Tascam DR-40XP Portable Handheld Digital Field Recorder

The Tascam DR-40XP is a compact four-track handheld recorder and USB audio interface designed to capture professional-quality sound wherever you are. With 32-bit float recording, adjustable stereo condenser microphones, dual XLR/TRS inputs with phantom power and long battery life, it is equally at home on stage, on set or in the rehearsal room, giving you clean, distortion-free audio without fuss.

Whether you are tracking band rehearsals, capturing ambience and sound effects, recording interviews and vlogs or laying down song ideas straight into your DAW, the DR-40XP keeps your setup simple while delivering serious performance. It records to microSD cards up to 512 GB, offers flexible four-track workflows with overdubbing and mixdown, and doubles as a 2-in/2-out USB-C audio interface for Mac, Windows and iOS devices.

Mobile Recording, Studio-Grade Results

The DR-40XP is built around Tascam HDDA mic preamps and 32-bit float recording at up to 96 kHz, so your takes stay detailed and free from clipping, even when levels change suddenly. With support for WAV/BWF and MP3 formats, you can choose between maximum quality for production work or smaller files for quick sharing and long sessions. A clear backlit display and straightforward controls keep operation fast and intuitive when you are working on the move.

Flexible Four-Track Workflows

Four-track recording lets you capture the built-in mics and external inputs at the same time, ideal for combining a room sound with close mics, or blending a camera-top shotgun with ambient stereo. Non-destructive overdub and overwrite functions make it easy to add parts or fix sections without losing your original take, while onboard mixdown with level, pan and effects lets you create a finished stereo file directly on the recorder.

Ready for Video, Vlogging and Content Creation

For video creators, the DR-40XP offers adjustable stereo mics that switch between X-Y for focused dialogue and A-B for wide, immersive ambience. XLR/TRS combo inputs support external shotguns and wireless systems with 24 V or 48 V phantom power, while improved clock accuracy, slate tone for sync and a mini-jack line output help integrate your audio cleanly into any camera workflow.

Built for the Field

Compact dimensions, a tripod or mic stand mount and up to more than 29 hours of operation on batteries make the DR-40XP a dependable field companion. The built-in microphones handle up to 125 dB SPL, so you can capture everything from quiet nature beds to loud vehicles and live shows. Tools like a low-cut filter, automatic level control, limiter, pre-record buffer and auto start/stop help you come back with usable audio even in unpredictable environments.

Creative Tools and USB-C Connectivity

Onboard reverb, a chromatic tuner, variable speed playback, looping and playlist functions turn the DR-40XP into a powerful practice and songwriting hub. Connect via USB-C to use it as a 2-in/2-out audio interface, and you can record straight into your favourite DAW on a laptop or iOS device, using the same high-quality preamps and converters for both field and studio work.

• 32-bit Float, 4-Track Recording - Capture up to four tracks at once in 32-bit float WAV for clean, detailed audio that is highly resistant to clipping. You can focus on the performance rather than constantly riding input levels, which is especially useful for live shows, interviews and unpredictable sound sources.
• Adjustable Stereo Condenser Microphones - Built-in cardioid condensers can be quickly configured in A-B for a wide stereo image or X-Y for tight, phase-coherent stereo. This flexibility lets you adapt to different sources, from solo instruments and vocals to full bands, ambience and sound effects, without extra mics.
• Dual XLR/TRS Inputs with Phantom Power - Two XLR/TRS combo inputs accept mic or line level signals, with switchable 24 V or 48 V phantom power for condenser microphones. You can plug in external mics, mixers or wireless receivers and even record them in parallel with the internal mics to build rich, layered recordings on location.
• USB-C Audio Interface Function - A USB-C connection turns the DR-40XP into a 2-in/2-out audio interface for Mac, Windows and iOS. This means you can use it both as a standalone field recorder and as the front end of your studio setup, taking advantage of the same high-quality preamps and converters when tracking into your DAW.

General

• Product: Tascam DR-40XP Portable Four-Track Digital Audio Recorder and USB Audio Interface
• Recording media: microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC (up to 512 GB)
• Number of input channels: 4 (2 × stereo)
• Number of recording tracks: 4

Recording and Playback Formats

• WAV/BWF (Linear PCM): 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 96 kHz
• Quantisation: 16 bit, 24 bit, 32-bit float
• MP3: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz
• MP3 bit rates: 32, 64, 96, 128, 192, 256, 320 kbit/s
• VBR MP3: playback supported (not recordable)

Built-in Microphones

• Type: Cardioid stereo condenser microphones
• Stereo configurations: A-B or X-Y
• Maximum sound pressure level: 125 dB SPL

Analogue Audio Inputs

• Connectors: 2 × XLR/TRS combo jacks
• Mic mode (MIC or MIC + PHANTOM): maximum input level +5 dBu
• Mic mode minimum input level: −84 dBu
• Mic mode input impedance: ≥ 2.4 kΩ
• Phantom power: 24 V or 48 V (XLR connectors only)
• Line mode (LINE): maximum input level +24 dBu
• Line mode nominal input level: +4 dBu (GAIN at minimum)
• Line mode input impedance: ≥ 10 kΩ

Analogue Audio Outputs

• Headphones / Line output: 3.5 mm stereo mini jack
• Maximum output level: 0 dBV (10 kΩ load)
• Nominal output level: −20 dBV (10 kΩ load)
• Maximum output power: 20 mW + 20 mW (32 Ω load)
• Output impedance: 2.2 Ω
• Recommended headphone impedance: 16–600 Ω
• Built-in mono loudspeaker: 0.3 W

USB and Audio Interface

• USB connector: USB-C
• USB standard: USB 2.0 High Speed (mass storage class), USB 1.1 Full Speed (audio class)
• USB audio sampling frequency: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz
• USB audio quantisation: 24 bit
• USB audio channels: 2 inputs / 2 outputs

Audio Performance

• EIN (equivalent input noise, mic preamp): ≤ −126 dBu
• Frequency response (EXT MIC IN to PCM data, JEITA): 20 Hz–20 kHz +0/−1 dB (Fs 44.1 kHz)
• Frequency response: 20 Hz–22 kHz +0/−1 dB (Fs 48 kHz)
• Frequency response: 20 Hz–40 kHz +0/−1 dB (Fs 96 kHz)
• Total harmonic distortion: ≤ 0.008 percent (EXT MIC IN, −5 dBFS input, 20 kHz LPF, JEITA)
• Dynamic range: ≥ 112 dB (EXT MIC IN to PCM data, 20 kHz LPF, A-weighted, JEITA)

Power and Battery Life

• Power requirements: 3 × AA batteries (alkaline, NiMH or lithium), USB bus power (5 V, 0.5 A) or optional AC adapter (Tascam PS-P520U)
• Power consumption: 1.7 W (maximum)
• Current draw: 0.34 A (maximum)
• Alkaline batteries (Evolta), typical operation times:
  • 20 h 30 min: stereo playback, headphones, WAV 96 kHz 32-bit float
  • 18 h 00 min: stereo recording, built-in mics, WAV 44.1 kHz 16 bit
  • 16 h 30 min: stereo recording, built-in mics, WAV 44.1 kHz 32-bit float
  • 16 h 00 min: stereo recording, built-in mics, MP3 44.1 kHz 128 kbit/s
  • 5 h 00 min: 4-track recording, phantom power 48 V (2 × 3 mA), headphones, WAV 96 kHz 32-bit float
• NiMH rechargeable batteries (Eneloop), typical operation times:
  • 16 h 00 min: stereo playback, headphones, WAV 96 kHz 32-bit float
  • 16 h 00 min: stereo recording, built-in mics, WAV 44.1 kHz 16 bit
  • 16 h 00 min: stereo recording, built-in mics, WAV 44.1 kHz 32-bit float
  • 13 h 00 min: stereo recording, built-in mics, MP3 44.1 kHz 128 kbit/s
  • 5 h 00 min: 4-track recording, phantom power 48 V (2 × 3 mA), headphones, WAV 96 kHz 32-bit float
• Lithium batteries (Energizer Ultimate Lithium), typical operation times:
  • 30 h 30 min: stereo playback, headphones, WAV 96 kHz 32-bit float
  • 29 h 30 min: stereo recording, built-in mics, WAV 44.1 kHz 16 bit
  • 25 h 30 min: stereo recording, built-in mics, WAV 44.1 kHz 32-bit float
  • 24 h 30 min: stereo recording, built-in mics, MP3 44.1 kHz 128 kbit/s
  • 10 h 00 min: 4-track recording, phantom power 48 V (2 × 3 mA), headphones, WAV 96 kHz 32-bit float

Physical

• Dimensions (W × H × D, mics folded in): 70 mm × 155 mm × 35 mm
• Dimensions (W × H × D, mics folded out): 90 mm × 155 mm × 35 mm
• Weight (without batteries): 213 g
• Weight (with batteries): 282 g
• Stand adapter: 1/4 inch thread for tripod or microphone stand
• Permissible operating temperature range: 0–40 °C