Topic: DR680 vs R44

[deadheadcorey]

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

[John Willett]

This should be an interesting thread. 

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).

[Ozpeter]

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.

[andromedanwarmachine]

that's a very interesting point and quite a piece of gear to solve the issue.

It would be the DR680 for me though...

[tgakidis]

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.

[Ozpeter]

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.

[Gutbucket]

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]

[tgakidis]

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 

[NOLAfishwater]

I moved from a 744 to a 680 and the only thing I miss are the pretty lights.

[yltfan]

Easy decision--the 680 can handle an onstage pair, as well as SBD + AUD, and do a mix to boot. 8 tracks > 4 tracks.

[hi and lo]

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.

[Gutbucket]

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.

[F.O.Bean]

I want to know what sounds better, because I am NOT a fan of the OCM R44

[Gutbucket]

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.

[darby]

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