.2 or later

  Windows Pentium 300 MHz or faster

128 MB or more memory

USB port (USB 2.0 recommended)

  Mac Power PC, iMac, G3, G4 266 MHz or faster

64 MB or more memory

USB port (USB 2.0 recommended)

Recommended USB host controller Intel chipset

Power supply and other specifications

Power supply Two AA batteries (Alkaline or Ni-MH)

USB bus power supplied from a computer

AC adaptor (TASCAM PS-P515U, sold separately)

Power consumption 1.7 W (maximum)

Dimensions (W x H x D) 61 mm x 141 mm x 26 mm

Weight 0,116 kg (without batteries)

Operating temperature range 0–40 °C