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

[jbell]

The 70D should work fine with SDXC cards up to 128gigs.  I have a 64gig for mine, but I haven't run it in the field or even tested it at home    Sorry I'm zero help. 

[groovon]

The 70D should work fine with SDXC cards up to 128gigs.  I have a 64gig for mine, but I haven't run it in the field or even tested it at home    Sorry I'm zero help.

Yeah, 'should' be OK, but it's a lot of Gigs to lose in one fell swoop if the card goes t/u. Multiple smaller cards (supposedly) reduces the risk.

Dave

[audBall]

The 70D should work fine with SDXC cards up to 128gigs.  I have a 64gig for mine, but I haven't run it in the field or even tested it at home    Sorry I'm zero help.

Just a recommendation to run a 5-10 minute test recording at home and listen back for any weird sound artifacts before heading to your first gig. My first outing unfortunately got marred with digi-noise and would've turned out great. It's happened to a few of us so far. My issue was with a Sandisk 32GB CL10. No issues at all with SD 8GB Class 4. It could've been an isolated incident with my card, but damn if this recorder doesn't give the impression that it's finicky with cards, regardless of the specs. No way I'd run a 128GB in mine comfortably at this time. 

[voltronic]

This may seem obvious, but reformat the card every once in a while - and make sure you're formatting in the recorder.

[jmerin]

Card was formatted. the card had a write speed of 30 meg/sec that was probably the issue. I am getting two new cards from bh today.

[Life In Rewind]

This may seem obvious, but reformat the card every once in a while - and make sure you're formatting in the recorder.

For sure - this my SOP as well. Card Full...Transfer files > Reformat in the DR-70D. Its fast.

I resist performing any file operations other than transfer/copy to HD. (like Deleting or Formatting via Windows)

One thing I noticed - I used Windows "Safely Remove Media" function on my card on one of my first efforts. (bit of a newbie to SD media)

That made the card unreadable in the DR-70D. I think I remounted it and then just pulled it from the reader - and it worked.

[greenmtnsrider]

Picked up the RAVpower 10400 mAh battery to run my 70d. Does anyone know how long this battery can power the 70d for from a full charge? May be hitting a festival in NH tomorrow and was curious to know. Thanks!

[groovon]

Picked up the RAVpower 10400 mAh battery to run my 70d. Does anyone know how long this battery can power the 70d for from a full charge? May be hitting a festival in NH tomorrow and was curious to know. Thanks!

If you don't get at least 8 hours recording per charge, send it back!  Sorry, I don't have the Ravpower, but...

After a lot of trial and error I've found some 5V power banks on fleabay that are perfect for the DR-70. For 13 bucks apiece, I get 8 hours+ recording per charge, they weigh 7.4 oz and are the size of a checkbook (only 10mm thick--double-sided taped right under the machine, you hardly know it's there). Rated at 20,000mAh/3.6V (most makes shy from quoting the actual voltage). I bought three, though I really only need the one. They're proved reliable and the best value yet. (I bought the latest Anker 12V unit just for my DR-680, but IMO, for 5V operation, there are so many to choose from that it's not necessary to limit yourself to the high-priced 'recommended' brands, if you're prepared to do your own experimentation. If anyone's interested, I'll post the fleabay link and some pics later on...
Dave

[swordfish]

Pls post the link and the pics

[groovon]

Pls post the link and the pics

Here you go: You can't beat these for price, function, and the size seems made to order for the DR-70--it's exactly the same width! Various color-anodized aluminum case (I picked Black, of course), compact and feels solid. Ships from LA. I've no connection to the seller other than the 3 purchases I've made so far. Shipping has been super fast (well, I'm in CA):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/20000mAh-UltraThin-Dual-USB-Portable-Power-Bank-External-Battery-Backup-Charger-/331541674213?var=&hash=item4d316c78e5

My DR-70 draws around 500mA (0.5A) from one of these, all channels on/4x P48 (even running a CAD179), and went 8 hours with still one LED on (showing 25% remaining charge). I will be doing further checks to verify what I've found, but I see nothing wrong with the quality, and anyway, at that price, you can afford a spare 

PS--If you're wondering, I stuck that one semi-permanently on the bottom with two strips of industrial 2-sided tape. Velcro will work, if you're the cautious type!)

cheers
Dave

[audBall]

Wow, that looks great. Nicely done! I'm definitely going to grab one or two of those batteries. Got a link for that RA>RA USB cable? I could only find ones that were RA on the micro side.

[groovon]

Wow, that looks great. Nicely done! I'm definitely going to grab one or two of those batteries. Got a link for that RA>RA USB cable? I could only find ones that were RA on the micro side.

Oh yeah... forgot about that. I became a bit obsessed with getting the right cable, so I ordered them from maybe a half dozen different sellers. I'll try and find the right link for ya...

This is the one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Left-Angle-USB-to-Micro-B-Data-Charging-Cable-For-S2-S3-HTC-LG-Motorola-20cm-TW-/131302608813?hash=item1e923ecfad

Dave

[voltronic]

^^  I want that red knob!!!  It looks like anodized aluminum - where did you get it?  I'm assuming the old one just pulls off?

Also, the XLR cables don't look like the work of any of the TS builders - can you tell us about those as well?

VERY cool setup.  I'll put that battery up on the FAQ page.  Even if that 20,000 mAh is an exaggeration (and I'm willing to bet it is), it still looks like a great buy.

[groovon]

^^  I want that red knob!!!  It looks like anodized aluminum - where did you get it?  I'm assuming the old one just pulls off?

Also, the XLR cables don't look like the work of any of the TS builders - can you tell us about those as well?

VERY cool setup.  I'll put that battery up on the FAQ page.  Even if that 20,000 mAh is an exaggeration (and I'm willing to bet it is), it still looks like a great buy.

Hey, thanks! That's a red Bakelite knob from an old Tektronix oscilloscope, bored out to 6mm and the front surface faced off flat. I always disliked that slippery OEM data knob!
The R/A female XLRs are my own make, 'X' -series Neutrixes with the threaded ends turned off and a slot milled out for the cable (Mogami 2552). The plastic end caps are an Ace Hardware part, also drilled and slotted for cable entry. I made 10' cables (#4 cable is 6" longer and runs round the back, taped into the concave groove of the battery casing.)

Dave

[jbell]

Nice setup!!