The Tascam DR-680mkII 8-Track Field Recorder takes high quality audio recording with up to 192kHz Resolution and puts it into a portable, compact package.
The DR-680mkII features 6 mic/line inputs and digital input channels that allow for simultaneous recording of up to 8 tracks at 96kHz/24-bit. The internal monitoring mix can be recorded as a stereo track with separate level and pan setting the 6 independent tracks. You can then share your mix immediately whilst retaining the multi-track version for mixdown. The quality of recorded audio is deeply affected by the microphone preamps. This field recorder uses HDDA mic preamps that were designed by Tascam themselves with carefully selected components. Each HDDA mic preamp is built with a differential amplification circuit. This employs discrete architecture. The preamps also provide +48V phantom power allowing you to pick and use your favourite microphones.
As well as recording to WAV format, the DR-680mkII records in BWF format. This stores the recording start times in the metadata. Using the WAV/BWF format, the DR-680KII can record 8 channels at 96kHz/24-bit (6 tracks + stereo track) or 2 tracks at 192kHz/24-bit. You can also simultaneously record up to 4 channels at 96, 128, 192 and 320 kbps when using the MP3 format.
The unit has 6 unbalanced line outputs and a built-in coaxial digital input and output (S/PDIF, AES/EBU). The DR-680mkII cab also be used as a 6-track playback device by connecting it to a mixer via the outputs. The built-in mid-side decoder enables use with mid-side stereo mics. The 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 channel pairs can each be set separately. Decoding is possible during recording or when monitoring.
The DR-680mkII comes in a rugged, compact housing that provides excellent protection from vibrations and environmental conditions. All records are saved on to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, which you can then plug into your computer and easily listen to what you've recorded. The unit can be used in one of two ways. The included shoulder strap is great for field recording, and the folding stand is for tabletop use.
The main features of the Tascam DR-680mkII 8-Track Field Recorder include:
So good I've ended up with 5 of them as I've expanded and I have found its possible to split the sync output and send it to 4 other machines. The manual only mentions ganging 2. They do creep though so if recording a concert, you need to correct them or they will phase.
Delivery was quick and price the best I could find. My only gripe is that I was send a German power supply (again) and not a 3 pin UK one. If power to the machine fails before you stop recording and switch off, you lose everything so a decent reliable power supply is imperative!
I used a single MK2 for recording a CD box set of Beethoven piano sonatas over 3 years of live concerts. The digital trims made it easy to keep the sound levels identical for editing with sessions from different days. Amazing for the price when put up against the much more costly Sound Devices machines.
In fact the finished recordings got a 5 star review so with 96k 24 bit and nice sounding mic pre amps built in, it's an impressive machine.
Firstly there is no Great Britain AC adaptor included which I feel is very unsatisfactory. As a returning user to this type of technology I found it very difficult to set up the digital recording side. However once I had worked this out I was very satisfied with it. There have been some negative comments about it being small and fiddly. I would say it does the job well and it is expected to be small because it is a field recorder and not a full size studio recorder with all the bells and whistles.