looking for budget, but reliable (aka, not super overkill, 8 channels, etc. like for example you wouldnt use a 744T for bit bucket
smaller ones
sony D50 (incompatible with a lot of stuff)
Marantz PMD661
bigger ones:
Marantz PMD-671
Tascam HD-P2
Edirol R-44.
anything else out there? dont be all 'microtrack' either ;)
Id say that the 661 is the best bet reliability and compatibility wise. Then the D50 for size
TASCAM DR-100mkII. $300 at B&H. Well-built. But also has compatibility issues like Sony D50.
Tascam DR680. Not sure if you consider this overkill, but it is smaller and sells for less than the HD-P2 (which is a great deck in its own right). You dont have to use all the channels, but you have the flexibility.
The "reliable, affordable (and relatively cheap) bit bucket" has become the taper's Holy Grail, lol. If a manufacturer would make one in a Sony M-10/Edirol-Roland R-05/09 size with a normal SPDIF input, we'd have a winner. That said, the 661 and R-44 are likely your best bets for reliability and compatibility in the lower price range. I haven't had an issue linking the R-44 with with anything and I've heard the same anecdotes about the 661. Never used/owned a DR680, and they are getting cheaper, but I understand they're fairly compatible with a lot of preamps.
My 661 has become my "go to" bit bucket recorder. I haven't used my DR100mkii or MicroTrack 8) since getting it.
DR-680
Bigger than necessary for just dig-in, but..
Press the stereo mode button and it operates as a two channel recorder instead of a 6+channel machine.
Coax RCA digital in/out up to 24/192.
Inexpensive.
It's worked with all digital sources I've plugged into it, most frequently a V3 or the S/PDIF out from an R-44.
R-44 is smaller, simple and works very well but isn't budget.
After the 680, I'd probably consider the 661 or an HD-P2.
The 661 is great as a bit bucket.. and with an Oade mod, the box does great as an all-in-one.
Pretty much the only draw back that I can think of is that it's max is 24/96, if that matters to anyone.
With a proper cable, it can run on an external 5v usb battery pack.. standard stuff these days.
Great deck!
But I agree... a S/PDIF palm-size deck the size of an M10 would be most excellent.. the good ol MT/MTII fits the bill!.. if ya got the guts. ;)
i had a 680. just too big/too much of a battery hog/ i didnt like the sound of the A/D so it was overkill for my needs. maybe i need to run 4 microtracks concurrently
Quote from: jerryfreak on March 25, 2015, 07:37:49 PM
i had a 680. just too big/too much of a battery hog/ i didnt like the sound of the A/D so it was overkill for my needs. maybe i need to run 4 microtracks concurrently
Or just buy a Sonosax miniR82 - it accepts 8 channels of AES
Quote from: Gutbucket on March 25, 2015, 05:19:18 PM
DR-680
Bigger than necessary for just dig-in, but..
Press the stereo mode button and it operates as a two channel recorder instead of a 6+channel machine.
Coax RCA digital in/out up to 24/192.
Inexpensive.
It's worked with all digital sources I've plugged into it, most frequently a V3 or the S/PDIF out from an R-44.
R-44 is smaller, simple and works very well but isn't budget.
After the 680, I'd probably consider the 661 or an HD-P2.
The 680 is great but it shares the same compatibility issues with certain preamps as the DR-100mkii, and the DR-100mkii is smaller. I've used it with the digital out of an SD USBPre2 and it's wonderful. However it's only 24/96.
I've thought about an MT bit bucket with the M10 running as back up.
I love my HD-P2...
Since I don't get out anymore, I use it ONLY as a bit-bucket transferring DATs...
Terry
Quote from: jerryfreak on March 25, 2015, 07:37:49 PM
i had a 680. just too big/too much of a battery hog/ i didnt like the sound of the A/D so it was overkill for my needs. maybe i need to run 4 microtracks concurrently
I can see the battery issue, although I always run an external battery on any deck I use, but if you are using the deck as a bit bucket, the A/D would be bypassed as it would just be getting the digital signal direct from the preamp.
I never had any issues using my MT, but I just had to remember to turn on and off carefully, that was pretty much it.
As for a deck that is a very reliable easy to use bit bucket, I agree with Rodeen, the Marantz PMD 661 is my go to bit bucket. However, again, I always run an external battery.
Quote from: H₂O on March 25, 2015, 07:39:46 PM
Quote from: jerryfreak on March 25, 2015, 07:37:49 PM
i had a 680. just too big/too much of a battery hog/ i didnt like the sound of the A/D so it was overkill for my needs. maybe i need to run 4 microtracks concurrently
Or just buy a Sonosax miniR82 - it accepts 8 channels of AES
miniR82 is small, very capable, and the only one on this list that can accept more than a single digital pair. Unfortunately it certainly is not budget. Otherwise I'd probably own one!
Quote from: jerryfreak on March 25, 2015, 04:02:42 AM
looking for budget, but reliable (aka, not super overkill, 8 channels, etc. like for example you wouldnt use a 744T for bit bucket
smaller ones
sony D50 (incompatible with a lot of stuff)
Marantz PMD661
bigger ones:
Marantz PMD-671
Tascam HD-P2
Edirol R-44.
anything else out there? dont be all 'microtrack' either ;)
You missed the Sony D100
I guess affordable is relative... :)
Quote from: sperho on March 27, 2015, 07:40:05 AM
I guess affordable is relative... :)
Of course it is - in a Forum, a budget range should be stated, rather than "cheap" or "affordable".
For me, anything under £1,000 is "cheap" when it comes to mics, monitors or recorders.