Taperssection.com
Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: Sloan Simpson on April 22, 2021, 11:42:59 AM
-
My DR-680 didn't survive being loaned out for the last year. I'll be mostly running either KM184's or the 184's plus soundboard feed. Is Zoom H6 my cheapest direct replacement for the 680 or am I overlooking something?
-
The Zoom f6 is a better choice six xlrs and 32 bit float . Also look at the Sound Devices mixpre six .These are both good decks with the 32 bit float .
-
Sweetwater has a finance deal at 24 bucks a month for the zoom f6
-
I'll second the Zoom F6 recommendation. I moved from DR-680 to Zoom F8 and have been quite happy with it. I've not used the F6 but its essentially a more compact F8 with a few less channels. Same overall format. I don't consider 32bit float recording a necessary or significant upgrade for an experienced taper but others will feel differently.
It's unfortunate the DR-680 is being discontinued, as it was pretty much unbeatable on both a cost per channel and ease of use basis IMO.. and a few other things like having digital in/out. Not sure on the business side of Tascam these days, but I wonder if we will see a replacement for it at some point.
Lots of love for the SD Mixpre 6 here at TS too. I've not used one, but in comparison with the DR-680 it strikes to me as significantly more complex with regards to setup, operation, and potential pitfalls. Most get familiar with it easily enough I suppose, but the only multichannel recorder I found more easy and straightforward to use than the DR-680 was the R-44. Might keep an eye on the yardsale for one of those (Oade OCM version preferably) if you'll only need 4 channels. They are hard to beat for what they do, simply. You won't get such modern conveniences like monitoring on a phone though.
-
...the only multichannel recorder I found more easy and straightforward to use than the DR-680 was the R-44.Might keep an eye on the yardsale for one of those (Oade OCM version preferably) if you'll only need 4 channels. They are hard to beat for what they do, simply. You won't get such modern conveniences like monitoring on a phone though.
Or 2 R-44's, if you want 8 channels.
-
Or 2 R-44's, if you want 8 channels.
As I recall, the trick to keep two linked R-44s in sync with file alignment with was to turn off pre-recording. But if more than 6 channels are needed I'd go F8 or F8N, keeping everything on one machine and significantly simplifying connections, devices, and size.
-
I'm really looking for the cheapest option more than anything else. I don't need 32FP and have run more than 4 channels maybe once or twice all the time I had the 680. I'm mostly doing multitracks to a laptop when I can so I hope for this to be more of a secondary rig.
-
There is a first generation MixPre-6 in the Yardsale at a decent price.
-
The DR-70D and DR-701D have both been rock solid for me. Small as hell too
-
The DR-70D and DR-701D have both been rock solid for me. Small as hell too
Looking at these now, thanks. Only thing I see offhand that I like better on the H6 is the USB powering ability (I'd like being able to more easily replace a power cable).
-
Or 2 R-44's, if you want 8 channels.
As I recall, the trick to keep two linked R-44s in sync with file alignment with was to turn off pre-recording. But if more than 6 channels are needed I'd go F8 or F8N, keeping everything on one machine and significantly simplifying connections, devices, and size.
Correct, works EVERY time.
-
The DR-70D and DR-701D have both been rock solid for me. Small as hell too
Looking at these now, thanks. Only thing I see offhand that I like better on the H6 is the USB powering ability (I'd like being able to more easily replace a power cable).
They both run off of USB power. As does the DR60. DR60 is 4 channel too but only has 2 XLR inputs. Channels 3-4 have 1/8" input. I've recorded a ton of SBD's to channels 3-4 using XLR>1/8" adapter cables.
-
The DR-70D and DR-701D have both been rock solid for me. Small as hell too
Looking at these now, thanks. Only thing I see offhand that I like better on the H6 is the USB powering ability (I'd like being able to more easily replace a power cable).
They both run off of USB power.
Oh, perfect. Thanks!
-
^
Those are likely to be your lowest cost options for 4 channels
-
Love my dr60 can prob find one for real cheap and the pres are surprisingly excellent imo
-
Love my dr60 can prob find one for real cheap and the pres are surprisingly excellent imo
I've got 2x dr70, one loaned out.Small and convenient.Menu navigation is a bit tricky, but easy to use once you get used to it.
Have not tried the dr60, but I think it is just the same with two less preamps.
-
I have two DR-70Ds as well. No complaints and good price.
-
Love my DR680 mkii: able to run my UA-5s to it easily and very easy to operate. Never had a problem. Some draw backs to it, but they were more peevish than anything. Considered a DR701d for a while. Form factor mainly.
Might switch things up later this year. Leaning toward SDevices. The USBPre has been turning me on for at home/on the fly use and wanting to record bird songs has me thinking more about a MixPre3. Form factor alone has always been in the back of my mind when it comes to making my main deck a MixPre6. The DR680 is really big (statement made in the year 2021, I know I know). Footprint in these NOLA venues is definitely a thing.
680mkii was my step into flying mics and not looking so newbish. It will be missed as it was a hell of a deck... for a Tascam.
-
There is a used Mixpre6 in the YS for $500! Will out last all the low end recorders.
-
^
Those are likely to be your lowest cost options for 4 channels
wasn't there a totally affordable R44 in the yard sale?
https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=195114.msg2337809#msg2337809
https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=193317.msg2321293#msg2321293
that's what I would do.
-
Still the 4 channel deck against which all others are measured, IME.
-
I have a F6 but haven't had a chance to really put it through it's paces. I'm not a big fan of the menu structure.
Been using a DR701d for a couple of years and I really like it. Simple, sounds good and runs forever off a 5V USB battery.
Did quite a bit of what you describe as your main use case - stereo mics and stereo soundboard feed - and it never let me down. Form factor is not the absolute best for running in a bag but it's small enough that it's not a huge impediment.
-
I add another vote for the DR-701d. I'm really happy with mine. I have a DR-680 which I used to use regularly but I pretty much shelved after I got used to the 701. In fact if you want to stick with a 680, let me know and I'll throw mine up in the yard sale.