Topic: PT: 2 - New Marantz PMD661

[dennisrtyler]

i got just over 7hrs with phantom on at 24/48, brightness on 5 and LEDs ON with energizer e2 lithiums

[DigiGal]

i got just over 7hrs with phantom on at 24/48, brightness on 5 and LEDs ON with energizer e2 lithiums

How much current draw with your mics?

PMD661 Battery test data here:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=119213.msg1597270#msg1597270

[dennisrtyler]

was running schoeps CMRs with 21 caps. not sure what their draw is.

[su6oxone]

I just bought an Energizer external lithium ion battery pack (http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=216795526) to use with my 661.  My question is, if I have the external battery connected to the 661 and also have internal batteries in the 661, how/where will power be drawn from?  Will it draw from the external first, and then when that's drained, go to the internals, or will it drain from both at the same time? 

The main reason I'm curious about this is that I wouldn't want the external to drain too much and supply an insufficient voltage to my mics.  It would be nice if the two power sources could be 'additive' instead of draining sequentially which could cause insufficient voltage issues.

[DigiGal]

I just bought an Energizer external lithium ion battery pack (http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=216795526) to use with my 661.  My question is, if I have the external battery connected to the 661 and also have internal batteries in the 661, how/where will power be drawn from?  Will it draw from the external first, and then when that's drained, go to the internals, or will it drain from both at the same time? 

The main reason I'm curious about this is that I wouldn't want the external to drain too much and supply an insufficient voltage to my mics.  It would be nice if the two power sources could be 'additive' instead of draining sequentially which could cause insufficient voltage issues.

The 661 will treat the external battery the same as the supplied AC adapter.  There is a built in switch on the external power jack that switches the unit from internal to external power.  This switch appears to be seamless so if you have "AA"'s installed and pull the external power cable out it will continue to function.  You can see the graphic "plug symbol" on the OLED display change to the "battery meter".  I'm not sure what happens if your external battery falls below the minimum voltage required for it to regulate properly though.  Since using a Tekkeon external battery I haven't even come close to running low.  I recently started running 1.2V eneloop LSD NiMH rechargable "AA"'s  for the internals to completely eliminate alkaline usage with the 661.

Disclaimer: Someone mentioned in a previous post that Marantz does not endorse the use of external batteries. 

[su6oxone]

Thanks DigiGal, guess I'll have to try it out when I get it.  Will report back later with results...

[datbrad]

You know, I have had my 661 now for almost a year and a half, and not once have I found using NiMH internal AAs to be a limitation. I have had the unit turned on for close to 5 hours several times without even getting close to low power indication (line in).

For me, externals are just another thing to carry that with this recorder, are unecessary with the possible exception of an all day festival. I can still see just 2 sets of AAs being enough for that too. Just my opinion, everyone has their own needs of course.

[dennisrtyler]

maiden voyage last night. does anybody find that it doesnt take much change in sound pressure to jump from -10 to -2 on the LEDs? i just found it odd how easily it would hit -2 from riding the -10, with not that much increase in PA volume. almost like it was just skipping right past the -6. listening back now, it does sound really good!

[newplanet7]

maiden voyage last night. does anybody find that it doesnt take much change in sound pressure to jump from -10 to -2 on the LEDs? i just found it odd how easily it would hit -2 from riding the -10, with not that much increase in PA volume. almost like it was just skipping right past the -6. listening back now, it does sound really good!

My 660 is the same way FWIW.
It skips right through.
Did you run direct or with a pre?

[dennisrtyler]

direct last night. gonna run direct tomorrow for pgroove and then throw the psp-3 back in the mix for a comp.

[Javier Cinakowski]

I've notice that on my 660 meters too.  I think the PA is actually getting that loud, that fast.  It is our hearing that can't perceive the difference becuase our ears are not linear in loud SPL's.  Perhaps the Marantz is able to percieve the difference better than us.

During an acoustic show the meters jump, but I also hear the change in amplitude.

Just my $0.02, could be and likely am wrong!   

[dennisrtyler]

just curious, where do y'all usually end up on the dial for a smallish(~400) club rock show? somewhere between 4-5? running without an external pre by the way.

[su6oxone]

just curious, where do y'all usually end up on the dial for a smallish(~400) club rock show? somewhere between 4-5? running without an external pre by the way.

With my ccm4s running directly into the 661 I've never been able to run higher than gain of '5' and usually around '4' (and in various indoor/outdoor venues).  I do wish their was a larger pad than -18dB.

[DigiGal]

just curious, where do y'all usually end up on the dial for a smallish(~400) club rock show? somewhere between 4-5? running without an external pre by the way.

With my ccm4s running directly into the 661 I've never been able to run higher than gain of '5' and usually around '4' (and in various indoor/outdoor venues).  I do wish their was a larger pad than -18dB.

Same here the level is normally between 4 and 5 running mics straight into the 661 without a external preamp.

[dactylus]

just curious, where do y'all usually end up on the dial for a smallish(~400) club rock show? somewhere between 4-5? running without an external pre by the way.

With my ccm4s running directly into the 661 I've never been able to run higher than gain of '5' and usually around '4' (and in various indoor/outdoor venues).  I do wish their was a larger pad than -18dB.

^
Without an external pre I've had the same results with Milab VM-44 Links and Gefell M200's:  "I've never been able to run higher than gain of '5' and usually around '4' ."