Topic: TASCAM DR-680 portable 8-track #4

[bobbygeeWOW]

or "a good taper doesn't blame his tools"

[chinariderstl]

This is a great thread guys, thanks for the wealth of information.  I should be getting mine in the next week or so.

[MULETAPER]

thanks for your info,I will have to order another dvd battery is there a more preferred dvd battery.they no longer make the ones like i have.And, get a rca and 1/4 in >xlr cable made for the other channels for sbd/ patching.+T's, appreciated...

anyone else who has any thoughts chime in.

buehler???

[kirk97132]

thanks for your info,I will have to order another dvd battery is there a more preferred dvd battery.they no longer make the ones like i have.And, get a rca and 1/4 in >xlr cable made for the other channels for sbd/ patching.+T's, appreciated...

anyone else who has any thoughts chime in.

buehler???

They still make the DVD "wallyworld" style batteries, they just sell for $50 to $80 each now depending on amperage.  If you have any weak or dead DVD batteries I can Refurbish them and while I am doing that you can also double the stock capacity.  For more info read this thread: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=153993.0  There are also some large capacity batteries out there in the $200 range look in the Tascam HSP82 thread.  A few people have opted to go back to SLA's since the voltage is so stable and it is a proven format.  As for prefered we all prefer ones that work, but most of us nowadays are not willing to spend the money the vendors want for the dvd style batteries.  Just don't buy the Tekkeon's for the 680.   

[thekittycatt]

Tekkeon with voltage sensing = BAD

How do you tell if the Tekkeon has voltage sensing?

[MULETAPER]

the only thing holding me from ordering one right now is the external power issue.

Im tring to lose weight, and those SLA's are heavy... but if thats the best way to go... Im hearin' ya!

[bobbygeeWOW]

I've posted this before but its probably way back there somewhere by now...

batterygeek makes a 12V battery that powers all my pres and the deck for something like a day.
Its about the size of a DVD battery (but costs more).

[kirk97132]

Tekkeon with voltage sensing = BAD

How do you tell if the Tekkeon has voltage sensing?

I am not exactly sure.  BUT, if it were me I'd just avoid all tekkeons to be sure I was safe. 

[hi and lo]

Tekkeon with voltage sensing = BAD

How do you tell if the Tekkeon has voltage sensing?

I am not exactly sure.  BUT, if it were me I'd just avoid all tekkeons to be sure I was safe.

And I would second this advice. I recently picked up a 3450i, which has the DIP switches to set a fixed voltage, and simple testing with my multi-meter indicates a large voltage spike above the set voltage when the unit is first powered on. I don't know if this is simply a red herring and specific to my DMM or indicative of a problem with the Tekkeon's voltage regulation circuit.

[fsulloway]

the only thing holding me from ordering one right now is the external power issue.

Im tring to lose weight, and those SLA's are heavy... but if thats the best way to go... Im hearin' ya!

I hear ya but it's really not that bad. I went with a 12v 5 ah battery that probably weighs 4-5 lbs. It's still way better than the days of carrying 2 6v eco charges, a 12v eco charge, a v2, an ad2k, and a dap1.

[chinariderstl]

-I'm planning on running mic > V2 > 680 [...]

Question for the board, why would you want to run your mics through a pre then into the Tascam deck?  The deck can supply 48V phantom power, why not just jack into the on-board XLR's?

Sound? Battery life?

[fsulloway]

-I'm planning on running mic > V2 > 680 [...]

Question for the board, why would you want to run your mics through a pre then into the Tascam deck?  The deck can supply 48V phantom power, why not just jack into the on-board XLR's?

Sound? Battery life?

Most have said they thought the Tascam's pres sounded pretty good but they might not stand up to your favorite or current dedicated pre. Some may just like a "certain sound" that a pre adds. Would battery life be affected? Yes, but easy to work around.

[Gutbucket]

I run the V3 primarily to get 8 channels in there by using the SPDIF input, then put my 'A-chain' mics through the V3 because, well it's there and it's great.  I've run the same 'A-chain' mics in direct, and there isn't a huge difference in sound. I have little problem leaving the V3 home if I don't need 8 channels simply to cut down on size weight and batteries.  Those running transformer pre's specifically for sonic color (instead of V2/3 transparency) may feel otherwise.

[hi and lo]

I have little problem leaving the V3 home if I don't need 8 channels simply to cut down on size weight and batteries.  Those running transformer pre's specifically for sonic color (instead of V2/3 transparency) may feel otherwise.

Nope... I find myself frequently leaving the PSP-2 at home, especially when I'm running multiple channels. It's just so convenient with more than acceptable sound quality.

[chinariderstl]

Excellent, appreciate the responses.  On my maiden voyage I plan to just go mics into the XLR's + soundboard into the XLR's or 1/4".