Tascam DR-40 plus Audio Technica Pro 88W Wireless Mic

[DigitalBard]

I upgraded my Zoom H1 to a Tascam DR-40 and preliminary tests have me very happy. I did run into an issue trying to get my new Audio Technica wireless lav system working with it, but after a few hours, I figured out the problem.

Neither the receiver, nor the transmitter for the Pro 88W have a volume control or any form of level control. And the receiver puts out a VERY powerful signal that was overwhelming the DR-40. I had the levels on the DR-40 all the way down to +1 from +100 max and I was still getting peaks.

I got frustrated and went for a drive (I got a 40% off coupon from Harbor Freight that expires today). When I got back, I started organizing all of my doodads into a new toolbox I bought and ran across this radio shack volume control I bought last year and never used:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2102975

I stuck it between the receiver and the DR-40 and BINGO! That fixed my problem. The audio sounds fantastic and I can bump up the levels to the 50s and still keep it under -12db.

DSLR Film Noob and CheesyCam are pitching this which will also probably work:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B00001P4XH

[DigitalBard]

I also want to mention that I bought a brand new AT3350 wired lav and the one I got now has a stereo 1/8th plug instead of mono. Which saves me an adapter. But sadly, it doesn't work. I tried it with the DR-40 and plugged directly into my camera and I get nothing. I also tried a new battery, still no go. I'm trying to get it replaced, but at least their only $18.

[cgbier]

Does the DR have a line/mic switch for the input?

[Janke]

Does the DR have a line/mic switch for the input?

It's probably in a software menu, like on the DR-07... If there is, then you don't need an attenuator.

sadly, it doesn't work.

Did you insert the battery the right way around? (The + and - show how the battery should be turned, not which pole goes toward the mark...)

[DigitalBard]

It's probably in a software menu, like on the DR-07... If there is, then you don't need an attenuator.

Did you insert the battery the right way around? (The + and - show how the battery should be turned, not which pole goes toward the mark...)

The DR-40 actually has a switch on the side for Line/Mic and I tried both. The output from the Pro 88W is just LOUD with no volume control of any kind.

Yup, I triple checked that the battery was in correctly. I even pulled the battery out of the one I have that is working, still no go.

[DigitalBard]

I'm getting bizarre line noise issues when plugging my working AT 3350 into the DR-40 directly using a 1/8th to 1/4th adapter. I've been through a few different ones (one from Radio Shack, one from Best Buy and a cheapie I got on eBay). They all have noise issues. I bought the "Rode VXLR Adapter for VideoMic Mini-Jack Female to XLR Male" based on a recommendation on DSLR Film Noob. It works with the output from the Pro88W, but not with the AT 3350... not sure what's going on there. Unless it's that the working AT 3350 I have has a mono jack and the input on the Rode XLR adapter is stereo.

I prefer the AT 3350 MIC over the MIC that came with the Pro 88W, so I'm going to see if I can shorten the cable of the non-working MIC and get it working with the Pro 88W. I'll let you know how that goes.

[cgbier]

Stupid question: Did you change the battery on the 3350 already?

[Janke]

Good point. Leave it on for a couple of days, and it's drained. There is a reason for the ON/OFF switch...

[cgbier]

It's just that I ran in the same issue today.... "why don't I get a @#$%& signal? ... oh, that's why!"

[Janke]

CG, I thought your answer (referring to the "Death Grip" video) came before my post, I just hit the send button - but it was in the Tech Companies thread...

You can copy/paste your reply there!

[cgbier]

That's not what I meant, but ROTFLOL!

[DigitalBard]

Yes, I put a new battery in and I still get the same static. I think it's the 1/8 to 1/4 adapter that's the actual problem. I get different noise when I use different adapters.

I'm going to put a 1/4 inch plug on the dead 3350 and see if that fixes the problem.

[gh2user]

I upgraded my Zoom H1 to a Tascam DR-40 and preliminary tests have me very happy. I did run into an issue trying to get my new Audio Technica wireless lav system working with it, but after a few hours, I figured out the problem.

Neither the receiver, nor the transmitter for the Pro 88W have a volume control or any form of level control. And the receiver puts out a VERY powerful signal that was overwhelming the DR-40. I had the levels on the DR-40 all the way down to +1 from +100 max and I was still getting peaks.

I got frustrated and went for a drive (I got a 40% off coupon from Harbor Freight that expires today). When I got back, I started organizing all of my doodads into a new toolbox I bought and ran across this radio shack volume control I bought last year and never used:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2102975

I stuck it between the receiver and the DR-40 and BINGO! That fixed my problem. The audio sounds fantastic and I can bump up the levels to the 50s and still keep it under -12db.

DSLR Film Noob and CheesyCam are pitching this which will also probably work:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B00001P4XH

Hello are you using the bottom minijack labeled "REMOTE" as an input on the DR-40? I thought that was only for the optional RC10 wired remote?