Tascam DR-680

6 tracks recorder unless thousand euros?
Yes, it is finally possible thanks to the DR-680!

Let's start with the strongest of this digital recorder point: the quality / price ratio for me is just unbeatable.
6 tracks recorded on an SD card up 96kHz/24bits
4 inputs XLR / TRS combo inputs and two TRS.
Switchable button mic / line level on each channel.
Phantom power.
Without repeating in detail the characteristics can easily be summed up by "There are all the essentials"


The device is light, it is not to be neglected. The finishes are a little crazy but still good.

Ergonomics level, there have been more comfortable indeed. Some buttons are placed on the top of the unit, not very practical when a bag of petrol or other type is used, but we made it very quickly. The main facade is manageable and customizable via multiple button with a single rotary potentiometer. Device that does not allow a response foolproof but that adjusts easily and efficiently.
The REC button is highlighted, very big for me which is also an advantage.

The digital menus are fine, just a bit and navigate the various menus and functions are holding fast.
The screen is bright even if the meter lack of evidence (there is still a dotted line to indicate the-18dBFS), was a beautiful seen on all tracks that record.

For sound, I would say it is in the line of DR-100, better known, but with much better preamps. The sound is very correct, very low breath. Coupled with a good mixer, the result is really quality. Many serious thing to consider and settle with low-pass filters if necessary.
In contrast, the pre-amp headphone is terrible, this very breath. You have to push far to hear the sounds a little too low. Breath disappears course listening on his computer. It is therefore important to know the machine to be reassured.

Mains power or batteries. The machine is quite intensive batteries (LR6 8, practices because we find them everywhere), so you can plan rechargeable or external 12V battery.

I used this recorder on several films I'm extremely satisfied. I recommend this machine really anyone looking to go over the two-track. I'm really happy and even if we think back to the quality / price, I do not think better.

I do not own this unit for only four months but have already used both for applications that semi-professional amateur (line sources or microphones and Sennheiser MKE MKE-2-40 and AKG C417-PP).

Sound quality
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The quality of the preamps is very correct, significantly better than those fitted to the DR-100 I own too. Both in terms of background noise that made the overall sound. It can not sound quality of the Sound Device 744T that I also used and my favorite, but it is nevertheless a very good machine.

Ergonomics
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I will not dwell on the annoying side of having only a single manual control to adjust the recording level. No way to think of a good response in sound 4 or 6 channel microphone. That said I used it for about sixty interviews with 1, 2 or 3 people in addition to the journalist, and with a good margin (-18 to -12 dBFS) and force limiters in service, I am very well out in the end. Used with an external mixer, it makes a good config. As for settings other than the input levels (routing / O, pan, selection of tracks to record, filters) can be prepared in advance and can be reached fairly quickly, nothing negative to say about this side.

I regret one thing: the impossibility of being unable to hear what happens in the machine so that is not spent in the recording mode (active or pending). Or there is a function that I have not yet located. No big deal since you have to switch to REC + PAUSE, but good.

Monitor Phones: adequate with my HD25, DT770 and 7506. The change in level is not very pleasant when handling the volume knob, we hear very clearly not setting the digital attenuator preceding the headphone amplifier. But the sound quality of the headphone amplifier is enough for me to forget this small defect. And then we do not change the level headphone every fifteen seconds.

Display input levels: although the screen is small, we manage to get a pretty good idea of ​​the level of sources. It took me very little time to get used to it, and no nasty surprises on arrival. I note that each use the device was placed on the table and not used over the shoulder.

Sealing: in March I worked with a sound engineer who also had a DR-680, which during the session has taken a glass of orange juice right on the knob on top. During the 24 hours that followed, it jammed a bit and the buttons did not react as badly. Then the next day, after repeatedly manipulated the whole, everything is back to 100% functional without the need for dismantling and cleaning (it would have been better to do in my opinion, but it does not concern me more than that).

File formats
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I always work in BWF 24 bits / 48 kHz. No worries to retrieve it in my usual software tools.

Autonomy
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No surprise if I say that the batteries do not last long and must be either mains or battery external ...

Repeat this choice?
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Yes. I judge the quality / price really excellent.