Tascam is known for its field recorders, mixers, and audio interfaces. One of its most popular products is the DR-10L, a tiny body-pack-styled recorder that can be used with any lavalier mic with a 1/8" screw-on connector like those found on many Sennheiser lavs. What stands out about the DR-10L is that you can record audio directly onto a microSD card without the need for wireless transmission. This can especially come in handy when shooting at locations where a wireless setup just isn't possible. 

Tascam also makes several handheld and studio microphones and has introduced a new shotgun mic for videographers called the TM-200SG. 

Tascam_tm200sg_1Credit: Tascam

The TM-200G is a compact, highly directional shotgun mic intended for vlogging, content creators, and videographers, who want to capture audio that's better than the onboard microphone found on the camera—if there's even one at all. With a supercardioid polar pattern, the microphone can reject more background and side noise than omnidirectional microphones. Meaning whatever the microphone is pointed at, that's what will be recorded. 

It has a 30 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response with a slight boost of around 7 kHz for cleaner-sounding dialogue. The shotgun mic provides 48v phantom power and has a balanced XLR connector. Additionally, there's a switchable low-cut filter to control low-end rumble from wind, traffic, or air conditioning units. 

The shotgun mic can be easily mounted on DSLR or mirrorless cameras via a cold shoe mount or on a camera rig. The shotgun mic is only 6" long (23mm x 153mm) so it shouldn't have any clearance problems when using pancake or wide-angle lenses. Plus, only weighing 1.8oz, it can easily be used with gimbals or drone setups.  

The TM-200SG is priced at $149 and is available for pre-order. It comes with a windscreen, shoe-mount clip, and protective soft case. No exact word on release date. 

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Sound & Music