Tascam is shipping an updated "Mark II" version of its DR-60D four-channel linear PCM audio recorder designed for use with DSLRs.

The DR-60DmkII has been fitted with new microphone preamps that allow up to 64dB of gain, Tascam said, compared to a max of 52dB on the previous model. Like its predecessor, the DR-60DmkII records WAV or BWAV audio at up to 96kHz/24-bit to SD or SDHC cards.

The DR-60DmkII is desgined to sit between a DSLR and its tripod, with a mounting screw on top and a socket hole on the bottom.

The camera output is attenuated to mic level to keep from overloading the camera; the recorder can be used to record four channels of audio on set, or a dual-recording mode can be employed to simultaneously record one two-channel track along with a second safety track at a lower level—another hedge against distortion.

The device has individual headphone and line outputs with a slate function that plays a tone for synchronization with camera audio. 

Power is provided by two AA batteries or USB connection.

The DR-60DmkII is shipping now for an estimated street price of $200, the company said.