Topic: quick list of reliable affordable bit buckets

[jerryfreak]

looking for budget, but reliable (aka, not super overkill, 8 channels, etc. like for example you wouldnt use a 744T for  bit bucket

smaller ones
sony D50 (incompatible with a lot of stuff)
Marantz PMD661

bigger ones:
Marantz PMD-671
Tascam HD-P2
Edirol R-44.

anything else out there? dont be all 'microtrack' either

[F.O.Bean]

Id say that the 661 is the best bet reliability and compatibility wise. Then the D50 for size

[dogmusic]

TASCAM DR-100mkII. $300 at B&H. Well-built. But also has compatibility issues like Sony D50.

[dallman]

Tascam DR680. Not sure if you consider this overkill, but it is smaller and sells for less than the HD-P2 (which is a great deck in its own right). You dont have to use all the channels, but you have the flexibility.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

The "reliable, affordable (and relatively cheap) bit bucket" has become the taper's Holy Grail, lol.  If a manufacturer would make one in a Sony M-10/Edirol-Roland R-05/09 size with a normal SPDIF input, we'd have a winner.  That said, the 661 and R-44 are likely your best bets for reliability and compatibility in the lower price range.  I haven't had an issue linking the R-44 with with anything and I've heard the same anecdotes about the 661.  Never used/owned a DR680, and they are getting cheaper, but I understand they're fairly compatible with a lot of preamps. 

[rodeen]

My 661 has become my "go to" bit bucket recorder.  I haven't used my DR100mkii or MicroTrack  since getting it.

[Gutbucket]

DR-680

Bigger than necessary for just dig-in, but..
Press the stereo mode button and it operates as a two channel recorder instead of a 6+channel machine.
Coax RCA digital in/out up to 24/192.
Inexpensive.
It's worked with all digital sources I've plugged into it, most frequently a V3 or the S/PDIF out from an R-44.

R-44 is smaller, simple and works very well but isn't budget.

After the 680, I'd probably consider the 661 or an HD-P2.

[yug du nord]

The 661 is great as a bit bucket..  and with an Oade mod, the box does great as an all-in-one.
Pretty much the only draw back that I can think of is that it's max is 24/96, if that matters to anyone.
With a proper cable, it can run on an external 5v usb battery pack..  standard stuff these days.
Great deck!

But I agree...  a S/PDIF palm-size deck the size of an M10 would be most excellent..  the good ol MT/MTII fits the bill!..  if ya got the guts.   

[jerryfreak]

i had a 680. just too big/too much of a battery hog/ i didnt like the sound of the A/D so it was overkill for my needs. maybe i need to run 4 microtracks concurrently

[H₂O]

i had a 680. just too big/too much of a battery hog/ i didnt like the sound of the A/D so it was overkill for my needs. maybe i need to run 4 microtracks concurrently

Or just buy a Sonosax miniR82 - it accepts 8 channels of AES

[dogmusic]

DR-680

Bigger than necessary for just dig-in, but..
Press the stereo mode button and it operates as a two channel recorder instead of a 6+channel machine.
Coax RCA digital in/out up to 24/192.
Inexpensive.
It's worked with all digital sources I've plugged into it, most frequently a V3 or the S/PDIF out from an R-44.

R-44 is smaller, simple and works very well but isn't budget.

After the 680, I'd probably consider the 661 or an HD-P2.

The 680 is great but it shares the same compatibility issues with certain preamps as the DR-100mkii, and the DR-100mkii is smaller. I've used it with the digital out of an SD USBPre2 and it's wonderful. However it's only 24/96.

[yug du nord]

I've thought about an MT bit bucket with the M10 running as back up.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

I love my HD-P2... 

Since I don't get out anymore, I use it ONLY as a bit-bucket transferring DATs...

Terry

[dallman]

i had a 680. just too big/too much of a battery hog/ i didnt like the sound of the A/D so it was overkill for my needs. maybe i need to run 4 microtracks concurrently

I can see the battery issue, although I always run an external battery on any deck I use, but if you are using the deck as a bit bucket, the A/D would be bypassed as it would just be getting the digital signal direct from the preamp.

I never had any issues using my MT, but I just had to remember to turn on and off carefully, that was pretty much it.

As for a deck that is a very reliable easy to use bit bucket, I agree with Rodeen, the Marantz PMD 661 is my go to bit bucket. However, again, I always run an external battery.

[Gutbucket]

i had a 680. just too big/too much of a battery hog/ i didnt like the sound of the A/D so it was overkill for my needs. maybe i need to run 4 microtracks concurrently

Or just buy a Sonosax miniR82 - it accepts 8 channels of AES

miniR82 is small, very capable, and the only one on this list that can accept more than a single digital pair.  Unfortunately it certainly is not budget.  Otherwise I'd probably own one!

[John Willett]

looking for budget, but reliable (aka, not super overkill, 8 channels, etc. like for example you wouldnt use a 744T for  bit bucket

smaller ones
sony D50 (incompatible with a lot of stuff)
Marantz PMD661

bigger ones:
Marantz PMD-671
Tascam HD-P2
Edirol R-44.

anything else out there? dont be all 'microtrack' either

You missed the Sony D100

[sperho]

I guess affordable is relative... 

[John Willett]

I guess affordable is relative... 

Of course it is - in a Forum, a budget range should be stated, rather than "cheap" or "affordable".

For me, anything under £1,000 is "cheap" when it comes to mics, monitors or recorders.