Topic: Re: TASCAM DR-680 portable 8-track #5

[stevetoney]

FollowIng on and melding two seemingly unrelated subjects discussed earlier today, is there any possibility the cyclical issue is a data write/buffering issue related to either running lots of channels simultaneoisly, or a slower than optimal card or some combo of both?

[ArchivalAudio]

Yeah, I format mine in the machine every time I use it. I've never had an issue doing it that way.

Yep! general best practice... start fresh each time...

[Chuck]

Since I'm the proponent of the phantom power on in high heat theory, I'll ask...
Has anyone experienced the cyclical gain problem in cool conditions, or running the DR-680 with no phantom power being on?

[Gutbucket]

Good questions Chuck.


My suspision, and it's only that at this point, is that my episode was possibly caused by a combination of a heavier phantom load than I've had previously, using an external 9V battery power, perhaps aggravated by heat.

This was not the first time I've run 6 mics on phantom power into the 680, but it was the first time I've run the MG M210s in that mix.  I'll have to take a look at the current draw of all the mics I had running this time compared to what I've run into it previously.  This time it was the two pairs of Gefells and one pair of 4061s>Niant PFAs, previously it's typically been 4x4060>PFAs and one pair of Gefells, or 3 AKD TLs and one pair of Gefells, ocassionally other combinations.

[stevetoney]

I recently purchased a lower end external headphone amp for monitoring during shows.  Since I just received my 680 today and will be taking it out on Saturday, I'm curious how the on-board headphone amp is on this and whether I should bring the headphone amp along.  Does it provide enough volume to be able to monitor the recording with the house volume pumping out pretty good?

[bobbygeeWOW]

yer asking if you should bring your new toy?      

I use the onboard for monitoring but the shows aren't that loud nor does it sound that good.

[stevetoney]

^ True, but I actually bought the headphone amp before I even considered the 680.  I got it partly because the DR100mkii monitor doesn't have much power and partly because I just wanted some more balls behind my ipod.  I was just curious about what to expect out of the 680...thanks for the heads up.

[ziko]

I'd try the stock headphone amp as I feel it does the trick for me. I do have good monitoring headphones that seem to block the show out though. I hate lugging headphones for the most part these days. if levels are good it should be good. i would read the manual a bit and have someone on standby should a new issue arise that you have not seen. I had that when doing 6 or 8 channels in and had to change spdif and monitoring settings on channels 5-8. I really like mine. good luck

I recently purchased a lower end external headphone amp for monitoring during shows.  Since I just received my 680 today and will be taking it out on Saturday, I'm curious how the on-board headphone amp is on this and whether I should bring the headphone amp along.  Does it provide enough volume to be able to monitor the recording with the house volume pumping out pretty good?

[stevetoney]

Thanks Ziko.  I agree about lugging headphones, but sometimes it's fun to have them especially if the show isn't doing it for you and you want to pass some time.  Of course, it's always nice to have them too when you've got new gear for peace of mind that nothing is distorting in background, but after you get some confidence in your levels and all, then it's moot.

[hi and lo]

The DR-680's headphone output is certainly nothing to write home about, but not to the point where you should bring an external amp. The two major flaws I've found are mediocre sound quality and a crummy potentiometer, however it is capable of driving most headphones at or near full volume. The gain range is anything but smooth, but overall it will work just fine for what you need to do at a show.

Another point to note is that I initially found the monitoring on the DR-680 to be quite confusing, probably because I didn't read the manual closely enough for quite a few outings. My mistake was that I thought the Solo function was what I needed to use to monitor specific stereo pairs, but all that function does is output a single channel to both left and right headphone channels. Instead, you need to use the front panel "Mix Level" button and lower the mix level to zero of any channel you don't want to hear. That's quite a tedious process because if you only want to hear channels 1&2, you've got to manually turn down 6 other channels (or 4 or 2 depending on how many total tracks you've got going). I much prefer the monitoring on the R-44 where a simple button press rotates between 1&2, 3&4, or all four mixed together.

[Chuck]

Yes, that's a very good summation of headphone monitoring on the DR-680.

[bobbygeeWOW]

Hm, seems I only monitor with phones when I'm set up behind the stage someplace where it sounds like crap.... otherwise I just set the levels conservatively and listen to the show.
Don't know if this has been said previously, but the solo buttons actually mute all channels except the ones you "solo" so you can select as many channels as you want.
Good enuff for me to coast through the various mics and see how they are doing..

[Gutbucket]

crummy potentiometer.

Its some sort of digitally incremented gain, changing headphone volume level is pretty annoying.  OK once set.

I don't listen while recording unless someone else has phones.  The significant advantage the 680 has over the R44 in monitoring is the ability to pan.  It can be a pain turning down unwanted channels, but if you're fast with the channel ganging buttons you can turn down a bunch at once.

[tgakidis]

I am very close to grabbing a second 680.  Is it true that the cascade feature does not create a true time sync between the machines? 

[ziko]

I am very close to grabbing a second 680.  Is it true that the cascade feature does not create a true time sync between the machines?

can't speak for the 680 but i think i read similar issues with synching 2 r44's which i did not experience. The files were identical in length. there might have been a slight delay but i always line up files regardless so....i look forward to folks actual results/responses