Topic: TEAM Marantz PMD 660 (Part II)

[newplanet7]

Did anyone really pin point the cause of the ticking noise some pmd660 owners have had?

Never have had any ticking on any recording.
I use an external batt and Lexar cards.

Does anybody know where to get the PMD Marker Edit software, i posted in the computer help forums and never heard anything.  I know there is software, somewhere, that if you put the markers in manually in a recording, like during playback, which i did, that i can pull them off in the same manner, track by track instead of retracking>  any help appreciated.  Thanks
Nick

I have a PMD660 software disc that came with the machine
if that's what you're referring to.
Never have taken it out of the box.

[paulbaptiste]

^ Is it possible to upload that anywhere?  I've looked all over marantz, and that other one D&M pro i think, can't find a link at all.  It'd be much appreciated. 

What external batteries are you using?  I just have 9v dvd batt's right now

[newplanet7]

Hi paul.
I'm using a tekkeon mp3450.
Have you run the 660 on 9 volts?
That is not suppose to be good from what I recall reading.
I'll grab the disc in a few.

[paulbaptiste]

Cool, appreciate the help with the software.

No ii haven't run it off 9v's, was afraid to.  Sounds like i made a good decision. 

[newplanet7]

Hi again paul.
The cd with the 660 is just the manual  .
However, I do believe there is no software needed for erasing track marks.
I have never tracked anything on the 660.
If you go into the menu function.
1) Hold Shift down + push Menu/Store it will bring you to a screen
where you can erase all manual track marks.

Here's a screenshot.:

[paulbaptiste]

In reading the manual is says the 660/661 is compatible with PMD EDL Marker Software, or something along those lines.  It's Marantz software that lets you pull off your "tracks" or marks as seperate wav files. 

[newplanet7]

I guess I'm just not understanding what you did in manual tracking.
I tried to put marks in a minute ago on the 660 and it said they were put in
on the file but when I opened it in wavelab there were no marks?

Are you talking about having two or more files on a card
and joining those back together?
Could you explain how you put the marks/tracks in so I could simulate.

[intpseeker]

^ Is it possible to upload that anywhere?  I've looked all over marantz, and that other one D&M pro i think, can't find a link at all.  It'd be much appreciated. 

What external batteries are you using?  I just have 9v dvd batt's right now

I use a Tekkeon at the 5v setting. I accidentally used a 9v dvd battery a few weeks ago and my 660 didn't like it.

 

[rockthing]

Getting a Power Runner pretty much solved all my PMD660 annoyances.
Also, I rarely use the internal -20db pad anymore, relying mainly
on the attenuation on my mics, or just the input level controller.

I have been doing some quick and dirty recordings
with just the built-in mics and have been surprised
at how well they work. If there is no vibration
where the 660 is resting it works like a dream.


Speaking of which, I've just been posting some
things in Kickdown Central after not visiting the boards,
or at least not posting, in a quite a long time.

These are the PMD660 recordings fwiw
I also used the 660 to do a A/D transfer
of some cassette masters.

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,126938.0.html
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,126937.0.html
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,126935.0.html
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,126932.0.html
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,126931.0.html
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,126930.0.html

Of course, I have to believe that the flavour of the recordings
is more up to the mics than the box.
My 660 is stock. No mods. I've just learned to work with it.

[rastasean]

I know the PMD 660 is quite old but it may surprise you that it still sells for $500 new on B&H.



I can buy a used one in very good condition for less than half ($240-260) of the new price locally. Of course it is not oade modded but I don't necessarily care for that.

If you saw a pmd 660 for this price in very good condition, would you buy it? Since this is older technology, it doesn't do 24 bit but it does do 48 khz audio.

[splumer]

Anyone happen to know how much battery life I can expect running phantom power on a 660? I have access to a pair of Beyerdynamic MCE 86N's that I want to use, but they're phantom only, and I was a little worried about losing power right in the middle of a set. Thanks!

[Javier Cinakowski]

I run a 660 with phantom power and I think my mics draw more current than the mce86.  I use duracell 2650 and Sanyo 2700 AA batteries, charge with a Lacross charger.  I get at least 5 hours on a single set of batteries... 

[splumer]

I run a 660 with phantom power and I think my mics draw more current than the mce86.  I use duracell 2650 and Sanyo 2700 AA batteries, charge with a Lacross charger.  I get at least 5 hours on a single set of batteries...

Are those rechargeables? I've not had good luck with rechargeables. They seem to run down quickly on me. I have a set that came with my camera that doesn't last long.

[Javier Cinakowski]

yes, they are nimh rechargable batteries.  They are by far the most reliable and long running battery you can use for the PMD660.   

[johnmuge]

I've been using Kirkland alkaline batterys with the phantom power on and I get over 2 hours with the Beyer MC930's.  I never had the PMD 660 run out of power.