Tascam DR-40 vs. Zoom H4n Sound Recorders

This is not a full review or comparison of the Zoom H4n and the Tascam DR-40 sound recorders.  Rather, these are just a few observations on these two portable workhorses as they relate to how I use them. 

I record mostly voice and ambient sounds used for video so my fidelity requirements are modest.  Both of these recorders make fine recordings for my purposes.  My recordings are done as 24 bit, 48 KHz WAV files.  Unless recording with a wireless lavalier, I usually use a Behringer C-3 condenser microphone in omnidirectional mode.  The C-3 requires 48 volt phantom power.

Zoom H4n and Tascam DR-40 Sound Recorders

What started me off on this comparison was a recent problem that I had when recording a meeting: the batteries in the H4n ran down after a little more than an hour, about 10 minutes before the end of the meeting.  Luckily, my backup shotgun mic was adequate (with a little post work) to finish off the video.  Just before the start of the meeting, I installed what I thought were a pair of lightly used AA alkaline batteries, thinking they would easily last the hour or so required.  I have to add that the H4n was new but my previous experience with the DR-40 made me think that the batteries should last the hour or so that I needed. 

After the battery fiasco, I decided to run a simple battery run-down test.  For the test (and all future recording sessions), I switched to NiMH rechargeable batteries because I could more easily know the state of charge.  I also noted in the H4n manual that phantom power was particularly hard on batteries, something that I had already learned the hard way.

 

Starting with the H4n, I popped in two AA batteries right from the charger, connected my C-3 mic using phantom power, and proceeded to record the ambient sounds of my office.  Two hours, 59 minutes later, the H4n shut down when it ran out of juice.

Next was the DR-40 which had the advantage of having three AA cells instead of two.  In theory, the extra cell should give a total of about 4.5 hours.  However, the bonus was much more with a total run-down time of five hours, 29 minutes.  The DR-40 clearly has a big edge on field recording time, something important to my usage.

The DR-40 has another advantage in the power area: it derives external power through a USB cable.  The DR-40 can be powered from a computer or from any one of the many USB power supplies I have in a drawer.  The H4n uses a separately purchased five volt power supply, a distinct disadvantage for both cost and flexibility.

Besides the much longer recording time, the differences between the DR-40 and the H4n come down to usability.

What I like about the DR-40

• Protective bars around the built-in microphones
• Ability to change configuration of built-in microphones from X-Y to A-B
• Locking XLR inputs
• Easy to use menu controls on front
• USB power
• Battery life

What I don’t like about the DR-40

• No 3.5 mm input
• SD cover is difficult to open (might be a positive for some users)

What I like about the H4n

• Construction and external covering
• Ability to override built-in mics with 3.5 mm jack on back
• Input buttons and their lights – easy to use and see

What I don’t like about the H4n

• Very slow startup proportional to size of SD memory
• Menu manipulation buttons
• No protection for built-in mics
• Not very intuitive interface
• Battery life

For now, the DR-40 will be my primary field sound recorder and the H4n will be the backup.