Need Advice: Tascam DR-680 or Zoom H6

M

Marshall Harrington

Member
Shooting with a BMCC and need an audio solution that I can both send to the camera and record with in the likely case that the camera sound is flawed. I cannot yet afford a Sound Devices recorder, so in the $400 range I'm considering the above. I know they are completely different form factors. The Tascam is pretty large the H6 being pretty small. I'm not sure I'd put the h6 on the rig. To hard to get to. Also the Zoom has mics, which in a pinch can come in handy. Also will need to consider battery power in both cases. I read here that a Tekkeon with the Tascam will last all day. I don't think the h6 uses as much power. Maybe I could run another line off the camera rig but that seems like a long run?

I get to the point where I'm thinking in circles and could use another voice, thanks!
 
Depends on how you shoot. It's a bit like asking "what is the best lens?".
The answer has to be based on what you are doing.
I have a Tascam 680 with a Busman mod and I don't even have to put a mixer up front.
It sounds really good. I suspect the H6 won't even come close in terms of noise floor and dynamic range.
But it has a smaller form factor and set of uses.
 
I have been looking at a multi track but low cost too but as I already have mics and other mixers the tascam seems a very good value and featured unit to me. Tascam have a better reputation for audio in my mind and whilst the zoom units offer lots of features and on board mics I trust tascams engineering heritage more.

It is always better to have mics off board from a recording device and as even stereo mics such as the sony ecm ms957 are low cost I would question the useability of an on board mic set on such a larger recorder.
 
I can't speak to the H6. The DR680 is more than $400, more like $600 + bag and power. In broad terms, I think you could consider the 680 the least decent recorder for pro bag work. The H6 is something less. If you need to ride levels on more than two channels on the 680, you will want a mixer. It is a good sounding and very versatile recorder that has stronger preamps than my original DR100 and original H4 (and probably the H6 too). So for weak output mics, like dynamic types or economy shotguns, you won't need a mixer with preamps (though it is always a good thing). The form factor is bag oriented, though I have used velcro to mount it. The limiters and filters work reasonably well and the preamps are plenty clean for most work. The display is something less than wonderful for field work, but again, good enough. As you have heard, it does eat batteries and in fact, I do use a Tekkeon with mine and it will go all day.

I would probably just run a reference scratch track to the BMCC from an onboard mic and sync it up in post.

Grant
 
I have both, and I use them based on their strength. Tascam is easier when it's a 1-man crew environment and gives really cleaner audio (-30db less noise) but battery sucks. I use tascam all the time with dslr type of shoot while zoom for mixing down when more than 2 xlr mics is needed or used as a portable mixer to computer.
 
First off thanks for your feedback. Sharing your experience is the most valuable part of this site, really appreciate it.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I've taken another step up with my camera and am ready to take another step with the sound. [/FONT]

How I've shot in the past is with Canons recording separate sound to an H4n. Entry level. I liked the Zooms portability generally mounting it on a stand close in to the scene being shot recording both ambient sound along with a track or two of dialog. I rarely used the ambient tracks, but occasionally and when I did they added a bunch to the feel. I only have entry level mics, a single ME66 along with a G3 kit with the [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ME 2 clip on. Mics are next on the list.

I'm often working with just one or two other people and we end up sharing setting sound levels as we can. All of us are pretty good but we're not dedicated mixers. When we get to work with the real deal we are always in awe. Not the best solution, but for now it's what I have. The lemons thing.....
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So it sounds to me that the Tascam is the better choice due to the quality of the preamps. The good news is I already have one (needed a multi-track recorder for a specific shoot). But I've not kitted it out. Been considering replacing it with the h6 due to form factor. The h6 is actually to big for me to want to put it on the camera rig so really no benefit with the size other than weight (except when you get on a plane). If I stay with the Tascam I need to get a bag (maybe start with the one it comes with?) and deal with the power. I have a spare Switronix PB-70 but am not sure if I can wire it directly from a D-tap or need a regulated cable. If not the Tekkeon sounds like a sure thing. Also wish the Tascam had a remote start stop switch so we could operate it from the camera.

I have been thinking about a MixPre D as well, but think I still need a separate recorder with the Blackmagic, which leads me back to the beginning again. The endless circle of all the different ways to go and which path is the right path knowing all along that the right path is well you get the point.

Anyway appreciate the idea's a bunch, very helpful.

PS., No one really mentioned line out. Do you ever send it to the camera. I'd love to not have to sync in post if it was possible. A always assumed that you could output a mixed track to a channel. If it worked, great, if not back to the recorded tracks. But I have no idea about the hardware. If you do what do you use and how far away from the camera are you? A black hole within a black hole.
 
I'm still hoping to get some details on the "30dB less noise" comparison mentioned above. The DR-680 is specced to have "Dynamic Range: 98 dB A weighted" while the H6 is specced as "MicEquivalent Input Noise (EIN): -120 dBu or less"

I'll leave the interpretation of these specs up to others, I know they're not directly comparable. But I do know that when I compare my H6 to my RME UFX the H6 is very nearly equal in self-noise and audio quality. The H6 is a considerable step beyond previous Zoom recorders in its mic preamps and self-noise.

Fran
 
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