Topic: I need a new recorder coax in only requirement

[corpusse]

I've had it with my Microtrack II.  It has deleted several shows (which I recovered thanks to $40 in software).  It died during a show I left it unattended but apparently was not completely out of battery life so I have no idea why it shutdown (inside sbd area so it's not like someone touched it).  The battery is impossible to tell if its fully charged ect.

I'm really behind on all the newer recorders but I use a apogee mini me for preamp / ad so all this thing has to has is a coax IN.  24 bit is not important either.  I record 16/44.1 since I just burn to cd anyway.  2.5 hour battery life is enough.  Considering all I need this for is to record price is a factor but if a higher end recorder would be less prone to failure I'd consider that.

I don't really need this right away as the band I primarily tape just ended their tour but want to pick this up before they tour again.  The microtrack II will be delegated to backup.   Thanks for helping me choose.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

This:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=147579.0

Terry

[Fried Chicken Boy]

^^ Agreed.  The 661 is a great machine, especially with the mod and at that price.  And to the best of my knowledge, the next least expensive recorders with coax inputs are the Tascam DR-680 or the Edirol R-44, which are probably overkill for your needs and a bit more spendy.

[jbell]

661

[corpusse]

thanks guys.  Not looking to buy today so I will have to pass on the one for sale here but I will keep checking back.  I don't think I need a warm mod or any other mod as I'd strictly be using the coax in.  In the odd situation I would just need to go directly with mics they would be with my dpa 4061's and the evil microtrack still works (sometimes).

I just have one final question what is the battery life like?

[page]

One thing to note, are you using the rca out on the minime or are you doing an aes>spdif connector/conversion? The microtrack wigs out if it ever loses a solid spdif signal and the rca out on the minime is notoriously flakey so lots of folks use the aes out instead.

The MT2 still sort of sucks, but I wonder if thats (part of) your problem.

[dlh]

One thing to note, are you using the rca out on the minime or are you doing an aes>spdif connector/conversion? The microtrack wigs out if it ever loses a solid spdif signal and the rca out on the minime is notoriously flakey so lots of folks use the aes out instead.

The MT2 still sort of sucks, but I wonder if thats (part of) your problem.

. . . what he said . . .
I now use the aes out of my minime through a transformer.

[Todd R]

Used my be the better bet for low cost, and needing only 16 bits should open up the options.  Off the top of my head, the Marantz PMD670 and PMD671, and Tascam HDP2 should all fit the bill, along with the PMD661 that's been mentioned.  I'd imagine used you could find something for under $400, and a 16bit 670 might be much cheaper.

[sunjan]

What he said.

Going rate for the 670 seems to be under $200 if you're on a tight budget:
http://cgi.ebay.com/370526289773

[F.O.Bean]

What he said.

Going rate for the 670 seems to be under $200 if you're on a tight budget:
http://cgi.ebay.com/370526289773

I would go the 670 route myself, if 24-bit isnt a necessity