Topic: PT: 3 - New Marantz PMD661

[TomBoisseau]

I'm seriously considering getting a PMD661, but there is one concern I have.  If I understand correctly, this unit does NOT have a limiter circuit.  Am I correct?  Do you suppose they could add it in a firmware update?

Thanks,
Tom

[datbrad]

I'm seriously considering getting a PMD661, but there is one concern I have.  If I understand correctly, this unit does NOT have a limiter circuit.  Am I correct?  Do you suppose they could add it in a firmware update?

Thanks,
Tom

Limiters are not something that can be added with firmware, unfortunately. If you get a concert or warm mod by Oade, I can't imagine a situation where you could overload the internal preamps with the -18db attenuator setting on the 661.

Digital limiters will not prevent overloading, just digital brickwalling. If you expect transients that exceed the dynamic range of the preamps, then you would be better using an outboard preamp that has analog limiters, of which optical are the best.

[AsGoodAsGone]

Through out a bunch of surfing around I saw there were some issues with Kingston cards and I have an 8 GB class 6.  Can anyone report if they've had success with them or are they still problematic?

[zepper69]

I've waded through a lot of pages in these threads looking for info on sdhc cards. Anyone care to enlighten me on any non-compatible brands/sizes of cards? Any problems reported in that department? Thanks.

[datbrad]

I've waded through a lot of pages in these threads looking for info on sdhc cards. Anyone care to enlighten me on any non-compatible brands/sizes of cards? Any problems reported in that department? Thanks.

I have always used Lexar cards (class 4) in both my PMD661, and my PMD670, per recommendation from D&M pro several years ago. I have never had any issues with any Lexar card. I know Lexar and Sandisk are more expensive than other brands, but not by much.

It has always amazed me that people will select a cheap brand card that are not recommended by the MFG, and yet think it's still ok to use anyway. Then when it fails somehow, threads like these are filled with chatter trying to decipher the problem. It's the card.

[DigiGal]

I've waded through a lot of pages in these threads looking for info on sdhc cards. Anyone care to enlighten me on any non-compatible brands/sizes of cards? Any problems reported in that department? Thanks.

These were recommended so I picked up a few of the 16GB PNY Optima SDHC class 4 cards and haven't had any issues with them.  You will need a card reader that can handle SDHC cards, older ones did not.

http://www.amazon.com/PNY-Optima-Class-Memory-P-SDHC16G4-EF/dp/B001518O24/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1283721481&sr=1-1

[stober]

Brick walling advice anyone???


Well I ran my oade warm mod 661 friday night for the forth time. The first three times I ran it I ran my CCM41's > V2 > 661 with no problems for the most part. Friday night for My Morning Jacket I decided to run my 184's neumann mics straight into it. I was setup directly in front of the board in a large arena ...pretty close to the stage 40 feet or so. I had the -18 mic attenuator on and had the gain set between 4 and 5 on the unit. The show was really loud but nothing to crazy..... I noticed my levels looked pretty good all night usually peaking around 10-6. When I got home and looked at my files in wavelab I was shocked.....the whole thing is brick walled ( at least most of it..not the quiet songs of coarse) .  WTF..? I know the 184's have a slightly higher output compared to my CCM41's but .... any ideas??? I sent a email to Doug but no replies yet.

[datbrad]

Brick walling advice anyone???


Well I ran my oade warm mod 661 friday night for the forth time. The first three times I ran it I ran my CCM41's > V2 > 661 with no problems for the most part. Friday night for My Morning Jacket I decided to run my 184's neumann mics straight into it. I was setup directly in front of the board in a large arena ...pretty close to the stage 40 feet or so. I had the -18 mic attenuator on and had the gain set between 4 and 5 on the unit. The show was really loud but nothing to crazy..... I noticed my levels looked pretty good all night usually peaking around 10-6. When I got home and looked at my files in wavelab I was shocked.....the whole thing is brick walled ( at least most of it..not the quiet songs of coarse) .  WTF..? I know the 184's have a slightly higher output compared to my CCM41's but .... any ideas??? I sent a email to Doug but no replies yet.

Brent, Can you post a screen shot of the wave? Does is audibly distort?

[stober]

screenshot or brickwalling by bstober, on Flickr

yes there's distortion in the low end for sure...

[datbrad]

Brent, That is strange looking for sure. You need to send that pic over to Doug and let him see it. The mod descriptions on Oade's site indicate the headroom is extended with the concert and warm mods, so I can't imagine how this could have happened with the -18db attenuator engaged also. Did you go back to the XLR preset and double check the -18db setting was still set afterwards?

The reason I ask is when I first got mine, I thoought I had the settings a certain way, but I actually failed to store the preset selections correctly, and only realized it later on when I checked it again.

[stober]

Yeah I checked the preset when I got home to make sure it was still set at -18 and to see if it was still on the preset I selected and it was. I'll report back when Doug emails me back...just sent a second one with the screen shot included. When you listen to it it just sounds like the pres are overloading . Weird looking wave file for sure. I taped the opening band which wasn't as loud with the -12 on and it's looks and sounds the same way.

[jb63]

Through out a bunch of surfing around I saw there were some issues with Kingston cards and I have an 8 GB class 6.  Can anyone report if they've had success with them or are they still problematic?

I had one of those and it just kept giving me errors.
The most annoying errors. Switched back to Sandisc class 2 with no problems. Hope that helps!

[GDfan]

Brick walling advice anyone???


Well I ran my oade warm mod 661 friday night for the forth time. The first three times I ran it I ran my CCM41's > V2 > 661 with no problems for the most part. Friday night for My Morning Jacket I decided to run my 184's neumann mics straight into it. I was setup directly in front of the board in a large arena ...pretty close to the stage 40 feet or so. I had the -18 mic attenuator on and had the gain set between 4 and 5 on the unit. The show was really loud but nothing to crazy..... I noticed my levels looked pretty good all night usually peaking around 10-6. When I got home and looked at my files in wavelab I was shocked.....the whole thing is brick walled ( at least most of it..not the quiet songs of coarse) .  WTF..? I know the 184's have a slightly higher output compared to my CCM41's but .... any ideas??? I sent a email to Doug but no replies yet.

this is common if you have the gain set lower then 5, the PMD661 seems to really shine b/t 6 an 7 on the gain.
I have had the same results that you got with loud sources and having the gain at 4.

[tgakidis]

I am now building VR boxs that step down a 9v DVD battery to a 5v output.  I ran my PMD661 with Phantom on for over 10 hours on a 5400 mAh DVD battery.    Currently I have one of my prototypes for sale in the YS. http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=140772.0

[GDfan]

I am now building VR boxs that step down a 9v DVD battery to a 5v output.  I ran my PMD661 with Phantom on for over 10 hours on a 5400 mAh DVD battery.    Currently I have one of my prototypes for sale in the YS. http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=140772.0

I want of these, however I am going to have to wait until after the Holidays.