Topic: Tascam DR-70D 4-channel audio recorder (Part 2)

[voltronic]

If so inclined by the user community, Tascam potentially has the ability to change a whole lot of things with firmware updates.  Does anyone know the Tascam rep's forum handle so I can point him toward our Firmware Update Request list?

tumuo is the Tascam rep on the forum. He chimed in on Part 1 a couple times and various threads regarding the DR-680.

Thanks - I was looking in Part 2 which is why I wasn't finding him.

[jbosco]

I pretty much stopped taping 15 years ago, I sold all my equipment except my DPA 4061s and Sony M1.  Now that I'm divorced and my kids are older I'm getting back in!  I needed new equipment because I don't know where I could even find a blank DAT if I wanted, so I went with the DR-70D, for mics I went with Neumann KM184, these mics to me just most accurately capture what it sounded like at the show, so it was a no brainer.  My first time back in the OTS since I think it was an Other Ones show in Hartford was the Phil Lesh show at the Cap 3/19, I clamped off an old buddies stand in the front of the OTS.  I purchase up some of Scotts mounts, I used the ORTF for the first set and the DIN for the second, XLR cables are Darktrains. 

This was the first time I used this deck and I was very impressed with it's ease of use, I think it's a keeper!

Here's the link to my first LMA upload:
https://archive.org/details/phil2015-03-19.km184.flac16

[rockymtnryan]

Got a chance to run the DR-70D for the first time on Friday night and I'm really happy with the results. Once my new Nbob active cables come in I'll be able to run 4 channels, but Friday I just used the CK61's > actives/pfa > DR-70D

Some samples...

https://soundcloud.com/ryan-stearns-3/north-mississippi-allstars-up-over-yonder

https://soundcloud.com/ryan-stearns-3/anders-osborne-echoes-of-my-sins

https://soundcloud.com/ryan-stearns-3/north-mississippi-osborne-brush-up-against-you

[DecomposingCadaver]

Hello, I'm new to this board, greetings everyone!

I noticed that there are a bunch of sales going for the DR-70D:

1)Massdrop for $269 or $259 or $249 depending on how many sign up: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/tascam-dr-70d?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Community%20-%20Pro%20Audio%20-%20MAU%20%28Active%29&utm_campaign=Pro%20Audio%20Active%20Product%20Announcement%202015-04-09&mode=guest_open

2)B&H for about $270 and also bundled deals of various kinds: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=tascam+dr-70d&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps

Has anyone used the fuzzy windscreen for the 70D? Here from B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1126276-REG/tascam_ak_dr70c_dr_70d_accessory_kit.html

I have the 70D, but never used the internal speakers, but I wonder how useful that windscreen would be. 

[Life In Rewind]

https://archive.org/details/yarn2015-04-11

First time I've been able to re-visit a place (and band!) that I've recorded before I had the DR70.

Not disappointed at all!

[Jamos]

Just wanted to mention that I saw the 70D for sale from Adorama on Ebay, bundled with some AT ATH-M50x headphones for $299.
This seems like a great deal, seeing as though the headphones are worth about $100-140 themselves.

[Rally_AK]

Wow, lots of good deals to be had. I picked mine up at B&H bundled with sound forge pro for $249, excellent deal if you're a sound forge user. IMO anything under $299 is a steal for this little guy.

So I had something weird happen over the weekend, well maybe not weird but new to me. I was running a matrix at Mother Hips, with mics on stage, and during the first set the peak lights lit up a few times but levels were only hitting -5 or -4 max. I turned on the 10dB mic pads during set break, adjusted levels and no more peak lights.  I checked the waveforms after the show and didn't notice any brickwalling but assume it was close to overloading the analog stage without actually doing so. Has anyone else had this happen?

It didn't seem like a super loud show but I'm thinking the mic pre's are sensitive enough to require padding at high SPL's.

[Cheesecadet]

Wow, lots of good deals to be had. I picked mine up at B&H bundled with sound forge pro for $249, excellent deal if you're a sound forge user. IMO anything under $299 is a steal for this little guy.

So I had something weird happen over the weekend, well maybe not weird but new to me. I was running a matrix at Mother Hips, with mics on stage, and during the first set the peak lights lit up a few times but levels were only hitting -5 or -4 max. I turned on the 10dB mic pads during set break, adjusted levels and no more peak lights.  I checked the waveforms after the show and didn't notice any brickwalling but assume it was close to overloading the analog stage without actually doing so. Has anyone else had this happen?

It didn't seem like a super loud show but I'm thinking the mic pre's are sensitive enough to require padding at high SPL's.

I believe the peak lights come on around -3dB on Tascam deck.  It does not mean you are overloading the deck.  I run my levels hot often and since correctly calibrating my pre with the deck I have peak lights come on all the time but never overload the deck FWIW.

[Rally_AK]

Thanks Cheesecadete, good to know!

@voltronic - Can you please add this to the FAQ page?

[cosmickc]

I see B&H has this for $199 bundle with
    Varta High-Energy 1.5V AA LR6 Alkaline Battery (4-Pack)
    Beachtek SC35 Replacement Cable
    SanDisk 8GB microSDHC Memory Card Ultra Class 10 UHS-I with microSD Adapter
    Sony Sound Forge Pro 11 Audio Waveform Editor for Windows or Mac

My question.  How would this compare to the DR-100mkII?  I know the 70d is 4 channels.  I've been looking for a 4 channel recorder.  I already have the DR-100mkII and really like it.  Was thinking of replacing it with this DR-70D so I'd have the flexibility of 4 channels.   Can this 70D handle a line level signal off a soundboard with out any problems?  Are the pre-amps in the 70D any good?

Thanks
KC

[rockymtnryan]

I see B&H has this for $199 bundle with
    Varta High-Energy 1.5V AA LR6 Alkaline Battery (4-Pack)
    Beachtek SC35 Replacement Cable
    SanDisk 8GB microSDHC Memory Card Ultra Class 10 UHS-I with microSD Adapter
    Sony Sound Forge Pro 11 Audio Waveform Editor for Windows or Mac

My question.  How would this compare to the DR-100mkII?  I know the 70d is 4 channels.  I've been looking for a 4 channel recorder.  I already have the DR-100mkII and really like it.  Was thinking of replacing it with this DR-70D so I'd have the flexibility of 4 channels.   Can this 70D handle a line level signal off a soundboard with out any problems?  Are the pre-amps in the 70D any good?

Thanks
KC

I think you mean $399...not $199

[Rally_AK]

I see B&H has this for $199 bundle with
    Varta High-Energy 1.5V AA LR6 Alkaline Battery (4-Pack)
    Beachtek SC35 Replacement Cable
    SanDisk 8GB microSDHC Memory Card Ultra Class 10 UHS-I with microSD Adapter
    Sony Sound Forge Pro 11 Audio Waveform Editor for Windows or Mac

My question.  How would this compare to the DR-100mkII?  I know the 70d is 4 channels.  I've been looking for a 4 channel recorder.  I already have the DR-100mkII and really like it.  Was thinking of replacing it with this DR-70D so I'd have the flexibility of 4 channels.   Can this 70D handle a line level signal off a soundboard with out any problems?  Are the pre-amps in the 70D any good?

Thanks
KC

The 70D can handle line levels off a board, you just need to make sure the inputs are set to LINE not MIC. I ran a board feed last weekend with the board outs set to 0 (Unity) and didn't have any issues overloading the 70D.

I have a DR100mkII but haven't had a chance to do an in depth comparison between the two. I can attest that the 70D's mic pres are very good, and quite, but can't say if they're better then the DR100's. I will say that having the extra two channels is a must if you plan on doing any matrix's. I've done quite a few on the DR100 and the results were always hit or miss.

I can run specific tests between the two if you'd like, just let me know.

[aleal5687]

Yes it is 199$
Add to cart and 74.99 discount is added to the bundle
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Tascam-Recorders/ci/27533/N/3806301825/ap/Y/pd/BHNAB2015

Or use promo code
BHNAB2015

Thinking about picking one up myself.
If so keep an eye out for a dr2d in the ys

[Rally_AK]

Holy crap, that's the best deal yet!

[vanark]

Yes it is 199$
Add to cart and 74.99 discount is added to the bundle
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Tascam-Recorders/ci/27533/N/3806301825/ap/Y/pd/BHNAB2015

Or use promo code
BHNAB2015

Thinking about picking one up myself.
If so keep an eye out for a dr2d in the ys

Holy cow.