Help choosing a new field Recorder :(

destiny · 26th August 2010

Ok I've searched long and hard on the forum to no avail... I'll explain the situation and then the problem and then seek some well needed help lol.

I record for a hobby, its a simple 2 harmonium + 2 vocals with 1 tabla. I used to record with an Rode NT1 linked to a behrenger mic100 and a line-in on an Edirol R-09. My weak link was always the behrenger pre-amp but it was sufficient for what i needed.

Pre-amp i used to use

This weekend my Edirol line-in broke

leaving me with recording via the mic-in (not good!!!).

So basically rather than buy another R-09 (or upgraded version R-09hr) and then a new pre-amp, I'm thinking of just upgrading the whole kit. My single mic recordings were great but vocals always slightly lacking.

My considerations - Edirol R-44 (really good reviews on here). That was the "one to buy" until i saw the Tascam DR-680...and now i'm stumped...

My top end budget for a recorder is around £800 (mightttttt stretch if its a reallly amazing recorder)...its just hobby recording so no income... I will invest in more mics at a later stage but initially run with a line-in from the mixer and the NT1. I'm thinking 4 channels as a minimum..I don't believe i need the time encoding - it won't be going to a video camera...If it does it won't be mine so not my headache

So help... Edirol R-44, Tascam DR-680 or is the something better for under £800??

John Willett · 26th August 2010

I think you have got the best two listed for that price range - can't help you choose which, though.

9sbean · 26th August 2010

Sold my R44 few months ago. Got a DR-680 1 month ago.
Simply DR-680 got 4 tracks more and for lower cost, why not?

destiny · 26th August 2010

thanks for the help John,

9sbean - what is the main differences between the 2? other than the 4track/8track. Are they both the same/easy to use?

the r-44 is about £660 and the 680 is around £799 in the uk from what i can see.

9sbean · 26th August 2010

More tracks is the key reason for me. My main recorder is SD 722. I can backup SD722 with DR680 by the digital input to track 7/8. And use track 1~6 for iso.
Couple with a SD 442, I am somewhat having a lower cost SD788.

philper · 26th August 2010

The Tapers Forum TASCAM DR-680 portable 8-track - announced at NAMM
has a long thread on the DR680 with many sound file examples, those folks seem to like it quite well.

phil p

26th August 2010	#1
destiny Gear interested Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 3 Thread Starter	Help choosing a new field Recorder :( Ok I've searched long and hard on the forum to no avail... I'll explain the situation and then the problem and then seek some well needed help lol. I record for a hobby, its a simple 2 harmonium + 2 vocals with 1 tabla. I used to record with an Rode NT1 linked to a behrenger mic100 and a line-in on an Edirol R-09. My weak link was always the behrenger pre-amp but it was sufficient for what i needed. Pre-amp i used to use This weekend my Edirol line-in broke leaving me with recording via the mic-in (not good!!!). So basically rather than buy another R-09 (or upgraded version R-09hr) and then a new pre-amp, I'm thinking of just upgrading the whole kit. My single mic recordings were great but vocals always slightly lacking. My considerations - Edirol R-44 (really good reviews on here). That was the "one to buy" until i saw the Tascam DR-680...and now i'm stumped... My top end budget for a recorder is around £800 (mightttttt stretch if its a reallly amazing recorder)...its just hobby recording so no income... I will invest in more mics at a later stage but initially run with a line-in from the mixer and the NT1. I'm thinking 4 channels as a minimum..I don't believe i need the time encoding - it won't be going to a video camera...If it does it won't be mine so not my headache So help... Edirol R-44, Tascam DR-680 or is the something better for under £800??

26th August 2010	#2
John Willett Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 5,291	I think you have got the best two listed for that price range - can't help you choose which, though. __________________ John Willett Sound-Link ProAudio Ltd. Circle Sound Services President - Fédération Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons (and lots more - please look at my Profile)

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26th August 2010	#3
9sbean Gear maniac Joined: Jan 2010 Location: Taipei Posts: 167	Sold my R44 few months ago. Got a DR-680 1 month ago. Simply DR-680 got 4 tracks more and for lower cost, why not?

26th August 2010	#6
philper Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: San Francisco area Posts: 2,422	The Tapers Forum TASCAM DR-680 portable 8-track - announced at NAMM has a long thread on the DR680 with many sound file examples, those folks seem to like it quite well. phil p