Topic: Tascam DR680 or Sony D50, best long-term investment

[Fried Chicken Boy]

What Chris Busman has overlooked, fmaderjr, is that there are differing reports from 680 users.  Some have problems running the deck with the specified 12v and others don't; some have problems running the deck with 9v and others don't.  There's no consistency with the external powering issue.

Thanks for the enlightening info about the R-4 Pro vs. R-44 mic pres, Jema.  It would appear that Edirol has fed different people different information about this.  If I can find the post/thread where I read about the pres I will post it. 

[Jema]

fmaderjr: I've read the whole thread on the DR680, and I'm aware that some people suspect the powering source to be the culprit of some problems. But as Fried says It doesn't seem like there's any real facts or conclusions yet though.

The fact that Busman think it's the best multritrack recorder under 1000 dollars does say something about the quality you can get with it.

[F.O.Bean]

I wouldnt run a 680 if Tascam paid me Just way too many problems

So my vote goes w/ a Sony D50 or M10

[Jema]

Hmm, right now I'm leaning towards letting the DR680 go actually. I'm thinking that on very small projects I'll probably only use a boom and no wireless, and anything bigger will probably have budget to rent, or give me salary so I can invest on something more high-end.

Right now it looks like there wont be many offerings on the DR, so maybe the owner will lower the price. If so I might take it, but I don't think so.

Thanks for all your replies!

[rastasean]

get it for a good price and check to see what the best kind of battery solution is.

[acidjack]

...also, if you don't like the Edirol R-44's pres, you can have them modded by Doug Oade or Busman to improve performance.   There are several mods available depending upon the type of work you're doing.  I think this "Super" Mod is the one you'd want: http://www.oade.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=OBA&Category_Code=EDIR44-Super 

I'm one of the dissatisfied owners of a 680 (well, now on the 3rd).  I have powered some with DVD batts, some with Tekkeons.  BESIDES them dying when powered by anything other than the AC adapter, I *still* would not buy another one, since I also consider the glitchy digital input, utterly crap metering, etc. to also be issues. 

The D50 is a rock-solid unit; so is the Edirol.  Both have the advantage of not being first-generation products, also.  I've heard the old R-4 had issues, which were fixed with the R-44. 

[johnfb]

sorry to hijack the thread but follows on from the talk of going for a Sony and external pre amp....

do you know of any good preamps off the shelf for getting a good signal into the sony (or whatever recorder)?
I have looked at getting a naint littlebox but don't have time for the 3/4 week turnaround as I'm recording in 2 weeks in Africa.
My partner is in New York and can pick something up there but can't really see much that is suitable.
Any suggestions?
(we are even considering getting a sound devices 702 but I'd rather spend less if a preamp could be found quick)
(main mic source is a stereo rode NT4 but many others)

[Jema]

Acidjack: Good advice for the others reading this post, but us Swedes do not have it easy buying from outside EU. Trading laws makes it a pretty bad idea. 1000 for the R-44 + 250 for the busman mod. Add 50 dollars of shipping, another 50 or so for customs, and then 25 % taxes on the whole sum. Ending price is above 1650 dollars, plus it can give problems with warranties.

I appreciate your feedback on your sorrows with the DR680. The Sony or a similar recorder is looking like the better choice, and maybe in the near future just bite the bullet and buy a mixpre-D (at least until the next generation of the DR680 comes out...).

[Fried Chicken Boy]

sorry to hijack the thread but follows on from the talk of going for a Sony and external pre amp....

do you know of any good preamps off the shelf for getting a good signal into the sony (or whatever recorder)?
I have looked at getting a naint littlebox but don't have time for the 3/4 week turnaround as I'm recording in 2 weeks in Africa.
My partner is in New York and can pick something up there but can't really see much that is suitable.
Any suggestions?
(we are even considering getting a sound devices 702 but I'd rather spend less if a preamp could be found quick)
(main mic source is a stereo rode NT4 but many others)

Apologies as well for the hijack, Jema...

Sound Devices MixPre.  Small, lots of clean gain, runs off 2 AA batteries and (like all SD gear) built like a tank.  The only cables you'll need are XLR's from the mics to the MixPre and a 1/8" TRS/stereo cable to go from the MixPre to the input of your Sony or other recorder.  A quick look on their website and it appears that B&H has them in stock; their brick & mortar shop is right in NYC.

[jlykos]

sorry to hijack the thread but follows on from the talk of going for a Sony and external pre amp....

do you know of any good preamps off the shelf for getting a good signal into the sony (or whatever recorder)?
I have looked at getting a naint littlebox but don't have time for the 3/4 week turnaround as I'm recording in 2 weeks in Africa.
My partner is in New York and can pick something up there but can't really see much that is suitable.
Any suggestions?
(we are even considering getting a sound devices 702 but I'd rather spend less if a preamp could be found quick)
(main mic source is a stereo rode NT4 but many others)

I'm living in Mali right now and I would recommend something bulletproof against dust and grit.  For a preamp, I would go with one of the Sound Devices units.  They are very well-built and run off AA batteries that you can find in most places.  I really shy away from charging DVD batteries and such here because of strong power surges and the like.  I'm not sold on the SD preamp sound (although I did run a MP-2 for a while), but their units are sturdy and small, which is what you really need.

Use windscreens on the mics, no matter what.  You don't want the diaphragms getting contaminated with junk.  I also like recorders with metal construction like the D50 (I have one) which are a little sturdier than the others.

[acidjack]

Acidjack: Good advice for the others reading this post, but us Swedes do not have it easy buying from outside EU. Trading laws makes it a pretty bad idea. 1000 for the R-44 + 250 for the busman mod. Add 50 dollars of shipping, another 50 or so for customs, and then 25 % taxes on the whole sum. Ending price is above 1650 dollars, plus it can give problems with warranties.

I appreciate your feedback on your sorrows with the DR680. The Sony or a similar recorder is looking like the better choice, and maybe in the near future just bite the bullet and buy a mixpre-D (at least until the next generation of the DR680 comes out...).

I hear you - it's not inexpensive.  Of course, the same thing that makes the -44 expensive will also make repeatedly shipping in your 680 for repair/replacement an even bigger hassle.

If anything, I'd consider NOLAFishwater's used one in the Yard Sale.  Louie takes care of his gear and knows his stuff; he appears to have a "good" one that has at least lasted for a decent number of shows. 

But in terms of something to keep long-term, I'd still say the D50 is a great choice, and will always be a solid go-to two-channel recorder.

[Jema]

No worries about the hijack - hope it helped.

Does the D50 actually have a metal frame? I heard someone say it was plastic and probably wouldn't hold for much more than most other handheld recorders.

[AB52]

D-50 has a lightweight aluminum case.  The build is fantastic.  The sound is fantastic.  I use mine with external mics through a USBpre2.  I have a major battery for the USBpre2.  Only complaint - Mics to usbpre2 with battery hookup to D50.   
The sound is exquisite. 

[Jema]

AB52: Good to hear about the D50 having an aluminium case. It's also great that you like your results, but I would think the credit goes to the usbpre2 before the Sony for a big part of the sound

I've been wondering about the connection between mixer and recorder in this case. I've heard of a few people using a mixer in front of a recorder with a 1/8 input, and some says it's fine and others that it makes them a bit worried. Is it becouse it's easy to pull it out or damage it in some way?

[kleiner Rainer]

Hi Jema,

check Neutrik for the ultimate in 3.5mm Plugs:

http://www.neutrik.com/en/audio/plugs-and-jacks/35-mm-right-angle-stereo-plug/

I use them to build my own special cables. Buy the gold ones, they are worth it. In Europe, Thomann has them in stock (together with other Neutrik goodies):

http://www.thomann.de/de/neutrik_ntp3rcb_winkelklinkenstecker.htm

I can recommend the D50 (and the M10, I own both). Great for outdoor recording, sturdy, logical user interface, incredible battery life - no more worries of running out of juice in the middle of nowhere. Having started with tape decks (Sony WM-D6C and TCD-5M, Marantz CP430, TEAC DA-P20), I can fully appreciate the quality of the Sony PCM series. They should last as long as their tape based predecessors, if you care for them a little bit.
The online availability of a service manual for the D50 should help in that regard...

BTW the remote control that comes with the M10 also works with the D50!

Greetings,

Rainer