TASCAM DR-680 portable 8-track #6

[Gutbucket]

It switches input sensitivity only.  P48 switching is separate and independent.

[johnmuge]

680 question -

When you run mics directly into the 680, what do you set your mic gain on?  I've been told high is the setting - just curious if this would vary based on source and mics used...

I've always ran mine on low mic gain with the input on mic.  I've never used it on acoustic music though,  only loud electric bands. 

[waltmon]

That makes sense to me. I know my 184's ran hot

[MattH]

Most soundboard feeds I grab are fairly hot when using line in and low gain setting. Hard to imagine how hot it would be with mic in and low gain. I would expect some overloading using the mic in unless you have a really attenuated soundboard or outboard preamp level. I only run line in for normal level line sources.

[lukpac]

Most soundboard feeds I grab are fairly hot when using line in and low gain setting. Hard to imagine how hot it would be with mic in and low gain. I would expect some overloading using the mic in unless you have a really attenuated soundboard or outboard preamp level. I only run line in for normal level line sources.

Just as a note, the Low/High setting doesn't matter when Line is selected, only Mic.

[achalsey]

How do you record  digital to tracks 5/6 again?  On my phone and can't open the PDF of the manual. 

A dude is trying to get a patch so I need 7/8 open if he wants a mix of the 4 channels I'm recording right?

[lukpac]

How do you record  digital to tracks 5/6 again?  On my phone and can't open the PDF of the manual. 

A dude is trying to get a patch so I need 7/8 open if he wants a mix of the 4 channels I'm recording right?

Should be I/O -> Input Sel: Digital.

From memory, the digital out will be exactly what you're hearing through the headphone output, regardless of what is going to 7/8. So 1) if you want something from the digital in as part of a mix, yes, you'll need to go to 5/6, and 2) don't switch the monitor between mix and DIN while recording, otherwise the digital output will change.

[achalsey]

OK, thanks.  I'll give that a shot. 

Might not matter as I realize I some how took the appropriate cable he needs out of my bag.  Not sure why I did that.

[lukpac]

OK, thanks.  I'll give that a shot. 

Might not matter as I realize I some how took the appropriate cable he needs out of my bag.  Not sure why I did that.

Any RCA cable will likely work. Worth a shot anyway.

[achalsey]

He needs rca to 1/8th, which for some reason I don't have at the moment.  Used to have two in the bag.  For a recorder with only rca outs I feel like I really should have the right options.

[ArchivalAudio]

Digital in question?  (sorry if it's been covered before)
I just got a new USB Pre2 and can now (finally) use the ditial in on my 680.
I have attempted to thry this out at home.
I set the 5/6 to I/O DIN and seem to have gotten a DIN Lock indicator-  this is good correct?
also I thought I could route digital in to 7/8, but perhaps not?

When sending a spdif in from the USB- Pre2 I go not levels on 5/6 but on the output stereo mix and in the headphones in could see and hear levels - is this correct?
I tried to record about a minute of music to test but have yet to listen.

Any insights are indeed a great help.

Thanks in advance

--ian

[lukpac]

I haven't really used the DIN recording on 5/6 to know how the levels are displayed offhand, but if you want to use 7/8, you need to change the setting for the stereo track from mix to DIN.

[ArchivalAudio]

I haven't really used the DIN recording on 5/6 to know how the levels are displayed offhand, but if you want to use 7/8, you need to change the setting for the stereo track from mix to DIN.

ahhhh that makes sense... I have always run in stereo pairs for ease of editing.

[Gutbucket]

I haven't really used the DIN recording on 5/6 to know how the levels are displayed offhand, but if you want to use 7/8, you need to change the setting for the stereo track from mix to DIN.

ahhhh that makes sense... I have always run in stereo pairs for ease of editing.

I only record digital in to the stereo-channel, which is separate from the main 6 channels (effectively 7/8).  In that case, the file format for the 6 main channels can be either mono files or stereo pairs.  Regardless, the stereo channel is always recorded as a single stereo pair file.  Not sure, but if you want to record the digital input to 5/6 and set the machine up to do that in the menu, I think it may also be required to set the file format to stereo pairs instead of mono.

[ArchivalAudio]

I haven't really used the DIN recording on 5/6 to know how the levels are displayed offhand, but if you want to use 7/8, you need to change the setting for the stereo track from mix to DIN.

ahhhh that makes sense... I have always run in stereo pairs for ease of editing.

I only record digital in to the stereo-channel, which is separate from the main 6 channels (effectively 7/8).  In that case, the file format for the 6 main channels can be either mono files or stereo pairs.  Regardless, the stereo channel is always recorded as a single stereo pair file.  Not sure, but if you want to record the digital input to 5/6 and set the machine up to do that in the menu, I think it may also be required to set the file format to stereo pairs instead of mono.

yes, I usually record in stereo pairs... mostly only 1/2 & 3/4 or sometimes 1/2 and 5/6 but now that I can go spdif in just looking for advice on best method. .

I still have not popped in the file I recorded from the USB pre2  > 5/6 or 7/8 or whatever it did...
no levels could be seen in 5/6 though they were engaged, and level in the stereo mix  perhaps 7/8?