Brand new DR-40X

[NedSouth]

Songwriter here, needing handheld recorder. Unboxed DR-40X, inserted microSD and batteries, held the HOME button, as instructed, set the date and before I could set time, the unit reverted to a "welcome" screen, a graphic DR-40X and some moving musical notes. All other buttons are inoperable. I tried menu, Enter, every button on the machine and the screen remained the same. I took out the batteries and SD card and waited then re-installed batteries and card, pushed the HOME/Power button and a new, screen: TASCAM DR-40X came up with turning tape reels behind the text. No control does anything. Has anybody out there run into this? I admit, I'm a songwriter, not a recording engineer and sure I am digitally challenged, but this seems bizarre. No such behavior is mentioned in the manual. Help!

 

[killyourdog1973]

Did you have the Hold switch on!?

 

[lingling-o]

This is exactly the behavior I got yesterday on my brand new DR-40X when using a brand new Samsung PRO Ultimate 128 GB SDXC card. The problem is either that the card is bad or incompatible. My two Samsung EVO Select 128 GB micro SDXC cards (both also brand new) work just fine. Any attempt to use the PRO Ultimate card caused the whole thing to lock up solid, and the only thing I could do was remove the batteries.

 

[Mark Richards]

An old thread to which the OP never returned after posting , nevertheless worth mentioning that to help assure trouble free operation, always:

* update to the most current version of the firmware; and
* use only TASCAM tested/certified SD cards (as explained in the "Introduction" of the reference/owner manual).

That usually solves hardware related problems other than something caused by an actual defect.

 

[lingling-o]

Technical and industrial standards exist for a reason. I have been a professional technology consultant for over 35 years, and in pro audio for about 40 years. The idea that someone should need to buy a device that requires a storage medium, unbox the device to use it, and only then be able to read the manual to find out whether or not the memory card, which is made to industry standards, might or might not work in that particular device, is not a reasonable suggestion.

In all my years of using devices that take digital storage, I have never once ever had to think about compatibility. If the box says it supports a 128 GB SDXC card, then a 128 GB SDXC card of any brand should work in that device, especially one from one of the two biggest names in SD card manufacturing.

 

[Mark Richards]

...buy a device...and only then be able to read the manual... not a reasonable suggestion...

Like all manufacturers of sophisticated audio gear, TASCAM makes available online the user manual, as well as OS compatibility information, the most current drivers, the most current firmware, as well as the most current list of tested/certified SD cards for each of their products.

I wouldn't presume to speak for all audio engineers, but before plunking down my hard earned ducats, my due diligence includes going first to the manufacturer's web site to verify system/driver information and obtain/download/read the manual to assure the product will meet all my needs. Read the manual; check the firmware; check the list, buy a certified card. SOP for me. It is what it is. I really don't care why.

I keep my firmware up to date, use only tested/certified SD cards, and have been problem-free for the more than twelve years I've used TASCAM digital multitrack recorders.

I'm merely passing along the information found on the TASCAM web site and in the owner manual; and the experiences, across product lines, over many years, of the members of this forum community (which a forum search using "SD card" turns up easily).

... says it supports a 128 GB SDXC card ...

I take your point that the generalized SD card info in the product spec sheet would benefit from a caveat.

Perhaps TASCAM assumes users of their complex multitrack gear will take the time to read through the manual before first use and see the caveat up front in the "Introduction/SD Card" section.

Have you consider that TASCAM has been producing sophisticated digital multitrack gear a very long time, and that perhaps they've found (and empirical evidence on this site suggests strongly) that the complexities of multitracking strain some SD cards to the point of failure?

Perhaps you'll take that up, and the why/wherefore, with TASCAM, come back and share with the community, and in contributing to the community, expand the collective knowledge base.