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

[davepeck]

Ok, guess that explains it then. Not a huge deal, but I do find it odd. Thanks guys!

[Grosse_j]

Did you deactivate recording of the  mix channel? May be that gives you channel 5 and 6 in four channel recording

[ShawnF]

The isssue is the "file recording mode," and it may be set for Stereo, Mono, or 6-channel, and the manual states pretty clearly that the 6CH setting will give you one 6-channel file, so while that may not be what you'd like to have, it shouldn't be too surprising that's what it is.  Easy enough to just use mono or stereo to work with four channels, but maybe not quite as convenient.

[Candace]

Just picked up a 680. Thinking about these two for power: any feedback on either?

http://www.thebatterygeeks.com/BG-9-12-66-Portable-DVD-Player-Battery-p/9-12-66.htm

http://www.thebatterygeeks.com/BG-6-12-44-Portable-DVD-Player-Battery-Pack-p/5-12-50.htm

[jkbyram]

Just picked up a 680. Thinking about these two for power: any feedback on either?

http://www.thebatterygeeks.com/BG-9-12-66-Portable-DVD-Player-Battery-p/9-12-66.htm

http://www.thebatterygeeks.com/BG-6-12-44-Portable-DVD-Player-Battery-Pack-p/5-12-50.htm

I run the 9-12-66 and have had no issues so far.

[bobbygeeWOW]

I have an older 10-14-88 that seems to have been replaced with a 10-14-115 - that sucker will put out 8 amps if you need it and power your stuff weeks

[Candace]

Just an update. Ran my brand-new DR680 last night to record our band's practice in advance of our first gig. Set up the MBHOs, plugged into 1-2, and than ran TRS from the board out to inputs 3-4. Recorded the whole set at 24/96. Was very impressed by the sound, and happy with the results. Misread the input levels a little but I'll know better next time (thought the lower line represented zero, so the set was recorded with peaks of -12db). Just a note for everybody: I recorded onto a Promaster 8GB card with no difficult. Promaster cards are sold at a lot camera shops, and are generally cheaper than the branded ones. I do however, have a Lexar 32 on the way!

[F.O.Bean]

Just an update. Ran my brand-new DR680 last night to record our band's practice in advance of our first gig. Set up the MBHOs, plugged into 1-2, and than ran TRS from the board out to inputs 3-4. Recorded the whole set at 24/96. Was very impressed by the sound, and happy with the results. Misread the input levels a little but I'll know better next time (thought the lower line represented zero, so the set was recorded with peaks of -12db). Just a note for everybody: I recorded onto a Promaster 8GB card with no difficult. Promaster cards are sold at a lot camera shops, and are generally cheaper than the branded ones. I do however, have a Lexar 32 on the way!

Congrats and Happy Taping!

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Just an update. Ran my brand-new DR680 last night to record our band's practice in advance of our first gig. Set up the MBHOs, plugged into 1-2, and than ran TRS from the board out to inputs 3-4. Recorded the whole set at 24/96. Was very impressed by the sound, and happy with the results. Misread the input levels a little but I'll know better next time (thought the lower line represented zero, so the set was recorded with peaks of -12db). Just a note for everybody: I recorded onto a Promaster 8GB card with no difficult. Promaster cards are sold at a lot camera shops, and are generally cheaper than the branded ones. I do however, have a Lexar 32 on the way!

-12 should be fine when you're recording 24bit. -6 would be better, but you should still get good results by adding 10-ish db of gain.

[Candace]

Here's a question that I thought of when I imported the tracks into WL7. I recorded stereo tracks: mics to 1-2; sbd to 3-4. Would it be better to actually set it up as an LR pair? In other words, left mic and left sbd to 1-2, then right mic and right sbd to 3-4?

[Myco]

Here's a question that I thought of when I imported the tracks into WL7. I recorded stereo tracks: mics to 1-2; sbd to 3-4. Would it be better to actually set it up as an LR pair? In other words, left mic and left sbd to 1-2, then right mic and right sbd to 3-4?

I'd leave them as is as a 4 channel file, then mix them down with Channel Converter to a stereo mix two track file. Usually channels 1-3 and 2-4 would correspond for the mix, then you'd just choose percentage of each source to mix into final two track file.

[Chuck]

Has anyone tried one of these to power the DR-680?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-6800mAh-Super-Rechargeable-Lithium-ion-Battery-/250994934006?pt=US_Batteries&hash=item3a7076c0f6#ht_1422wt_954

It ships from the US. It might be worth checking out.
I'm using a 12v SLA now, but it's heavy.

[kirk97132]

I have used a similar one but with multiple voltages 12, 9, 5. 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5V-9V-12V-Super-Capacity-Recharge-Li-ion-Battery-charge-/270927664218?pt=US_Batteries&hash=item3f148c145a
Had a discussion with another TS  friend about a very low level noise from the batter in the signal.  It's below mic self noise so I say it doesn't matter but if you;re a purist then no noise is good noise.  There are some screen shots on TS somewhere if I can remember where I'll post link.  Other than that, I dislike the fact it does not have any meters.  Plus they take a long time to charge. 

Link to screenshot:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=144811.msg1872122#msg1872122

[Chuck]

Maybe the circuitry that allows for multiple voltages on your battery pack added to the noise? I just need 12v from it.

Also, did you try making a simple R/C filter circuit to fix the issue?

[kirk97132]

I never cared about the issue and I use the battery mostly for 5v with USBPre2.  Like I said noise is down in the -70dB range.  Even if mics were that quiet just the room would be louder than any battery noise.  And as soon as you have an amp on or any noise at all it's a moot point, to me at least.