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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: Gutbucket on April 04, 2012, 10:19:01 PM

Title: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on April 04, 2012, 10:19:01 PM
This is a continuation of the original DR2d thread. (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=131126.0)


Question: Tascam has released another generation of handheld recorders since the DR2d, yet none of them feature 4 channel recording of 2 external stereo inputs like the DR2d.  When will we see this feature on another handheld?  Think we'll ever see more than 4?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: bgalizio on April 05, 2012, 04:04:59 AM
Checking in.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: capnhook on April 05, 2012, 08:37:21 AM
in
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achalsey on April 06, 2012, 12:27:03 AM
Alright!  First time running it tonight.  Seems to be a success, but wondering now about post production and delay issues.  Probably could be its own post rather than this but oh well.

So, do I need to do anything to the "two" separate tracks to deal with any delay from two tracks coming straight from the board feed and the other two from mics about 15' from the PA?

It seems to sound alright, but can't tell if I'm being overly judgmental expecting phasing issues or if its just a bad sounding room and this is how its going to sound.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Will_S on April 06, 2012, 01:42:13 AM
15' is on the edge of where you need to re-sync things in post.  Fortunately there is no clock drift to deal with, you just need to sync things once.

Best thing to do is pick out some easily identifiable feature of the waveform and determine the exact time it occurs for each source, then pad the beginning of the board track or snip the beginning of the aud track to bring them back in sync.  If you can't get it perfect, I prefer to err on the side of the aud being a bit behind the board.

As a starting point, I'd expect the aud should be about 0.013 seconds behind the board.  "About" because I'm not sure how precise the 15' figure is, because there MIGHT have been some delay on the board output, and because the speed of sound will vary slightly depending on local air conditions.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: drivingwheel on April 06, 2012, 01:46:43 AM
Joining in - freaking LOVE my Dr-2d
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achalsey on April 06, 2012, 02:34:26 AM
15' is on the edge of where you need to re-sync things in post.  Fortunately there is no clock drift to deal with, you just need to sync things once.

Best thing to do is pick out some easily identifiable feature of the waveform and determine the exact time it occurs for each source, then pad the beginning of the board track or snip the beginning of the aud track to bring them back in sync.  If you can't get it perfect, I prefer to err on the side of the aud being a bit behind the board.

As a starting point, I'd expect the aud should be about 0.013 seconds behind the board.  "About" because I'm not sure how precise the 15' figure is, because there MIGHT have been some delay on the board output, and because the speed of sound will vary slightly depending on local air conditions.

Okay, thanks.  Its probably more like 20'.  Looking at it I think the delay was closer .02 seconds.  Was a very wet, rainy, humid night, not sure how much that effects speed of sound.  Also at ~2100 feet.  Never imagined I'd be considering the physics of sound based on weather conditions and geographical location.   :P

Just looked it up, so you just divide the distance between the PA and your mics by the speed of sound (1115 ft/s) to get a rough estimate of drift then?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: George on April 06, 2012, 09:50:09 AM
Okay so I've been reading part 1 and came to a point where it sounds like you cannot change the line in recording volume on the fly, but you can change the mic in volume on the fly?  Is this correct? 
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Drgiggles1 on April 06, 2012, 10:37:37 AM
Okay so I've been reading part 1 and came to a point where it sounds like you cannot change the line in recording volume on the fly, but you can change the mic in volume on the fly?  Is this correct?
On the preamp you can.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Todd R on April 06, 2012, 11:18:34 AM
Checking in, hopefully not checking out.

I just got a Sony M10 delivered last night, probably will be getting a whole lot less use on the DR2d now.

Unfortunately, came away with a couple bad recordings with the DR2d lately.  First time was an issue with an attenuator cable I made to use with the DR2d. I should know better -- something I whipped up last minute to get me through that I never built again correctly or replaced (a kluge of lots of resistors in series and parallel that were all the values I had to work with, wrapped up in electrical tape).  Worked fine for several shows, but then got moved around in my bag and shorted, screwing up the recording.

Next, just most recently at a GBA show, I was getting everything going and it seemed like I'd lower my levels on the littlebox preamp but the meters never showed the levels going down. (I had line-in from my V3 on another set of mics, and mc950>LB> mic-in for the other channels, no attenuator cable since it was toast).  I assumed this was due to overload, so started pulling cables at the show and trying to figure out how to rearrange things, then decided I didn't want to also screw up the Milab>V3>D50 recording, so I gave up and put everything back together on the DR2d.  After all that, I don't hear any distortion/overloading, but I don't know what the deal was with the levels and metering.

Oh well, in both instances I still had perfect recordings from my Milabs>V3>D50, so no huge harm.

I still think the DR2d is a nice little recorder for 4ch work, but especially if you want to use it for 4ch, a quality set of attenuators is a must IME.  For 2ch work, line-in from an external preamp with a +6dbu max input isn't too hard to manage, just keep your external preamp turned down a bit.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: George on April 06, 2012, 11:46:17 AM
Okay so I've been reading part 1 and came to a point where it sounds like you cannot change the line in recording volume on the fly, but you can change the mic in volume on the fly?  Is this correct?
On the preamp you can.

Yeah, unfortunately that involves flicking the gain switch.  Hmm, sounds like I got some testing to do!   :D
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on April 06, 2012, 12:23:24 PM
Just looked it up, so you just divide the distance between the PA and your mics by the speed of sound (1115 ft/s) to get a rough estimate of drift then?

Simple rule of thumb is 1' ~= 1ms.

In the DAW I visually align two transients as close as possible, set the DAW's timeline 'nudge' value to 1ms, and then nudge one set of files forward or backwards in time while listening for best result.

I keep meaning to make or get some attenuators, but haven't had overload problems.  However with this deck I'm almost always using two CA-UGLYs for 4 channel mic recording, or SBD > Line-in.  I haven't run the V3 into the DR2d as I always use that into other decks.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Todd R on April 06, 2012, 12:48:20 PM
Yes, my issue is that I run mics>V3>D50(digital in) for my main 2ch recording.  I want that as my "main" recording, and I want to set my levels for that with no compromises.

Then take the analog out of the V3 and have a secondary mic pair going mics>littlebox pre> DR2d.  The V3 will put out as much as +19dbu, so even sent into the DR2d line inputs, I need -13db attenuators.  Then that leaves me sending the mics>LB into the mic input, which again can be pretty easy to overload.

For my uses and application, at least one pair and probably 2 pairs of attenuators are needed.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on April 06, 2012, 08:22:08 PM
I understand that completely.  l'm typically just running the digital out from the V3 into another deck for "main" mics these days.  When I used to run the same analog out into an R09 (without attenuators) I had to turn the gain down pretty low on the V3 to keep from overloading the Edirol.  Sounded fine though and I never got around to making the appropriate attenuators.. but if I ever wanted to use one of these small analog-in decks as a backup while also recording the digital out, I'd definitely need the atten's.

Most of what I'm recording with the DR2d is lower SPL material, where audience applause is often the highest peaks, so even with the relatively sensitive 4060s I need somewhere around 5-10dB of gain on both UGLYs to be in the sweet zone with the DR2d input gains at 100/67.  Whenever I plug into a SBD (~10 times or so) I wonder if I'll overload the line in, but it hasn't happend yet.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 07, 2012, 04:24:47 AM
checking in
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: BobbyHurley on April 07, 2012, 09:57:26 AM
The other night I ran AKG 481 (ceiling mounts, 25' split @ stacks) > Oade m248 > Tascam DR-2d (line-in)

First time in a long, long time I'd run the m248 without the mod-SBM-1. Input level on the DR-2d was pre-set at 95%, and I had to adjust the knobs on the m248 for a bit before both channels were even and hitting the spot.

Check it out:  http://archive.org/details/54Bicycles2012-03-29.akg481.flac16 (http://archive.org/details/54Bicycles2012-03-29.akg481.flac16)

Thoughts and comments appreciated.

The DR-2d I was running was still on the ver 1.0 firmware, but I have since updated to ver 1.3. I did have to swap out a pair of AA alkalines between sets, as it dropped to 1/3 by the end of the 1st set. Hoping the firmware upgrade helps with this.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achalsey on April 07, 2012, 04:33:55 PM

The DR-2d I was running was still on the ver 1.0 firmware, but I have since updated to ver 1.3. I did have to swap out a pair of AA alkalines between sets, as it dropped to 1/3 by the end of the 1st set. Hoping the firmware upgrade helps with this.

I ran mine for the first time on wednesday with the v. 1.3 firmware on freshly charged enloop rechargeables and hadn't dropped a bar after almost 3 hours.

Sounds great though.  Hopefully its a step up from the JB3.   :)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: ScoobieKW on April 07, 2012, 04:49:44 PM
First 4 track torrent with the DR-2d
http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=554084 (http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=554084)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 07, 2012, 06:42:25 PM
Cant wait to run a DAUD Matrix with mine. I WAS going to run it Thursday night for Dopapod and go mk41>sax>LINE-IN & Busman BSCS-L>LB>MIC-IN but tonedeaf needed the 2 AA's I had for the DR2D, and so I didnt get to run it, yet again :P ;D 8)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jbell on April 07, 2012, 06:47:32 PM
Here is my first 4 channel with the DR-2d! 

http://archive.org/details/bc2012-03-10.bc2012-03-10
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 07, 2012, 07:45:55 PM
Here is my first 4 channel with the DR-2d! 

http://archive.org/details/bc2012-03-10.bc2012-03-10

Sounds great John :)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on April 07, 2012, 11:09:26 PM
Bean, if you don't run that thing sometime in the next month, you're off the team!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on April 09, 2012, 10:53:18 PM
Thoughts and comments appreciated.

Dig the wide split.  This is why the kind of taping we often do (recording music where a large percentage of the sound arrives through a PA) is often a completely different thing than 'standard' recording techniques found in books and taught in audio engineering.  All standard techniques evolved from either large scale classical recording or small scale studio mic'ing techniques.   Nowhere in the 'standard' recording world is there an instrument which emits highly correlated sound through two very widely spaced speakers.   The PA is a freak in the standard recording world, just as stereo reproduction is a freak of the natural sound world.  Both, stereo especially, are contrived from the start to exploit human hearing tricks.  Sometimes standard techniques apply nicely, but when you have widely spaced twin mono (mostly) sources, techniques no classical or studio engineer would normally even consider can work well.  You'll never read about that in any standard book on recording, only between the lines.

Somewhat amazingly really, this 25' split is predominantly mid channel (mono) information, due to the moslty mono PA mix and presumably symetrical mic to stack placement on each side, but there is clear and distinct panning of the effects, jangly percussion stuff and anything else mixed in stereo through the PA.  At the same time the room ambience and crowd reaction is highly decorellated by the spit so that portion is wide and ambient sounding. The result is sort of like a SBD/AUD matrix without any matrixing.. 'matrixed in air'.

Nice job Bob.. and thanks for the chance to blather on that one lurking in the back of my head for years now.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: George on April 10, 2012, 01:47:24 PM
Here is my first 4 channel with the DR-2d! 

http://archive.org/details/bc2012-03-10.bc2012-03-10

Sounds great John :)

Really digging this, great work!!!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: BobbyHurley on April 11, 2012, 10:00:06 AM
Thanks for the insightful review, gutbucket.

You are correct. The mics are mounted in AT 8410 mounts which are each screwed into upside down clamps that are mounted on a single steel beam running parallel to the stage/PA stacks. Each microphone is pointed directly at the middle of each stack and is approximately 8' from the PA speaker.

Many thanks to Todd Trego for installing these clamps and running cable up and across the ceiling to the far side of the stage.  Unless you point them out, the mics are invisible.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: stevetoney on April 11, 2012, 11:45:49 AM

It seems to sound alright, but can't tell if I'm being overly judgmental expecting phasing issues or if its just a bad sounding room and this is how its going to sound.

I know i'm a bit late responding but I read the followup responses and I think they're all overly analytical.  That's strange to say since i'm an engineer but what I'd do if I were you is just load  both pairs of tracks onto my software and then just use drum beats to make sure your tracks are time synched exactly.  If you can't do it visually by lining the beats up s so that they occur simultaneously, then do it sonically by sliding one of the tracks relative to the other by one ma at a time and them playing all of the tracks together.  When you hear the least reverb, you have the best synch.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: BobbyHurley on April 11, 2012, 03:58:46 PM
So, before updating the firmware, I was able to get approx 2.5 hrs of recording time on a pair of alkaline batteries before it had dropped to 1 of 3 bars.

With the 1.3 update, I just got 2.5 hrs of recording using the unit's internal mics plus another 45 mins of playback on a pair of Powerex rechargeables without losing a single bar on the power meter.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on April 11, 2012, 04:37:27 PM
That sounds right.  And much better.  ;)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: nigelsh on April 20, 2012, 01:45:06 PM
I've read a number of posts that seem to suggest sending a soundboard feed to MIC IN and then connecting mics, via a pre-amp or battery box, to LINE IN for a 4ch recording. Can someone explain why you'd do it that way? Since the GAIN setting affects the MIC IN, what do you set it to for a board feed?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: darby on April 20, 2012, 05:03:29 PM
I've read a number of posts that seem to suggest sending a soundboard feed to MIC IN and then connecting mics, via a pre-amp or battery box, to LINE IN for a 4ch recording. Can someone explain why you'd do it that way? Since the GAIN setting affects the MIC IN, what do you set it to for a board feed?

you can control the input level of MIC IN on the DR-2d while recording... usually set around 65 to 67
but do a soundcheck first if possible with the soundman
you cannot control the input level of LINE IN, so that's why you use a preamp
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Will_S on April 20, 2012, 05:07:17 PM
I've read a number of posts that seem to suggest sending a soundboard feed to MIC IN and then connecting mics, via a pre-amp or battery box, to LINE IN for a 4ch recording. Can someone explain why you'd do it that way? Since the GAIN setting affects the MIC IN, what do you set it to for a board feed?

you can control the input level of MIC IN on the DR-2d while recording... usually set around 65 to 67
but do a soundcheck first if possible with the soundman
you cannot control the input level of LINE IN, so that's why you use a preamp

Except that you really can't usefully control the input on mic-in with a soundboard level feed either, since you will clip if the signal is too hot at 67 regardless of what the meters show when you turn it down further.  Beats me why people insist on running soundboards into the mic in just to get an illusion of control.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: darby on April 20, 2012, 05:35:58 PM
dude won't you just give up trolling me
I have had no problems using my DR-2d so please move along
I've read a number of posts that seem to suggest sending a soundboard feed to MIC IN and then connecting mics, via a pre-amp or battery box, to LINE IN for a 4ch recording. Can someone explain why you'd do it that way? Since the GAIN setting affects the MIC IN, what do you set it to for a board feed?

you can control the input level of MIC IN on the DR-2d while recording... usually set around 65 to 67
but do a soundcheck first if possible with the soundman
you cannot control the input level of LINE IN, so that's why you use a preamp

Except that you really can't usefully control the input on mic-in with a soundboard level feed either, since you will clip if the signal is too hot at 67 regardless of what the meters show when you turn it down further.  Beats me why people insist on running soundboards into the mic in just to get an illusion of control.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jbell on April 20, 2012, 06:04:43 PM
I've run SBD mic in without any problems!!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Todd R on April 20, 2012, 06:32:57 PM
I've run SBD mic in without any problems!!

I haven't tried a soundboard in, so I can't comment on how well it would work.  I'd almost definitely use an attenuator between the board and the DR2d.  That way I could control the input level, and do so in practice due to the attenuator -- give a range of 65-100, not just set it and hope.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: darby on April 20, 2012, 06:50:48 PM
I've run SBD mic in without any problems!!

I haven't tried a soundboard in, so I can't comment on how well it would work.  I'd almost definitely use an attenuator between the board and the DR2d.  That way I could control the input level, and do so in practice due to the attenuator -- give a range of 65-100, not just set it and hope.

I have for the past year and never had any problems except once when the SBD had a bad channel
and that was fixed by tossing that channel when post processing and duplicating the other channel
I just must have the benefit of having FOH guys who work with me beforehand... so there is no illusion of control for me  :lol:
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Will_S on April 20, 2012, 07:01:29 PM
I've run SBD mic in without any problems!!

I haven't tried a soundboard in, so I can't comment on how well it would work.  I'd almost definitely use an attenuator between the board and the DR2d.  That way I could control the input level, and do so in practice due to the attenuator -- give a range of 65-100, not just set it and hope.

I have for the past year and never had any problems except once when the SBD had a bad channel
and that was fixed by tossing that channel when post processing and duplicating the other channel
I just must have the benefit of having FOH guys who work with me beforehand... so there is no illusion of control for me  :lol:

Get over yourself dude.  Todd is right ... IF you run an attenuator in front, you can usefully change the levels on the fly while recording SBD > mic in, so long as you don't need go below 67 or so to avoid clipping.  So with a (sufficient) attenuator, 67-100 is potentially useful if you want to adjust levels during the music.  Without an attenuator, you might be able to take a weak feed up to 70 something, but otherwise the level controls aren't doing you much good, and with a hot enough feed you will run into unavoidable overload sooner than you would with line in.

Since the poster asking about SBD>mic in made no mention of an attenuator, I just wanted him(?) to realize that the mic in wasn't giving him as much control as he might think.

Sorry you think explaining how the DR2D works to a new user is somehow trolling you.  I can honestly say I had no idea if we've discussed this in the past - I know I've brought it up before, I know some disagreed, but it never registered who.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: darby on April 20, 2012, 07:35:13 PM
why is it you can't carry on a discussion without ridiculing my posts? plus you seem to chime in minutes after I do
what works for you works for you, but my points are also valid... GET OVER YOURSELF

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Todd R on April 20, 2012, 08:00:33 PM
I've run SBD mic in without any problems!!

I haven't tried a soundboard in, so I can't comment on how well it would work.  I'd almost definitely use an attenuator between the board and the DR2d.  That way I could control the input level, and do so in practice due to the attenuator -- give a range of 65-100, not just set it and hope.

I have for the past year and never had any problems except once when the SBD had a bad channel
and that was fixed by tossing that channel when post processing and duplicating the other channel
I just must have the benefit of having FOH guys who work with me beforehand... so there is no illusion of control for me  :lol:

I don't want to get in the middle of someone else's pissing match, so please keep me out of it.

I'm just saying what I would do, and what I think is good practice. 

To run 4 channels into this recorder, 2 from an external mic preamp, and 2 from a soundboard, you will be running 2 sets of line level inputs into a recorder that only has 1 line level input and one mic level input.

The DR2d's mic level input can only take a -16 dbV input.  The nominal line level for consumer gear is -10 dbV and the nominal line level out for professional gear is +4 dbu. A soundboard is likely in the latter category, so a nominal output level of +4 dbu.

I think the person asking the original question should know this, thus my point of posting. If running without an attenuator is working for you, that's great. I'm just saying I wouldn't do it, and frankly, I wouldn't recommend it. But people can run their gear however they want, I just think itis useful to know some of the issues to consider.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Will_S on April 20, 2012, 09:18:47 PM
Since the GAIN setting affects the MIC IN, what do you set it to for a board feed?

Just realized no one answered this directly... LOW.  Be aware that if you have the gain set to low, and the recording level has to be set below 67 on the mic in, your recording will be clipped even if the levels look ok on the meters.  Minor clipping might not be too audible, but if you have to run <67 it would be best to use an attenuator, or switch to the line input if you can run your mic preamp with a low enough output such that they do not overload the mic-in, low, 67.

Edit to add:  A really hot board feed could overload even the line in, and on the line in you can clip without the meters showing it if you have to drop below the mid 90s.  So it's probably worth having an attenuator in your bag regardless.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jbell on April 21, 2012, 10:37:24 AM
Here is a 4 channel I did a few weekends ago!!  I ran Aud line in at 95 and SBD mic in 67.  I used an Attenuator cable on the mic in for the first set and didn't use it for the 2nd set since the SBD wasn't sending a hot signal.  I also didn't realize it would be okay to turn the mic in up past 67 while using the attenuator cable.  Most places I would have sound board access I can ask to have it turned down, but I will probably use an attenuator cable most of the time just to be safe.

http://archive.org/details/gsbg2012-03-31.gsbg2012-03-31
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: nigelsh on April 22, 2012, 04:36:40 PM
Thanks to those of you who answered my questions. I've only just got my DR-2d and have previously used a Zoom H2 (line in) when I received board feeds. I've never used an attenuator cable before.  I assume that the attenuator is recommended to avoid overloading the MIC IN with a signal that would otherwise be too loud (because MIC IN is more sensitive than LINE IN) - correct?

Todd I appreciate your info about dbV & dbu, although I don't understand it!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: genesisoh on April 26, 2012, 01:22:50 PM
Late , but checking in as well (I have a busy day job!)  Really enjoying parts of this discussion.  I plan on using two sets of mics with the DR-2D, one card one omni (both Church :-)  There is some GREAT information in part one of this thread that I actually cut and pasted portions of into a separate document (for future reference).

If I am recording in 24/48 and the source (concert) is extremely loud and I turn down the settings to 90 using LINE IN or 60 for MIC IN, will clipping still occur?  There are shows I go to sometimes where I am not certain I will  be able to check the settings in real time, so wanted to set them low enough so that clipping would be avoided (and can bring up in post).  Thanks!

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Drgiggles1 on April 26, 2012, 06:18:10 PM
Late , but checking in as well (I have a busy day job!)  Really enjoying parts of this discussion.  I plan on using two sets of mics with the DR-2D, one card one omni (both Church :-)  There is some GREAT information in part one of this thread that I actually cut and pasted portions of into a separate document (for future reference).

If I am recording in 24/48 and the source (concert) is extremely loud and I turn down the settings to 90 using LINE IN or 60 for MIC IN, will clipping still occur?  There are shows I go to sometimes where I am not certain I will  be able to check the settings in real time, so wanted to set them low enough so that clipping would be avoided (and can bring up in post).  Thanks!
As long as the sensitivity level is set to low you should be fine. The problem can occur in mid or high sensitivity settings even though the levels on the recording seem fine. I ran 2 cards / 2 omni's (CHURCH) from 16th row center for VH and I had the cards>BB>micin and omni's> ca9100 pre>line in with levels on both ports @ 100 with the pre @ 3 o'clock and peaked @ -6dB on both wav files.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Ziggz on April 28, 2012, 06:38:47 PM
Used mine for the first time last night and got some sort of write error using a class 10 16GB Kingston "Ultimate X" card during the opening set. However it ran fine for the 95min main set. I will try another card and see if it happens again, maybe a class 4 16BG Kingston? The tested media list on their site is from last June.

Other than that it seems ok, the line levels were near flatline though - acoustic gig, with input set to low. Mic in was marginally louder. Will try mid next week, another acoustic gig.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Will_S on April 29, 2012, 09:29:50 AM
the line levels were near flatline though

What source did you have connected to the line-in and via what sort of cabling?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Ziggz on April 29, 2012, 04:23:48 PM
the line levels were near flatline though

What source did you have connected to the line-in and via what sort of cabling?

Line-in was unmodded AT853 omnis into a SB-10 battery box, mic-in was 853 cards w/4.7k mod into SB-11.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on May 28, 2012, 08:14:48 AM
Hello !

I'm sorry but it's hard for me the read the previous 29 pages about the Dr2D, because english is not my language, and even more because I'm totally new in taping so it's almost all "chinese" for me !
I just have a 1st question : what are you talkingk about a 4 tracks recorder at the beginning of the 1st thread for dr2d ? I understand how to record 2 tracks, one with mic in the other with line in, or one with mic in and the same at lower level, but dual recording with a 2nd lower level track is not possible when mic and line are plugged together ... I guess .. is it ???
i've just bought the dr2d, and haven't yet recorder anything, but I'm making some tests at home to see battery life, SD card compatibility, I've upgraded the firmware , thanx for the previous advices ( yes I've read a few anyway lol )  !  I'm still a few lost with the level ctrl;, gain ctrl, input signal ... i'm not sure I won't make a very low recording for my 1st tape with all tose "limiters" lol !
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achalsey on May 28, 2012, 12:33:20 PM
dual recording with a 2nd lower level track is not possible when mic and line are plugged together ... I guess .. is it ???

They aren't mono (one track) inputs.  Both inputs (mic and line) are stereo inputs so that means they record two tracks each.  Your mic in records two tracks and your line in records two tracks, so (obviously) that makes up your 4 tracks.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on May 28, 2012, 05:12:07 PM
The setting for recording two stereo tracks at once (which is 4 channels total) consisting of inputs into both the line-input jack and the mic-input jack is called Dual_Line mode.  Look for that term in the user manual.  It's pretty clear about it.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achalsey on June 02, 2012, 12:12:04 PM
Has anyone tried using a USB 5v battery box for these yet?

Edit:  Nevermind.  Just checked Ted's list, looks like it works?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achalsey on June 03, 2012, 02:15:45 PM
Stupid thing died on me last night, lost the last 30 minutes of a great set.  Couldn't even make it 4 hours on lightly used fully charged rechargeables.  Recorded two one hour sets and only dropped a bar of battery.  Thought I'd be good to record the last set that was going to be about an hour and a half so didn't change the batteries (dumb user error).  Checked it at encore break and it was off.  Dead.  Was not a happy camper leaving the venue last night.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jbell on June 03, 2012, 02:28:33 PM
That sucks!!  The external battery back should eliminate that problem. 

Stupid thing died on me last night, lost the last 30 minutes of a great set.  Couldn't even make it 4 hours on lightly used fully charged rechargeables.  Recorded two one hour sets and only dropped a bar of battery.  Thought I'd be good to record the last set that was going to be about an hour and a half so didn't change the batteries (dumb user error).  Checked it at encore break and it was off.  Dead.  Was not a happy camper leaving the venue last night.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on June 03, 2012, 07:28:23 PM
Has anyone tried using a USB 5v battery box for these yet?

Edit:  Nevermind.  Just checked Ted's list, looks like it works?

Works. Was my standard config back before the firmware update. After the update, NiMH Imeions give me ~5+ hrs so the only time I do that now is for powering a 2nd fest rig all weekend.

Stupid thing died on me last night..
Possible it was set for alkaline instead of NiMH? That would cause it to shut down early.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achalsey on June 03, 2012, 07:40:14 PM
Has anyone tried using a USB 5v battery box for these yet?

Edit:  Nevermind.  Just checked Ted's list, looks like it works?

Works. Was my standard config back before the firmware update. After the update, NiMH Imeions give me ~5+ hrs so the only time I do that now is for powering a 2nd fest rig all weekend.

Stupid thing died on me last night..
Possible it was set for alkaline instead of NiMH? That would cause it to shut down early.

Good to know.  Will be running the battery box from now on just to be on the safe side.

The battery setting was set to NiMH.  Could be the pair of batteries are just already started to go.  Got about 3 and half hours running 4 channels 24/48.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: aleal5687 on June 03, 2012, 08:59:25 PM
how about this in the YS?

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=156031.0

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achalsey on June 03, 2012, 10:10:55 PM
how about this in the YS?

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=156031.0

Would work great for the DR-2d, but I already have a battery box, just didn't have the right cable.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: easyed on June 10, 2012, 02:11:53 PM
Apologies if this has been covered in the DR2D threads - I did try searching thru them.

The DR2D lets you set what kind of batteries you are using as either akaline or NiMH.

If I'm using Lithium batteries what setting do I use?  (Energizer Advanced Lithium or Energizer Ultimate Lithium)

I plan to get some rechargeables (Maha Imedion 2400mAh AA Low Discharge Batteries from http://www.thomasdistributing.com) those are NiMH so I'll know what to do with those.

Thanks for your help.

BTW I got the DR2D new from an authorized dealer (TMS Audio) on eBay for $106 including shipping.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Sebastian on June 10, 2012, 02:41:29 PM
The DR2D lets you set what kind of batteries you are using as either akaline or NiMH.

If I'm using Lithium batteries what setting do I use?  (Energizer Advanced Lithium or Energizer Ultimate Lithium)

BTW I got the DR2D new from an authorized dealer (TMS Audio) on eBay for $106 including shipping.

Congrats on the great price!

As for the batteries, I'd set it to alkaline for everything that is not a NiMH rechargeable.
Title: AC adapter for Tascam DR2d
Post by: mysticeyes on June 18, 2012, 12:03:22 PM
Has anyone tried this third-party AC adapter?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-Adapter-For-Tascam-DP-008-DP-004-PS-P520-Recorder-Power-Supply-Cord-PSU-New-/270935110694?pt=US_Power_Cables_Connectors&hash=item3f14fdb426

Quite a bit cheaper than Tascam's. Will it start a house fire?  :)
Title: Re: AC adapter for Tascam DR2d
Post by: stevetoney on June 18, 2012, 12:24:39 PM
Has anyone tried this third-party AC adapter?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-Adapter-For-Tascam-DP-008-DP-004-PS-P520-Recorder-Power-Supply-Cord-PSU-New-/270935110694?pt=US_Power_Cables_Connectors&hash=item3f14fdb426

Quite a bit cheaper than Tascam's. Will it start a house fire?  :)

I'm not sure if this adapter will work because the tip size isn't specified in the ebay listing, but you might already have an adapter at home that works for you.  Over the years, I've collected used discarded wall-warts in one place in my house, so I have quite a collection to draw from.  If I need a replacement, the first thing I do is go to the wall-wart graveyard and see if I can salvage something with the right voltage and tip size.

Manufacturers instill fear of death in people about using the prescribed wall-wart, but it's not necessary to use theirs, especially since they charge ridiculous amounts.  If you verify that the voltage, polarity and tip size are consistent with your device, there's no reason you wouldn't be able to use a third party adapter.

If I don't have the right tip size, but the right voltage, I've even gone down to Radio Shack and bought a replacement tip and chopped the cable, but you should have some basic soldering  skills before attempting to do that.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: dallman on June 18, 2012, 02:04:10 PM
According to Tascam's site, the PS 520 does power the Dr 2d, so this unit should be ok. The specks for this deck per: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=150794.0 (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=150794.0) are: Tascam DR-2D / 5v/ Size B, 4.00mm OD × 1.70mm ID / Center pin (+)  Ring (-) / Normal Polarity
Title: Re: AC adapter for Tascam DR2d
Post by: dogmusic on June 22, 2012, 01:38:01 PM
Has anyone tried this third-party AC adapter?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-Adapter-For-Tascam-DP-008-DP-004-PS-P520-Recorder-Power-Supply-Cord-PSU-New-/270935110694?pt=US_Power_Cables_Connectors&hash=item3f14fdb426

Quite a bit cheaper than Tascam's. Will it start a house fire?  :)

Don't know about that one, but this has worked for me:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/AC-Adapter-Power-Tascam-PS-P520-DR-1-GT-R1-DR-100-/350571033264?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519fa972b0
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on August 01, 2012, 08:49:44 AM
Hi all

Ok now I've made 2 recordings with dr2d . My first one was not good but only due to microphone orientation . But the second one has an horrible saturation that I don't really understand . Maybe I should have not used the LMT option ... can someone tell me what it could come from, what should I change for next time ? because it's saturated but  with a low volume level .... i'm very newbie , thanx in advance !!

http://soundcloud.com/julien-kurtzemann/aubertpornichet
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: ScoobieKW on August 01, 2012, 10:25:30 AM
Hi all

Ok now I've made 2 recordings with dr2d . My first one was not good but only due to microphone orientation . But the second one has an horrible saturation that I don't really understand . Maybe I should have not used the LMT option ... can someone tell me what it could come from, what should I change for next time ? because it's saturated but  with a low volume level .... i'm very newbie , thanx in advance !!

http://soundcloud.com/julien-kurtzemann/aubertpornichet

We need much more information.

Internal Mics or External
If External which mics?
Battery Box or Preamp?
Location of mics?
Input settings on recorder?
Type of music?

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on August 02, 2012, 03:01:59 PM
external sp-cmc-4u with bbox on mic in, gain MID , input something like 40 .... LMT function, I think it's why I've thought that i did not reach the peak levels, this LMT function stopped the level bars but nothing else ??
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: danny3 on August 02, 2012, 03:17:04 PM
If you haven’t done so, I highly recommend reading through the Dr-2d threads...
As you seem to realize, using the LMT function isn’t a good idea.
And as stated in previous posts, unless what you are recording is very soft, the input level should be set to LOW, and 67 seems to be the agreed upon setting.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on August 02, 2012, 03:40:53 PM
Turn off LMT.

Set gain to Low.

Do not use mic-input settings of less than ~65.  If you need to turn the input level down more than that to prevent the clip peak light from turning on, the recording will be distorted.  Any settings higher than 65 will work OK.  Settings lower will distort.

If you find that you must set the mic-input level lower than 65 to prevent the clip peak light from turning on, switch to the line-input jack and use a line-input setting of ~93 to 100.  Try to keep it at 95 or above.  Lower input settings will distort.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on August 02, 2012, 03:43:36 PM
ok .. I read a few but english is not my 1st langauge so it's hard  to read and understand all ! I had read something about 67 but didn't notices the LOW thing .... and was it good to plug on mic in, maybe lin ein would have been more secured ? I wanted to make a dual recording with a lower " secured" recording lol that's why I plug on mic in ... but both are very saturated .
thanx for your answers ! I will set on LOW on Coldplay .
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on August 02, 2012, 06:14:49 PM
The only way to use the dual recording feature is with the recorder set to mic-input in the record menu. 

If you find you need to set the mic-input lower than 65, then use the line-input jack set at 95 and forget about the dual recording feature.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: drivingwheel on August 22, 2012, 01:45:56 PM
here's a 24-bit 4-track recording I did with the Dr-2d :

http://archive.org/details/dw2011-12-10.Columbia.matrix.24bit
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on August 31, 2012, 06:43:20 AM
thanx for all advices and "keys" numbers :)  !!
reading the manual, it said the LMT function was to be sure to have a sound not distorded so I used it :(

Anyway has this function to be put on "off" or on " auto gain control" ??
Is it worth to use the low cut filter ? what does this bring exactly ? as for my bbox , I don't really understand the roll-off control lol ....

An other thing : do you think it could be a good idea to use a double jack stereo, I mean 1 input female and 2 output male, to plug my microphone in the female, and to plug the 2 male in line in and mic in, and then to make a dual recording ? so that I could input 95 for line in as a secure recording, and try to record with mic in playing with the input level ? Because I don't want to have to miss 1 of the song to find the best rendering !
Is it a good idea to duplicate the output of my microphone like this ?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on August 31, 2012, 09:30:11 AM
reading the manual, it said the LMT function was to be sure to have a sound not distorded so I used it :(

Anyway has this function to be put on "off" or on " auto gain control" ??

Turn LMT (limiter) off.

Quote
Is it worth to use the low cut filter ? what does this bring exactly ? as for my bbox , I don't really understand the roll-off control lol ....

Low cut and roll-off are the same thing.  They reduce or 'turn-down' the bass frequencies.  Most prefer to not use the low cut and if the recording has too much bass we adjust that afterwards on the computer where we have more control.  If you do want to use this for very loud or very bassy music that otherwise distorts the recorder's inputs, it's probably better to use the roll-off on the battery box instead of the low cut on the recorder.

Quote
An other thing : do you think it could be a good idea to use a double jack stereo, I mean 1 input female and 2 output male, to plug my microphone in the female, and to plug the 2 male in line in and mic in, and then to make a dual recording ? so that I could input 95 for line in as a secure recording, and try to record with mic in playing with the input level ? Because I don't want to have to miss 1 of the song to find the best rendering !

What your are suggesting is possible, but that's exaclty what the DUAL LEVEL feature (as opposed to the DUAL LINE setting ) does without the need for the 'Y' cable. 

Quote
Is it a good idea to duplicate the output of my microphone like this ?

Maybe, but probably not a good idea.. it changes the loading on the mic and depends on the microphone.  It would be more likely to work without a potential problem after an external preamp, but as mentioned above,  that's the primary intended function of the DUAL feature so there is no good reason to do so that I can see.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on August 31, 2012, 04:06:27 PM
I see what you mean but the DUAL mode only gives a -12 dB recording . But when I totally f*** up my recording, the -12dB had exactly the same s problem, -12dB was far to be enough to save anything . But a line in recording is really more secured than a mic in - 12 dB ... I think !!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on August 31, 2012, 05:09:55 PM
Yes, the line-input will accept a somewhat hotter singnal than mic-in, but neither can accommodate particularly hot inputs, and as mentioned you may or may not have mic loading problems if mult'ing (splitting) the mic signal to both inputs, but I'm not certain of that.  A better approach would be attenuating the hot signal before it reaches the recorder, maybe by inserting an attenuator between the batterybox and the recorder input.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on September 05, 2012, 09:20:39 AM
Here it is, I recorded Coldplay in Stade de France, Paris . I used those settings :  SP-CM-4U + battery box SP-SPSB-8 ( no roll-off ) > Tascam DR-2D (line in 95 dB)  wave 96 Khz / 24 bit .

Thanx for the 95 dB advice, there seem to be no saturation, at least no peak level during most of the show, at least when I checked . Anyway, the result is a few disappointing because there's a kind of saturation that I don't really understand :   http://soundcloud.com/julien-kurtzemann/coldplay-sdf-hurtslikeheaven
please let me know your opinion, I've heard it's maybe a question of my bbox not powerfull enough to avoid this ?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Sebastian on September 05, 2012, 10:17:45 AM
Here it is, I recorded Coldplay in Stade de France, Paris . I used those settings :  SP-CM-4U + battery box SP-SPSB-8 ( no roll-off ) > Tascam DR-2D (line in 95 dB)  wave 96 Khz / 24 bit .

Thanx for the 95 dB advice, there seem to be no saturation, at least no peak level during most of the show, at least when I checked . Anyway, the result is a few disappointing because there's a kind of saturation that I don't really understand :   http://soundcloud.com/julien-kurtzemann/coldplay-sdf-hurtslikeheaven
please let me know your opinion, I've heard it's maybe a question of my bbox not powerfull enough to avoid this ?

Sounds like slight distortion on the bass and/or bass drum. My guess is that your mics couldn't handle the high SPLs. How far away from the PA were you?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on September 05, 2012, 11:42:19 AM
Maybe 20 or 30 meters from the speakers. The drums sounds perfect to me, maybe it's the bass yes .....
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: rhinowing on September 28, 2012, 04:21:56 PM
ran for the first time without a battery box last night (with SP-BMC-2s), the dr-2d actually seems to do really well at powering them. now to try the CA-11s
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: colinw on October 02, 2012, 11:58:50 AM
Wow, great amount of knowledge here, thanks everyone.

I am thinking of getting this recorder to try some 4 channel stuff. I currently use a Tascam DR07mkii and am very happy with it.

For 4 channel it seems the DR2d doesn't allow level adjustments on the mic input?

If I was doing 4 channel, couldn't I just adjust the gain/level for the mic input using the preamp (in this case a Tinybox). Then adjust the line level SBD or 2nd set of mics using the Dr2d?

That seems overly easy, so maybe I am simplifying it too much.

Finally, if I am just recording 2 channels from mics and controlling gain with the Tinybox, does it make any difference whether I use the mic or line in?

Thank for any clarifications. There are some great deals on this little machine right now.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: ScoobieKW on October 02, 2012, 12:10:25 PM
Wow, great amount of knowledge here, thanks everyone.

I am thinking of getting this recorder to try some 4 channel stuff. I currently use a Tascam DR07mkii and am very happy with it.

For 4 channel it seems the DR2d doesn't allow level adjustments on the mic input?

If I was doing 4 channel, couldn't I just adjust the gain/level for the mic input using the preamp (in this case a Tinybox). Then adjust the line level SBD or 2nd set of mics using the Dr2d?

That seems overly easy, so maybe I am simplifying it too much.

Finally, if I am just recording 2 channels from mics and controlling gain with the Tinybox, does it make any difference whether I use the mic or line in?

Thank for any clarifications. There are some great deals on this little machine right now.

It's not that you can't, but that you shoudn't. Mic in at 67, line in at 95 are settings that work best. Setting level via the preamp is the right way, Soundboard output may be too high for the unit, since you can't always get the engineer to adjust output gain, carrying a -10 or -15db pad is helpful. The Microtrack -10db pad is getting rarer, but still available. There are folks here that could build you a custom pad too.

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/3472056939354467372?q=M-Audio%20MicroTrack%2010dB%20Pad&hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1C1SNNT_enUS359US359&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=873519a7d2cc6cd7&biw=1185&bih=620&tch=1&ech=1&psi=YBFrUMLXGMmiigKl2ICYBQ.1349194074245.3&sa=X&ei=YxFrUIyvL4_wigK_7ICIDw&ved=0CD0Q8wIwAA

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: colinw on October 02, 2012, 01:39:55 PM
Wow, great amount of knowledge here, thanks everyone.

I am thinking of getting this recorder to try some 4 channel stuff. I currently use a Tascam DR07mkii and am very happy with it.

For 4 channel it seems the DR2d doesn't allow level adjustments on the mic input?

If I was doing 4 channel, couldn't I just adjust the gain/level for the mic input using the preamp (in this case a Tinybox). Then adjust the line level SBD or 2nd set of mics using the Dr2d?

That seems overly easy, so maybe I am simplifying it too much.

Finally, if I am just recording 2 channels from mics and controlling gain with the Tinybox, does it make any difference whether I use the mic or line in?

Thank for any clarifications. There are some great deals on this little machine right now.

It's not that you can't, but that you shoudn't. Mic in at 67, line in at 95 are settings that work best. Setting level via the preamp is the right way, Soundboard output may be too high for the unit, since you can't always get the engineer to adjust output gain, carrying a -10 or -15db pad is helpful. The Microtrack -10db pad is getting rarer, but still available. There are folks here that could build you a custom pad too.

Thanks for the reply. Here comes a potentially dumb question. If I leave the levels set at what you have them listed as, and I adjust the gain via a preamp will I see the levels correctly on the recorder to be able to tell if I am clipping or not? Also, If one set of my mics is just a battery box and not a preamp, the only way to adjust the levels is via the recorder itself, is that OK? Right now I just run CA14s through the battery box into the dr07mkii and control the levels on the recorder.

I am only used to controlling levels via the recorder not any sort of pre.

Also, why "shouldn't" the levels be set on the recorder itself? Does that impact the quality of the recording somehow? Wouldn't going conservatively at 24 bits allow for plenty of additional gain or amplification in post production?

Obviously I think the best way to go would be two adjustable line level or mic inputs. Are there recorders out there that offer that functionality for anything near the pricepoint of this Tascam?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: ScoobieKW on October 02, 2012, 02:16:42 PM
the preamps in the DR-2D aren't the highest quality. The levels I've mentioned are where the unit has the lowest noise and distortion.

Yes, you can definitely see your levels on the DR-2D as you adjust them with the preamp. Shoot for peaks between -12 and -6 db and you are golden.

At it's price point the DR-2D is alone among 24bit 96Khz recorders. For many it's limitations are manageable and the unit is worth it.

Personally, I need a Tinybox to use with mine, waiting on funds to do so.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on October 02, 2012, 02:32:16 PM
While recording you can adjust gain on the mic input, just not the line input.  There is no inherent problem with using a mic-input gain settings higher than ~65 (with it set to low gain) other than noise at very high gains, just don't use settings lower than 65.  The reasons why are covered earlier in the thread.  The preamp quality within the usable range outlined here is perfectly adequate and actually quite good for such an inexpensive machine, as long as you keep it within it's good range.  That's a good thing since there is no avoiding the preamp circuitry, all input signals always pass through them.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on October 02, 2012, 04:49:33 PM
My taping partner tonedeaf ran Teac ME80 Cards>DR2D for  STS9 at Electric Forest this past summer and his recordings are VERY GOOD. Very similar to my Busman BSC2 Hypers>LB>M10 recordings :)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gil on October 02, 2012, 06:10:58 PM
My taping partner tonedeaf ran Teac ME80 Cards>DR2D for  STS9 at Electric Forest this past summer and his recordings are VERY GOOD. Very similar to my Busman BSC2 Hypers>LB>M10 recordings :)

I'm strongly considering this exact setup since my MT has finally shit the bed.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: NewTaper on October 05, 2012, 04:03:58 PM
I have skimmed through all the pages & copy & pasted important bits to help me but I am still trying to figure out how
to hear the two different input signal separately?
I have two iPods hooked up to it playing two different songs one is in "Mic In" & one in "Line In" and I can only hear the "Mic In" iPod.
When I click the dual button I toggle through with the mode & I can only hear the iPod plugged into "Mic in" under dual & line.
Mix give me both signals at once.

Is there a way to hear what is coming through the "Mic In" & then switch to hear what is coming through the line in?
Is there a way to see just the levels on the Mic in and the to switch to see the levels on "Line In"?



NT

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on October 05, 2012, 04:24:25 PM
Once you have it set to DUAL-LINE mode and everything hooked up, put the machine in either record/pause or record.  At that point pressing the DUAL button will not bring up a menu but will switch monitoring back and forth between the two inputs- doing so switches both the visual meters and the headphone/line output (as long as headphone/line out monitoring is enabled, and it sounds like it is).

I don't consider the LMT function useful and prefer to set input levels conservatively so I won't go over and amplify things afterwards if necessary.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: NewTaper on October 05, 2012, 05:15:17 PM
Once you have it set to DUAL-LINE mode and everything hooked up, put the machine in either record/pause or record.  At that point pressing the DUAL button will not bring up a menu but will switch monitoring back and forth between the two inputs- doing so switches both the visual meters and the headphone/line output (as long as headphone/line out monitoring is enabled, and it sounds like it is).

I don't consider the LMT function useful and prefer to set input levels conservatively so I won't go over and amplify things afterwards if necessary.


I guess I have something set up wrong then? I still only can hear the "Mic In" ipod playing.
Any chance you could walk me through the settings?

NT
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: hoserama on October 06, 2012, 12:26:16 AM
As far as I know, you can only monitor the mic-in through the headphones while recording in dual mode.

Very unfortunate...wish I could toggle between the two. Or have an onboard mixer like the Zoom H4n has, which is the only thing the h4n has the 2d beat.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on October 06, 2012, 01:55:24 AM
I never monitor out on headphones, but I thought I checked early on to see if the output switched and remember that it did.  Maybe I remember wrong.  Would have been the 1st firmware, which was the fast battery draining release.. maybe that changed?  In anycase, pushing the button swithes visual metering if not the jack ouput.

It does switch the jack output in play mode, but annoyingly does not switch back and forth between tracks as they play along, but switches to the begining of the other file. Useless. The |<< and >>| buttons do that.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: hoserama on October 06, 2012, 01:32:09 PM
As far as I know, you can only monitor the mic-in while recording. Heck if the original firmware did allow you to switch the headphone monitoring, I'd go back to it, batteries be damned. But yes, the button does toggle between the levels.

I just wish it had a little onboard mixer like the H4n, would make things so much nicer.

Does anybody have a 2D with the original firmware and comment on the headphone monitoring on the dual recording?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: darby on October 06, 2012, 06:36:10 PM
As far as I know, you can only monitor the mic-in while recording. Heck if the original firmware did allow you to switch the headphone monitoring, I'd go back to it, batteries be damned. But yes, the button does toggle between the levels.

I just wish it had a little onboard mixer like the H4n, would make things so much nicer.

Does anybody have a 2D with the original firmware and comment on the headphone monitoring on the dual recording?

you obviously didn't use a DR-2d with the original firmware  ::) I got about 35 minutes on a set of NiMHs
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: hoserama on October 06, 2012, 07:16:26 PM
Ha pretty much--I updated the firmware before I basically started fiddling with it.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: aleal5687 on October 06, 2012, 09:05:17 PM
I have a loud show coming up and want to keep it simple.

CA14 Cards (modded by Chris to run of PIP)-> DR2d (mic in PIP on).

Should I run a 20db attenuator? ( from coresound)

Will it reduce the amount of PIP the mics get?

This will be my first outing with this set up.

The music will be very bass heavy.


Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gil on October 08, 2012, 12:28:19 PM
I will be joining the team in 4-6 business days.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: OOK on October 08, 2012, 01:07:38 PM
I will be joining the team in 4-6 business days.

way to go!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: stevetoney on October 08, 2012, 03:11:57 PM
I will be joining the team in 4-6 business days.

Nice.  Did you get a good deal?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gil on October 08, 2012, 03:20:57 PM
I will be joining the team in 4-6 business days.

Nice.  Did you get a good deal?

Good enough, I suppose. $134.99.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: colinw on October 31, 2012, 10:10:35 AM
Hi all, just joined the team with my recent purchase of a dr2d!

I have been running a simple 2 channel setup for a while now using a TASCAM dr07mkii, Church mics, and a regular battery box.

I also recently bought a new Naiant Tinybox, and will soon be buying some larger open taping mics to complete my rig.

For the dr2d, from reading the multiple pages and threads I seem to need to do the following:
1. update firmware
2. set mic in to about 67, and line in to 95. Are these the optimal settings for recorder gain?
3. adjust gain with the Tinybox not the dr2d? I am used to using my dr07mkii to adjust gain, so that will be a little different, as the Tinybox goes in increments, and can't be "finetuned" like it would be with the recorder.

When using the Church CA14s or any other external mic, should I be using mic in or line in? Does it matter for a single set of mics?

I am looking forward to recording with two sets of mics, and also doing 4 channel with SBD and ambient mic input.

Colin
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: ohm-ish on November 01, 2012, 11:06:52 AM
Does anyone know what "power" (on/off) in the "input setting" menu means?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: dallman on November 01, 2012, 11:17:03 AM
Does anyone know what "power" (on/off) in the "input setting" menu means?
That addresses "plug in power" for your "mic in" jack.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gil on November 01, 2012, 11:22:07 AM
Looks like I'll be attempting my first four-channel recording tonight.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: OOK on November 02, 2012, 05:40:07 PM
Looks like I'll be attempting my first four-channel recording tonight.

Well?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on November 02, 2012, 11:04:02 PM
Looks like I'll be attempting my first four-channel recording tonight.

Well?

SBD/Teac matrix ???
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gil on November 03, 2012, 11:24:32 AM
Looks like I'll be attempting my first four-channel recording tonight.

Well?

Just sat down with it now. It was the Hackensay Boys here in tahn on Thurs.

Looks like I'll be attempting my first four-channel recording tonight.

Well?

SBD/Teac matrix ???

Yup.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: tay666 on November 30, 2012, 08:59:44 PM
I know most here won't be interested in this.
But if there are any lazy stealthers out there like me.
Here are some samples of what the DR2D will do with just the internal mics and the recorder in my jacket breast pocket.
With the second recording at a lower level, you don't have to worry about clipping and overload.
Just set it, forget it, and enjoy the show.

Indoors in a 2200 seat theater
http://www.tylisaari.com/misc/boots/sample/alicesample2.mp3

Outdoors under the pavilion in one of the 'sheds'.
http://www.tylisaari.com/misc/boots/sample/uproar/seether11samp01.mp3


One bit of advice. Set the file size to something low.
I keep mine set at 512K.
Better to have to join more files together, than to loose an entire set because of a battery issue.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: dallman on December 01, 2012, 03:59:50 PM
One bit of advice. Set the file size to something low.
I keep mine set at 512K.
Better to have to join more files together, than to loose an entire set because of a battery issue.
The DR2D will save the file if the internal battery dies so no need to follow this advice. It is only if you have an external source interrupted and have no internal power that you will lose a file.  ;D
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Drgiggles1 on December 02, 2012, 01:18:28 PM
I have a question and since it regards the DR-2d recorder I'll put it here for consideration. I received these wav files via data dvd to process. Is this an example of one of those recordings where the user most likely did not have his settings correct and the result is a brickwalled recording.
(http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww335/DrGiggles1/Aerosmith-2-wav.jpg)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on December 02, 2012, 09:04:12 PM
And the question is?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: tay666 on December 03, 2012, 12:20:30 AM
One bit of advice. Set the file size to something low.
I keep mine set at 512K.
Better to have to join more files together, than to loose an entire set because of a battery issue.
The DR2D will save the file if the internal battery dies so no need to follow this advice. It is only if you have an external source interrupted and have no internal power that you will lose a file.  ;D

Actually, that is exactly what happened to me on my second trip out with the DR2D.
Batteries died during recording and lost the entire file.
It was a small festival, and I had already recorded 5 groups, so I swapped out my batteries for what were supposed to be fresh ones before the next group.
I started the recorder just before the group hit the stage. Looked in my pocket about 40 minutes in, and it was still going.
At the end of the set (just under an hour) when I checked, it was off.
Thought maybe something got bumped in the crowd. So I started it up again for the next group, but kept an eye on it this time.
Died within a couple minutes, so I hurriedly switched back to my first set of batteries again and it ran fine for the rest of the show.

When I got home, and checked the recordings.
Yeah, it had saved files both times it died. But the files were only 1k and were unreadable.
Even tried a program I was advised to try from someone here (fixwave). That could recover nothing from the files either.
After that, I changed my file size setting from 2gb to 512k

Haven't had any batteries die on me since then, but I'm still not taking the chance.
Since I get about 30 minutes in every 512k file, I could have at least had half that set I lost if I would have changed the settings originally.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Drgiggles1 on December 03, 2012, 09:18:43 AM
And the question is?
It's the third sentence in my little paragraph, just made the mistake of ending with a period instead of a ?  :) :)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on December 03, 2012, 09:32:06 AM
One bit of advice. Set the file size to something low.
I keep mine set at 512K.
Better to have to join more files together, than to loose an entire set because of a battery issue.
The DR2D will save the file if the internal battery dies so no need to follow this advice. It is only if you have an external source interrupted and have no internal power that you will lose a file.  ;D

Actually, that is exactly what happened to me on my second trip out with the DR2D.
Batteries died during recording and lost the entire file.
...

I've had the 1kb file issue with dead batteries a couple times as well.  As I recall, I was able to retrive the files by running CHKDSK on the card in Windows.  Good idea on writing smaller files, however I'll probably only resort to that if I know my batteries are weak and likely to die.

And the question is?
It's the third sentence in my little paragraph, just made the mistake of ending with a period instead of a ?  :) :)

Yes, visually that solid, flat-topped mass of waveforms appears to be either brickwalled or ortherwise limited.  Can't tell by looking if it sounds OK or not.  A commercial recording will often look like that but sound OK (or appear even more dense if a casualty of the loudness war).
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: dallman on December 03, 2012, 01:12:15 PM
One bit of advice. Set the file size to something low.
I keep mine set at 512K.
Better to have to join more files together, than to loose an entire set because of a battery issue.
The DR2D will save the file if the internal battery dies so no need to follow this advice. It is only if you have an external source interrupted and have no internal power that you will lose a file.  ;D

Actually, that is exactly what happened to me on my second trip out with the DR2D.
Batteries died during recording and lost the entire file.
It was a small festival, and I had already recorded 5 groups, so I swapped out my batteries for what were supposed to be fresh ones before the next group.
I started the recorder just before the group hit the stage. Looked in my pocket about 40 minutes in, and it was still going.
At the end of the set (just under an hour) when I checked, it was off.
Thought maybe something got bumped in the crowd. So I started it up again for the next group, but kept an eye on it this time.
Died within a couple minutes, so I hurriedly switched back to my first set of batteries again and it ran fine for the rest of the show.

When I got home, and checked the recordings.
Yeah, it had saved files both times it died. But the files were only 1k and were unreadable.
Even tried a program I was advised to try from someone here (fixwave). That could recover nothing from the files either.
After that, I changed my file size setting from 2gb to 512k

Haven't had any batteries die on me since then, but I'm still not taking the chance.
Since I get about 30 minutes in every 512k file, I could have at least had half that set I lost if I would have changed the settings originally.

Good to know. I have had it die and it saved the files every time. In my tests, as long as there was no external power into the deck it saved the file. However, I will keep your experience in mind. I wonder if the alkaline/NIMH setting could throw it off due to the sometimes swift failure of rechargables, but again, I have had it save files when batteries have died. In all cases my battereis were not rechargable.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on December 03, 2012, 03:04:41 PM
I wonder if the alkaline/NIMH setting could throw it off due to the sometimes swift failure of rechargables, but again, I have had it save files when batteries have died. In all cases my battereis were not rechargable.

Yeah, it was my suspicion as well that the much more sudden drop-off of in the discharge voltage curve for NIMH vs alkaline might make shutdown too rapid to complete the write.  I was using low self-discharge NIMH when I had the issue.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: tay666 on December 04, 2012, 06:58:36 PM
Yeah, that is probably it, when the rechargeables die, they die. Like right now.
I thought the back up set would be fine. I had used the rig the night before, but never touched the back-ups.
So I recharged the ones I used and loaded them up to start off with.
I guess going a day between being recharged, and actually used caused enough of a drop to make them practically worthless.
Since then, I've made sure that the batteries don't leave the charger until just before I leave the house.
Haven't had another issue.
But since I've been snake-bit once, I still err on the side of caution.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on December 05, 2012, 08:56:46 PM
I guess going a day between being recharged, and actually used caused enough of a drop to make them practically worthless.
Since then, I've made sure that the batteries don't leave the charger until just before I leave the house.
Haven't had another issue.

Retire those immediately. They are past their useful recording use life.  Even non low-self-discharge NiMH should hold charge for at least a week or more. LSD versions at least a month. Anything less and you are setting yourself up for a dissappointment.  If they don't hold charge for one day, then they are unpredictible and may die quick at any moment during a recording.

The discharge curve I was talking about is how fast the voltage drops on good batteries in use as they are drained.  NiMH has less initial voltage than alkaline, but holds a flatter curve for most of the discharge, then drops off more suddenly.  Alkaline starts higher and slowly looses voltage at a more constant rate.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on December 05, 2012, 09:18:40 PM
Sounds like you need a better charger. Maha Powerex MHC-9000! Trust me, if youre using rechargeable AAs, you NEED this charger ;) I got around 5.5-6hrs when I owned my DR2D
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: ScotK on December 06, 2012, 02:48:03 AM
Sounds like you need a better charger. Maha Powerex MHC-9000! Trust me, if youre using rechargeable AAs, you NEED this charger ;)

Thanks for the Reco, Bean. Just found this unit on sale at Thomas for $52 with case and a set of batteries. Posted the link in the Retail section. :)

scot
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on December 10, 2012, 09:48:46 AM
I've a stupid and infact very global question : is it important to be close of the peak level when recording ? I mean I follow advices here not to be under 95 dB on line in with a microphone recording . I'm happy with some results but the level of my recording is often very low, ( something like 20/ 25% in soundforge for example ) and I have to change the volume to sometime 20 more dB to have something listenable as a same volume than an original recording . Should I put more ? would it improve the quality ? should I plug to mic infact to have even more possibilities to be close to the peak level ?
I've a saturation I think on high spl concerts which seems due to my mics sensivity, could it fix this a few if I record at a higher level ? I mean maybe it give more " power" to the mics to be able to "eat" more dBs ??
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on December 10, 2012, 10:13:10 AM
Not a stupid question at all.  It's not really a problem, more of an inconvenience to need to amplify additionally later.  Given the problem of too high or too low recoring levels, I'll take too low everyday.  To low and one just needs to amplify, too high and one gets clipping distortion.  I regularly record with considerably lower than ideal levels and don't have noise problems doing so.

Without changing anything else, you can raise input gain on the line-in from 95 to 100 which will increase your recorded levels by 5dB.  If you want more gain, switch to using the mic-input and add as much as you like. 

But the input gain setting and resulting level of the recorded file will not have any influence on mic sensitivity or saturation at the mic stage.  If the mic is distorting, you will just make a recording of that distortion with a more optimal recorded signal level.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: tay666 on December 10, 2012, 06:15:36 PM
I agree. I would rather have settings too low, than too high.
It is much easier to boost gain in post than it is to deal with clipping or overload.

My first time out I was way too conservative with my input settings. The waveform was minuscule when loaded into CEP2.
The recordings done at 10 Db less were nothing but a flat line, and unusable.
But since it was recorded at 24 bit, there is a lot more data to work with. Some compression, and a little amplification and things turned out just fine.
As a matter of fact, that second sample I posted above, was from that day of recording.
The next day out, I nudged the levels a bit higher, and things were great.

As for my batteries. That was well over a year ago, and they are still in the rotation, with no problems since then.
And I too usually get 5-6 hours recording from a set. Just when I do festivals, I like to swap them out about 2/3 of the way through the day. Just to be sure I don't push my luck.
As for my charger [shrug]. Not even sure what it is. It's so old that you can't read the stuff printed on it anymore.
I bought it 9 years ago when I got my first rechargeable batteries, and it has been a workhorse ever since then.
Between the recorder, and 2 digital cameras it gets a ton of use.
 
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on December 11, 2012, 09:50:43 AM
Just keep an eye on your batteries, when they start to loose charge before being used more quickly than they once did, it's usually one sign they are nearing the end of their useful life.  Of course not lasting as long in use is another, if more obvious indication.

I bought that Maha charger after I had a set of rechargables go wonky in that way and needed to replace them.  After breaking-in and capacity matching the new replacements into sets, I did a break-in and capacity test on the old ones.  They recovered quite a bit, and it was interesting that in several cases one cell of a pair would be far more degraded than the other.  I tossed the really bad ones, re-paired the remaining ones, and relegated those to non-critical use in remotes and clocks around the house.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: spyder9 on December 12, 2012, 04:22:26 PM
$99.99 shipped on eBay.  Brand new.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=159731.0
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: rodeen on December 19, 2012, 09:04:07 PM
My new DR2d arrived a couple of days ago, thanks for the Musicians Friend tip!  I've seen it asked a few times but haven't been able to find an answer to what the unity gain setting is on the unit.  I'll be going Tinybox or CA-9200 > DR2d line in.  It looks like a nice little deck.

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jbell on December 20, 2012, 05:52:45 AM
95 for line in and 67 for mic in!

My new DR2d arrived a couple of days ago, thanks for the Musicians Friend tip!  I've seen it asked a few times but haven't been able to find an answer to what the unity gain setting is on the unit.  I'll be going Tinybox or CA-9200 > DR2d line in.  It looks like a nice little deck.

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: rodeen on December 20, 2012, 09:43:25 AM
Thanks!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on December 20, 2012, 09:59:02 AM
& those settings make for approximately equal levels into both inputs, in case you are trying to match gain evenly across both channel pairs (which doesn't really matter to most users). No problems using settings equal to or higher than 95/67, just don't go lower than that or you may brick-wall it.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on January 08, 2013, 12:43:03 PM
Got my DR-2d and will be using it in the field next week for the first time.

First, thanks to everyone who has reported on the battery life.  I would have been upset if I had not tested it and only got 3 hours at the show.  When it came in the mail I tested the factory batteries and got like 1.25 hours, not sure why they even include those.  Second attempt with Duracell AAs I got 3 hours.  After firmware update to v. 1.03 0023, the unit recorded about 5 hours straight which is acceptable.  How much less should I expect with dual line and mic in?

At first I will be using this with CA-14s > STC-9200 > Line in on the Tascam but later I will want to play around with a matrix, probably with CA-14s > STC-9200 > Line in + SBD > Mic in.  Would SBD > MicIn be correct since I would then have control over the input volume?  In the past I have used a DR-07 that has a physical volume knob, would this have similar control?

To sum up what I have read in this thread, I have gathered that I want the input at no less than 95 for line and 67 for mic.  This is much different than the DR-05 which was always left at 0.  For most loud shows, would if be safe to be set @ 95 on the Tascam with +15db gain on the STC-9200?  I would guess for metal shows maybe +10 would be more appropriate.

What seems to be a nice little bonus to this unit is the remote.  However, it looks to me to be more cute than useful.  Does anyone actually use the thing in the field?  I can see how it would be nice to light the display to check levels without touching the Tascam, however I have noticed that the remote can stop the recording even when the hold is on so I am a little wary to even bring it to a show.

Sorry if any of this has been covered but as you see I am late to the DR-2d party just having received this.  I always get a little nervous bringing new gear out due to the complexities.  Thanks to everyone who has done the legwork on this Tascam so far.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: colinw on January 08, 2013, 01:08:43 PM
At first I will be using this with CA-14s > STC-9200 > Line in on the Tascam but later I will want to play around with a matrix, probably with CA-14s > STC-9200 > Line in + SBD > Mic in.  Would SBD > MicIn be correct since I would then have control over the input volume?  In the past I have used a DR-07 that has a physical volume knob, would this have similar control?

I think you have this backwards. On my Dr-2d I run mics to the mic in and the SBD feed to the line in. I have used both CA14s and Busman BSC1s into the mic in. I have run the A14s using the straight CA ugly battery box and had no issues, keeping the input at 67. I have also run into the mic in using my Naiant Tinybox with no issues. I have only recorded a SBD feed a couple of times using the line in (while simultaneously recording mics using mic in), and it was just fine, if a little low. I had to boost it in post which isn't a big deal as I recorded in 24 bit. I can't imagine you would need to control the SBD input volume. I ran it straight into line in with the input at 95, and without attenuators, and it was fine, although much too low as mentioned above. It certainly wasn't too hot or clipped at all. I think the preference would be to control the gain on the preamp, so I use my Tinybox for gain, and then may boost up the mic input if I feel the need on the DR-2d.

Quote
To sum up what I have read in this thread, I have gathered that I want the input at no less than 95 for line and 67 for mic.  This is much different than the DR-05 which was always left at 0.  For most loud shows, would if be safe to be set @ 95 on the Tascam with +15db gain on the STC-9200?  I would guess for metal shows maybe +10 would be more appropriate.

I wasn't used to this either, as previous to the Dr-2d I used a DR07mkii, and used the gain on the recorder to adjust the levels - for loud shows around -10 or less. I thought it was weird to have the Dr-2d levels so high, but it works great. I have managed some great pulls laving the mic at 67 or a little higher (as long as it doesn't clip), and the Line at 95.

Quote
What seems to be a nice little bonus to this unit is the remote.  However, it looks to me to be more cute than useful.  Does anyone actually use the thing in the field?  I can see how it would be nice to light the display to check levels without touching the Tascam, however I have noticed that the remote can stop the recording even when the hold is on so I am a little wary to even bring it to a show.

ha ha, I actually forgot about the remote. I have only had my unit for a couple of months and totally forgot it had a remote until I read this. i can't see using it any point.

Have fun.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on January 08, 2013, 02:26:24 PM
Running the SBD into the MIC input does give you the ability to increase gain above 67 without stopping the recording, but the MIC input cannot take as hot a signal as the LINE input.  So if the board-feed is hot, you may need to use LINE in to keep from overloading the MIC input without setting gain below 67.

The remote is great! It's my 2nd favorite feature after DUAL_LINE 4-channel recording.  I use it almost every time I record with this machine, though I only use two buttons on it- REC and STOP.  With the recorder kept in a pocket, it allows you to set everything beforehand, leave the recorder powered up and lock the device with the hold switch, then start and stop recording without removing the machine.  You only need to see the LED on to to use the remote and confirm that it is recording or stopped.  I even use it with the recorder in a bag and just the top sticking out..  no running over and finding the record button as the band takes the stage, just point the remote and press record.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: darby on January 08, 2013, 02:30:34 PM
I'm sure a certain troll will disagree with me, but...
I run the SBD into Mic In at about 65 and run mics thru my Littlebox into Line In
that way I have control over BOTH inputs while recording
none of the SBDs locally I plug into have an issue with being too hot and have RCA outs
and if there was, then I would get some attenuators


At first I will be using this with CA-14s > STC-9200 > Line in on the Tascam but later I will want to play around with a matrix, probably with CA-14s > STC-9200 > Line in + SBD > Mic in.  Would SBD > MicIn be correct since I would then have control over the input volume?  In the past I have used a DR-07 that has a physical volume knob, would this have similar control?

To sum up what I have read in this thread, I have gathered that I want the input at no less than 95 for line and 67 for mic.  This is much different than the DR-05 which was always left at 0.  For most loud shows, would if be safe to be set @ 95 on the Tascam with +15db gain on the STC-9200?  I would guess for metal shows maybe +10 would be more appropriate.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on January 08, 2013, 02:39:45 PM
Hmm, who's the certain troll?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: darby on January 08, 2013, 03:59:27 PM
Hmm, who's the certain troll?

not you Lee... you have never argued with me about my posts
and I have gained a wealth of knowledge about this recorder from your experiences
hopefully that person has learned that everyone is entitled to their opinion
and that what works for me works for me and what works for them works for them
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on January 08, 2013, 04:31:58 PM
whew!

works for me.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jbell on January 08, 2013, 04:41:28 PM
This is how I run the DR-2d with AUD & SBD!

I'm sure a certain troll will disagree with me, but...
I run the SBD into Mic In at about 65 and run mics thru my Littlebox into Line In
that way I have control over BOTH inputs while recording
none of the SBDs locally I plug into have an issue with being too hot and have RCA outs
and if there was, then I would get some attenuators



At first I will be using this with CA-14s > STC-9200 > Line in on the Tascam but later I will want to play around with a matrix, probably with CA-14s > STC-9200 > Line in + SBD > Mic in.  Would SBD > MicIn be correct since I would then have control over the input volume?  In the past I have used a DR-07 that has a physical volume knob, would this have similar control?

To sum up what I have read in this thread, I have gathered that I want the input at no less than 95 for line and 67 for mic.  This is much different than the DR-05 which was always left at 0.  For most loud shows, would if be safe to be set @ 95 on the Tascam with +15db gain on the STC-9200?  I would guess for metal shows maybe +10 would be more appropriate.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: tay666 on January 08, 2013, 06:10:37 PM
Honestly, I completely forgot about the remote as well.
I should give it a try and see how it works.
Would make it easier when running stealth at an afternoon festival.
No pulling the recorder out of a pocket to start and stop it.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Tisbo on January 08, 2013, 06:24:45 PM
Honestly, I completely forgot about the remote as well.
I should give it a try and see how it works.
Would make it easier when running stealth at an afternoon festival.
No pulling the recorder out of a pocket to start and stop it.

Unfortunately the DR2d remote is wireless by infrared and may not work with the deck in a pocket (but only the end where the externals jack in needs to be exposed).
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on January 08, 2013, 06:57:12 PM
Unfortunately the DR2d remote is wireless by infrared and may not work with the deck in a pocket (but only the end where the externals jack in needs to be exposed).

Strike the un and make that fortunatey - infared behavoir here is a feature not a bug. 

You need line of sight access to only the LED between input jacks (which is where the infared receiver is locacted) to operate the remote.. and you will want to see that anyway to confirm that your remote command was followed.  Then, with the machine fully pocketed it is sheilded from any accidental infared input.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Tisbo on January 08, 2013, 08:04:30 PM
On a different subject, I taped my first event... a pretty healthy balance of triumph and disaster. It was music and speaking, in a church. The musicians gave me a soundboard feed and let me set the level for line-in into the DR2d. Those speaking used the built-in PA whose output I decided to grab along with room and audience with my 4060s (in boundary config) and the Tinybox I got through the Yard Sale (Kennedy, oy!): 4060s>TB(low)>DR2d mic-in. Needless to say, I was running Dual_Line. At the first transition from music to speaking, I decided to unplug from the soundboard with the deck rolling, motivated by some obscure impulse I'd prefer to leave unanalysed. That was when I noticed the "Writing Failed" message. There begins a region of memory painful to revisit. I can say with certainty that I resumed recording several times, each attempt eventually ending in the same error message. Inexplicably, one of those efforts resulted in 27 minutes of audio that happened to capture the key speeches it had been my purpose to record (the triumph referred to above was a fortunate accident). As the error messages continued like hammer-blows to the head, at some length it occurred to me to change SD cards, and the rest went without incident. The manual (!?!) includes "Writing Failed" among the messages it says to address by rebooting. I did power down to change cards, leaving open the possibility that it was not changing cards but rather the rebooting that cleared up the problem. There also remains the mystery that on the first card, one file succeeded between failures (I don't think I rebooted before deciding to change cards, but it is possible). I've also put the 8GB card back in later--unaltered--and recorded 30 minutes with no problem.

The fails occurred using a SanDisk Ultra Class 10 (30 MB/s) 8GB SDHC. This series is on Tascam's approved list, but not this size: the list (how old?) tops out at 4GB for the Ultras. I had done numerous tests on that card, without fail, files I wiped off with a FULL FORMAT a day or two before the gig. I don't remember whether I had retested between formatting and taping. Also, none of the tests was more than a couple of minutes long. I switched cards mid-event with a totally sketchy Chinese 2GB SD marked "Micro Center" that came with the deck I got used on eBay.

I know this deck's sometimes brittle relationship with recording media has been discussed here, but wonder how well we understand why it happens and how confidently we can say it won't happen if certain conditions are met. Fellow tapers, your thoughts and experience, please!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on January 08, 2013, 09:09:10 PM
Not to hate on the DR2D, because I used to own one, but Tascams handheld decks are surely FINICKY and just one more reason why I will ONLY use an M10 as a handheld recorder ;) If the M10 did 4 channels like the dr2d, then that would be a dream come true and the dr2d's would be sold and never bought again 8)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Tisbo on January 09, 2013, 06:20:26 PM
Bean, sounds like the closest thing to a reliable 4-channel handheld is two M10s.

Gutbucket, I see your point about the infrared remote. Now that I think about it, it could be very inconspicuous.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gil on January 09, 2013, 06:24:33 PM
Not to hate on the DR2D, because I used to own one, but Tascams handheld decks are surely FINICKY and just one more reason why I will ONLY use an M10 as a handheld recorder ;) If the M10 did 4 channels like the dr2d, then that would be a dream come true and the dr2d's would be sold and never bought again 8)

Finicky? How very scientific of you, Bean ;D

I dunno; seems pretty reliable and idiot proof to me.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: boyacrobat on January 09, 2013, 08:49:14 PM
format card prior for each gig will help with avoiding  header and write errors
i learned the hard way

i run with fully empty/formatted card
no data on there before i press rec

since ive been doing this ive had no probs

what i dont like about the dr2d is its look of the rec wavs in mic input-pip/agc is off
they are not looking like the wavs i usually get from my mr1
the dr2d wavs look slightly more compressed

anyone notice this

g
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: danny3 on January 09, 2013, 08:52:17 PM
I can’t recall ever getting a ‘writing failed’ message, so I can’t address that issue. One time when the unit acted buggy and unresponsive; removing/replacing the batteries seemed to fix things. Perhaps your card wasn’t seated just right, or rather became unseated? I don’t know how that could happen, I only wonder because there have been times when my pc would say it couldn’t read the card (or it didn’t show up at all,) but it would when re-inserted. A couple of times when a card wouldn’t be read, I have just used the usb cable and copied my files that way.

Regarding SDHC cards, I have two SanDisk Ultra 16GB cards that I have been using for over a year now in my two DR-2d units, and also a 32 GB (same model) that I put music on to use my recorder as a player for trips. These cards seem to be compatible with the unit; I have had no issues and have never reformatted them -(edited to add) - but I probably should do so!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on January 10, 2013, 03:27:28 PM
^ I've tested a Sandisk 16GB SDHC as well with both dual and 2ch and it seems to be fine.  Hopefully that will be the same in the field.

I'm getting about 5hrs with the newest firmware on both dual and 2ch, using Duracell AAs.  Seems odd because others reported getting more time with 2ch than dual.  Oh well I don't play on any shows lasting more than 5 hours.  Sure is different than the DR-05's 15 hour battery life though.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Tisbo on January 10, 2013, 06:55:30 PM
Thank you all for your thoughts on the "writing failed" error. I recorded again yesterday without a hitch. I really like this little deck and it sounds just fine for my purposes. Still, I wish I had a clearer idea about why it stumbled. Since settings stay the same, maybe a refreshing reboot just before recording would be a good precaution. Some of you have had the "writing failed" error and have then gone on to have long and reliable service from the unit, haven't you? It's not like some units do it and others don't, is it?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: zupanic on January 10, 2013, 08:11:59 PM
I use basic Sandisk SDHC with my DR2d (two 16 and one 8 gig) and have had zero issues with them. I do a FULL FORMAT of the card before any recording. I always use the dual record mode even though I never end up using the lower level file. Have not done a two source mix though. If there is a reason to not trust my DR2d, I have yet to find it  ;D
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on January 10, 2013, 08:27:10 PM
Recently, my R-44 occasionally won't read a card, or asks to format, and the card needs to be removed and re-inserted.  I suspect the card contacts just need cleaning. Easy for me to imagine your issue might be similar, Mr Tisbo.

Any one know if I would have any problems spraying the contacts on an SD card with Deoxit and plugging it in and out a few times?

--
Reliable?  sure.  I record moslty to 32GB cards and format them once they get full. No problems.

I've only had issues a couple times early on using cards which had files deleted and re-writen repeatedly without having been formated in a while, which I knew I was pushing, and stopped doing that.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Tisbo on January 11, 2013, 08:26:53 PM
On another subject, I just did a happy test. I got one of those 18,000mAh "Universal Powerbank" batteries to run my DR2d from the battery's USB port, and wondered what would happen if the external power supply was interrupted. Good news! Unplugging and replugging the power cable, the deck switched seamlessly to internal batteries and back. At least it sounded seamless on playback... (I didn't scrutinize the wave forms at the millisecond level).

About the write error, Esoxhunter, thanks for weighing in. I had done a full format on the card when the error occurred, but will continue to do so before important recordings. It can't hurt. And Gutbucket, faulty contact is of course a distinct possibility. I get that with the card reader in my computer: plug it in again and it's good!

Bottom line: DR2d and I are not breaking up.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: LikeASong on January 14, 2013, 09:00:55 PM
Very interesting input regarding the external power supply interruption, Tisbo! I had personally wondered what would happen if the external battery was disconnected or simply ran out of power - now we know. Thank you! :)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on January 15, 2013, 10:11:50 AM
On another subject, I just did a happy test. I got one of those 18,000mAh "Universal Powerbank" batteries to run my DR2d from the battery's USB port, and wondered what would happen if the external power supply was interrupted. Good news! Unplugging and replugging the power cable, the deck switched seamlessly to internal batteries and back.

This is the same for all the recorders I have experience with.  It would be highly unusual if the DR2d could not switch between external and internal power without problems.

As good practice, always keep charged AA's in the recorder when using an external battery. The AA's then act as a uninteruptible supply in case the connection to the external battery is momentarily disconnected for any reason.  They typically will not run down until the external supply is either disconnected or spent.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on January 15, 2013, 02:40:10 PM
Took the DR-2d and STC-9200 out for the first run last night.  Recorded CA-14(cards) > STC-9200 > DR-2d.  Sure is going to be strange typing 9200 into my sources instead of 9000 which I've used all along.  Ran with the DR-2d in a pocket, so I was worried about overheating but everything went fine.  Really nice unit, much more durable than the 05 and 07, and especially the 03.  I particularly like how the design is more metal than plastic, which was my main gripe with the other Tascams.

The only issue I had was the levels were a little lower than I prefer.  There were 3 bands, one amplified solo acoustic set and 2 ska bands all performing in a GA theater, recording was about 10" back from stage on the floor, 7' ROC.  IMO a decent mix of stage sound and PA, the horns from the stage sound particularly good.  For the first 2 sets I had the tascam line in at 95 and the STC-9200 @ 100% with +10 gain.  The solo acoustic set came out real low, needing to be amplified 22.7db to get max levels in post.  The first ska band, still line in at 95 and +10 gain, came out a little louder but still needs to be amplified 18.7db to get to -.01db in post.  For the main set, I upped the Tascam input to 98 and change the STC-9200 to +15db gain.  That set only needs about 8.8db amplification so that is a little better.  I guess none of this is that bad because it's better to come out low than clipping and none of the sources are "dangerously low."  I was just expecting higher levels, even considered using the dual recording with the -6db pad for safety.  Would have felt pretty silly had I used that.  In these cases, should I have bumped the STC-9200 up to +30db instead and left the input at 95, or should I have left the gain on the STC at +15 and changed the Tascam input to 100?  +30 seems like a lot so I think I'll stick with +15 on the STC and 98 on the Tascam.  Of course in a boomy arena or dome shaped shed I might be a little more conservative.  Again, I'm glad it came out lower rather than clipping, after all that's why I run in 24bit.

Regarding the internals, I went to record a local bar band after that show and made a decent recording of that.  Only problem is the recording was on the verge of clipping with the volume set to 95.  Then I realized the Mic settings are supposed to be lower, 67 per this thread.  I don't plan on using them much if at all but I thought I might mention the importance of remembering the differences if using the internals.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: LikeASong on January 15, 2013, 03:04:52 PM
I've found the CA14s to be VERY quiet (even awfully quiet at times) with the 9100 so I think I know what you mean. Amplifying in post is never nice, but surely miles better than having a clipped/distorted recording ;) I would opt to get the 9200 levels a little higher and see if the +30 option gets you some clipping with the same input levels you already have (I doubt it, unless you tape at a much much louder concert/venue).
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on January 15, 2013, 03:10:40 PM
Sounds like it went well. Congratulations!

Of course in a boomy arena or dome shaped shed I might be a little more conservative.

In regards to input level setting, venue size, boominess, echo, room geometry and configuration don't matter, only the peak sound pressure level at the recording position matters.  Some sources and events will be louder than others obviously, and some will have larger dynamic swings than others.  Generally the really loud amplified things have smaller variations in level compared to say recording less loud on-stage sources which can have huge transient peaks but a lower average / RMS level.

Quote
Regarding the internals, I went to record a local bar band after that show and made a decent recording of that.  Only problem is the recording was on the verge of clipping with the volume set to 95.  Then I realized the Mic settings are supposed to be lower, 67 per this thread.  I don't plan on using them much if at all but I thought I might mention the importance of remembering the differences if using the internals.

65-67 is the do not go below point for mic-input gain.  It's OK to go higher than that if necessary, at least as far as brick-walling is concerned.  The recommendation to keep it near that setting  (say around 70 or so) is mostly for users running an external source into the mic-input, not using the internal mics.  Set gain to however high you need it above 65-67 when using the internal mics, and remember that your can switch between high and low senitivity switch on the menu.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: rodeen on January 15, 2013, 03:44:56 PM
65-67 is the do not go below point for mic-input gain.  It's OK to go higher than that if necessary, at least as far as brick-walling is concerned.  The recommendation to keep it near that setting  (say around 70 or so) is mostly for users running an external source into the mic-input, not using the internal mics.  Set gain to however high you need it above 65-67 when using the internal mics, and remember that your can switch between high and low senitivity switch on the menu.

I am confused what the sensitivity switch does when going mic in?  Is it like a coarse gain control and then the non-menu gain control act as a finer control?  The only time I think I'd use the mic in is if I were to try 4 channel and woud still be using an external pre.  Would I set the menu sensitivity to "low" and gain to the 65-67 range?

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on January 15, 2013, 04:54:56 PM
I am confused what the sensitivity switch does when going mic in?  Is it like a coarse gain control and then the non-menu gain control act as a finer control?  The only time I think I'd use the mic in is if I were to try 4 channel and woud still be using an external pre.  Would I set the menu sensitivity to "low" and gain to the 65-67 range?

Yes and Yes.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Tisbo on January 18, 2013, 01:14:13 PM
To follow up on my problems getting write error and "File Error" messages and lost files, I got a new SDHC card (SanDisk Ultra Class 10 16GB), did Full Format and did several long tests in stereo and dual stereo modes. No problems whatsoever. I hope that's that.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: NOLAfishwater on February 04, 2013, 03:03:13 PM
anyone know what the SPL rating is for the internals? I can't find it anywhere on their website.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on February 04, 2013, 04:01:09 PM
anyone know what the SPL rating is for the internals? I can't find it anywhere on their website.

I don't, but maybe some annecdotal reports will help- a friend used the internals on one of my DR2ds to record Lonnie Smith's trio recently.  Recorder was placed on the center front table about 8-10 feet from Allison Miller- a quite dynamic jazz drumer who was the loudest source by far that night.  I'd guess some of her drum transients were peaking ~120dB or so, but RMS was much lower.  I briefly heard the resulting recording and it sounded far better than I expected (and had no audible clipping or distortion) which motivated me to use them in another room back by the soundboard for a PA amplified gig which I didn't care to make more of an effort for..  guessing that was averaging about ~105dB RMS at that location.  Those are only approximate 'best-guess' SPLs, the mics did fine both nights.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: danny3 on February 04, 2013, 06:45:16 PM
At this point in my recording career I have only a basic understanding of the technical side of things like SPL or RMS, so no help from me. But I have resorted to using the internal mics on my DR-2d on quite a few occasions and been pleased with the results. I have used two of these recorders in a lot of configurations (and finally committed myself to taking notes at the show so I can better learn from my mistakes.)

It takes some trial and error figuring out where to set the mic input level when using the internals; for a loud source I use LOW, and MED in an acoustic setting. I generally always have to amplify my files in post, and I would assume that the absence of noise is a testament to the recorders preamps.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on February 04, 2013, 07:13:30 PM
At this point in my recording career I have only a basic understanding of the technical side of things like SPL or RMS..

SPL = Sound Pressure Level, a measure of the level of sound in air.

Peak is the instantaneous or near instantaneous level, not-averaged over time.  Peak levels are always higher than RMS or average levels.

RMS = Root Mean Squared, which is the averaged level of a signal over a short time period.  RMS is an electrical domain measurement, but correlates pretty well with the sensation of loudness, which is a subjective experince of the brain's hearing mechanism and not directly mesurable.

An SPL meter usually has a switch to change between fast and slow response, which roughly corellates with peak and RMS sound levels.

In the example I gave above with the recorder placed near the drum kit, the individual drum and cymbal hits were very strong so peak levels were quite high though the average level was not very high.  In the second second situation with PA amplification and the recorder farther back in the room, the peaks were not nearly as high, but the average level signifacantly higher, so the sound was "more dense" and the music sounded louder, even though it had less dynamic range overall with lower peaks.

Hope that helps.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: danny3 on February 04, 2013, 09:11:56 PM
I was recently involved with a small venue that had noise complaint issues from neighbors and was required to take some readings. The owner thought my resident taper status qualified me in some way as the ‘sound guy’. The town subsequently took its own readings, and all worked out well thankfully; one of my favorites spots. Anyhow that experience roused my curiosity about such matters, and your explanation was just what I needed. I plan to add an SPL meter to my bag of tricks.
Always appreciate reading your posts.   Thanks, Dan.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: swordfish on February 05, 2013, 01:05:32 AM
I've found the CA14s to be VERY quiet (even awfully quiet at times) with the 9100 so I think I know what you mean. Amplifying in post is never nice, but surely miles better than having a clipped/distorted recording ;) I would opt to get the 9200 levels a little higher and see if the +30 option gets you some clipping with the same input levels you already have (I doubt it, unless you tape at a much much louder concert/venue).

I can 2nd the above..that is why went from CA 9100 to CA 9200 to get the additional gain.....for quiter shows
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 05, 2013, 01:06:02 PM
I've found the CA14s to be VERY quiet (even awfully quiet at times) with the 9100 so I think I know what you mean. Amplifying in post is never nice, but surely miles better than having a clipped/distorted recording ;) I would opt to get the 9200 levels a little higher and see if the +30 option gets you some clipping with the same input levels you already have (I doubt it, unless you tape at a much much louder concert/venue).

Does the 9200 have a +20db setting? I would stick with that setting for just about every situation if it were me :)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 05, 2013, 01:06:41 PM
anyone know what the SPL rating is for the internals? I can't find it anywhere on their website.

You have a recent affection for cheap internal mics, ehh? ;D
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: NOLAfishwater on February 06, 2013, 10:35:03 AM
I was looking for a lightweight, small footprint solution for my dslr. apparently the M10 won't work for loud stuff but for normal sound it is great. the internals sound really nice for $200. Probably going to end up using my Littlebox with kcy input and get one set of my schoeps cables hacked/shortened. The littlebox has been out on loan since jazzfest last year.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: zupanic on February 13, 2013, 06:26:58 PM
trying to fix a problem and take the DR-2d out of the equation. Recorded Yonder Mountain a couple weeks ago with CA-11 > CA-9100 > DR-2d (line in). I had the line in set at 98 and the 9100 cranked up to about 85-90% gain. Levels on the recorder were still lower than my -12db target.....but not by much. The waveforms resemble what folks are calling dc offset on another thread. Way higher on the topside and you can head lots of brickwalling. The next night, I recorded Moon Hooch and Keller Williams. Same setup but was way more reserved. Line in set at 96 and 9100 set at about 50% gain. Levels on recorder were way low. Waveforms still a little offset and brickwalling present, but not quite as noticable. After Keller, as an experiment I took the 9100 out of the mix and ran CA-11 > SPSB-8 battery box > DR-2d MIC-IN (low sens set to 68 on recorder) for a Lotus set and everything looks and sounds perfect. In fact, I'm thrilled with the Lotus recording. 
This was the first time I have used an external preamp and line in on the DR-2d. Is it possible I did something wrong on the DR-2d ? or could my 9100 be bogus ?
Any input appreciated!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on February 13, 2013, 08:20:12 PM
Dying battery in the 9100?  Symptoms are similar to what happened when the first set of Maha NiHM 9.6Vs I had in the CA-UGLYs reached the end of their usable life.  Happened right when I first started tesing the DR2d which threw me for a while. See my response in that thread you mentioned for details.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: zupanic on February 14, 2013, 06:31:46 AM
bad battery was my first thought after the first show even though it was brand new. replaced it with another brand new 9v the next morning and got the same results
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on February 14, 2013, 11:46:08 PM
Try running 9100>dr2d mic in
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: hi and lo on February 15, 2013, 02:46:31 PM
Try running 9100>dr2d mic in

I don't think this is the right advice. The maximum input level mic in (using the 'low' gain setting) is only -16dBv and you're almost guaranteed to overload using an external preamp. Heck, even some mics w/ a battery box could overload the input w/ that rating. That's why attenuator cables are mandatory going sbd > mic in.

Maybe do it simply to test at home and rule out something wrong in the line input signal path, but I think that's an unlikely root cause.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on February 15, 2013, 08:53:47 PM
you're almost guaranteed to overload using an external preamp. Heck, even some mics w/ a battery box could overload the input w/ that rating. That's why attenuator cables are mandatory going sbd > mic in.

Maybe do it simply to test at home and rule out something wrong in the line input signal path, but I think that's an unlikely root cause.

Could help in troubleshooting. 

What you say above excluding the part in bold is true- you can overload the mic input with a hot source, but as long as the line-in record gain is keep at 67 or above (and the recorder is set to low gain) there is no fear of overloading the input stage as long as the meters on the DR2d are below clipping, regardless of the source, external preamp or sbd or whatever.

My regular DR2d setup is 4 x 4060 (pretty sensitive mics at 20mV/Pa) > 2 x CA-UGLY > into both mic AND line inputs. The UGLYs use the same circuit as the 9100 AFAIK. Admittedly I use very little if any gain increase on the UGLYs for most things, and would need attenuation for really loud stuff which I don't record with that rig.  But my setup with those external preamps works just fine for non-deafening music and the metering is accurate and trustworthy.  With less sensitive mics like the CA-11s, which are significantly less sensitive than 4060s although I don't know exactly by how much, I could record far louder material.. which I would certainly would need external attenuators for if using the 4060s.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: danny3 on February 24, 2013, 12:03:35 PM
Although I have a good supply of great rechargeable aa batteries, I have been wondering about an external battery powered source. I just got a dvd battery to power a UA5, and tried to power the DR-2d via the usb 5v, but the screen just show ‘USB connected’ just like when connected to the computer.

I have looked at the Tascam BP-6AA battery pack as an option, but see that this also connects via the usb jack.  Am I missing something simple?
I haven’t found any external 5v battery powered supply that connects to the DC IN jack.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Tisbo on February 24, 2013, 03:15:59 PM
I'm powering my DR-2d through a Universal Powerbank USB port (5v), but it can't go into the deck's USB port. I tried that and got the "USB connected" message. It has to go into the deck's "DC in." Ted Gakidis made me a short cable with the proper terminations (including a right-angle USB plug). I couldn't be happier with the powering.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: dallman on February 25, 2013, 02:42:36 PM

I have looked at the Tascam BP-6AA battery pack as an option, but see that this also connects via the usb jack.  Am I missing something simple?
I haven’t found any external 5v battery powered supply that connects to the DC IN jack.

The above unit comes with a cable that powers from the 5v DC in jack, not from the USB jack. You of course can put such a cord (usb>usb mini) in for other decks. There has been some success going with powering through the usb jack on some Tascam decks by starting the recording on battery power and then connecting the usb jack, I have never tried it on this deck, as getting the correct cable is of course much more fullproof. FWIW, I have the above unit and am very unimpressed with it (the Tascam battery box, not the Tascam DR2D which I really like a lot), as there are smaller more powerful ways to go, or larger more powerful ways to go too for that matter.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: danny3 on February 26, 2013, 07:37:31 AM
Thanks dallman and Tisbo. 

edit to admit: the proper tip to connect to the recorder was supplied with the battery. I can be a bit slow absorbing how best to suit my purposes. My new PB15000 powered a UA5 (w/ 48v to mics ) and my DR-2d (w/ DUAL -6 engaged for good measure) for just under 10 hours.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jb63 on March 08, 2013, 07:08:56 PM
Real quick:
Is there any way to turn off the red recording led on the dr2d?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: brad.bartels on March 08, 2013, 07:48:42 PM
Real quick:
Is there any way to turn off the red recording led on the dr2d?

Thanks!


You would think there would be. I couldn't figure out how to do it through the menus though... I only use the DR-2D for 4 channel stuff, which is always open so I've never tried before. I use the M-10 for not so open, you can do it on the M-10 through the menus.

If you can't figure anything else out, I would try putting some gaffers tape or black electrical tape over the light.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jb63 on March 09, 2013, 12:21:47 AM
it was the gaffer's tape.
(On both of them)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: olli66 on March 13, 2013, 06:04:16 PM
hi guys,
I am new to this site and new to audio taping. I am a video taper but last year I recorded some shows and if nobody records a decent audio...well it makes the filming rather pointless then. Oh by the way I am talking about "stealth" recordings here. No problems with security so far when I filmed because I use a HX20V digital camera which has picture quality like good camcorders...But now I intend to run an audio recording in addition. I have to accept some quality loss because I move a little during filming. So bare with me if I am not 100% the audio typical audio taper who wants to achieve the best quality recording possible. Of course I'd like that but it's not possible for me. I have high expectations when I listen to audio but I still prefer a concert on video with decent audio. This has much more replay value to me...
Ordered myself the DR2D. Should get it tomorrow. Ordered CA14 mics both cards and omnis and ugly II pre-amp. I already did a lot of research on how to use them and which mic is best for which situation. I figured since I don't stand still all the time I'd go for the omnis when recording a rock concert and I am filming at the same time.
In the future the DR2D will get heavy use I suppose with recording local acts and friend's and family's concerts. So I went for the DR2D for recording sbd and room audio at the same time.
I'd love to get some recommendations from you on what settings to use and I still have a couple of questions I didn't find answers to (they may have been discussed over and over so please don't be angry with me):
Battery life: With the latest firmware no problem for gigs up to 4 hours and sbd and room recording at the same time? Is the choice of battery (still) an issue? If duration is over 4 hours anyway with whatever battery used then I wouldn't dig deeper in the battery "issue" and would just use what's there.
Recording sbd+room audio: Did I understood correctly that it is not possible to adjust the line levels then? I heard the line in level may cause distortion. Will I be fine with my gear when recording sbd+room at the same time? I was told to plug in the microphones via pre-amp to the line in for best quality. So now the sbd takes this spot and I have to plug in the Ca-14s directly to mic-in. Will it work?
Is there any place I can borrow microphones for a small fee? Since Chris Church needs time for my order and I would like to take a test recording at the upcoming Gaslight Anthem gig in Germany, Duesseldorf I'd like to have some external omni mics.
Now there comes a really stupid question: Can I try the line in and simultaniously mic recording at home with my Marantz AVR with audio out connections. So with the right cable I could do some tests?
Thanks for your time and recommendations.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on March 14, 2013, 10:29:53 AM
+5 hrs is common.

Levels, inputs, and level adjustment have been covered over and over again in these DR2d threads.  Go back a few pages and you are sure to find all those questions answered several times over. Mics>CA-UGLY can go into either input, same with the SBD as long as the input level is appropriate.  Details are in those previous posts. [edit- check page 3 of both threads, I think that's the first mention in either thread, and is covered again multiple times later in both.]

Yes your home test is a good idea.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: olli66 on March 14, 2013, 05:43:21 PM
so I searched through pages 3-12, only info I could find regarding recording levels is: "Mic in at 67, line in at 95 are settings that work best" - so this is the recommendation?
any other settings? I would love to get the maximal dynamic range out of my recordings...I didn't find any infos on these matters of how to setup the Tascam. Just no filters and no lmiters. That's all? Still I wonder where to plug in the CA-14s with ugly II pre-amp. Line-in or mic-in? If I ever want to do a recording with as less gear as possible (just mic and recorder) would this be possible at all? I assume it's not possible with the CA-14s?
Heard a lot now about "hot" soundboard signals. Still didn't quite understand the solution...so a cable that lowers the hot signal would be a resolution? How does such a cable look if I want to order it in germany somewhere I have to know how it looks and how it's called...
THANKS
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on March 14, 2013, 06:00:33 PM
Those input level numbers are the 'do not go below' values.  You can use higher settings without fear.

You can plug the C-14> UGLYII into either input as long as you don't need input level settings below those settings to avoid clipping.  Since the new II version of the UGLY has far more easily adjustable gain on the preamp, it's safer to use the line-input (set to 100) and adjust your levels at the preamp as required for very loud stuff.  For quiet stuff either input should be safe.

If recording a SBD feed, attenuators (either built into your cables, or pluggable in-line) are a good idea, especially if you want to use the mic input which allows you to adjust levels while recording.  Attenuators are less necessary with the line-input, but may still be needed for a hot feed.  I've not had any problem without them, but I don't use the DR2d to record SBD feeds very often.  Search for ToddR's posts in these two threads for details on the use of external attenuators and the appropriate values to look for.

You can probably power the mics with the recorder alone using the mic-input (not the line) if you turn on mic power via a menu, but they will not be as optimally powered and will distort more easily with high sound levels.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: techgui on March 15, 2013, 12:20:46 PM
I'm going to use (2) Dr2d's tonight to record a musical.  One will be recording the sound board into the mic input with attenuator cable.  The second Tascam will be attached to the camcorder with external mics for room ambiance.  Should be good.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on March 15, 2013, 12:54:55 PM
I'm going to use (2) Dr2d's tonight to record a musical.  One will be recording the sound board into the mic input with attenuator cable.  The second Tascam will be attached to the camcorder with external mics for room ambiance.  Should be good.

Suggestion- Set them both up and put them both in rec/pause.  Then just before the start, place the moble, camcorder attached one next to the SBD one and use the IR remote to start both simultaneously with one button press.  The starting points of both files will then be very close if not perfectly sync'd.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Andrea82 on March 15, 2013, 04:15:43 PM
I bought some months ago the Tascam DR-2d, until now I don't have chance to record a show.
Now next week I can use my new recorder.
I put a 8GB SD Card, I set the Tascam to 24-bit 48 khz, and I see that the time available for recording is 31 minutes !!
Is it the dual recording that reduce the time?

I would connect the ca-14 in the "mic in". Which input level is generally good for a classic rock show? 70 on 100 ?
Mic gain obviously set to low.

Thanks to you all
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: ScoobieKW on March 15, 2013, 05:05:17 PM
I bought some months ago the Tascam DR-2d, until now I don't have chance to record a show.
Now next week I can use my new recorder.
I put a 8GB SD Card, I set the Tascam to 24-bit 48 khz, and I see that the time available for recording is 31 minutes !!
Is it the dual recording that reduce the time?

I would connect the ca-14 in the "mic in". Which input level is generally good for a classic rock show? 70 on 100 ?
Mic gain obviously set to low.

Thanks to you all

Dual recording does take more file space, however what you are seeing is a combination of two things.

1. The DR2D let's you set maximum file size up to 2GB. yours is set to 512MB
2. At 24bit 48khz each stereo file requires 1GB per hour.
3. The time left display on the DR2D gives you remaining time for that specific file.

Don't worry it'll start a new file seamlessly when it reaches the maximum file size.

For 4 track/dual recordings at your settings you will get 4 hours of recording on a 8GB card
 
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Andrea82 on March 15, 2013, 06:00:25 PM
I bought some months ago the Tascam DR-2d, until now I don't have chance to record a show.
Now next week I can use my new recorder.
I put a 8GB SD Card, I set the Tascam to 24-bit 48 khz, and I see that the time available for recording is 31 minutes !!
Is it the dual recording that reduce the time?

I would connect the ca-14 in the "mic in". Which input level is generally good for a classic rock show? 70 on 100 ?
Mic gain obviously set to low.

Thanks to you all

Dual recording does take more file space, however what you are seeing is a combination of two things.

1. The DR2D let's you set maximum file size up to 2GB. yours is set to 512MB
2. At 24bit 48khz each stereo file requires 1GB per hour.
3. The time left display on the DR2D gives you remaining time for that specific file.

Don't worry it'll start a new file seamlessly when it reaches the maximum file size.

For 4 track/dual recordings at your settings you will get 4 hours of recording on a 8GB card

I understand now, many thanks!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: techgui on March 16, 2013, 07:55:16 AM
I'm going to use (2) Dr2d's tonight to record a musical.  One will be recording the sound board into the mic input with attenuator cable.  The second Tascam will be attached to the camcorder with external mics for room ambiance.  Should be good.

Suggestion- Set them both up and put them both in rec/pause.  Then just before the start, place the moble, camcorder attached one next to the SBD one and use the IR remote to start both simultaneously with one button press.  The starting points of both files will then be very close if not perfectly sync'd.

That synced great!  Thanks. 

I used a 20db attenuator between the the Mackie board and the Dr2d's mic input and set the record input level at 75 and I was good to go.  Also used Dual record mode setting the second track 6db lower just in case.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: capnhook on March 16, 2013, 08:48:55 AM
I'm going to use (2) Dr2d's tonight to record a musical.  One will be recording the sound board into the mic input with attenuator cable.  The second Tascam will be attached to the camcorder with external mics for room ambiance.  Should be good.

Suggestion- Set them both up and put them both in rec/pause.  Then just before the start, place the moble, camcorder attached one next to the SBD one and use the IR remote to start both simultaneously with one button press.  The starting points of both files will then be very close if not perfectly sync'd.

That synced great!  Thanks. 

I used a 20db attenuator between the the Mackie board and the Dr2d's mic input and set the record input level at 75 and I was good to go.  Also used Dual record mode setting the second track 6db lower just in case.

Great to hear you were successful......+T


 8)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Andrea82 on March 19, 2013, 10:50:10 AM
Hi, I need just a confirm from someone that taped with the DR2d.

I will tape a live concert for the 1st time with this recorder. I connect my ca-14 omni on "mics" plug (my preamp is broken, but with the edirol I made excellent rec with only the ca mics )set the gain on low, and on input level I will set 70 or more, is right?
Also I set the dual recording to have a secure copy, it's enough to set at -6db?
Thanks to all
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: dallman on March 19, 2013, 02:32:33 PM
Hi, I need just a confirm from someone that taped with the DR2d.

I will tape a live concert for the 1st time with this recorder. I connect my ca-14 omni on "mics" plug (my preamp is broken, but with the edirol I made excellent rec with only the ca mics )set the gain on low, and on input level I will set 70 or more, is right?
Also I set the dual recording to have a secure copy, it's enough to set at -6db?
Thanks to all
That sounds correct, I cannot recall if I have gone mic in without a pre, but make sure that if you do, you have plug in power turned on  for the mics.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 19, 2013, 06:24:36 PM
I miss my old dr2d. Ill def be ordering another one this fall after festie season
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Andrea82 on March 21, 2013, 08:33:08 PM
Just return at home from a gig, I have the 2nd file on my tascam at 0 bytes, if i try to play it i receive the error file message.
What operations can I try to recovery the file??
Many thanks to all.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Andrea82 on March 23, 2013, 10:07:46 AM
I saved my recording !!!!  ;D  ;)  :D

This is what I do (many thanks to TimeBandit) :

Quote from: TimeBandit on June 27, 2012, 10:50:00 AM

    My Dr-5 had also an issue with some Transcend cards, but i was able to rescure the recordings with the "0 Byte" file size:

    1. run chkdsk :[drive letter] /f on the card
    2. search for the .chk file that was created on your hard drive (maybe it is hidden by the windows machine, i used a knoppix boot disk to make it viewable) and rename that .chk to .wav
    3. use "audiohack"; audiohack /N [file.wav]
    4. import the created .raw file to an audio editor (use raw import, not open), like import raw in audacity, usually the machine records "little endian", and choose sample frequency and bit depth you did in the recording
    5. now you`ve got the file back (or most of the file until the moment the machine crashed), and go on like normal (mastering if neccessary, then export to Wave, Flac etc ...)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on March 23, 2013, 10:58:25 AM
Hi
sorry I have all the levels in my head ( 67, 95 ... ) but there's one level that I don't know and I'm not sure i'll be able to find it here : I d'like to record iem on the mic in ( because I use the line in for my microphone and it works perfectly I prefer not to change this  ) , is there a maximum and/or a minimum mic in level to set to record a source like iem by mic in please ?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: shownomarcy on March 24, 2013, 02:10:26 PM
Looks like a nice gear! But I'm a bit confused... sorry for not reading this huuge thread! :(

I searched at LMA and found some recordings used Dr-2d for sbd+external mics. Is it working well?
Is it possible to record 4 channel with 2 pair of external mics?
(Tascam overview ensures only that it can be used for internal mics+sbd?)

Thanks!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: colinw on March 24, 2013, 02:16:55 PM
Looks like a nice gear! But I'm a bit confused... sorry for not reading this huuge thread! :(

I searched at LMA and found some recordings used Dr-2d for sbd+external mics. Is it working well?
Is it possible to record 4 channel with 2 pair of external mics?
(Tascam overview ensures only that it can be used for internal mics+sbd?)

Thanks!

You can record with two pairs of external mics, one using Mic in, the other using linein. You can record them as separate tracks or mix them on the go with the recorder. I have only ever recorded separate files and mixed them later on the computer.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: shownomarcy on March 24, 2013, 03:11:47 PM

You can record with two pairs of external mics, one using Mic in, the other using linein. You can record them as separate tracks or mix them on the go with the recorder. I have only ever recorded separate files and mixed them later on the computer.

In that case looks really useful and its price is also ok! :)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on March 26, 2013, 11:10:33 AM
..is there a maximum and/or a minimum mic in level [snip]?

minimum safe mic-in level before overload = ~65-67
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: shownomarcy on March 26, 2013, 03:18:04 PM
Went through the most of the 2 topics, was thinking about it and finally ordered! Thanks guyz, its your responsibility! :D

I will check the card compatibility for sure based on I read were some issue. Is it right that who had error issue during rec, couldnt make full format? So may trying a full format and if its done, couldn't be problem later on(?)
I always could handle sbd signal with Edirol easily, we'll see with this one.

Seems like rec time gonna be ok, usually 4-5 hrs max what I need in one night (Edirol R-09HR could make it) so if this gear can make it in dual/line mode, its enough to me.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: dogmusic on April 11, 2013, 08:22:03 AM
Sorry if this has been covered, but has anyone run two DR2d's for an 8 track recording? Just wondering how bad the drift would be.

Also, could I use a mic preamp with phantom power and plug into the mic in jack on the DR2d? The preamp has a 3.5mm output.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on April 11, 2013, 09:33:39 AM
Yes, you can run an external preamp into the mic-input.  Turn off the PIP. 

Degree of drift depends on the varience between the clocks of the two particular recorders. I've thought about doing this with mine but have not done so yet, so I can't say how close my two particular DR2ds are, but it seemed to work well for techgui recently.  Use the remote to control the transport functions of both recorders simultaneously as noted below.

If it turns out the drift between the two requires correction, I've thought about making a 'Y' cable that feeds one external preamp channel to both recorders.  That way there would be one duplicate channel across both file sets, which would make sync/stretching one set to match the other much easier when necessary and still allow for 7 independent channels.

I'm going to use (2) Dr2d's tonight to record a musical.  One will be recording the sound board into the mic input with attenuator cable.  The second Tascam will be attached to the camcorder with external mics for room ambiance.  Should be good.

Suggestion- Set them both up and put them both in rec/pause.  Then just before the start, place the moble, camcorder attached one next to the SBD one and use the IR remote to start both simultaneously with one button press.  The starting points of both files will then be very close if not perfectly sync'd.

That synced great!  Thanks. 

I used a 20db attenuator between the the Mackie board and the Dr2d's mic input and set the record input level at 75 and I was good to go.  Also used Dual record mode setting the second track 6db lower just in case.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: dogmusic on April 11, 2013, 01:19:07 PM
Yes, you can run an external preamp into the mic-input.  Turn off the PIP. 

Degree of drift depends on the varience between the clocks of the two particular recorders. I've thought about doing this with mine but have not done so yet, so I can't say how close my two particular DR2ds are, but it seemed to work well for techgui recently.  Use the remote to control the transport functions of both recorders simultaneously as noted below.

If it turns out the drift between the two requires correction, I've thought about making a 'Y' cable that feeds one external preamp channel to both recorders.  That way there would be one duplicate channel across both file sets, which would make sync/stretching one set to match the other much easier when necessary and still allow for 7 independent channels.

I'm going to use (2) Dr2d's tonight to record a musical.  One will be recording the sound board into the mic input with attenuator cable.  The second Tascam will be attached to the camcorder with external mics for room ambiance.  Should be good.

Suggestion- Set them both up and put them both in rec/pause.  Then just before the start, place the moble, camcorder attached one next to the SBD one and use the IR remote to start both simultaneously with one button press.  The starting points of both files will then be very close if not perfectly sync'd.

That synced great!  Thanks. 

I used a 20db attenuator between the the Mackie board and the Dr2d's mic input and set the record input level at 75 and I was good to go.  Also used Dual record mode setting the second track 6db lower just in case.

Thanks for that info. And the suggestion of using one channel to go to both recorders will be something I'll try once I get my second DR2d.

I'll be recording a 4-piece band with a drum set, so I actually had thought of putting the overheads on a different DR2d than the kick and snare (since there'd be bleed anyway) for lining up the tracks.

I wish I'd given this some thought when the DR2d's were going out the door for $100.00....

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on April 11, 2013, 05:21:33 PM
Sorry if this has been covered, but has anyone run two DR2d's for an 8 track recording? Just wondering how bad the drift would be.

Also, could I use a mic preamp with phantom power and plug into the mic in jack on the DR2d? The preamp has a 3.5mm output.

Thanks.

^ Haven't tried this or seen it from anyone else.  I have done a couple SBD + AUD matrices with the DR-2d where I also ran omnis onstage or another rig, I could try to sync them up.  There's no reason what you are suggesting would not work, but most people buy a DR-2d because they don't want to bother with syncing in post.  To answer the question the internal clocks would be different like any recorder, it's just a matter of how skilled you are at doing the sync in post. 

The preamp should work into the mic in but the mic in probably can't handle gain so just don't add any.  It's odd because on mine a battery box results in low volume if I don't use phantom power even with the volume at 67, but If I even add 10db of gain it will peak.  Maybe I should use mic in with phantom and leave it at 65?

I'm curious - does anyone have a link to a recording of SBD + omnis onstage done with the DR-2d?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: danny3 on April 11, 2013, 06:14:22 PM
^ Here is one of my better pulls, although not done with omnis:
http://archive.org/details/KungFu2013-02-02.akg.sbd.mix

I have made many six track recordings with two Dr-2ds, with varying success at synching them in post. In my limited experience I don't think there is very much drift between the two recorders.
Now that I just got a DR-680 things will be a lot easier.

Edit to add: here are two six channel recording done on two DR-2ds:  http://archive.org/details/flabberghaster2012-04-14.mix , http://archive.org/details/flabberghaster2013-01-11.mix
(ps. the Kung Fu set was mixed from two different DR-2ds.)

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: dogmusic on April 11, 2013, 06:31:03 PM
It's odd because on mine a battery box results in low volume if I don't use phantom power even with the volume at 67, but If I even add 10db of gain it will peak.  Maybe I should use mic in with phantom and leave it at 65?

Thanks also for that info.

I was wondering if in your reference to "phantom power" with your battery box, do you mean the "plug-in power" on the DR2d?

The preamp I would be using delivers 48v phantom power to a pair of condenser mics.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on April 11, 2013, 06:58:47 PM
^ Yes, Plug In Power / PIP is correct, I was wrong above.  I haven't used it with mic in yet but might next time I run the BB just to see the difference.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on April 12, 2013, 09:32:00 AM
^ Here is one of my better pulls, although not done with omnis:
http://archive.org/details/KungFu2013-02-02.akg.sbd.mix

I have made many six track recordings with two Dr-2ds, with varying success at synching them in post. In my limited experience I don't think there is very much drift between the two recorders.
Now that I just got a DR-680 things will be a lot easier.

Edit to add: here are two six channel recording done on two DR-2ds:  http://archive.org/details/flabberghaster2012-04-14.mix , http://archive.org/details/flabberghaster2013-01-11.mix
(ps. the Kung Fu set was mixed from two different DR-2ds.)

Thanks danny, I'll give those a listen.  I would also be using two machines in order to get five or six channels.  With your particular DR2ds, did you just need to align the resulting files which took care of the entire set, or did you find you needed do more such as re-aligning each tracked song or time-stretching one file set slightly to match the other?  It is nice having all six channels perfectly aligned and sync'd using the DR680, I think you'll really dig it.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on April 13, 2013, 01:44:11 PM
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=161804.0 (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=161804.0) < No affil, but if anyone is looking for one check this out.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: shownomarcy on April 15, 2013, 02:50:16 AM
Had my first test! Went to a small club and set up cardioid (at 853) and omni (ca-14) mics too because my previous card recs didn't sound really good in that room. Recorded 7 hardcore bands. Though I have no problem with synching, its really comfortable that you dont need to synch before mix! :) Cardioid is louder, it sounded better this night. This is not really a good sounding room!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdp6irqiaGY&list=UUcl-yhr8CnZZI7u6KUbxBjQ&index=3

at 853 > bb > Tascam DR-2d Mic in
ca-14 > ca-9200 > Tascam DR-2d line in

Set input to low and 97. I chose to insert my battery box to mic in because that one can not change input level, as ca-9200, so I could set it on DR-2d. Mic input was set around 70. While reading here that under 67/95 level the sound could be brickwalled(?) I was afraided a bit what if the sound is too high? Because I go to loud rock shows, as you can see at the sample. But with these settings the volume is even quieter than I expected, so Im calm I dont have such a problem.
Even I could have added a +10 db gain on ca-9200 (volume was set max) and mic level could have been 80+

Used Duracell nimh 2450 batteries (recorded in 16/44), recorded about 3,5 hours, but seemed like it could be enough for 7 hrs.

Littlie dislike: I got used to on Edirol that remaining time means full on the card. DR-2d shows what remains of 2gb, as I remember. It isn't really important information for me.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on April 15, 2013, 10:26:58 AM
It's not displayed on the screen while recording, but you can check the how much unused space remains on a card by going into the file menu and selecting infromation/card.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: danny3 on April 17, 2013, 07:42:23 AM
^ Here is one of my better pulls, although not done with omnis:
http://archive.org/details/KungFu2013-02-02.akg.sbd.mix

I have made many six track recordings with two Dr-2ds, with varying success at synching them in post. In my limited experience I don't think there is very much drift between the two recorders.
Now that I just got a DR-680 things will be a lot easier.

Edit to add: here are two six channel recording done on two DR-2ds:  http://archive.org/details/flabberghaster2012-04-14.mix , http://archive.org/details/flabberghaster2013-01-11.mix
(ps. the Kung Fu set was mixed from two different DR-2ds.)
Thanks danny, I'll give those a listen.  I would also be using two machines in order to get five or six channels.  With your particular DR2ds, did you just need to align the resulting files which took care of the entire set, or did you find you needed do more such as re-aligning each tracked song or time-stretching one file set slightly to match the other?  It is nice having all six channels perfectly aligned and sync'd using the DR680, I think you'll really dig it.

I enjoy working with my recordings in post, but the concept of drift and the procedure for stretching/shrinking a track to mix different sources together are subjects that I have not found easy. I find that mixing two (stereo) tracks made on the same recorder isn’t too difficult and can be a rewarding effort. I started out using MixPad because I had it and was familiar with it, but now find Audacity easier and more reliable to work with.

I have only aligned entire sets, going by eye and ear.  I sometimes wonder how many milliseconds off one can get away with in a two hour set, and there are a few shows that I would like to try to save by aligning individual songs, but for the most part I find little difference between the recorders. I have put the mathematics lessons of shrinking/stretching on a shelf for some future day. Having the DR-680 would seem to push that day even further away, although I’ll bet I am mixing tracks from it and a DR-2d or two sometimes just for kicks!

There are some shows that I have multiple sources for that I can tell something is amiss when trying to align/synch them, and I have begun to appreciate the concepts through the experience of the visual display of the waveforms. When overly confounded or frustrated I usually give up and either just upload the aud, or the files sit in a folder for future dalliance. There are a few mixes I uploaded to archive early on that I should probably revisit.

BTW, I have nothing but good things to say about the DR-2d, and I love the DR-680!


Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: yltfan on April 27, 2013, 07:32:40 PM
Probably a stupid question, but is there anything special I need to do to set up for recording two inputs, other than setting the Dual to "line"? The manual says this will give you microphones + line in, I'm assuming the internals go away when you plug something in.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: asobriquet on April 27, 2013, 09:40:11 PM
I have my input setting set to "mic" and then the dual setting at "line".  The internal mics are indeed replaced by whatever you plug into the mic-in.  You should also set the line-in level beforehand to where you'd like it to be( I usually use 100), because it's not adjustable once you are recording.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: The Godfather on April 29, 2013, 10:48:44 PM
Hey guys I need some assistance regarding my Recently purchased DR-2d. I've read both threads, and have soaked up all your advice and I am thankful for it. I love this recorder and it is an upgrade from my Sony MZ-R37 (I'll forever love MDs). I, however am still having a problem with the DR-2d with it not showing a recordable time greater than 3:22:34 but the problem is with the sd card(s) I've used. Ive used cards recommended in this thread (transcend and Kingston), but I've also tried out a different card, and it was something similar to the 2+ year old tascam tested sd cards list for the DR-2d. All the cards used still show 3:22:34 remaining no matter what size card I put in.

I have tried:

transcend 32gb class 10
Kingston 16gb class 6,
Sandisk 32gb class 4

I have used all these 3 cards in the DR-2d and none of them are showing the correct recordable time left after doing a quick format and a full format. Ive put the unit on standby with mics plugged in, and no mics at all and still nada. I returned the sandisk card b/c I was surprised that it could have been the card but when I bought the Kingston and Transcend cards and tried them I became annoyed.  All 3 cards however show their respective sizes under the information tab of the menu screen. I even have wiped out all the cards and have done initialize on all of them.

I've contacted tascam directly and still haven't heard back from them. (I assume ill hear from them in a few days)What do you guys think my problem is? Do I have bad unit? (I am using ver 1.3). Im a bit edgy using this to tape, i mean i could use the stock card, but i bought bigger cards for the same purpose. This is frustrating, but most importantly to me it hurts my confidence in relying on this recorder for festival shows, or even 1 act shows. Any help and/or advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: yltfan on April 30, 2013, 12:29:30 AM
I have my input setting set to "mic" and then the dual setting at "line".  The internal mics are indeed replaced by whatever you plug into the mic-in.  You should also set the line-in level beforehand to where you'd like it to be( I usually use 100), because it's not adjustable once you are recording.

Don't both levels adjust together?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: asobriquet on April 30, 2013, 01:29:39 AM
I have my input setting set to "mic" and then the dual setting at "line".  The internal mics are indeed replaced by whatever you plug into the mic-in.  You should also set the line-in level beforehand to where you'd like it to be( I usually use 100), because it's not adjustable once you are recording.

Don't both levels adjust together?

No, unfortunately, only the mic-in is adjustable via the DR2d's button controls.  The line-in is fixed to whatever level has been set beforehand.  The only way to affect the levels of the line-in source while recording is to do so with an external preamp. 
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: yltfan on April 30, 2013, 02:04:49 AM
^ Thanks for clarifying. I thought that "100" meant 100% of the mic level...
I like this little deck, but some of the controls are pretty non-intuitive. Time to read everything on here about it.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on April 30, 2013, 10:06:55 AM
All the cards used still show 3:22:34 remaining no matter what size card I put in.

It's working correctly.  It displays the time remaining while writing to the current file.  Each file is limited to 2GB maximum before a new file starts automatically. As long as the card has more than 2GB free, the maximum time remaining on the display will only change if you adjust the sample rate, bit depth, or file size limit settings.  To see how much space is remaining on the card you need to go to the Information/Card screen tab.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: shownomarcy on April 30, 2013, 10:53:46 AM
All the cards used still show 3:22:34 remaining no matter what size card I put in.

It's working correctly.  It displays the time remaining while writing to the current file.  Each file is limited to 2GB maximum before a new file starts automatically. As long as the card has more than 2GB free, the maximum time remaining on the display will only change if you adjust the sample rate, bit depth, or file size limit settings.  To see how much space is remaining on the card you need to go to the Information/Card screen tab.

yes, thats what I also noted.
"Littlie dislike: I got used to on Edirol that remaining time means full on the card. DR-2d shows what remains of 2gb, as I remember. It isn't really important information for me."

Btw I had my first test of SBD+AUD recording. First I put SBD to Mic in accidently and it was too loud. And AUD in Line in was too quiet. I could have asked the soundman but I either changed the inputs and than was great. (line in 98, mic in ~75) This gears line in seems to be quieter than Edirol R-09HR. I needed to set lower the input level, but on DR-2d it could go with max vol, I think.

Not really important, I remember file name reset was mentioned, what was the answer to reset its counting, only by factory reset?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: The Godfather on May 01, 2013, 06:15:07 PM
All the cards used still show 3:22:34 remaining no matter what size card I put in.

It's working correctly.  It displays the time remaining while writing to the current file.  Each file is limited to 2GB maximum before a new file starts automatically. As long as the card has more than 2GB free, the maximum time remaining on the display will only change if you adjust the sample rate, bit depth, or file size limit settings.  To see how much space is remaining on the card you need to go to the Information/Card screen tab.

Thank you for the response and info. It is much appreciated.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: olli66 on May 05, 2013, 02:26:50 AM
hi guys,
I need help regarding my Tascam...it's a new unit and I am an audio taper newbie. I taped one Gaslight Anthem show and one Frank Turner show yet and so far no problems. But this weekend I have been to two Springsteen shows and those are much longer (as you know). My SD card didn't work first night. I don' know what happened. I set the levels and it started. Put everything in my pocket and had a hard time to not sing along as I usually do and after the show my Tascam was off. I was pissed because it died and if I had known I would have at least sang along...
I couldn't tell what the problem was. Back at our room I tried the SD in my laptop. Broken files. I tried to reformat the SD card with the Tascam but the format screen just just froze and nothing happened. Then I formated the card again with my laptop and then it worked again. I hope it stays that way. Anyone ever experienced problems like this?
Next problem: second night's show just 2 hours or so taped. I used the right battery settings and fully charged Duracell 2400mah batteries and, of course, latest firmware on my Tascam. Any ideas?
Thanks for your help.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: hoserama on May 05, 2013, 12:20:04 PM
1. Get a new card
2. Maybe consider using lithiums for Springsteen
3. Habit I do when breaking in a new card...format it and then let it run for the full length of the card. Make sure it doesn't write time-out due to bad sectors.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: eric66 on May 06, 2013, 04:34:10 AM
This is a typical Tascam DR-07/DR-2D problem. Sometimes you will get an error but
to me this always happened during the first 10/15 minutes of a recording.
So my advice, turn on the recorder plusminus 30 minutes before a show starts, start the recording and check
if everything works fine after 15 or 20 minutes.
If not, change SD-card and start recording again!

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: shownomarcy on May 06, 2013, 07:19:37 AM
May try a FULL format with DR-2d, I wonder if you can make it without error?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: olli66 on May 09, 2013, 05:28:12 AM
well, I by now tried 5 different SD cards, they all fail, some directly, some after 2 hours...I am really pissed
wanted to record two concerts and the first did not record at all and the second just for two hours.
I get "file error" messages and the files are totally unusable afterwards
I now tried a mini SD card (the only other one I could find) with a mini SD to SD adapter, recording now since 40 minutes but who knows if it runs through, one of my other sd cards recorded to its maximum once but since then always gave me error messages even after re-formatting
so I guess I should return the unit? really sucks 'caue I am going to 14 shows the next 3 months...
btw some cards don't work at all, it says "MRB error" and I can't use the card at all
is this a common thing with the Tascam?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on May 09, 2013, 09:22:38 AM
Not common.  I'd return it for a new one before your recording dates come around.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: dallman on May 09, 2013, 02:37:54 PM
This is a typical Tascam DR-07/DR-2D problem. Sometimes you will get an error but
to me this always happened during the first 10/15 minutes of a recording.
So my advice, turn on the recorder plusminus 30 minutes before a show starts, start the recording and check
if everything works fine after 15 or 20 minutes.
If not, change SD-card and start recording again!

I would disagree with this comment. I have never had this issue and I had a DR07 for quite a while, and am on my second DR2d (the first was stolen but well used). It may that you are using a less than fully compatible card if you get an error occasionally. With the Tascam portables I reformat each time I take it out in the field, and it is always the short format because the full one takes a really long time, especially now using 16 and 32 gb cards. But I have never gotten an error. I would not consider having to wait 15 minutes to see if my recording is going to work as an acceptable situation. I use off brands like Wintec, HP, polaroid, and Microcenters brand whatever their better brand is, but always class 10 for my SDHC cards. I used to get an error with my Tascam DR08 which is SDHC micro, but I finally bought a recommended card from the Tascam DR08 approved list and that solved my problem with that deck.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: yltfan on May 23, 2013, 01:35:49 AM
Is there a way to toggle between mic-in and line-in for monitoring thru line out? I am only able to get mic-in.

Also, is it better to run my ca-9100 preamp into the mic-in (since I will have more control over the gain), and the board feed into line in? But because of the above question about monitoring, I would prefer to run the board feed in to mic-in (so I can give it a listen).

As always, advice appreciated!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: eric66 on May 23, 2013, 08:28:32 AM
This is a typical Tascam DR-07/DR-2D problem. Sometimes you will get an error but
to me this always happened during the first 10/15 minutes of a recording.
So my advice, turn on the recorder plusminus 30 minutes before a show starts, start the recording and check
if everything works fine after 15 or 20 minutes.
If not, change SD-card and start recording again!

I would disagree with this comment. I have never had this issue and I had a DR07 for quite a while, and am on my second DR2d (the first was stolen but well used). It may that you are using a less than fully compatible card if you get an error occasionally. With the Tascam portables I reformat each time I take it out in the field, and it is always the short format because the full one takes a really long time, especially now using 16 and 32 gb cards. But I have never gotten an error. I would not consider having to wait 15 minutes to see if my recording is going to work as an acceptable situation. I use off brands like Wintec, HP, polaroid, and Microcenters brand whatever their better brand is, but always class 10 for my SDHC cards. I used to get an error with my Tascam DR08 which is SDHC micro, but I finally bought a recommended card from the Tascam DR08 approved list and that solved my problem with that deck.

I always used Sandisk class 2 or 4 standard cards (and tested and recommended by Tascam). The cards which gives me an error today probably will work fine the other day after a reformat.
In normal circumstances errors won't occur very often, in my case it was probably a heat problem caused by myself.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on May 23, 2013, 11:00:04 AM
Is there a way to toggle between mic-in and line-in for monitoring thru line out? I am only able to get mic-in.

I don't use the line-out while recording with this deck and assumed the monitor out source would be switched along with the meter source switching, but others report that it isn't. 

Quote
Also, is it better to run my ca-9100 preamp into the mic-in (since I will have more control over the gain), and the board feed into line in? But because of the above question about monitoring, I would prefer to run the board feed in to mic-in (so I can give it a listen).

Depends on the situation.  Line-input can handle a hotter input before overload, mic-input gain is adjustable while recording.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on June 01, 2013, 03:20:36 PM
Just noticed something pretty odd while doing a matrix. I mixed down two recordings and this happened in both. I ran two shows, one had both files at -4db and the other had both files at -5.8db. In both cases when I matrixed the two they came out to -8db in the resulting wave file, even though I had added a couple db to one in the matrix. This is weird because I never encountered this while mixing two recordings from different recorders by speed change, the resulting file was always closer to -.01db. I was running CA-14 Cards > STC-9200(+15db) > DR-2d LineIn and CA-CAFs Omnis > CA-UBB > DR-2d MicIn.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: shownomarcy on June 02, 2013, 03:38:15 PM
I dont know could be quieter if they are not the same phase?


btw: I dropped!  ::) my DR-2d from more than a meter, I think, cca 100-130 cm (to hard floor). Had no problem at all, than made two good recordings!
THANKS Tascam! :)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on June 03, 2013, 09:42:06 AM
Just noticed something pretty odd while doing a matrix.

Are you certain there isn't one or several gain adjustments happening somewhere in your editing software signal chain?
If not, then check the polarity of the two files by zooming in on the waveform to see if one is inverted relative to the other.  If so try inverting the polarity of one file.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on June 28, 2013, 11:42:00 AM
^ It was likely the gain setting in Audacity. I need to be more careful with that..

I'd like to note something about running CA-11 Cards > UBB Batt box > DR-2d Mic In. Levels are WAY low if you run this setup and have the volume set in the 60s. I had it set at 100 because I had a very low level SBD patch, it worked but levels were so low there was hiss. Anyway, I forgot and still had it set to 100 for Panic the next weekend and it turned out fine. If we are using a mic like the Church cards, those have pretty low sensitivity so IMO I don't see any issues running levels a little higher. Any opinions or insight? For the record, I wouldn't try that with the omnis, they seem a little more sensitive.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on June 28, 2013, 11:56:55 AM
Go into the menu and up the mic input gain setting from LOW to MID, or if it's already set to MID than up it to HIGH.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on June 28, 2013, 12:24:15 PM
Go into the menu and up the mic input gain setting from LOW to MID, or if it's already set to MID than up it to HIGH.

^ What mics / BB / pre are you using? I appreciate all your suggestions in this thread but I think the mic in gain setting is something that should be left on LOW and never touched. YMMV, but I set it to medium once and the result was what looked to be a brickwalled recording. It sounded fine, just a little boomy(it was omnis), but I would rather worry about amplification in post than clipping / brickwalling.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on June 28, 2013, 01:07:35 PM
If you need to max out the mic-input gain at 100 with it set to LOW and are still getting recording levels that aren't high enough and have noise floor problems, you'll benefit from more gain.  Not sure what the good range of settings will be in that case; you'd need to experiment to find out.  However, with mic-gain set to MID you will be able to set the mic-gain lower than the established "do not go below level" of LOW/67 on the mic-input if necessary.  How much lower I don't know.  The upper limit should simply be that which clips the meters for whatever you are recording, assuming you have the limiter and auto-gain turned off.

I'm usually running DPA 4060 (which are quite sensitive) > CA-UGLY (used more or less like a battery box, set for zero or minimal gain, maybe +/-5dB) > DR-2d.  Identical signal chain into both inputs (4 mics > 2preamps) > mic-input set to LOW/67, line-input set to 97.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: MLKLuke on July 01, 2013, 06:35:22 PM
hi guys...just bought a pair of Countryman B3 and would like to use them together with my AT853 (3 Wire version) into DR2D

here the 2 rigs:

#1: AT853 > CA9200 3Wire or Custom Made 3Wire BBox > DR2D
#2: Countryman B3 > CA-UBB > DR2D

What's the best configuration for them with DR2D?

I was thinking about pluggin the AT into MIC-IN cause I suppose they're less sensitive than B3s (even if the B3 are the low sens version). When I will use CA9200 I would like to set the MIC-IN gain near to a neutral value (which is...what?!) so that I can use CA9200 gain that is supposed to be better than internal DR2D preamp...isn't it?! When I will use the custom 3wire Bbox then I would just raise the MIC-IN gain till the right level. Then I would plug the B3s into LINE-IN hoping that the 100 setting is not too high and not too low for them.

or maybe it would be better to plug the AT853 with CA9200 preamp into LINE-IN so that I can change levels from the CA9200 and then connect the B3s to the MIC-IN and change the levels from DR2D mic-in preamp?

waiting for your opinion/suggestions...thanks in advance

Luca


 
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on July 01, 2013, 07:39:38 PM
or maybe it would be better to plug the AT853 with CA9200 preamp into LINE-IN so that I can change levels from the CA9200 and then connect the B3s to the MIC-IN and change the levels from DR2D mic-in preamp?

^^ Try it this way 1st.

Line-in set to 100.
Mic-in set to LOW and no lower than 67, higher is OK if needed.
PIP off.
Auto level control and limiter off.

(Edit- limiter can be used if you like, but most prefer setting levels conservatively enough to not need it)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 02, 2013, 02:10:14 AM
or maybe it would be better to plug the AT853 with CA9200 preamp into LINE-IN so that I can change levels from the CA9200 and then connect the B3s to the MIC-IN and change the levels from DR2D mic-in preamp?

^^ Try it this way 1st.

Line-in set to 100.
Mic-in set to LOW and no lower than 67, higher is OK if needed.
PIP off.
Auto level control and limiter off.

(Edit- limiter can be used if you like, but most prefer setting levels conservatively enough to not need it)

Also, I would use 9200 into LINE IN, since youre getting gain from the 9200. And run the BB into MIC IN, so you can get additional gain from the DR2Ds MIC PREAMP ;)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on July 02, 2013, 02:39:19 AM
or maybe it would be better to plug the AT853 with CA9200 preamp into LINE-IN so that I can change levels from the CA9200 and then connect the B3s to the MIC-IN and change the levels from DR2D mic-in preamp?

^^ Try it this way 1st.

Line-in set to 100.
Mic-in set to LOW and no lower than 67, higher is OK if needed.
PIP off.
Auto level control and limiter off.

(Edit- limiter can be used if you like, but most prefer setting levels conservatively enough to not need it)

Also, I would use 9200 into LINE IN, since youre getting gain from the 9200. And run the BB into MIC IN, so you can get additional gain from the DR2Ds MIC PREAMP ;)

Um yeah, do it like Bean suggests, heh.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 02, 2013, 04:12:40 AM
or maybe it would be better to plug the AT853 with CA9200 preamp into LINE-IN so that I can change levels from the CA9200 and then connect the B3s to the MIC-IN and change the levels from DR2D mic-in preamp?

^^ Try it this way 1st.

Line-in set to 100.
Mic-in set to LOW and no lower than 67, higher is OK if needed.
PIP off.
Auto level control and limiter off.

(Edit- limiter can be used if you like, but most prefer setting levels conservatively enough to not need it)

Also, I would use 9200 into LINE IN, since youre getting gain from the 9200. And run the BB into MIC IN, so you can get additional gain from the DR2Ds MIC PREAMP ;)

Um yeah, do it like Bean suggests, heh.

 8)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: MLKLuke on July 02, 2013, 01:28:05 PM
thanks guys, will try that way  ;)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: shownomarcy on July 08, 2013, 04:08:53 AM
I also realized that DR-2d has a much quieter recording result than my Edirol R-09HR. But I did not set it to MID gain, because I recorded from Sbd too and it would be too much in that case.

Oh, one QUESTION:
I was at an acoustic show (what is very rare - turned out very cool) and it was quite quiet, I used CA-9200 preamp to add +20-30 gain. (Didnt want to stop and set DR-2d during the show) Would you do it, or either set DR-2d to MID sensitivity? Any difference, advantage, disadvantage?

MLKLuke:
I think the most important to check if you use line in, shouldn't peak. In that case you dont need a preamp to change leve input. But it could be really quieter than using mic in, so the CA preamp with plus gain can be useful.
Also check mic in. If with 67 level does not peak, you're good.
I have only one preamp by now, so I try to test at the soundcheck if which one (mic or ine in) does need to lower than 67/97 or need much higher than with 100 set at Tascam.

I must say, I couldn't really make similar vol levels with both channels, so I edited them post for mixing 2 channels.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: red on July 11, 2013, 10:58:51 PM
i have an r09hr and dr07 and dr2d all of which i've used with great results...i've never tried the dual mode on the dr2d and am intrigued so am gonna try it this weekend at a loud club show (local band so not concerned if it's a disaster).  here's what i'm thinking of doing:

rec 1:  mic (low) in level 67  sp-cmc-8 (4.7k) w/ at853 adaptor and at853 subcards > SP bbox 69khz rolloff < dr2d
rec 2:  line in level 97  sp-cmc-4u (4.7k) cards > SP bbox 69khz rolloff < dr2d

Auto level control and limiter off.  If anyone has any additional dual rec advice thx in advance.

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 12, 2013, 12:37:28 AM
stay away from using an HPF AT the show. Do it in post if it needs done ;)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: red on July 12, 2013, 07:12:28 PM
stay away from using an HPF AT the show. Do it in post if it needs done ;)

thx...i'll doublecheck to make sure all that stuff is OFF.  i have one final question:  what do i set the level at (the range is -6db to -12db).

[edit] ok i figured it out, didn't have it set to line.  moot question.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: red on July 14, 2013, 04:46:03 PM
last night was a great success.  I set the levels as noted in my previous thread...the peaks were about -18/-20 db, but i'd rather be cautious on that side than have clipping.  thanks to everyone who's posted in the dr2d threads, the info is all really helpful.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 16, 2013, 01:08:12 AM
last night was a great success.  I set the levels as noted in my previous thread...the peaks were about -18/-20 db, but i'd rather be cautious on that side than have clipping.  thanks to everyone who's posted in the dr2d threads, the info is all really helpful.

Congrats bro. Got a link or sample to the show I can DL/Stream?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: time will tell on August 12, 2013, 01:07:46 PM
47 pages in two days.....that was like a marathon of reading. Thanks to all who did all of the leg work I figuring out how to best use this deck. I wish that I would have read it before I brick walked an awesome set by a newer band last week. I feel that I am equipped with the knowledge, after reading all of this to get a good pull on Wednesday from TTB/Black Crowes. This is my plan for that show. My seat is 22 rows back, almost dead center.

Bsc-1's (cards or omnis?)-->edirol (busmann mod)-->dr-2d line in set @100,low gain
AT853's cards-->CA9100 (set at unity)-->dr-2d mic in @67

Does anybody see anything wrong with those settings? Also, what suggestions for the caps on the bsc1's?

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: colinw on August 12, 2013, 01:20:06 PM
47 pages in two days.....that was like a marathon of reading. Thanks to all who did all of the leg work I figuring out how to best use this deck. I wish that I would have read it before I brick walked an awesome set by a newer band last week. I feel that I am equipped with the knowledge, after reading all of this to get a good pull on Wednesday from TTB/Black Crowes. This is my plan for that show. My seat is 22 rows back, almost dead center.

Bsc-1's (cards or omnis?)-->edirol (busmann mod)-->dr-2d line in set @100,low gain
AT853's cards-->CA9100 (set at unity)-->dr-2d mic in @67

Does anybody see anything wrong with those settings? Also, what suggestions for the caps on the bsc1's?

I think that looks fine to me. I run bcs1 > TInybox > dr-2d with line in set at 95, and low gain on the recorder. The tinybox is set on LOW which I think adds 4 db gain. Depending how you set the edirol you should be fine. I  would use the cardioid caps because I love the sound of them. From your location you should get a very nice pull

Not famiiar with the AT, but setting the dr-2d at 65 or higher on the mic in is the right thing to do.

Good luck.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on August 12, 2013, 01:51:13 PM
Determining which pickup patterns to use depends on the specifics of the venue and also what you want to achieve by running more than one pair of mics.  You may wish to simply compare between two different pairs of cardioids to hear the differences and choose the better sounding one.  That's one of the most useful ways of using four channels.  However, if your aim is to play around with mixing the two pairs together, you'd be better served running one pair as omnis and the other as cardioids, unless the two pairs of cardioids are pointed in significantly different directions, spaced significantly differently, placed in different locations or all of the above.  There are far fewer advantages and more potential problems when mixing together two stereo pairs of similar pickup patterns arranged similarly and placed in close proximity to each other.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: time will tell on August 12, 2013, 02:38:21 PM
That is something that I was thinking about for running both cards for this show. This is early in the game for me and I would love to see the difference in the mics. I won't have the luxury of having significantly different locations for the pull.

One question about my second setting. I have run the at-->ca9100-->mic in on the dr-2d at home for practice. I only see the left channel on the recorder display. I have a feeling that I have a bad cable, but I thought that I should maybe ask. Should I be seeing a left and a right in that setup?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jbell on August 12, 2013, 03:19:53 PM
That is something that I was thinking about for running both cards for this show. This is early in the game for me and I would love to see the difference in the mics. I won't have the luxury of having significantly different locations for the pull.

One question about my second setting. I have run the at-->ca9100-->mic in on the dr-2d at home for practice. I only see the left channel on the recorder display. I have a feeling that I have a bad cable, but I thought that I should maybe ask. Should I be seeing a left and a right in that setup?

Yes, you should I'd make sure you don't have a bad cable.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on August 12, 2013, 05:54:18 PM
Yep, definitely.

Good habit during setup and once you get rolling is to switch off the hold button momentarily, press the DUAL button to switch back and forth between monitoring both inputs to make certain you're gettting good looking signal on the meters for all four channels.

That is something that I was thinking about for running both cards for this show. This is early in the game for me and I would love to see the difference in the mics.
  That's valuable at any stage of the game! I'd do exactly that.   Once somewhat more familiar with which set of cards perform more optimally in different situations, I'd be more tempted to run one pair of cards and one pair omnis if it was outdoors and if you can space the omnis enough.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: time will tell on August 19, 2013, 10:18:30 PM
So, this is the pull that I got from my bsc-1's-->UA5-->dr-2d line @100

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=566274

My other channel was the AT853-->CA9100-->dr-2d mic @67, for some reason it still brickwalled the wav form. It doesn't sound awful, but it doesn't sound good either. Maybe I will kick up the mic input a bit next time.

I think that the line feed came out pretty good. I would love any and all feedback that you guys might be willing to share.

thanks for everything!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on August 20, 2013, 09:59:59 AM
other channel was the AT853-->CA9100-->dr-2d mic @67, for some reason it still brickwalled the wav form. It doesn't sound awful, but it doesn't sound good either.

First check to make sure the menu setting for the mic-input sensitivity is set to LOW and not to Medium or High.

If it is you should be okay on the recorder itself. Do your ATs have Chris's 4.7k mod?  If they are two-wire and do not, the mics may have been the source of the distortion.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: time will tell on August 20, 2013, 11:16:29 PM
My mics are two wire and do not have the mod as far as I know. My recorder is set to low on the input. I am going to email Chris I think.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on August 21, 2013, 09:02:13 AM
Good habit during setup and once you get rolling is to switch off the hold button momentarily, press the DUAL button to switch back and forth between monitoring both inputs to make certain you're gettting good looking signal on the meters for all four channels.

^ I personally can't imagine not doing this when running 4ch. I'm a little paranoid though.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: adrianf74 on September 11, 2013, 05:17:47 PM
My mics are two wire and do not have the mod as far as I know. My recorder is set to low on the input. I am going to email Chris I think.

I've had an old set of AT mics brickwall before and it ain't pretty.  You'll definitely want Chris' 4.7k mod for those mics if you're near to the source or it's loud.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: tay666 on October 18, 2013, 06:30:13 PM
Just had an odd error happen to me this week. One that I have never heard come up on here.


I run at 24/48 on my recordings and have the deck set to split files at 500 MB. Which ends up at right around 33 minutes per file.
I use 8 GB cards, which in dual record mode, gives me a little more than 4 hours per card.

I was at a show, with 3 bands. Running stealth, as I always do. During the break between the 2nd band, and the headliner, I swapped out my card, to make sure I had enough space to get the whole set. When the band finally hit the stage, I pulled the recorder out of my pocket to check the levels. Everything was fine.
Some time later I pulled it out again, just to make sure all was well. It wasn't. The red light was flashing, and it was showing an error. After trying to stop it, and restart it, and it showing error again, I shut it down, and swapped back to the original card.
All went well the rest of the night.
When I went to transfer the files off the cards I found something very odd.
The one that gave me an error, only had 2 files on it. Each were 3,876,928 KB in size :o
First of all, it should have split at 524,260 KB
Second of all, I thought max file size was only 2 GB
When I opened one of the files to see what was in it, it got even stranger.
The track was only 47 minutes long.
Everything was fine up until 34 minutes (which is where it should have split into another file)
Then it got really strange. There would be almost 2 seconds of audio, that then repeated 3 times. Then a new 2 seconds of audio that then repeats 3 times..
Here is a sample of it.
http://www.tylisaari.com/misc/boots/sample/error.mp3

Only thing I can think of is that the card went bad on me. I know it was working fine before, as I used it the day before to test my battery strength. Just left the deck sitting here on the desk recording until the card filled up, or the batteries died. The card filled up first. So I gave it a full format. Then put the other card in the deck and gave it a full format, and left that card in the deck to start off with.
Since everything was fine with the first card, both before and after this problem. It can only be a bad card.
I just wanted to bring it up here in case anyone else has this happen.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on November 24, 2013, 12:32:16 PM
Running Teac ME-80s > DR-2d for the first time tonight. I see some others on the board have used a similar setup. I'm assuming line in will work just fine? I'm running each mics on 12vs each, mics will be either NOS or ORTF config.

Anything coming up that looks like a successor to the DR-2d? Specifically the 4ch dual line feature, the size, and the durability of the unit. I'm really enjoying being able to do 4ch in a small recorder.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: adrianf74 on November 24, 2013, 01:19:38 PM
Anything coming up that looks like a successor to the DR-2d? Specifically the 4ch dual line feature, the size, and the durability of the unit. I'm really enjoying being able to do 4ch in a small recorder.

I haven't seen much, really.  I considered, albeit for a very brief moment, the Roland R-26 and the Zoom H6n but the Zoom has gotten some questionable feedback (as did the DR-2D) and the R-26 didn't make a lot of sense to me.  Neither of those will give us two 1/8" inputs so they're not really options.

That said, I pulled the trigger on the DR-2D as a second deck for when I need 4 channels (which isn't often).  I know I could've just picked up another M10 and then synced them by stretching one file against the other but I'd rather have synced sources.  I haven't read or heard of anything similar to the DR-2D coming up, mind you.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gil on November 24, 2013, 04:27:06 PM
Running Teac ME-80s > DR-2d for the first time tonight. I see some others on the board have used a similar setup. I'm assuming line in will work just fine? I'm running each mics on 12vs each, mics will be either NOS or ORTF config.

Anything coming up that looks like a successor to the DR-2d? Specifically the 4ch dual line feature, the size, and the durability of the unit. I'm really enjoying being able to do 4ch in a small recorder.

I've used nothing but mic in on low with my Teacs and have had plenty of headroom to spare.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: adrianf74 on November 27, 2013, 12:11:03 PM
Checking in... as a new owner of a gently used DR-2D.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Hypnocracy on November 27, 2013, 05:00:04 PM
Jumping into the Mini-Stereo arena again...I'm the third owner of a DR2d that has yet to have the plastic pulled off the meters...but (when funds allow) plan on going the Tiny Box>Active AKG route instead of the low powered AT/Church Mic route this time around...in the meantime I'll figure out how to get a line out of my V2 into this unit...may even break out the old Nak CM100's for self power Mic to DR2d in parallel to the main rig to get comfortable running it.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: rodeen on November 27, 2013, 06:12:06 PM
GAKables can help you out.  Ted made me a V3 line out to 3.5mm stereo cable that works great. 

...in the meantime I'll figure out how to get a line out of my V2 into this unit...
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: StarkRavingCalm on January 10, 2014, 10:51:35 AM
Figured this is the best place to ask this question instead of starting a new thread.

Since it would appear the DR-2D is discontinued, does anyone know what the replacement will be?
I am considering purchasing a second one for times where I need two and as a backup.

But I wonder if I should wait for whatever the replacement will be...

I have read some people feel the DR-40 phased out the DR-2D but I hope not.
The DR-40 forces you to always use the InternalMics as a secondary source in DualRec mode while the DR-2D gave you the option of using 2 External Sources.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on January 10, 2014, 11:00:30 AM
Hoping there will be one as this recorder is uniqe in its functionality and no other manufacturer or Tascam model has the same feature set.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on January 11, 2014, 09:24:46 PM
That's too bad about the DR-40 internal mics with dual mode. It really should be like the DR-2d. Very happy with the DR-2d and 4ch recording.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on February 09, 2014, 09:06:55 AM
please guys, what do you use to make real "4ch" recordings ? is it a Y jack with 2 mono females --> 1 male jack stereo ? I only can find 2 stereo females to 1 stereo male, would it work anyway with 2 separated channels if I plug 2 different mono sources ? thanx in advance!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on February 09, 2014, 01:10:30 PM
Two stereo 3.5mm (1/8") plugs.  One into the microphone input jack, one into the line input jack.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on February 09, 2014, 01:13:15 PM
Hum ok but so when you're talking about 4 mono channels, it's infact 2x2 channels, 2 twice channels ?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on February 09, 2014, 01:27:04 PM
Two 2channel-stereo inputs > two 2channel-stereo wave files.

I don't recall anyone talking about 4 independent mono channels with regards to the DR2d, only the total count of 4 channels.  You can split the resulting 2channel-stereo wave files in a wave editor to get 4 mono wave files if you like.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on February 09, 2014, 03:45:09 PM
so to plug this with 2 different mono sources on the 2 mono females would give the 2 same channels in the resulting stereo file among you ?

 http://www.priceminister.com/offer/buy/120061735/adaptateur-double-jack-3-5-mm-male-stereo-femelle-mono.html
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: hoserama on February 09, 2014, 08:27:13 PM
Be careful on splitters like that. Read the descriptions carefully. That one looks like it may split the left/right equally among the two inputs. Basically you want something that will go. You want something similar to this http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/400556532406?lpid=82
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on February 10, 2014, 12:03:13 AM
so to plug this with 2 different mono sources on the 2 mono females would give the 2 same channels in the resulting stereo file among you ?

I don't know what you mean there. 

The item you linked to is probably wired in such a way as to do what I think you want, but it is unclear from the description and the labeling of the connectors exactly how it is wired.  There may be something printed on or molded into the black female connector housings which indicates 'left' or 'tip' on one of them, and 'right' or 'ring' on the other, but the photo doesn't show that and the description doesn't indicate it either. 

The colors (and presumably the printed labels, which can't be read in the photo) on the one pictured below makes the connections a lot more clear by indicating that one female leg (black) has it's sleeve wired to the male leg's sleeve and it's tip to the male leg tip, and the other female leg (red) has it's sleeve wired to male leg sleeve as well, but it's tip connected to the male ring.  If you insert that male TRS plug into one of the DR2d's input jacks, this 'Y' would route the white input leg to the left channel and the red input leg to the right channel.

I'm pretty sure that's what you are trying to do.  Both the 'Y' pictured below (with mono 3.5 TS female jacks), and the 'Y' hoserama linked to (with mono RCA female jacks) will do that and they  clearly indicate how they are wired.

(http://thumbs4.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mWKAb75-db9AF21beKI7QFA.jpg)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: hoserama on February 10, 2014, 08:51:09 AM
Gutbucket said it better than I could. I need to not post while I'm sick and sleepy.

But yes, be careful to get cords that specifically designate the wiring. Learning how TRS works is a good thing :)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on February 10, 2014, 03:28:41 PM
hum ok, can you give me a link to buy one because I don't know what to write on google to find this . Hoserama I've read your post too late I guess, there's nothing on your link anymore but if female input were RCA it's less interesting for me ...
thanx .
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: hoserama on February 10, 2014, 06:56:27 PM
I personally prefer RCA inputs as its super easy to get RCA>1/8" TRS cords. You'll be able to patch your radio scanner into it pretty easily. Google is your friend.

http://www.seismicaudiospeakers.com/3-5mm-male-to-dual-3-5mm-female-splitter-cable-p/sa-iem2ef.htm?utm_source=googlepla&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=CA&utm_content=productAdSA-iEM2EF&CAWELAID=1912445884&catargetid=330005100000031212&cadevice=c&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CMaSg6HhwrwCFc2TfgodlFEAXQ
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on February 11, 2014, 04:38:32 AM
thanx
On your last link they really describe accuratly that it makes what I mean.
Strange that you prefer RCA, I mean it needs a double adaptater, when the output of the scanner is jack it would give jack male to rca male > rca female to jack stereo . Easier to buy directly a jack female to male stereo . But it's easier to find rca to jack that's right . My problem is I don't find this directly in France on google . Will have to pay lots of shipping for a small thing . So maybe I will try the rca solution . thanx guys .
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: hoserama on February 11, 2014, 08:49:36 AM
Well I don't even use something like this. I just use a 1/8" TRS to RCA-male cord, and then have a RCA/1/8" TS adapter for each. So it terminates easily into a 1/8" port.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on February 11, 2014, 09:31:10 AM
you mean this
(https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT1nIv6EUY4-5h80VgM5bKFWyLexZIme6VWxL69Yttu7YZjVp47yQ)

and then this

(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRtSDgGQGpcE1267l2_0lT7N0GoEUdIDIp965sg6t73hTeybnfxTQ)

?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on February 11, 2014, 09:42:00 AM
If male plugs at each end are the connectors you need, then this might work (it wiring isn't clearly indicated, but presumably would be correct).  Ebay France link- http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Noir-blinde-stereo-3-5-mm-jack-2x-3-5-mm-a-angle-droit-Mono-jack-plomb-/321308524918?pt=FR_Image_son_Autres&hash=item4acf7b0176#ht_3177wt_1120 (http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Noir-blinde-stereo-3-5-mm-jack-2x-3-5-mm-a-angle-droit-Mono-jack-plomb-/321308524918?pt=FR_Image_son_Autres&hash=item4acf7b0176#ht_3177wt_1120)

I prefer a right angle stereo plugs such as that into the DR2d inputs to reduce stress on the jacks.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: hoserama on February 11, 2014, 11:09:03 AM
Yes sir, 1/8>RCA and then adapters. RCA is handy and easy to patch into any adapter (1/8", 1/4", even XLR). Only issue is that it's not balanced...which isn't anything you're going to worry about with the tascam 2D.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on February 11, 2014, 12:03:03 PM
If male plugs at each end are the connectors you need, then this might work (it wiring isn't clearly indicated, but presumably would be correct).  Ebay France link- http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Noir-blinde-stereo-3-5-mm-jack-2x-3-5-mm-a-angle-droit-Mono-jack-plomb-/321308524918?pt=FR_Image_son_Autres&hash=item4acf7b0176#ht_3177wt_1120 (http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Noir-blinde-stereo-3-5-mm-jack-2x-3-5-mm-a-angle-droit-Mono-jack-plomb-/321308524918?pt=FR_Image_son_Autres&hash=item4acf7b0176#ht_3177wt_1120)

I prefer a right angle stereo plugs such as that into the DR2d inputs to reduce stress on the jacks.

yeah really interesting solution to have the less possible cables and connections !! thanx for this .
but in some cases I could use one of the mono input for a microphone so a female mono format would be better for me anyway .
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: hoserama on February 11, 2014, 12:43:17 PM
Like I said on the U2 board, if you have a stereo mics, you should run them in stereo. At least for room mics (different if you're individually mic'ing instruments).

It's not the end of the world to run a second recorder if you need more tracks.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on February 11, 2014, 01:02:51 PM
I see yout point but in any cases I want to keep 1 stereo input for my main cardioid mic . The other input will be use for 1 iem mono, and maybe 2 if conditions are favorable . If not, I'm just thinking about making 1 iem mono + 1 audience mono with my second pair of mics, omni . Just to plug all the channels at every show .
My goal with all those cables I'm talking about is for sure not to buy a 2nd recorder . Not only a question of money, more a question of number of things to enter in the arenas .
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: hoserama on February 11, 2014, 01:12:04 PM
Suit yourself. I think you'd be better off with a stereo IEM or a second mono IEM feed.

Make sure you're only taking the input of one omni microphone, and you're not mixing both mics into one input. Could get phasing issues really easily.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: achtungpop on February 20, 2014, 08:16:22 AM
I've bought an Y stereo male to 2 mono females and it works perfectly as I wanted ( even if not mentioned tip and ring :) ) Thanx for the help .
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Andrea82 on March 19, 2014, 07:48:16 PM
Today, for the 2nd time, I notice the screen on my Tascam remains orange without text during the use.
The machine works perfectly, it records and play files.
The battery are new and full charge.
Any help?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on March 21, 2014, 10:38:05 AM
Today, for the 2nd time, I notice the screen on my Tascam remains orange without text during the use.
The machine works perfectly, it records and play files.
The battery are new and full charge.
Any help?

^ This is just speculation, but did you play with the display settings? I know the menu has an option for how long to leave the display on during use, but I don't see why the display would light up orange with no data. Just an idea, really not sure what's going on there.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: rodeen on March 21, 2014, 03:39:41 PM
^^ my DR100mkii did essentially the same thing after only a couple of hours use.  Since it was new, I returned and got a new one.  No problems with any of my 4 Tascam models since.  I would contact Tascam and get it repaired.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: yug du nord on April 17, 2014, 02:37:52 PM
anyone ever use an external battery with success??
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: dallman on April 17, 2014, 03:06:11 PM
anyone ever use an external battery with success??
Guy,
I do just about every time I run the deck. Probably not needed, but I like the security.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on April 17, 2014, 03:43:35 PM
I do to run for a full fest weekend without battery changes.
Make sure the output is 5VDC (typically a USB output).  9V will fry it.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: yug du nord on April 17, 2014, 03:58:30 PM
^I decided to try it today...  used a usb 5v battery and the deck started started to boot up for a split second, then lost power.
Then tried it with a tekkeon set to 4.5v and it did the same thing.
Now absolutely nothing when I try an external.
It still runs fine on AA internals..  but if I plug 5v into either the DC jack or the usb jack, it shuts off.

Any thoughts??

I'm original owner and have never tried external power until today.
Kinda bummed about it...
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on April 17, 2014, 04:03:48 PM
Polarity correct? Cable or connector problems?

DR2d can't be powered via its USB connector, only the power jack and/or internal batteries.  I always keep charged internals in the recorder as a back up when using the external battery.  Display switches from the battery icon to the wall plug icon when powered via the external battery.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: rodeen on April 17, 2014, 04:53:00 PM
Could it be an amp issue?  The Tascam PS-P520 power supply delivers 5V-2A.  I almost always run my dr2d with external power using pretty much any battery that can charge an iPhone.  Let me know if you want to meet sometime to try what I use.

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: yug du nord on April 17, 2014, 05:34:02 PM
sadly, something must have fried the dc jack and usb jack..  if i feed it 5v into either jack, the unit shuts off.
could this be similar to the DR-680 power issues??

i never fed it more than 5v.
internals still power it though.

is this even worth trying to repair??

edit:  can not connect to PC via usb either.  first time trying that too.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: danny3 on April 18, 2014, 12:45:16 AM
This exact thing happened to me recently. I have been powering my DR2d quite nicely with a Naztech PB1500.
I bought some of the ebay Tekkons , and although I thought I was cool by setting the output of the battery to 5v, the moment I plugged the adapter into the Tascam it shut down. I knew I had messed up.
Fortunately the unit continues to operate with internal AAs; if I plug anything into the DC IN (even the original power supply) the unit goes dead . My other DR2d will never suffer the same experimentation.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: dallman on April 18, 2014, 11:40:24 AM
sadly, something must have fried the dc jack and usb jack..  if i feed it 5v into either jack, the unit shuts off.
could this be similar to the DR-680 power issues??

i never fed it more than 5v.
internals still power it though.

is this even worth trying to repair??

edit:  can not connect to PC via usb either.  first time trying that too.

The jacks do sound fried or at least non working. It does not seem likely that this was from something you tried, because logically you would have only fried one jack not both. Any smell coming from the deck? I once fried an MT by reversing polarity in error and you could smell the metallic smell for months.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: yug du nord on April 19, 2014, 10:46:29 AM
^No burnt smell or anything unusual except for the external power/usb problem.
Proper polarity power cable..  tip positive.  Same cable works for other gear.

Thanks rodeen for the offer to help...  I'll let you know. 

Even though no odor, I wonder if there could be a bad fuse maybe??..  or the battery just plain fried the power and usb jacks or just a manufacturing defect.
I like the deck, but not sure if it's worth the money to pay Tascam to fix.
Might just have to live on internal battery power.

Edit:  FYI...  Tascam charges $60/hour + parts for repairs.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jbell on April 19, 2014, 06:26:59 PM
What battery were you using??  I have feed mine 5v with a Naztech PB1500 and haven't had an issue.  I recently bought some of the MP3300 off ebay and wondering after your post if I should avoid using those.  Thanks

^No burnt smell or anything unusual except for the external power/usb problem.
Proper polarity power cable..  tip positive.  Same cable works for other gear.

Thanks rodeen for the offer to help...  I'll let you know. 

Even though no odor, I wonder if there could be a bad fuse maybe??..  or the battery just plain fried the power and usb jacks or just a manufacturing defect.
I like the deck, but not sure if it's worth the money to pay Tascam to fix.
Might just have to live on internal battery power.

Edit:  FYI...  Tascam charges $60/hour + parts for repairs.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: yug du nord on April 19, 2014, 06:52:21 PM
What battery were you using??  I have feed mine 5v with a Naztech PB1500 and haven't had an issue.  I recently bought some of the MP3300 off ebay and wondering after your post if I should avoid using those.  Thanks

^No burnt smell or anything unusual except for the external power/usb problem.
Proper polarity power cable..  tip positive.  Same cable works for other gear.

Thanks rodeen for the offer to help...  I'll let you know. 

Even though no odor, I wonder if there could be a bad fuse maybe??..  or the battery just plain fried the power and usb jacks or just a manufacturing defect.
I like the deck, but not sure if it's worth the money to pay Tascam to fix.
Might just have to live on internal battery power.

Edit:  FYI...  Tascam charges $60/hour + parts for repairs.

Yep, I used one of those Tekkeon MP3300..  and an Eyama usb 5volt battery...  both batteries had the same result.  Then nothing.
I even had the tekkeon set to 4.5volts.

I'd probably avoid using the tekkeon..  since there are two of us in this thread with the same result.

But I would be curious to know if it's the batteries used are the culprit..  or the deck in my case.
Be careful with the tekkeon and the dr-2d IMO.

I think that the tekkeons were causing trouble with the dr-680 too if I remember correct.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jbell on April 19, 2014, 07:32:43 PM
Thanks!!  Good to know

What battery were you using??  I have feed mine 5v with a Naztech PB1500 and haven't had an issue.  I recently bought some of the MP3300 off ebay and wondering after your post if I should avoid using those.  Thanks

^No burnt smell or anything unusual except for the external power/usb problem.
Proper polarity power cable..  tip positive.  Same cable works for other gear.

Thanks rodeen for the offer to help...  I'll let you know. 

Even though no odor, I wonder if there could be a bad fuse maybe??..  or the battery just plain fried the power and usb jacks or just a manufacturing defect.
I like the deck, but not sure if it's worth the money to pay Tascam to fix.
Might just have to live on internal battery power.

Edit:  FYI...  Tascam charges $60/hour + parts for repairs.

Yep, I used one of those Tekkeon MP3300..  and an Eyama usb 5volt battery...  both batteries had the same result.  Then nothing.
I even had the tekkeon set to 4.5volts.

I'd probably avoid using the tekkeon..  since there are two of us in this thread with the same result.

But I would be curious to know if it's the batteries used are the culprit..  or the deck in my case.
Be careful with the tekkeon and the dr-2d IMO.

I think that the tekkeons were causing trouble with the dr-680 too if I remember correct.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on May 03, 2014, 09:28:52 AM
Too bad to hear you guys are having battery issues with the DR-2d. I've been fortunate enough to not have these issues, however I strictly use alkaline AAs. Duracell or Energizer only, get ~4.5 hours out of each, but of course I don't push it till the last minute.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Bluegrass on June 08, 2014, 01:32:07 PM
 I recently purchased another DR2d and I'm afraid it may have a problem.
 I am trying to set it up to record in the dual recording mode using mics in the microphone and line inputs.
 The LINE option has been chosen and with the red record light blinking I have been trying to set levels for both mic and line in.
 The line in input level works fine.  However when I check the mic in level it is the same as the line level.  The mics haven't been plugged in either input.
 What am I doing wrong or is there a problem with the DR2d ? 

 Thanks for your help,
  Ed D.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on June 08, 2014, 05:57:34 PM
^ What happened in the resulting WAV file?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Bluegrass on June 09, 2014, 08:30:55 AM
I'm sorry I haven't made myself clear.  I haven't recorded anything.  I just was trying to set the dual recording mode.
The mode was set for LINE.  The red record button was pushed once and it was blinking. At the bottom of the display MIC
and Line are listed.  I checked the MIC level first and it was 96.  I lowered it to 80.  Then I checked the LINE level and
it said 80.  So if I change the level on either, both levels will be the same.  This is not what happened with my older
DR2d.  There both levels could be changed individually.
I'm confused as to whether this is operator error or a problem with the DR2d.

Ed D.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: colinw on June 09, 2014, 08:59:28 AM
If you're in dual mode, I think you can only set the line level input number in the "dual" screen, where you select line, mic, dual, etc. You can only adjust the input level with the rocker control on the side of the unit. It shouldn't impact the line level when you adjust the mic level. I am not sure why that is happening with yours. I just checked mine, set the line level at 95, then went back out and adjusted the mic level up and down, and it didn't impact the line level when I went back in. Maybe try a default reset, or flash with latest firmware??
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on June 09, 2014, 09:22:27 AM
In Dual_Line mode you set microphone gain using the buttons on the side of the recorder and can do so at any time. You can set line-input gain using the jog wheel on the face of the recorder ONLY once you've entered the dual menu and have high-lighted the LEVEL item.

Switching between microphone and line inputs using the DUAL button only switches the display metering, it does not not switch which input gain the side buttons control, nor does it switch which output apears at the headphone/line-out jack.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: danny3 on June 09, 2014, 09:30:45 AM
As Colin states, (edit to add: and Gutbucket)  I am pretty sure that when DUAL recording the only way to set the LINE level is in the DUAL REC menu: MODE: LINE, LEVEL : 100 (or less)
The rocker control only affects the mic in level. (Unless of course you have set the INPUT SETTING to line; then the rocker control will control the line in level.)
You should notice in record/or pause that when you toggle (by pressing DUAL button) to LINE, the IN display value will change, but that is for the MIC IN; the number you set in the DUAL menu (displayed next to LINE) will stay the same.
It is confusing that you indicate you could do this with your other unit?

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on June 09, 2014, 09:52:12 AM
The usuable Line-input adjustment range when in Dual_Line mode is only between 95-100 anyway, so there is not that much usefulness in adjusting it on the fly.

I think if the recorder is placed in Line-input only mode instead of one of the Dual modes, the level buttons on the side will adjust the line-input gain.  Not sure but I think so.  Perhaps that's what may have lead to the confusion.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Bluegrass on June 09, 2014, 01:06:32 PM
Thanks everyone for your responses.  I have quite a bit more clarity about how to
record using dual recording in Line mode.

Ed D.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: chinariderstl on January 13, 2016, 04:36:27 PM
Hey now!

In!  ;D

Just picked up a Minty DR-2D (Thanks Tony!) for a friend of mine.  She's new to recording and I'm new to the DR-2D. ;)

Chris.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: daspyknows on January 14, 2016, 12:03:26 AM
My new one looks like it's a freebie.  Ordered it on ebay as new.  Person never responded to my emails for tracking info and sent it after I was supposed to receive it.  I opened a case when it didn't arrive in time.  Poorly packed and no original packing materials so I complained to ebay and they credited my money back.  If the seller responds I'll send it back, if not its a free one.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: daspyknows on January 14, 2016, 01:37:12 AM
I'll send it back if the seller contacts me, but if they don't I won't.  They have yet to return any messages so who knows.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jagraham on January 15, 2016, 10:13:26 PM
The usuable Line-input adjustment range when in Dual_Line mode is only between 95-100 anyway, so there is not that much usefulness in adjusting it on the fly.

I think if the recorder is placed in Line-input only mode instead of one of the Dual modes, the level buttons on the side will adjust the line-input gain.  Not sure but I think so.  Perhaps that's what may have lead to the confusion.

I believe this is correct. You can always adjust this if running 2 channels. When in Dual, you can do the same but only with the mic input.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: fandelive on March 19, 2016, 05:42:43 PM
I recently bought a Tascam DR-2d and will tape my first show with it tomorrow night.

So I poped a hard rock CD, put my mics in front of a speaker and turned the volume up loud (I needed ear-plugs to stay in the room - the sound at a rock show is gonna be louder thought).

My first try was :
* DPA 4061 > SP Battery-Box (flat) > Mic-in (low) : recording level set @ 68/100 (unity gain)
* MM-HLSC-1 (w/4.7k mod) > Chruch Audio CA-9100 preamp cranked to the max > Line-in : recording level set @ 96/100 (unity gain)

As a result, both mics barely reached the -21dB mark...
I then had to play around with my gear alot to finally find a satisfying combo :

* MM-HLSC-1 (w/4.7k mod) > SP Battery Box (flat) > Mic-in (med) @ 86/100
* DPA4061 > CA-9100 cranked @ 3 hours > Line-in @ 96/100 (unity gain)

Both levels then reached the -6dB mark.

Doing this way, I get equal levels and will still be able to add/remove gain on the fly for both mics.

I think the Mic-in setup will give me enough room if I still have to add or remove gain.
On the other hand, I should probably crank the CA-9100 @ 12 hours (so less gain from the CA to start with) and set Line-in levels @ 100/100 so that I would get more room to play with if I have to add more gain. What do you think ?

I've read several time on this thread that I should set the Mic-in to LOW.
The fact is that my 4.7k modded MM-HLSC-1 have an even lower sensitivity than the DPA4061.
Is there a risk to get in trouble when setting the Mic-in to MED ? I'll still be able to lower the gain on the Tascam until the 68/100 limit.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: danny3 on March 19, 2016, 06:50:52 PM
^ If you haven't already done, do a test with the MIC in set to LOW, and raise the input level up to 100.

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: fandelive on March 20, 2016, 07:42:17 AM
^ If you haven't already done, do a test with the MIC in set to LOW, and raise the input level up to 100.

Already done and I was around -20dB.

I've read the whole thread and found an interesting quote  by Gutbucket about setting the Mic-input gain to MID :

If you need to max out the mic-input gain at 100 with it set to LOW and are still getting recording levels that aren't high enough and have noise floor problems, you'll benefit from more gain.  Not sure what the good range of settings will be in that case; you'd need to experiment to find out.  However, with mic-gain set to MID you will be able to set the mic-gain lower than the established "do not go below level" of LOW/67 on the mic-input if necessary.  How much lower I don't know.  The upper limit should simply be that which clips the meters for whatever you are recording, assuming you have the limiter and auto-gain turned off.

So I guess it's not always a bad thing...
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Sebastian on March 20, 2016, 07:56:26 AM
Already done and I was around -20dB.

When recording to 24 bits, this really isn't that bad. I have many recordings that peak around or even below -20dB, but still sound excellent!

Keep in mind that you did your test with your home stereo. SPLs at a rock show will be waaaaay higher. There's no way you could reproduce those SPLs with a regular home system. Not even closely...

And if you're still peaking below -20dB, just switch the mic sensitivity to mid between songs. Mid is 12dB more gain than low, so you might also want to turn down gain on the recorder.

I always try to peak around -12dB. That gives me plenty of headroom and I can easily boot the levels in post. Considering that, peaking at -20dB isn't that far off.

Bottom line: I think you should be fine.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: fandelive on March 20, 2016, 10:47:38 AM
Keep in mind that you did your test with your home stereo. SPLs at a rock show will be waaaaay higher. There's no way you could reproduce those SPLs with a regular home system. Not even closely...

It depends... I think if caps can touch the speaker, you get something pretty loud.
Your brain would certainly burst out when touching the speakers at any amplified show :D

I always try to peak around -12dB. That gives me plenty of headroom and I can easily boot the levels in post. Considering that, peaking at -20dB isn't that far off.

So I did a final test following your advice, hi-fi @ ear-bleeding levels, and here's what I got :

* MM-HLSC-1 > SP battery-box (flat) > mic-in (low) @ 100/100
* DPA4061 > CA-9100 preamp (set @ 12 o'clock) > line-in @ 100/100

Both peaked @ around -12dB. Way to go ;)

I'm gonna stay with this setup now and try to check levels tonight during opening act and first song of main act.

Many thanks for helping me out ;)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: capnhook on March 20, 2016, 01:03:14 PM
Back off one notch tonight, for insurance.  8)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: fandelive on March 20, 2016, 01:51:31 PM
Back off one notch tonight, for insurance.  8)

Following your advice as I don't like to live with regrets :)
Now @ -18dB in front of my hi-fi speaker. Let's go to the show !
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: fandelive on March 20, 2016, 05:44:59 PM
Back from the concert and I received a "Write timeout" error and the Tascam stopped recording in the middle of the main act's set.
I tested the SD card before and let the Tascam record until the 2Go limit, just to see if it will automatically start a new file (which it did). Nothing wrong happened during the test... I'm so disgusted !!

The SD card is a SanDisk Ultra SDHC 16GB (15MB/s), so not a shitty card.

On the other hand, both recordings do sound really good. The HLSC's peak is around -8dB which is fine. The DPA's a little quieter thought (-18dB).
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: fandelive on March 21, 2016, 07:18:41 AM
The SD card is a SanDisk Ultra SDHC 16GB (15MB/s), so not a shitty card.

I know there's a list of supported SD cards somewhere (did not take the time to look for it yet).
But I also know some users got in trouble with cards that were on the list.

So... any feedback on a SD card that won't fail ?
Should I format my SD card before each use ? Formatting using the computer or the Tascam ?

I don't want to fuck up my recordings every other time.

Thanks
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on March 22, 2016, 11:20:49 AM
Did you delete the 2GB test recording without reformatting the card?

It's good practice is to reformat a card whenever you delete any files from it.  If you only copy the files off the card and have plenty of card space remaining, then you needn't reformat each time.  Delete anything and a reformat is in order.  This keeps the file system on the card clean and non-fragmented.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gunner on March 22, 2016, 11:58:31 AM
^ Thanks for your advise Gutbucket

I just bought an used DR2d and I like it very much. Hope to use it in the field soon!


Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: fandelive on March 22, 2016, 01:20:49 PM
Did you delete the 2GB test recording without reformatting the card?

It's good practice is to reformat a card whenever you delete any files from it.  If you only copy the files off the card and have plenty of card space remaining, then you needn't reformat each time.  Delete anything and a reformat is in order.  This keeps the file system on the card clean and non-fragmented.

This is a second hand Tascam and it was my first use. I did several tests at home but never formatted the SD card. I always deleted the files manually once the card was in my PC's SD slot.
Will do a complete format next time. Thanks :)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: tay666 on March 24, 2016, 08:22:02 PM
Yeah. Always format with the Tascam. I figure it's the one using the card so it's probably better to let it format.
Also change your files size. I keep mine set to 512 file size.
I figure it's a way to minimize risk. If it errors during a write, I won't loose as much data.
At 24/48 I get about half an hour in a 512 file. I'd rather loose half an hour than 4 times that if I split at 2 gig.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: fandelive on April 13, 2016, 08:31:48 AM
How much would the batteries last with a Tascam DR2d updated with last firmware and recording in 24/48 using two mics (dual line-in + mic-in) that are powered by either a 9V battery box and a 9V preamp ?
I'm just looking for an order of idea.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on April 13, 2016, 10:56:20 AM
~5hrs
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: chinariderstl on May 04, 2016, 06:09:41 PM
Hi, a question for the board, could I use the following battery box/power supply to supply 5V PIP to a pair of mics utilizing the DR-2D's line input and then use the DR-2D's PIP, via the mic input, to supply PIP to another set of mics thereby recording two stereo pairs?

# Sound Professionals SP-SPSB-10
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?item=SP-SPSB-10

Thanks, Chris.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on May 05, 2016, 09:08:40 AM
That will work, but you'll have no control over line-in levels while recording, and only 5dB of adjustment prior to recording.  For that reason, you'll probably want a preamp with adjustable gain instead of a simple battery box.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: chinariderstl on May 05, 2016, 10:03:15 AM
Roger that, thank you.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: fandelive on May 08, 2016, 02:04:08 AM
How much would the batteries last with a Tascam DR2d updated with last firmware and recording in 24/48 using two mics (dual line-in + mic-in) that are powered by either a 9V battery box and a 9V preamp ?

I ran a test with that exact setup described in the quote. I taped a show using two fresh Enregizer Alkaline Power - AA (https://energizer.eu/product/energizer-alkaline-power-aa-2/) batteries (those are the "standard" Enregizer AA's I think).

Batteries last for 3 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: fandelive on January 21, 2017, 07:04:53 AM
How much would the batteries last with a Tascam DR2d updated with last firmware and recording in 24/48 using two mics (dual line-in + mic-in) that are powered by either a 9V battery box and a 9V preamp ?

I ran a test with that exact setup described in the quote. I taped a show using two fresh Enregizer Alkaline Power - AA (https://energizer.eu/product/energizer-alkaline-power-aa-2/) batteries (those are the "standard" Enregizer AA's I think).

Batteries last for 3 hours, 55 minutes and 23 seconds.

I ran a new test with Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries.

(https://www.energizer.eu/fr/wp-content/uploads/sites/108/2015/10/EMG139151SAP639155ENRUltimateLithiumAAFSB4.png)

My setup changed a bit as I swapped the preamp for a second battery box :
Tascam DR2d updated with last firmware and recording in 24/48 using two mics (dual line-in + mic-in), each of them powered by its own 9V battery box.

My 16GB SD card is now full. That's already 7 hours, 40 minutes and 43 seconds of music and the battery indicator on the Tascam still shows 3 bars out of 3 !!

Edit: the Tascam finally went out of power after 9 hours, 44 minutes and 55 seconds.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: daspyknows on January 23, 2017, 10:40:29 AM
I have been using the Energizer Advanced Lithiums for normal shows (2 to 3 hours) or Ultimate Lithiums for longer shows/festivals.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on January 23, 2017, 12:10:18 PM
Just did a run time test a couple weeks ago, primarily as a suitability test of the Powerex precharged NiMH 9.6V in a custom preamp. But because this was an "as typical" real-world test of the entire rig in operation, I simultaneously checked run time of a couple very old but freshly reconditioned Immedion NiMH AA's powering the DR2d.  I posted the results here- http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=180370.msg2211435#msg2211435.

These were very old NiMH AA's, and the only salvageable pair from a batch of 12 I had laying around.  I attempted to recondition the entire batch in the Maha charger prior to this test.  With the exception of this pair, the remaining 10 batteries all tested bad with overly high internal resistance.  This pair reconditioned successfully to a measured capacity of around 2100 mAhr each and powered the DR2d for something more than 5-1/2 hrs, but less than 6-1/2 hrs.  I take this as positive confirmation of my baseline figure of ~5hrs safe max run time on NiMH rechargeables.  Newer NiMH should provide a larger run-time safety buffer.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jbell on July 12, 2017, 06:08:50 PM
Can someone refresh my memory on how to set the DR-2d up for dual recording and what level should mic and line be run??  Thanks
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gunner on July 12, 2017, 08:11:44 PM
Can someone refresh my memory on how to set the DR-2d up for dual recording and what level should mic and line be run??  Thanks

Step 1: menu>input>mic gain LOW
Step 2: hold DUAL button down; mode: LINE (I normally set level to 100 (don’t go lower than 95 I think)
Step 3: input level buttons on  side of recorder adjust mic input gain; set no lower than 67. You can raise this on the fly as necessary.
(If a soft/acoustic situation,  setting INPUT level to MED may be necessary. Sound check recommended) Of course depending on your set up you might adjust gain with whatever you are feeding your mics with)
During recording pushing DUAL button will toggle between mic and line levels on display.
Happy recording!

Thanks to danny3
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=164364.msg2057204#msg2057204
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: yug du nord on July 12, 2017, 08:27:24 PM
Can someone refresh my memory on how to set the DR-2d up for dual recording and what level should mic and line be run??  Thanks

Line : 95 minimum
Mic  : 67 minimum
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Andrea82 on September 09, 2017, 08:56:11 AM
Please anyone can tell me what's new with the 1.03 firmware?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Elguapo511 on September 11, 2017, 11:27:11 PM
Hi all,

Just joined the forum this make the most of my dr2d.

I don't see any notes on monitoring while recording.
Is it correct that you can only monitor the ' Mic in' during recording?

I know that you can view the levels of both the mic AND line in separately,
But can you listen to the line in and mic in separately?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on September 15, 2017, 10:58:48 AM
Please anyone can tell me what's new with the 1.03 firmware?

Primary change was vastly increased battery run time. It was basically unusable for concert taping without an external battery before that update.  There may have been other changes I can't recall, but that was the big and most welcome change which made it a viable deck for taping.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on September 15, 2017, 11:03:13 AM
I don't see any notes on monitoring while recording.
Is it correct that you can only monitor the ' Mic in' during recording?

I know that you can view the levels of both the mic AND line in separately,
But can you listen to the line in and mic in separately?

Correct.  You can switch visual metering back and forth at any time by pressing the DUAL button.  But you can only audio monitor the mic-input while recording.  You cannot audio-monitor the Line-input while recording.

During playback you can switch between and play the line-in and mic-in file successively, but cannot switch between them mid-stream.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: drivingwheel on October 02, 2017, 04:11:02 PM
Hoping there will be one as this recorder is uniqe in its functionality and no other manufacturer or Tascam model has the same feature set.

It's completely dumb that they quit making it.  Simply the best recorder of its size or price point.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: fandelive on November 04, 2017, 09:50:54 AM
Can anyone give any feedback on the use of the LEVEL CTRL function (use juster manual page 44) (http://"https://www.tascam.eu/en/docs/DR-2d_Manual_vB.pdf") and especially the LMT option ?

What user manual says :
LEVEL CTRL: Set the level control function for the second file in dual recording. The options are OFF (default setting), AUTO and LMT.

From what I understand, the LMT option is pure magic because you're 100% sure to get clean results (unless the input source is distorted, of course - but in this case, I can't see the AUTO option to be more helpfull, anyway...).

I'm getting a soundboard feed at a show in a couple of days. I might not be able to check the levels once the show has begun. That LEVEL CTRL function with LMT option would solve that issue.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on November 06, 2017, 10:24:38 AM
A limiter will prevent hard-clipped overs, yet has audible impact when it comes into operation.

As a safety mechanism preventing the worse damage it can be good insurance, but it's always preferable to set levels appropriately so that signal dynamics range within the input limits of the device without engaging the limiter.

I prefer to set input levels low enough so that there is plenty of headroom and I don't need to worry about clipping or limiters engaging.  No worries if I need to boost level afterwards by 20dB or whatever.  Boosting afterwards is only a problem if the signal drops below the noise-floor of your recording system and you end up getting audible self-noise of your recording system during the quiet segments.  Even then it can be difficult to determine if the noise you hear in the quiet segments is the self-noise of your recording system or the noise-floor of the environment in which you are recording being amplified .
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: fandelive on November 16, 2017, 03:42:44 AM
If :

Can someone refresh my memory on how to set the DR-2d up for dual recording and what level should mic and line be run??  Thanks

Line : 95 minimum
Mic  : 67 minimum


Then, is the following statement true ?

67/95 probably means amplification for the line in signal. When you plug in "Mic in" and you set low sensitivity and levels to 67 db, it is the same as you plug in "Line in" with levels 95 db. Do not set 100 db with "Line in", clipping signaling does not work well at this level.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on November 16, 2017, 09:13:09 AM
67 mic-in provides about the same input sensitivity as 95 line-in. 
In addition, those settings are also "do not go below" numbers to avoid input stage overload.
Settings higher than 67 mic-in and 95 line-in are okay.

Not sure about this statement-
Quote
Do not set 100 db with "Line in", clipping signaling does not work well at this level.

I've not had problems using 100 line-in (its my current setting) and there is no distortion problem at that setting, but I don't monitor the clipping LED either, so that might be correct.  If it is it's the first I've heard of it.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: dallman on November 16, 2017, 11:33:09 AM
67 mic-in provides about the same input sensitivity as 95 line-in. 
In addition, those settings are also "do not go below" numbers to avoid input stage overload.
Settings higher than 67 mic-in and 95 line-in are okay.

Not sure about this statement-
Quote
Do not set 100 db with "Line in", clipping signaling does not work well at this level.

I've not had problems using 100 line-in (its my current setting) and there is no distortion problem at that setting, but I don't monitor the clipping LED either, so that might be correct.  If it is it's the first I've heard of it.
I have never had an issue at 100db "line in" either. The deck handles a hot signal nicely in my experience. I have never gone below 95db as in my setup it is just too low a signal, so I cannot address that issue but it seems well documented from the very early days of this decks release. I have never run "mic in" so I cannot speak to that either.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: PaulCayard on November 16, 2017, 02:17:17 PM
67 mic-in provides about the same input sensitivity as 95 line-in. 
In addition, those settings are also "do not go below" numbers to avoid input stage overload.
What's the meaning of "input stage overload"? Thanks for any clarification :-)
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: fandelive on November 16, 2017, 05:01:41 PM
67 mic-in provides about the same input sensitivity as 95 line-in. 
In addition, those settings are also "do not go below" numbers to avoid input stage overload.
Settings higher than 67 mic-in and 95 line-in are okay.

My last concert was a rock concert (but not "ear-bleeding" as I could actually enjoy the music without using my ear plugs from where I stood).

It was in a 1000 capacity venue. Soundboard was in the middle of the room, dead center. I stood FOB.

MM-HLSC-1 (4.7k) > 9V bbox > mic-in (low, levels @ 88/100). The sound spectrum reaches -10dB at its peak.
DPA 4061 > 9V bbox > line-in (levels @ 100/100). The sound spectrum in Audacity barely reaches the -20dB threshold. It's pretty low. Even if I record in 48kHz/24-bit, wouldn't it be any loss of quality if I normalize the sound in post ???

My next show is probably gonna be MUCH louder (as I also plan to stand within the very first rows). I'd like to try :
DPA 4061 > 9V bbox > mic-in (low, levels @ 88/100 + dual backup track @ -12dB).

But maybe setting levels @ 79/100 (67+12) + dual backup track @ -12dB would be safer ? Or even keep recording line-in as I did previously if the built-in line preamp is able to take a hotter signal than the mic preamp ?

It's hard to make up my mind as I want safe results with no loss of sound quality if I have to boost up the volume in post...

Problem is that I won't be able to check my levels while recording.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on November 16, 2017, 05:23:18 PM
67 mic-in provides about the same input sensitivity as 95 line-in. 
In addition, those settings are also "do not go below" numbers to avoid input stage overload.
What's the meaning of "input stage overload"? Thanks for any clarification :-)

The analog input stage (mic/line preamp section) overloading prior to the signal reaching the ADC chip.  Commonly referred to as "brickwalling" in TS vernacular.  The input stage is saturated and distorting heavily (typically beginning with loud kick drum and/or bass) yet the signal level after that reaching the ADC is still within the operational limits of the ADC input.

The level as indicated on the meters will not typically reach 0dBfs and the clipping light may not activate.  Usually the meters appear to top-out at a certain level and never exceed that, which appears okay at first glance, but the motion of the metering often has less dynamic "bounce" than you'd normally see, and the meters will tend to spend more time at that maximum ceiling level than they normally would.

It happens when an input exceeds the maximum input level the recorder is capable of, even though the recorder may still have lower input settings available.  Setting the input level lower at that point will only lower the recorded level, but will not reduce level prior to the input stage so doing so will not reduce the distortion.

The fix is knowing what that "don't go below" setting is for the recorder in question, and reducing the signal level prior to it reaching the recorder so that you keep it at that setting or higher.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on November 16, 2017, 05:53:24 PM
My next show is probably gonna be MUCH louder.. Problem is that I won't be able to check my levels while recording.

In that case I'd probably keep everything the same.  4061>BB>line-in(100).  You'll need and will use up much of that 20dB of headroom for something much louder.

Quote
The sound spectrum in Audacity barely reaches the -20dB threshold. It's pretty low. Even if I record in 48kHz/24-bit, wouldn't it be any loss of quality if I normalize the sound in post

I don't sweat a signal peaking at -20dBfs, boosting the level of the file afterwards will not degrade the sound.  You will only degrade sound by amplifying afterwards if if the noise-floor of your recording chain exceeds the noise-floor of the recording environment, in which case you may begin to hear excess hiss in the quiet portions after amplifying.  You'd need pretty low levels or an unusually quiet recording environment for that.   And even then it's often hard to know if you are just hearing the noise floor of the room being amplified along with everything else or the noise floor of your recording chain exceeding that of the room.

For something about same SPL or lower, you could switch to using Mic-input set to low-sensitivity and increase the recording level above 67 as much as needed.  If you find you are using a rather high input level to get good levels with the low-sensitivity mic-input setting, or for significantly quieter stuff, you could switch the mic input sensitivity to Medium and use a lower input level setting.  Using the mic-input lets you adjust levels while recording if necessary and if you can do so.  That can be done using the IR remote even with the hold-switch engaged if you activate remote capability in the recorder setup menu.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: fandelive on November 17, 2017, 12:22:41 AM
Thank you Gutbucket. Let's keep it safe and see what happens. Tonight's the night.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: PaulCayard on November 18, 2017, 02:20:18 PM
The analog input stage ...
Thanks a lot for the explanation! I'll try to keep in mind it, expecially when I'll use battery box and mic in on my M10.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: heathen on April 16, 2019, 12:09:57 PM
If dual recording is on and it's set to LINE mode, and there's a line in but no mics plugged into the mic in, does it automatically record with the internal mics in addition to the line in?

Apologies if this has been asked before...I'm new to this thing.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on April 16, 2019, 01:14:38 PM
Pretty sure the answer is yes.

DUAL LINE mode is how I typically use this recorder, yet I always have an external preamp running into both the mic and line inputs.  However, if I was to unplug the external mic input I'm pretty sure the recorder reverts to the internal mics.

Keep in mind that you can turn on/off PIP to the mic input in the menu.  I'm not certain, but I don't think that setting affects the internal mics.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: heathen on April 16, 2019, 02:16:45 PM
Pretty sure the answer is yes.

DUAL LINE mode is how I typically use this recorder, yet I always have an external preamp running into both the mic and line inputs.  However, if I was to unplug the external mic input I'm pretty sure the recorder reverts to the internal mics.

Keep in mind that you can turn on/off PIP to the mic input in the menu.  I'm not certain, but I don't think that setting affects the internal mics.

Right on thanks for the info.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Elguapo511 on October 01, 2019, 12:26:18 PM
Got Any advice from experience for Recording Bo*b Dyl0n from the second row center of an arena?

Dr2d
Sound Professionals 12v battery box
CA C.A.F.S.

Gain LOW MID or HIGH?
Input Level?
Mic Power - On or Off

Plug into the Line?  or Mic?

I just tested this rig standing under a subway
Mid Gain at 67
and Low Gain at 99  both sounded the best without distortion.
plugged into MIC

Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on October 02, 2019, 06:56:31 PM
You'll need to go Mic-in to allow level adjustments to be made on the recorder.

Mic power off (although it is not likely to matter) when using an external battery box to power the mics.

Can't say if you'll need Low or Mid Mic-input gain setting.  Depends on the sensitivity of the mics and the SPL during the recording situation.  If set to Mid gain and you are still overly close to clipping or already there with the input trim at 67, switch to Low gain.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Elguapo511 on October 03, 2019, 10:52:33 AM
Thanks as always.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: sabre on February 27, 2020, 09:18:21 AM
I pulled out my DR2d the other day after a couple of years of not using it and noticed that the scroll wheel has become defective. It will often skip multiple steps in the menu. Only if I scroll the wheel really, really slowly will it work correctly.

Does anybody know whether this is an easy fix? Are parts available and is it something that somebody without technical skills could repair?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: jb63 on February 27, 2020, 12:34:31 PM
Try some deoxit spray!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: morst on February 27, 2020, 04:44:28 PM
Try some deoxit spray!
That is the real solution but it's also expensive and toxic.


Try exercising the control by running it through its range a couple hundred times - vigorously! There is probably some crud or patina on the metal contacts, and you may be able to scrub it off!
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on February 27, 2020, 05:13:44 PM
Isopropyl alcohol works similarly to clean out gunk if wheel spinning alone is ineffective.  Choose a high %, which has less water in it.  Won't provide lasting lubrication or protection like Deoxit or an equivalent however.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: sabre on February 28, 2020, 07:58:36 AM
Thank you to jb63, morst and Gutbucket for your helpful replies! Much appreciated.

I tried the advice provided by morst and spun the scroll wheel around vigorously for a few minutes (while watching a YouTube video on Deoxit) and it did the trick! The spinning wheel is now working as intended.

Regarding the Deoxit and Isopropyl alcohol: would I need to disassemble the DR2d to spray the stuff or could I just apply it as is?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: morst on February 28, 2020, 09:31:09 AM
after a couple of years of not using it
It missed you!!
 :coolguy:
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on February 28, 2020, 09:39:42 AM
If simply working it a around a bit fixed it, you don't really need to do anything else and I'd probably leave it at that.  If it were more problematic and you needed to go further with a cleaner you can probably squirt some under the edge of the wheel such that it runs to the center hub then work it around, without resorting to disassembly.
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Elguapo511 on August 14, 2020, 10:49:08 AM
Well been a while on this thread but not sure if i see the answer.


What does the Monitor function do?
Manual says it turns on and off while recording?

But you can always listen while recording right?
Title: Re: Tascam DR2d - part 2
Post by: Gutbucket on August 14, 2020, 11:04:04 AM
Routes the mic-input to the headphone/line-out jack while recording, or not.   Mic-input only.  Does not switch to line-input when switching the visual meters to line-in.

If you wish to monitor through headphones or send a line-out patch to another deck or something while recording, you'd need to switch it on.

[edit- I mostly use it for troubleshooting, listening for noise, etc]