The default settings of the Tascam DR-10L are well chosen, but I still recommend changing a few of them. For example, I always think it’s a good idea to use the DUAL RECORD feature. For the best results with the Tascam DR-10L, just follow the chart below.
Changing the settings on the DR-10L is logical and straight-forward. With the unit turned on, you simply press the Menu button, then scroll up or down and select 1 of the 20 menu options by pressing the Enter button. Here are the settings I recommend:
| 01: MIC GAIN | This is the input level setting of the DR-10L. The options are Low, Medium-Low, Medium, High, and High+. I think you should always look at the audio meter on the DR-10L and adjust this setting so the meter is bouncing around 3 1/4’s of the way up. I explain this fully in my How To Set Audio Levels post. |
| 02: LOW CUT | If you don’t plan to EQ your audio in post production using good quality studio headphones or flat-response speakers, turn Low Cut on. |
| 03: Limiter | Unless a device has a high-quality analog limiter (and the DR-10L does not), I recommend turning the Limiter off. |
| 04: AUTO LEVEL | This feature automatically turns the input level up or down. In general I do not use features like this. Turn it off. |
| 05: FS SAMPLE | Leave this on the default of 48kHz. |
| 06: BIT LENGTH | Leave this on the default of 24-bit. |
| 07: FILE TYPE | This setting either creates a mono file, or a stereo file with the same mono audio on both the Left and Right channels. In order to keep file sizes down, I recommend using the default Mono. |
| 08: DUAL REC | Dual Record is a super cool feature. It records a “safety track” of the same audio at a lower level. I recommend turning this on, and using the -12dB option. You end up creating twice as many audio files to manage, but it’s worth it because no matter how loudly your subject suddenly gets, you will have a copy of their audio that doesn’t get overloaded and distort. |
| 09: MP3 MODE | Leave this turned off. |
| 10: TRACK INC | Leave this turned off. |
| 11: WARN BEEPS | Turn this on. When you plug headphones into the DR-10L, you will hear warning beeps if your battery is low, or if your memory card is low on data. Cool feature. Thank you, Tascasm! |
| 12: POWER SAVE | Turn this on. It played a major role in how my cheap AAA alkaline battery lasted forever with the DR-10L. |
| 13: NAME TYPE | Leave this on the default, which is Date. You can get more crafty with the file names in the next setting option… |
| 14: FILE NAME | If you only own one DR-10L and mainly use it to record yourself, you don’t need to mess with this one. But, if you use more than one DR-10L at the same time, it might be worthwhile to change the name of the file to the name of the person who wears the unit. This way, in post, it will be clear which audio files belong to which person. |
| 15: FORMAT SD | Personally, I make a habit to format the SD every time I take the files off of my DR-10L. But I only do so after I’ve also backed-up those files on a second hard drive. |
| 16: MIC BIAS | Leave this turned On, unless you’re using a different kind of mic that doesn’t need power to operate. |
| 17: BATT TYPE | If you’re using an alkaline battery, set this to ALK. If you’re using a rechargeable set it to NiMH. If you’re using lithium, set it to LITH. |
| 18: DATE/TIME | Make sure you have the correct date and time entered here. |
| 19: SYS INIT | This resets every setting back to the factory default. If you accidentally do this, it’s not the end of the world because Tascam made excellent choices with the defaults. |
| 20: VER INFO | There are no options to choose in this one. |
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This is immensely helpful, thank you Sam! I plan to use the new Dr10l-pro in a podcast-style situation, having two running concurrently, one for two different people having a conversation together on a cough, about an arms’ length apart. Any special considerations for this sort of setup and getting the audio tracks synced while editing?
Hmmm. For a podcast, I think you’re better off using something else. It seems like you’re going for something casual, kicking back on a couch and talking. The trouble is, lavalier mics clipped to a shirt don’t sound great in an audio podcast. In a video podcast, it might work, but the recording won’t translate to an audio-only version well. Why? Because it will sound less direct, and more roomy. Podcast listeners are used to perfection. They are used to hearing the podcaster’s voices speaking directly into good microphones with proper levels in an acoustically dead space. A lav mic clipped to a shirt will not sound nearly as good to them, so you will be less likely to hold their attention. Using one lavalier mic for two people is a no-no. I would never advise that. The good thing about podcasting is that $99 dynamic mics, like the Shure SM58 sound great for podcasts, but only if the hosts keep them within 3 inches of their mouths. This would be awkward on a couch. Have them sit at a desk or a table with inexpensive table-stands for the mics. One mic for each person in the podcast.