Topic: DR-680 - Track Time Limitations?

[cashandkerouac]

I apologize in advance if the answer to this question is posted somewhere in the lengthy threads about the DR-680, but using the "search" function I didn't find the answer.

So my question is this... I just got my new DR-680 fired up and am using a 32GB card.  Even though I can fit 7 hours plus of data onto a 32GB card (set at 24/48) the machine seems to be limiting an individual track to a maximum length of approximately 2 hours.  Is this normal or do I need to change a setting in the menu to override this file size limitation? 

[John Willett]

File recorders will normally limit the file size to 2GB or 4GB as that is the maximum the standard allows.

However, many recorders will seamlessly start a new file when it reaches the maximum, so you don't lose anything.

[yltfan]

Yep, 2 gig file size limit. For 24/48, it's 2 hours, 4 min, I believe. It will start a new seamless track, but if you're like me, and don't want that happening in the middle of a song, hit record to start a new track. It's also helpful to switch the display to show remaining file time.

[cashandkerouac]

thanks for the very helpful feedback.  i let the DR-680 run for multiple hours at home last night and it did indeed roll into the next track as soon as the file reached it's maximum (2 hours, 4 minutes).  while the cutover into the next track may be seamless, i think i'll try to pause and start a new track in between songs before the 2 GB limit. 

i've only just started to use the DR-680, but so far so good.  no issues, no problems, no glitches.  i'll put it to a real world test tonight recording a friend's band.  and then next week i'm taking it to the High Sieraa Music Festival... 4 very long days (and nights) of music in 90+ degree weather.   

[phil_er_up]

If you press the "record button" while it is recording, the 680 will automatically create a new seemless file while ending the previous file correctly.

[yltfan]

I highly recommend reading the owner's manual thoroughly before the real test (and maybe bring it with you to the fest). Some of it is kinda tricky, in my opinion, especially using the digital input.

[cashandkerouac]

last night was my maiden voyage with the DR-680 and it performed beautifully.  however, when i got home to transfer the files to my computer i saw there were three WAV files for every track i recorded.  each of the three files were all identical in size, but only one of the three files seemed to contain the recorded info.  is there a setting in one of the menus that i need to change so that only one stereo WAV file is captured?  i have it set to stereo mode and only used two of the XLR inputs.  while the actual recorded music was about 1.4 GB, the total space used on the SD card was just over 5 GB.  seems kinda strange.  i'll have to read through the manual tonight to figure out what's going on. 

[Chuck]

You probably didn't turn off recording on the extra tracks.

[cashandkerouac]

You probably didn't turn off recording on the extra tracks.

aha!  that makes sense.  i noticed that the little round circles were beneath tracks 3-6, which i believe means that the tracks are active.  if i disable them that should solve the problem.  many thanks.