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I just picked up a TASCAM DR-100 MKII the other day and I'm learning how to use it. Full disclosure, all this sound engineering is brand new to me. I bought it because I'm going to start doing podcasts and some video review work and I wanted to get a good recording.

Here are my current settings:

  • Mode: HS
  • Format: WAV 24bit
  • Sample: 96K
  • Input: Uni/Omni (issue is same on both)
  • Mic Gain: H
  • Speaker: Off
  • Monitor: Off
  • Auto/Limiter: Off

I'll set it to record and I can see the levels bouncing. I'll hit record and on play back, I can hear a buzzing / static sound the whole time. I can often times adjust it out with the gain control however, sometimes I'll record and hear it then the very next recording with ZERO setting changes, it won't be there.

I'm trying to determine if I got a lemon or if I just don't know how to use it. I haven't experienced the noise in the recording when using the XLR inputs.

I've provided a sample recording so you can hear what I'm talking about.

Any advice is appreciated.

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  • Good call on asking about it. I'm not sure what the problem is, but I just tested mine again to double check and even with the input totally cranked I got none of that. Was there anything else plugged into the recorder? Power? Usb? Noise cancelling headphones?
    – user7646
    Mar 5, 2014 at 5:11
  • No, nothing else plugged in at all. I was kind of curious when I opened the box because it seemed like I didn't have to go through a setup process like the manual suggested. I'm wondering if it got returned and I got a bad one. I will probably exchange it just to find out.
    – Gregg
    Mar 5, 2014 at 5:28
  • As an FYI, I've gone ahead requested an exchange from Amazon. I'll report back on Thursday and post whether or not I have better luck.
    – Gregg
    Mar 5, 2014 at 5:36
  • I just got the 100 mkII and am having the same exact problem! Did the exchanged unit work as it was supposed to? I get the buzz while recording and on playback via the machine, but if I download the audio to a computer, it is not on the file. So it's clearly a machine issue. (Does it both through the speaker and headphones.) Makes it impossible to know what you're really recording.
    – user14568
    May 12, 2015 at 7:01

3 Answers 3

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It sounds like your unit needs to be repaired. If you still have the warranty, I would send it back to the manufacturer.

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This might sound like an odd / obvious thing to ask, but are you using it near a computer / any other electrical appliance?

I use a z00m H4n and I find the mics on it to be so sensitive that it picks up the sound of my (relativley) silent Imac running in the background - Which to a condenser mic sounds like a jet engine.

If you are using near any other appliance like a desktop, a laptop... anything really, turn them all off and see if that fixes it.

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I discovered that if my cell phone was near the tascam, it caused a buzzing static sound. Move your phone away, and see if that solves the problem.

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  • Hi Kayte, if you listen to the sound file, it is not the interference a mobile phone makes.
    – Rory Alsop ♦
    Nov 14, 2021 at 15:19

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