Tascam DR-680... anyone try this yet?

[jason kanter]

The price is pretty decent and the track count is good but as usual I'm concerned with the quality of the pre's. In particular... how quiet are they?

[Mikkel Nielsen]

Originally Posted by jason kanter

The price is pretty decent and the track count is good but as usual I'm concerned with the quality of the pre's. In particular... how quiet are they?

Its been talked about in this thread: New portable multitrack recorders from Tascam

Im in search of a new recorder instead of my FR2. But after reading page 3 in that thread, I think Im going for a Sounddevices.

Best wishes,

Mikkel

[philper]

I was sorry they didn't make the DR680 a little more expensive and allow BWF recording w/ an external TC input, as well as ext clock (like HDP2). Close but no cigar. The PSP82 is too expensive re: the price of an SD 788, which does WAY more and is much smaller.

Philip Perkins

[skygod]

I was actually interested in several of these this to replace a bunch of aging HD24XRs at the same price point for 12 channels @ 24/96 (2x$999 for each 12channels) w/o any moving parts involved recording to Class 6-10 SDHC until the dreaded epiphany of:

1. Unbalanced outputs
2. Converters are substandard and not AKM grade (confirmed by Sweetwater)
3. Preamps are what? Nobody knows.
4. Can only use two units in tandem just like the limitations of the Korg MR2000S, one master and the other slave for MTC control of transport fucntions
5. The reassurance that Tascam customer support still sucks and always will...

... appeared

~skygod~

PS. But for $5499.00 you can have the balanced outputs in the next model. Now isn't that grand?

[philper]

Check this thread on the Tapers forum--a bunch of those guys are pretty happy with their DR680s. It turns out to be much more versatile than I had originally thought.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=131128.105

Philip Perkins

[DarkSky Media]

Originally Posted by skygod

4. Can only use two units in tandem just like the limitations of the Korg MR2000S, one master and the other slave for MTC control of transport fucntions...

I can't speak about the Tascam, but FWIW this is not a limitation of the Korg MR2000S. You can use more than two of the Korg units in tandem.

The user guide for the MR2000S v1.5 update gives as an example, the wiring harness configuration to synchronize four units for simultaneous record/repro of eight tracks. It may be possible to do more - I haven't tried.

[sonare]

Originally Posted by skygod

I was actually interested in several of these this to replace a bunch of aging HD24XRs at the same price point for 12 channels @ 24/96 (2x$999 for each 12channels) w/o any moving parts involved recording to Class 6-10 SDHC until the dreaded epiphany of:

1. Unbalanced outputs
2. Converters are substandard and not AKM grade (confirmed by Sweetwater)
3. Preamps are what? Nobody knows.
4. Can only use two units in tandem just like the limitations of the Korg MR2000S, one master and the other slave for MTC control of transport fucntions
5. The reassurance that Tascam customer support still sucks and always will...

... appeared

~skygod~

PS. But for $5499.00 you can have the balanced outputs in the next model. Now isn't that grand?

The DR680 is *not* intended to do what an HD24XR does. Consider the recording time limit on the 680 (even with 32GB) vs a several-hundred GB IDE drive at a fraction of the cost-per-GB. And if setup grief is on your list the HD24 wins if you are using external. And unless I am deaf your comments on the micamps and ADC are completely unfounded.

The 680 shines for non-session stuff. The Tapers appear to be using the 16bit paradigm of recording levels. This thing is "composite" and is what it is and costs under a grand. The SD and Nagra VI are truly professional devices and cost accordingly.

Rich

[RobAnderson]

I have to say this little box was a perfect thing for me.

On small-scale classical archival recordings, I often mix three or four mic's to 2-TR live through an API 3124. Most of the time it comes out just fine, but there are some times that I wish I were able to re-balance things after the fact. Now I do my usual thing, but I also run the direct outs from the API to the line inputs of this little box. It's already saved my arse a couple of times where I did not get a sound check, but needed spot mic's.

I grant you that the converters on this thing are NOT in the same category as Mytek, but they are really not bad. I can't say for sure, but I think you can clock it externally using the SPDIF input.

For the price, it's hard to beat. It's light-weight and small. Check out this pic from a recent gig. This 680 is under the HD-P2

[MichaelPatrick]

Originally Posted by RobAnderson

... I think you can clock it externally using the SPDIF input.

Nice setup!

I'm certain you're right about clocking as there's no other way it could work (properly).

[RobAnderson]

Thanks Michael!

For these little archival gigs, I can't really justify the cost of a Nagra or SD788, and for the larger multi-track gigs, there are other options that are better and more cost effective (per track count) for my needs.

At this price point and for this function, this Tascam box has been just the ticket for me.

[9sbean]

Maybe just bad luck, sounds like I got a lemon.
Waiting Tascam service email reply.
I got apparent digital clocking noise on channel 2. There's lower leve in channel 3 as well. There're this kind of noise on every channel, but much lower level.
The sound file was boosted by 40dB. Trim level on DR 680 is +17. Input gain at low. Any one experience similar noise?

[Remoteness]

Everyone seems to be very happy with the ones I had in stock.
No issues were reported as of yet.

[9sbean]

Originally Posted by 9sbean

Maybe just bad luck, sounds like I got a lemon.
Waiting Tascam service email reply.
I got apparent digital clocking noise on channel 2. There's lower leve in channel 3 as well. There're this kind of noise on every channel, but much lower level.
The sound file was boosted by 40dB. Trim level on DR 680 is +17. Input gain at low. Any one experience similar noise?

After talking to Tascam service over the phone, I'll return this one to B&H for replacement. Shall not get another lemon.

[noamraz]

Originally Posted by 9sbean

After talking to Tascam service over the phone, I'll return this one to B&H for replacement. Shall not get another lemon.

Please let us know how it goes..

[9sbean]

Originally Posted by noamraz

Please let us know how it goes..

Return is on the way. I just tried antoher 2 new DR-680, both works great. However, a friend who own one told me he got very low level noise on CH6.

According to recent user responses, my last one must be a lemon.