Tascam DR-680 User manual

D01098520A
DR-680
Portable Multitrack Recorder
OWNER'S MANUAL

2TASCAM DR-680
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert
the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within equilateral triangle,
is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous
voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE
OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT
EXPOSE THIS
APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE.
This appliance has a serial number located on the
rear panel. Please record the model number and
serial number and retain them for your records.
Model number
Serial number
TO THE USER
This equipment has been tested and found
to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference
to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following
measures.
a) Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
b) Increase the separation between the
equipment and receiver.
c) Connect the equipment into an outlet on
a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
d) Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/
TV technician for help.
CAUTION:
Changes or modifications to this equipment not
expressly approved by TEAC CORPORATION
for compliance could void the user's authority to
operate this equipment.
For U.S.A.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

TASCAM DR-680 3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1 Read these instructions.
2 Keep these instructions.
3 Heed all warnings.
4 Follow all instructions.
5 Do not use this apparatus near water.
6 Clean only with dry cloth.
7 Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
8 Do not install ne ar any heat sources such
as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce
heat.
9 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized
or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has
two blades with one wider than the other. A
grounding type plug has two blades and a third
grounding prong. The wide blade or the third
prong are provided for your safety. If the provided
plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an
electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10 Protect the power cord from being walked on
or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit from
the apparatus.
11 Only use attachments/accessories specified by
the manufacturer.
12 Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or
table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with
the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution
when moving the cart/apparatus combination to
avoid injury from tip-over.
13 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or
when unused for long periods of time.
14 Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has
been damaged in any way, such as power-supply
cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled
or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the
apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture,
does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
Do not expose this apparatus to drips or splashes.
•
Do not place any objects filled with liquids, such as
•
vases, on the apparatus.
Do not install this apparatus in a confined space
•
such as a book case or similar unit.
The apparatus draws nominal non-operating power
•
from the AC outlet with its POWER or STANDBY/
ON switch not in the ON position.
The apparatus should be located close enough
•
to the AC outlet so that you can easily grasp the
power cord plug at any time.
The mains plug is used as the disconnect device,
•
the disconnect device shall remain readily operable.
If the product uses batteries (including a battery
•
pack or installed batteries), they should not be
exposed to sunshine, fire or excessive heat.
CAUTION for products that use replaceable lithium
•
batteries: there is danger of explosion if a battery is
replaced with an incorrect type of battery. Replace
only with the same or equivalent type.
Caution should be taken when using earphones or
•
headphones with the product because excessive
sound pressure (volume) from earphones or head-
phones can cause hearing loss.

4TASCAM DR-680
CAUTIONS ABOUT BATTERIES
This product uses batteries. Misuse of batteries could
cause a leak, rupture or other trouble. Always abide
by the following precautions when using batteries.
Never recharge non-rechargeable batteries. The
•
batteries could rupture or leak, causing fire or injury.
When installing batteries, pay attention to the polar-
•
ity indications (plus/minus (+/–) orientation), and
install them correctly in the battery compartment
as indicated. Putting them in backward could make
the batteries rupture or leak, causing fire, injury or
stains around them.
When you store or dispose of batteries, isolate their
•
terminals with insulating tape or similar to prevent them
from contacting other batteries or metallic objects.
When throwing used batteries away, follow the
•
disposal instructions indicated on the batteries and
the local disposal laws.
Do not use batteries other than those specified.
•
Do not mix and use new and old batteries or differ-
ent types of batteries together. The batteries could
rupture or leak, causing fire, injury or stains around
them.
Do not carry or store batteries together with small
•
metal objects. The batteries could short, causing
leak, rupture or other trouble.
Do not heat or disassemble batteries. Do not put
•
them in fire or water. Batteries could rupture or leak,
causing fire, injury or stains around them.
If the battery fluid leaks, wipe away any fluid on
•
the battery case before inserting new batteries. If
the battery fluid gets in an eye, it could cause loss
of eyesight. If fluid does enter an eye, wash it out
thoroughly with clean water without rubbing the eye
and then consult a doctor immediately. If the fluid
gets on a person’s body or clothing, it could cause
skin injuries or burns. If this should happen, wash
it off with clean water and then consult a doctor
immediately.
Remove the batteries if you do not plan to use
•
the unit for a long time. Batteries could rupture or
leak, causing fire, injury or stains around them. If
the battery fluid leaks, wipe away any fluid on the
battery compartment before inserting new batteries.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

TASCAM DR-680 5
Contents
1 – Introduction.........................................................7
Features.............................................................................7
Items included with the product....................................7
Conventions used in this manual...................................7
Intellectual property rights.............................................8
About SD cards.................................................................9
Precautions for use ............................................................9
Beware of condensation .................................................9
Cleaning the unit..............................................................9
2 – Names and Functions of Parts...........10
Top panel.........................................................................10
Front panel .....................................................................11
Left side panel ...............................................................13
Right side panel .............................................................14
Bottom panel .................................................................15
Home Screen ..................................................................16
Menu structure...............................................................17
Using menus ...................................................................18
Operation basics.............................................................18
Functions Screen ............................................................18
Repeat activation.............................................................19
Pre-record activation .......................................................19
Auto-record activation.....................................................19
Limiter activation.............................................................19
Low-cut filter activation...................................................19
3 – Preparations.......................................................20
Powering the unit...........................................................20
About the power supply...................................................20
Using AA batteries ..........................................................20
Using the AC adaptor ......................................................20
Turning the power on and putting the unit into
standby .........................................................................21
Turning the power on ......................................................21
Putting the unit into standby ...........................................21
Inserting and removing SD cards.................................21
Inserting an SD card .......................................................21
Ejecting an SD card..........................................................21
Preparing an SD card for use........................................22
Card write-protection ......................................................22
Setting the date and time.............................................22
Monitoring playback with the built-in speaker .........22
Connecting monitoring equipment .............................23
Adjusting the display contrast ...................................23
4 – Recording..............................................................24
Files and takes................................................................24
Recording settings .........................................................24
Setting the recording file format ......................................24
Setting the sampling frequency .......................................24
Setting the file recording mode........................................25
Stereo track recording settings.........................................25
Creation of new takes when restarting recording .............25
Setting the name given to recording takes .......................26
Editing the user take names.............................................26
Available recording time display.......................................26
Set the folder for saving takes .....................................27
Connecting other equipment .......................................27
Input settings..................................................................27
Setting the input sources .................................................27
Phantom power ...............................................................27
Selecting the inputs for recording to tracks 5 and 6 .........28
Adjusting the input levels .............................................28
Recording a take ............................................................29
Recording a stereo mix..................................................30
Using the solo function .................................................30
Automatically starting and pausing recording
(auto-record function) ................................................30
Using the auto-record function ........................................30
Auto-record settings........................................................31
Automatically cutting unnecessary silences when
recording (silent cut function) ..........................................31
Automatically adding marks at the position where
recording restarts ............................................................31
Starting a new take and continuing to record...........32
Manually starting a new take during recording ................32
Automatically starting a new take during recording .........32
Using the limiter.............................................................32
Using the low-cut filter .................................................33
Turning the low-cut filter on and off ................................33
Setting the cut-off frequency of the low-cut filter.............33
Using marks ....................................................................33
Manually adding marks when recording and during
playback .........................................................................33
Moving to a mark ...........................................................33
Erasing marks ..................................................................34
Pre-recording..................................................................34
Recording times..............................................................35
5 – Take and folder operations
(BROWSE screen)...........................................36
Navigating the BROWSE screen...................................36
Icons on the BROWSE screen .......................................36
Take operations ..............................................................36
Folder operations ...........................................................37
6 – Playback.................................................................38
Playback ..........................................................................38
Starting playback.............................................................38
Stopping playback ...........................................................38
Pausing playback.............................................................38
Searching forward and backward.....................................38
Selecting a take for playback ...........................................38
Changing the playback position (scrubbing).....................38
Mixing and outputting a multitrack recording..........39
Using the internal mixer...................................................39
Using the solo function....................................................39
Playing a stereo track....................................................39
Setting the playback area.............................................40
Selecting a folder for the playback area on the
BROWSE screen ...........................................................40
Setting the search speed...............................................40
Repeat playback.............................................................41
7 – Connection with a computer .............42
Copying files to a computer .........................................42