High resolution digital audio recorder with time code (82 pages)
Summary of Contents for Sound Devices 744T
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High Resolution Digital Audio Recorder with Time Code User Guide and Technical Information firmware rev. 2.67 SATA 2.5" HDD Sound Devices, LLC E7556 State Rd. 23/33 • Reedsburg, WI • USA +1 (608) 524-0625 • fax: +1 (608) 524-0655 Toll-Free: (800) 505-0625 www.sounddevices.com...
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744T User Guide and Technical Information Welcome Thank you for purchasing the 744T. The ultra-compact 744T records and plays back audio to and from its internal hard drive, CompactFlash, or external drives, making field recording simple and fast. It writes and reads uncompressed PCM audio at 16 or 24 bits with sampling rates between 32 kHz and 192 kHz.
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.
Quick Start Guide The 744T is an extremely powerful and flexible portable audio recorder. Before recording, please familiarize yourself with the product. Several settings should be verified or set based on individual recording needs. Powering the Unit Apply power to the unit by attaching the (included) removable, rechargeable Li-ion (lithium ion) bat- tery to the back panel battery mount.
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 256 possible routing combinations are shown on the front panel with 16 blue LEDs.
Files on the 744T can be treated as if they are local files, including renaming files, copying, deleting and playing directly from the 744T hard drive. In general, it is good practice to copy audio files from the 744T to a computer before any processing is performed on the files.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Front Panel Descriptions All 744T settings 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 transmit- ters and receivers.
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A-time on Power Key LCD. Fast forward rate increases the lon- Press and hold to power up the 744T. ger the key is held. In play-stop mode Press and hold to power down. (indicated by flashing filename on LCD)
Panel Lock Press and hold the backlight key then the tone key to bring up the front panel Button Lock Screen. Button lock prevents unintentional changing of settings or record status.The 744T displays any but- ton lock options enabled. select the soft buttons to...
If a drive is not attached the indicator Alternating display between the set date shows dashed lines. Bar graph indicates and time of the 744T. This information is amount of record time remaining on written as the creation and modification the external FireWire volume.
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External Digital Clock Indicator descriptor indicates media selected for record monitoring, playback or file directory display. The 744T is locked to a valid external digital or word clock source for record- ing when the L is in the display. v. 2.67...
Headphone Volume Mic-Line-AES3 Input Switch Adjusts the headphone volume. NOTE: Selects the input level and mode of the the 744T is capable of producing ear- associated XLR input connector. damaging levels in headphones. TA3 Channel 3&4 Line Inputs Tape Output Active-balanced line-level input connec- Unbalanced tape (–10 dBV nominal)
Unbalanced digital output, two-channel, Also used to attach external FAT32-for- for the Master Output Bus. Signal source matted FireWire drives to the 744T for is menu-selected and is identical to the direct recording and copying. Analog Master Output Bus signal.
Back Panel Descriptions Security Slot Battery Mount Compatible with the Kensington Secu- Accepts Sony InfoLithium L- or M- ® ® rity Slot specification. Useful for secur- Series batteries. Also accepts batteries ing the recorder to a fixed object with a conforming to this mount.
Input Setup and Control The 744T has four inputs and four record tracks. Inputs can be analog or digital sources. Analog inputs 1 and 2 use XLR connectors; inputs 3 and 4 use TA3 connections. Digital inputs can be either AES3 (balanced at the XLR) or AES3id (on BNC) inputs.
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Shortcut: To toggle phantom power without entering the menus, press and hold the tone key then press the menu key for channel 1. Channel 2 phantom can be toggled by pressing the tone key then 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.
3 and 4 are adjusted only in the setup menu. Digital Inputs – AES3 The 744T accepts AES3 (AES/EBU) balanced digital at the XLR connectors. Digital inputs are in pairs—AES3 signals on XLR-1 appear at inputs 1 and 2, AES3 signals input to XLR-2 appear at in- puts 3 and 4.
744T. The 744T clocks itself to the first digital signal presented to it. If the 744T detects a digital signal on the BNC inputs and locks to that signal, a digital signal applied to the XLR input will be ignored until the first digital signal is removed.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Input-to-Track Routing The 744T uses a flexible routing scheme to assign inputs and tracks for recording. The input matrix allows any input to be routed to any recording track. Multiple inputs can be routed to a single track to create mono-mixed recordings.
Sampling rates are selected among common rates from 32 kHz to 192 kHz. Additionally, non- standard sampling rates can be applied when the 744T is word clocked from an external source (clock sources between 32 kHz and 192 kHz). When recording off-speed sampling rates files will be...
16 bit, meaning the least significant 8 bits are discarded. Once a file is recorded its sampling rate and bit depth can not be changed in the recorder. The 744T does not perform sample rate conversion or bit depth changes. File conversion must be done in another environment, such as an audio workstation.
If the 744T is slaved to external word clock, be certain that the source is stable. Loss of the word clock signal during recording can cause the 744T to revert back to its internally set sampling frequency.
Serious damage to the recorder could result. Outputs – Analog and Digital The 744T has two two-channel output buses , the Master Output Bus and Output Bus 2. Each of these buses is assigned audio sources independently, enabling the 744T to feed multiple outputs with unique program.
Available Output Sources Description Input 1 Inputs are assignable for each channel of the output bus. Input 2 When inputs are selected as the source for the outputs, the state of recording or playback activity has no Input 3 effect on the output signal. This allow uninterrupted audio at the outputs. Input 4 Track A Track B...
Because of the record buffering topology of the 744T, a delay of up to 12 seconds can be expected before recorded audio appears at the output. The 744T will play back recorded audio from the media highlighted on the LCD panel (see...
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HP Sources Description Input 1, 1 Solo monitoring of selected input. This signal is sent to both sides of the headphones. Input 2, 2 Input 3, 3 Input 4, 4 Track A, A Solo monitoring of selected track. This signal is sent to both sides of the headphones. Track B, B Upon playback, will play as track monitor.
744T User Guide and Technical Information If you press (done) in the first headphone slot, the 744T will select a single option (Tracks A, B) for head- phone monitoring. The 10 factory presets will be erased. MS Stereo Monitoring The MS stereo mode decodes discrete Mid-Side stereo signals to a left/right stereo signal for moni- toring purposes.
Headphone Warning Tones The 744T can generate an audible beep, or warning “bell”, in the headphones when an error has occurred. The specific error will be reported on the LCD. The output level of the warning bell can be selected from off or –20 to –12 dBFS in the setup menu.
744T User Guide and Technical Information Metering and Display The 744T features a 76 LED (4 x 19) output meter. The DSP-controlled output meter provides a selec- tion of ballistics and lighting intensities. In addition, separate peak indicators on input channels show clipping activity.
Input Peak The 744T has a peak LED associated with each input. These LEDs illuminate when input signal reaches –3 dBFS. There is no user-adjustment to the Input Peak LEDs. These LED’s also function as indicators of input mute activity (see Input-to-Track Routing).
(Setup Menu selected) the LEDs are toggled on and off with the LCD backlight key. LCD Gain Display By default, the 744T displays the set Bit Depth and Sampling Rate in the right-hand side of the Main LCD Display. The gain level for inputs 1 and 2 temporarily override the Bit Depth and Sampling Rate display while the input gain pots are in use.
The 744T generates SMPTE time code from this number and extrapolates it based on the time code frame rate for playback. All files generated by the 744T have time code numbers begin on the 0 frame (or 02 in DF modes). If necessary, pre-roll is dynamically applied to accomplish this. This simplifies synchronization in post-pro- duction.
47.952kF mode, the time code rate is restricted to 29.97ND, while the file is identified as 30ND. 47.952F mode is useful in applications where the 744T is recording in high-def environments with cameras at 23.97 and post production is using a straight 24 frame session.
The internal time code generator follows an external time code signal appearing at the time code input. In all of the external time code modes the time code value set on the 744T appears as the re- corded file’s time code rate value.
LCD screen; the 744T internal generator, user bits, and frame rate are shown at the bottom of the screen. To jam the 744T from an external value, press soft key next to the jam button or the Rotary Switch button. The screen will display JAMMING. Once the v.
The initial screen of this menu shows the currently set value as well as the current time code setting of the 744T. Press the Rotary Switch or the enter key (tone key) to enter into edit mode. The user can set the time code numbers in pairs (hours, minutes, seconds and frames).
2 frames = 108 frames per hour. To sync the 744T to a video camera, first determine if the camera is in drop frame or non-drop frame mode. If you, the DP or the producer are unsure about what setting to use, check with post-produc- tion, if possible.
When removing the CompactFlash from the 744T, always observe the amber CF activity LED. If it is lit, wait until it goes out before removing the CF. If you remove the CF while the LED is lit, the file will be corrupted and there is a possibility of FAT corruption as well.
Record Timer The 744T is equipped with a record start and stop timer. This allows a user to record a take at a specific time from an unattended recorder. Set the start time in the Setup Menu op- tion REC: TIMER START then set the record stop time in the Setup Menu option REC: TIMER STOP.
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. Autoplay can be set with the following options: • Disabled – auto playback is off •...
FLAC, in particular, offers data compression rates that range anywhere between 30% and 60%, depending on the audio program. Sound Devices Wave Agent Classic (www. waveagent.com) is a free Windows based software used to extract FLAC to WAV as well as combin- ing monophonic files and splitting polyphonic files.
The 744T includes iXML (revision 1.5) data in addition to the broadcast wave extension data. For iXML-aware software applications this data is available. For applications that don’t recognize iXML, this information is ignored.
165.4 82.8 The chart above shows recording time available with the 744T. Time is expressed in hours per track (track-hours) at the specified data rate supported by the 744T. If recording two tracks, divide the track hours figure by two. Similarly for four-track recording, divide track-hours by four. Note that the 744T supports additional sampling rate / bit depth combinations, however, only the most com- mon are included below.
1456.3 The chart above shows recording time available with the 744T when recording to an MP3 file. Time is expressed in hours at the specified MP3 supported by the 744T. Note that all recordings are two- channel recordings. Compressed Audio...
“-” or “T”. Take numbers can be overridden and a new take number can be set in the setup menu. If the 744T detects a file with a duplicate name in the destination folder, a letter suffix, starting with “A”...
Duplicate File Names When the 744T detects that a duplicate file name is going to be generated in any specific folder, the 744T changes the file name by adding of a letter suffix before the extension. For instance, if take numbers are reset but files are recorded to the same directory as previous files, a suffix “A”...
744T can be saved to the Root Folder, a Daily Folder, or a Scene Folder. Folder Actions All files generated by the 744T can be saved to the Root directory, a Project Folder, a Daily (Roll) Folder, or a Scene Folder (Files are saved to the Root directory by default). File organiza- tion is managed in the Setup Menu option FILE: FOLDER OPTIONS.
HDD key. By default the folder where the last recorded file or played file is located with be the folder first opened. The 744T knows this file name by reading a .txt file written to each time the unit records or plays audio.
FAT32 has a maximum individual file size limitation of 4 GB. While it is possible to have thousands of files on the 744T storage volume(s), the largest any single file may be is 4 GB. The 744T automati- cally splits an audio file before the 4 GB size is reached and begins writing to a new file. When joined in an editing program, these files match seamlessly with no samples lost.
Error Conditions: If a file is to large for the destination storage medium, the 744T will prompt to skip it or cancel copy- ing. If an error occurs during file copying, the 744T will prompt to cancel the transfer. When the destination storage medium is full, the 744T will report the error and end the transfer.
744T User Guide and Technical Information “trash” folder to temporarily hold files which have been deleted. To send a file to the trash, perform the following: Press the HDD button to enter the File Viewer. Navigate to the file to be deleted.
Take Status Takes recorded by the 744T can be marked as Circled or as No Good. Take Status is used to mark the quality of the take so that post can quickly identify which takes to use. The Take Status of the last take recorded can be quickly changed in the Take Status Menu.
Press the soft Circle (Menu) key to mark the take as Circled or press the soft No Good (HDD) key to mark the take as No Good. The check mark appears in the selected box and the 744T automatically returns to the Main Display.
Formatting the drive prevents fragmentation and reduces the likelihood of directory cor- ruption. Be certain that all files on the 744T drive have been backed up to another media before formatting. Once formatted, all data on the drive will be erased. Dynamic lists such as track names, scene names, folder options, etc...
The mechanical construction of the 744T is designed to minimize the transmission of shock to the hard drive. The drive is isolated from the chassis using special shock-reducing closed-cell foam. This material increases the amount of shock the hard drive can withstand.
CompactFlash (CF) is a practical, portable storage medium for audio recording. Its speed, capacity, and price continue to evolve to the benefit of portable recorders. The 744T can write to and read from CF cards as either its sole storage medium or simultaneously with the internal hard drive.
FAT32 volumes. Upon connection to an unformatted (or non-FAT32 formatted) external drive, the 744T will prompt the user to format the drive. If the drive is already formatted as a FAT32 volume the drive will be ready to be selected as a storage medium. The front panel drive LED will illuminate to show which drives are available for recording.
After recording to an external drive has stopped, it may take several seconds for the 744T to finish “housekeeping” on drive. This is especially true when recording to DVD-RAM disks, which generally have slower throughput than hard drives. When preparing to disconnect a FireWire drive, always observe the amber activity LED labeled EXT.
The 744T’s FireWire (IEEE-1394) port makes transfering of recorded files to a computer quick and easy. When connected to a computer, the internal hard drive and CompactFlash card of the 744T will mount to a Mac OS X or Windows computer as a local, removable mass storage volume. Using Mac Finder, Windows Explorer, or any other file utility, files can be copied, read, and deleted directly to and from the 744T hard drive.
In Windows, right-click the drive icon and select “eject.” The cable between the computer and 744T can now be disconnected. If a future connection is going to be made the cable can be left connected.
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 the removable battery. If no battery is installed the unit will shut down.
The best determination of your run time is to experiment with a given record- ing setup. The 744T power consumption varies over a range between 4 W to 20 W (12 volts), depending on ac- tive functions. The following functions have the most significant affect on power consumption: Inputs Active analog inputs increase power consumption.
CF the recorder will prompt if the path is the proper file to use. Press the Rotary Switch or the tone key to say yes. The 744T will begin firmware upgrade and validation.
PS/2 compliant computer keyboards and enable external devices to control the 744T. When us- ing the CL-1, front panel controls and menu selections on the 744T can be mapped to keyboard short- cuts, allowing for full keyboard control of the recorder. Additionally the CL-1 has contact closures for programming remote inputs or outputs.
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Goes to the end of the string being edited Assignable Shortcuts Keyboard shortcuts can be programmed to control nearly every function on the 744T. Shortcuts can select and change menu items with a simple key strokes. Combinations of computer keyboard func- tion keys, along with Control-, Alt-, and Shift- can also be programmed.
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Enter the External Keyboard Assignment Setup Menu selection. Shortcut number. Up to 50 shortcuts can be programmed Select an unassigned shortcut number for programming. If a duplicate key sequence is selected the low- est shortcut number action takes place. The example below shows the F1 key being reprogrammed. After selecting a key sequence select the desired Setup Menu item or action.
The 744T has four built-in presets and one user preset per media. 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 param- eters for the defined application.
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Factory Film Reporter Music 744T Presets Preset Preset Preset Preset Track A: Track A Track A: Track A Track A: Track A Track A: Track A Track B: Track B Track B: Track B Track B: Track B Track B: Track B...
By entering QUICK SETUP from the Setup Menu, selecting SAVE USER TO INHDD/CF the user can save or restore parameters to and from this data file. This binary file is named 744T.SUP and is saved in the SOUNDDEV directory on the medium selected in the setup menu.
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 sub- menus, 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.
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• Either scene or daily - takes reset on either change Rec: Pre-Roll Time Selects the amount of pre-roll time the 744T will 0–10 sec. @ 48 kHz add to the beginning of each file. 0–5 sec. @ 88.2–96.096 kHz 0–2 sec.
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File: Max Size Selects the file size where the 744T will close, • 4 GB CF (3.6 GB) then start a new file. The 744T will not record a file • 2 GB CF (1.8 GB) larger than the selected size.
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Ext TC-Auto Record and Ext TC/ cont-Auto Record modes. Time Code: User Bits Sets the time code user bits generated by the 744T. • Not Used – user bits are not set or output mm – month •...
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Selects the date syntax of the recorder. • mm/dd/yy • dd/mm/yy Time/Date: Set Sets the internal date and time of the 744T. <time, date> Resetting the time re-jams the internal time code Clock is not set until <done> is selected generator to the set time.
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Sample Rate and Gain of input 1 and 2 only when attenuated. LCD: Scrolling Direction Defines the direction in which the Multi-Function • Normal Rotary Switch will navigate throughout the 744T. • Reverse Meter: Ballistics Selects among five different meter ballistics set- • VU only •...
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Caution, while various PC utilities are able to re- • Empty both cover files from a re-formatted drive, once format- ted old audio data is not accessible by the 744T. INHDD: Empty Trash Allows user to delete files previously sent to the trash as well as false takes.
• German • French CL-1: Re-program The CL-1 has its own firmware which is sup- plied from the 744T. This utility updates the CL-1 firmware. CL-1: Logic Out Assign Each logic output pin can be assigned to go high • Undefined when the unit is in the selected mode.
Jam Menu Menu and HDD Enters the time code jam menu. (702T &744T Only) Button Lock Backlight and Tone Press backlight then tone to lock all front panel buttons except for Re- cord, Stop and Play.
XL-1B TA3F to TA3F cable, connects the direct outputs of a Sound Devices 442 mixer to the 744T’s analog inputs 3 and 4, also used to connect analog outputs to third-party devices with TA3M inputs, 12-inch.
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XLR-F inputs, 25-inch; package of two. XL-2F XLR-F to TA3F cable, used to connect microphones, mixers, and other devices with XLR-M outputs to the 744T analog inputs 3 and 4, 25-inch; package of two. XL-4 Bag of four (4) TA3-F-type connectors.
According to ISO/IEC Guide 22 Sound Devices, LLC 300 Wengel Drive Reedsburg, WI 53959 USA declares that the product, 744T Professional Digital Audio Recorder is in conformity with and passes: 89/336/EEC EMC Directive EN55103-1, 1997 EMC-product family standard for audio, video, audio- visual and entertainment lighting control apparatus for professional use.
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 744T Recorder based exclusively on the fact that it meets our minimum system requirements.
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