Topic: new marantz PMD 661

[audBall]

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=523365

[su6oxone]

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=523365

Yay, finally a 661 tape, thanks!

[audBall]

It's a little rough around the edges.  The crowd is quite prevalent, as one would imagine.  When folks settle down, it sounds quite nice even from so far back.  I'm really liking this box.  The display is so crystal clear.  I'm still getting used to the tiny doubled-up gain knobs.  They are sensitive to the slightest movement. The gain adjustments are noticeable at times. 

It was so nice to carry just my mics, tbar/clamp, cables, recorder & battery in my smaller rig bag.  I threw it over my shoulder, biked to and from my hotel (+1mi) to all three shows.  No "neck and my back" issues.

[su6oxone]

It's a little rough around the edges.  The crowd is quite prevalent, as one would imagine.  When folks settle down, it sounds quite nice even from so far back.  I'm really liking this box.  The display is so crystal clear.  I'm still getting used to the tiny doubled-up gain knobs.  They are sensitive to the slightest movement. The gain adjustments are noticeable at times. 

It was so nice to carry just my mics, tbar/clamp, cables, recorder & battery in my smaller rig bag.  I threw it over my shoulder, biked to and from my hotel (+1mi) to all three shows.  No "neck and my back" issues.

It sounds like a great recorder!  Any issues that you ran into so far using the 661?  I read that the 660 needs to be run with a pad frequently, but sounds like you didn't need one?  Also, how's the noise floor?  Hopefully one of the TSers like Chris Church can run some comparisons with the R-09HR and some other smaller recorders.  If it sounds good, I may sell my MixPre and get one myself. 

[audBall]

^^  Thank you for the reminder!

The -18db mic attenuator was engaged.  I will edit the torrent post.  Please make a note on your txt files.     According to Doug, he recommends using as much "attenuation" (reduction in gain) as possible, and increasing as needed.  I recall the settings being -18,-12,-6,0. 

[su6oxone]

^^  Thank you for the reminder!

The -18db mic attenuator was engaged.  I will edit the torrent post.  Please make a note on your txt files.     According to Doug, he recommends using as much "attenuation" (reduction in gain) as possible, and increasing as needed.  I recall the settings being -18,-12,-6,0. 

Is the attenuator part of the Oade mod or is it something you plug into the 661?  Never had to use one so I am clueless. 

[GDfan]

^^  Thank you for the reminder!

The -18db mic attenuator was engaged.  I will edit the torrent post.  Please make a note on your txt files.     According to Doug, he recommends using as much "attenuation" (reduction in gain) as possible, and increasing as needed.  I recall the settings being -18,-12,-6,0. 

Is the attenuator part of the Oade mod or is it something you plug into the 661?  Never had to use one so I am clueless. 

comes standard with stock unit, those settings mentioned (off, -18, -12, -6) are the choices you can select in the menu.
the 660 had only -20db, its nice to see they gave more choices so you select how much you need; depending on your situation.

[su6oxone]

comes standard with stock unit, those settings mentioned (off, -18, -12, -6) are the choices you can select in the menu.
the 660 had only -20db, its nice to see they gave more choices so you select how much you need; depending on your situation.

Awesome, thanks for clarifying that!  Glad that it's not an extra piece of equipment that you would need to plug into the device everytime you use it.

[dactylus]

^^  Thank you for the reminder!

The -18db mic attenuator was engaged.  I will edit the torrent post.  Please make a note on your txt files.     According to Doug, he recommends using as much "attenuation" (reduction in gain) as possible, and increasing as needed.  I recall the settings being -18,-12,-6,0. 

Do you have any idea why Doug would recommend using as much "attenuation" (reduction in gain) as possible, and increasing as needed?

[audBall]

Doug explains it a little better:

On the 661 it is NOT a pad, it is a gain setting. Always run at the lowest gain setting you can as long as you can get to -3 to 0dB. I would start with -12dB an use -18dB if your mics are hot and the sound is loud. This will give you the lowest noise and distortion and the widest dynamic range.

[dactylus]

Doug explains it a little better:

On the 661 it is NOT a pad, it is a gain setting. Always run at the lowest gain setting you can as long as you can get to -3 to 0dB. I would start with -12dB an use -18dB if your mics are hot and the sound is loud. This will give you the lowest noise and distortion and the widest dynamic range.

Thank you for the clarification.

 

[Luminousoctaves]

Perhaps a stupid question, but: Now when the Marantz PMD 661 has line in through the XLR inputs as well, is it OK to go XLR->XLR from the MixPre?

[audBall]

Sure...not a stupid question at all.

[su6oxone]

It's a little rough around the edges.  The crowd is quite prevalent, as one would imagine.  When folks settle down, it sounds quite nice even from so far back. 

I think it's a nice sounding tape, especially if you were way back.  The crowd noise is not bad in any way IMO since it sounds distant from your mics and it's crowd excitement, not just overwhelming chatting in the background.  I think this one sounds better than some of the other Hampton tapes I've heard so far. 

[skaggs]

hey all,

has anybody run this with an outboard a/d?  i am planning on PBS thursday 3/19 and Los Lobos 3/21.  i assume the digi input with it set to 24/48 out of my minime at the same sample rate.  i have never run  it this way.

Also 4/2 i plan to run mk4>661 for steep canyon rangers, and i wonder how people are running using the 661 pre with a bluegraass band?  thanks

Richard