1/29/2004
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SOUND DEVICES 7-SERIES RECORDER UPDATE #2
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Sound Devices has been busy completing development of the upcoming 722 and 744T
audio recorders. This brief update discusses the analog and digital I/O of the
recorders. A summary of the I/O is also available in table format on the revised
7-Series page at:
www.sounddevices.com/products/7.htmANALOG INPUTS
The 722 and 744T include two channels of selectable microphone- or line-level
inputs. These inputs use a new preamp circuit--unique to the recorders--with
exceptional bandwidth, noise, and distortion performance. Their transformer-less
topologies have defeatable analog limiters with software-controlled thresholds.
48V phantom power is available for condenser microphones. The analog preamp trim
is controlled with front-panel push-potentiometers. Input attenuation for
line-level signals is adjusted in 0.5 dB increments in the control menu or from
the front-panel push-pots. The 744T has two additional line-level balanced
inputs on TA3 (mini-XLR) connectors with menu controlled input attenuation.
MASTER ANALOG OUTPUTS
The 722 and 744T have two-channel line-level outputs on balanced TA3 connectors.
The TA3 (tiny-QG) connectors help keep the recorders as small as practical,
while still having fully-balanced, locking connections. Outputs can be assigned
input channels or recorded tracks in the control menu.
DIGITAL INPUTS
Since our original product preview, the digital I/O has been revised. Digital
inputs are selected in lieu of analog inputs. The same XLR connectors used for
analog mic- and line-level signals are used for balanced AES3 inputs. BNC
connectors are used for unbalanced AES3id inputs. XLR-1 is used for digital-in
1/2. On the 744T, XLR-2 is used for digital-in 3/4. Alternatively, digital-in
1/2 (and 3/4 on the 744T) can be fed via the BNC.
DIGITAL OUTPUTS
Digital outputs are on BNC (AES3id format) connectors. Like the analog outputs,
these outputs can contain input channels or recorded tracks, as assigned in the
user menu. The 744T has two digital output pairs. Program on digital outputs
(1/2) is identical to the master analog outputs. On the 744T, the source is
assigned in the control menu for digital outputs 3/4.
HEADPHONE MONITORING
Assignment of sound sources sent to headphones is independent of the master
output assignment. The control menu assigns sources to headphones. The right
panel rotary encoder can be used to step through monitoring selections.
Combinations of mono- and stereo-inputs, and mono- and stereo-tracks can be
selected as sources for headphones.
PRODUCT AVAILABILITY
Sound Devices next step is beta testing. Beta is a critical part of our
development process. We are confident that testing will go well, and are
allotting sufficient time to evaluate the product in a wide range of production
environments. Our quoted availability estimate of Q1 2004 is still valid, but
may move into the next quarter if there are any unexpected issues in testing.
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More Information on the Web
Sound Devices participated in Gotham Sound's January non-linear audio seminar.
This event, held at Silvercup Studios in New York, included several other
manufacturers of non-linear recorders and included panel discussions covering
post-production workflow. Video of the event is available at the Gotham Sound
web site --
www.gothamsound.com+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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NEXT UPDATE
The next e-mail update will discuss file formats, metadata, and storage
mediums.
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-The 7-Series Product Development Team
Interesting, check out the gothamsound site for some of the presentations, I wish I could make out what the last question was that he had "no comment at this time" as the answer. April '04, we shall see ...
