Topic: PT: 2 - New Marantz PMD661

[JasonSobel]

I am confused about the transferring of files between the 661 and my computer, per your discussion with MBHOTAPER above. I understand that it is fine to use a large card to record many shows over many days, but I do not understand what you mean by "not recommend deleting files with your computer on the card". So far, I have only transferred one of my cards to my computer - via a card reader - and when I double clicked on one of the two .wav files on that card, my iTunes program opened and transferred that file into iTunes. Then when I quit iTunes, I apparently lost the entire file which I did not previously click on. I need to open the files in a program where I can track the recording, and boost levels, etc, correct? That may, in my case, be more of a discussion in the Mac OSX thread, since I use a Mac Mini, running v.10.4.11, w/a 1.5GHz Power PC G4 processor.

Harold

Harold,

I don't ever use a Mac, and I've never used iTunes, but I think I can answer your question.
When you put the card in your card reader, and then double click, it opens the files straight from the card (in iTunes).  It doesn't actually copy the files off the card to your hard drive.  That's why the files are no longer there when you take the card out, because you never copied the files in the first place.  So that's the first step, just copy the files from the card to your hard drive.  Once they are on your harddrive, there are many programs you can use to track/edit/post-process/whatever.  but I can't give you good recommendations for a Mac.

what I meant when I said "not recommend deleting files with your computer on the card" was this:
After you've copied the files from your card onto your computer and done whatever you need or want to do with those files, you are now ready to tape another show.  I would recommend against putting the card in your card reader, and using your computer to delete the files from the card.  Instead, when you are ready to clear the card to get ready for your next show, put the card in the deck and format it there.  That will clear the card and it'll be ready to go.

That said, as I think I clarified above, it's no problem at all to tape multiple bands/sets over several days or whatever on the same card, and of course you don't have to re-format the card before each set (because you would lose all the previous recordings on that card).  but in a situation like this, you are not deleting things off the card with your computer, so it's just like slowly filling up the card, which is no big deal.

hopefully this clears some things up.

- Jason

[MBHOTAPER]

I just responded to your PM, but for everyone's benefit:


I currently use (and have ever only used) a SanDisk Ultra II 8gb card, and a PNY class 4 16gb card.  I use both at 24/96, and I've never had any problems with either.

This is the exact PNY card that I use (and would recommend) -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178196

based on a quick look at the SanDisk website, it looks like they've renamed the "Ultra II" series to just "Ultra", and likewise, they have renamed the "Extreme III" series to just "Extreme".  So, I think the newer "Ultra" cards are in fact the same cards as the older "Ultra II" cards.  though it is a bit confusing and I'm not 100% sure.

Thanks for the input and help.

Doug

[tgakidis]

OK, so I ran my PMD-661 for the first time on Friday.  Love it!  Nice size, easy controls and great meters.  I ran it digi in from my Lunatec V3 at 24/96 with AKG 463's and it sounds excellent!

One major problem though.   For some reason it did not start a new file at 2 gigs.  The first file saved at 3.72 GB (3,999,997,462 bytes).  Now I can't open the damn file up in sound forge because it is bigger then 2 gigs.  I used 16 gig PNY class 4 sdhc that I have use with my r-44.  I can't remember if I formatted the card before using it in the 661.  I assume that is probably the reason but wanted to put it out there to the group.

In addition I would love to get some advise on how to proceed with this 3.72 gig file.  I figure I could do a "live" digital transfer from my r-44 to the the 661, but I am hoping there is a easier way.

[dactylus]

OK, so I ran my PMD-661 for the first time on Friday.  Love it!  Nice size, easy controls and great meters.  I ran it digi in from my Lunatec V3 at 24/96 with AKG 463's and it sounds excellent!

One major problem though.   For some reason it did not start a new file at 2 gigs.  The first file saved at 3.72 GB (3,999,997,462 bytes).  Now I can't open the damn file up in sound forge because it is bigger then 2 gigs.  I used 16 gig PNY class 4 sdhc that I have use with my r-44.  I can't remember if I formatted the card before using it in the 661.  I assume that is probably the reason but wanted to put it out there to the group.

In addition I would love to get some advise on how to proceed with this 3.72 gig file.  I figure I could do a "live" digital transfer from my r-44 to the the 661, but I am hoping there is a easier way.

Ted the "auto file split" is at 4 gigs on the 661- you can split the files manually if desired (pg 26-27 of manual). 

Sound Forge 10 will handle files larger than 2 gigs. 

If CD Wave Editor can handle a 4 gig file that would be a quick and easy option.

I can split it for you if it comes down to that, just send it to me on a disk or upload it somewhere where I could download it,

[tedyun]

Did you power it from the Tekkeon USB out?

OK, so I ran my PMD-661 for the first time on Friday.  Love it!  Nice size, easy controls and great meters.  I ran it digi in from my Lunatec V3 at 24/96 with AKG 463's and it sounds excellent!

One major problem though.   For some reason it did not start a new file at 2 gigs.  The first file saved at 3.72 GB (3,999,997,462 bytes).  Now I can't open the damn file up in sound forge because it is bigger then 2 gigs.  I used 16 gig PNY class 4 sdhc that I have use with my r-44.  I can't remember if I formatted the card before using it in the 661.  I assume that is probably the reason but wanted to put it out there to the group.

In addition I would love to get some advise on how to proceed with this 3.72 gig file.  I figure I could do a "live" digital transfer from my r-44 to the the 661, but I am hoping there is a easier way.

[tgakidis]

Ted the "auto file split" is at 4 gigs on the 661- you can split the files manually if desired (pg 26-27 of manual). 

Sound Forge 10 will handle files larger than 2 gigs. 

If CD Wave Editor can handle a 4 gig file that would be a quick and easy option.

I can split it for you if it comes down to that, just send it to me on a disk or upload it somewhere where I could download it,

Thanks for the info David!  I split the file up with CD Wave and downloaded SF 10.  I love this little bit bucket.  Great for when I want to run the Oade R-44 barefoot with 4 channels and run the V3 digital into the 661.  The 460/ck63 > V3 > 661 smoked the 451/ck3 > Oade R-44, as expected.

[dactylus]

Glad that it worked out easily Ted.  I luv this box too.

I recently ran stage lip, down low, using:   milab vm-44links > ocm 661 and pulled one of the best sounding recordings that I have pulled in quite some time!!  The sound is sensational in my opinion.  Yes, I know that stage lip has a lot to do with that.

The temptation for me to use a pre in front of the oade 661 is always there but I'm not sure that in many cases that it wouldn't sound better without the additional pre / ad etc...  I'm sold on the oade cm 661 as an all in one!

[tgakidis]

Did you power it from the Tekkeon USB out?

No I haven't tried that in the field yet,  I ran it on my PP-99 with no phantom and ran the V3 with the tekkeon.  The R09hr and the PMD-661 have the same DC plug and polarity.

[JasonSobel]

the "auto file split" is at 4 gigs on the 661- you can split the files manually if desired (pg 26-27 of manual).

The default autosplit is 4 gigs, but you can have it start a new file automatically (without having to manually do the split) at smaller file sizes.  but with the PMD-661, you choose the time to start a new file, not the file size.  so when I'm running 24/96, I choose to start a new file every 30 minutes (so that each file is approx 1 gig).  when running 24/48, I set the split every hour (again, so that each file is approx 1 gig).

In the pre-sets menu, it's option #7, and its called "Auto Track"

[Astrobirder]

I'm new to the PMD-661 (1 month).  I've recently run into a problem, that is similar to one mentioned in this thread.  I'm running the very latest firmware A.1.17.  When I try to record 24 bit / 96kHz PCM stereo with a brand new PNY 8GB Optima card I get an Err Card 9, quickly followed by Err Card 10.  If I use the 2GB card that came with the machine, it records without a problem.

So, did I just get a bad card, or does this card just not have what it takes in the throughput department?  I saw one of the other posters mention what I think is the same card, and he seemed to recommend it for just such a use.

Thanks!

[dactylus]

the "auto file split" is at 4 gigs on the 661- you can split the files manually if desired (pg 26-27 of manual).

The default autosplit is 4 gigs, but you can have it start a new file automatically (without having to manually do the split) at smaller file sizes.  but with the PMD-661, you choose the time to start a new file, not the file size.  so when I'm running 24/96, I choose to start a new file every 30 minutes (so that each file is approx 1 gig).  when running 24/48, I set the split every hour (again, so that each file is approx 1 gig).

In the pre-sets menu, it's option #7, and its called "Auto Track"

^
Thanks for the clarification Jason.


I like the 4 gig split.

[yug du nord]

I was running digi into the 661 last night, and got the message on the screen "Can Not..." 
My recording came out just fine thankfully because it was some HOT shit on them files!
Anyone ever seen this before or know what this might mean?

[dactylus]

I was running digi into the 661 last night, and got the message on the screen "Can Not..." 
My recording came out just fine thankfully because it was some HOT shit on them files!
Anyone ever seen this before or know what this might mean?

Is that the entire message:  "Can Not..." 

Just those two words?

[yug du nord]

^^^yep

[yug du nord]

I was running digi into the 661 last night, and got the message on the screen "Can Not..." 
My recording came out just fine thankfully because it was some HOT shit on them files!
Anyone ever seen this before or know what this might mean?

Is that the entire message:  "Can Not..." 

Just those two words?

I just looked it up in the manual....  "Can Not..."  =  "Command Invalid"

Still not sure what that means or why it appeared multiple times. 
This message appeared during a first set, so after the end of the set I powered the 661 off.....  turned it back on for the next set and never saw that message again. 
Any guesses to why this happened??