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

[noahbickart]

The Tascam DR 680 channels 7 & 8 are not per se recordable, as they are mix down tracks.  I was told I could go digital in to use those two tracks. 

That said, I need a small, inexpensive portable ADC for those two channels for the Tascam DR 680

Suggestions?

A mini-me goes for about $400 these days.

[Chuck]

The Tascam DR 680 channels 7 & 8 are not per se recordable, as they are mix down tracks.  I was told I could go digital in to use those two tracks. 

That said, I need a small, inexpensive portable ADC for those two channels for the Tascam DR 680

Suggestions?

A mini-me goes for about $400 these days.

Wow. I really like the Mini-Me I had.

[Gutbucket]

Patrick,

I had the intermittant gain pumping problem once or twice.  Same answers basicaly as Chuck, except I didn't blow mine up. 

Intermittent, presumably heat related, phantom power on (but I was only running phantom channels I in that (or those) cases I think).  Hasn't happend again but I've tried to keep it cooler.

[Scooter123]

I was also told that the old Sony SBM-1 is used extensively to make the 7th and 8th channels of the Tascam DR 680 functional.   

[phil_er_up]

Thanks gutbucket and chuck for the answers. Went and bought a new DR680 from SS for 488 includes tax. Arrived yesterday...

That is just over 50 dollars a channel...very inexpensive for that many inputs...

Now I have 2. Might use it for 14 channels or just as a backup.

One thing is I realize I know this deck really well and would be a learning curve on another one.

Thanks again all.

Patrick

[Phil Zone]

hi

im looking to maybe get one of these in the future, and have a question. does this unit save as one track with all channels on it or multi tracks on own recordings. and can you save it as one if you want?

thanks guys

[tgakidis]

hi

im looking to maybe get one of these in the future, and have a question. does this unit save as one track with all channels on it or multi tracks on own recordings. and can you save it as one if you want?

thanks guys

It records seperate tracks (stereo or mono) to a project folder.

[tim in jersey]

I do not own a 680 yet, but I am considering it as I'm finding myself in situations where I have SBD access more and more often.

Before I sift through all 5 threads/user manual I have a very simple question:

Next weekend I have a local festy where me and my buddy, who just picked up a 680, have access to both the stagebox/snake and SBD. We plan to run his 414's omni on stage into the snake>+SBD>680. I was planning on running my schoeps>722 back by the board where the 680 will be and giving him my SPDIF out of the 722.

Neither of us are at all familiar with the 680 yet. Is the 680 capable of accepting 4 analog sources+my SPDIF feed? I skimmed through the manual and think it is possible. But for some reason he thinks it is not although I'm not sure why he thinks that.

Any thoughts?

[Hypnocracy]

Tim...yes you can record 4 microphones and accept a SPDIF input on the DR680....that said I've never done it...I only have an old AD20 Deneke that will do SPDIF out and I've never wanted to drop down to 16bit or ran out of 6 channels of analog input or mic preamps the DR-680 provides.

[lukpac]

I do not own a 680 yet, but I am considering it as I'm finding myself in situations where I have SBD access more and more often.

Before I sift through all 5 threads/user manual I have a very simple question:

Next weekend I have a local festy where me and my buddy, who just picked up a 680, have access to both the stagebox/snake and SBD. We plan to run his 414's omni on stage into the snake>+SBD>680. I was planning on running my schoeps>722 back by the board where the 680 will be and giving him my SPDIF out of the 722.

Neither of us are at all familiar with the 680 yet. Is the 680 capable of accepting 4 analog sources+my SPDIF feed? I skimmed through the manual and think it is possible. But for some reason he thinks it is not although I'm not sure why he thinks that.

Any thoughts?

Not only is it possible, you can do *6* analog sources (mic or line) plus digital in.

[Hypnocracy]

Lupac is correct...6 analog and 2 digital SPDIF channel inputs are the ONLY way to use this as a 8 channel recorder...that it is sold as...

[tim in jersey]

Tim...yes you can record 4 microphones and accept a SPDIF input on the DR680....that said I've never done it...I only have an old AD20 Deneke that will do SPDIF out and I've never wanted to drop down to 16bit or ran out of 6 channels of analog input or mic preamps the DR-680 provides.

Thanks, Hypno. So basically as long as we match bit/sample rate both analog stereo pairs+my SPDIF they will all sync to the same clock? Almost seems too easy. 

[lukpac]

Thanks, Hypno. So basically as long as we match bit/sample rate both analog stereo pairs+my SPDIF they will all sync to the same clock? Almost seems too easy. 

Yes, the 680 will use the clock of whatever is connected to the digital in. You should set the clock on your ADC to the same rate as what you're recording on the 680, although I guess I've never tried a different rate to see what would happen. Presumably either the 680 will automatically use the incoming rate or you'll get an error.

I've never done it, but others have said that you can record the digital input to tracks 5 and 6, which would be preferable to recording on the stereo track.

[tim in jersey]

Thanks, Hypno. So basically as long as we match bit/sample rate both analog stereo pairs+my SPDIF they will all sync to the same clock? Almost seems too easy. 

Yes, the 680 will use the clock of whatever is connected to the digital in. You should set the clock on your ADC to the same rate as what you're recording on the 680, although I guess I've never tried a different rate to see what would happen. Presumably either the 680 will automatically use the incoming rate or you'll get an error.

I've never done it, but others have said that you can record the digital input to tracks 5 and 6, which would be preferable to recording on the stereo track.

Cool. We both record @ 24/48 but will add that to the idiot check while setting up. Thanks for the response gents.

[lukpac]

Cool. We both record @ 24/48 but will add that to the idiot check while setting up. Thanks for the response gents.

I would just try a sample run before you even get to the venue. It's honestly pretty easy, but arguably better to get everything figured out and ready ahead of time so you're not fumbling when it's crunch time.

If all goes to plan, I'll be doing a full 8-track recording in a week and a half. Should be interesting.