Topic: TEAM Marantz PMD 660 (Part II)

[paullySC]

Has anyone tried to use a pmd 600 ACM to do any kind of interview work? I'm wondering how it would work in a quiet setting doing an interview. Probably not so good.

[Javier Cinakowski]

Has anyone tried to use a pmd 600 ACM to do any kind of interview work? I'm wondering how it would work in a quiet setting doing an interview. Probably not so good.

I think it would do just fine.  Plenty of gain on that box....

[tfs8271]

Has anyone tried to use a pmd 600 ACM to do any kind of interview work? I'm wondering how it would work in a quiet setting doing an interview. Probably not so good.

Don't run the pad.

It is fine.....I've taped work meetings and had a friend use mine for an interview. Usually, ever week, I see one on a podium after a football game, capturing. That is what they were designed for in the first place.

[Krispy D]

doesn't the ACM mod disable the built in mics?  That means without mics the 660 is useless for interview purposes after the mod right?

[tfs8271]

doesn't the ACM mod disable the built in mics?  That means without mics the 660 is useless for interview purposes after the mod right?

True.....my friend used a hand held mic and set the recorder to mono.

[NOLAfishwater]

Looks like Oade has replaced the ACM with the Songcatcher Mod.

Song Catcher
The Marantz PMD 660 Song Catcher upgrade is optimized for field recordings of both amplified and un amplified voice and music with condenser microphones. This MOD removes the internal mics and replaces the stock preamps with a low noise, high speed FET preamp selected by ear for musical and soundstaging properties. It also upgrades the line in signal path.

[Javier Cinakowski]

The Song Catcher is the ACM with the line-input left intact.  The switch for the line-input could cause some noise or saturations, so the ACM is slightly better sounding.  Not woth the extra cash to have the line-input removed IMO.  The original Oade ACM was a bipolar transistor amp and the Song Catcher/new ACM is a FET amp...  The FET is more musical, the bipolar is more detailed....

[rockthing]

A couple of things as I read the renewed thread.


1) Invest in a Lexar Card,  it's what Marantz sez to use and it's the only one they'll accept as being error free if you have issues with their unit and need to talk with tech support.  Since I made the switch from Sandisc.... 0 Problems!  There IS a difference in memory quality, don't drag down a serious investment like one of these recorders and a serious pair of mics by hunting for bargains on the recording medium.  It's no fun if you're worried about making it home with the show!

2) If you have a modded unit already I can't see any reason to run a preamp in front of it.  I can't speak for the Busman mods but if you have an ACM or you are sporting the new Song Catcher all I can say is that putting anything in front of it will only serve to close down the image. You may change the tone based on the box that's in front but at a price.  If it's tone you're after have fun in your favorite DAW in post!  The Oade modded units with the pad can handle up to a +4dB signal so can handle a preamp in front or even a soundboard if you're so inclined.

3) Remember that the "AA" Batteries are hot swappable in these boxes.  With rechargeables reaching such a high capacity and coming down in price AND having the ability to charger from a 12V supply you can run all day with 16 with only one trip or two back to the ride for festivals.


Have fun guys, it's a great little all in one package!!

:-) Nice summary of the continuing thread.


Thanks.
:-)

[vwmule]

I've had my Oade warm mod 660 for a few weeks and have run it two or three times. It's a great unit, but I'm wondering if I need to engage the pad. Last night, for example, I had the gain all the way up to record the Heavy Pets in Tallahassee. Granted the stage levels were low but in other shows I've really had to crank.

Is the pad vital? Wouldn't it be better to run without so much gain?

[dennisrtyler]

Doug says to always run the pad on the 660

[Krispy D]

Doug says to always run the pad on the 660

  Hmm, I have never run the pad...  Anyone know why he says to do this?

[bobbygeeWOW]

The reason doug says that is so you can have the gain up, say 2 o'clock, during louder shows rather than rolling it way back to the AM range.
Its a -20db pad, so the decision to engage it or not depends on how loud you think it will be.
I find that for most of the stuff I record I won't have enough gain with the pad on, but YMMV.. generally speaking the gauge I use is if I have to yell over the music to communicate, the pad is needed..

[intpseeker]

Yup. What he said.

I always run the pad ('cause Doug told me to) unless its acoustic. When I have decided to not go with it, there are always a handful of moments when it clips badly, while the rest of the show runs right where you want it to.

With the pad, I might add a little gain in post, but most of the time its good the way it was recorded.

[tfs8271]

if I have to yell over the music to communicate

Please no talking during the music.

When I have decided to not go with it, there are always a handful of moments when it clips badly, while the rest of the show runs right where you want it to.

With the pad, I might add a little gain in post, but most of the time its good the way it was recorded.

Best advise, from my 50+ shows recorded with the 660.

[intpseeker]

I got that clicking with a PNY card (recommended) Friday night. Gain was set low, but it seems that once I increased the gain, it stopped . Maybe coincidence.

I've used the card a lot and it only lasted about a minute when I first began recording. I was able to cut it out in post.

Hmm? I never considered the card.