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

[JiB97]

are you guys using micro-SD cards in the adapter or using the full size SD cards?

[2manyrocks]

Full size but I've used micro sandisks with adapters in my camera with zero issues.  The bigger cards seem easier to handle.  However I've wondered if I could pop a micro card in my tablet for playback, but haven't tried it.

[JiB97]

Cool.  I bought a full size 16GB Samsung card last night and ran some tests with it, so far so good.

[morst]

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.

I have had this happen in the field twice now, that a live master recording is ruined in the Tascam.

my guess is that you ABSOLUTELY  MUST FORMAT THE CARD IN THE DR-70D  in order to avoid this.

I am not at all happy about this machine right now.

 

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

WHY should SD cards have to be reformatted? Formatting them decreases their life!?
That said, the SD card board suggests formatting with their formatter...
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/

[greenmtnsrider]

My 1st time out with the 70d showed the same results. Strange diginoise throughout a set of music on both channels 1/2 and 3/4. I was using an older 32gb micro SD card though. I've run twice since then with a 64gb Sandisk Ultra, the 1st time was fine and I've yet to listen to what I pulled lastnight. Keeping my fingers crossed...

I did reinstall the firmware from the the original version through the current version and I also formatted the new SD card in the unit to make sure (hope) that everything played nice.

I will check back through my files from lastnight and report back at some point tonight hopefully.

EDIT: Filesets from lastnight are all good and sound nice! So, 2 outta 3 aint bad...

[JiB97]

i think its a good idea to re-format the card in the recorder every time you use it.  that way i know it is good to go and will have enough room on it for whatever i am recording.

this is how i use to do it with the CF cards in my Fostex Fr-2LE and never had an issue with digi noise caused by the card.

[greenmtnsrider]

I'm really happy with this deck aside from the maiden voyage a couple weeks ago. Keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't happen again.

[morst]

I guess I'm spoiled from my old reliable Sony PCM-M10's, where I have not reformatted the memory in several years, I just delete files, and if on a mac, BE SURE TO EMPTY THE "TRASH!"


I suppose I will continue to run the Sonys and just use the Tascam for unimportant recordings.

 

possible slogans:
"TASCAM - the brand to use when you have something unimportant to record!"
"TASCAM - the first choice when quality is not important or necessary!"
"TASCAM - wouldn't you rather have a Sony?"
"TASCAM - don't bother!"
"TASCAM - if you are looking for something unreliable"
"TASCAM - not compatible with existing formats"
"TASCAM - Worst Case Scenario"

[Ozpeter]

More detail from Jim Williams on his mod here - https://www.gearslutz.com/board/11321104-post23.html

[F.O.Bean]

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

What I really would want in this situation would be a right-angle USB A at the battery end and a left-angle Micro B at the recorder end.  Then it you wouldn't have to have that extra bend in the cable at the battery as shown in in your pictures - both cables would exit "up" if running in a bag.  Unfortunately, it doesn't look like anyone makes one, so what you found is probably the best solution. 

This company will do what I described as a custom job, but it's $50 for a 6-inch cable!!!
http://www.usbfirewire.com/usb_cables_a_to_micro-b_left_angled_a_to_left_angled_micro_b_62.html

Here are the best USB cables made for the 70D IMO!!! They take 2 weeks to get, but worth EVERY penny The Left-Angle are awesome

http://www.ebay.com/itm/381090437511?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=650404631055&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I've ordered them a few diifferent times and always got them in about 2 weeks since they're coming from China! And they're only 6" long. Absolutely perfect for the 70D. I also use them to charge my phone on the go!

[F.O.Bean]

Once I got a rock solid 64gb and 32gb sd card, my 70D has performed flawlessly. I have ALWAYS formatted before each use and every should as a rule of thumb. Every piece of gear has pros/cons, but Im LOVING my 70D so far. And the sound of the stock preamps REALLY amazes me. Easily on par with my vms02ib recordings IMO. I have run LOTS of comps at festies this summer and Phish, so you all can listen for yourself

But it definitely bums me out and makes me wonder if/when mine will shit on me after reading all of your posts I ALWAYS run an m10 backup from my vms now anyway, because the ONE day I didn't this summer, I used an extra new micro sd card I had never tried in the 70D before and my 70D recordings from that day were unsaveable, so I'll ALWAYS run an m10 backup. But I feel once my sd cards were solid and verified to work then I have had zero problems since!

[jbell]

I finally did some home testing with the DR70d using a 64gig PNY card.  Everything worked just fine and no issues.  I haven't had a chance to use it in the field. 

[audBall]

Tascam has recently added a "Tested Media List" to their downloads page with more updated info than what is listed on the specifications page:
http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/867/dr-70d_tested_media_list_r1_20150224.pdf


There is also an updated reference manual:
http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/867/e_dr-70d_rm_vb.pdf

Apologies if these were already discussed.

[voltronic]

Tascam has recently added a "Tested Media List" to their downloads page with more updated info than what is listed on the specifications page:
http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/867/dr-70d_tested_media_list_r1_20150224.pdf


There is also an updated reference manual:
http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/867/e_dr-70d_rm_vb.pdf

Apologies if these were already discussed.

Thanks - both going up on the FAQ.

[greenmtnsrider]

Tascam has recently added a "Tested Media List" to their downloads page with more updated info than what is listed on the specifications page:
http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/867/dr-70d_tested_media_list_r1_20150224.pdf


There is also an updated reference manual:
http://tascam.com/content/downloads/products/867/e_dr-70d_rm_vb.pdf

Apologies if these were already discussed.

I wonder why the Sandisk 64gb Ultra Plus card didn't make the cut? I've been using it without issue so far. Happy I didn't spring for a 128gb card yet...