Tascam FR-AV4 Field Recorder

Overview
Record six tracks (four tracks + stereo mix) to an SDXC card with the Tascam FR-AV4. Featuring dual A/D converters and 32-bit float resolution, this field recorder offers crystal-clear audio quality with ultra-low-noise preamplifiers on all four XLR/TRS combo inputs. The built-in mixer allows for blending up to four inputs into two outputs, while the timecode generator and synchronisation options make it ideal for professional audio recording in any environment.

The FR-AV4 is a rugged, portable solution for videographers, content creators, and audio professionals. With industry-leading recording and mixing technology, precise AV synchronisation via HDMI, and wireless audio monitoring capabilities, this compact tool ensures professional-grade audio fidelity wherever your story takes you. Additionally, it doubles as a 6-in/2-out USB-C audio interface, making it a versatile and essential tool for any production setup.

Summary
Recording Formats: WAV
Included in box
1x FR-AV4 Field Recorder
1x Battery Holder BH-4AA (pre-installed)
1x Safety guide (with warranty)
1x TASCAM ID registration guide

About the Tascam FR-AV4 Field Recorder
Perfect Sound, Wherever Your Story Takes You

The FR-AV4 is more than just a 4-track field recorder – it’s an essential audio solution for videographers, content creators and audio professionals.

With dual A/D converters, Tascam’s Ultra HDDA low-noise microphone preamps, and 32-bit float resolution, the FR-AV4 captures every nuance, from the quietest of whispers to the largest explosions, all with crystal clarity and no fear of clipping. Thanks to a built-in timecode generator and HDMI sync to firmly lock audio to video, this compact and rugged tool is ideal for professional audio recording in virtually any environment.

Professional-Grade Audio Fidelity in Any Environment

Dual A/D converters and 32-bit float resolution capture every detail with over 133 dB of dynamic range and zero clipping. Each of the four XLR/TRS combo inputs features low-noise Tascam Ultra HDDA preamps (EIN –127 dBu), delivering pristine clarity, even in the most unpredictable environments.

Industry-Leading Recording and Mixing Technology

Record a full multi-microphone setup with confidence. With four inputs and two outputs, the FR-AV4’s built-in mixer offers flexibility while simultaneously capturing all four channels – plus a stereo mix – for 6-track recording directly to SDXC media.

Stay in Sync, Wherever You Shoot

A built-in timecode generator ensures solid synchronisation across your entire setup with no additional gear required. It offers a wide range of timecode sync options, including HDMI I/O, dedicated Timecode In and Out, timecode output for a camera and wireless sync with Atomos via Bluetooth (optional AK-BT2 adapter required).

With these features, the FR-AV4 integrates seamlessly into any video workflow.

Rugged, Portable and Ready for Production

Tough enough for demanding shoots, but compact enough for small mobile setups, the FR-AV4 is ideal for creators on-the-go. Its lightweight aluminium chassis is built to follow wherever your project leads you – be it in the studio, on location or in the field.

Pro-Grade 32-Bit Float Audio Interface

The FR-AV4 doubles as a 6-in/2-out USB-C audio interface for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android devices – delivering the same massive dynamic range and no-clip recordings you get on location.

Shoot Smarter with HDMI-Based Sync

Synchronisation via HDMI* aligns audio and video with precision using a shared master clock and timecode. Record trigger functionality allows you to start and stop audio recording directly from a supporting camera – no extra steps, no worry of missed takes. With full 4K/8K video pass-through and embedded multi-channel audio support, the FR-AV4 effortlessly integrates with monitor recorders such as Blackmagic and Atomos.

* works with Blackmagic, Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony and many other cameras

Sync with a Camera via HDMI

Simply connecting an FR-AV4 to a camera via HDMI ensures precise synchronisation of video and audio. This also enables the FR-AV4 to start and stop recording automatically in response to camera operation.

Video and Audio Embedded via HDMI

Four audio tracks plus a stereo mix can be recorded on the FR-AV4. The 4K/8K video signal passes through the FR-AV4, and is recorded on the monitor recorder. In addition, the FR-AV4 allows the camera’s audio to pass through, and be recorded as part of the multitrack audio on the monitor recorder.

Cascade Multiple FR-AV4 via HDMI

If four recording tracks are not enough, you can connect multiple FR-AV4 units via HDMI to achieve a cascade. This synchronises the clock between the devices, and recording can be started and stopped from the first device in the chain.

Wireless audio monitoring

With the optional AK-BT2 Bluetooth adapter, the FR-AV4 allows you to monitor your audio sources wirelessly. Both wired and wireless outputs can be used simultaneously with independent volume control, enabling multiple users to listen via headphones or speakers at the same time.

RECORDER SPECIFICATIONS
Recording Media SD/SDHC/SDXC (up to 512 GB)
Recording/Playback Formats WAV (BWF)
Sampling frequency: 48 kHz, 96 kHz, 192 kHz
Quantisation bit depth: 24 bit, 32 bit float
Metadata support: BEXT, iXML
MP3
Sampling frequency: 48 kHz
Bit rate: 128, 192, 256, 320 kbit/s
Input Channels 4
Number of Recording/Playback Tracks 6 (4 inputs + stereo mix)
TIMECODE SPECIFICATIONS
Mode Off / Free Run (Custom, Time of Day), File TC Offset
Sync Master Internal / TC In / HDMI / ATOMOS¹ / Jam Sync
Output TC Out, Camera/TC/LINE Out, HDMI, USB
Frame Rate 23.98 fps, 24 fps, 25 (50) fps, 29.97 (59.94) fps, 29.97DF (59.94DF) fps, 30 (60) fps²
¹ For video with frame rates of 50 fps and higher, timecode of half the frame rate is used.
² AK-BT2 Bluetooth adapter required
ANALOGUE AUDIO INPUTS
Mic/Line Inputs 1–4 (balanced) XLR-3-31 (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD)
6.3-mm standard TRS jacks (Tip = HOT, Ring = COLD, Sleeve = GND)
When MIC is selected
Maximum Input Level +4 dBu
Minimum Input Level –76 dBu
Input Impedance ≥2 kΩ
Phantom Power 24 V, 48 V
When LINE is selected
Maximum Input Level +24 dBu
Nominal Input Level +4 dBu (GAIN at minimum)
Input Impedance ≥8 kΩ
Line/Camera Input (unbalanced) 3.5-mm stereo mini jack (Tip: L ch, Ring: R ch, Sleeve: GND)
Maximum Input Level 1 dBV
Nominal Input Level –19 dBV (GAIN at minimum)
Minimum Input Level –79 dBV
Input Impedance ≥6 kΩ (plug-in power off)
≥1.6 kΩ (plug-in power on)
Plug-in Power 2.5 V, 5 V
ANALOGUE AUDIO OUTPUTS
Line/Camera/Timecode Output (unbalanced) 3.5-mm stereo mini jack
When timecode is disabled
Maximum Output Level +6 dBV
Nominal Output Level –14 dBV
Output Impedance 210 Ω
When timecode is enabled
Output Level 10 mVpp
Output Impedance 150 Ω
Format LTC (SMPTE ST 12-1 compliant)
Headphones Output 3.5-mm stereo mini jack
Maximum Output Power 50 mW + 50 mW (THD+N <0.1 % at 32 Ω) Recommended Headphones Impedance 16–600 Ω OTHER INPUTS AND OUTPUTS Timecode Input (TC IN) 3.5-mm stereo mini jack (Tip: timecode, Ring: –, Sleeve: GND) Input Voltage 0.5–5 Vpp Input Impedance ≥10 kΩ Timecode Output (TC OUT) 3.5-mm stereo mini jack (Tip: timecode, Ring: –, Sleeve: GND) Output Voltage 1.8 Vpp Output Impedance 1 kΩ Format LTC (SMPTE ST 12-1 compliant) HDMI INPUTS/OUTPUTS Type-A Connector Can be used with ATEN LockPro 2X-EA12 HDMI Version 2.1 (supports 4K@60 Hz and 8K@30 Hz) USB Connector USB Type-C (compatible with single-screw lock connectors) Transfer Format USB 2.0 HIGH SPEED Device Class Mass Storage Class USB Audio Class 2.0 USB Audio Sampling frequency: 48 kHz, 96 kHz Quantisation bit depth: 24 bit, 32 bit float Number of inputs/outputs: 2/6 channels BLUETOOTH ADAPTER CONNECTOR Designed for Tascam AK-BT2 AUDIO PERFORMANCE EIN (mic preamp) ≤–127 dBu Frequency Response (input jacks to PCM data) 48 kHz: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, +0 dB / –0.5 dB 96 kHz: 20 Hz – 40 kHz, +0.5 dB / –1 dB 192 kHz: 20 Hz – 60 kHz, +0.5 dB / –3 dB Dynamic Range (input jacks 1–4 to PCM data) ≥133 dB (20-kHz LPF, A-weighted, JEITA) Total Harmonic Distortion Ratio (THD+N, input jacks 1–4 to PCM data) ≤0.01 % (1 kHz sine wave, −2 dBFS input, input level at minimum, 20-kHz LPF, JEITA) Note JEITA indicates conformance to JEITA CP-2150 BATTERY OPERATION TIME Alkaline Battery (Evolta) 09:00 (Inputs 1–2, Phantom power off, 48 kHz stereo WAV, 24-bit recording) 02:30 (Inputs 1–4, Phantom power on, 48 kHz 6-ch WAV, 32-bit float, headphones, HDMI not connected) 01:30 (Inputs 1–4, Phantom power on, 48 kHz 6-ch WAV, 32-bit float, headphones, HDMI not connected) NiMH Battery (Eneloop) 08:00 (Inputs 1–2, Phantom power off, 48 kHz stereo WAV, 24-bit recording) 03:00 (Inputs 1–4, Phantom power on, 48 kHz 6-ch WAV, 32-bit float, headphones, HDMI not connected) 02:00 (Inputs 1–4, Phantom power on, 48 kHz 6-ch WAV, 32-bit float, headphones, HDMI not connected) Lithium Battery (Energizer Ultimate Lithium) 17:00 (Inputs 1–2, Phantom power off, 48 kHz stereo WAV, 24-bit recording) 06:30 (Inputs 1–4, Phantom power on, 48 kHz 6-ch WAV, 32-bit float, headphones, HDMI not connected) 04:00 (Inputs 1–4, Phantom power on, 48 kHz 6-ch WAV, 32-bit float, headphones, HDMI not connected) Note Operation times may vary depending on microphones used when phantom power is active. SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEMS FR-AV4 Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android FR-AV Series Settings Panel Windows, macOS Tascam Recorder Connect iOS/iPadOS, Android AUDIO DRIVERS Windows ASIO 2.0, WDM macOS, iOS/iPadOS Core Audio POWER SUPPLY AND OTHER SPECIFICATIONS Power Sources 4 AA batteries (alkaline, NiMH, lithium-ion) USB bus power TASCAM PS-P520U AC adapter (sold separately) Power Consumption 5.4 W (maximum) Dimensions (W × H × D, overall) 184 mm × 42 mm × 130 mm Weight 756 g (including batteries) 660 g (without batteries) Operating Temperature Range 0–40 °C SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEMS Windows Windows 11 (version 24H2) Mac macOS Tahoe (26), macOS Sequoia (15), macOS Sonoma (14.0) iOS iOS 18 / iPadOS 18, iOS 17 / iPadOS 17, iOS 16 / iPadOS 16 Android Android 15 Record six tracks (four tracks + stereo mix) to an SDXC card Wide analogue dynamic range of 133 dB with dual A/D converters and 32-bit float resolution Crystal-clear audio quality thanks to ultra-low-noise preamplifiers (Ultra HDDA, EIN –127 dBu) on all four XLR/TRS combo inputs Built-in mixer for blending up to four inputs into two outputs Built-in timecode generator, synchronisation via HDMI, Timecode In/Out, USB Atomos Bluetooth sync* Precise AV synchronisation via HDMI clock, along with cascade and record trigger control, supporting 4K/8K video pass-through Wireless audio monitoring (using app Tascam Recorder Connect)* Portable, lightweight and slim design, ideal for mobile recording and studio production Selectable recording format to suit any project (24-bit/32-bit float, 48/96/192 kHz) 6-in/2-out USB-C audio interface (24-bit or 32-bit float) Free ‘Tascam Recorder Connect’ app for iOS and Android allows control of up to 5 devices (including FR-AV2 and DR-10L Pro)* Monitor button allows quick and easy selection of monitoring sources Assignable key can instantly recall a preferred function Built-in low-cut filter, EQ, limiter and noise gate Selectable input and output delay (0–300 ms) High-accuracy clock generator (TCXO) for Jam Sync and timecode generation Supports ambisonics audio recording in A or B format (AmbiX, FuMa) Automatic file closing function to prevent loss of recorded data in the event of a power failure Phantom power (24/48 V) can be switched on/off for each XLR input individually 3.5-mm TRS Camera/External input (mono/stereo) with plug-in power (2.5 V or 5 V) 3.5-mm stereo Camera/Timecode/Line output 3.5-mm stereo headphones output with level control Built-in tone generator for easy level matching between devices 1.9-inch (4.8 cm) LCD touchscreen and intuitive jog wheel for easy operation Camera screw hole for use with camera rigs or tripods Power supply by four AA batteries, USB mobile battery or optional AC adapter (Tascam PS-P520U) Replaceable battery holder (BH-4AA) for quick and easy swaps (additional holders available as an option) * Requires optional Bluetooth adapter Tascam AK-BT2