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

[jbell]

That is a short list!! 

[2manyrocks]

^ And within a line of cards, some 16g cards are okay, but not 32g cards, but some 32 cards by the same manufacturer were okay.  And all cards on the list are SDHC cards. 

My 70d has never failed to record no matter what card I've used, but mostly I have used 16g cards if that makes any difference.  Maybe there is something about the higher density cards that is more problematic?

[phil_er_up]

Just recently had 3 recording with a short 3-4 second "skip" with 3 different cards!!!
One was a local band practice jam so didn't really matter. Other were head liners at festivals...

The one I just bought 3 days ago is now one the ones that are in "red" on that page that DO NOT WORK. Arg!!!

Agreed with 2manyrocks that the "new Tascam DR-70 SD list" seems hit and miss...really want a 32 GB card that is reliable...

[jbell]

So sounds like the issues with noise in recordings is a SD card compatibility problem???  My PNY 64gig card appears to be working, but I've only done home testing. 

[willndmb]

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


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

Apologies if these were already discussed.

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

there are no cards over 32, I bet they did t try it and that they used the same cards they had sitting around from past tests

[ScoobieKW]

Just recently had 3 recording with a short 3-4 second "skip" with 3 different cards!!!
One was a local band practice jam so didn't really matter. Other were head liners at festivals...

The one I just bought 3 days ago is now one the ones that are in "red" on that page that DO NOT WORK. Arg!!!

Agreed with 2manyrocks that the "new Tascam DR-70 SD list" seems hit and miss...really want a 32 GB card that is reliable...

Noticed it with an older Class 10 PNY card. I've also noticed it when I used Windows to access the SD card through a reader as opposed to using the recorders USB connection.

Need to do more testing, but I've decided to record paired stereo tracks instead of mono. 2 file writes instead of 4.

[morst]

OK the fix is in.  Brad Sarno ( http://www.sarnomusicsolutions.com/ ) came up with this solution:

I've been struggling with a new DR-70D until this week. I got the thing because it was just what seemed a lot of bang for the buck. $250 for 4 channels, 4 XLR inputs, 24/96k audio, etc. My ONLY issue with it was the audio failing to write, getting write-timeout errors, or when it did record I'd get glitchy, stuttery audio. It turns out it's all about the SD cards. Their list of verified cards has grown VERY small. I even bought a "verified" 32G Panasonic card for it. It worked most of the time, but on some audio it would again glitch out. So I talked to B&H and he said that he's had great luck with it and satisfied users, BUT not with any of the 32G cards. Something about how the unit just doesn't talk well to a 32G when it tries to read the available space while it's recording. So he sent me one of these for $9 & free shipping. Now this thing seems to be perfect. Not a high end pro machine, but very utilitarian and affordable. But anyone with a DR-70D, in my opinion, MUST use THIS card here and no other: (see attached photo of a Sandisk Ultra 16GB CL10 UHSI 40MB/s SDHC

ps: FoBean, THANK YOU for this, i just ordered four of 'em.

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

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

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

[jbell]

How long does it take for the glitches to start??  I have a 64gig card and it worked great with home testing.  You would think that would cause more problems than a 32gig card.  Hopefully the next firmware update gives it greater card compatibility.  It should be able to use the 128gig sdxc cards. 

[voltronic]

I've said this before but it bears repeating:

Periodically format the card in the recorder, no matter what card you're using.  In my experience SD cards are fickle things and can easily develop filesystem errors and/or bad sectors.  This kind of memory can and often does develop dead zones.  This could happen to any card, any size, any time.  A format every so often can help these issues by rebuilding said filesystem around those places.

Definitely follow the recommended media lists, but don't be surprised if you still encounter issues like this on recommended cards.  It's the nature of the beast.

I also have a theory on why we are possibly seeing this with the 70D more than we have in other recorders: Due to its price, it may likely be the first 4-channel recorder many of us have owned that records to SD cards.  Recording in 4 channels is going to be more taxing on the card, making it more likely that you'll encounter these sort of issues.

[jbell]

^The R44 and DR680 do 4 channels without card issue!

[aaronji]

Yeah, four channels at 24/96 yields a data rate of ~ 1.1 MB/s (if I did the math right).  So a class 2 card performing to spec should be able to handle it without breaking a sweat...

[voltronic]

Well it was just a theory.  Maybe the 70D really is more picky than other devices about cards.

[morst]

Well it was just a theory.  Maybe the 70D really is more picky than other devices about cards.

or maybe they have a bug in the filesystem? Has anyone had the glitch problem after formatting a card freshly in the machine?

[mfrench]

Suddenly and somewhat unexpectedly, Moke joins the team.

[Wmorris]

Well it was just a theory.  Maybe the 70D really is more picky than other devices about cards.

or maybe they have a bug in the filesystem? Has anyone had the glitch problem after formatting a card freshly in the machine?

I had a brand new card that I formatted before using at Lockn', out of all the sets that I recorded, three have the glitchy audio problem, it sounds like the recording was rewound and played back over top of itself if that makes any sense.   But anyway, the problem happens after formatting a card freshly in the machine.