Sound output from Tascam DR-680, usable as feed to camera?

I

insurgence

Member
So, let me preface this thread by saying that i'm no soundman, so please excuse any incorrect assumptions (and point them out too).
I do shoot a fair bit of corporate/docu style work on my C100/C300 at the moment. (other camera's might appear anytime)

I currently run sound right into the camera when possible, using a selection of Rode NTG's and a Sennheiser wireless lav.
I sometimes use a Zoom H4n when i need sound from a long distance away from camera, or when i need sync to a DSLR 'b-cam'.

I need a mixer for 3-4 channels and a way to make a backup to memory card, and feed the C100 (or whatever cam that has dual XLR's). I'd like a Sound devices 552 or the like, but my budgets (and audio quality needs) are not up to that level. To this mind i was looking at the DR-680, but wanted to find out about taking the feed to my camera. I think i can get some kind of adaptor from the digital out, to dual XLR's and send a stereo feed to the camera.

Is this right? and robust? if so, would this not make a good cost effective option? or is there something i'm missing?
The unit would be held in a 'proper' sound bag (petrol bag) and i'm fine with running the unit from external NPF batts, as i have plenty of them.

Thanks in advance for any tips/suggestions.
 
You won't like the 680 as a mixer. You can do two channels in a pinch, but any more will find you distracted, busy, and worried.

Grant

Edit: You can find used 442 and 302 mixers for a bit over $1000. You can dual output from each easily, one to a bit bucket backup recorder, one to cam.
 
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ok, thanks for the reply Grant.
Do you mean that access to riding the levels on each input channel is tricky?
I mostly use two channels, (boom, and Lav) with the very odd occasion where 3-4 would be used. I wont need to do much to the audio whilst recording i think, just intial set-up and mixing down to get a feed to camera.

Buying second hand is a bit of a minefield for someone with little knowledge TBH, so in terms of new price the SD 302+recorder, or the 442 are both outside of my budget.

I could go for a cheapo 'wednt' or something, but i know that 'buy cheap, buy twice' rings true with much gear. Is there anything else you can think of for the sub 1k budget for recorder and mixer (2 channels minimum)?

I thought about a MixPre and using my zoom, but unsure about the quality into the zoom from a good source like the MixPre.....
 
When used as a bit bucket, most any cheapo recorder will work. Using a mixer in front eliminates the weakness in most of them; the preamps. Some cheapo recorders will take line input from a mixer better than others, so check into that.

You might also be surprised how much better your camera audio will sound when feeding it line level from a Mixpre. I have used a SD mixer feeding my video cam whenever possible, and it really helps, and not just because of the preamps. You get better meters, better limiters, and better ergonomic ability to ride the levels without bumping the cam. I mount a 302 on a heavy magic arm and shelf clamped to a tripod leg. The Mixpre-D has an optional bracket for below camera mounting, not sure how that might workout if you're on the hoof. Prolly not very well.

Grant
 
Thats great advice, many thanks Grant.
On the hoof i use a petrol mixer bag, with feed back to camera running wireless as my subjects are often a long way from camera. The recorder is mainly for stereo tracks/redundancy and use on a 'b-cam DSLR'.

Lee
 
And on another point, what would be the best route to get sound into the Zoom (when it's operating as a back up device?
The Balanced XLR's would go out to camera, leaving only the unbalanced 'mic level' output to the zoom. Should i just be running the feed to the Zoom from the 3.5 tape output? or what about the TA3 out?

...and does all this mean that i'm still subject to the Zoom's rubbish pre-amps from an unbalanced mic level feed into it?

Soory for lots of Q's, i'm a little out of my depth here.
 
The 680 is not mixer, however one could use the HP output w/ the internal software mixer to feed an unbalanced input.. but the HP amp is a little noisy but would OK for a sync track. OTOH, a pair of the -10dB/unbalanced RCA outputs could be used (with proper level matching) to feed a cam but anymore than two would require an external mixer.

The Zoom H4n 1/4" inputs are nominal -10dB/unbalanced, so the 302's tape out connection would be recommended.
"and does all this mean that i'm still subject to the Zoom's rubbish pre-amps from an unbalanced mic level feed into it?"
> Yes, but it's a better option than using them directly.
 
Nobody answered this so...
"I think i can get some kind of adaptor from the digital out, to dual XLR's and send a stereo feed to the camera. "

No, well not with out difficulty. You can go from the line outs though. To go out digitally you would need a digital to analog converter to get back to an analog signal.

Another recording option might be the new Tascam 70-D. It looks pretty nice and is a small "bag friendly" recorder that has four inputs.
It looks more like what you want, though it's not out yet so no real field reviews.

I will second the SD mixer front end making just about anything after sound better. I have the original MixPre and it has made even really crappy recorders sound better than they should. Even if you can't actually bypass the mic pres in the unit you can set it up so they do minimal damage.
 
Thanks for that everyone, the Tascam D70 looks interesting. It's certainly a lot for the price.
Only has unbalanced stereo out though, although i'm not sure how much of a downside this is? I'm going into a mic/line switchable camera? Also 3.5mm line out jack, which i've always found a little flimsy compared to an XLR.

...but, the price and features make it look very good on paper. Now to wait for a review.
 
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