HHB PORTADRIVE PDR2000 Operation Manual
Location Sound Recorder
Operations Manual
Version 1.31 October 2004
Version 1.31
PORTADRIVE KEY FEATURES
• Rugged, all in one, portable 8-channel hard disk (HD) audio recorder
• Three comprehensively equipped 6-into-2 digital mixers built-in
• Session based recording using either AES31-3 ADL or Pro Tools V5 formats, simplifying production
workflow
• Over four hours of uncompressed 8-channel 24-bit/96kHz or around twenty hours of 4-channel 24-
bit/48kHz recording on removable 40GB HD
• Simultaneous recording of mono or stereo rushes to external DVD-RAM drive or other storage device
• Six high gain, very low noise microphone balanced XLR-3 inputs with individual phantom powering,
‘gangable’ limiters, input pads, high pass filter (HPF), and phase reverse
• Mic inputs also feature adjustable delays for use with radio mics
• Eight balanced line inputs
• Dual analogue balanced stereo outputs
• 8-channel AES input and output, stereo SPDIF input and output
• M/S decoding available on inputs and outputs
• Advanced power management
• Built-in battery charging circuitry
• 8-channel metering with clip and limiting indicators
• Built-in slate mic and tone generator
• Extensive headphone monitoring capability including designated 6-into-2 mixer
• Six multi-function rotary encoders
• Ten second pre-record buffer
• Top and front panel LCD and control interfaces
• Comprehensive timecode and synchronization capability
• Supports tri-level synchronization for compatibility with HDTV technology
• 2.5" HDD in robust removable caddy ensures extremely reliable recording
• HD compatible with both PC and Mac platforms (FAT32, HFS)
• Records in industry-standard BWF or SDII audio formats
• Metadata (scene, take, comments) can be stored and transferred with audio files
• SCSI interface
• USB2.0 (USB1 compatible) port for high speed data transfer between the PORTADRIVE and a
computer (software version 1.4)
• Ethernet port for file transfer
• Comprehensive remote control via a parallel remote socket
• PS2 for connecting keyboard to ease logging / labelling
• Optional 5.25" PDRDS Docking Station allows removable HD caddy to be plugged directly into a
computer drive bay or external drive enclosure
• Optional DC-powered PDRDVDBU DVD-RAM backup unit for recording or backing up on location
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REGISTRATION
Please register ownership of your PORTADRIVE now at http://www.hhb.co.uk. Select your location
and click on the REGISTER tab at the top of the page. Registration will enable you to receive software
updates and other important PORTADRIVE product news.
EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
This equipment conforms to the requirements of the EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) relating to
electromagnetic compatibility by the application of: - EN55013: 2001 and EN55020: 2002
LIMITED SOFTWARE WARRANTY POLICY
All the software provided with, or purchased especially for, HHB products has been tested for
functionality. HHB Communications Ltd will make all reasonable efforts to correct reported software
defects for future releases subject to technical and economic practicality. HHB Communications Ltd
makes no warranty or representation either express or implied with respect to the system's
performance or fitness for a particular purpose.
In no circumstances will HHB Communications Ltd be liable for direct or indirect damages arising from
any defect in the software or its documentation. Further, HHB Communications Ltd will not be liable for
any loss of or damage to programs, sounds, audio recording, sequences or data stored in or used with
HHB products, including the cost of recovery.
The disclaimers above are exclusive and take precedence over all others, oral or written, express or
implied, to the extent permitted by law in the geographical area of the product's sale. No employee of
HHB Communications Ltd, agent, distributor or employee of an agent or distributor is authorised to
offer any variation.
TRADEMARKS
Digidesign and Pro Tools are registered trademarks of Digidesign and/or Avid Technology, Inc.
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc. All other trademark, product and company
names are the property of their respective owners.
FURTHER INFORMATION
To obtain further information relating to the HHB PORTADRIVE PDR2000 please visit
http://www.portadrive.info
Version 1.31
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PORTADRIVE KEY FEATURES.........................................................................................................A
REGISTRATION ..................................................................................................................................B
CONFORMITY ........................................................................................................................B
SOFTWARE WARRANTY .....................................................................................................B
TRADEMARKS.......................................................................................................................B
FURTHER INFORMATION ....................................................................................................B
TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................................C
RIGHT SIDE PANEL ...........................................................................................................................1
MIC/LINE INPUTS ..................................................................................................................2
MAIN L/R OUTPUTS..............................................................................................................2
AUX L/R OUTPUT..................................................................................................................2
AES/EBU OUT........................................................................................................................2
2 CH RETURN ........................................................................................................................3
HEADPHONE OUTPUT .........................................................................................................3
TIMECODE INPUT / OUTPUT ...............................................................................................3
WORDCLOCK OUTPUT ........................................................................................................3
SYNC INPUT ..........................................................................................................................3
SPDIF INPUT/OUTPUT..........................................................................................................4
AES 8-CHANNEL I/O D-SUB CONNECTOR ........................................................................4
LEFT SIDE PANEL..............................................................................................................................5
BATTERY COMPARTMENT..................................................................................................6
DC INPUT ...............................................................................................................................6
REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE CADDY .....................................................................................7
PS2 KEYBOARD INPUT........................................................................................................7
PARALLEL REMOTE CONNECTION ...................................................................................7
RS422 PORT ..........................................................................................................................8
USB2 CONNECTION .............................................................................................................8
ETHERNET CONNECTION ...................................................................................................8
SCSI-2 CONNECTION ...........................................................................................................8
PDR2000 FRONT PANEL...................................................................................................................9
METERS .................................................................................................................................10
MODE KEYS...........................................................................................................................11
LCD / ENCODERS / SOLO KEYS .........................................................................................12
TRANSPORT CONTROL.......................................................................................................13
HEADPHONE CONTROL ......................................................................................................15
DISPLAY KEY ........................................................................................................................16
LIGHT KEY .............................................................................................................................18
MARK KEY .............................................................................................................................18
ERROR LED ...........................................................................................................................18
UTILITY KEYS........................................................................................................................19
UNDO......................................................................................................................................19
JAM TC...................................................................................................................................19
SLATE ....................................................................................................................................20
TONE ......................................................................................................................................20
GROUP ...................................................................................................................................20
INTERNAL MICROPHONE ....................................................................................................20
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FRONT PANEL MODES .....................................................................................................................21
INPUT MODE..........................................................................................................................21
BUSMIX MODE ......................................................................................................................24
TRACK MODE........................................................................................................................26
OUTPUT MODE......................................................................................................................29
HEADPHONE SETUP MODE ................................................................................................34
MANAGING METADATA.......................................................................................................37
PDR2000 TOP PANEL........................................................................................................................41
POWER SWITCH ...................................................................................................................42
TRANSPORT CONTROLS ....................................................................................................43
PANEL ON / OFF ...................................................................................................................44
MODE KEYS...........................................................................................................................44
SPEAKER...............................................................................................................................45
LCD.........................................................................................................................................45
CURSOR KEYS / DATA WHEEL...........................................................................................46
ENTER KEY............................................................................................................................46
LIGHT KEY .............................................................................................................................46
PROGRAMMABLE KEYS......................................................................................................46
USING THE TOP PANEL SCREENS ....................................................................................47
NAMING ITEMS ON THE PORTADRIVE ..............................................................................48
ABOUT THE TOP PANEL MODES .......................................................................................49
TOP PANEL MODES ..........................................................................................................................50
INPUT MODE..........................................................................................................................50
INPUT SOURCE........................................................................................................50
LIMITER .....................................................................................................................51
PHASE REVERSE.....................................................................................................51
INPUT LEVEL ............................................................................................................52
BUSMIX MODE ......................................................................................................................54
LEVELS......................................................................................................................54
PANS .........................................................................................................................54
MS DECODE .............................................................................................................54
TRACK MODE........................................................................................................................56
TRACK ARMING WITH BWF FORMATS .................................................................57
OUTPUT MODE......................................................................................................................58
MAIN OUTPUT ..........................................................................................................58
AUX OUTPUT ............................................................................................................59
HEADPHONE ............................................................................................................60
DISK MODE............................................................................................................................68
FORMAT DISK...........................................................................................................71
PRO TOOLS V5 (SDII) or AES31 (BWF) ..................................................................71
NAVIGATING DISKS .................................................................................................74
DISK / FILE HIERARCHY..........................................................................................75
COPYING ITEMS.......................................................................................................78
CREATING A NEW FOLDER OR SESSION ............................................................79
SESSION MODE ....................................................................................................................81
TAKE INFO ................................................................................................................82
MANAGING METADATA...........................................................................................83
CREATING A NEW SESSION...................................................................................87
SAMPLE RATE ..........................................................................................................88
BIT-DEPTH ................................................................................................................88
MULTI-SESSION SUPPORT.....................................................................................89
BROADCAST WAVE (BWF) SUPPORT ...................................................................90
BWF FORMAT SELECTION .....................................................................................91
TC MODE................................................................................................................................92
TIMECODE SETTINGS .............................................................................................92
USER BITS ................................................................................................................93
TIMECODE CHASE...................................................................................................94
TIMECODE JAM ........................................................................................................97
SETUP MODE ........................................................................................................................98
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TONE GENERATOR .................................................................................................98
SLATE........................................................................................................................99
POWER MANAGEMENT...........................................................................................100
BATTERY CHARGE ..................................................................................................100
LCD CONTRAST .......................................................................................................101
WORDCLOCK SYNC ................................................................................................102
MISCELLANEOUS SETTINGS .................................................................................103
TEMPLATES..............................................................................................................106
P1 - P2 ASSIGN.........................................................................................................108
METERING OPTIONS...............................................................................................109
OS UPDATE ..............................................................................................................110
DATE / TIME SETUP.................................................................................................111
LOCATE .................................................................................................................................113
LOCATE TAKE ..........................................................................................................113
LOCATE MARK .........................................................................................................114
LOCATE TIMECODE.................................................................................................115
AUDITION ..................................................................................................................115
APPENDICES......................................................................................................................................116
TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER SYSTEM........................................................................................116
FACTORY TEMPLATES.....................................................................................................................118
CONNECTOR PINOUTS.....................................................................................................................119
DC POWER CONNECTOR ....................................................................................................119
PARALLEL REMOTE ............................................................................................................119
AES AUDIO I/O ......................................................................................................................120
TIMECODE CONNECTOR.....................................................................................................120
RS422 9-PIN CONNECTOR...................................................................................................120
2 CHANNEL RETURN ...........................................................................................................121
ANALOGUE AUDIO INPUT ...................................................................................................121
ANALOGUE AUDIO OUTPUT...............................................................................................121
NOTES ON USING EXTERNAL SCSI HARD DISK DRIVES ............................................................122
WHAT IS SCSI? .....................................................................................................................122
SCSI IDs .................................................................................................................................122
SCSI CABLES ........................................................................................................................123
TERMINATION .......................................................................................................................123
CABLE LENGTH ....................................................................................................................123
SPECIFICATIONS ...............................................................................................................................124
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SIDE PANELS/CONNECTIONS
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SIDE PANELS/CONNECTIONS
The PORTADRIVE is comprehensively equipped with a wide range of professional audio and
synchronisation connectors. These are located on the right side panel. They are as follows:
MIC/LINE INPUTS
These six balanced XLR inputs can accept both microphones and line level signals. When used as a
microphone input, each channel has (switchable) phantom power for use with condenser
microphones.
MAIN L/R OUTPUTS
Carries a stereo or 2-mono channel signal (which can be derived from a large variety of sources) on
balanced XLR connectors.
AUX L/R OUTPUT
This is an additional stereo or 2-mono channel output source and can be used to carry an alternative
mix on balanced analogue XLR connectors. Like the MAIN L/R OUTPUT, the AUX OUTPUT can be
derived from a large number of sources.
AES/EBU OUT
This digital output can be OFF, MAIN OUT, AUX OUT or TRACKS L&R.
It is not necessarily a stereo mix - it might be 2 mono channels or just one mono channel if one
channel is muted.
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SIDE PANELS/CONNECTIONS
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2 CH RETURN
This analogue connection provides an extra pair of line inputs that can be used for a variety of
purposes.
HEADPHONE OUTPUT
A stereo or 2-mono channel headphone output for private monitoring. The audio at the headphone
output can be set to follow whatever is selected for metering (e.g. inputs, track, outputs etc.) so that
what you see is what you hear. It can also take as its source a wide variety of other signals easily
selectable as pre-configured user presets.
TIMECODE INPUT / OUTPUT
This allows you to slave to external timecode or act as a master timecode source.
WORDCLOCK OUTPUT
This BNC carries a wordclock signal that is equal to the PORTADRIVE’s own internal sampling
frequency. This can be used to synchronise other digital audio equipment to the PORTADRIVE.
SYNC INPUT
This BNC connector allows you to synchronise the PORTADRIVE to external wordclock, video, trilevel or digital audio sync. When external digital audio equipment is being used with the
PORTADRIVE, it is important that they are accurately synchronised - this connector allows the
PORTADRIVE to ‘slave’ to external digital audio equipment.
SIDE PANELS/CONNECTIONS
SPDIF INPUT/OUTPUT
Carries a stereo SPDIF digital audio input and output. The SPDIF input can be assigned to INPUTS
1&2 and the SPDIF output is sourced from the same signal that is routed to the AES/EBU output.
AES 8-CHANNEL I/O D-SUB CONNECTOR
This provides 8-channels of AES/EBU digital audio input and output and can be used to connect the
PORTADRIVE to a digital mixing console or multitrack recorder.
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SIDE PANELS/CONNECTIONS
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LEFT PANEL
BATTERY
COMPARTMENT
PS2 KEYBOARD
INPUT
REMOVABLE
DISK DRIVE
PARALLEL REMOTE
CONNECTION
DC INPUT USB ETHERNET SCSI RS422
SIDE PANELS/CONNECTIONS
The left side panel accommodates a variety of other connections and facilities. These are:
BATTERY COMPARTMENT
This is where the LI - ION battery, NP-L50, is housed. To replace the battery, undo the large
thumbscrew and carefully remove the battery. Replace the battery and tighten the screw back up.
**** IMPORTANT ****
NEVER REMOVE THE BATTERY DURING RECORDING!
DOING SO WILL (UNDERSTANDABLY) RESULT IN LOSS OF DATA!
NEITHER SHOULD YOU REMOVE / CHANGE THE BATTERY IMMEDIATELY AFTER MAKING A
RECORDING. DOING SO MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF DATA!
Every effort has been made to safeguard data in the event of power loss and/or battery removal.
However, please exercise caution (and common sense) when removing/exchanging the battery in
order to protect your data.
DC INPUT
This 4-pin XLR connector will accept a DC power supply from the supplied power adaptor or an
external battery with the correct rating. See PORTADRIVE Specifications on page 124 and DC Power
Connector pinout on page 119.
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SIDE PANELS/CONNECTIONS
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REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE CADDY
This caddy houses the PORTADRIVE’s internal hard disk.
The drive caddy is removable - that is, the disk can be taken out of the PORTADRIVE and connected
to other systems via the optional HHB Docking Station.
To remove the caddy, turn the large 'screw’ in the middle counter-clockwise to the 9-o-clock position.
Now carefully pull the caddy out.
To insert a drive, reverse the above procedure -- carefully insert the caddy into the compartment and
turn the screw clockwise to the 12-o-clock position (as shown above).
**** IMPORTANT ****
Please exercise extreme caution when removing and inserting drives.
Please refer to the section that describes safe handling of disk drives on page 68.
PS2 KEYBOARD INPUT
This socket allows you to connect a standard PS2 keyboard to the PORTADRIVE to make to make it
easier to input text such as scene name, notes, input name, session name etc. Input of text is still
possible without a keyboard attached (see page 48). PS2 keyboards can be purchased at any
computer store - you may already have a spare one that you use!
PARALLEL REMOTE CONNECTION
This is a parallel remote connection that allows the user to connect a simple switch based remote
control unit (not supplied). Control is implemented by shorting specific pins together. For further details
see Parallel Remote (8-Pin Mini Din) on page 119
SIDE PANELS/CONNECTIONS
RS422 PORT
This is a future option to allow machine control using the Sony 9-pin protocol.
USB2 CONNECTION
This allows you to download operating system software updates for the PORTADRIVE from your
computer and allows the transfer of data to and from a computer (software version 1.4).
ETHERNET CONNECTION
Allows the PORTADRIVE to be connected to a network so that transfer of data to and from the
network is possible.
SCSI-2 CONNECTION
This allows you to connect to the optional HHB DVD Backup Unit (PDRDVDBU), external hard disk
drives or other forms of data storage and should be used primarily for copying data (backing up) and
recording from the PORTADRIVE.
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FRONT PANEL
Version 1.31 Page 9
PDR2000 FRONT PANEL
METERS
PEAK
RESET
METER/MONITOR
MODE SELECT KEYS
SOLO KEYS MULTI-PURPOSE
ENCODERS
TRANSPORT
HEADPHONE
CONTROL
LCD
MIC
UTILITY
KEYS
ERROR LED
FRONT PANEL
METERS
These high resolution, 18-segment meters offer detailed, precision level metering.
PEAK HOLD
The meters have a peak hold function. It is possible to set the peak hold time between OFF, ON or 1-4
seconds. These options are set in the PORTADRIVE’s SETUP mode, see page 109.
The PEAK RESET key to the right of the meters allows you to reset any held peaks. It also allows you
to reset the margins, see page 28.
LIMITER ACTIVE LEDS
At the top of the meters are 8 x LEDS that show the action of the PORTADRIVE’s soft-saturate
limiters. The six LEDs above columns 1-6 illuminate when the analogue input limiters are active.
The LEDs remain illuminated for the duration of the limiter’s action, or, in the case of a limiter switching
in when a short peak transient is received, they simply flash momentarily. The two LEDs above the L &
R columns illuminate when the 2-CH return input limiters are active.
Note - The limiter LEDs are only active when in INPUT or BUSMIX. However, the limiter LED ’s for the
2ch return do not function when in BUSMIX mode.
Also, the LIM indicators have no function for inputs whose sources are digital.
CLIP INDICATORS
These red LEDs illuminate when the signal exceeds 0dB. The clip indicators will remain illuminated for
a minimum of 2 seconds. The clip indicators will follow the PEAK HOLD duration if longer than 2
seconds.
REC ARM INDICATORS
The red REC arm indicators at the bottom of the meters indicate which tracks are enabled for record.
These LEDS will flash when the PORTADRIVE is armed for recording; the LEDs will be steadily
illuminated when recording.
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FRONT PANEL
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MODE KEYS
The four mode keys below the meters allow you to select the metering / monitoring.
The PORTADRIVE has three mixers, two of which (BUSMIX and OUTPUT MIX) can be selected here.
The four modes are:
INPUT
When INPUT is pressed, the meters will show input levels 1-8. Also, the LCD in the centre of the front
panel will show Page 1 of the INPUT menu. If the H/P Preset is set to ‘FOLLOW METERS’ (see page
34), the signal in the headphones will be a stereo mix of the inputs 1-6.
BUSMIX
When BUSMIX is pressed, the meters will show input levels 1-6 and the bus mixer’s stereo output.
Also, the LCD in the centre of the front panel will show Page 1 of the BUSMIX menu. If the H/P Preset
is set to ‘FOLLOW METERS’, the signal in the headphones will be the stereo output (BUSMIX L&R) of
the bus mixer.
TRACK
When TRACK is pressed, the meters will show track levels 1-8 (i.e. the level of the signal on disk).
Also, the LCD in the centre of the front panel will show Page 1 of the TRACK menu. If the H/P Preset
is set to ‘FOLLOW METERS’, the signal in the headphones will be a stereo mix of the tracks 1-6.
OUTPUT
When OUTPUT is pressed, the meters will show the MAIN L&R output signal . Also, the LCD in the
centre of the front panel will show Page 1 of the OUTPUT menu. If the H/P Preset is set to ‘FOLLOW
METERS’, the signal in the headphones will be a copy of the MAIN output signal.
If OUTPUT is pressed again, the meters will show the AUX L&R output signal and the LCD will show
page 2 of the OUTPUT menu. If the H/P Preset is set to ‘FOLLOW METERS’, the signal in the
headphones will be a copy of the AUX output signal.
If OUTPUT is then pressed for a third time, the meters will show the OUTPUT MIXER’s source 1-6 and
stereo output. The LCD will show Page 3 of the OUTPUT menu and if the H/P Preset is set to
‘FOLLOW METERS’, the signal in the headphones will be the stereo output of the OUTPUT MIXER.
When the modes are selected, the LEDs in the keys illuminate to indicate status.
Also, as you select different modes/mixer, the functions in the front panel LCD change to reflect the
selected mode/mixer.
We’ll look at each mode’s functions in more detail later in the manual. See Front Panel Modes (page
21) and Top Panel Modes (page 50).
FRONT PANEL
LCD / ENCODERS / SOLO KEYS
In the centre of the PORTADRIVE’s front panel is a large 40 x 2 character LCD. This is used to show
levels, pan/balance and other parameters.
The top line of the display shows general information:
CURRENT 'MODE / PAGE' 'NOW' TIME
FREE
ON DISK
BATTERY
CHARGE
The LCD also works in conjunction with the encoders below it and you will note how the parameters
on the bottom line of the LCD line up with the encoders and you can see the exact values of the
encoders on the LCD. However, the encoders have a ‘collar’ of LEDs around them that show their
position at a glance.
Portadrive detects how fast you turn a rotary encoder; the faster you turn a pot, the bigger the gain
change. This allows for much easier fade outs, fade ins and makes mixing using the rotary encoders
far more practical.
Below the encoders are six SOLO keys that allow you to listen to channels/tracks in isolation. The
solo’d signal only appears (in mono) in the headphone mix - it does not get recorded to disk, neither
will it appear at the main L/R output. Thus it’s possible to solo any channel whilst recording without
affecting the recording in any way.
What gets solo’d depends on the PORTADRIVE’s status:
RECORDINGSTOPPED PLAYING
Inputs Tracks
STATUS
SOLO
It is possible to solo any number of channels / tracks simultaneously. The input solo signal is post the
input fader.
By default, pressing a channel’s SOLO key will solo that channel and the selected key will illuminate press the key again to ‘un-solo’ it. However, depending on the way you like to work, there are various
options for how the SOLO keys react - these are available in the top panel’s HEADPHONE OUTPUT
window. See page 61.
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FRONT PANEL
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TRANSPORT CONTROL
The PORTADRIVE has a simple rotary switch to control transport. The five positions are:
STOP Stops playback or recording when the switch is turned to the 12-o-clock position. In
this condition, you can use the PORTADRIVE’s front panel without restriction.
STOP (lock) This stops playback or recording and also locks (or disables) the panel controls and
switches as a safety feature to prevent inadvertently adjusting anything.
You can choose what features are locked (or disabled) from the Panel Lock Mode,
accessed through the SETUP/MISC page on the top panel (see page104). The two
options are:
a) ALL - All controls are locked out
b) RESTRICTED - All controls are locked out apart from:-
INPUT LEVELS
BUSMIX LEVELS
SOLOS
H/P SHORTCUTS (hold ENABLE and press SOLO 1-6)
GROUP
MARK
LIGHT
DISPLAY pages 1&2
If you attempt to adjust or use any of the disabled controls, the LCD will briefly flash a
message to say that the panel is locked:
FRONT PANEL
REC Puts the PORTADRIVE into record.
REC (lock) Puts the PORTADRIVE into record and also locks (or disables) the panel controls and
switches as a safety feature to prevent inadvertently adjusting anything by mistake
while you are recording.
You can choose what features are locked (or disabled) from the Panel Lock Mode,
accessed through the SETUP/MISC page on the top panel. The two options are:
a) ALL - All controls are locked out
b) RESTRICTED - All controls are locked out apart from:-
INPUT LEVELS
BUSMIX LEVELS
SOLOS
H/P SHORTCUTS (hold ENABLE and press SOLO 1-6)
GROUP
MARK
LIGHT
DISPLAY pages 1&2
If you attempt to adjust or use any of the disabled controls, the LCD will briefly flash a
message to say that the panel is locked (see previous page).
Note - If you put the PORTADRIVE into record and the disk is not formatted, the LCD will briefly
display an error message:
Similarly, if the disk is full (or close to full), you will be informed:
In either case, you should take the appropriate action to remedy the situation.
REVIEW This will play the most recently recorded take - ideal for checking what was just
recorded.
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FRONT PANEL
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HEADPHONE CONTROL
The rotary control sets the level of the headphone output and the speaker on the top panel. It is a
‘push-lock’ control that can be pushed to recess it into the front panel to prevent accidental
adjustment.
The HPHONES key brings up the headphones menu in the LCD where you can set and select certain
options that relate to the headphones. See page 34.
FRONT PANEL
DISPLAY KEY
Pressing this key will display an overview of the current session on the LCD:
The fields are:
SESSION NAME Shows the currently selected session.
NOW TIME Shows the current timecode.
FREE ON DISK This shows the amount of free space on disk.
BATTERY CHARGE Shows the current battery charge and power source.
SCENE NAME Shows the current scene name.
TAKE NUMBER Shows the current take (recording).
PDR2000 STATUS Shows the PORTADRIVE’s current status (i.e. PLAY, REC, STOP).
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FRONT PANEL
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Pressing DISPLAY again will show further information about the current session including parameter
as well as time information:
Examples:
The fields are:
TAKE REM When the PORTADRIVE is playing back, this field shows TAKE REM (take remaining
time).
TC= frame rate / time-code mode
Frame rate: 23f, 24f, 25f, 29f, 29d, 30f, 30d
Time-code mode: REC=recrun, FREE=freerun, EXT=external, DISK=disktc
SYNC= INT or EXT
INT: Internal
EXT: External (wordclock, tri-level, video, digital audio)
DISK REM Shows the actual time that is free on disk for recording at the currently selected
sample rate, bit depth and number of enabled tracks.
BWF or SD2 Audio file format
FS; bits Sample rate and bit depth. ’+’ indicates 0.1% pull-up. ’-’ indicates 0.1% pull-down.
pREC= Pre-record buffer setting.
It is not possible to adjust or change anything in these screens - they are purely for information.
To cancel this display, press any other mode key.
FRONT PANEL
LIGHT KEY
This turns the front panels’ LCD backlight on or off and can be used to conserve battery life.
If the LIGHT key is pressed for less than 1.0 seconds, the LCD backlight is only switched on for 10
seconds after which, it automatically turns off. If the LIGHT key is pressed for more than 1.0 seconds,
the LCD backlight is switched on permanently until such time as you press the LIGHT key again to
switch it off.
MARK KEY
The MARK key next to the headphone level control allows you to mark locate points.
When the mark key is pressed a ‘MARKER CREATED’ message is shown on the front and top LCDs.
Locate points can be marked on the fly during playback and/or recording simply by pressing the key at
the appropriate moment. Locate points can be recalled from the top panel’s LOCATE function, see
page 113.
ERROR LED
This three-coloured LED is used to give visible warnings and it will illuminate in one of the three
colours according to the condition being reported. These are:
BATTERY LOW Flashes red (you will also see an indication on the front and top LCDs).
DATA WRITE ERROR Constant red illumination for the duration of the error.
EXT TC ERROR Constant yellow illumination for the duration of the error.
EXT SYNC ERROR Constant green illumination for the duration of the error.
An audible error warning can also be set, see page 61.
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FRONT PANEL
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UTILITY KEYS
This row of keys above the LCD gives access to several utilities you might need quick access to.
However, to prevent inadvertently pressing one of them by mistake, you need to press and hold the
ENABLE key and then press the required utility key. For example, to undo a recording, press and hold
ENABLE and UNDO.
The functions are:
UNDO
Allows you to delete the latest recording (take) – all markers within the deleted take will also be
deleted. This is useful if there has been a false take, etc. - you can quickly undo (i.e. delete) it and rerecord it.
The LCD display will also show the following message for a few seconds
It is possible to undo this action if required by pressing and holding ENABLE and pressing UNDO
immediately after deleting the take. However, note that if you record immediately after deleting a take
in this way, it is not possible to undelete that take and the UNDO function will simply delete the new
recording.
Note - UNDO complies with the false-start convention whereby the new take uses the same
take number as the ‘false-start’ take.
JAM TC
JAM TC allows you to manually ‘jam’ the external timecode into the internal timecode generator. This
is only possible if there is a valid SMPTE LTC signal at the LEMO TC input and if the GEN TC is set to
FREERUN.
Press JAM whilst holding down the ENABLE key to initiate the jam function. The LCD display will
momentarily show the following message:
FRONT PANEL
SLATE
The slate microphone mono signal will be output to wherever it has been routed in the SETUP/SLATE
page on the top panel (see page 99). Audio signals routed to the same destination(s) will be muted
during slate operation.
To activate the SLATE function, press and hold the ENABLE key and then press the SLATE key. The
SLATE key can be set to momentary, latching or ‘auto’ operation (where if the SLATE key is ‘dabbed’ i.e. pressed for a short period - SLATE operation is latched, or if pressed and ‘held’ for a second or
more, SLATE operation is momentary. This setting is made in the SETUP/SLATE page.
To de-activate the slate when in latching mode, simply press the SLATE key again
. The SLATE key
is illuminated when active. The SLATE can be routed to Tracks 1-6, stereo track and Main
and Aux L&R outputs.
TONE
This key allows you to generate a test tone. The test tone generator can be routed to Tracks 1-6,
stereo L/R tracks plus the main and Aux L/R outputs. Audio signals routed to the same destination(s)
will be muted whilst the tone generator is in use. The routing and the characteristics of the test tone
generator can be set in the SETUP pages (see page 98).
To activate the tone generator, press and hold the ENABLE key and then press the TONE key. The
TONE
key can be set to momentary, latching or ‘auto’ operation (where if the TONE key is ‘dabbed’ -
i.e. pressed for a short period - the tone generator is latched, or if pressed and ‘held’ for a second or
more, the tone generator’s operation is momentary. This setting is made in the SETUP/TONE page.
To de-activate the tone generator when in latching mode, simply press the TONE key again. The
TONE key is illuminated when active.
GROUP
The GROUP key is used to group all six rotary encoders so that levels 1-6 can be adjusted up or down
proportionally by the same amount using just one control. When the encoders are grouped, you only
need to turn one and all the others follow.
To enable the GROUP function, press and hold ENABLE and press GROUP - the key will illuminate.
The levels for the currently selected mode will now be grouped.
Of course, it could be that the LCD is not displaying the selected mode’s level parameters. This
doesn’t matter - when the mode’s LEVELS page is displayed on the LCD, the GROUP function will
have effect (it will have no effect on other sub-pages of any given mode). To de-activate GROUP for
the currently selected mode, press and hold ENABLE and press GROUP again.
INTERNAL MICROPHONE
The PORTADRIVE has an internal microphone that can be used for slating a recording. To use it,
simply press ENABLE +SLATE and speak into it! Note, however, that you will have to set up the track
routing for the slate mic. This is carried out in the top panel’s SETUP pages (see page 99).
That concludes our look at the main front panel functionality. In the next section we will look at some of
these in more detail.
20 Version 1.31
FRONT PANEL MODES
Version 1.31 21
INPUT MODE
Pressing INPUT will cause the metering to show the level of the inputs. Headphone monitoring will
also, if selected to ‘FOLLOW METERS’, automatically switch to monitoring these signals. It will also
switch the LCD to show the input parameters. The first of these pages shows input level but by
repeatedly pressing the INPUTS
key, you can cycle through the various input parameters that are
available. The pages are as follows:
Pressing INPUT again will return you to the first of the pages (INPUT LEVELS).
The six rotary encoders are used to change the values of the parameters shown on the lower row of
the LCD. When setting LEVEL, the LEDs on the encoders’ ‘collars’ show the control’s position.
However, when setting other parameters (MIC ATT, MIC HPF, etc.) where the options are switched,
the LEDs around the encoders do not illuminate.
FRONT PANEL MODES
22 Version 1.31
The parameters on the various pages are as follows:
INPUT LEVEL
The six encoders are used to adjust the input level. The range is 0-100 and it should be adjusted to
send as healthy a level of signal to disk as possible without overloading or distorting.
MIC ATT
Microphone attenuation can be set on each channel to 0 (no attenuation), -15dB and -30dB. Of
course, mic attenuation cannot be applied to digital or LINE inputs.
MIC HPF
This page allows you to apply a high pass filter to microphone inputs to filter out any unwanted low
frequency elements. Each channel’s filter can be set to OFF (no filter), 75Hz or 150Hz. The HPF
cannot be applied to digital or line input sources.
MARGIN
You can use this page to monitor the peak levels (in dBFS) of the inputs. This page is provided simply
for information - no parameters can be changed. However, when PEAK RESET key is pressed, the
display is re-initialised.
LIMITER
The channel limiters can be switched on and off in this page. However, it also possible to ‘gang’ pairs
of limiters on adjacent channels, or all six channels. The full range of options are OFF, ON, GANG 2
(Adjacent channels are ganged) and GANG 6 (all six input limiters are ganged).
In the case of the ‘ganged’ selection, when one channel has this selection, its adjacent channel is
automatically ganged to its neighbour. For example, in the case of selecting this option on Channel 1,
Channel 2 will automatically be ganged; in the case of selecting this option for Channel 4, Channel 3
will automatically be ganged. It is recommended that stereo-paired channels use the ‘ganged’
selection.
The limiters can only be applied to mic or line signal sources.
INPUT SOURCE
You may select the input source for each channel in this page. The options are:
INPUT 1 LINE, MIC, SPDIF, AES, OFF, MIC48
INPUT 2 LINE, MIC, SPDIF, AES, OFF, MIC48
INPUT 3 LINE, MIC, AES, OFF, MIC48
INPUT 4 LINE, MIC, AES, OFF, MIC48
INPUT 5 LINE, MIC, AES, OFF, MIC48
INPUT 6 LINE, MIC, AES, OFF, MIC48
• The MIC selection is a normal microphone input through the balanced XLR’s.
• MIC48 is a microphone input through the balanced XLR’s but with 48V phantom power
applied.
• LINE selects a line level input through the balanced XLR’s
• SPDIF (Input channels 1 and 2 only) select an SPDIF digital audio input through the
SPDIF phono connector.
• AES selects an AES/EBU digital audio input signal through the multi-channel D-Sub
connector.
Note –
When inputs 1&2 are both set to OFF, the associated input circuitry is also turned off thus saving
power. Similarly pairs 3&4, 5&6 operate in the same manner.
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