Topic: PT: 2 - New Marantz PMD661

[Since85]

I wonder if the same XLR cable was used for all the different mics tested? A loose wire and/or bad/inconsistent ground could cause prblems similar to what DATPAT describes. Try a few different XLR cables as well with the above recommended tests. Good luck, please keep us posted.
 

[dactylus]

Has anyone tried their Kingston sdhc cards along with the firmware update?

 

[audBall]

Has anyone tried their Kingston sdhc cards along with the firmware update?

Can the update be done with the SD card in the 661?  From the instructions, it appears that the card needs to be taken out first.

If so, I need to get a SDHC card reader.  My old one doesn't work with the newer cards. 

[datbrad]

Has anyone tried their Kingston sdhc cards along with the firmware update?

Can the update be done with the SD card in the 661?  From the instructions, it appears that the card needs to be taken out first.

If so, I need to get a SDHC card reader.  My old one doesn't work with the newer cards. 

No, you don't have to get one to do this firmware update. I have the same problem, needing a SDHC card reader.

Just hook the 661 to your computer as you would to transfer off a file. When it recongizes the external storage device, just copy and paste the update file to the main directory of the card, not any mplang folders that are on it.

Then, use the safely remove hardware option and let the PC tell you it's ok to disconnect. Power the 661 off, then plug in the AC cord. Turn it back on. It will then ask you right on the 661 screen if you want to execute the update, and you select yes. It takes just a few min to do all this, very easy.

Good luck!!

PS: Anyone that has not done this upgrade, before you do, please hit the pause/record button and see if the pause indicator on the OLED screen flashes at the same time and same pace as the red ring light around the record button. After my update, I noticed that the pause indicator on the screen on my unit flashes at a different pace and timing than the red ring light, but I am not sure if it always did this, or just started happening after the update.

Thanks!

[Lengthwise]

anybody use the transcend class 6 cards with this that have been on deals lately? I have a few 8gb's floating around and am wondering if they will work when I get my unit

[aaronji]

Yeah, Aaron, I suggest leaving the room while it is updating firmware.  Don't even look at the thing.  

Exactly!  The "Observer Effect" and all...  

[DATPAT]

I have used different cables and gotten the same effect. The balence is normally only sightly off.

[JasonSobel]

for anyone else waiting for more reviews/comments about the new firmware, I ran it at a show last night, 24/96, mic-in with phantom power, and everything went smoothly - no issues at all.

[datbrad]

for anyone else waiting for more reviews/comments about the new firmware, I ran it at a show last night, 24/96, mic-in with phantom power, and everything went smoothly - no issues at all.

Jason, Any chance you saw how your deck behaved with regards to this question I put out in an earlier post?

Anyone that has not done this upgrade, before you do, please hit the pause/record button and see if the pause indicator on the OLED screen flashes at the same time and same pace as the red ring light around the record button. After my update, I noticed that the pause indicator on the screen on my unit flashes at a different pace and timing than the red ring light, but I am not sure if it always did this, or just started happening after the update.

[JasonSobel]

for anyone else waiting for more reviews/comments about the new firmware, I ran it at a show last night, 24/96, mic-in with phantom power, and everything went smoothly - no issues at all.

Jason, Any chance you saw how your deck behaved with regards to this question I put out in an earlier post?

Anyone that has not done this upgrade, before you do, please hit the pause/record button and see if the pause indicator on the OLED screen flashes at the same time and same pace as the red ring light around the record button. After my update, I noticed that the pause indicator on the screen on my unit flashes at a different pace and timing than the red ring light, but I am not sure if it always did this, or just started happening after the update.

I can check it out tonight.  I haven't noticed anything like that yet, but I basically never use the pause-record mode. (because with my 16gb card, I've got ~8 hours at 24/96, which is more than enough for the typical 2-3 hour shows I record.  So I just hit record and let it roll instead of using record-pause.  I might have 10-15 minutes of random crowd noise to delete afterwardsm but that isn't a big deal).  I'll let you know what my deck does this evening.

[datbrad]

for anyone else waiting for more reviews/comments about the new firmware, I ran it at a show last night, 24/96, mic-in with phantom power, and everything went smoothly - no issues at all.

Jason, Any chance you saw how your deck behaved with regards to this question I put out in an earlier post?

Anyone that has not done this upgrade, before you do, please hit the pause/record button and see if the pause indicator on the OLED screen flashes at the same time and same pace as the red ring light around the record button. After my update, I noticed that the pause indicator on the screen on my unit flashes at a different pace and timing than the red ring light, but I am not sure if it always did this, or just started happening after the update.

I can check it out tonight.  I haven't noticed anything like that yet, but I basically never use the pause-record mode. (because with my 16gb card, I've got ~8 hours at 24/96, which is more than enough for the typical 2-3 hour shows I record.  So I just hit record and let it roll instead of using record-pause.  I might have 10-15 minutes of random crowd noise to delete afterwardsm but that isn't a big deal).  I'll let you know what my deck does this evening.

Jason, Thanks. I also have been just starting it up at the last couple shows, skipping the pause step. With the long battery life and large capacity SD cards, no reason not to. This pause flashing thing was something I noticed after I did the firmware update and tested it to make sure it still got levels and everything. That is when I noticed a difference between the pace of flashing on the screen, and the red ring around the record button. Just not sure if that is normal or not. Later.........

[JasonSobel]

when in record-pause mode, the red circle around the record button, and the indicator on the OLED screen do flash at slightly different rates, so it's not just your deck (and I would say it's normal operation).  I have no idea whether or not it did this prior to the firmware update.

[datbrad]

when in record-pause mode, the red circle around the record button, and the indicator on the OLED screen do flash at slightly different rates, so it's not just your deck (and I would say it's normal operation).  I have no idea whether or not it did this prior to the firmware update.

Thanks, man. That's good enough for me.

Enjoy that deck, I am really loving mine more each time I use it. And, I think the lights may be prettier than a 7XX 

[dactylus]

Ordered my "concert mod" 661 today.     Can't wait to give it the festival season workout!!

[newplanet7]

Ordered my "concert mod" 661 today.     Can't wait to give it the festival season workout!!

How much was the shipping quote