Tascam DR 680 Computer Transfer

[therecordinghous]

I am using this unit for multichannel playback on site. The tracks are created in Pro Tools, then they are transferred to the unit to be played back in the field.

The problem is, I cannot get the unit to play back all 6 channels on their respective track. I have followed the same naming convention that the unit itself does when recording. I can only playback a single stereo pair at a time, not all 6 channels. It is recognizing each stereo audio file as a separate take and not the group of files as a single take.

Anyone have any experience with this?

[MichaelPatrick]

I don't have a DR-680 (someday?) but it seems p39 and p40 discuss it.

You should make sure A.OUT SEL is not set to MIX in the I/O
menu. And set the MULTI/STEREO stereo button to MULTI -- the screen display should not say STEREO.

[therecordinghous]

Originally Posted by MichaelPatrick

I don't have a DR-680 (someday?) but it seems p39 and p40 discuss it.

You should make sure A.OUT SEL is not set to MIX in the I/O
menu. And set the MULTI/STEREO stereo button to MULTI -- the screen display should not say STEREO.

Yeah, that is all done. I have read through the manual a few times.

Its a problem with the naming convention. Called Tascam, they are having issues too. Said they would get back with me in a few hrs....

It should automatically put tracks with the same prefix in its own "take" like:

TEST19_01.wav
TEST19_02.wav
TEST19_03.wav
TEST19_04.wav
TEST19_05.wav
TEST19_06.wav

....should appear under TEST19 after I "rebuild" the directory. They don't, a separate "take" is created for each mono audio file.

[therecordinghous]

the tracks are not spreading out like they should. sorry. its difficult to explain.

[MichaelPatrick]

Looks like you're one of those early adopter pioneers who'll help others by running into problems and get the vendor to make crucial fixes. Good luck!

I hope you'll let us know how it goes.

[therecordinghous]

Just got off the phone with Tascam again. The DR 680 simply is not functioning as described in the manual. It is supposed to automatically recognize file names and create "takes" and assign tracks as mentioned above. It does not.

Awaiting another phone call from tech support. Yuck! How can you release a product claiming functionality that actually doesnt work? tutt This part of the product obviously wasn't even tested...

[MichaelPatrick]

Originally Posted by therecordinghous

Just got off the phone with Tascam again. The DR 680 simply is not functioning as described in the manual. It is supposed to automatically recognize file names and create "takes" and assign tracks as mentioned above. It does not.

Awaiting another phone call from tech support. Yuck! How can you release a product claiming functionality that actually doesnt work? tutt This part of the product obviously wasn't even tested...

Way to go! You can tell them the Gearslutz are watching.

[therecordinghous]

ok, tascam called back with a "workaround" to what should be normal functionality.

they suggested recording a few seconds on the DR 680 first to create the "takes". then, hook it up to your computer, name your files (on your compy) the exact same as the ones on the DR 680. drag and drop your files to replace the ones on the DR 680.

this works, kinda. i am getting random "file errors", but it does play stuff back on the correct track. this thing is going back.

this is the first tascam product i have worked with in a long time. wont buy tascam again if this is any indication how they work.

[MichaelPatrick]

They'll have to fix it in a future version of firmware, but someone had to find it first.

BIG kudos to you for finding a BIG bug

[therecordinghous]

just got off the phone with tascam tech support. said they have no plans to address the issue. guy was a real tool. too bad. he said if they gave me a work around to continue using that.

no more tascam products for me. buyers beware of this product if you should need to transfer files from your computer to be played back on this device....

[MichaelPatrick]

Originally Posted by therecordinghous

just got off the phone with tascam tech support. said they have no plans to address the issue. guy was a real tool. too bad. he said if they gave me a work around to continue using that.

no more tascam products for me. buyers beware of this product if you should need to transfer files from your computer to be played back on this device....

It should be able to play back PCM files from a computer. I'm disappointed.

Question: Are they poly files or individual files, i.e. one file per track?

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by therecordinghous

just got off the phone with tascam tech support. said they have no plans to address the issue. guy was a real tool. too bad. he said if they gave me a work around to continue using that.

no more tascam products for me. buyers beware of this product if you should need to transfer files from your computer to be played back on this device....

All I can say is, "don't except a NO answer from a person that cannot give you a YES answer."

I'd "supersize" that dialog; take it to the next level.

[rumleymusic]

Most large company tech support is like this. My experiences with TEAC/Tascam support are not any better than yours, you wouldn't believe how hard it is to get a replacement battery door for a DR100, I've been trying for 8 months. They will not do squat unless you become a real nuisance.

Where as I doubt they designed the device to do what you are attempting, it seems like a no brain-er that it should have that functionality.