Topic: Tascam FR-AV2 new compact 32bit float recorder.

[Kyle K]

Congratulations to those here whose feedback has prompted the FW update, and kudos to Tascam for quick fixes.

I think most credits go to Kyle. I reported my findings just three days ago, and all I got so far is an automated message 'it's weekend now, we'll read it on Monday'. I guess the solved issues have been 'known issues' for a bit longer.
I really hope they will be able to address the file split issue, although this only becomes a real problem when recording longer shows (>3h at 32bit/48kHz) or when using higher sample rates (>1.5h at 32bit/96kHz) or when using manual split...

Even though I do it for a living at a product-based company (capturing, reporting, & validating defects at various stages of release) it is immensely more satisfying doing it on my own time haha. So it is cool to see. Though it's funny that the release notes made it sound as though it was solely an issue with no mics connected, which wasn't the case  Probably a PO writing based upon the original repro steps in the ticket. Ultimately just glad to help.

[vwmule]

I can't find the actual firmware on that page. Has it dropped or just the notice? Very confusing page.

[adrianb]

Has anyone used this with lavalier mics yet? Can you confirm if they are automatically detected, or does the input type have to be chosen in the menu?

[TheJez]

I can't find the actual firmware on that page. Has it dropped or just the notice? Very confusing page.

Yeah, I don't see the actual FW releases anymore either. Weird... Fortunately I still have the downloaded file. See attachment.

[TheJez]

Has anyone used this with lavalier mics yet? Can you confirm if they are automatically detected, or does the input type have to be chosen in the menu?

You need to set the input source yourself in the menu. Options are:

• Mic (=XLR)
• Line (=TRS)
• EXT(ST) (=3.5mm)
• EXT(MONO) (=3.5mm)
• USB

[vwmule]

I can't find the actual firmware on that page. Has it dropped or just the notice? Very confusing page.

Yeah, I don't see the actual FW releases anymore either. Weird... Fortunately I still have the downloaded file. See attachment.

Thank you

[aaronji]

I can't find the actual firmware on that page. Has it dropped or just the notice? Very confusing page.

Yeah, I don't see the actual FW releases anymore either. Weird... Fortunately I still have the downloaded file. See attachment.

That likely means another update is almost ready to be released.

It is a shame that companies these days expect their customers to be their beta testers (except for Sony, perhaps). The non-seamless splits are scandalous...

[Ozpeter]

This device was announced well after some recent Zoom announcements but released well before.  Rushed out, or maybe they don't announce way in advance like Zoom?  Hard to know...

[TheJez]

I can't find the actual firmware on that page. Has it dropped or just the notice? Very confusing page.

The firmware is back online! 1.02 is still the latest…
https://tascam.com/us/product/fr-av2/support

[voltronic]

I can't find the actual firmware on that page. Has it dropped or just the notice? Very confusing page.

Yeah, I don't see the actual FW releases anymore either. Weird... Fortunately I still have the downloaded file. See attachment.

That likely means another update is almost ready to be released.

It is a shame that companies these days expect their customers to be their beta testers (except for Sony, perhaps). The non-seamless splits are scandalous...

I couldn't agree more, and I'm baffled by the people who think the distorted file splits are no big deal. That's something pretty much every field recorder released for well over 20 years can do without a hitch.

[TheJez]

I'm baffled by the people who think the distorted file splits are no big deal.

I guess this remark is addressed to my remark about >3h file splits, as I don't see any other post that this might be referring to. I never said this is not a big deal, though! I totally agree that seamless file splits are a very basic requirement and it is a shame it can't do it properly right now. That's also why I reported this issue to Tascam.
However, one's only affected by the file split bug if one's actually splitting files, right? Either automatically at 4GB boundaries or manually. I see no problem in making owners of this device aware of this, so they can, at the moment, try to avoid a hickup at some random point in their recording by preventing recording >3h@48kHz at once (e.g. by stopping/restarting between support act and main act) or by not using the manual split feature. Until a fix for this bug becomes available, of course. If you think you may have to record something flawlessly >3h@48kHz, or >1.5h@96kHz, then this recorder is not the right device for you at the moment. For me personally, I can't think of any recording I made in the past 35 years that lasted more than 3h . (YMMV. I must admit I never taped Bruce Sprinsteen or other artists that tend to play on and on and on... )
I'm convinced they're working on it... They can't afford not to fix this.

[adrianf74]

or me personally, I can't think of any recording I made in the past 35 years that lasted more than 3h . (YMMV. I must admit I never taped Bruce Sprinsteen or other artists that tend to play on and on and on... )
I'm convinced they're working on it... They can't afford not to fix this.

I've done quite a few over the years - including days where I used a data grade DATs that I still needed to flip somewhere before the 3 hour mark.  With Digital, there have been days where I'd rather just set it and forget it at a stage so I can be somewhere else, so there are use cases out there where this will apply but it's not the norm.

[Kyle K]

or me personally, I can't think of any recording I made in the past 35 years that lasted more than 3h . (YMMV. I must admit I never taped Bruce Sprinsteen or other artists that tend to play on and on and on... )
I'm convinced they're working on it... They can't afford not to fix this.

I've done quite a few over the years - including days where I used a data grade DATs that I still needed to flip somewhere before the 3 hour mark.  With Digital, there have been days where I'd rather just set it and forget it at a stage so I can be somewhere else, so there are use cases out there where this will apply but it's not the norm.

This is me, regularly. Especially given the short bluetooth range, it is a pain stopping and starting both the stage rig & SBD/FOB setup(s) given that I have to get to/from the front of packed venues.

Working with the imperfect splits wasn't too bad but it was definitely a major disappointment and ridiculous for it to have made it to production. I could go on at length regarding the depressing nature of modern quality practices but at this point it's just screaming into the void.

[capnhook]

Working with the imperfect splits wasn't too bad but it was definitely a major disappointment and ridiculous for it to have made it to production. I could go on at length regarding the depressing nature of modern quality practices but at this point it's just screaming into the void.

Too many marketing graduates and not enough tech guys at TASCAM



Already too many engineers..

[morst]

If you think you may have to record something flawlessly >3h@48kHz, or >1.5h@96kHz, then this recorder is not the right device for you at the moment.

It is fine as long as you have TWO of them! Start 'em ten minutes apart or whatever, fix in post.