Topic: TEAM Marantz PMD 660 (Part II)

[rockthing]

How does the file split work with this box? anybody know?  I have the opportunity to tape tonight with power in a super safe spot and an empty 4gig card.  I want to set up and start taping the opener and just let it go till the end of the show .  Probably something like 9pm-1am.  will this work?  Or will I run into trouble?

A day late and a dollar short, I am, but I usually don't record continuously. Set breaks and band change overs make convenient times to hit stop for a few minutes. If nothing else, hit the Rec button to start a new file. Some have said that trying to record just one massive file doesn't work so well. I can see why.

They only major failure I've ever had so far is hitting stop, and then immediately powering down. Big no-no. The data isn't really written to the card until a second or so after you hit stop. So, I lost that pull because I powered down before the data was committed to the card. Careful.

[vwmule]

I have already asked for help (http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,98155.0.html) in another part of this board but still looking for salvation.

Somehow a recording I made Saturday night did not register on the compact flash. All I get is a file with zero bytes. I really want this show. Anyone know what I can do? I'm going to try one of the recovery programs.

[Jammin72]

I have already asked for help (http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,98155.0.html) in another part of this board but still looking for salvation.

Somehow a recording I made Saturday night did not register on the compact flash. All I get is a file with zero bytes. I really want this show. Anyone know what I can do? I'm going to try one of the recovery programs.

It's quite possible that nothing was actually written.  I had that happen once,  I've also had the unit freeze control wise yet the levels were still bouncing but nothing recorded past the freeze point.


All of my problems stopped as soon as I switched to the Lexar Gold card.

Sorry to hear that!!

[vwmule]

It was certainly recording because the digital timer was ticking away. I use a Kingston pro card and have never had an issue. One potential problem. I used AC power during the earlier show, then popped in batteries for Col. Bruce. Could that have done something? If so, that's a huge flaw. Under almost any other circumstance I would get over this problem but the performance was extraordinary and I was the only one rolling.

I know one thing I'm going to do: Buy a few 2 gb flash cards and use them for single shows. That way I can switch out and reformat each time, to avoid any problem.

[newplanet7]

Lexar is the way to go.
I have a 2gb and a 1gb platinumII 80x.

[Corbin]

All of my problems stopped as soon as I switched to the Lexar Gold card.

same and same

[vwmule]

so I ran PC Inspector on the CompactFlash and it recovered several files, including the Bruce show. Great news, right? Not quite. It only gave me 15 megs worth, or the first minute and a half. Is there a better recovery program?

[newplanet7]

Hey all.
Ran my 391's~> Busman 660 for three consecutive nights of MMW.
Everything came out flawless.
I use external batteries http://www.bixnet.com/5v7libapa.html
and Lexar 2gb platinum cards.http://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Compact-Flash-2GB-80X/dp/B000FCYHUC
My recordings came out so nice too.
Love this box.

If yours is unmodded, do yourself a favor and get it done.
I ran the attentuation on the box as suggested.
I had my gain at around 10:30 all nights, so I had plenty left over.

[tfs8271]

I use external batteries http://www.bixnet.com/5v7libapa.html

Nice looking battery.... might go with this for more low profile.
Thanks

[newplanet7]

Yeah it works great.
I bought four e2 lithiums for the internal sled just in case.
Never touched them.

The battery will run for about 6 hours with phantom on
as well as the light on the screen.
I love it.

[intpseeker]

My batteries crapped out during the next to last song of the 2nd set last night. I assume that the header wasn't written and the data is lost, but it was a killer set and if anyone has ideas for recovery, I'd appreciate them.

Right now, there is no file listed. I have the first set and the last song of the night.

Thanks

[newplanet7]

You should get external batts.

You may want to pm shackaholic.
He lost his files during transfer from his 671 at my house.
He paid for a program to recover his files and it worked flawlessly.
Not sure if you want to pay for it but it worked.

and plus tee for your troubles.
-todd

[ol' dirty taper]

Hey guys

I am new to the Marantz PMD660, I havent gone through the forums to see if other had this issue yet... but I just picked up a slightly used PMD660 (its 3 months old).

The issue I am having is a slight static noise at all gain levels. I have tested whether it would disappear with attenuation off/on, AC power or battery powered. After all those options I have kind of run out of ideas. Would a computer nearby cause this effect at all? Even with the gain completely down I still get the low static.

I am powering the mic via the 48v phantom power. Does the system have a slight flaw I was unaware of?

I have seen mention of the Oade/Busman mods, these relate directly to this or did I buy a defunct unit?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

ok I tested several CF cards as I read in the other section of this thread that might be an issue, I've ran SanDisk, Kingston, Lexar, and A-Data. All have the same noise, could it be the cable or mic? I have been testing with an AT2021. Would being near a computer cause issues as well?

I want to try and remedy all that I can ASAP as I have to use this unit for a video shoot this weekend.

[intpseeker]

You should get external batts.

You may want to pm shackaholic.
He lost his files during transfer from his 671 at my house.
He paid for a program to recover his files and it worked flawlessly.
Not sure if you want to pay for it but it worked.

and plus tee for your troubles.
-todd

+T for the info about shackaholic. I'll pm and find out what the program is. I just ordered a Tekkeon because even though Doug Oade feels the 660 doesn't need an external. the only problems I've had have been battery related. That said, I am paying more attention to my management of rechargables. Have discherged/charged all of them in an effort to get max run time.

Also found that if I hadn't popped in new batteries and recorded the last song of the second set, I would have had a shot at recovering the bulk of that set that only needed a header. By powering up and hitting record, it appears I overwrote anything that was there.

[newplanet7]

AJ,
I have no clue what that is.
I know some people have had ticking in the right channel but.
that was remedied with a change to lexar cards.

Try posting the question in the ask the tapers thread
http://taperssection.com/index.php?board=23.0