New to Field Recording: Tascam DR-07XP Noise Problem – Seeking Tips

[Orxion]

Hi everyone,

I’m new to audio recording and would really appreciate some help. My main goal is to record sounds of nature — birds, forests, streams — and sometimes the gentle buzzing of my bees, as I’m a beekeeper. For photos, I use a Canon R6 Mark II, and the video is fine when processed in DaVinci Studio, but the built-in audio is quite poor.

So I went looking for a better solution. After trying out the DJI Mic 2 (which didn’t suit my outdoor needs), I chose the Tascam DR-07XP mainly for its 32-bit float support, which is supposed to be more forgiving (similar to shooting RAW photos). The reviews and YouTube demos sounded great.

But I’m struggling with a persistent background hiss/noise in my recordings (using built-in mics, 32-bit float). I posted about this in a field recording Facebook group and got a useful reply from a member named Greg, who listened to my sample and responded:

“Both channels have significant DC bias, your signal to noise level is very poor. If I remove the DC bias your background noise is -70 dB with a max signal of -46 dB. That’s a pretty small dynamic range for a signal. Resolve the DC bias, improve the signal to noise ratio, use broadband noise suppression. Why are you recording at 96K, might be a little overkill.”

Greg even cleaned up the file and shared the result (which was a huge improvement!), but unfortunately, he hasn’t replied to my follow-up questions about the tools and techniques he used.
- my original file: https://vt.orxion.net/test.wav
- Greg’s cleaned version LINK (google drive)

At one point I was ready to return the recorder (still within the 14-day window), but after hearing Greg’s cleaned version, I realized the DR-07XP can deliver much better results than I’ve managed so far.

So, I’m hoping for some advice from the Tascam community:

• Is it normal to have DC bias and this level of hiss/floor noise on the DR-07XP, or am I doing something wrong in my setup?
• Any tips or best practices for eliminating DC bias and improving the signal-to-noise ratio, either during recording or in post-processing (ideally with Mac-compatible tools like Audacity, but open to other suggestions)?
• Is 96 kHz recording actually helpful for this kind of work, or should I stick to 48 kHz?
• Any recommended workflow for cleaning up nature recordings like this?

Thanks in advance for any advice — I really appreciate it and look forward to learning from your experience!

 

[Phil Tipping]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Couldn't see any specs for the DR-07XP noise performance so can't offer much help. If you've not tried already, there's a search option on the forum which may find similar posts.
Fwiw, I had a quick look on the internet and found a 3-page thread discussing noise here, and a link to some test results here.

From my own limited experience decades ago trying to record the 'dawn chorus', the input gain of the recorder is going to need turning up a lot, even to the max in my case, so I believe the most important factor is the self-noise of the mics and pre-amps, not the number of bits or sampling rate.
This may not be so critical in your case with a fairly local noise source from the bees, as you maybe wouldn't need so much gain.

I got great results with some (albeit expensive) studio gear: a Tascam DA-P1 DAT recorder with a pair of Neumann TLM-103 mics, recording at 16-bits at 44.1KHz. The self-noise for the mics is about 7dB-A. Not sure what the DA-P1 was.

I also found good quality wind shields helped. Even a gentle breeze can be detectable without them. I tried a few home-made ones, but eventually bought some low-end fluffy ones from Rycote.

I doubt if you'll get many passers-by when you're near bees, but if you try other sounds from nature, be prepared for strangers asking all sorts of questions; one thought I was working for the government, another thought it was to do with aliens

 

[Mark Richards]

@Orxion, welcome to the community.

Following up on what Phil wrote and the information he provided, while the exact S/N ratio for the TASCAM DR-07XP’s built-in microphones is not explicitly stated in the provided references or TASCAM’s official documentation, related TASCAM models indicate high-quality performance with low-noise preamps, suggesting an equivalent input noise (EIN) of around -120 dB or better for other similar TASCAM devices like the DR-07XP.

1. Ensure your DR-07XP is running the latest firmware (Version 1.01 or later, as of February 2025) and use a high-quality microSDXC card (Class 10 or higher, up to 512 GB) to avoid data errors that might manifest as noise.

2. For the DR-07XP, the built-in cardioid condenser microphones are designed to handle up to 125 dB SPL, and the 32-bit float recording mode ensures low-noise, distortion-free recordings. So I would posit that it's safe to assume the DP-07XP is competitive for a handheld recorder in this class, likely in the range of 90–100 dB for the built-in mics, based on typical specs for similar TASCAM and competitor devices.

3. The DR-07XP’s built-in cardioid condenser mics, while high-quality, have inherent self-noise, which becomes more noticeable in quiet environments like nature settings. So subtle ambient sounds (wind, distant traffic, or electronic interference) can contribute to perceived noise, especially in open areas, and improper gain settings or automatic level controls may amplify noise in quiet recordings.

4. The DR-07XP’s adjustable microphones can be set to A/B or XY. Using the XY configuration provides a tighter stereo image and reduces phase issues, which can help focus on the desired sound (e.g., birds or streams) and minimize ambient noise.

5. Place the recorder closer to the sound source (e.g., near a stream or under a tree with birds) to increase the signal strength relative to background noise. Use a tripod or mount to avoid handling noise.

6. Use a high-quality windscreen (e.g., a furry windjammer) over the built-in mics to reduce wind noise. Even the slightest of breezes can sound like high frequency hiss or low frequency rumble.

7. Avoid using the automatic level control, but experiment using the various low-cut filters, and keep gain moderate to avoid amplifying mic self-noise.

8. If still no joy, try using external microphones. A pair of high-sensitivity, low-noise stereo microphones (e.g., Audio-Technica AT4022 or Rode NT5) can offer better S/N ratios than the built-in mics, especially for quiet nature sounds.

9. TASCAM’s free Audio File Manager software allows you to adjust levels of 32-bit float recordings without degrading quality. Apply gentle noise reduction or normalization to enhance the signal while minimizing background noise. Also, free or inexpensive audio production software like Audacity and Reaper can use EQ and noise reduction plugins in a similar way.

10. Use headphones via the 3.5mm headphone output to monitor recordings in real-time and adjust mic placement or settings if background noise is prominent.

11. If at all possible, avoid Facebook if you're seeking knowledgabe, informed advice.

Phil and I have taken time from our busy schedules to look into this, so please thank us by returning to let us know if this helps you get better recordings so the community at large can benefit and your experience can help others in the future.

 

[Orxion]

Hi, thanks a lot for the help! I’ve updated to the latest firmware, even though from the changelog it doesn't seem to address what I was hoping for.


I primarily record in A/B mode, so I’ll try switching to XY. I already use a tripod and a dead cat, so I don't think the issue lies there. I’ve also experimented with the low-cut filter, but I didn’t notice much of a difference—or rather, I didn’t hear it.


As you suggested, I’ll check out the Audio File Manager and the automatic level control settings. If that still doesn’t help, I guess I’ll need to look elsewhere.


Anyway, I appreciate your help and all the detailed explanations!


As an alternative, I’m considering the Zoom H6essential—at least borrowing one to compare its performance.