Tascam DR-05X User Manual

DR-05X

Linear PCM Recorder

REFERENCE MANUAL

D01353820A

Table of Contents

1 – Introduction ....................................................................4

Features ..................................................................................................4

Conventions used in this manual ................................................. 4

Trademarks and copyrights ............................................................ 4

About microSD cards ........................................................................ 5

Precautions for use ........................................................................ 5

2 – Names and Functions of Parts .......................................6

Front ........................................................................................................ 6

Front panel ............................................................................................7

Rear panel ............................................................................................. 7

Left side .................................................................................................. 8

Right side ............................................................................................... 8

Bottom.................................................................................................... 8

Home Screen ........................................................................................ 9

Recording screen ..............................................................................10

Playback Control screen .................................................................11

Menu item list ....................................................................................11

Using the menu .................................................................................13

Basic operation ..................................................................................13

3 – Preparation ................................................................... 14

Preparing the power supply .........................................................14

Using AA batteries .......................................................................14

Using an AC adapter (sold separately) .................................14

Using USB bus power .................................................................14

Turning the power on and off (standby mode) .....................15

Turning the unit on .....................................................................15

Turning the unit off (standby) .................................................15

Resume function ..........................................................................15

Setting the date and time .............................................................16

Inserting and removing microSD cards ....................................17

Inserting microSD cards ............................................................17

Removing cards ............................................................................17

Preparing microSD cards for use .................................................17

Using the built-in speaker .............................................................18

Connecting monitoring equipment ..........................................18

4 – Recording ..................................................................... 20

Setting file format, sampling frequency, type and

maximum file size .............................................................................20

Setting where files are saved........................................................21

Making input settings .....................................................................21

Placing the unit and making connections ..............................22

Recording with the built-in mics ............................................22

Recording with external mics (MIC IN).................................22

Recording an external device (EXT IN) .................................22

Adjusting the input level ...............................................................22

Manually adjusting the input level .......................................22

Using the LEVEL MODE function............................................24

Recording ............................................................................................25

Recording playback and input sounds together

(overdubbing) ....................................................................................25

Select the file you want to overdub ......................................25

Selecting file format ...................................................................25

Simultaneous listening to playback and input sound

(MONITOR MIX) ............................................................................25

Adjusting the input level ..........................................................26

TASCAM DR-05X

2

Conducting overdubbing .........................................................27

Recording automatically (AUTO REC) ........................................27

Continuing to record in a new file (track incrementing) ....28

Manual track incrementation during recording ...............28

Automatic track incrementation by file size ......................28

Capturing a few seconds before starting recording

(PRE REC)..............................................................................................29

Self-timer .............................................................................................29

Using tone output ............................................................................30

Setting the AUTO TONE .............................................................30

Setting the AUTO TONE length ...............................................30

Adjusting the AUTO TONE volume ........................................30

Recording duration ..........................................................................31

5 – Working with Files and Folders (BROWSE screen) ..... 32

Screen navigation.............................................................................32

Icons on the BROWSE screen .......................................................32

File operations ...................................................................................32

Folder operations .............................................................................33

Creating a new folder ......................................................................33

6 – Playback........................................................................ 34

Adjusting the playback volume ..................................................34

Setting the playback area (AREA) ...............................................34

Selecting a folder for the playback area (1).............................35

Selecting a folder for the playback area (2).............................35

Using the playlist ..............................................................................36

Adding files to the playlist ........................................................36

Editing the playlist ......................................................................36

Selecting files for playback (skipping) ......................................37

Playing recordings ...........................................................................37

Pausing ............................................................................................37

Stopping .........................................................................................37

Searching backward and forward .........................................37

Repeat playback (REPEAT) .............................................................37

Special playback control functions ............................................38

Playback Control screen ............................................................38

Loop playback of a selection ...................................................38

Changing the playback speed (VSA) ....................................39

Setting the playback equalizer ....................................................39

Increasing the perceived overall sound pressure to

enhance listenability (LEVEL ALIGN)..........................................40

Using the jump function ................................................................40

Setting the jump back time .....................................................41

Setting the jump forward time ...............................................41

7 – Quick Operations ......................................................... 42

Features of the QUICK button ......................................................42

Quick menu ........................................................................................43

Deleting files ......................................................................................43

Dividing the selected file (DIVIDE) .............................................43

Overwrite recording ........................................................................44

Selecting a file to overwrite record .......................................44

Activating overwrite recording mode..................................44

Conducting overwrite recording ...........................................44

Checking the result of recording ...........................................44

Undoing and redoing ................................................................44

Ending overwrite recording mode ........................................44

Table of Contents

Transcribing recorded files (DICTATION PLAY).......................45

Enabling DICTATION PLAY mode ...........................................45

Adjusting the playback equalization ....................................45

Changing the playback position ............................................45

Changing the playback volume and speed .......................45

Exiting DICTATION PLAY mode ...............................................45

8 – Mark functions ............................................................. 46

Adding marks manually .................................................................46

Adding marks automatically to a recording ...........................46

Moving to mark positions .............................................................46

Clearing marks ...................................................................................46

9 – Using the effects .......................................................... 47

Setting the effect ..............................................................................47

Effects Preset List ..............................................................................47

10 – Tuning an instrument ................................................ 48

Using the tuner .................................................................................48

Setting the tuner..........................................................................48

Tuning a musical instrument ...................................................48

Adjusting the input level for tuning .....................................48

11 – USB Connections ........................................................ 49

Powering the unit with USB bus power ...................................49

Using as an SD card reader ...........................................................49

Disconnecting the unit from a computer ................................50

Transferring files from a computer .............................................50

Using as a USB audio interface ....................................................50

Setting the connected device type .......................................51

Connecting ....................................................................................51

12 – Settings and Information .......................................... 52

Viewing information (INFORMATION) .........................................52

File information page (FILE) ...................................................52

Card information page ..............................................................52

System information page .........................................................52

System Settings .................................................................................53

Setting the automatic power saving function ..................53

Setting the backlight ..................................................................53

Adjusting the display contrast ................................................53

Setting the battery type ............................................................53

Set the language ..........................................................................53

Restoring the factory settings .................................................54

Formatting microSD cards .......................................................54

Completely formatting SD cards ............................................54

Setting the file name format ........................................................55

File name format ..........................................................................55

Setting the WORD item .............................................................55

13 – Messages .................................................................... 56

14 – Troubleshooting ........................................................ 58

15 – Specifications ............................................................. 59

General .................................................................................................59

Input/output ratings .......................................................................59

Analog audio input/output ratings ......................................59

Control input/output ratings ..................................................59

Audio performance .........................................................................59

Other specifications .........................................................................59

Dimensional drawings ....................................................................61

TASCAM DR-05X

3

1 – Introduction

Features

Compact audio recorder that uses microSD/microSDHC/

i

microSDXC cards as recording media

High-performance stereo unidirectional microphone pair

i

44.1/48/96 kHz, 16/24-bit, linear PCM (WAV format)

i

recording possible

BWF format WAV files supported

i

32–320kbps MP3 format recording possible (compatible

i

with v2.4 ID3 tags)

Overdubbing allows playback and input signals to be

i

mixed and recorded together as a new file

Built-in 0.3 W mono output speaker

i

Built-in effect (reverb) can be used during recording and

i

playback

Automatic recording function starts recording automati-

i

cally when a set sound input level is detected

When a maximum file size set in advance is reached, a

i

new file can be started automatically without interrupting
recording

QUICK button provides easy access to various functions

i

Track incrementing function allows a recording to be split

i

by creating a new file when desired

Pre-recording function allows the unit to record 2 seconds

i

of sound before recording is activated

Automatic peak reduction function automatically reduces

i

the level suitably when the input level is too high

Automatic level control can increase or decrease the

i

recording volume when the input sound is too quiet or
loud

Limiter function automatically reduces the level suitably in

i

parts when the input level is too high

Low cut filter convenient for reducing low-frequency noise

i

VSA function can change playback speed in a range from

i

50-200% (0.5 to 2.0 in 0.1 increments) of normal without
changing pitch

Repeat playback and IN-OUT loop playback functions

i

PB CONT button opens screen for playback speed and

i

IN-OUT loop settings

Tuner function to tune musical instruments

i

Self-timer function to start recording after a set period of

i

time.

Jump function that moves backward or forward a small

i

amount during playback or when paused (DICTATION PLAY
mode only)

Playlist function

i

DIVIDE function allows files to be split where desired (only

i

for WAV files)

MARK function convenient for moving to specific locations

i

Playback equalizer function and level alignment function to

i

enhance the perceived overall sound pressure

File name format can be set to use a user-defined word or

i

the date

Resume function to memorize the playback position before

i

the unit is turned off.

TASCAM DR-05X

4

3.5mm (1/8”) jack for external stereo microphone input

i

(provides plug-in power) or external stereo line input

3.5mm (1/8”) line/headphone output jack

i

128×64-pixel LCD with backlight

i

micro-B type USB 2.0 port

i

Operates on 2 AA batteries, a TASCAM PS-P520E AC adapter

i

(sold separately) or USB bus power

Tripod attachment screw hole

i

USB audio interface functions

i

Dictation playback mode

i

Overwrite recording function

i

Conventions used in this manual

The following conventions are used in this manual.

When we refer to a button or connector or control on the

i

DR-05X, the typeface looks like this: MENU.

When we show messages, for example, that appear on the

i

unit’s display, the typeface looks like this: ON.

We abbreviate “microSD memory card” as “microSD card”.

i

Words that appear on the computer display are shown in

i

quotation marks like this: “DR-05X”.

Additional information is provided as necessary in tips,

i

notes and cautions.

TIP

These are tips about how to use the unit.

NOTE

Notes provide additional explanations for special situa­tions.

CAUTION

Failure to follow these instructions could result in damage
to equipment or lost recording data, for example.

V

CAUTION

Failure to follow these instructions could result in injury.

Trademarks and copyrights

TASCAM is a registered trademark of TEAC Corporation.

i

The microSDXC Logo is a trademark of SD-3C, LLC.

i

The MPEG Layer-3 audio coding technology is licensed

i

from Fraunhofer IIS and Thomson.

Supply of this product does not convey a license nor imply

i

any right to distribute MPEG Layer-3 compliant content
created with this product in revenue-generating broadcast
systems (terrestrial, satellite, cable and/or other distribution
channels), streaming applications (via Internet, intranets
and/or other networks), other content distribution systems
(pay-audio or audio-on-demand applications and the like)

or on physical media (compact discs, digital versatile discs,
semiconductor chips, hard drives, memory cards and the
like). An independent license for such use is required. For
details, please visit http://mp3licensing. com.

Other company names, product names and logos in this

i

document are the trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective owners.

Information is given about products in this manual
only for the purpose of example and does not indicate
any guarantees against infringements of third-party
intellectual property rights and other rights related
to them. TEAC Corporation will bear no responsibility
for infringements on third-party intellectual property
rights or other liabilities that occur as a result of the
use of this product.

Properties copyrighted by third parties cannot be
used for any purpose other than personal enjoyment
and the like without the permission of the right
holders recognized by copyright law. Always use this
equipment properly.

TEAC Corporation will bear no responsibility for rights
infringements committed by users of this product.

About microSD cards

This unit uses microSD cards for recording and playback.
A list of microSD cards that have been confirmed for use

with this unit can be found on the TEAC Global Site (http://
teac-global.com). Check the page for this product. You can
also contact TASCAM customer support service.

1 – Introduction

Precautions for use

microSD cards are delicate media.
In order to avoid damaging a card or the card slot, please take

the following precautions when handling them.

Do not leave them in extremely hot or cold places.

i

Do not leave them in extremely humid places.

i

Do not let them get wet.

i

Do not put things on top of them or twist them.

i

Do not hit them.

i

Do not remove or insert them during recording, playback,

i

data transmission or other access.

Always put memory cards in cases when transporting

i

them.

TASCAM DR-05X

5

2 – Names and Functions of Parts

Front

6 MENU button

When the Home Screen is open, press this to open the
MENU screen.
Press this button to return to the MENU screen from the
various setting screens.
When the IN and OUT points are set in the track and the
Playback Control screen is open, press this to turn loop
playback on or off.

7 . button

Press to return to the beginning of a track that is playing
or stopped in the middle.

When IN and OUT points are set between the current
position and the end of the track, press this button to skip
to those points.

Press when a track is stopped at its beginning to skip to
the beginning of the previous track.

Press and hold to search backwards.
Press this button while pressing and holding the MARK

button to return to the previous mark.
On the setting screens, use this button to move the cursor

left. Use this button to answer “NO” to a confirmation

1 Built-in stereo microphone

This is a stereo pair of unidirectional electret condenser
mics.

If you connect an external microphone or external input
to the MIC/EXT IN jack between the mics, the built-in mic
pair becomes inactive.

2 PEAK indicator

Lights when the input volume is too high.

3 Display

Displays a variety of information.

4 ¤ (HOME) [8] button

Press during playback to pause playback at the current
position. Press when paused to return to the beginning of
the track.

Press when recording or in recording standby to stop
recording.

When any other screen is open, press to return to the
Home Screen.

Press and hold to turn the unit on and off (put into
standby).

5 + button

When the Home or TUNER screen is open, press to increase
the output level from the built-in speaker or /LINE OUT
jack. During adjustment, a volume indicator will appear in
a pull-up window.

When the Playback Control screen is open, press to
increase the playback speed.

When a setting screen is open, use this button to change
the setting of the selected item.

TASCAM DR-05X

6

message.
On the BROWSE screen, press this button to move up a

level.
Press when recording or in recording standby to decrease

the input level from the built-in microphone or MIC/EXT
IN jack. During adjustment, a pull-up with meters showing
the input level will appear at the bottom of the display.

8 PB CONT button

This button activates the Playback Control screen.
When the Playback Control screen is open, press to return

to the Home screen.
Press during recording standby to turn off the self-timer

function or change the time period.

9 - button

When the Home or TUNER screen is open, press to decrease
the output level from the built-in speaker or /LINE OUT
jack.

During adjustment, a volume indicator will appear in a
pull-up window.

When the Playback Control screen is open, press to
increase the playback speed.

When a setting screen is open, use this button to change
the setting of the selected item.

0 REC indicator

This flashes during recording standby.
This lights while recording.

q RECORD [0] button

When stopped, press this button to put the unit into
recording standby. The REC indicator will start to blink. If
INPUT is ON on the MONITOR MIX screen, a pop-up menu to
set whether overdubbing is ON/OFF will open.

When in standby, press to start recording. The REC
indicator will light when recording.

When recording, press to pause recording.

2 – Names and Functions of Parts

w QUICK button

When playing back, stopped, paused or in recording
standby when the Home Screen is open or when the
Playback Control screen is open, press this button to
display the Quick menu. The functions shown depend on
the state of the unit when the button is pressed.

Stopped: DELETE, DIVIDE and LEVEL ALIGN functions

i

for the current song

Playing back or on Playback Control screen: LEVEL

i

ALIGN
Recording standby: LEVEL MODE

i

When recording, press this button to increment the track,
dividing the recording by creating a new file.

When the BROWSE screen or PLAYLIST screen is open,
press this button to open or close the pop-up menu for
file/folder operations.

e / button

Press this button during playback or when playback is
stopped to skip to the beginning of the next track.

When IN and OUT points are set between the current
position and the end of the track, press this button to skip
to those points.

Press and hold to search forward.
On the setting screens, use this button to move the cursor

right. Use this to confirm the selection of a setting item or
to answer “YES” to a confirmation message.

Press this button while pressing and holding the MARK
button to move to the next mark.

On the BROWSE screen, press this button to move down a
level. If a file is selected, the file is loaded, the Home Screen
reopens and the unit stops.

Press this button during recording or recording standby
to increase the input level from the built-in microphone
or MIC/EXT IN jack. During adjustment, a pull-up with
meters showing the input level will appear at the bottom
of the display.

r 7 button

When the Home Screen is open and playback is stopped,
press to start playback.

During playback, press this button to start jump-back
playback.

When a file or folder is selected on the BROWSE screen,
press this button to return to the Home Screen and play
the file or the first file in the folder from the beginning.

t MARK button

Use to add marks manually during recording and playback.
Press when stopped at a mark location to delete that mark.
Press the . or / button while pressing and holding

this button to move to the previous or next mark, respec­tively. When the Playback Control screen is open, use this
button to set the IN (start) and OUT (end) points of the
interval that you want to set for loop playback.

When the IN and OUT points are already set, press this
button to cancel loop playback and clear the IN and OUT
points.

Front panel

y Strap holder

Use this to attach a strap.

Rear panel

u MIC/EXT IN jack

Use this input jack to connect a stereo mini-jack micro­phone or an external input device. This supports plug-in
power.

The built-in mic is disabled when an external mic is
connected to the MIC/EXT IN jack.

TASCAM DR-05X

7

2 – Names and Functions of Parts

Left side

i /LINE OUT jack

Use this to connect headphones or the line input jack of
other equipment using a stereo mini-jack cable.

o HOLD switch

Shift to the left end (in the direction of the arrow) to
engage the hold function.

No buttons can be used when HOLD is active.

Right side

p USB por t

This is a micro-B USB port.
Use a USB cable (A to Micro-B) to connect the unit to a

computer. (see "11 – USB Connections" on page 49)

CAUTION

The unit should be connected directly to the computer,
not through a USB hub.

a microSD card slot

Use this slot to insert and remove microSD cards.

Bottom

s Mono speaker

Use this built-in speaker to listen to recordings.
Sound is not output during recording, when the unit is

in recording standby, when headphones are connected,
when the speaker is disabled, or when the Monitor Mix
function is enabled.

d Tripod attachment screw thread (1/4-inch)

Use this to attach the unit to a tripod or mic stand.

CAUTION

Ensure the tripod or microphone stand screws are securely

i

fastened to prevent the unit from falling off.

When attaching this unit to a tripod or microphone stand,

i

be sure to place it on a level surface.

f Battery compartment cover

g Battery compar tment

Install batteries (2 AA) in this compartment to power the
unit. (see "Using AA batteries" on page 14)

TASCAM DR-05X

8

Home Screen

Home Screen when in ordinary operation mode

1 Playback speed status

One of the following icons appears according to the
playback speed setting.

Icon Playback speed

×1.0

×1.1 – ×2.0

×0.5 – ×0.9

Playback speed not controllable

2 Monitor Mix function status

This shows whether the Monitor Mix function is on or off.

Monitor Mix off
Monitor Mix on

3 Effect status

Shows whether the effect function is ON or OFF.

: Built-in effect off
: Built-in effect on

4 Speaker status

: Speaker output off
:

Speaker output on

5 Remaining battery charge/power supply status

A battery icon appears when power is supplied by
batteries.

When batteries are being used, a battery icon shows the
amount of power remaining in bars ( , , ).

The batteries are almost dead and the power will soon
turn off (standby) if the icon with no bars appears.

When using a TASCAM PS-P520E AC adapter (sold
separately) or USB bus power, appears.

NOTE

Sometimes a “Battery Low” warning appears when
recording or conducting other demanding operations
even when battery power remains.

6 Recorder operation status

This icon shows the recorder operation status.

2 – Names and Functions of Parts

Icon Explanation

Stopped

8

Paused

79

Playing back

7

Searching forward

,

Searching backward

m

Skipping to the beginning of the next file

/

Skipping to the beginning of the current or

.

previous file

7 Playback position display

The current playback position is shown by a bar. As
playback progresses, the bar extends from the left.

8 Playback level meters

These show the levels of the input and playback signals.
When the Monitor Mix function is ON, the level of the

combined input and playback sounds is shown.

9 Playback file name

The name or tag information of the file currently in play is
displayed.

The ID3 tag information is displayed instead when
included in the MP3 file.

NOTE

ID3 tag information contains titles and artist names, which
can be stored in MP3 files.

0 Elapsed time

Shows the elapsed time (hours: minutes: seconds) of the
currently playing track.

q Remaining time message

Shows the remaining playback time of the current track
(hours: minutes: seconds).

w Peak value in decibels (dB)

The maximum level that occurs in a fixed period of time is
displayed digitally.

e Playback area

This shows the current playback file area.

: All files in the MUSIC folder
: All files in the selected folder
: All files added to the playlist

r Playback file number/total number of files

This shows the current file number and total number of
files in the playback area.

t Output volume status

This shows the output volume status.

TASCAM DR-05X

9

2 – Names and Functions of Parts

Recording screen

The recording screen shown below appears when recording
or in recording standby.

1 Level mode setting status

This icon shows the level mode function setting.

: MANUAL
: LIMITER
: PEAK REDUCTION
: AUTO

2 Plug-in power status

This shows whether plug-in power is on or off.

Plug-in power off
Plug-in power on

3 Low cut filter status

This shows whether the low cut filter is on or off.

Low cut filter off
Low cut filter on

4 AUTO TONE setting status

This icon shows whether the AUTO TONE function is on or
off.

: AUTO TONE off
: AUTO TONE on

5 Recording status

This icon shows the recorder operation status.

Icon Explanation

Recording paused (recording

09

standby)

Recording

9 Elapsed recording time

The elapsed recording time of the file appears as hours:
minutes: seconds.

0 Remaining recording time

When stopped, this shows the remaining time (hours:
minutes) of the microSD card. When the remaining
recording time becomes less than one minute, only
seconds will be shown.

q

Peak value in decibels (dB)

Peak input level values are shown in decibels.

w Recording level status

This shows the recording level status.

6 Recording level meters

These show the input signal levels.
When overdubbing, the levels of the mixed input and

playback sounds are shown.

7 Recording file name

The file name that will automatically be given to the
recorded file is shown.

8 Recording format

This shows the file recording format and sampling
frequency.

TASCAM DR-05X

10

2 – Names and Functions of Parts

Playback Control screen

During playback or when stopped, press the PB CONT button
to open the Playback Control screen.

Recording is not possible when this screen is open.

.

and / buttons to skip to IN/OUT points and the file

beginning/end. You cannot skip to the previous or next file.

Use the

1 Loop playback status

The icon appears when loop playback is enabled.

Menu item list

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen. The menu items are as follows.

Menu item Function Page

Set the recording format

Set the sampling frequency

Set stereo or mono file

Set the maximum file size

Set plug-in power see page 21

Set the low-cut filter see page 21

Set the pre-recording function see page 29

Set tone output see page 30

Set the length of the output tone see page 30

Set the volume of tone output see page 30

Set the auto-recording function mode see page 27

Set the auto-recording start level see page 27

Set the playback area see page 34

Set the repeat playback function see page 37

Set the jump back function see page 41

Set the jump forward function see page 41

Set the level mode function see page 24

Turn the built-in speaker on/off see page 18

Set the playback equalization see page 39

Set the output level alignment function see page 40

Work with files and folders on the SD card see page 32

Select the SD card reader mode see page 49

Make USB audio interface settings see page 50

REC SETTING

PLAY SETTING

I/O SETTING

BROWSE

USB

FORMAT

SAMPLE

CHANNEL

SIZE

MIC POWER

LOW CUT

PRE REC

AUTO TONE

TONE SECS

TONE VOL

MODE

LEVEL

AREA

REPEAT

JUMP BACK

JUMP FWD

LEVEL MODE

SPEAKER

PLAYEQ

LEVEL ALIGN

SD CARD READER

AUDIO I/F

2 Playback position

The current playback position is shown by a bar. As
playback progresses, the bar extends from the left.

3 Available buttons

The buttons available in the Playback Control screen are as
follows.

MARK: Creates or deletes an IN or OUT point.
MENU: Turn loop playback ON or OFF.

4 Playback speed

Playback speed as compared with the normal speed is
shown. VSA appears on the left when variable speed
audition, which allows tempo to be changed without
changing pitch, is enabled.

see page 20

TASCAM DR-05X

11

2 – Names and Functions of Parts

Menu item Function Page

INFORMATION

MONITOR MIX

OTHERS

SYSTEM

CAUTION

When recording or in recording standby, only the following screens and items are shown.

i

REC SETTING screen: MIC POWER, LOW CUT and AUTO REC items (AUTO REC setting cannot be changed)

MONITOR MIX screen: INPUT and PB INPUT items (INPUT setting cannot be changed)

EFFECT screen: all items

When the Playback Control screen is open, pressing the MENU button will not open the MENU screen. This turns the loop

i

playback function on/off. (see "Loop playback of a selection" on page 38)

TUNER

EFFECT

FILE NAME

DATE/TIME

AUTO OFF

BACKLIGHT

CONTRAST

BATTERY TYPE

LANGUAGE

INITIALIZE

QUICK FORMAT

FULL FORMAT

Information about the file, microSD card, and system

Set the monitor mix function see page 25

Use the tuner

Make effect settings see page 47

Set the recording file name see page 55

Set the date and time used by the unit see page 16

Set the automatic power saving function see page 53

Set the backlight see page 53

Adjust the display contrast see page 53

Set the type of batteries. see page 53

Set the language shown on the display see page 53

Restore the default settings see page 54

Format an SD card see page 54

Completely format an SD card see page 54

see page 52

see page 48

TASCAM DR-05X

12

2 – Names and Functions of Parts

Using the menu

We will explain this by showing how to set the playback area
as an example.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select a menu item (highlighted),

2.

and use the 7 button to move to various settings

screens.

Example: PLAY SETTING screen

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) a menu item

3.

to set.

Example: AREA is selected.

Use the / or 7 button to move the cursor to

4.

highlight the value of the setting.

Use the + or – button to change the setting.

5.

Press the . button to set a different item in the same

6.

menu.

This enables selection of a different item. Use the + or −

button to select another item to set.

Repeat step 3 to 6 as necessary to set other items.

7.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU (or OTHERS)

8.

screen. To return to the Home screen, press the ¤

(HOME) [8] button.

Basic operation

Use the following buttons to operate the various screens.

MENU button

This opens the MENU screen.

PB CONT button

This opens the Playback Control screen.

¤ (HOME)[8] button

When a settings screen is open, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]
button to return to the Home Screen.

7 button

Use to confirm the various setting items.

/ button

Use this to move the cursor (highlighted area) right on the
screen and to open folders on the BROWSE screen.

Use this to answer “YES” to a pop-up confirmation
message.

. button

Use this to move the cursor (highlighted area) left on the
screen and to close folders on the BROWSE screen.

Use this to answer “NO” to a confirmation pop-up message.

+ button

Use this to move the cursor (highlighted area) up on the
screen and to increase values.

– button

Use this to move the cursor (highlighted area) down on
the screen and to decrease values.

QUICK button

This opens the Quick menu.
The content differs according to the recorder status and

operation mode.

TASCAM DR-05X

13

3 – Preparation

Preparing the power supply

This unit can operate on two AA batteries, using a TASCAM
PS-P520E AC adapter (sold separately) or using a commercial­ly-available USB cable (USB bus power).

Alkaline or Ni-MH batteries can be used.
To use USB bus power, see "Powering the unit with USB bus

power" on page 49.

Using AA batteries

Open the battery compartment cover on the back of the
unit. Fit two AA batteries to the + and – marks shown in the
compartment, and close the battery compartment cover.

When using AA batteries, set the type of battery in order to
accurately show the amount of power remaining and allow
the unit to accurately determine whether power is available
for proper operation. (see "Setting the battery type" on page

53)

CAUTION

Do not use manganese dry cell batteries.

i

This unit cannot recharge Ni-MH batteries. Use a commer-

i

cially available recharger.

The included alkaline batteries are for confirming

i

operation of the unit and might not last very long.

Using an AC adapter (sold separately)

As shown in the illustration, connect a TASCAM PS-P520E AC
adapter (sold separately) to the unit's USB port and charge
the unit.

TASCAM PS-P520E (sold separately)

AC outlet

Micro-B USB plug

CAUTION

Never use any adapter other than the designated

i

PS-P520E AC adapter. Use of a different adapter could
cause malfunction, fire or electric shock.

Noise may occur when recording with a microphone if the

i

unit is too close to the AC adapter. In such a case, keep
sufficient distance between the AC adapter and the unit.

NOTE

When both batteries are installed and the AC adapter is
connected, power will be supplied from the AC adapter.

Using USB bus power

Use the commercially-available USB cable to connect the unit
and the computer as illustrated below.

Computer

Micro-B USB plug

TASCAM DR-05X

14

USB

See "Powering the unit with USB bus power" on page 49.

3 – Preparation

Turning the power on and off (standby mode)

V

CAUTION

Do not wear connected headphones when turning the
unit on or off (putting it in standby). Noise could damage
the headphone driver unit or harm your hearing.

CAUTION

The unit enters standby mode if turned off when the unit

i

is operating on AC power supplied through an AC adapter
(TASCAM PS-P520E, sold separately) or bus power from a
computer USB port.

Turn down the volume of the monitoring system

i

connected to the unit before turning the unit on/off
(standby).

Turning the unit on

When the unit is off (in standby), press and hold the ¤
(HOME) [8] button until the TASCAM DR-05X start-up screen
is shown on the display.

The Home Screen appears after the unit starts up.

Start-up screen Home Screen

CAUTION

The first time a new unit is turned on after purchase, the
following settings must be made.

1) A screen to set the display language will open.

2) A screen for setting the built-in clock will open.

Press the .or / button to move the cursor
(highlighted area), and use the + or − button to change
values.

Press the 7 button to fix the settings.
The start-up screen is displayed, and then the Home

screen appears after the unit has started up.
Date/time adjustment may be skipped (and made later)

by pressing the 7 button. (see "Setting the date and
time" on page 16)

Turning the unit off (standby)

Press and hold the ¤ (HOME) [8] button until LINEAR PCM
RECORDER appears on the display.

The unit turns off (puts it in standby) after it completes its
shutdown process.

CAUTION

Always use the ¤ (HOME) [8] button to shut down the
unit.

Do not remove the batteries or disconnect the power
cable (TASCAM PS-P520E AC adapter or USB cable) while
the unit is on. If power is interrupted, the unit cannot shut
down properly and all recordings, settings and other data
will be lost. Lost data and settings cannot be restored.

Press the + or − button to move the cursor and select

(highlight) the language to be shown on the display.

Options

English: use English

日本語 : use Japanese

Français: use French
Español: use Spanish
Deutsch: use German
Italiano: use Italian
Português: use Portuguese

Русский
中文 : use Chinese

한글 : use Korean

After selection, press the 7 button to confirm it.

You can change this setting with the SYSTEM screen

LANGUAGE item. (see "Set the language" on page 53)

: use Russian

Resume function

The unit has a resume function. When turned on, the unit
locates to the position (time) where it was when turned off
previously.

If the 7 button is pressed after start-up, the track the unit
was playing when turned off previously resumes playing from
the position (time) where it was before the unit was turned
off.

NOTE

The required data are stored on the microSD card. The
resume function does not work if the card is exchanged or
formatted.

TASCAM DR-05X

15

3 – Preparation

Setting the date and time

The DR-05X uses its internal clock to record the date and time
to the recorded files.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) OTHERS and

2.

press the 7 button.

The OTHERS screen opens.

Use the + or – button to select the DATE/TIME menu

3.

item, and press the 7 button.

Press the .or / button to move the cursor

4.

(highlighted area), and use the + or − button to change
values.

Press the 7 button to confirm the change and return to

5.

the OTHERS screen.

NOTE

You can set the unit to automatically add the date to file
names. (see "Setting the file name format" on page 55)

CAUTION

The date and time setting can be retained for only a few
minutes when power is not supplied from batteries, a
dedicated AC adapter (TASCAM PS-P520E; sold separately)
or USB bus power.

When using batteries, we recommend replacing them
before they are completely dead.

The DATE/TIME screen opens.

TASCAM DR-05X

16

3 – Preparation

Inserting and removing microSD cards

Inserting microSD cards

Open the microSD slot cover on the right side.

1.

Insert the microSD Card into the slot as shown in the

2.

following illustration until it clicks into place.

Removing cards

Open the microSD slot cover on the right side.

1.

Press the microSD card in gently and then release it to

2.

allow it to come out.

Preparing microSD cards for use

In order to use a microSD card in this unit, you must format it
first.

Confirm that a microSD card is installed and turn the

1.

power ON.

The following message appears when a new card or a

2.

card formatted for use with another device is installed in
the unit.

Press the 7 button to start formatting.

3.

CAUTION

Formatting a card erases all the data on it.

When formatting ends, the Home Screen opens. You can

4.

also reformat the card in this unit at any time.

CAUTION

When formatting a card, the unit should be operating on
power supplied by a PS-P520E adapter (sold separately),
computer USB bus power or batteries with sufficient
remaining power.

CAUTION

Do not remove the microSD card from the unit when it is

i

connected to a computer by USB.

The DR-05X is compatible with microSD/microSDHC/

i

microSDXC standards.

A list of microSD cards that have been confirmed for use

i

with this unit can be found on the TEAC Global Site (http://
teac-global.com).

TASCAM DR-05X

17

3 – Preparation

Using the built-in speaker

To listen to the playback sound from the built-in speaker, turn
on the SPEAKER item on the I/O SETTING screen.

NOTE

Even if SPEAKER is enabled, the unit will not play through
the speaker when the unit is recording sound, in recording
standby or muted with headphones or an external speaker
system connected.

Operation from the MENU screen

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the I/O

2.

SETTING and press the 7 button.

The I/O SETTING screen will open.

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) the SPEAKER

3.

item and press the ENTER/MARK button.

Use the + or – button to select ON.

4.

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

5.

button to return to the Home Screen.

Operation from the Quick menu

During playback when the Home Screen is open, press

1.

the QUICK button to open the Quick menu.

Connecting monitoring equipment

To listen with headphones, connect them to the /LINE OUT
jack.

To listen with an external monitoring system (powered
monitor speakers or an amplifier and speakers), connect it to
the /LINE OUT jack.

Headphones

Powered monitor speaker
or
an amplifier and speaker

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) the SPEAKER

2.

item and press the 7 button.

The SPEAKER screen will open.

Options: OFF (default), ON

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) a setting, and

3.

press the 7 button to enable it and return to the HOME

Screen.

TASCAM DR-05X

18

3 – Preparation

TASCAM DR-05X

19

4 – Recording

In addition to the built-in microphone, an external micro­phone or external audio device (i.e. CD player) can also be
used for recording. You can select among MP3 (44.1/48 kHz,
32–320 kbps) and WAV (44.1/48/96 kHz, 16/24-bit) audio
recording formats.

Since the unit is compatible with the BWF format for WAV
files, marks added to WAV files during recording are available
when playing them back with BWF-compatible software, for
example.

With this unit, you can mix and record a sound input through
the built-in mic or the input jack with an audio file that is
played back using the overdubbing function.

Setting file format, sampling frequency, type and maximum file size

Select the audio file type that you want to record before you
start recording.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the REC

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.

The REC SETTING screen opens.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) FORMAT, and

3.

press the / or 7 button.

Set the recording format here.

Set the file format with the + or − button to one of the

following options.

Options: WAV 16bit (default), WAV 24bit, MP3 32k,

MP3 64k, MP3 96k, MP3 128k, MP3 192k, MP3
256k, MP3 320k

NOTE

WAV formats provide better recording quality than MP3.

i

MP3 formats enable longer recording times than WAV.

i

MP3 formats with higher values provide better recording

i

quality.

Press the . button to enable selection of settings.

4.

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) SAMPLE, and

5.

press the 7 or / button.

Set the sampling frequency.
Use the + or − button to select 44.1k (default), 48k or
96k.

NOTE

96k cannot be selected if FORMAT is set to MP3.

Press the . button to enable selection of settings.

6.

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) TYPE, and

7.

press the 7 or / button.

Now, select stereo or mono file type.
Use the + or – button to select STEREO (default) or MONO.
If MONO is selected, a mono file is created, and the same

signals are sent to both L and R level meters and output
channels.

If set to record in MONO in WAV format, the file size will
be half that when recorded in STEREO, allowing longer
recording times.

Press the . button to enable selection of settings.

8.

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) SIZE, and

9.

press the 7 or / button.

Set the maximum file size with the + or − button to

128M, 256M, 512M, 1G

NOTE

If the maximum set file size is exceeded during recording,

i

the unit will automatically continue recording in a new file.

Depending on the file format, the amount of recording

i

time will differ for the same file size. The amount of
recording time is shown to the right of the setting value (in
parentheses).

If the recording time exceeds 24 hours, the unit will

i

automatically continue recording in a new file.

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

10.

button to return to the Home Screen.

or 2G (default),

64M

,

TASCAM DR-05X

20

4 – Recording

Setting where files are saved

Set the folder where recorded files are saved.
Recorded files will be saved in the currently selected folder.

For details, see the SELECT pop-up menu item in "Folder
operations" on page 33.

If no setting is made, new recording files are created in the
MUSIC folder.

Making input settings

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the REC

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.
The REC SETTING screen opens.

The following input settings are made on this screen.
Set each item using the ., /, + and – buttons.

MIC POWER

When connecting a microphone that requires plug-in
power, set this to ON. (Default: OFF)

LOW CUT

Set the cutoff frequency of the low-cut filter during
input.

Options: OFF (default), 40Hz, 80Hz, 120Hz, 220Hz

CAUTION

Set MIC POWER to OFF when using the built-in mic or

i

connecting a dynamic microphone or microphone with
a built-in battery. If set to ON, the plug-in power may
damage such microphones.

Use headphones to monitor when you are recording with

i

a microphone. If you use speakers to monitor, the sound
output from the speakers may also be recorded, causing a
poor recording and even feedback.

NOTE

MIC POWER and LOW CUT can be set even when recording
or in recording standby.

TIPS

The low cut filter can reduce noise such as unpleasant

i

wind noise from air-conditioners and projectors.

Use the built-in effects of this unit as necessary on the

i

input source. (see "Setting the effect" on page 47)

TASCAM DR-05X

21

4 – Recording

Placing the unit and making connec­tions

Recording with the built-in mics

Point the mics at the sound source and place the unit in a
stable location where there is little vibration.

Recording with external mics (MIC IN)

Connect an external mic to the MIC/EXT IN connector.
Point the mic at the sound source and place the unit in a

stable location where there is little vibration.

NOTE

The setting of left-right channels is disabled if an external
mic is connected to the MIC/EXT IN jack.

Recording an external device (EXT IN)

Use a stereo miniplug cable to connect to the output of an
external audio device.

Adjusting the input level

Before starting recording, the input level should be adjusted
to prevent the recorded sounds from being distorted due to
excessively loud input signals or from being inaudible due to
excessively small input signals being masked by noise.

In addition to making manual adjustments, you can use the
available limiter, automatic peak reduction and automatic
level adjustment functions as you like.

TIPS

In addition to adjusting the INPUT level, try changing the
distance and angle between the microphone and the
sound source. The angle and distance of the microphone
can also change the character of the recorded sound.

Manually adjusting the input level

The input level can be adjusted.
To adjust the input level manually, the LEVEL MODE function

must be set to MANUAL.

Setting the LEVEL MODE function on the MENU
screen

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the I/O

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.
The I/O SETTING screen will open.

Audio device
or external device

CAUTION

If the input sound is still distorted after adjusting the input

i

level of the unit, reduce the playback sound of the external
device.

If an external audio device with a fixed output line level

i

is connected, it might not be possible to control the gain
level of excessively loud input signals. In such cases, use
the headphone jack or other level-controllable output for
connection to the unit.

NOTE

The setting of left-right channels is disabled if an external
mic is connected to the MIC/EXT IN jack.

TASCAM DR-05X

22

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) the LEVEL

3.

MODE and press the 7 button.

Use the + or – button to change the LEVEL MODE setting

4.

to MANUAL.

When setting is complete, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

5.

button to return to the Home Screen.

Setting the LEVEL MODE function from the Quick
menu

Press the RECORD [0] button to begin recording

1.

standby.
The REC indicator flashes red and the recording screen

appears.

Press the QUICK button to open the quick menu.

2.

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) LEVEL MODE,

3.

and press the 7 button.

This opens the LEVEL MODE setting screen.

Use the + or – button to change the LEVEL MODE setting

4.

to MANUAL.

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) a mode, and

5.

press the 7 button to enable the mode and return to

the recording screen.

The selected mode is shown with an icon on the

recording screen.

4 – Recording

Adjusting the input level

Press the RECORD [0] button to begin recording

1.

standby.
The REC indicator flashes red and the recording screen

appears.

Use the . or / button to adjust the input level.

2.

Press the . or / button to show a pull-up MENU
screen for input level setting.

If the input is too high, the PEAK indicator on the upper
left above the display lights.

A 5 mark is provided at -12dB on the level meters.
Set the input level so that the indicator bars fluctuate
centered on this mark without causing the PEAK
indicator to light red when the loudest sounds occur.

NOTE

Press the ¤ (HOME) [8] button to exit recording

i

standby.

When in recording standby or recording, the speaker will

i

not output sound even if the I/O SETTING screen SPEAKER
setting is on.
If you need to monitor sound to adjust the input level and
make recordings, connect the headphone to the /LINE
OUT jack.

Use the + or − button on the Home Screen to adjust the
monitoring volume. This does not affect the sound to be
recorded.

TASCAM DR-05X

23

4 – Recording

Using the LEVEL MODE function

Operation from the MENU screen

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the I/O

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.

The I/O SETTING screen will open.

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) the LEVEL

3.

MODE and press the 7 button.

Use the + or – button to set the LEVEL MODE function.

4.

Options: MANUAL (default), LIMITER, PEAK REDUCTION,

AUTO LEVEL

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

5.

button to return to the Home Screen.

Operation from the Quick menu

Press the RECORD [0] button to begin recording

1.

standby.

The REC indicator flashes red and the recording screen

opens.

Press the QUICK button.

2.

The Quick menu will open.

Select (highlight) LEVEL MODE, and press the 7 button.

3.

This opens the LEVEL MODE setting screen.

LIMITER

This function prevents distortion when signals that are too
loud are input suddenly.

This mode is also suited for recording live performances with
large volume changes.

In this mode, the input level can be changed manually during
recording.

CAUTION

Distortion of sounds may occur when excessively large
input signals are input even if the LIMITER function is
activated. In such a case, lower the input level or increase
the distance between the unit and the source.

PEAK REDUCTION

If the input sound is too loud, the input level is automatically
lowered to a suitable level. This function makes handling
difficult input level settings easier.

The input level can be raised manually if required.

TIPS

When recording live performances, for example, you could
test PEAK REDUCTION before the actual recording.

Select the PEAK REDUCTION mode in recording standby,
and maximize the input level. By conducting a rehearsal
performance, the input gain will be reduced to an appro­priate level for recording, setting an optimum input level
for the performance.

This set input level can be used for recording by turning
this mode off before starting recording. Otherwise, the
input level will continue to be adjusted automatically in
response to the input signal during recording.

AUTO LEVEL

Low input levels are raised and high input levels are lowered
automatically, making this useful for recording meetings,
for example. In this mode, the recording level cannot be
changed manually.

Options: MANUAL (default), LIMITER, PEAK REDUCTION,

AUTO LEVEL

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) a mode, and

4.

press the 7 button to enable the mode and return to

the recording screen.

The selected mode is shown with an icon in the

recording screen.

MANUAL

Manually adjusting the input level

TASCAM DR-05X

24

4 – Recording

Recording

The following operation procedures assume that the input
source is set, input level adjustment is complete, and the
Home Screen is open.

Press the RECORD [0] button to begin recording

1.

standby.

The screen shows the recording file name, the recording

audio file type and sampling frequency. Confirm that

these are as desired before starting recording.

NOTE

If you have turned the MONITOR MIX item ON, a pop-up
appears that allows you to turn overdubbing ON or OFF.
For ordinary recording, select OFF and continue to step 2.

To start recording, press the RECORD [0] button again.

2.

Normal recording starts.

When recording starts, the REC indicator lights continu-

ously, and the display shows the elapsed recording time

and the remaining recording time.

To stop recording, press the ¤ (HOME) [8] button.

3.

To pause recording, press the RECORD [0] button. Press

the RECORD [0] button again to restart recording in

the same file.

If you press the ¤ (HOME) [8] button while paused,

a recorded audio file up to the moment that you paused

recording is created.

CAUTION

Noise may occur when recording with a microphone if the
unit is too close to the AC adapter. In such a case, keep
sufficient distance between the AC adapter and the unit.

Recording playback and input sounds together (overdubbing)

By overdubbing, you can play an instrument or sing as you
play back a saved track and mix and record both sounds in a
new file.

NOTE

You cannot overdub if the MONITOR MIX function is OFF.

i

The prerecording function will be disabled if the MONITOR

i

MIX function is turned on for overdubbing.

Overdub recording is not possible when using the AUTO

i

REC function.

When overdub recording, you cannot start new files

i

manually.

Pausing is not possible in overdubbing mode (RECORD

i

[0] button is disabled).

The sampling frequency of the playback file is preserved

i

regardless of the sampling frequency setting for overdub
recording.

You cannot make an mp3 file when overdubbing a WAV

i

file with a sampling frequency of 96kHz.

Select the file you want to overdub

Use the . and / buttons and the BROWSE screen to
select that files that you want to overdub.

NOTE

See "5 – Working with Files and Folders (BROWSE screen)"
on page 32 for selecting files using the BROWSE screen.

Selecting file format

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the REC

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.
The REC SETTING screen opens.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the FORMAT

3.

menu item, and press the / or 7 button.

Set the file format with the + or – button.

4.

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

5.

button to return to the HOME Screen.

Simultaneous listening to playback and input sound (MONITOR MIX)

This allows you to listen to playback and input sound at the
same time (MONITOR MIX).

CAUTION

The prerecording function will be disabled if the MONITOR
MIX function is turned on.

TASCAM DR-05X

25

4 – Recording

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) OTHERS and

2.

press the 7 button.

This opens the OTHERS screen.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the MONITOR

3.

MIX and press the 7 button.

The MONITOR MIX screen will open.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the INPUT

4.

item, and press the / or 7 button.

Use the + or – button to select ON. (Default: OFF)

5.

Monitoring of input sound is now enabled.

Press the . button to enable selection of settings.

6.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the PB INPUT

7.

menu item, and press the / or 7 button.

Use the + or – button to adjust the playback volume

8.

level.

This can be set from 0 - 20.

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

9.

button to return to the Home Screen.

NOTE

You cannot change the MONITOR MIX screen INPUT ON/
OFF setting when recording or in recording standby.

TIPS

By making the above settings, in addition to overdubbing,
you can use a recorded (or copied) audio track for
instrument practice or karaoke.

Adjusting the input level

When the MONITOR MIX function is on, pressing the QUICK
button enables input level adjustment.

Press the QUICK button while the Home Screen is open

1.

during playback or when stopped.
The Quick menu will open.

Quick menu when stopped

While listening to the input sound, use the . or /

2.

button to adjust the input level.

CAUTION

When the Quick menu is open, the level meters cannot be

i

viewed while making adjustments.

At the level when distortion of the input sound is about to

i

occur, the PEAK indicator on the left above the display will
light. Adjust the input level so the PEAK indicator does not
light.

NOTE

When the MONITOR MIX function is on and during
overdubbing, the PEAK indicator lights when the
combined input and playback signals become higher than
the set level.

TASCAM DR-05X

26

4 – Recording

Conducting overdubbing

Press the RECORD [0] button to begin recording

1.

standby.

The overdubbing ON/OFF pop-up appears.

Use the + or − button to select ON from the overdubbing

2.

ON/OFF pop-up. (Default: OFF)

Press the RECORD [0] button to start overdubbing.

3.

Overdubbing will start.

When recording starts, the REC indicator lights and the

display shows the elapsed and remaining recording

times.

The following error message appears if the selected file

cannot be played back.

To stop recording, press the ¤ (HOME) [8] button.

4.

Recording automatically (AUTO REC)

This function starts and pauses recording, starts new files,
and sets marks automatically according to the input signal
level.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the REC

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.
The REC SETTING screen opens.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the MODE item,

3.

and press the / or 7 button.
Use the + or - button to set the AUTO REC mode.

4.

OFF(Default): Off
NEW FILE: Records and pauses automatically
MARK: Sets marks automatically during recording

Press the . button to enable selection of settings.

5.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the LEVEL

6.

item, and press the / or 7 button.

Use the + or – button to set the level that signal is

7.

judged to have been input to -6dB, -12dB (default),

-24dB or -48dB.

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

8.

button to return to the HOME Screen.

Press the RECORD [0] button to begin recording

9.

standby.
Recording starts automatically when the input signal

exceeds the LEVEL setting.

TASCAM DR-05X

27

4 – Recording

Recording operation changes according to the MODE

10.

setting.

NEW FILE

If the input signal level falls below the standard level
set by LEVEL for more than five seconds, the unit
enters recording standby. When the input signal level
becomes higher than the standard level, the unit starts
recording a new file.

MARK

If the input signal level falls below the standard level
set by LEVEL for more than five seconds, the unit adds
a mark when the input signal level becomes higher
than the standard level again.

Press the ¤ (HOME) [8] button to stop automatic

11.

recording.

TIP

By using this in combination with the PRE REC function,
you can record events without losing the beginnings of
sounds.

CAUTION

Overdub recording is not possible when using the AUTO

i

REC function.

The self-timer function cannot be used when using the

i

AUTO REC function.

During overwrite recording, the automatic recording

i

function cannot be used.

Continuing to record in a new file (track incrementing)

Recording of the current file can be stopped and recording
continued in a new file automatically. This can be done
manually or when the maximum file size set on the REC
SETTING screen is reached during recording (track incremen­tation function).

Automatic track incrementation by file size

Recording of the current file can be stopped and recording
continued in a new file automatically when the maximum
file size set on the REC SETTING screen is reached during
recording.

Follow the procedures below to set the maximum file size.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the REC

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.
The REC SETTING screen opens.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the SIZE item,

3.

and press the / or 7 button.
Use the + or – button to set the maximum file size at

which track incrementing takes place to 64M, 128M,
256M, 512M, 1G or 2G (default).

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

4.

button to return to the Home Screen.

CAUTION

A new file cannot be created if the total number of files
and folders would exceed 5000.

NOTE

Depending on the file format, the amount of recording
time will differ for the same file size.

Manual track incrementation during recording

During recording, you can manually start a new file and
continue recording.

Press the QUICK button while recording.

1.

NOTE

Numbers at the end of file name will increment each time
when a new file is created.

CAUTION

A new file cannot be created if the total number of files

i

and folders would exceed 5000.

Files shorter than 2 seconds cannot be created. (4 seconds

i

if the sampling frequency is 96kHz).

If the name of a newly created file would be the same as

i

that of an existing file, the number will be incremented
until the new file has a unique name.

Track incrementing is not possible during overdub or

i

overwrite recording.

TASCAM DR-05X

28

4 – Recording

Capturing a few seconds before starting recording (PRE REC)

By using prerecording, when the unit is in recording standby
you can record up to two seconds of the signal input before
the RECORD [0] button is pushed to start recording.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the REC

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.

The REC SETTING screen opens.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the PRE REC

3.

menu item, and press the / or 7 button.

Use the + or – button to select ON. (Default: OFF)

4.

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

5.

button to return to the Home Screen.

TIP

By using this in combination with the AUTO REC function,
you can record events without losing the beginnings of
sounds.

NOTE

If you start recording within two seconds from when the

i

record standby mode is turned ON, recording will begin
from the moment of record standby.

The pre-recording function cannot be used during

i

overdub or overwrite recording.

Self-timer

Similar to a camera, the DR-05X has a self-timer function to
begin recording after a set period of time.

Press the RECORD [0] button when stopped or playing

1.

back to set the unit in recording standby, and press the
PB CONT button.

The self-timer icon appears with the time shown to

2.

the right on the recorder status screen.
Each time you press the PB CONT button, the setting

changes as follows.

Time shown to the right of the icon

OFF

(default) w 5S (5 seconds) w

OFF

Set the time period, and press the RECORD [0] or 7

3.

button.
Recording will start after the set time period.

NOTE

When the set time is elapsing, the REC indicator blinks

i

faster.

The self-timer cannot be used when recording is paused.

i

The self-timer function cannot be used when using the

i

AUTO REC function.

During overwrite recording, the self-timer cannot be used.

i

10S

(10 seconds) w

TASCAM DR-05X

29

4 – Recording

Using tone output

The tone output function can be used to automatically insert
a tone signal whenever recording starts and stops.

By connecting the /LINE OUT jack on the left side of the
unit and the external mic input jack of a digital SLR camera
and using the auto tone function, the same tone signal will
be recorded to files on both units. These tones can be used
as guides when synchronizing the files in video editing
software.

Digital SLR camera

External mic input jack

Connection example

Setting the AUTO TONE

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the REC

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.

The REC SETTING screen opens.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the AUTO TONE

3.

item, and press the / or 7 button.

Use the + or – buttons to set when tone signals are

4.

inserted.

Options: OFF (default), HEAD (recording start only),

HEAD+TAIL (recording start and stop)

Setting the AUTO TONE length

You can set the length of the AUTO TONE.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the REC

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.
The REC SETTING screen opens.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the TONE SECS

3.

item, and press the / or 7 button.

Use the + or – buttons to set the tone length.

4.

Options: 0.5sec, 1sec (default), 2sec, 3sec

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

5.

button to return to the Home Screen.

Adjusting the AUTO TONE volume

You can adjust the volume of the AUTO TONE.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the REC

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.
The REC SETTING screen opens.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the TONE VOL

3.

item, and press the / or 7 button.

Use the + or – buttons to adjust the tone volume.

4.

Options: -12dB, -18dB(default), -24dB, -30dB, -36dB

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

5.

button to return to the Home Screen.

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME)[8]

5.

button to return to the Home Screen.

CAUTION

When recording is stopped by the AUTO REC function, no

i

tone signal will be recorded when it stops.

During overwrite recording, the automatic tone function

i

cannot be used.

TASCAM DR-05X

30

4 – Recording

Recording duration

The table below shows the maximum recording time on microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC cards of different capacities and
recording formats.

Recording format

44.1kHz 1:41 3:22 6:44 13:28

16-bit WAV (stereo)

24-bit WAV (stereo)

MP3
(stereo/mono)

The recording times shown above are estimates. They might differ depending on the microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC card in

i

use.

The recording times shown above are not continuous recording times, but rather they are the total possible recording times for

i

the microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC card.

If the recording time exceeds 24 hours, the unit will automatically continue recording in a new file.

i

If recorded in mono in WAV files, the maximum recording time will be double the figures above.

i

128 kbps 44.1 kHz/48 kHz 18:38 37:16 74:32 149:04

192 kbps 44.1 kHz/48 kHz 12:25 24:50 49:40 99:20

256 kbps 44.1 kHz/48 kHz 9:19 18:37 37:16 74:32

320 kbps 44.1 kHz/48 kHz 7:27 14:54 29:48 59:36

48kHz 1:33 3:06 6:12 12:24

96kHz 0:46 1:33 3:06 6:12

44.1kHz 1:07 2:15 4:30 9:00

48kHz 1:02 2:04 4:08 8:16

96kHz 0:31 1:02 2:04 4:08

32 kbps 44.1 kHz/48 kHz 74:32 149:04 298:08 596:16

64 kbps 44.1 kHz/48 kHz 37:16 72:32 149:04 298:08

96 kbps 44.1 kHz/48 kHz 24:50 49:40 99:20 198:40

microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC card capacity (hours:minutes)

1GB 2GB 4GB 8GB

TASCAM DR-05X

31

5 – Working with Files and Folders (BROWSE screen)

On the BROWSE screen, you can view the contents of the
MUSIC Folder, which contains the audio files on the microSD
card that you can use with the unit. On this screen, you can
also play and erase selected audio files, create folders, add
tracks to the playlist and so on. (see "Using the playlist" on
page 36)

TIP

If you connect the unit with a computer by USB or mount
the microSD card on a computer using a card reader or
other input, you can use the computer to change the
folder structure within the MUSIC folder and erase files as
you would the contents of a hard drive. Furthermore, you
can change file names from the computer.

To open the BROWSE screen, press the MENU button to open
the MENU screen. Use the + or − button to select BROWSE and
press the 7 button.

The contents of the folder that contains the file that was
selected on the Home Screen before the BROWSE screen was
opened appears on the display.

Screen navigation

On the BROWSE screen, folders and music files appear in
a hierarchical structure much like they would appear on a
computer. Only two levels of folders can be created.

Use the + or − button to select files and folders.

i

When a folder is selected, press the / button to show

i

the contents of that folder.

When a file or folder is selected, press the . button to

i

exit the currently open folder and go up a level in the folder
structure.

When a file or folder is selected, press the QUICK button to

i

open the pop-up window.

When a file is selected, press the 7 button to return to the

i

HOME Screen and play the file.

This folder that contains this file becomes the current
folder, and new recorded file will be saved in this folder.
If the playback area has been set to FOLDER, this folder
becomes the new playback area.

When a folder is selected, press the 7 button to return to

i

the Home Screen. The first file in the folder (shown at the
top of the file list) will be played.

This folder becomes the current folder, and new recorded
files will be saved in this folder. Regardless of the previous
setting, the playback area is set to FOLDER, and this folder
becomes the new playback area.

Icons on the BROWSE screen

The meanings of icons that appear on the BROWSE screen are
as follows.

Root Music Folder (MUSIC)

The MUSIC Folder is the highest (root) level folder in the
hierarchy shown on the BROWSE screen.

Audio file

The icon appears before the names of music files.

Plus folder

This is a folder that contains subfolders.

Plain folder

This is a folder that does not contain subfolders.

Open folder ( )

The contents of the folder marked with this icon currently
appear on this screen.

File operations

Select the desired audio file on the BROWSE screen and press
the QUICK button to open the pop-up window that is shown
below.

Use the + or − button to select the item you want from the
following list and press the 7 button to execute it.

INFORMATION

Information (date/time, size) about the selected file appears.
Press the . button to return to the BROWSE screen.

TASCAM DR-05X

32

5 – Working with Files and Folders (BROWSE screen)

ADD PLAYLIST

Adds the selected file to the playlist. (see "Using the playlist"
on page 36)

DELETE

A message appears to confirm that you want to delete the
file.

To delete the file, press the / button. To cancel deletion,
press the . button.

NOTE

The pop-up menu can also be closed by pressing the

QUICK button.

Folder operations

Select the desired folder on the BROWSE screen and press
the QUICK button to open the pop-up window that is shown
below.

Use the + or − button to select the item you want from the
following list and press the 7 button to execute it.

SELECT

Returns to the Home Screen and selects the first file in the
folder. Regardless of the previous setting, the playback area
is set to FOLDER, and this folder becomes the new playback
area. When recording, files are created in this folder.

FOLDER DELETE

A pop-up message appears to confirm immediate deletion of
the selected folder and all files in it.

Press the / button to delete the folder and all files in it.
Press the . button to cancel deletion.

NOTE

You cannot erase read-only files and files that are not

i

recognized by this unit.

The pop-up menu can also be closed by pressing the

i

QUICK button.

Creating a new folder

In the file list, NEW FOLDER appears at the bottom.

Select (highlight) NEW FOLDER, and press the 7 button. It
shows a message to confirm creation of a new folder.

Press the / button to create a new folder or press the .
button to cancel.

Since this unit supports only a two-level folder structure, the
NEW FOLDER function is not available in second-level folders.
A newly created folder becomes the current folder (currently
selected folder), and recorded files are saved in this folder. If
the playback area has been set to FOLDER, this folder becomes
the playback area.

ALL DELETE

A pop-up message appears to confirm that you want to
delete all the files in the selected folder at once.

To delete the file, press the / button. To cancel deletion,
press the . button.

TASCAM DR-05X

33

6 – Playback

On the Home screen, you can use the . and / buttons
to select the playback track. The files that you can select
are determined by the playback area setting. Limiting the
playback area makes track selection easier when you have
numerous recorded and copied tracks on the microSD card.
On the PLAY SETTING screen, you can select all files, the
current folder or the playlist as the playback area. You can
also use the BROWSE screen to set a folder as the playback
area.

NOTE

On the BROWSE screen, regardless of the playback area
setting, you can select any file on the card that you want.

Adjusting the playback volume

The volume of output through the built-in speaker or the /
LINE OUT connector can be adjusted using the + or − button
while the Home Screen is open.

A pull-up volume indicator appears.

Setting the playback area (AREA)

Set the playback area for repeat and ordinary playback on the
PLAY SETTING screen.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the PLAY

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.

This opens the PLAY SETTING screen.

Use the + or − button to set the playback area.

4.

ALL FILES

Set the playback area as all files in the Music Folder on
the microSD card.

FOLDER (default)

Set the playback area as all the files in the currently
selected folder.

PLAYLIST

Set the playback area as the files in the playlist. (see
"Using the playlist" on page 36)

If there is no playlist defined, a No PLAYLIST pop-up
appears.

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

5.

button to return to the Home Screen.

NOTE

The current playback area setting appears in the lower left
of the Home Screen.

Playback area indication

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the AREA item,

3.

and press the / or 7 button.

TASCAM DR-05X

34

6 – Playback

Selecting a folder for the playback area (1)

Regardless of the current playback area, if you select a folder
on the BROWSE screen, the playback area changes to the
selected folder.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or − button to select BROWSE, and press the 7

2.

button.

The BROWSE screen will open.

The content of the folder that contains the file selected

on the Home Screen is displayed.

Use the . or / button to select a folder level, and

3.

use the + or − button to select a folder.

For an explanation of how to use the BROWSE screen,

see "Screen navigation" on page 32.

Press the QUICK button to open the following pop-up

4.

window.

Use the + or − button to select SELECT, and press the 7

button.

The Home Screen reopens with the first file in the folder

selected, and the unit is stopped.

Regardless of the previous setting, the playback area is

set to FOLDER, and this folder becomes the playback

area. This folder becomes the current folder, and new

recorded files will be saved in this folder.

Selecting a folder for the playback area (2)

When the playback area is set to FOLDER, if you select a file on
the BROWSE screen, the folder that contains the selected file
becomes the playback area.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or − button to select BROWSE, and press the 7

2.

button.
The BROWSE screen will open.

The content of the folder that contains the file selected
on the Home Screen is displayed.

Use the . or / button to select a folder level, and

3.

use the + or − button to select the folder that contains
the track (file) you want to play.

For an explanation of how to use the BROWSE screen,
see "Screen navigation" on page 32.

Press the / button.

4.

Use the + or − button to select the desired file.

5.

Press the 7 button.

6.

The display returns to the Home Screen, and the
selected track starts playing. This folder becomes the
current folder, and new recorded files will be saved in
this folder.

In addition, the folder that contains this file becomes the
playback area regardless of the playback area folder set
previously.

TASCAM DR-05X

35

6 – Playback

Using the playlist

You can make a list of files for playback (playlist).
On the PLAY SETTING screen if you select PLAYLIST for the
AREA item, you can set playback to just the tracks in your

playlist.

Adding files to the playlist

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or − button to select BROWSE, and press the 7

2.

button.

The BROWSE screen will open.

NOTE

For an explanation of how to use the BROWSE screen, see
"5 – Working with Files and Folders (BROWSE screen)" on
page 32.

Use the + or − button to select the file you want to add

3.

to the playlist, and press the QUICK button.

A pop-up window appears.

NOTE

For details about how to select the file, see "Screen
navigation" on page 32.

Use the + or − button to select ADD LIST.

4.

Press the 7 button.

5.

The track is added to the playlist and the popup window

closes.

Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5 as necessary to add more tracks

6.

to the playlist. The tracks are numbered in the order that

they are added.

Editing the playlist

You can view and edit the playlist you have made on the
PLAYLIST screen. You can also use this screen to play tracks
and to edit the playlist.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or − button to select BROWSE, and press the 7

2.

button.

The BROWSE screen will open.

Use the . button to move to the top folder level.

3.

Use the + or − button to select the file you want to edit,

5.

and press the QUICK button.
A pop-up window appears.

Use the + or − button to select the item you want from

6.

the following list and press 7 button to execute it.

MOVE

Select this to change the order of tracks in the playlist.
In addition to the file name, the track number also
appears highlighted in inverse.

Use the + or − button to move the selected track to

i

a different position in the playlist.

In the above example, the 4th track has been moved
to the 3rd track position.

Press the 7 button.

i

This completes movement and reopens the

PLAYLIST screen.

DELETE (Remove)

Remove the selected track from the playlist. The file is
removed from the playlist, but it is not erased from the
microSD card.

ALL CLEAR

A confirmation message appears to confirm that you
want to remove all the files from the playlist. Press the
/ button to clear the files. Press the . button to
cancel removal.

For this operation, it does not matter which track you
select in step 3. All the files are removed from the
playlist, but they are not erased from the microSD
card.

Use the + or − button to select PLAYLIST, and press the

4.

/ button.

This opens the PLAYLIST screen.

TASCAM DR-05X

36

6 – Playback

Selecting files for playback (skipping)

When the Home Screen is open, use the . and /
buttons to select the file for playback.

If you press the . button when the playback position is
located at the middle of a file, it will return to the beginning
of that file. If you press the . button when located at
the beginning of a file, the playback position will skip to the
beginning of the previous file.

If you press the / button when located at the beginning
of or middle of a file, the playback position will skip to the
beginning of the next file.

NOTE

Files in the playback area can be played.

i

The track name, file number and other file information for

i

the currently playing file appear on the display.

When the IN and OUT points are set between the current

i

position and the end of the track, pressing this button
skips to those points. Use the . and / buttons if you
want to move between songs.

Playing recordings

When the Home Screen is open and playback is stopped,
press the 7 button to start playback.

NOTE

Files in the playback area can be played.

i

You can also choose files for playback by name on the

i

BROWSE screen.

Pausing

When the Home Screen is open and a file is playing back,
press the ¤ (HOME) [8] button to pause playback at the
current position.

Press the 7 button again to restart playback from that
position.

Stopping

When the Home Screen is open and a file is playing back,
press the ¤ (HOME) [8] button to pause playback. Press
the ¤ (HOME) [8] button again to return to the beginning
of the file.

Repeat playback (REPEAT)

You can repeatedly play one file or multiple files within a
designated area.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the PLAY

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.
This opens the PLAY SETTING screen.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the REPEAT

3.

item, and press the / or 7 button.

Use the + or − button to select a repeat mode.

4.

CONTINUOUS (default)

All files in the playback area are played in sequence
one time. (This setting is the ordinary playback mode.)

SINGLE

The selected track is played once without repeating.
The icon appears on the Home Screen.

1 REPEAT

The current file is played repeatedly.
The icon appears on the Home Screen.

ALL REPEAT

All files in the selected playback area are played back
repeatedly.

The icon appears on the Home Screen.

NOTE

If you start loop playback, the repeat operation automati­cally switches to CONTINUOUS if it is in SINGLE, 1 REPEAT, or
ALL REPEAT mode.

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

5.

button to return to the Home Screen and start playback.

Searching backward and forward

When the Home Screen is open and a file is playing back or
stopped, press and hold the . or / button to search
the playback file backward or forward.

NOTE

Press and hold the . or / button to accelerate the
search speed.

TASCAM DR-05X

37

6 – Playback

Special playback control functions

The unit has some special playback control functions. For
example, you can play a selected section of a file repeatedly
or change the tempo of music without changing the pitch.
You can also enhance the perceived overall sound pressure
for comfortable listening when the playback sound is difficult
to hear.

These playback control functions enable effective practice
and analysis of musical passages.

Playback Control screen

Use the Playback Control screen to set the playback control
functions.

While the Home Screen is open when stopped or playing
back, press the PB CONT button to open the Playback Control
screen.

This screen can be used to make settings for the playback
speed and loop playback.

After you finish making settings on this screen, press the
¤ (HOME) [8] or PB CONT button to return to the Home
Screen.

Loop playback of a selection

With this function, you can continuously repeat (loop) the
playback of a selection that you make.

While the Home Screen is open when stopped or playing

1.

back, press the PB CONT button to open the Playback

Control screen.

Press the MARK button at the end point of the section

3.

that you want to play repeatedly.
This position is set as the OUT (end) point, and loop

playback of the section between the IN and OUT points
starts.

During loop playback the indicator also appears.
Press the PB CONT button to return to the Home Screen

while maintaining the IN (start) and OUT (end) point and
loop settings.

NOTE

The I/O Too Short pop-up message appears if the

i

section between the IN and OUT points is too short. Set
them again. The section should be 1 second or longer.

Press the MARK button again to clear the IN and OUT

i

points.

To stop loop playback, press the MENU button when the

i

Playback Control screen is open. Press the MENU button
again to start loop playback between the set IN and OUT
points.

You cannot set the IN and OUT points in different files.

i

The previous IN and OUT point settings are lost when you

i

set the IN point on a different file.

Accurate assignment of IN and OUT points is not always

i

possible for variable bit rate (VBR) MP3 files.

18

Press the 7 button to start playback, and press the

2.

MARK button at the start point of the section that you

want to play repeatedly.

This position is set as the IN (start) point.

TASCAM DR-05X

38

6 – Playback

Changing the playback speed (VSA)

This unit has a built-in variable speed audition (VSA) function
to change the playback speed without changing its pitch.

CAUTION

The VSA function will not work when you select a file
recorded with a sampling rate of 96kHz. At this time,

will appear on the Home Screen. However, the

playback speed can be changed.
Even though it will not affect this file, the playback speed

adjustment will become effective when a 44.1/48kHz file
is selected using the . or / button on the Home
Screen.

When the Playback Control screen is open, press the + or –
button to increase or decrease the playback speed.

The VSA function can change the playback speed in the
range from 0.5 (50%) to 2.0 (200%) times (in 0.1 increments)
the normal speed.

Press the PB CONT button to return to the Home Screen
while maintaining the set playback speed.

The or icon appears if the playback
speed is set to a value larger or smaller than 1.0, respectively.

Setting the playback equalizer

You can choose from different sound equalization settings to
enhance listenability (PLAY EQ).

Use the PLAY EQ item on the I/O SETTING screen or the
Quick menu to set the playback equalization.

Operation from the MENU screen

Press the MENU button to open the

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) I/O SETTING

2.

and press the 7 button.
The I/O SETTING screen will open.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the PLAY EQ

3.

menu item, and press the 7 button.

Use the + and – buttons to adjust the playback equal-

4.

ization.
TREBLE, MIDDLE, and BASS indicate that adjustment

in the high, middle, or low frequency range is enabled,
and + and – indicate that the sound level in that range is
increased or decreased, respectively.

Options: OFF (default), TREBLE +, TREBLE -, MIDDLE +,

MIDDLE -, BASS +, BASS -

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

5.

button to return to the Home Screen.

Operation from the Quick menu

During playback when the Home Screen is open, press

1.

the QUICK button to open the Quick menu.

MENU

screen.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the PLAY EQ

2.

menu item, and press the 7 button.
This opens the PLAY EQ screen.

Options: OFF (default), TREBLE +, TREBLE -, MIDDLE +,

MIDDLE -, BASS +, BASS -

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) a setting, and

3.

press the 7 button to enable it and return to the HOME
Screen.

TASCAM DR-05X

39

6 – Playback

Increasing the perceived overall sound pressure to enhance listenability (LEVEL ALIGN)

If the playback sound is very small and indiscernible, the
perceived overall sound pressure can be increased to
enhance listenability. (Level Alignment)

Operation from the MENU screen

Press the MENU button to open the

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the I/O

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.

The I/O SETTING screen will open.

Use the + or − button to select LEVEL ALIGN and press

3.

the 7 button.

Use the + and − buttons to set the LEVEL ALIGN

4.

function.

Options: OFF (default), ON

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

5.

button to return to the Home Screen.

Operation from the Quick menu

During playback when the Home Screen is open, press

1.

the QUICK button to open the Quick menu.

Use the + or − button to select LEVEL ALIGN and press

2.

the 7 button.

A screen to enable/disable the level alignment function

3.

appears.

MENU

screen.

Using the jump function

During playback, you can jump backward or forward from
the current playback position by a set amount of time.

The same playback status will be retained after jumping.
The jump forward function can only be used during dictation

playback mode, overwrite recording mode and with the file
division function. Operation differs in these modes.

Use the JUMP BACK and JUMP FWD settings to set the
backward and forward times.

JUMP BACK

Options: OFF, 1sec, 3sec (default), 5sec, 10sec, 30sec,

1min, 5min, 10min

JUMP FWD

Options: OFF, 1sec, 3sec, 5sec, 10sec (default), 30sec,

1min, 5min, 10min

Operation when not using dictation playback
mode, overwrite recording mode or the file
division function

Jump back

During playback, press the 7 button to jump back from
the current position by the set JUMP BACK time.

Operation when using dictation playback mode,
overwrite recording mode or the file division
function

Jump back

During playback, press the . button to jump back
from the current position by the set JUMP BACK time.

Jump forward

During playback, press the / button to jump forward
from the current position by the set JUMP FWD time.

NOTE

When jumping back, if the amount of time from the
current playback position to the beginning of the file is
less than the set “JUMP BACK” time, playback will jump to
the beginning of the file. When jumping forward, if the
amount of time from the current playback position to
the end of the file is less than the set “JUMP FWD” time,
playback will jump to the end of the file and pause.

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) ON, and press

4.

the 7 button to enable the level alignment function.

Select (highlight) OFF and press the 7 button to disable

the level alignment function.

NOTE

The level alignment function might not have much effect
depending on the source of the sound (for example, a
music file that has already had sound pressure adjusted).

TASCAM DR-05X

40

Setting the jump back time

Operation from the MENU screen

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the PLAY

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.

This opens the PLAY SETTING screen.

Use the + or – button to select the JUMP BACK menu

3.

item, and press the 7 button.

Use the + and – buttons to set the jump back time.

4.

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

5.

button to return to the Home Screen.

NOTE

If the amount of time to the beginning of the file is less
than the set time, playback will jump to the beginning of
the file and continue playing or pause.

Operation from the Quick menu

Switch the operation mode of the unit to dictation

1.

playback mode. (see "Enabling DICTATION PLAY mode"

on page 45)

During playback when in dictation playback mode, press

2.

the QUICK button to open the Quick menu.

6 – Playback

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the PLAY

2.

SETTING menu item, and press the 7 button.
This opens the PLAY SETTING screen.

Use the + or – button to select the JUMP FWD menu item,

3.

and press the 7 button.

Use the + and - buttons to set the jump forward time.

4.

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

5.

button to return to the Home Screen.

NOTE

If the amount of time to the end of the file is less than
the set time, playback will jump to the end of the file and
pause.

Operation from the Quick menu

During playback when in dictation playback mode, press

1.

the QUICK button to open the Quick menu.

Use the + or – button to select the JUMP FWD menu item,

2.

and press the 7 button.
The JUMP FWD time setting screen will open.

Use the + or – button to select the JUMP BACK menu

3.

item, and press the 7 button.

The JUMP BACK time setting screen will open.

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) a setting, and

4.

press the 7 button to enable it and return to the HOME

Screen.

Setting the jump forward time

Operation from the MENU screen

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) a setting, and

3.

press the 7 button to enable it and return to the HOME
Screen.

TASCAM DR-05X

41

7 – Quick Operations

Features of the QUICK button

The QUICK button can be used for the following functions.
The functions of the QUICK button for different screens and states are as follows.

Screen State Menu item Action Page

Delete the current file. see page 43

Divide the current file. see page 43

Record over (overwrite) the current file. see page 44

Enable dictation playback mode. see page 45

Turn the built-in speaker on/off. see page 18

Set playback equalization. see page 39

Increase the perceived overall sound pressure to
enhance listenability.

Set the LEVEL MODE function. see page 24

Set the low-cut filter. see page 21

Turn the built-in speaker on/off. see page 18

This function enhances the vocal frequency range
to make voices easier to hear in the playback
sound.

Increase the perceived overall sound pressure to
enhance listenability.

Set the jump back time. see page 41

Set the jump forward time. see page 41

Exit DICTATION PLAY mode. see page 45

Turn the built-in speaker on/off. see page 18

Set playback equalization. see page 39

Increase the perceived overall sound pressure to
enhance listenability.

Show file information for the selected file.

Add the selected file to the playlist.

Delete the selected file.

Select the first file in the selected folder.

Deletes all files in the selected folder.

Delete the selected folder and all files in it.

Change the order of files that have been added to
the playlist.

Remove a file that has been added to the playlist.

Remove all files that have been added to the
playlist.

Switch between CALIB and INPUT LEVEL items see page 48

Move to where overwrite recording started. see page 44

Restore to state before most recent overwrite
recording.

Exit OVERWRITE mode. see page 44

see page 40

see page 45

see page 40

see page 40

see page 32

see page 33

see page 36

see page 44

Stopped/
paused

Home Screen

Home Screen DICTATION
PLAY mode

Playback Control screen

BROWSE

PLAYLIST screen

TUNER

OVERWRITE MODE

During
playback

Recording
Standby

When file
selected

When folder
selected

DELETE

DIVIDE

OVERWRITE

DICTATION PLAY

SPEAKER

PLAYEQ

LEVEL ALIGN

LEVEL MODE

LOW CUT

SPEAKER

VOICE EQ

LEVEL ALIGN

JUMP BACK

JUMP FWD

MODE EXIT

SPEAKER

PLAYEQ

LEVEL ALIGN

FILE INFORMATION

ADD PLAYLIST

DELETE

SELECT

ALL DELETE

FOLDER DELETE

MOVE

DELETE

ALL CLEAR

TO EDIT POINT

UNDO

MODE EXIT

TASCAM DR-05X

42

Quick menu

Press the QUICK button to open the Quick menu when you
want to use it.

The content of the Quick menu differs according to the
recorder status and operation mode.

Press the QUICK or ¤ (HOME) [8] button to close the
Quick menu.

Quick menu when playback is stopped or paused

Deleting files

The currently selected file can be deleted without using the
BROWSE screen.

To delete a file, select it using the . or / button or

1.

the BROWSE screen.

While the Home Screen is open when stopped, press the

2.

QUICK button to open the Quick menu.

Use the + or − button to select DELETE.

3.

Press the 7 button to open a confirmation screen for

4.

file deletion.

To delete the file, press the / button. To cancel

deletion, press the . button.

Dividing the selected file (DIVIDE)

A recorded file can be divided into two at a specified position.

Select a file to be divided using the . or / button

1.

or the BROWSE screen.

While the Home Screen is open when stopped, press the

2.

QUICK button to open the Quick menu.

7 – Quick Operations

Use the + or − button to specify the position for file

4.

division, and press the RECORD [0] button.
The following pop-up window appears.

Press the / button to divide the file.

5.

If you press the . button, the file will not be divided
and the DIVIDE screen will reopen.

NOTE

When the DIVIDE screen is open, you can press the 7

i

button and set the divide position while playing the track.
When the DIVIDE screen is open, press the PLAY button

i

to start/pause playback and press the .// button
to move to the beginning/end of the track. Adjust the
position for file division using the + or − button. Press and
hold the + or − button to move the position continuously.

After dividing a file, two new files with “_a” and “_b”

i

added to the end of the original file name are created.

Examples

File name before division

000101_0001.wav

File names after division

000101_0001_a.wav (part before division point)
000101_0001_b.wav (part after division point)

CAUTION

MP3 files cannot be divided.

i

If the microSD card has insufficient open space, division

i

might not be possible.

Division is not possible if the file name would become

i

more than 200 characters long.

Division is not possible if the name that would be given to

i

a new file is the same as the name of an existing file.

TIP

Add marks during recording at positions where you want
to divide a file. By opening the DIVIDE screen after moving
to a mark, you can divide at its position. (see "Adding
marks manually" on page 46)

Use the + or − button to select DIVIDE, and press the 7

3.

button.

The DIVIDE screen will open.

TASCAM DR-05X

43

7 – Quick Operations

Overwrite recording

A recorded file can be overwritten from a desired position.

Selecting a file to overwrite record

On the BROWSE screen, select the file to overwrite record.

NOTE

File skipping cannot be used to select files in overwrite
recording mode.

Activating overwrite recording mode

While the Home Screen is open when stopped, press the

1.

QUICK button to open the Quick menu.

Use the + or – button to select the OVERWRITE menu

2.

item, and press the 7 button.

This will activate overwrite recording mode.

Use the ., / and 7 buttons to stop at the

3.

position where you want to start overwrite recording.

At this time, using the . or / button will jump. (see

"Using the jump function" on page 40)

Conducting overwrite recording

Press the RECORD [0] button.

1.

The following pop-up window appears.

Press the / button to close the pop-up window and
start recording standby.

Press the RECORD [0] button again to start overwrite

2.

recording.

Press the ¤ (HOME) [8] button to stop overwrite

3.

recording.
After stopping recording, the unit will return to the

overwrite recording starting point and stop.

Checking the result of recording

Play the recorded file to check it.

NOTE

To return to the starting point of overwrite recording, you
can select TO EDIT POINT from the Quick menu.

Undoing and redoing

In overwrite recording mode, you can undo an overwrite
recording once to return to the immediately previous state.
You can also restore (REDO) an undone change.

CAUTION

Overwrite recording does not change the file name.

i

Overwrite recording can be done as many times as you

i

like, but only the file before the most recent overwritten
recording will be retained. Overwriting again will delete
the earlier file.

TASCAM DR-05X

44

Ending overwrite recording mode

When the Home Screen is open and the unit is stopped,
use the Quick menu to select MODE EXIT, and press the 7
button.

This ends overwrite recording mode.

CAUTION

Ending overwrite recording mode will delete any file
available for UNDO (REDO) operations.

7 – Quick Operations

Transcribing recorded files (DICTATION PLAY )

The DICTATION PLAY mode allows you to search for the parts
of the selected file that you want to hear during playback,
making it useful for transcribing meeting minutes, for
example.

In DICTATION PLAY mode, the file skip function is disabled to
prevent accidentally moving to the previous or next file.

Select the file before enabling DICTATION PLAY Mode.

Enabling DICTATION PLAY mode

While the Home Screen is open when stopped, press the

1.

QUICK button to open the Quick menu.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the DICTATION

2.

PLAY menu item, and press the 7 button.

This will activate DICTATION PLAY mode.

Adjusting the playback equalization

Using the Quick menu, you can make the audio easier to hear.

VOICE EQ: This makes the vocal frequency range easier to

hear.

LEVEL ALIGN: The overall sound pressure is increased to

enhance listenability.

Changing the playback volume and speed

Press the PB CONT to switch between changing the volume
and speed of playback.

Playback speed adjustment mode

Use the + and − buttons to change the playback volume/
speed.

Exiting DICTATION PLAY mode

When the Home Screen is open and the unit is stopped,
use the Quick menu to select MODE EXIT, and press the 7
button.

This exits DICTATION PLAY mode.

NOTE

Recording is not possible in DICTATION PLAY mode.

i

Menu operations are not possible in DICTATION PLAY

i

mode.

To use a menu, exit DICTATION PLAY mode temporarily.

i

Changing the playback position

Press . briefly: jump back
Press / briefly: jump forward

You can set the jump back and jump forward times from the
Quick menu when stopped.

TASCAM DR-05X

45

8 – Mark functions

Adding marks manually

When playing, recording or in recording standby, press the
MARK button to add a mark at any point.

When a mark is added, a pull-up appears at the bottom of the
display.

NOTE

Mark information is stored in the file with numbers

i

between 01–99. The maximum number of marks in a file is

99.

Since the unit is compatible with BWF format WAV files,

i

marks added to a WAV file during recording are stored in
it. Marks stored in the file are available when playing back
the file using BWF-compatible software, for example.

Adding marks automatically to a recording

This function allows the unit to add marks automatically
using AUTO REC.

On the REC SETTING screen, set the AUTO REC MODE to MARK.

For details, see "Recording automatically (AUTO REC)" on
page 27.

Moving to mark positions

When stopped, paused or during playback, press the . or
/ button to move between marks set in the selected file.

You can use this function to go to the beginning of a song,
similar to an index.

NOTE

You cannot move to a cue mark of a different file.

Clearing marks

When stopped or paused, move to a mark. Then, press the
MARK button to clear that mark.

TASCAM DR-05X

46

9 – Using the effects

This unit has built-in effects.
Effects can be applied to the input signal during recording

and practice as well as to the signal during playback.
When an effect is on, the icon appears as light letters on

a dark background ( ) at the top of the Home Screen.

Effects ON indication

Setting the effect

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + and – buttons to select (highlight) the OTHERS

2.

menu item, and press the 7 button to open the OTHERS

screen.

Use the + or − button to select EFFECT, and press the 7

3.

button.

The EFFECT screen will open.

As shown in the above illustration, there are four setting

items on the EFFECT screen.

Set each item using the ., /, + and – buttons.

EFFECT

Use this to turn the effect on or off.
(Default: OFF)

PRESET

Select the preset for the effect being used. See the
"Effects Preset List" on page 47 for details about the
preset effects.

LEVEL

Use this to change the output level of the preset effect
selected in the PRESET item. Setting range: 0 - 20
(Default: 10)

SOURCE:

Use this to set whether the effect is applied to the
input signal (INPUT) or the output signal (MONITOR).

(Default: MONITOR)

Use the + or – button to select the desired item and

4.

press the / button or 7 button to access that item’s
settings.

Use the + or – button to set the desired value.

5.

Press the . button when you are done making the

6.

setting to return to item selection status.

After completing the setting, press the ¤ (HOME) [8]

7.

button to return to the Home Screen.

CAUTION

When the sampling frequency is set to 96 kHz, or a WAV
file with a sampling frequency of 96 kHz is played, the
built-in effects do not work. However, you can still set the
built-in effects.

Effects Preset List

Preset name Effects

Hall 1 (default)

Hall 2

Room

Studio

Plate 1

Plate 2

This is a bright reverb modeled after a
large hall-like space.

This is a warm reverb modeled after a
large hall-like space.

This reverb is modeled on a small
indoor space.

This reverb is modeled on a studio-like
space.

This is a bright plate reverb.

This is a warm plate reverb.

TASCAM DR-05X

47

10 – Tuning an instrument

This unit has a built-in tuner. By inputting sound from a
musical instrument, you can tune it accurately while viewing
the tuning meter shown in the display.

Using the tuner

Setting the tuner

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + and – buttons to select (highlight) the OTHERS

2.

menu item, and press the 7 button to open the OTHERS

menu.

Use the + or − button to select TUNER, and press the 7

3.

button.

The TUNER screen will open.

The TUNER screen contains a CALIB option to set the

frequency of A. Press the . or / button to

decrease or increase the fundamental frequency.

Setting range: 435Hz - 445Hz

(in 1 Hz increments, default: 440Hz)

NOTE

When the TUNER screen is open, press the 7 button to
reverse the screen orientation.

Tuning a musical instrument

Open the TUNER screen, and sound a note near the unit.

1.

The closest pitch name will be shown above the center
of the meter.

Tune the instrument so that the target pitch name

2.

appears and the center of the tuner lights.
A bar appears to the left or right of center if the sound is

lower or higher than the target pitch. The bar becomes
longer the more the input pitch differs from the target
pitch.

Adjusting the input level for tuning

Press the QUICK button to switch CALIB to INPUT LEVEL

1.

in the bottom of the TUNER screen.

Use the . or / button to adjust the input level.

2.

During adjustment, a pull-up with meters showing the
input level will appear at the bottom of the display.

Adjustment is the same as explained in (see "Adjusting
the input level" on page 26).

TASCAM DR-05X

48

11 – USB Connections

By connecting this unit with a computer using a USB cable,
you can power the unit with USB bus power, and use the unit
as an SD card reader and as a USB audio interface.

Computer

CAUTION

The unit should be connected directly with the computer
instead of via a USB hub.

Micro-B USB plug

USB

Powering the unit with USB bus power

When the unit is off

Connect the computer and the unit with a USB cable,

1.

and turn the unit on to open the USB screen.

Use the + or – button to select BUS POWER and press

2.

the 7 button to select power from the USB port and

reopen the HOME Screen.

When the unit is on

When operating on batteries, if you connect the computer
and the unit with a USB cable, the unit will be powered from
its USB port (USB bus power is used first).

NOTE

The same thing will also happen when using an AC
adapter.

Using as an SD card reader

By connecting this unit with a computer using a USB cable,
you can use it as an SD card reader.

You can transfer recorded audio files to a computer and also
transfer audio files from a computer to the unit.

When the unit is off

Connect the computer and the unit with a USB cable,

1.

and turn the unit on to open the USB screen.

Use the + or − button to select SD CARD READER and

2.

press the 7 button.
The SD CARD READER screen will open.

When the unit is on

When operating on batteries, connect the unit and the
computer with a USB cable

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or − button to select USB, and press the 7

2.

button to open the USB screen.

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) the SD CARD

3.

READER item and press the 7 button.
The SD CARD READER screen will open.

TASCAM DR-05X

49

11 – USB Connections

Disconnecting the unit from a computer

Before disconnecting the computer and the unit, use the
proper procedures for the computer to unmount the unit,
and press the . button.

Press the . button to disconnect from the computer and
return to the Home Screen.

Transferring files from a computer

Click the “DR-05X” drive on the computer screen to show

1.

the “MUSIC” and “UTILITY” folders.

Drag and drop files on the computer that you want to

2.

transfer to the unit to the “MUSIC” folder.

TIP

You can manage the “MUSIC” folder from the computer.

i

You can create subfolders in the “MUSIC” folder up to

i

the second level for use with this unit. Only two levels
of folders can be created. This unit cannot recognize
subfolders and audio files on the third level or below.

Since you can set the DR-05X to only play the contents of a

i

specific folder, you can organize files into genres, artists or
other categories as you like.

If you name the subfolders and music files, these names

i

will appear on the screen of this unit.

Using as a USB audio interface

By connecting this unit with a computer using a USB cable,
you can use it as a USB audio interface.

When the unit is off

Connect the computer and the unit with a USB cable,

1.

and turn the unit on to open the USB screen.

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) AUDIO I/F,

2.

and press the 7 button.
The AUDIO I/F screen will open.

When the unit is on

When operating on batteries, connect the unit and the
computer with a USB cable

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or − button to select USB, and press the 7

2.

button to open the USB screen.

TASCAM DR-05X

50

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) the AUDIO I/

3.

F item and press the 7 button.
The AUDIO I/F screen will open.

11 – USB Connections

Setting the connected device type

When the AUDIO I/F screen is open, use the + or –

1.

button to select (highlight) the CONNECT TO menu item,

and press the 7 button.

Use the + and – buttons to set the type of connected

2.

device.

Options: PC/Mac(default), iOS

NOTE

If the connected device type is iOS, this unit will operate

i

on batteries.

An iPad Camera Connection Kit is necessary to connect an

i

iOS device.

Connecting

When the AUDIO I/F screen is open, use the + or –

1.

button to select (highlight) the CONNECT menu item, and

press the 7 button.

Press the 7 button to enable audio interface mode and

2.

return to the Home Screen.

NOTE

When in audio interface mode, press the MENU button to
access the following functions.

MONITOR: Set to DIRECT to mix the mic input and

i

computer output sounds, enabling input
monitoring without lag.

MIC POWER: When connecting a microphone that

i

LOW CUT: Set the cutoff frequency of the low-cut filter

i

EFFECT: Open the effect settings screen.

i

DISCONNECT: End the USB audio interface mode

i

requires plug-in power, set this to ON.

during input.

connection.

TASCAM DR-05X

51

12 – Settings and Information

Viewing information (INFORMATION)

Use the INFORMATION screen to view various types of infor­mation about this unit.

Follow the steps below to display the INFORMATION screen.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + and – buttons to select (highlight) the OTHERS

2.

menu item, and press the 7 button to open the OTHERS

screen.

Use the + or − button to select INFORMATION, and press

3.

the 7 button.

The INFORMATION screen contains the following three pages.
Use the + or − button to move through the pages.

File information page (FILE)

i

Shows information about the currently loaded file.

Card information page (CARD)

i

Shows the use status of the currently inserted microSD
card

System information page (SYSTEM)

i

Shows the unit’s system setting information and firmware
version.

File information page (FILE)

The FILE page shows information about the currently
selected file.

Card information page

The CARD page shows the status of the currently inserted
microSD card.

TOTAL MUSIC

Shows the number of playable files in the MUSIC Folder.

TOTAL FOLDER

Shows the total number of folders in the MUSIC folder.

TOTAL SIZE

Shows the total microSD card capacity.

REMAIN SIZE /USED SIZE

Shows the amount of unused/used capacity on the microSD
card.

Press the . or / button to switch between REMAIN
SIZE and USED SIZE.

System information page

The SYSTEM page shows information about the unit’s system
settings and firmware version.

WAV/MP3

This hows the audio file format.
For WAV files, bit length, stereo/mono, and sampling

frequency (Hz) also appear.
For MP3 files, the bit rate (kbps), CBR (constant bit rate) or

VBR (variable bit rate) type, and sampling frequency (Hz) also
appear.

TITLE

Shows the file name.
If an MP3 file has ID3 tag title information that information

appears.

DATE

Date of file creation

SIZE

File size

TASCAM DR-05X

52

AUTO OFF

Shows the automatic power OFF setting.

BACKLIGHT

Shows the automatic backlight OFF setting.

BATTERY TYPE

Shows the battery type setting.

VERSION

Shows the system firmware version.

12 – Settings and Information

System Settings

From the SYSTEM screen, you can change various settings
to optimize the device for your use environment and other
requirements.

Follow the steps below to display the SYSTEM screen.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + or – button to select (highlight) the SYSTEM

2.

menu item, and press the 7 button.

This opens the SYSTEM screen.

The following settings can be made for the items on the

SYSTEM screen.

Use the . or / button and the + or − button to set

each item.

Setting the automatic power saving function

You can use the AUTO OFF item to set the amount of time
from when the unit last operated or was used until the power
turns off (enters standby) automatically.

Options: OFF (does not turn off automatically), 3min, 5min,

10min, 30min (default)

Setting the backlight

Use the BACKLIGHT item to set the time after the last
operation until the backlight automatically turns off.

Options: OFF (backlight off ), 5sec (default), 10sec, 15sec,

30sec, ALWAYS (always on)

Adjusting the display contrast

Use CONTRAST to adjust the display contrast.

Options: 1–20 (default: 5)

Setting the battery type

Use the BATTERY TYPE item to set the battery type. This
setting is used to display the remaining battery power and to
calculate the minimum capacity for normal operation.

Options: ALKAL (alkaline batteries, default), Ni-MH (nickel-

metal hydride batteries)

Set the language

Use the LANGUAGE item to set the language shown on the
display.

Use the + or − button to select (highlight) the LANGUAGE

1.

item and press the 7 button.

Options:

ENG: use English

日本語

: use Japanese
FRA: use French
ESP: use Spanish
DEU: use German
ITA: use Italian
POR: use Portuguese
RUS: use Russian

中文

: use Chinese

한글 : use Korean

Press the 7 button to open a pop-up confirmation

2.

window.

Press the / button to confirm the language selection.

3.

To cancel language selection, press the . button.

Setting the language if the wrong was set

After pressing the ¤ (HOME) [8] button to turn

i

the unit off, press the ¤ (HOME) [8] button while
pressing and holding the MENU button. The language
selection menu will appear, and you will be able to
select the language.

TASCAM DR-05X

53

12 – Settings and Information

Restoring the factory settings

Use the INITIALIZE item to restore the various settings of
this unit to their factory settings.

Use the + or − button to select INITIALIZE, and press

1.

the 7 button to highlight Exec.

Press the 7 button to open a pop-up confirmation

2.

window.

Press the / button to initialize the unit.

3.

Press . button to cancel initialization.

Formatting microSD cards

Use the QUICK FORMAT item to format a microSD card.
Formatting a microSD card erases all music files on the card

and automatically creates new “MUSIC” and “UTILITY” folders
as well as a “dr-1.sys” file.

Use the + or − button to select QUICK FORMAT, and press

1.

the 7 button to highlight Exec.

Press the 7 button to open a pop-up confirmation

2.

window.

Press the / button to start formatting the microSD

3.

card.
Press the . button to cancel formatting the microSD

card.

Completely formatting SD cards

Use the FULL FORMAT item to completely format a microSD
card.

Full formatting checks the memory for errors while
formatting, so it takes more time than quick formatting.

Full formatting a microSD card erases all music files on the
card and automatically creates new “MUSIC” and “UTILITY”
folders as well as a “dr-1.sys” file.

Use the + or − button to select FULL FORMAT, and press

1.

the 7 button to highlight Exec.

Press the 7 button to open a pop-up confirmation

2.

window.

Press the / button to start full formatting of the

3.

microSD card.
Press the . button to cancel full formatting of the

microSD card.

CAUTION

When formatting a microSD card, the unit should be
operating on power supplied by a PS-P520E adapter (sold
separately), computer USB bus power or batteries with
sufficient remaining power.

If the power fails during formatting, the formatting may
not occur correctly.

NOTE

Using the FULL FORMAT option might restore an SD card

i

that has decreased writing performance due to repeated
use.

i

FULL FORMAT checks the memory for errors while
formatting, so it takes more time than QUICK FORMAT.

TASCAM DR-05X

54

Setting the file name format

You can select the format of names given to files recorded by
this unit.

Press the MENU button to open the MENU screen.

1.

Use the + and – buttons to select (highlight) the OTHERS

2.

menu item, and press the 7 button to open the
OTHERS screen.

Use the + or − button to select FILE NAME, and press the

3.

7 button.
The FILE NAME screen will open.

Set each item using the ., /, + and – buttons.
On this screen you can make the following settings for

each item.

File name format

The TYPE item can be set to either WORD or DATE.

Options: WORD, DATE (default)

WORD: The six characters set in WORD will be included in file

name.
Example: DR0000_0000.wav

DATE: The date is used as the file name (in yymmdd

format).
Example: 110101_0000.wav

NOTE

The date is set using the unit’s internal clock. (see "Setting
the date and time" on page 16)

12 – Settings and Information

Setting the WORD item

To set the WORD item, use the . and / buttons to move
the cursor, and use the + or − button to select the character.

In addition to the alphabet and numbers, the following
characters can be used.
! # $ % & ‘ ( ) + , - . ; = @ [ ] ^ _ ` { } ~

TASCAM DR-05X

55

13 – Messages

The following is a list of pop-up messages.
Refer to this list if one of these pop-up messages appears on the DR-05X and you want to check the meaning or determine a

proper response.

Message Details and responses

The DIVIDE function would cause the file name to exceed 197 characters. Before

File Name Err

Dup File Name

File Not Found

Non-Supported

Battery Empty

I/O Too Short

File Not Found
PLAYLIST

No PLAYLIST

PLAYLIST FULL

MBR ERROR
Init CARD

Format Error
Format Card
Are you sure?

File Not Found
Make Sys File

Invalid SysFile
Make Sys File

Invalid card
Change Card

Write error
REC continue

Card slow
Check BOF mark

Card Full

Can't Divide

Max File Size

choosing the DIVIDE function, connect the unit to a computer and edit the file
name to less than 196 characters.

The DIVIDE function would cause the file name to be the same as that of an
existing file in the same folder. The DIVIDE function adds "_a” or “_b” to the end of
the file name. Before choosing the DIVIDE function, connect the unit to a computer
and edit the file name.

The file added to the playlist cannot be found or a file could be damaged. Please
check that file.

The audio file is not a supported format. Please see “11 - Connecting with a
computer” for file formats that this unit can use.

The batteries are almost out of power. Replace the batteries.

The IN and OUT points are too close together. Set them with at least 1 second
between them.

A file in the Playlist cannot be found. Please confirm that the file is still in the Music
folder.

No files have been added to the Playlist. Add a file to the Playlist or change the play
mode to something besides PLAYLIST.

The playlist is full. You cannot add more than 99 tracks to the Playlist.

The card is not formatted properly or the formatting is broken. Change the card or
press the 7 button while this message is being shown to FAT format the card.

CAUTION: Execution of FAT formatting erases all data currently on the card.

The FAT formatting of the card is abnormal or broken. This message also appears if
you FAT formatted the card using a computer connected by USB and if a new card
is inserted in the unit.

Always use the DR-05X to conduct formatting. Change the card, or press the 7
button while this message is being shown to FAT format the card.

CAUTION: Execution of FAT formatting erases all data currently on the card.

The system file is missing. When this message appears, press the 7 button to
automatically create a system file.

The system file required to operate this unit is invalid. When this message appears,
press the 7 button to automatically create a new system file.

Something might be wrong with the card. Change the card.

Writing to the SD card was not in time. This has caused audio to be interrupted and
noise to occur. A mark is added at the point when audio was interrupted.

SD card writing performance has become worse. A mark has been added at the
point when audio was interrupted because writing to the SD card timed out. Check
the audio around the mark.

Execute the full format function or change the SD card.

The card has no remaining capacity. Erase unnecessary files or move them to your
computer to make open space.

The selected division point is not suitable. (It is too close to the beginning or end of
the track.)

The file is larger than the designated size, or the recording time has exceeded 24
hours when the total number of folders and files was already at the limit (5000).

TASCAM DR-05X

56

Message Details and responses

File Full

Card Error

Current File MP3

File Protected

No Card

No PB File

No MUSIC File

Cannot overdub!
See REC setting

Not Continued

File Error

Can't Save Data

Player Error

Device Error

Writing Failed

Sys Rom Err

System Err 50

System Err 1

System Err 2

System Err 3

System Err 4

System Err 5

System Err 6

System Err 7

System Err 8

System Err 9

The total number of folders and files exceeds 5000. Delete unnecessary folders and
files or move them to a computer.

The card could not be recognized properly. Change the card.

MP3 files cannot be divided.

The file is read only and cannot be erased.

No microSD card is in the unit.

There is no file that can be played back. The file might be damaged.

There is no playback file, so dividing or overdubbing cannot be executed.

You cannot make an mp3 file when overdubbing a WAV file with a sampling
frequency of 96kHz. Change the recording format to WAV.

If any of these errors occurs, turn the unit’s power off and restart it.
If the power cannot be turned off, remove the batteries, disconnect the AC adapter

(TASCAM PS-P520E), and/or disconnect the USB cable if using USB bus power.
If these error messages continue to appear frequently, please contact the store

where you purchased this unit or TASCAM customer support service.

13 – Messages

TASCAM DR-05X

57

14 – Troubleshooting

If you are having trouble with the operation of this unit, please try the following before seeking repair. If these measures do not
resolve the issue, please contact the retailer where you purchased this unit or a TASCAM customer support service.

The unit does not turn on.

Confirm that batteries are installed correctly.

i

Confirm that the HOLD switch is not set.

i

The unit turns off automatically.

Check the automatic power saving function setting. Set it

i

to “Off” to prevent the power from turning off automati­cally. (see "Setting the automatic power saving function" on
page 53)

The unit is not recognized by a computer
connected using a USB cable.

Confirm that the connected computer uses a compatible

i

operating system.

The USB function used must be selected from the menu to

i

enable a computer to recognize this unit.

Confirm that the USB cable is not designed only for

i

charging.

Confirm that the connection is not being made through a

i

USB hub.

The microSD card is not recognized.

Check that the microSD card is inserted correctly.

i

No sound is output or sound is not output from
the speaker.

Confirm that the output volume is not lowered it too much.

i

Confirm that the speaker setting is on. Even if the speaker

i

setting is on, sound will not be output from the speaker
when headphones are connected or when the unit is
recording or in recording standby.

Recording is not possible.

Confirm that the REC indicator is lit. If the REC indicator is

i

blinking, the unit is in recording standby.

Check the remaining available recording time shown on

i

the Recording Screen.

The recorded sound is quiet or distorted.

Check the input level setting.

i

Sound skips or noise occurs when in USB audio
interface mode.

For Windows

Performance options

i

Select “Adjust for best performance”.

Power options

i

Select “High performance”.

Use the DR-X series driver.

i

Check the page for this product on the TASCAM website
(https://tascam.com/us/) for details.

The wrong language was set accidentally.

After pressing the ¤ (HOME) [8] button to turn the unit

i

off, press the ¤ (HOME) [8] button while pressing and
holding the MENU button.

The language selection menu will appear, and you will be
able to select the language.

TASCAM DR-05X

58

15 – Specifications

General

Recording media

microSD card (64 MB - 2 GB)
microSDHC card (4 GB - 32 GB)
microSDXC card (48 GB - 128 GB)

Recording/playback format

WAV: 44.1/48/96 kHz, 16/24-bit
MP3: 44.1/48 kHz, 32/64/96/128/192/256/320 kbps

Number of channels

2 channels (stereo)

Input/output ratings

Analog audio input/output ratings

MIC/EXT IN jack (can provide plug-in power)

Connector: 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo mini jack
Input impedance: 18 kΩ or higher (PLUG IN PWR = OFF)

2 kΩ or higher (PLUG IN PWR = ON)
Nominal input level: −20 dBV
Maximum input level: −4 dBV

/LINE OUT jack

Connector: 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo mini jack
Output impedance: 12 Ω
Reference output level: sec14 dBV (with 10 kΩ load)
Maximum output level: +2 dBV (with 10 kΩ load)
Maximum output: 20 mW + 20mW (32Ω load)

Built-in speaker

0.3 W (mono)

Audio performance

Frequency response

20 Hz – 20 kHz +1/−3 dB (EXT IN to LINE OUT, 44.1kHz
sampling frequency, JEITA)

20 Hz –22 kHz +1/−3 dB (EXT IN to LINE OUT, 48kHz
sampling frequency, JEITA)

20 Hz – 40 kHz +1/−3 dB (EXT IN to LINE OUT, 96kHz
sampling frequency, JEITA)

Distortion

0.05% or less (EXT IN to LINE OUT, 44.1/48/96kHz sampling
frequency, JEITA)

S/N ratio

92 dB or higher (EXT IN to LINE OUT, 44.1/48/96kHz
sampling frequency, JEITA)

Note: based on JEITA CP-2150

Other specifications

Power

2 AA batteries (alkaline or NiMH)
USB bus power from a computer
AC adapter (TASCAM PS-P520E, sold separately)

Power consumption

1.7 W (maximum)

Control input/output ratings

USB port

Connector type: Micro-B
Format

USB 2.0 HIGH SPEED mass storage class
USB1.1 FULL SPEED audio class

TASCAM DR-05X

59

15 – Specifications

Battery operation time (continuous operation)

Using alkaline batteries (EVOLTA)

i

Recording/
playback

Recording WAV 96kHz, 24-bit About 15.5 hours With built-in stereo mic input

Recording WAV 44.1kHz, 16-bit About 17.5 hours With built-in stereo mic input

Recording MP3 44.1kHz, 128Kbps About 16.5 hours With built-in stereo mic input

Recording MP3 48kHz, 320Kbps About 11 hours With built-in stereo mic input

Playback WAV 96kHz, 24-bit About 14 hours Using headphones

Playback WAV 96kHz, 24-bit About 14 hours Using built-in speaker

Playback WAV 44.1kHz, 16-bit About 16.5 hours Using headphones

Playback WAV 44.1kHz, 16-bit About 16.5 hours Using built-in speaker

Playback MP3 44.1kHz, 128Kbps About 16.5 hours Using headphones

Playback MP3 44.1kHz, 128Kbps About 16.5 hours Using built-in speaker

Playback MP3 48kHz, 320Kbps About 15.5 hours Using headphones

Playback MP3 48kHz, 320Kbps About 15.5 hours Using built-in speaker

Recording: JEITA recording time
Playback: JEITA music playback time

Using NiMH batteries (eneloop)

i

Recording/
playback

Recording WAV 96kHz, 24-bit About 12.5 hours With built-in stereo mic input

Recording WAV 44.1kHz, 16-bit About 14.5 hours With built-in stereo mic input

Recording MP3 44.1kHz, 128Kbps About 13 hours With built-in stereo mic input

Recording MP3 48kHz, 320Kbps About 10 hours With built-in stereo mic input

Playback WAV 96kHz, 24-bit About 13 hours Using headphones

Playback WAV 96kHz, 24-bit About 12 hours Using built-in speaker

Playback WAV 44.1kHz, 16-bit About 14 hours Using headphones

Playback WAV 44.1kHz, 16-bit About 15 hours Using built-in speaker

Playback MP3 44.1kHz, 128Kbps About 13.5 hours Using headphones

Playback MP3 44.1kHz, 128Kbps About 13 hours Using built-in speaker

Playback MP3 48kHz, 320Kbps About 13.5 hours Using headphones

Playback MP3 48kHz, 320Kbps About 13 hours Using built-in speaker

Recording: JEITA recording time
Playback: JEITA music playback time

NOTE

The battery operation times (during continuous operation) could vary depending on the media being used.

Recording format Operation time Note

File format (recording setting) Operation time Note

TASCAM DR-05X

60

Dimensions (W × H × D)

61mm

26mm

61 x 141 x 26mm (2.4” x 5.55” x 1.02”)

Weight

119 g (4.2 oz) (not including batteries)
165 g (5.82 oz) (including batteries)

Operating temperature

0°C–40°C (32°F–104°F)

Dimensional drawings

15 – Specifications

141mm

Illustrations in this manual might differ in part from the actual product.

i

Specifications and external appearance might be changed without notification to improve the product.

i

TASCAM DR-05X

61

TEAC CORPORATION

Phone: [phone] https://tascam.jp/jp/
1-47 Ochiai, Tama-shi, Tokyo 206-8530 Japan

TEAC AMERICA, INC.
Phone: [phone] https: //tascam.com/us/
10410 Pioneer Blvd. Su ite #1 and #4, Santa Fe Springs , California 90670, U. S.A.

TEAC UK Ltd.
Phone : [phone] ht tps: //ta scam .eu /
2 Huxley Ro ad, Surrey Research Park, Gui ldford, GU2 7RE, Unite d Kingdom

TEAC EUROPE GmbH
Phone: [phone] ht tps://tascam.de/
Bahnstrasse 12, 65205 Wiesbaden-Erbenheim, Germany

TEAC SALES & TRADING(SH ENZHEN) CO., LTD
Phone: [phone]~2 http://tascam.cn/
Room 817, Block A, Hailrun Co mplex, 6021 Shennan Bl vd., Futian Distric t, Shenzhen 518040, China

0119.MA-2806A