Re: TASCAM DR-680 portable 8-track #5

[achalsey]

I think I've seen this question before but can't seem to find the answer, so I'm wondering how to make the file names go back to 000.  I just got over 100 and kind of want to reset it.  Last file name was 121013_103_mono1, how do I reset the bold part back to 000?  Skimmed the manual but it didn't seem to say.

[Hypnocracy]

The problems owners of DR-680's have with these units...would they happen in the first year...second year...third year of ownership?

Thinking of purchasing one and wondered about which extended warranty I should consider.

[Gutbucket]

I think most who had powering issues had them manifest more or less right away, not after a long while.

[Hypnocracy]

What about the cyclical swings of microphone gain?

[Gutbucket]

That seems to be temporary and over-heat related as far as I can tell from the anecdotes posted here (possibly in combination with less than specified 9V power which is otherwise OK in cooler situations? not sure).  I had it happen once, two years ago at a hot outdoor festival in the sun for one set. Shaded and better ventilated around it an never had it happen again.

[kirk97132]

That seems to be temporary and over-heat related as far as I can tell from the anecdotes posted here (possibly in combination with less than specified 9V power which is otherwise OK in cooler situations? not sure).  I had it happen once, two years ago at a hot outdoor festival in the sun for one set. Shaded and better ventilated around it an never had it happen again.

And from what I remember this was limited to just a few units, (At least as reported here) and not a widespread issue.  For the most part, without going back into miles of postings, the issue was mostly centered around bad out of box and problems with power.  Seemed that the variable voltage Tekkeon battery was no good for the 680

[hi and lo]

That seems to be temporary and over-heat related

Yes, it's definitely heat-related.

(possibly in combination with less than specified 9V power which is otherwise OK in cooler situations? not sure).

No. Overheating can occur (personally tested) using either a 9v or 12v power supply (9v dvd battery and 12 battery geeks batt)

I had it happen once, two years ago at a hot outdoor festival in the sun for one set. Shaded and better ventilated around it an never had it happen again.

Yes. The unit needs proper ventilation if a) it's a very hot day or b) you have another piece of gear in an enclosed bag that naturally runs hot.

[bobbygeeWOW]

I guess I agree, heat has been a concern of mine for the last couple years, running in blazing hot summer festivals nestled in with a v3.
But I haven't been burned yet.
(Other than by touching the V3 on a day like that!)
I think I've had two card failures that seemed heat related.
But once cooled down the little thingy seemed to regain its little brains..
Yeah - vent, shade, reflect that sun away!

[bdasilva]

Sorry but without digging back thru this thread..... Is anyone using a 64gb card... 35$ at frys electronics this week...

[Ultfris101]

I've been considering getting a second recorder to allow for multiple configs at the same time to compare and while my first thought was another M-10 (which I love using) I'm thinking a multi-channel recorder makes more sense. Would set me up with a highly mobile, low-pro rig and something less mobile but with lots of options.

So considering that, I'm wondering how much success folks have had running mics directly into the DR-680 (similar question would apply for R-44 I guess but starting with 680) rather than through external preamps. Looks like a lot of sources have a preamp of some sort in the chain with the 680 as a bit bucket much of the time.

I have a tinybox on the way but wondering if I'd NEED to run additional pres or would the builtin pres suffice for a while to compare recordings made with akg 461s vs adk-tl's  in card mode or blumlein?

Reading the oddball mic technique thread makes me want to setup several configs at once to play around with. Seems like a great way to learn fast as compared to taking one rig to a show, and then running something different at the next which might have different conditions and trying to compare apples to oranges. Some might call that impatience I suppose but it's how I seem to learn best.

[tgakidis]

So considering that, I'm wondering how much success folks have had running mics directly into the DR-680 (similar question would apply for R-44 I guess but starting with 680) rather than through external preamps. Looks like a lot of sources have a preamp of some sort in the chain with the 680 as a bit bucket much of the time.

I myself have run mics directly in at times but the only "avialable" sample is here http://archive.org/details/ab2011-01-05.at853subcards.flac

[ShawnF]

I've been very happy with the internal pres.  Now, I usually run four channels of DAV preamps--one pair feeding a Mytek A/D--when I record classical music for hire, but any additional mics are straight into the unit.  For non-paid, non-classical gigs, I usually leave the external pres at home (unless I need 8 channels and need the digital input) and have always been completely happy.  Here's one direct-in recording that came out pretty well, though it's an on-stage setup and might not be comparable to taping from the audience.

http://archive.org/details/eblok2011-12-01

[Chuck]

I use the 680 internal pre-amps too. They work fine for audience taping.

[Gutbucket]

I'm wondering how much success folks have had running mics directly into the DR-680 (similar question would apply for R-44 I guess but starting with 680) rather than through external preamps. Looks like a lot of sources have a preamp of some sort in the chain with the 680 as a bit bucket much of the time.

I also have zero complaints or hesitations on using the internal preamps.  Below is a photo of the on-stage setup I ran last night.  The three ADK TLs (all in supercardioid pattern) are routed straight into the DR-680.  The small diaphram Gefell cards in ORTF are routed > V3 > S/PDIF > DR680.  Not visible are three DPA 4060s (one boundarymounted on stage in front of the drumkit on the snare side- you can barely make out a small square of gaff tape on the floor infront of the center TL, and two boundary mounted to the front face of the stage under the lip, facing the audience) also direct into the DR680 via Naiant phantom powering adapters.  On a quick listen when I got home, the direct-routed ADK setup beat the Gefells> V3 handily, but I don't think the different chains and preamps have much to do with the differences.




[edit- I also get no hesitation blues when deciding to use the internal pres of the R-44, but mine is Oade Concert Mod'ed, so I don't know first-hand how the stock preamps in the R-44 compare.  But as far as I'm concerned the internal preamps in both my stock DR-680 and OCM R44 are equally transparent and quiet enough for my use that I just use them without thinking about it.  I can hear a difference when using the V3 and it's ADC, but the sonic differences are subtle minor and usually of less impoartance than the practical issues of eliminating the need for external preamps unless I need one to get use of all 8 channels into the DR-680]

[tgakidis]

Very Nice!