744T High Resolution Digital Audio Recorder with Time Code User Guide and Technical Information rev. 1.04 1.8" HDD 2.5" HDD Sound Devices, LLC 300 Wengel Drive • Reedsburg, WI • USA +1 (608) 524-0625 • fax: +1 (608) 524-0655 Toll-Free: (800) 505-0625 www.sounddevices.
Introduction Table of Contents Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Quick Start Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Powering the Unit Menu Navigation Basics Connecting Audio Sources Routing Inputs to Tracks Recording Parameter Setup Time Code Setup Recording Playback FireWire File Transfer Front Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 LCD Display Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
744T User Guide and Technical Information Welcome Thank you for purchasing the 744T. The super-compact 744T records and plays back audio to and from its internal hard drive or Compact Flash medium, making field recording simple and fast. It writes and reads uncompressed PCM audio at 16 or 24 bits with sample rates between 32 kHz and 192 kHz. Compressed (MP3) audio playback and recording are also supported.
Quick Start Guide Quick Start Guide The 744T is an extremely powerful and flexible portable audio recorder. Before recording, familiarity with the product is essential. Several settings should be verified or set based on individual recording needs. Powering the Unit 1. Apply power to the unit by connecting the (included) removable, rechargeable Li-ion (lithium ion) battery to the back panel battery mount. The metal tabs on the mount line up with the electrical contacts on the battery.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Routing Inputs to Tracks Before recording, inputs must be assigned to tracks. Each of the 744T’s four inputs (1, 2, 3, 4) can be assigned to any of the four tracks (A, B, C, D). These sixteen possible routing combinations are shown on the front panel with 16 blue LEDs. Illuminated LEDs indicate input-to-track assignment. 1. Press the input key to cycle through factory routing presets.
Quick Start Guide 1. Press and hold the key to select the volume for playback. The default playback directory is the present volume being recorded. 2. Use the Multi-Function Controller, or the arrow soft-keys, to navigate through the file directory. 3. Once a file is highlighted, press the play key to begin playback. When playback has finished, the filename will begin flashing. Use the fast-forward key or rewind key to step through files in the folder, or press the stop key to exit playback mode.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Front Panel Descriptions All settings of the 744T can be accessed and monitored through the front panel LCD and navigation keys. This allows the unit to be placed in a production bag along with field mixers and wireless transmitters and receivers. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 29 28 27 26 25 24 1) 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 Digital Input LEDs Indicates the presence of digital signal on the respective input.
Hardware Descriptions 11) Charge LED 17) Indicates the status of the onboard battery charger. Flashes when external power is connected and battery is charging; solid when battery is fully charged. 12) Power LED Plays back the file displayed on the LCD. If pressed immediately after recording is stopped, the most recently recorded file is played back. 18) Record Key Starts recording.
744T User Guide and Technical Information 23) Media Ready LEDs Indicates storage media is present and available to record; IN (internal hard drive), CF (Compact Flash), EX (external Firewire device) [EX not available in firmware version 1.x]. Flashing indicates media problem. 24) Media Activity LEDs Indicates storage media read/write activity. IN (internal hard drive), CF (Compact Flash), EX (external Firewire device) [EX not available in firmware version 1.x].
Hardware Descriptions LCD Display Descriptions 1 2 3 4 5 12 6 11 10 9 8 7 14 13 1) Battery Level Indicator Shows voltage level of removable battery or external power sources. External power overrides internal power when present. Graphical bar for relative level and numeric indicator for precise voltage measurement. 2) Time & Date Display Alternating display between the set date and time of the 744T. This information is written as the creation date for generated audio files.
744T User Guide and Technical Information 10) External Media Space Status (space remaining/record ready) Not available on version 1.x firmware. Bar graph indicates amount of record time remaining on the external FireWire volume. Numbers show time in hours and minutes based on the presently selected number of record tracks, sample frequency, bit rate, and file type. 11) 15) External Digital Clock Indicator The 744T is locked to a valid external digital or word clock source when the L is in the display.
Hardware Descriptions Left Panel Connectors and Controls 3 1 1) 4 2 XLR Input 1/AES3 Input 1&2 Dual function input connection. Input type set with switch above. Active-balanced analog microphone- or line-level input for input 1. Transformer-balanced two-channel AES3 input (1 and 2). 2) XLR Input 2/AES3 Input 3&4 Dual function input connection. Input type set with switch above. Active-balanced analog microphone- or line-level input for input 2. Transformer-balanced two-channel AES3 input (3 and 4).
744T User Guide and Technical Information Right Panel Connectors and Controls 1 2 9 1) 8 Time Code Multi-Pin 3 4 7 6 6) Time code input and output on 5-pin LEMO® connector. 2) AES3id Inputs 1/2 and 3/4 FireWire (IEEE-1394) Port Connection to a computer for access the internal hard drive and Compact Flash volumes as mass storage devices. Direct connection to Mac OS (X-only) and Windows (XP- and 2000-only) computers.
Hardware Descriptions Back Panel Descriptions 1 1) 2 3 Security Slot Compatible with the Kensington Security Slot specification. Useful for securing the recorder to a fixed object with a compatible computer lock. 2) Compact Flash Slot Insert Compact Flash medium with the label-side up. Compatible with Type I, Type II, and MicroDrives. 3) Battery Mount Accepts Sony® InfoLithium L- or MSeries batteries. Also accepts batteries conforming to this mount.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Input Setup and Control The 744T has four inputs and four record tracks. Inputs are selectable among analog or digital sources. Analog inputs 1 and 2 use XLR connectors; analog inputs 3 and 4 use TA3 connections. Digital inputs can be either AES3 (balanced XLR) or AES3id (BNC) inputs. One analog pair and one digital pair can be used simultaneously. Input Source Selection Input sources are selected in pairs, 1, 2 and 3, 4.
Input Setup and Control pressing the HDD key. If the inputs are in line level mode, phantom power will not activate from the shortcut keys and must be activated from the menus. Input Limiters (mic-level only) Microphone inputs 1 and 2 each have a limiter circuit designed to prevent input overload. In normal operation, with proper gain settings, the limiters should rarely engage.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Gain (sensitivity) for inputs 3 & 4 is controlled in the setup menu. Gain resolution is in 0.1 dB increments. Analog Line Input Sensitivity Input level sensitivity for the line-level inputs is adjustable, in 0.1 dB steps, from -6 dBu to +18 dBu. While adjusting the input sensitivity, the meters will show the relative signal level present on each input on the meters.
Word Clock arrows are accelerated. The more you press or spin, the faster the delay setting will increment or decrement. Delay is not set until enter is pressed. The amount of delay available is dependent on the sampling frequency in use. Sample Frequency Maximum Amount of Delay Available (per input) 32, 44.1, 48, 48.048 kHz 30,000 µS 88.2, 96, 96.096 kHz 15,000 µS 176.4, 192 kHz 7,500 µS Input delay can be useful for time aligning input signals from differing sources.
744T User Guide and Technical Information To avoid digital loops, when using the word clock and digital input signals, you must make the 744T the word clock follower of the digital source. C. Link – Multi-Unit Linking The proprietary C. Link protocol (control link) allows multiple 744T’s and 722 recorders to be connected and word clocked together. When linked, the 744T units have a master/slave relationship. When the master recorder is put into record, the slave unit will roll as well.
Input-to-Track Routing any combination of the four inputs can be routed to any of the four tracks Regardless of which tracks are assigned for recording, monophonic file numbering always starts with 1, i.e., if only track D is selected for recording in a monophonic .WAV file, the resulting filename will have a _1 suffix, not _4. Polyphonic files will play back the recorded track starting from track A, i.e., if a poly file is recorded on tracks B and D, playback will occur on tracks A and B.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Outputs – Analog and Digital The 744T has two discrete output buses, the Master Output Bus and Output Bus 2. Each of these two-channel buses are assigned their audio sources independently, enabling the 744T to feed multiple sources with unique two-channel program. The chart below shows the audio sources available for the Master Output Bus and for Output Bus 2. The audio sources for each output bus are selected in the setup menu.
Headphone Output Headphone Output The 744T headphone output is a flexible tool for monitoring audio in the field. The 744T allows the user to monitor inputs, tracks, or post-record tracks. The headphone output is independent of the Master Output Bus and Output Bus 2—audio sources can be routed to headphones independent of routing assignments to output buses. The 744T is capable of driving headphones to extremely high sound pressure levels.
744T User Guide and Technical Information HP Sources Description Tracks A,B MS Tracks C,D MS Stereo monitoring of discrete M (mid) and S (side) track pairs. Highlighted media is source of monitor program. Upon playback will function as MS track monitor. Monitor A,B MSm Monitor C,D MSm Stereo monitoring of playback (post-record) discrete M (mid) and S (side) track pairs. Highlighted media is source of monitor program. When not in playback, headphones have no program.
Metering Metering The 744T features a 76 LED (4 x 19) output meter. The DSP-controlled output meter provides a selection of ballistics and lighting intensities. In addition, peak indicators on input channels show clipping activity. Output Meter 0 dBFS track LEDs are programmable as peak LEDs (0 dBFS to −20 dBFS) The meter uses energy efficient LEDs which are viewable in full sunlight. The 744T output meter is unaffected by shock or extremes in temperature and humidity.
744T User Guide and Technical Information combination the user gets the best of both VU and Peak metering by seeing both the “loudness” of the signal and the peaks at the same time. Peak/VU is the factory default. Peak Hold/VU Similar to VU/Peak mode, this mode holds the peak level indication for several seconds before releasing. Peak Hold indicators are useful for metering in applications when an overload condition is unacceptable.
Sample and Bit Rate LED brightness is continuously adjustable from low to high brightness. Hold down the key and turn the Multi-Function Controller to change brightness levels. All LED’s are adjusted. In stealth mode (setup menu selected) the LEDs are toggled on and off with the brightness key. Sample Rate and Bit Depth When recording to BWF (and WAV files) the 744T generates uncompressed, PCM audio files at userselected sample rates and bit depths.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Once a file is recorded its sample rate and bit depth can not be changed in the recorder. The 744T can not perform sample rate conversion or bit depth changes. File conversion must be done in another environment, such as an audio workstation. Alternatively, a real-time analog transfer is often performed instead of sample rate conversion.
Time Code 00:00:00:00 at power-up. When switching to record run from another mode, the internal generator will stop at the last number generated. A user-defined value can be jammed into the internal generator from the jam menu. Continuous Jam: The onboard time code generator will re-jam from external time code whenever time code is connected to the TC input. Similar to free run mode, the generator runs continuously without regard to record mode.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Jam Value Press enter (tone key) or the controller button to jam the user-entered time code start value into the internal generator. Edit Value This menu allows the user to set any valid time code value (00:00:00:00–23:59:59:29) for entry with the jam value selection above. The initial screen of this menu shows the currently set value as well as the current time code setting of the 744T. Press the controller or the enter key (tone key) to enter into edit mode.
File Formats Audio File Formats The 744T records audio to industry-standard file formats—Windows Wave (WAV), Broadcast Wave (BWF, monaural and polyphonic) and MPEG Layer 3 (MP3). WAV / BWF The 744T adheres to the AES-31 BWF file specification. The filename extension is user-selectable between .WAV or .BWF. There is no difference between the two file types except for the extension. Users wishing to record “standard” wave files should select the .WAV extension.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Recording The largest, most easily accessed control on the 744T is its record key. Recording takes priority over all activity except for disk formatting, disk speed tests, and file transfers. The 744T will immediately enter record mode whenever the record key is pressed. When recording, the adjacent red LED will illuminate to indicate that the unit is in record mode. If no inputs are routed to tracks, recording cannot take place.
Storage Medium AutoPlay The 744T can be set to play back all valid audio files in a directory. Files will play back in their order in the directory.
744T User Guide and Technical Information When selected from the setup menu, the repair utility will scan the drive for problems, report the number of errors and correct the errors. Drive Type The 744T ships with a 2.5-inch ATA-5 interface, 4200 RPM hard drive. Sound Devices has chosen the specific mechanism for maximum vibration and shock resistance. Most 2.5 inch drives conforming to the ATA specification can be substituted for the factory hard drive.
Storage Medium require specific electronics knowledge, Sound Devices strongly recommends drive replacement be performed by a qualified technician using proper ESD precautions. Drive replacement done by a qualified technician has no warranty implications. 744T with bottom panel removed showing hard drive mounting location The internal hard drive is not intended as a swappable exchange medium. Only qualified service technician using proper ESD precautions should perform drive replacement.
744T User Guide and Technical Information After recording is stopped, it can take several seconds for the 744T to finish “housekeeping” on CF. When preparing to remove the CF, always observe the amber activity LED for the CF medium. If it is lit, wait until it goes out before removing the CF. If the CF is removed while the LED is lit, at the very least the file will be corrupted and there is a possibility of FAT corruption as well. Testing CF cards varied widely in their write/read throughput.
File Management Take Numbers Take numbers are four-digit integers between 0001 and 9999, starting with the letter “T”. Take numbers increase by one each time a new file is generated. Take numbers auto-increment, although the take number can be overridden and a new take number can be selected selected in the setup menu.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Larger files take added time to show details; this is normal. File Directory Screen The file directory screen contains information about the individual audio files contained in the directory. The left side of the display shows files and folders. The top line displays the directory path in the form of media\folder name. File names are listed in the order they were recorded.
File Management Automatic Flag Clearing The 744T can be set to clear the flag bit of copied files automatically. When enabled in the File: Copy Flag Control menu, all files copied internally by the 744T, but not via FireWire, will have their flag bits cleared on the original file. Folders Files generated by the 744T are placed in either the root SOUNDDEV folder or a daily sub-folder within the SOUNDDEV folder.
744T User Guide and Technical Information size maximums of 650 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, and 4 GB. The 650 MB size allows the user to break an audio program into CD-R sized files for backup to inexpensive CD-R medium. File Copying – Between Internal Drives Audio files are easily transferred between CF and the 744T’s hard drive. File transfer is initiated with the setup menu option File:Copy File Select.
Powering CompactFlash media must be present in the 744T upon FireWire connection to be properly mounted by the host computer. CF media may not be “hot-swapped” after mounting—directory corruption may occur. If the CF slot is empty when the 744T is connected to the host system, a drive letter will still be assigned, but will not be accessible. To connect the 744T for FireWire transfer: 1. Stop all playback and recording activity. 2. Interconnect the 744T to the host computer. 3.
744T User Guide and Technical Information The voltage level of the source powering the unit is shows on the LCD ( ). When the 744T senses a low voltage condition from an external DC source the power LED and battery voltage display flashes, to alert the user. When the external DC reaches 9 volts, the 744T will automatically switch over to its removable battery. If no battery is installed the unit will shut down.
Firmware Firmware Upgrades The 744T uses upgradable EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) to hold the unit’s operating system software, or firmware. Firmware is the source code which controls all aspects of the device, including: menu options, signal routing, signal processing, LED’s, controls, and data ports. Version Information During manufacturing the unit’s hardware revision number and serial number are burned into a protected area of the EEPROM and are not changeable.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Setup Menu Presets Presets are useful shortcuts to speed setting the numerous parameters available in the setup menu. The 744T has four built-in presets and unlimited user presets. Built-In Presets The 744T is shipped from the factory with the factory preset applied. Its settings are listed below. Three additional presets, film, reporter, and music presets allow for quick setup of typical parameters for the defined application.
Setup Menu Parameter Factory Preset Film Preset Reporter Preset Music Preset Line Output Source Line Output Attenuation HPMon1 HPMon2 HPMon3 HPMon4 HPMon5 HPMon6 HPMon7 HPMon8 HPMon9 HPMon10 HPMon11 HPMon12 HPMon13 HPMon14 HPMon15 Tr C/D 0 inputs1/2 inputs 3/4 tracks A/B tracks C/D input 1 input 2 input 3 input 4 mon A/B mon C/D end of list - Tr C/D 0 inputs1/2 inputs 3/4 tracks A/B tracks C/D input 1 input 2 input 3 input 4 mon A/B mon C/D end of list - Tr C/D 0 inputs1/2 inputs 3/4 tracks A/B tra
744T User Guide and Technical Information Setup Menu The setup menu controls a wide range of parameters for the 744T, including all audio routing, recording settings, and time code options. The setup menu is a single, flat architecture with no submenus, easing navigation. Each setup controls a specific parameter with several selections. The chart below shows the setup number, a description of the control, and the menu options available.
Setup Menu # Setup Name Setup Description Setup Parameters 11 Rec: Timer Stop Set a specific time/date to stop recording. May be used with or without the Rec: Timer Start. May be set before the Timer Start time to temporarily stop recording and then resume recording with Timer Start. 12 Rec: Error Handler Sets the behavior when a hard drive write error occurs.
744T User Guide and Technical Information # Setup Name Setup Description Setup Parameters 35 File: Marker Mode Enables the user to set cue points on the fly while recording by pressing the record key. • Markers disabled No cue marks are set. • New Cue Cue markers will be set within one contiguous file. • New File A new file is started with each press of the record key, the take counter is increased by one.
Setup Menu # Setup Name Setup Description Setup Parameters 42 Time Code: Frame Rate Sets the time code frame rate. All common time code frame rates are available. • 23.976 – used with high definition video cameras • 24 – to sync audio to film where no transfer to NTSC video is expected • 25 – to sync sound to PAL video • 29.97 – to sync sound to NTSC video shot in non-drop frame mode • 29.
744T User Guide and Technical Information # Setup Name Setup Description Setup Parameters 48 Output 2 L,R: Source Selects the signal source for output bus 2 sent to digital output bus 2. • inputs 1 / 2 • inputs 3 / 4 • tracks A / B • tracks C / D • monitor A / B (post-record monitor) • monitor C / D (post-record monitor) 49 Output 2 L,R: Attenuation Selects the attenuation level of the signal output to bus 2.
Setup Menu # Setup Name Setup Description Setup Parameters 60 HP: Favorite Mode Selects the audio source monitored when the Multi-Function Controller is pressed during recording or playback. 61 HP: Playback Mode Selects the audio source sent to headphones upon playback. 62 HP: Warning Bell Level Set the output level of the multi-function warning bell.
744T User Guide and Technical Information # 72 Setup Name CF: (Erase) Setup Description Setup Parameters Formats installed Compact Flash medium Caution, while various PC utilities are able to recover files from re-formatted drives, once formatted, old audio data is not accessible by the 744T. 50 73 CF: Repair Runs a utility that will repair minor errors in the directory structure of the Compact Flash.
Specifications Specifications System Sampling Frequency internal: 32, 44.1, 48, 48.048, 88.2, 96, 96.096, 176.4, 192 kHz external: 32–192 kHz via word clock input Internal Data Path and Processing 32 bit, 192 dB dynamic range A/D, D/A Converters 24 bit, 192 kHz sample rate maximum.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Inputs/Outputs – Digital AES3-id 75 ohm, 0.5 V p-p, S/PDIF compatible with RCA adapter Digital Storage Internal hard drive ATA-5 interface 1.8-in or 2.
Specifications Connector Pin Assignments Each connector type, electrical characteristics, and pin assignment is shown below.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Recording Time Calculation The calculation of available 744T recording time involves three factors: • track count - how many concurrent audio tracks are selected for recording. • data rate - calculated from the sample rate and bit depth for non-compressed audio and by bit rate for data compressed audio. Data rate determines how big the data “container” is for the audio signal (see the calculation below for determining PCM audio).
Recording Time Calculation MP3 Compressed Record Time in Hours (1000 MB = 1 GB) Storage in GB MP3 Data Rate (bit depth/sample rate), stereo track 64 kb/s 96 kb/s 128 kb/s 160 kb/s 192 kb/s 256 kb/s 320 kb/s (0.47 MB/min) (0.70 MB/min) (0.94 MB/min) (1.17 MB/min) (1.40 MB/min) (1.86 MB/min) (2.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Accessories Included Accessories The accessories below are included with the 744T: • worldwide (100–240 VAC to 12 VDC) power supply • Li-ion rechargeable battery, 1500 mAh • a nice man-bag Optional Accessories The above accessories are just the start of building a flexible recording kit that can accommodate multiple types of connections.
Keyboard Shortcuts Menu Navigation Shortcuts To speed navigation the 744T has numerous navigation “shortcuts”. The following is a complete list. acts as an escape key and exits from most menus and functions immediately drops all functions except file copy and begins recording + press simultaneously to enter the time code jam menu + press backlight then tone to lock all front panel buttons except for Record, Stop and Play. FF and Rev are available in playback mode.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Glossary of Terms daily folder a directory generated by the recorder each calendar day. dither the process of adding noise to an audio signal to increase the accuracy of low-level signals when bit-reducing a digital bit stream. In general, dither should be engaged if reduction from 24 bit to 16 bit audio is needed. LED (l)ight (e)mitting (d)iode. The 744T uses ultra-efficient GaN LEDs for all positions. LED brightness is fully variable.
Warranty and Support Warranty and Technical Support Warranty Sound Devices, LLC warrants the 744T Portable Audio Recorder against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE (1) year from date of original retail purchase. This is a non-transferable warranty that extends only to the original purchaser. Sound Devices, LLC will repair or replace the product at its discretion at no charge. Warranty claims due to severe service conditions will be addressed on an individual basis.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Software License End-user license agreement for Sound Devices 7-Series Embedded Software / Firmware Important Read carefully: This Sound Devices, LLC end-user license agreement (“EULA”) is a legal agreement between you (either an individual or a single entity) and Sound Devices, LLC for the Sound Devices, LLC software product identified above, which includes computer software, embedded software, and may include associated media, printed materials, and “online” or e
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