Taperssection.com
Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: deadheadcorey on May 04, 2011, 12:14:29 AM
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Some time before the summer ends I am gonna pull the trigger on one of these multitrack recorders. Would like to hear some people's input on the two recorders
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This should be an interesting thread. ;D
My understanding is that the DR-680 is the better quality (the R-44 is a few years old now), but that it eats batteries a bit compared to the R-44.
Oh - I understand that on the latest firmware upgrade you can control several inputs from a single fader. This means that stereo image will not change when you change level and that you can use the Soundfield SPS200 (or Core TetraMic) with it as both these need ganged mic. pres. (I don't think you can do this with the R-44).
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Chief difference (apart from number of channels etc etc) is that, as I understand it, you can set up a proper stereo monitor mix on the DR680, which you can't on the R44.
For instance, if you had four mics running into the R-44 covering a quartet of singers, the stereo image you'd hear would put singer 1 and 3 on the left, and singer 2 and 4 on the right, rather than the way they are standing (1 left, 2 midway to the centre, 3 midway towards the right, and 4 hard right). On the 680, you can pan the four mics in the stereo soundfield while recording (but that needs confirmation from an owner).
For me, this was a big enough issue that I got the good people at Naiant to build me a monitor mixer to go underneath the R-44 - see http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=111151.msg1484722#msg1484722 for description and pics.
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that's a very interesting point and quite a piece of gear to solve the issue.
It would be the DR680 for me though...
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The analog inputs on the 680 have three gain settings (line, mic low, mic high). You can also choose phantom for each input while the R44 has paried phantom control for channels 1-2 and 3-4. I upgraded from a R44 to DR680 and don't regret it one bit.
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The analog inputs on the 680 have three gain settings (line, mic low, mic high). You can also choose phantom for each input while the R44 has paried phantom control for channels 1-2 and 3-4. I upgraded from a R44 to DR680 and don't regret it one bit.
Odd, my R-44 has individual phantom controls for each channel. Its gain setting is multi-stepped rather than just having three presets.
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Ted got it backwards, the R-44 has a phantom powering switch for each channel (1,2,3,4) the DR-680 has phantom switchable in channel pairs (1&2, 3&4, 5&6).
Both are good machines. Which is best and what features are most important depends on your application.
I currently own both- my R-44 is and Oade Concert Mod, the Dr-680 is stock.
The DR680 has additional channels (6 analog + 2 digital) along with the features others have mentioned above (gangable channels, digital gain controls, monitor mixer). The strength of the R-44 is it's slightly smaller size, operational simplicity, and effects that can be applied for playback (or recording, but I don't know of anyone that would use it that way). The only 'effect' I ever use are a several graphic EQ's that can be applied for playback. I doubt many people here use the effects but they include a gate, an exciter, reverb, and the graphic EQs. The DR680 has none of these [edit:a reverb effect only and no EQ <<oops, this is the DR2d not DR680]. The R-44 has less physical switches on the top face that can be accidentally engaged or disengaged and those switches are less prone to being accidentally pushed. It also has a simpler interface and menu system. The metering on both is mediocre, yet perfectly functional. The R-44 is less fussy about SDHC card formating and structure, it will simply write files to any card you put into it (like the one you just took out of your camera). The DR-680 needs to at least write system files and folder structures to a new card before recording and often asks to format a card (which erases what is already on it). I have had the R-44 loose power while recording and the recorded files are visible on the card but may just need a header re-write. Not sure if that is the case with the DR-680 or not, but I have other Tascams that require file recovery software when that occurs. IMO both need an external battery (9V 'DVD' LIion works for either, but with different cables). Both can make great recordings.
I bought a DR680 primarily for the digital gain control and channel ganging feature since I use it with a Tetramic, but also for the additional channels. For me it was worth it for those features alone. I like the monitor panning feature but have not used it, for Ozpeter that's the clincher.
If you want more than 4 channels and the additional features are valuable to you, consider the DR-680.
If you only need 4 channels, want something smaller, simpler, that just works every time, aren't using an ambisionic mic and don't need monitor panning, consider the R-44.
[edit- both have limiter funtions and mid/side processing which is selectable for either record or playback, but I've not used those functions on either machine]
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Ted got it backwards, the R-44 has a phantom powering switch for each channel (1,2,3,4) the DR-680 has phantom switchable in channel pairs (1&2, 3&4, 5&6).
[edit- both have limiter funtions and mid/side processing selectable for either record or playback, but I've not used those functions on either]
oops ;)
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I moved from a 744 to a 680 and the only thing I miss are the pretty lights.
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Easy decision--the 680 can handle an onstage pair, as well as SBD + AUD, and do a mix to boot. 8 tracks > 4 tracks.
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The R44 is easier to use, especially in the dark. Not to say the 680 is difficult to use, but there are more buttons and switches requiring you to be familiar with the menu navigation. If you're in a time-crunch to setup, the R44 has a distinct advantage.
There are several R44's and a 680 being used by team nyctaper and everyone seems to prefer the R44 for ease of use when running 2-4 tracks solo. Typically, the 680 only gets used when we're be recording 6-8 channels and there are two of us at a show.
I'm not prepared to make any claims on the sonic differences between the two, but would like to run some comps in the future.
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The R44 is easier to use, especially in the dark. Not to say the 680 is difficult to use, but there are more buttons and switches requiring you to be familiar with the menu navigation. If you're in a time-crunch to setup, the R44 has a distinct advantage.
There are several R44's and a 680 being used by team nyctaper and everyone seems to prefer the R44 for ease of use when running 2-4 tracks solo. Typically, the 680 only gets used when we're be recording 6-8 channels and there are two of us at a show.
I'm not prepared to make any claims on the sonic differences between the two, but would like to run some comps in the future.
This echos the point I was trying to make. I never think twice about the R-44, just power up and record. Simple.
Similarly I'm not prepared to make any claims on sonic differences between recorders at this point either.
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I want to know what sounds better, because I am NOT a fan of the OCM R44
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That reads as a pretty strong statement with the caps, Bean. Curious, what don't you like about the OCM R-44?
I'm looking forward to hearing a good comp between a stock DR680 vs the Busman mod at some point.
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I bought the 680 when it first came out
after 3 months the main board crapped out and I sent it in to the vendor for repair
after 2 months and no word I contacted the vendor, and they dealt with TEAC
TEAC did replace that faulty unit with a new one after waiting 2 months
I know another member on this board (Chuck) who had the same problem
and now it appears as though others are having problems
that is all I have to say on the matter
I cannot speak about the R44 since I have never owned one
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while not all the reviews on the dr680 and r44 at b&h are relevant, it certainly is a good idea to review them.
DR680 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/673541-REG/Tascam_DR_680_DR_680_8_Track_Portable_Field.html)
R-44 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542280-REG/Edirol_Roland_R_44_R_44_Solid_State_Four_Channel_Portable.html)
It is also interesting the the R-44 is $200 more than the newer DR680. The R44 is made in Japan; I don't know where the DR680 is made some maybe someone can comment on that.
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I'd like to add to my earlier opinion. The tapes we've made with the 680 are fantastic! I can't comment if either recorder sounds better (both smoke) and we've been nothing but happy with the 680.
The channel difference issue has only been an isolated incident to this point.
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I bought the 680 when it first came out
after 3 months the main board crapped out and I sent it in to the vendor for repair
after 2 months and no word I contacted the vendor, and they dealt with TEAC
TEAC did replace that faulty unit with a new one after waiting 2 months
I know another member on this board (Chuck) who had the same problem
and now it appears as though tgakidis is having problems with one of his channels
that is all I have to say on the matter
I cannot speak about the R44 since I have never owned one
I can't speak about the DR680 as I've never used one. But, I have heard some great tapes made with them.
That said, I can chime in on the R-44's reliability as I was one of the first kids on my block to have one; a stock model since late 2008. Since then it's been accidentally dropped, kicked, and has taken a few small liquid spills. Never had an issue with any of the electronics, inputs or outputs, never an issue with an SD card, it's never lost any of the many recordings I've made with it and, aside from burning through improperly charged rechargeable batteries (my fault), I've never had a lick of trouble with it. Works every time as it's supposed to work and I still pull great tapes with it. Wish I could say that about every piece of gear I've used. They'll take my R-44 when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers, etc, etc... ;D
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I sold my R-44 to grab one of the first 680's that came out.
R-44 has ease of use if you are unfamiliar...BUT...if you are gonna own the 680 then you'll know how to run it.
Sound wise I'd give the stock 680 an edge over the stock R-44. I can't speak for mods. But the 680 preamps sound better to me. If I was forced to describe it I'd just say the 680 pre's are cleaner.
Since the price point is the same, why not have a deck that records more channels. BUT then again to get all eight channels you need a preamp that outputs SPDIF or AES. Otherwise the 680 stock is a six channel deck with two channel mixdown included. You cannot do eight channel mixdowns on the deck.
As for the board issue that some people are reporting, I have never had any problems with the deck that were not my fault.
So if it was me choosing, I'd get the 680 over the R-44.
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The R44 is made in Japan; I don't know where the DR680 is made some maybe someone can comment on that.
680 is made in China
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The DR680 has a reverb effect only and no EQ.
Just to be clear, the DR-680 does not have reverb. Does it? Not that I know of anyway....
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The DR680 has a reverb effect only and no EQ.
Just to be clear, the DR-680 does not have reverb. Does it? Not that I know of anyway....
Oops. Thanks for catching that! Mixing up Tascams. No reverb on the DR680. It's the DR2d that has reverb (and also no EQ).
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I bought the 680 when it first came out
after 3 months the main board crapped out and I sent it in to the vendor for repair
after 2 months and no word I contacted the vendor, and they dealt with TEAC
TEAC did replace that faulty unit with a new one after waiting 2 months
I know another member on this board (Chuck) who had the same problem
and now it appears as though tgakidis is having problems with one of his channels
that is all I have to say on the matter
I just took delivery on a 680 yesterday and an dbased on this fault history fortunately (for the 1st ever) I bought the 5 year plan from B & H!!!
I cannot speak about the R44 since I have never owned one