Sound Devices 664 User Manual And Technical Infromation
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Sound Devices Manuals
  4. Music Mixer
  5. 664
  6. User manual and technical infromation

Sound Devices 664 User Manual And Technical Infromation

Portable production mixer and recorder
Hide thumbs Also See for 664:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual See also: User Manual
664
Portable Production Mixer and Recorder
User Guide and Technical Information
firmware rev. 2.02
interstage
Phistersvej 31, 2900 Hellerup, Danmark
Telefon 3946 0000, fax 3946 0040
www.interstage.dk
- pro audio with a smile
UDMA
E7556 State Rd. 23 and 33, Reedsburg, WI, USA
www.sounddevices.com
+1 (608) 524-0625 • Toll-Free: (800) 505-0625 • fax: +1 (608) 524-0655
support@sounddevices.com

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the 664 and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for Sound Devices 664

Summary of Contents for Sound Devices 664

  • Page 1 Portable Production Mixer and Recorder User Guide and Technical Information firmware rev. 2.02 interstage Phistersvej 31, 2900 Hellerup, Danmark Telefon 3946 0000, fax 3946 0040 www.interstage.dk - pro audio with a smile UDMA E7556 State Rd. 23 and 33, Reedsburg, WI, USA www.sounddevices.com +1 (608) 524-0625 •...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Table of Contents Panel Descriptions Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Right Panel .
  • Page 4 Mixer Linking Linking the 664 With Another 664 or 552 Mixer . . . . . 45 Linking to Other Mixers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Powering External Powering .
  • Page 5 664 User Guide and Technical Information Wave Agent Declaration of Conformity Warranty and Technical Support...

  • Page 6: Limitation Of Liability

    LATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF ITS CONTRACTS WITH ITS CUSTOMERS OR OTHER THIRD PARTIES. NOTWITHSTANDING AND WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL SOUND DEVICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY AMOUNT OF DAMAGES IN EXCESS OF AMOUNTS PAID BY THE END USER FOR THE PRODUCTS AS TO WHICH ANY LIABILITY HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO EXIST.

  • Page 7: New Features

    Firmware Revision Notice Version 2.03 This notice applies to the 664. This document describes new features in version 2.03 of the firmware as well as changes to existing features that might have become available after the included user guide was published. The most up-to-date documentation for your Sound Devices product can be found online at: http://www.sounddevices.com/download/.
  • Page 8 6. When the Confirmation dialog appears, select OK to confirm. Word Clock Sensitivity In this firmware release, a new menu option is available letting you adjust sensitivity to allow the 664 to work with lower-level word clock sources. To set the sensitivity: 1.

  • Page 9: Panel Descriptions

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Panel Descriptions Front Panel Input Fader Input LED Primary control for adjusting the level of Indicates input signal activity. Illuminates an input during operation. Ranges from in various colors and intensities to show off to +15 dB. Nominal setting is in the signal level and activity.
  • Page 10 664 User Guide and Technical Information Internal Time code LED Slate Mic LED When the 664 is powered down and time Illuminates green when Slate Mic or COM code Mode is Freerun or 24-Hour Run, is active. the Internal Time code LED will flash...

  • Page 11: Left Panel

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Left Panel XLR-3F Analog Inputs 1-6 Slate Mic Input Active-balanced analog microphone- or TA3 input for connecting external slate line-level input for inputs 1-6 on XLR-3F microphone. Select between internal or connector. Input type is set within the external slate mic (with or without 12V Input Settings Screen.
  • Page 12 Accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with the notched corner oriented toward the Link I/O top of the 664. High speed class 10 cards Used to link additional Sound Devices are recommended. Insert until it clicks 664, 552, 302, 442, or MixPre mixers.

  • Page 13: Rear Panel

    Program assigned to COM output from internal recorder to external digital audio Setup Menu. devices. TA3 COM Return BNC Word Clock Output Line-level input for return feed from on- Provides word clock signal to synchronize set communications sources. external digital audio devices to the 664.

  • Page 14: Screen Overview

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Screen Overview Main Screen The Main Screen displays important information at-a-glance. The Main Screen can be accessed quickly from any other screen by pressing the Meters button. Display of the sample rate information and time code frame rate information can be “swapped” by holding the Meters button and Sliding the RTN Switch to the left.

  • Page 15: Lcd Daylight Mode

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Bus tracks RTN during gain adjustment Return inputs Return gain (during adjustment) SMPTE Timecode Absolute recording time Timecode frame rate Time and date LCD Daylight Mode When engaged, LCD Daylight Mode changes the color scheme of the user interface to be more easily viewable in environments with bright ambient light or direct sunlight.

  • Page 16: Input Setup And Control

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Input Setup and Control The 664 has six, full-featured audio inputs on XLR-3F connectors and six direct outputs on TA3 con- nectors. The direct outputs can optionally be used as line inputs (see 12 Channel Mode).
  • Page 17 664 User Guide and Technical Information 2) Input Meter Displays the Input’s signal level and limiting activity. The level displayed is the level to the Iso Track and will be pre- or post-fade depending on the Iso Track Status. Meter ballistics can be set globally from VU or Peak+VU in Setup Menu item SYSTEM >...

  • Page 18: Phantom Power

    Trim control. Once the coarse gain is set to the desired level, press the Trim control to hide it from the 664’s mixing surface. Analog trim level is adjustable from +22 to +72 dB of gain.

  • Page 19: High-Pass Filter

    When possible, attempt to equalize at the sound source with microphone selection, placement, windscreens, and onboard microphone filtering. Many microphones have on-board high pass filters. Use the high-pass filters on the 664 in conjunction with the microphone’s filter to increase the filter’s slope.

  • Page 20: Digital Inputs

    The 664 accepts AES3 (AES/EBU) balanced, AES42 (Mode 1) balanced, and AES3id unbalanced digi- tal signals on the Input 1 and Input 6 XLR-3F connectors. The 664 auto-detects between AES3 and AES3id digital signals and adjust accordingly. Digital input gain is controlled from the front panel faders.

  • Page 21: Channel Mode

    Input 5 (Available when Input 6 source is set to AES) XLR-3F Input 6, Right Channel Input 6 The 664’s digital inputs are sample rate converted to the internal recorder’s sample rate. To sync the sample rate of the 664’s internal recorder to external digital audio devices, see Sampling Rate.
  • Page 22 664 User Guide and Technical Information White box indicates selected parameter. Rotate Select Encoder to adjust value. Press Select Encoder to move to next parameter (HPF, Trim, Fader). Press Headphone Encoder to set to Line Input, Direct Output, or Off.

  • Page 23: Limiters

    Limiters prevent clipping by attenuating signals that surpass a set threshold. The amount of attenua- tion is defined by the “ratio” of the limiter and expressed as two numbers. All 664 limiters use a 20:1 compression ratio. This means that signal that exceeds the threshold by 20 dB will exit the limiting stage at only 1 dB above the threshold.

  • Page 24: Metering

    Audio meter “ballistics” is the manner in which a visual meter responds to audio signal levels. The ballistics of all 664 meters is set globally from Setup Menu option SYSTEM > Meter Ballistics. VU (volume units) meter ballistics correspond closely to how the human ear perceives loudness.

  • Page 25: Input Activity Led

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Peak Hold When Peak Metering is enabled (Peak Only or Peak + VU), peak hold displays the last high- est peak value on the meter as a separate, individual meter segment. By default this meter segment will remain visible for 1 second.

  • Page 26: Headphone Monitoring

    Headphone gain during adjustment Headphone Encoder The 664 can drive headphones to dangerously high volumes. Turn down the headphone gain before selecting a headphone source to prevent accidental signal extremes. Headphone Source Selection By default, to select the monitor source: Press the Headphone Encoder while viewing the Main Screen.

  • Page 27: Headphone Tones

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Headphone Encoder Mode The functions for selecting a monitor source and adjusting headphone gain can be switched by setting Setup Menu option SYSTEM > Headphone Encoder Mode to Preset/Vol. When this mode is engaged, turning the Headphone Encoder from the Main Screen will select monitor sources. To adjust the headphone gain from the Main Screen, press the Headphone Encoder and then turn the Headphone Encoder to adjust headphone gain.

  • Page 28: Pfl (Channel Solo Monitor)

    664 User Guide and Technical Information PFL (Channel Solo Monitor) Slide the PFL switch left to activate, and again to deactivate. For momen- tary action, hold the switch left for one second or longer. PFL stands for “Pre-Fade Listen”. When any input’s PFL is activated, the currently selected Monitor Source is replaced with the PFL mix program.
  • Page 29 664 User Guide and Technical Information RTN during level adjustment Input gain of RTN A (during adjustment) RTN monitoring will cancel the PFL mix program when activated.

  • Page 30: Output Setup And Control

    AES digital input signals are not available on direct outputs. Tape Output The 664 includes two unbalanced tape level outputs, a TA3 connector and a 3.5 mm jack. These two connectors are resistively in parallel and are isolated from the balanced outputs.

  • Page 31: Master And Aux Bus Level

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Tape Outputs, by default, send the Left and Right stereo program. The Tape outputs can be used to send the incoming RTN A, RTN B, or RTN C signals directly to receiving devices from Setup Menu option OUTPUTS >...

  • Page 32: Com Setup

    By default, the Com Send program will mute when slate communication is engaged. This helps the boom operator hear the voice of the 664 operator. This behavior can be disabled so that the Com Send program is not muted when communication is engaged via the Setup Menu option COMMS/RETURNS >...

  • Page 33: Slate/Com Mic & Tone Oscillator

    COMMS/RETURNS > Program Auto-Mute. Internal Slate Mic The default slate mic is the 664’s internal slate microphone. The 664’s built-in slate microphone is used to notate scenes from the mixer location. Its audio performance is not suitable for critical recording applications; it should be used for documenting scenes and for communication purposes only.

  • Page 34: Transport Control

    Recording Tracks Each input of the 664 has a corresponding “ISO” Track that it is permanently routed to. The routing of ISO Tracks 1-6 can be adjusted to pre- or post-fade (see Input Setup and Control).

  • Page 35: Track Arming

    Input Selection set to Off), the track label will be black. Track-to-Media Routing The 664 supports simultaneous recording to CF and SD media. See Recording Media for details. default, all armed tracks are recorded to both cards as a polyphonic WAV file. Recording options are set independently for each memory card from the Setup Menu items RECORDER >...

  • Page 36: Sampling Rate

    Track Name Display Style Left Left (w/ramp) Right Sampling Rate The 664’s digital audio recorder can record at the following sampling rates: • 44.1 kHz • 48 kHz • 47.952 kHz • 48.048 kHz • 47.952 kHz “F” (files stamped 48 kHz) •...

  • Page 37: Bit Depth

    By default the 664 recorder uses its own internal clock to generate its sampling rate. The BNC Word Clock input and Word Clock output on the rear of the 664 can be used to clock the 664 from an exter- nal word clock signal or to synchronize external audio devices to the 664’s word clock.

  • Page 38: Time Code

    All files generated by the 664 have time code numbers that begin on the 0 frame (or 02 in DF modes) and end on the 0 frame such that a file’s duration is always an integer number of seconds long. If necessary, pre-roll and post-roll is dynamically applied to accomplish this.
  • Page 39 Reader mode. The internal time code generator follows an external time code signal appearing at the time code input. If the external time code is removed the internal generator stops as well. The 664 au- tomatically begins recording when running time code is sensed. When stopped time code is sensed,...
  • Page 40 External user bits Internal user bits To jam the 664’s internal time code (and User Bits) to external time code, press the Headphone Con- troller while the Jam Menu is displayed. To leave the Jam Menu without jamming to external time code, press the Menu Button or the Meters Button.
  • Page 41 Setup Menu option TIMECODE/SYNC > Hold Off before beginning recording. Run- ning time code lasting less than the Time code Hold Off value will not trigger a recording on the 664. Things to consider when using Time code Hold Off: • This feature only applies in Ext-TC Auto-Rec and Ext-TC Auto-Rec/Cont.

  • Page 42: Pre-Roll

    664 can be formatted with Setup Menu option FILE STORAGE > Erase/Format CF and FILE STORAGE > Erase/Format SD respectively. The 664 formats CF and SD cards of 32 GB or less with the FAT32 file system. Cards with a capacity greater than 32 GB are formatted with the exFAT file system.
  • Page 43 664 User Guide and Technical Information The exFAT file system is not compatible with Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.6.4 or lower. Visit www.sounddevices.com/approved for an up-to-date list of tested and approved cards. File List The File List displays all files on the CF or SD card. To access the File List, select Setup Menu option FILE STORAGE >...
  • Page 44 The 664 records audio to the industry-standard Broadcast Wave file format. Additionally, the 664 can record to MP3 format. Recording WAV or MP3 is selectable per media, from the Setup Menu items RECORDER > Record to CF, and RECORDER > Record to SD. The 664 can write files to both cards simultaneously.

  • Page 45: Folder Options

    Folder Options All files generated by the 664 can be saved to the Root directory, a Project Folder, a Daily (Roll) Fold- er, or a Scene Folder (Files are saved to the Root directory by default). File organization is managed in the Setup Menu option FILE STORAGE >...

  • Page 46: Automatic File Splitting

    664 User Guide and Technical Information the date. Whenever a new day occurs, the 664 will prompt asking if the user would like to create a new daily folder. With an example date of August 20th, 2012, the naming format of the daily folder would be: 12Y08M20.

  • Page 47: Generating Sound Reports

    • Notes • Length Generating Sound Reports A sound report can be generated for all the files in any folder on the 664. Sound reports are created from the File List. To generate a sound report: 1. Press and hold the Menu Button and then press the Headphone Encoder to access the Take List.

  • Page 48: Take Management

    664 User Guide and Technical Information 3. To create a sound report for the files at the root level of the CF or SD card, highlight the desired card and skip to the next step. To create a sound report for one folder only, use the Headphone Encoder to navigate to the folder and highlight it (do not go into the foldeR).
  • Page 49 664 User Guide and Technical Information 3. Rotate the Headphone Encoder to select Take. 4. Using the Headphone Encoder in the numeric entry dialog, enter a new take number. The next take will use this take numbers and subsequent takes will increment from this number until the take number is reset.

  • Page 50: Playback

    Playback The 664 can play back any file it has recorded. To play back the last file recorded or loaded, press the Play Button. In the Take List or File List, pressing the Play button will initiate playback of the high- lighted take.
  • Page 51 Input PFL switches will solo the respective ISO track of the playing file to the headphone output. WAV files recorded on the 664 will play back to tracks as they were recorded. MP3 files recorded on the 664 will always play back to the L and R tracks.

  • Page 52: Using A Usb Keyboard

    Using a USB Keyboard To aid in navigation and data entry, a standard USB keyboard can be connected to the 664. To use a USB keyboard, connect the male USB A plug of the keyboard into the supplied USB A female adapt- er, then connect the keyboard to the left panel USB B jack on the 664 with the supplied USB cable.

  • Page 53: Mixer Linking

    To Link the 664 to another 664 or 552 mixer: 1. Connect the Link I/O of the 664 to the Link I/O of the other 664 or 552 mixer using a TA5F to TA5F cable (Sound Devices XL-TA55 optional accessory). This will send the stereo mix of each mixer directly to the stereo output bus of both mixers.
  • Page 54 To link a Sound Devices MixPre-D to a 664. 1. Connect the Link I/O of the 664 to the Tape Out of a MixPre-D using a Sound Devices XL- TA25. This sends the stereo mix of both mixers directly to the stereo Master Bus of the 664.

  • Page 55: Powering

    External Powering The 664 can be powered from any DC voltage from 10 to 18 VDC. Pin-4 of the locking, Hirose con- nector is positive (+) and pin-1 is negative (–). The external DC supply is fully isolated (floating) from the rest of the mixer for easy and safe interconnection with other external audio gear.

  • Page 56: Power Consumption

    This will be reflected on the DC Voltage Indicator. Power Consumption The 664 varies in the amount of current it draws. Several features of the 664 directly affect current draw in different ways. The following list highlights the larger current drawing functions.

  • Page 57: Storing And Recalling Settings

    Storing and Recalling Settings The 664 can store and recall user settings to User Setup Files on the SD card, CF card, or internal memory. User Setup Files contain all settings made in the Setup Menu and all Input Settings (includ- ing routing).

  • Page 58: Time And Date Settings

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Time and Date Settings Properly setting the time and date is important for file metadata, file system functioning, and some time code functions. To set the time and date, access Setup Menu option SYSTEM > Set Time/Date.

  • Page 59: Setup Menu

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Setup Menu The chart below shows the Setup Menu number, Function name, a description of the control, options available within that menu, and the factory default setting. Inputs Parameter Name Description Options Ch 1-2 Linking Links channels 1 and 2 with or without Mid/Side »...

  • Page 60: Limiters

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Parameter Name Description Options TA3 R-Out Select the analog output level of the R TA3 output. • Mic » Line • -10 TA3-X1 Out Select the analog output level of the Aux 1 TA3 output. • Mic »...

  • Page 61: Comms/Returns

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Parameter Name Description Options Record to SD Sets the type of file and which tracks to record to the • Off SD card. » Wav Poly • Wav Poly (ISOs Only) • Wav Poly (LR Only) •...

  • Page 62: Timecode/Sync

    Hold Off Sets the duration that a valid time code signal has to • 0.0-8.0 s (0.1 second increment) be recognized by the 664 before generating a new » 0.0 seconds take while in Ext TC-Auto Record and Ext TC/cont- Auto Record modes.

  • Page 63: System

    • Tone Level (<Current Selection>) Max File Size Selects the file size when the 664 will close, then » 4GB start a new file. The 664 will not record a file • 2GB larger than the selected size. • 1GB •...

  • Page 64: Specifications

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Parameter Name Description Options Tone Mode Continuous tone generates tone a the set tone level » Continuous to all bus tracks. L Ident mode pulses the amplitude of • L Ident tone to the Left channel of the Master Bus by -20dB.

  • Page 65: Quick Setup

    Parameter Name Description Options Set Time/Date Displays a dialog where the 664 time and date can be set. When highlighter is orange, turn Headphone Encoder to highlight a field and press Headphone Encoder to edit. When highlighter is blue, turn Headphone Encoder to change the value, and press Headphone Encoder to accept the value.

  • Page 66: Front Panel Button Shortcuts

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Front Panel Button Shortcuts To speed navigation the 664 has numerous navigation “shortcuts”. For combinations, press and hold down the first identified key then press the next identified key(s). Function Key Sequence Action Press and hold the Headphone Encoder then slide the Transport Control left (Rewind).
  • Page 67 664 User Guide and Technical Information Function Key Sequence Action Press and hold the Menu button then rotate the Headphone Encoder. Adjusts the brightness of all LED’s. LED Brightness Press and hold the Menu button then rotate the Select Encoder.

  • Page 68: Connector Pin Assignments

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Connector Pin Assignments Connector Pin Assignments Notes (6) XLR-3F 1 – ground Mic- and Line-level balanced. For unbalanced, pin 1 and Analog Inputs 1-6 2 – signal (+) pin 3 tied together = ground, pin 2 = positive.
  • Page 69 Pin Assignments Notes (1) 5-Pin 1 – HP L Used to link the 664 to Sound Devices MixPre, MixPre-D, Mixer Link I/O 2 – HP R 302, 442, 552, or 664 Field Mixers. Mates with Sound 3 – Mix R Devices XL-TA25, XL-35, and XL-TA55 optional accessory 4 –...

  • Page 70: Routing Diagram

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Routing Diagram Tracks Direct Outputs RTN A RTN B RTN C COM RTN LR Outputs AUX Outputs AES Outputs A, B, C, D Monitor Left Monitor Right = Route Switch = Route Assignment COM Send...

  • Page 71: Analog Inputs

    XLR-3F Line: Active-balanced for use with ≤2k ohm outputs RTN A,B,C (3.5 mm/10-pin): Unbalanced stereo for use with ≤2k ohm outputs Link I/O: Unbalanced stereo for linking to Sound Devices MixPre, 302, 442, 552, and 664. Input Impedance XLR-3F Mic: 4k ohms...

  • Page 72: Analog Outputs

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Analog Outputs XLR-3M Line: Transformer-balanced for use with ≥600 ohm inputs Output Type XLR-3M -10: Transformer-balanced for use with ≥10k ohm inputs XLR-3M Mic: Transformer-balanced for use with ≥600 ohm inputs 10-pin Hirose Line: Transformer-balanced for use with ≥600 ohm inputs 10-pin Hirose -10: Transformer-balanced for use with ≥10k ohm inputs...

  • Page 73: Timecode And Sync

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Sampling Clock Accuracy ± 0.2ppm Timecode and Sync Modes Supported Off, Rec Run, Free Run, 24h Run, External Frame Rates 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97DF, 29.97ND, 30DF, 30ND Accuracy Ambient Generator, 0.2ppm (0.5 frames per 24 hours) accuracy. Holds TC clock for two...
  • Page 74 664 User Guide and Technical Information Accessories Several high-value accessories are available for the 664, including production cases, cables, and power accessories. For a full list of Sound Devices products and accessories, visit our web site www.sounddevices.com/products. Optional 664 Related Accessories...

  • Page 75: Wave Agent

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Wave Agent Wave Agent Beta is a WAV file librarian for Mac OS and Windows computers. Designed for Produc- tion Sound Mixers and Post Production Editors, Wave Agent provides a comprehensive and indis- pensable range of tools for preparing audio files for problem-free passage through complex produc- tion workflows.

  • Page 76: Declaration Of Conformity

    664 User Guide and Technical Information Declaration of Conformity According to EN ISO/IEC 17050-1:2004 Manufacturer’s Name: Sound Devices, LLC Manufacturer’s Address: E7556 State Rd. 23 and 33 Reedsburg, WI 53959 Declares under sole responsibility that the product as delivered Product Name:...

  • Page 77: Warranty And Technical Support

    Sound Devices hosts a user support forum. The URL is: http://forum.sounddevices.com Sound Devices cannot guarantee that a given computer, software, or operating system configuration can be used satisfactorily with the 664 Mixer based exclusively on the fact that it meets our minimum system requirements.
  • Page 80 Phistersvej 31, 2900 Hellerup, Danmark Telefon 3946 0000, fax 3946 0040 www.interstage.dk - pro audio with a smile Sound Devices 664 - Firmware v 2.02...

Table of Contents