Topic: Tascam DR-60D (part 2) & upgraded DR-60Dmkii

[willndmb]

DR-60D part 1
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=161501.0
DR-60D http://tascam.com/product/dr-60d/
Manual http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/799/e_dr-60d_om_va.pdf Addendum http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/799/je_dr-60d_add_v120_va.pdf

DR-60Dmkii http://tascam.com/product/dr-60dmkii/
Manual http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/864/dr-60dmk2_om_va.pdf

Differences between 60D and 60Dmkii
Red handles
"High plus" gain which gives you and extra 12db (64db total)
New XLR connectors for greater cable compatibility

The similar in many ways but different DR-70D thread http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=170230.0

60D on sale today only for $129 at b&h

[2manyrocks]

One might suspect there to be some inventory clearance sales on the 60d.  It reminds me of when the 2d sold for $99. 

I am still trying to understand Tascam's marketing in keeping the 60dmkII with the new 70d. 

[Cheesecadet]

I spoke with Tascam and the DR-60DMKII And the DR-70D will both continue to be sold.  Different price points and different target markets is what I was told.  B&H is definitely trying to liquidate the old DR-60D.  If you are on the fence between the DR-60D and the DR-60DMKII, just know they have the exact same op amps: RC/NJM4580.  The DR-70D has far better op amps installed (NE5532).  I had an in depth conversation with Tascam comparing the above units and they told me the DR-70D was a far better all around unit.  Yes, you do give up the mid gain setting but it is an easily covered gain range especially if your mice have any kind of pad on them.  Only a 8dB "hole" between low and high gain on the DR-70D.

[2manyrocks]

Well, the 70d has 4 xlrs with phantom power v 2 in the 60d, two built in mics, a smaller usb connector like used on cell phones, a smaller case, the upgraded op amps, slightly better battery life and some reviewer posted that the 70d generally feels more solid than the 60d.  $100 gets these differences.

Both the 60dmkii and the 70d seemed generally aimed at the DSLR recording market, however.  So is Tascam basically saying they'll give us these extra features in the 70d for another $100?

[ArchivalAudio]

^^^^ thanks cheese interesting differences  noted from tascam. good to know... now I'm just looking for a small formfactor2 or 4 channel unit with a digi in.

[Cheesecadet]

Well, the 70d has 4 xlrs with phantom power v 2 in the 60d, two built in mics, a smaller usb connector like used on cell phones, a smaller case, the upgraded op amps, slightly better battery life and some reviewer posted that the 70d generally feels more solid than the 60d.  $100 gets these differences.

Both the 60dmkii and the 70d seemed generally aimed at the DSLR recording market, however.  So is Tascam basically saying they'll give us these extra features in the 70d for another $100?

Yep!

[willndmb]

Well, the 70d has 4 xlrs with phantom power v 2 in the 60d, two built in mics, a smaller usb connector like used on cell phones, a smaller case, the upgraded op amps, slightly better battery life and some reviewer posted that the 70d generally feels more solid than the 60d.  $100 gets these differences.

Both the 60dmkii and the 70d seemed generally aimed at the DSLR recording market, however.  So is Tascam basically saying they'll give us these extra features in the 70d for another $100?

the smaller usb is a bad thing IMO as every usb device I have uses mini and I have nothing that uses micro.
The 60d is actually smaller overall then the 70 although the 70 form factor is nicer for most people like us who will have it in a bag.

Other notible differences...60d/70d
maxes out at 32gb cards/128gb cards
3 jacks with dedicated volume/level adjust - line out, headphone out, camera out/2 jacks with one volume/level adjust combined - line & camera combined, headphone

Either one has pros and cons depending on what few differences you might need/use and I don't think you can go wrong with either but for $130 you def can't go wrong

Ps fwiw, I used medium gain to tape OAR from the sbd and had the knob turned all the way down to the left. Music peaks were around -8 as a whole and crowd cheering/loud music hit -1
https://archive.org/details/oar2014-11-21.ck63.flac16

[F.O.Bean]

Well I was interested in the 60d, but if the 70d has all of that on the 60d, then for $300, its a no brained for me. Because what sounds better definitely matters to me. But I still love the size of the 60d for sure and for $129, r u kidding me? That's just crazy. I think it will go that low again too

[audBall]

I finally got around to experimenting with my DR-60D over the last few days. Up to this point I've been apprehensive to take it into the field since I've been so used to the M10 over the years. Here's how it was setup:

AKG CK63.naiant.pfa > DR-60D (mic in, phantom on), Channels 1 & 2
and
MG21.nBob.pfa > Aerco MP-2 (1/8" out) > DR-60D (1/8" in), Channels 3 & 4

Everything was running off my Tekkeon-style battery (Aerco at 9v, DR-60D USB out at 5v). The DR-60D was set to record two stereo files at 24 bit, 48kHz. I recorded for about 2 hours and the battery level fell no more than one bar, out of seven. Now, the Aerco barely sips any gas at all so I wasn't expecting it to affect the battery life much, but expected the Tascam take the bulk. I'll have to do another test for longer, but this definitely seems promising, and I'm getting much more comfortable with the unit.

Are you guys getting similar results? Any issues with overloading the inputs?

[2manyrocks]

I recorded 1 hour and 55 minutes two weeks ago with 48v phantom on channels 1 and 2 using a Ravpower 10400mah external battery, and the battery still shows all its bars. 

Where the 60d has an advantage over the M10 is having 4 channels available.  I recorded piano using one CM3 on channel 1, recorded solo vocals using an AT2020 on channel 2, and then used a pair of AT853s through a pipsqueak on a stand to record a few feet back from the stage.  The room has a bit of bounce to it, and spot mics on the piano and soloist really cleaned things up.  It was probably my best recording in that room yet using spot mics like this.   

Gain was set to mid on channels 1 and 2, and high on channels 3 and 4 (Pipsqueek set to low-probably should have set it to high and set the Tascam to low but my mistake).  I did see some flashing of the peak indicator lights and reduced the gain at the knobs during recording.  Looking at the tracks in Reaper afterwards, I did not see any brick walling even though I remember cutting back on the gain when the peak indicators flashed. 

I was recording some elementary children and the PA stage volumes were set at conservative levels. 

I read on another website that the meters may not be entirely accurate and there may be more gain available than the peak indicators show, but that's subject to being proven, IMO.  I'd be curious what others think about the peak indicators. 

[willndmb]

I recorded 1 hour and 55 minutes two weeks ago with 48v phantom on channels 1 and 2 using a Ravpower 10400mah external battery, and the battery still shows all its bars. 
 

i recorded a hope test using ch 1/2 with 48v on
and 3/4 as -6db backup
filled the card at 6.5 hrs and my rav 10400 dropped to half.
restarted to see how long it took to drop to 1 but forget exactly

[2manyrocks]

happened to look at the best selling units at B & H over black Friday.  Looks like the 60d was at the top over the MKII and 70d. 

[Cheesecadet]

happened to look at the best selling units at B & H over black Friday.  Looks like the 60d was at the top over the MKII and 70d.

It is a good unit and I'm sure their dirt low price helped sales!   

[tomuo]

the smaller usb is a bad thing IMO as every usb device I have uses mini and I have nothing that uses micro.

The whole cellphone industry except Apple switched to Micro USB a few years back, and it is a mandated standard in Europe.  The connector itself is better/longer lasting as well, by design.
Mini USB won't be seen on new products going forward.

[willndmb]

the smaller usb is a bad thing IMO as every usb device I have uses mini and I have nothing that uses micro.

The whole cellphone industry except Apple switched to Micro USB a few years back, and it is a mandated standard in Europe.  The connector itself is better/longer lasting as well, by design.
Mini USB won't be seen on new products going forward.

maybe so but I own an iphone and all hard drives, cameras, camcorders, fire stick, m10, 60d that I own have mini so for now it's an inconvenience to me
One cable, everything interchangeable the way I have it now - minus the phone of course.