Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Our sound and lighting courses can be found at https://school.learnlightandsound.com!
In this week’s video, we take a look at the TASCAM FR-AV4 32-bit float audio field recorder. This recorder is built tough for field use with an all-metal case and formatted for desktop or sound bag use. Some of the features unique to the FR-AV4 include HDMI 2.1 input and output ports that enable you to embed the high quality audio from the recorder into your video recording on recorders like ATOMOS or Blackmagic Design. The FR-AV4 has a built-in timecode generator with 3.5mm input and output ports which enable you to keep your audio and video in sync with almost any timecode generators on the market. And, via the HDMI ports, you can even gang two FR-AV4s together to make an 8 input recording rig.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX. See school.learnlightandsound.com for more info!
Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com: ko-fi.com/curtisjudd
Gear used or mentioned in this episode (the links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases):
- TASCAM FR-AV4 32-bit float audio field recorder — geni.us/eauasSK
- TASCAM FR-AV2 32-bit float audio recorder — geni.us/DxyaZ96
- TASCAM AK-BT2 bluetooth module which enables wireless monitoring — geni.us/Ts2wR
- ZOOM F6 32-bit float audio recorder — geni.us/pCFS
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II 32-bit float audio recorder — geni.us/O8e0
- Sennheiser MKH50 microphone — geni.us/iYb065
- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — geni.us/8a8tt
- Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — geni.us/AVHU1p
- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — geni.us/GWKt
- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — geni.us/ABYB
- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — geni.us/qwsEs
- Panasonic GH5 camera — geni.us/InspOl
- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — geni.us/gr47
The outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: geni.us/G7by
Copyright 2025, Curtis Judd
#TASCAM
#FR-AV4
#Recorder
Index
00:00 Should you sell your MixPre or F6 and upgrade to the TASCAM FR-AV4?
00:29 Samples from FR-AV4, MixPre-3 II, and ZOOM F6
00:56 Recording with Sennheiser MKH50 & no processing
01:30 32-bit float and input performance
02:04 Dynamic range and self noise performance
02:46 Digital limiters, EQ, noise gate
03:00 6 track recorder and recording specs
03:28 Internal timecode generators
04:00 HDMI 2.1 ports to combine video and audio, gang multiple recorders
04:33 Other inputs and outputs
05:00 Power options and performance
05:41 Touchscreen
05:48 Wireless adapter for monitoring, timecode, app control
06:39 Ambisonic recording
07:22 Headphone and input routing
07:40 No automix
08:16 Headphone amp — usable, but noisy
08:49 Price
09:49 Build quality
10:18 Comparison with Sound Devices MixPre-3 II & ZOOM F6
16:13 Is there a clear winner?
16:55 Please buy my courses on how to record better sound
Our sound and lighting courses can be found at https://school.learnlightandsound.com!
In this week’s video, we take a look at the TASCAM FR-AV4 32-bit float audio field recorder. This recorder is built tough for field use with an all-metal case and formatted for desktop or sound bag use. Some of the features unique to the FR-AV4 include HDMI 2.1 input and output ports that enable you to embed the high quality audio from the recorder into your video recording on recorders like ATOMOS or Blackmagic Design. The FR-AV4 has a built-in timecode generator with 3.5mm input and output ports which enable you to keep your audio and video in sync with almost any timecode generators on the market. And, via the HDMI ports, you can even gang two FR-AV4s together to make an 8 input recording rig.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX. See school.learnlightandsound.com for more info!
Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com: ko-fi.com/curtisjudd
Gear used or mentioned in this episode (the links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases):
- TASCAM FR-AV4 32-bit float audio field recorder — geni.us/eauasSK
- TASCAM FR-AV2 32-bit float audio recorder — geni.us/DxyaZ96
- TASCAM AK-BT2 bluetooth module which enables wireless monitoring — geni.us/Ts2wR
- ZOOM F6 32-bit float audio recorder — geni.us/pCFS
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II 32-bit float audio recorder — geni.us/O8e0
- Sennheiser MKH50 microphone — geni.us/iYb065
- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — geni.us/8a8tt
- Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — geni.us/AVHU1p
- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — geni.us/GWKt
- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — geni.us/ABYB
- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — geni.us/qwsEs
- Panasonic GH5 camera — geni.us/InspOl
- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — geni.us/gr47
The outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: geni.us/G7by
Copyright 2025, Curtis Judd
#TASCAM
#FR-AV4
#Recorder
Index
00:00 Should you sell your MixPre or F6 and upgrade to the TASCAM FR-AV4?
00:29 Samples from FR-AV4, MixPre-3 II, and ZOOM F6
00:56 Recording with Sennheiser MKH50 & no processing
01:30 32-bit float and input performance
02:04 Dynamic range and self noise performance
02:46 Digital limiters, EQ, noise gate
03:00 6 track recorder and recording specs
03:28 Internal timecode generators
04:00 HDMI 2.1 ports to combine video and audio, gang multiple recorders
04:33 Other inputs and outputs
05:00 Power options and performance
05:41 Touchscreen
05:48 Wireless adapter for monitoring, timecode, app control
06:39 Ambisonic recording
07:22 Headphone and input routing
07:40 No automix
08:16 Headphone amp — usable, but noisy
08:49 Price
09:49 Build quality
10:18 Comparison with Sound Devices MixPre-3 II & ZOOM F6
16:13 Is there a clear winner?
16:55 Please buy my courses on how to record better sound
