The Tascam dr-05 and the Zoom h4n are both great options for portable recording devices. They both have great features, wonderful included accessories and a wide variety of optional accessories for purchase. With that said, should you choose the Tascam dr-05 or the Zoom h4n?
We’ve looked at four categories to help compile information for you to use in your decision, as well as providing our overall product recommendation. The four categories we’ve analyzed include: overall product dimensions, microphones and channels, unique features and accessories.
Overall Product Dimensions
The Tascam dr-05 is the smaller of the two portable recording devices. The overall product dimensions are 61mm W x 141mm H x 26mm D. The overall weight of this model sits at 116g.
The Zoom h4n has overall product dimensions of 73mm W x 156.3mm D x 35mm H. The overall weight of this model sits at 280g.
Microphones and Channels
The Tascam dr-05 is a 2-channel portable recording device. It includes omnidirectional stereo built-in microphones for a wide range of recording capabilities.
The Zoom h4n is a 4-channel portable recording device. While it doesn’t have the omnidirectional microphones that the Tascam dr-05 has, it’s unidirectional microphones are condenser microphones.
Unique Features
Both the Tascam dr-05 and the Zoom h4n have some great features that can enhance any audio recording.
The unique features for the Tascam dr-05 include the following:
- Compatible with WAV and MP3 file formats
- Records directly to SD card or SDHC cards
- 1/8” unbalanced stereo mini jack line-in
- 1/8” unbalanced stereo mini jack line-out
- Chromatic tuner
- Low-cut filter
- Tripod stand mount
- Built-in speakers
- Multiple power options:
- Two AA batteries
- USB
- AC adapter (optional purchase)
The unique features for the Zoom h45n include the following features:
- Full-dot backlit LCD display
- Five metronome sound sources
- Records directly to SD card or SDHC card
- XLR balanced input / standard unbalanced phone jack combo jack
- Multiple tuners
- Chromatic
- Bass
- Guitar
- Open A/D/E/G
- DADGAD
- External mini stereo phone jack
- Tripod mountable, can be mounted directly to a camera with the optional Hot Shoe adapter
- Pre-record and auto-record features
- Compatible with WAV and MP3 file formats
- Multiple enhancement features:
- Low-cut filter
- Compression
- Modulation
- Delay / reverb
- Playback
- Powered by either two AA batteries or an AC adapter (included)
Accessories
Both the Tascam dr-05 and the Zoom h4n have great includes accessories, as well as additional accessories that can be purchased.
The included accessories for the Tascam dr-05 includes a USB connection cable, two AA batteries and a 4GB microSD card.
The optional accessories that can be purchased for use with the Tascam dr-05 include a PS-P515U power supply, a WS-D122 windscreen and a BP-6AA AAA battery pack.
The included accessories for the Zoom h4n includes an AD-14 AC adapter, USB cable, 2GB SD card, windscreen, MA2 mic chip adapter, a protective case and Cubase LE editing software.
The optional accessories that can be purchased for use with the Zoom h4n include a RC4 remote control and the APH-4M DSLR accessory package. The accessory package includes the RC4 remote control, an alternator cable, a splinter cable, a windscreen and the Hot Shoe mount adapter.
Overall Product Recommendation
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While both these models are fantastic options, the overall product recommendation goes to the Zoom h4n. It has an additional two channels and a larger variety of included accessories and optional purchase accessories.
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