Topic: Tascam DR-680 MKii

[Gutbucket]

F8 and F8N feature timecode but no word-clock.  I don't believe they can be clock-linked/cascaded.  Maybe share transport controls using timecode or the remote app which is IOS only (I've not used either of those features).

Its most important to consider the features critical for the way you want to work. I used to clock-link 680 + R44, or both 680s together to get 10 to 12 clock sync'd channels, but decided I don't really need to do that anymore. Other than recording SBD to a separate 2ch recorder for syncing later, I've not used more than 8ch myself since going to the F8. 

[lukpac]

Its most important to consider the features critical for the way you want to work.

That's the key point.

If I was definitely limited to 8 channels, the F8 would probably be a great choice, especially since it has 8 mic inputs as opposed to the 680's 6. It looks like a very impressive machine.

But...I'm not always limited to 8 channels. Even if I was most of the time, there are still times when I'm not, in which case the F8 would be, if not useless, far from ideal.

That's the name of the game when it comes to these digital recorders. While different machines can be superficially very similar, there can be make or break features on some for some people.

[Gutbucket]

Bingo!

[GLouie]

Just curious, when did Tascam discontinue the DR680mkII?

[lukpac]

Just curious, when did Tascam discontinue the DR680mkII?

Not sure, but this time two years ago several retailers were showing it as discontinued or unavailable. TEAC claimed at the time they didn't know why retailers were showing that.

Looks like it was marked as discontinued on their site sometime between August 2020:

https://web.archive.org/web/20200805050928if_/https://tascam.com/us/product/dr-680mkii/top

And October 2020:

https://web.archive.org/web/20201024121205/https://tascam.com/us/product/dr-680mkii/top

Possibly still available outside of the Americas? Still on their European site:

https://www.tascam.eu/en/dr-680mkii.html

And seemingly still available at Thomann:

https://www.thomannmusic.com/tascam_dr_680_mkii.htm

And while the HS-P82 still shows up on Tascam's site:

https://tascam.com/us/product/hs-p82/top

B&H claims it's discontinued:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/657379-REG/Tascam_HS_P82_HS_P82_8_Channel_Field_Audio.html

[phil_er_up]

TASCAM FIRMWARE ISSUE: Has anyone else noticed this?

I have used this deck extensively since swapping my original DR680. I wonder if anyone else has noticed this, as I am sure it is a firmware issue and is not unique to my deck. I have written Tascam Customer Service 6 times now but have yet to hear back. (I did get an automated response one time saying they would contact me after reviewing my letter, but that was it). I pretty much cut and paste the same letter with small modifications each time in the hopes that one day, I'll get a response. I get around the issue by leaving a note stuck to my recorder so I do not forget the issue which would be easy to do. Here are parts of the letter explaining the issue. I don't know if the issue existed on my DR680, because I never went digi with it. I do like the menu layout on the DR680MKII better than the original, but wonder if the issue existed (Ironically, the menu layout for this using this feature set are amongst the biggest differences between the original and MKII) then or not, and hope they'll deal with it, but have my doubts...

There seems to be an issue that should be fixable with a firmware update. I have written before but not heard back. In the "FUNCTION" menu if you are recording "Digital" (SPDIF) to the mix track (which I call tracks 7 and 8 for ease of reference) you need to set the DIN/MIX settings to "DIN MON" (from the default of "MIX MON") but the deck will not hold the setting of "DIN MON". As soon as you power off and then power it back on for the next use, it reverts back to "MIX MON". There is no way to hold the setting "DIN MON", making it very easy to forget to change it back. You may not notice too, because the MIX channels when set to "MIX MON" the default (which I call 7 and 8 for ease of reference) will be moving if any of channels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 are in use.

Long story short: If there can be a fix (firmware upgrade) so that in the "FUNCTION" menu whatever setting is chosen in the "DIN/MIX" menu would stay chosen like all the other settings, this would be really good. I hope this is clear, Please respond back this time.

Figured it out so no advice needed.

Thanks.