Tascam DR-680 Initial Review at DVinfo.net

Garrett Low · October 18th, 2011, 10:03 PM

I just took delivery of a new Tascam DR-680 last week (thanks Guy Cochran at the DVeStore) and was able to use it on a shoot this weekend. Here's a short sample of the shoot. It was recorded using a Sanken CS-3e at 24bit/48KHz.

My initial impression is that it is a really sweet recorder. It is definitely is one of the best values out there. The mic pre's were quieter than I had expected and the sound quality exceeded my expectations.

More to come as I gain more experience with it.

-Garett

Robert Bobson · December 10th, 2011, 05:43 AM

any additional comments on this deck now that you've had it a month?

Garrett Low · December 10th, 2011, 10:39 AM

I will be writing more about it. I'm just wrapping up filming a short Indie, our last shoot day is this Thursday, and we've been using it throughout the production. After that I'll have some time to do a more thorough review.

-Garrett

Andrew Dean · December 21st, 2011, 02:15 AM

I've had mine for a year now and so far have been very happy. The biggest downfall is the headphone preamp. When you monitor on the headphones it sounds like the crappiest, noisiest recorder of all time. Seriously, its like 30% noise. However, the file it records is completely pristine and often impressive in its signal to noise.

The inputs confuse people as the "high/low gain" switch is actually at cut, not a gain. So, a lot of people instinctively put the gain on low, crank up the sensitivity and end up with much noisier signals than needed.

Once you have the headphone jack, gain setup and funky button layout down, its really quite a great unit. I'm thrilled with the sound. The durability is zilch, so treat it gently and never ever drop it. This is NOT a sound devices unit. But, treat her right and she'll do the same.

cheers,
-a

John Willett · December 21st, 2011, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Dean

I've had mine for a year now and so far have been very happy. The biggest downfall is the headphone preamp. When you monitor on the headphones it sounds like the crappiest, noisiest recorder of all time. Seriously, its like 30% noise. However, the file it records is completely pristine and often impressive in its signal to noise.

What headphones are you using?

I have found that the headphone amp. in some portable recorders has been optimised so that it draws very little current so as not to flatten the batteries too quickly,

The answer is to use highly efficient low impedance headphones - the Sennheiser HD 25-1 are good for this as they are 120dB efficient (about the most efficient out there) so you keep the level lower for the same volume in your ears and the headphone amp. nasties are often not really noticed.

Andrew Dean · December 25th, 2011, 05:44 PM

I use sony 7506 for monitoring. Its not a matter of being optimized for sensitive headphones, The headphone amp in the dr680 is comically bad. It actually has a "step" in the middle where it jumps in volume many DB.

But its in the cans, not the recording, so... its not a show stopper as much as a nuisance.

Steve Oakley · January 2nd, 2012, 11:40 PM

ya the headphone amp is weird. not just noisy, but has a sudden jump in volume after the 2pm position. also see Tascam DR-680 Review : UPDATED for a review

December 10th, 2011, 05:43 AM	#2
Robert Bobson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 585	Re: Tascam DR-680 Initial Review any additional comments on this deck now that you've had it a month?

December 10th, 2011, 10:39 AM	#3
Garrett Low Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 1,774	Re: Tascam DR-680 Initial Review I will be writing more about it. I'm just wrapping up filming a short Indie, our last shoot day is this Thursday, and we've been using it throughout the production. After that I'll have some time to do a more thorough review. -Garrett __________________ Garrett Low www.GLowMediaProductions.com

December 21st, 2011, 02:15 AM	#4
Andrew Dean Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Motukarara, New Zealand Posts: 475	Re: Tascam DR-680 Initial Review I've had mine for a year now and so far have been very happy. The biggest downfall is the headphone preamp. When you monitor on the headphones it sounds like the crappiest, noisiest recorder of all time. Seriously, its like 30% noise. However, the file it records is completely pristine and often impressive in its signal to noise. The inputs confuse people as the "high/low gain" switch is actually at cut, not a gain. So, a lot of people instinctively put the gain on low, crank up the sensitivity and end up with much noisier signals than needed. Once you have the headphone jack, gain setup and funky button layout down, its really quite a great unit. I'm thrilled with the sound. The durability is zilch, so treat it gently and never ever drop it. This is NOT a sound devices unit. But, treat her right and she'll do the same. cheers, -a

December 25th, 2011, 05:44 PM	#6
Andrew Dean Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Motukarara, New Zealand Posts: 475	Re: Tascam DR-680 Initial Review I use sony 7506 for monitoring. Its not a matter of being optimized for sensitive headphones, The headphone amp in the dr680 is comically bad. It actually has a "step" in the middle where it jumps in volume many DB. But its in the cans, not the recording, so... its not a show stopper as much as a nuisance.

January 2nd, 2012, 11:40 PM	#7
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	Re: Tascam DR-680 Initial Review ya the headphone amp is weird. not just noisy, but has a sudden jump in volume after the 2pm position. also see Tascam DR-680 Review : UPDATED for a review __________________ Steve Oakley DP • Audio Mixer • Editor • Colorist http://stevenoakley.com