Topic: Tascam DR-70D 4-channel audio recorder (Part 7)

[The Other Chris]

Night 2 

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=587766

Phish
Gorge Amphitheater
George, WA
7-16-16

Nakamichi CM-300's w/ Teac Omni Capsules>Tascam DR-70d @ left corner of Soundboard 8'
Transfer: Tascam DR-70>laptop>C.E.P. volume boost>CD Wave>R8 Brain FLAC Level 8
Taped & Transferred by Chris McGrath (divisionbelled@gmail.com)
Audio enlightenment and all around good conversation provided by Geoff Cole



Set 1:
Buried Alive, AC/DC Bag > The Moma Dance, Uncle Pen, 555, Sleep Again, It's Ice, Driver,
Sand, Horn, Halfway to the Moon, Bathtub Gin

Set 2:
Blaze On > Backwards Down the Number Line > Carini > Birds of a Feather, Wingsuit > Shade,
Mike's Song > Farmhouse > Weekapaug Groove, Shine a Light

Encore: Hold Your Head Up, Love You > Hold Your Head Up, Harry Hood > Tweezer Reprise

Notes: This show was webcast via Live Phish. Driver was played for the first time since August 3, 2013 (111 shows).
Love You was played for the first time since October 23, 2010 (216 shows).

[yug du nord]

^i caught the gorge streams......  first night was goofy crazy...  second night was tight tight tight....  thanks for capturing it man!!!

[F.O.Bean]

Probably a very stupid question: any recommended short usb cable to use for powering the DR-70 is on a bag and the battery is on a frontal pocket?

Search eBay or Amazon for "micro usb left angle".  The full size USB side angle may not matter to you, but the micro end you want as a left angle so the cable will come out towards the front of the recorder.

I have ALL left angle micro USB cables for my DR70D's, and with a LEFT angle Micro USB cable, it would actually exit towards the BACK of the 70D not the front, where the SD Card Slot/Batteries/Omni Mics are! A RIGHT angle Micro USB for the 70D would exit, as you said Voltronic, towards the front of the unit where the screen and buttons are, not a LEFT angle Micro tip

I actually prefer the LEFT angle Micro Tip USB cables, because they still have enough clearance above the 4th XLR IN, and it neatly tucks behind the 70D when its in place I'll try to snap some pics soon of exactly what I'm trying to say! Anyway, here's a link to the Left Angle Micro USB>Right or Left USB A cables that I have ordered a few different times from this seller, for a total of like 7-8 cables total over 3 transactions, and I ALWAYS got my stuff within 2-3 weeks max! They sit nice and snugly in the 70D's USB input and I have not had a single problem with any of them so far
http://www.ebay.com/itm/381090437511?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

And I got this decent USB splitter awhile back, so that I can power my 70D's for double the time
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172151661611?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

No, what you linked is a RIGHT angle on the microUSB end.  What I'm using (see picture below) is a LEFT microUSB.  The exact cable I bought doesn't seem to be available anymore, but look at the pictures for this listing which show the differences:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Left-right-angled-90-degree-Micro-USB-Male-to-USB-Data-Charge-Cable-/252231540963

The way you determine "right" or "left" angle for these is if you imagine you're driving a car out of the USB jack into the cable.  Which way do you turn?  In the case of microUSB, you do this assuming the beveled edges of the connector are facing up, as is the case on the 70D.

That's a cool battery Y-cable.  I haven't run into a recording situation long enough that I've drained more than half of my cheap PowerBank batter yet, but I do have a spare battery and this would be handy to have just in case I need to hot-swap.

Dang, thanks for the correction Volt Boy do I feel silly now lol! I was looking at the Left Angle from looking AT the 70D, and not looking OUTWARDS from the 70D Thanks for the claraification! I prefer the Right angle Micro tip USB then haha Just for the reason that it leaves ALL of the other connections open to use, because the USB cable is going ABOVE the 4th XLR IN, instead of upward towards the screen, and blocking some of those connections I'll post some pics soon! Instead of using velcro, I'm just using Scunci metal less hair ties to hold my USB batteries against my 70D's, so that I don't have to deal with gluing/or adding anything onto my [2] 70D's or my 6-7 taping USB batteries

I promise I will snap some pics of my 70D's soon, with DarkTrain Rt Angle Stubbies on all 8 XLR INS of both of my 70D's, and the Right Angle USB cable setup I have going on!

[F.O.Bean]

Probably a very stupid question: any recommended short usb cable to use for powering the DR-70 is on a bag and the battery is on a frontal pocket?

Search eBay or Amazon for "micro usb left angle".  The full size USB side angle may not matter to you, but the micro end you want as a left angle so the cable will come out towards the front of the recorder.

I have ALL left angle micro USB cables for my DR70D's, and with a LEFT angle Micro USB cable, it would actually exit towards the BACK of the 70D not the front, where the SD Card Slot/Batteries/Omni Mics are! A RIGHT angle Micro USB for the 70D would exit, as you said Voltronic, towards the front of the unit where the screen and buttons are, not a LEFT angle Micro tip

I actually prefer the LEFT angle Micro Tip USB cables, because they still have enough clearance above the 4th XLR IN, and it neatly tucks behind the 70D when its in place I'll try to snap some pics soon of exactly what I'm trying to say! Anyway, here's a link to the Left Angle Micro USB>Right or Left USB A cables that I have ordered a few different times from this seller, for a total of like 7-8 cables total over 3 transactions, and I ALWAYS got my stuff within 2-3 weeks max! They sit nice and snugly in the 70D's USB input and I have not had a single problem with any of them so far
http://www.ebay.com/itm/381090437511?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

And I got this decent USB splitter awhile back, so that I can power my 70D's for double the time
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172151661611?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

That's a cool battery Y-cable.  I haven't run into a recording situation long enough that I've drained more than half of my cheap PowerBank batter yet, but I do have a spare battery and this would be handy to have just in case I need to hot-swap.

Another thing I love about the 70D, is that as long as you have 4xAAs inside of the 70D, you can hot swap USB batteries VERY easily without missing any music! I tried it one day and hot-swapped USB batteries like 5-6 times, and it always went from USB>>AA>>USB>>AA>>USB/etc flawlessly, because I checked the file afterwards! Even if the message comes on telling you that it switched from USB>AA power and you don't see the levels moving, as long as you have enough AA juice, the 70D will keep recording flawlessly while the message is on, until you switch back to USB power Then the levels and time and everything come back on

[F.O.Bean]

I'm going to argue against bean's USB splitter cable.

1. It's not needed. The 4 AA batteries take over whenever the USB power input is disconnected.
While the AA batteries don't provide a full set of power with P48 turned on, they are more than sufficient to run during battery swaps.

2. It adds another set of connectors into the critical power chain. Keep it simple. Less cables, less mess, and less failure points.

On the other hand, looks like I'll a new battery and some double sided tape are in my future.

Agreed for the most part lol! But I figured for under $2, the USB Splitter couldn't hurt to toss in the bag At festivals I sometimes record for 16 hours in a single day, times 4 days, so the USB Splitter will DEF get used at festies! Especially, since my biggest USB battery only gets around 12 hours However, 2 x 10,000mah batteries[I get around 8 hours each normally] will go for OVER 20 hrs with the USB Splitter, which is perfect for me for one day at a long festie

But, I LOVE that the DR70D is hot-swappable with AAs inside of it! I actually just posted about that above lol And you're right, if you don't need that many hours of straight recording time, then the USB Splitter isn't necessary! BUT, if you do festies and stuff like I do, for $2, you can't go wrong

[2manyrocks]

USB powering via common, affordable 5v external batteries really solves so many live recording problems.  The 60d looks like a real value at $125.  Seems like it was $349 when the first version was released. 

[swordfish]

I have a question about calibrating a Shure FP and a D70.

A while ago I bought an used FP24 and a D70, but I have to admit that I use normally a M10 to stealth with my Tinybox and the Mk41 or the AKG CK's I have.

I was able to test at home the AKG CK 62 ULS/ PFA using the +48 phantom power of the D70 and it worked fine, next weekend I plan to tape open, therefore I would like to find out how to calibrate the FP 24 with the D70.

I recall that I read here the M10 unity gain is at -20db(have a print out how to it)

Using firmware 1.13 ....how should I set the gain, low, mid, ..... the location doesn't allow SPL over a 100dB.

Or should I upgrade the firmware to 1.14?

Pls bear with me, since the menus of these Tascam recorders are a nightmare for me....

Thanks in advance

[F.O.Bean]

I have a question about calibrating a Shure FP and a D70.

A while ago I bought an used FP24 and a D70, but I have to admit that I use normally a M10 to stealth with my Tinybox and the Mk41 or the AKG CK's I have.

I was able to test at home the AKG CK 62 ULS/ PFA using the +48 phantom power of the D70 and it worked fine, next weekend I plan to tape open, therefore I would like to find out how to calibrate the FP 24 with the D70.

I recall that I read here the M10 unity gain is at -20db(have a print out how to it)

Using firmware 1.13 ....how should I set the gain, low, mid, ..... the location doesn't allow SPL over a 100dB.

Or should I upgrade the firmware to 1.14?

Pls bear with me, since the menus of these Tascam recorders are a nightmare for me....

Thanks in advance

If using the XLR INS like me:
Update to FW v1.14! Also, when running LINE IN from an external preamp into the 70D[XLR INS 1-4], it doesn't matter if you have the gain set at LOW/MID/HIGH/HIGH+, you still get the same amount of gain from the 70D! So I run my VMS>70d as follows: Gain=LOW, when LINE INPUT from my VMS02IB! I record louder material for the most part, so even when I'm running mk4/41>PFA>70d internal preamps, 90% of the time, I just need the LOW GAIN setting, even when running MIC+PHANTOM for my PFA>70d rig

I always leave my VMS@+20db, but even when running my VMS@+40db when recording quiet stuff, and running the Gain knobs@MAX, that's ALL the gain you get when running LINE IN! It DOESN'T matter what GAIN setting its at[LOW/MID/HIGH/HIGH+] when running LINE IN. If you need MORE gain than the LINE IN@MAX[very doubtful], then you can run the MIC IN setting of the 70d from the external preamp, and get more gain! But I have never needed to do that for any reason other than testing!

[Life In Rewind]

I have a question about calibrating a Shure FP and a D70.

A while ago I bought an used FP24 and a D70, but I have to admit that I use normally a M10 to stealth with my Tinybox and the Mk41 or the AKG CK's I have.

I was able to test at home the AKG CK 62 ULS/ PFA using the +48 phantom power of the D70 and it worked fine, next weekend I plan to tape open, therefore I would like to find out how to calibrate the FP 24 with the D70.

I recall that I read here the M10 unity gain is at -20db(have a print out how to it)

Using firmware 1.13 ....how should I set the gain, low, mid, ..... the location doesn't allow SPL over a 100dB.

Or should I upgrade the firmware to 1.14?

Pls bear with me, since the menus of these Tascam recorders are a nightmare for me....

Thanks in advance

Paging Voltronic...!

[voltronic]

I have a question about calibrating a Shure FP and a D70.

A while ago I bought an used FP24 and a D70, but I have to admit that I use normally a M10 to stealth with my Tinybox and the Mk41 or the AKG CK's I have.

I was able to test at home the AKG CK 62 ULS/ PFA using the +48 phantom power of the D70 and it worked fine, next weekend I plan to tape open, therefore I would like to find out how to calibrate the FP 24 with the D70.

I recall that I read here the M10 unity gain is at -20db(have a print out how to it)

Using firmware 1.13 ....how should I set the gain, low, mid, ..... the location doesn't allow SPL over a 100dB.

Or should I upgrade the firmware to 1.14?

Pls bear with me, since the menus of these Tascam recorders are a nightmare for me....

Thanks in advance

The menu is really confusing, you're definitely right about that. 

First, I'm curious as to why you're connecting your FP24 to your 70D.  Unless you need very high gain with very low noise, it's much easier to just use the built-in preamps of the 70D.  I own both, but never use them together.  The 70D flies solo at all times.


At any rate, to get a good level between the FP24 and 70D, the firmware difference between 1.13 and 1.14 shouldn't matter.

1. Decide how you want connect the two units.  You definitely MUST use the TAPE OUT (mini jack) on the FP24.  Do NOT use the XLR line outs: they are way too hot. 
On the 70D side, you could use the EXT IN 1/2 (mini jack) or CH 1 & 2 combo jacks with 1/4" or XLR connectors.

2. Whatever input you are going to, select that input source in BASIC > INPUT.

3. Set INPUT > INPUT GAIN to LINE.  (I think Bean is correct that the setting in BASIC > GAIN (Low / Mid / High / High+) doesn't matter once you select LINE, but you could set that to LOW just to be safe.)

4. Activate the SLATE switch on the FP24.  You should get signal on the channels of the 70D you are connected to.

5. Set the gain pots on the 70D so that both channels are reading -20 dB.  Be careful to match the channels.  Set one exactly to -20, then go just past it with the second channel, and lower slowly until the level reads -20 again.

6. Turn off the slate tone.  From here, do not touch the gain knobs on the 70D.  Set your mic levels using the gain knobs on the FP24 only.

[swordfish]

Thanks for all the answers...I guess I will run the MK41 PFA D70 option for the first time in the field and use the AKG/M10 set as a back up...I tought about using the FP24 since it has larger knobs to adjust the gain....lol

[ButchAlmberg]

Perhaps at some point you could run straight into the DR 70-D for a comparison.

[F.O.Bean]

I recorded at my Grandparents this past Sunday, and taped the loud traffic going by about 25' away & some thunder! I ran mk41>PFA>70d and mk4>VMS>70d!

Here it is for anyone interested[including the ZIP file with everything in it]

https://www.mediafire.com/folder/xuygpy4fzv38b/Tascam_DR-70D_%26_Schoeps_VMS02IB_Preamp_COMP_Traffic_%26_Thunder_%5Bmk4_%26_mk41%5D

[lsd2525]

Stupid questions that have probably been asked on here before but I'm still not clear on.

I've been running a DR60 for a couple of years and have that down cold. Pulled my 70 that I bought a few months ago out last night, stuffed a card into it and test recorded for a couple of hours on internal mics just to make sure the card played nice. That's all I've had time to do and I'm thinking about running it for a show tonight and won't have time to do a lot of testing. Hope someone can point me in the right direction.

1. Card formatted almost instantly. Took forever to format in the 60. Did I do something wrong?
2. Not sure which firmware is on there. Any reason I shouldn't (or should) update to 1.14 before I roll tonight?
3. I notice phantom is through the menu rather than physical switches like the 60. Any other major differences anyone can clue me in on to help with the learning curve?
4. Not planning on using them tonight (or maybe ever), but what's the opinion on the internal mics?

Should have been playing with this more rather that trying to get up to steam in a production environment, but its been a roller coaster year so far. Any quick tips are welcomed. Thanks, Dan

[ScoobieKW]

Versions before 1.13 are not stable and should be updated immediately.