The DR-07 is a hand-held stereo recorder which records from either external microphones or its pair of built-in microphones onto a removable SD or SDHC memory card in MP3 or WAV file format. Playback facilities include loop, repeat and tempo-change without pitch-shift, making it suitable for use by reporters. A USB port allows files to be transferred to a computer for editing.
Recording level can be adjusted manually, with or without clip limiting. Automatic level control may also be selected. In hand-held use the source signal will be from the built-in microphones, but the DR-07 also accepts inputs from external microphones or line-level sources. Each recording generates a separate file, but new files may also be created during recording, either manually or automatically. A pre-record buffer adds the two seconds of audio before the record button was pressed to the start of the file, and a delay facility ensures that the sound of the record button being pressed is not recorded. All controls may be disabled to avoid inadvertent cancelling of record mode. A USB 2.0 port facilitates connection to a computer, which will recognise the DR-07 as an external drive in the usual way for easy file transfer. Wav or .mp3 files may also be transferred from the computer to the recorder. Monitoring of recording or playback may be with headphones; the headphone socket may be used as a line output.
The main controls are on the front panel. A multi-purpose LCD shows various screens, depending on operating mode, including left and right record-level, elapsed and remaining times, current file-name, recording format and battery status. 'Record' and 'Stop' buttons start and stop recording. A 'Play/Pause' control is used in conjunction with 'Forward' and 'Backwards' keys to locate and replay recorded audio. There are dedicated keys for opening the playback control screen and defining the start and end of a playback loop. A 'Menu' button accesses the main settings menus, with menu navigation by means of a large cursor wheel and other multi-function buttons. The 'Stop' button also performs a 'Home' function, always returning the display to the home page. A peak LED indicates input over-level.
The right side panel has two 3.5mm 3-pole jack sockets for line-level input and headphones/line-level output respectively, an up and down switch for playback level adjustment and a rotary control for analogue recording level adjustment. The left side panel has a coaxial DC input socket, a power on/off button, a 'Hold' slide switch which disables/enables all other recorder controls. The SD card slot and the USB port are protected by a hinged cover. A pair of electret microphones in stereo configuration are mounted on the top of the recorder, with a 3.5mm 3-pole jack socket for external microphone input which disconnects the internal microphones when in use. The battery compartment is on the rear of the recorder.
Compatible media types:
SD card, 64MB to 2GB, or SDHC card, 4GB to 32GB.
Recording formats:
MP3: Two-channel, 44.1kHz or 48kHz, 16-bit; bit-rate selectable 32/64/96/128/192/256/320kbps in record mode, variable bit-rate in playback.
WAV files: Two-channel, 44.1kHz or 48kHz, 16-bit.
Recording time, with 2GB SD card:
23h 54m 192kbps, 35h 50m 128kpbs 71h 40m 64kbps. SD cards with other capacities have pro-rata recording times.
Card file system: FAT partition, FAT16 or 32.
External microphone inputs: -64dBV maximum sensitivity, 30000 ohms, unbalanced. Line inputs: +6dBV maximum input level, 23000 ohms, unbalanced. Response: 20-20000Hz +1/-3dB. Distortion: Less than 0.015%, 1kHz, +6dBV input. Noise: better than -87dB. Line outputs: +2dBV maximum level, unbalanced. Headphones: 2 x 15mW into 32 ohms. Power source: 5V DC, 0.7W via optional AC adaptor, or 2 x AA batteries, alkaline or NiMH. Dimensions: 55 x 137 x 27mm. Weight: 125g.
Included accessories: 2GB SD card, USB cable, two AA batteries, microphone windshield, owners manual and warranty card.
Optional accessories: PS-P520 AC adapter.