HHB comm DRM85 User Manual

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing this HHB FlashMic.

This manual provides all the information you should need to use your FlashMic easily and effectively. We recommend you read through the manual carefully before using your FlashMic for the first time, and to keep it in a safe place for future reference.

Product Details

Owner:

Company:

Date of Purchase:

Serial Number:

Safety Information

While the HHB FlashMic has been designed to be robust in normal use, always remember that it is both a high-quality professional microphone and a delicate electronic instrument. As such, a degree of care should be exercised in its handling.

Take care not to subject the FlashMic to mechanical impact, e.g. dropping

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it or knocking it on hard surfaces.

Use care when opening the battery compartment. This operation is

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designed to be performed by hand; do not use sharp tools of any kind.

Use the connectors and jogswitch control on the base of the FlashMic with

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care. Ensure that any cables connected are not subject to strain.

Only dispose of used batteries in accordance with local environmental

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and/or recycling guidelines.

Only clean the FlashMic with a damp cloth. Do not use solvent or abrasive

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cleaners of any kind.

What’s in the box

Please check the list below against the contents of the packaging. If any items are missing or damaged, contact the HHB dealer or distributor that you purchased the unit from at once.

DRM85 FlashMic Microphone

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Microphone pouch

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Mic clip with standard thread (5/8” 27TPI), plus 3/8” adaptor

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(16TPI BSW)

1.5m. USB cable, Type A to 5-pin Mini-B

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2 x AA alkaline batteries

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CD-ROM with FlashMic Manager software (both Windows™ and Mac™

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versions)

Contents

Introduction 1

Safety Information 2

What’s in the box 2

FlashMic Features 4

FlashMic Description 5

FlashMic Display Window 6

Batteries 7

Inserting Batteries 7 Battery Management 8 Battery Status Indicator 8

Using the FlashMic 9

Jogswitch Description 9 Switching The FlashMic On 10 Making a Recording 11 PreRecord Buffer (Introduction) 12 Record Lock 12 Monitoring 12 Adjusting Record Level 13 Replaying Tracks 13 Markers 14 Deleting a Track 14 File Transfer 14

Transfer Using FlashMic Manager 15 Direct Transfer to a Computer 16

FlashMic Menu System 17

Using the Menus 17 Preset Menu 18 Recording Mode Menu 19 Recording Level Menu 20 Hi-pass Filter Menu 21 Battery Type Menu 21 Delete Menu 22 Clock Set Menu 23

FlashMic Manager 24

Installing FlashMic Manager on a PC 24 Installing FlashMic Manager on a Mac 25 Using FlashMic Manager 26 Configuration Files and Presets 27 Using the Default Configuration 28 FlashMic Manager Window - Features 29

Preset Information 29

Other Features and Functions 31 Connecting the FlashMic 33 Creating a New Configuration File 34 Modifying an Existing Configuration File 34 Creating a Personalised Defaults File 35 Uploading a Configuration File to the FlashMic 35 PreRecord Buffer 36

FlashMic File Names 36

Filename Structure 37

Reformatting the Memory 38

Firmware Updates 39

Specifications 40

Polar Diagram and Frequency Response Curve of Microphone Head 41

Notification 42

FlashMic Features

Your FlashMic combines a professional-quality, omni-directional condenser microphone with an internal digital audio recorder in a single self-contained, selfpowered unit. An extremely simple set of controls make it suitable for completely non-technical users; alternatively, more experienced recordists can access a wide range of additional functionality through menu-based pages on the FlashMic’s LCD display.

Retrieval of recordings is via the FlashMic’s USB port; the stored sound files are transferred to a computer as .wav files in either linear or compressed (MPEG 2 Layer

1) formats. Transfer is either by using the supplied FlashMic Manager software, or by standard drag-and-drop file handling. Think of your FlashMic as the audio equivalent of a digital camera. Just as you use a digital camera to quickly and conveniently record high-quality visual images for subsequent transfer to a computer, so you can use FlashMic to capture sound. Just as pictures can be subsequently edited, stored, e-mailed, deleted, or whatever – so you can now manipulate recorded audio in the same ways.

The FlashMic is ideal for use by journalists and reporters for news-gathering and interviews, by business organisations, public institutions – any situation where a quick and convenient method of voice recording is required.

Some of the main features of the FlashMic are as follows:

Linear or compressed (using MPEG 1 Layer 2 compression) digital

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audio recordings as .wav files.

Recording time up to 18hrs (file format and sample rate dependent).

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Built-in headphone amplifier for monitoring, with adjustable level.

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Uses 2 x AA cells – either alkaline or rechargeable.

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Modes of operation to suit both technical and non-technical users.

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Adjustable pre-record buffer of up to 10 seconds.

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Rapid file transfer via USB to PC or Mac.

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9 internal presets for storing different FlashMic configurations.

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Adjustable recording level or fixed AGC mode, with bargraph display.

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Remaining Time display.

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Replay of last or an earlier recording via monitor output.

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USB

PHONES

FlashMic Description

Protective basket (windshield) over mic capsule

FlashMic body

LCD display – see FlashMic Display Window

Main operating control section

REC button (G)

PLAY button (H)

MENU/STOP button (M)

Multi-function jogswitch control - see Jogswitch Description

Record mode LED (REC LED)

USB connector (5 pin Mini-B)

PHONES: monitor output (3.5mm 3-pole jack socket)

00:12:12

Rec

Play

FlashMic Display Window

13 14 15

6-character alphanumeric display

4-segment battery status indicator

REC flag – indicates FlashMic is in record mode.

PLAY flag – indicates FlashMic is in replay mode.

16-segment bargraph meter – provides an indication of recording level.

Display backlight

Batteries

The FlashMic requires two AA-size batteries. Either 1.5v alkaline or 1.2v NiMH (nickel metal hydride) rechargeable batteries may be used.

Batteries of at least 1500mAh capacity are recommended.

Do not use zinc chloride batteries.

Inserting Batteries

Hold the FlashMic in one hand and unscrew the rear section (the section with the display and operating controls) with the other.

Slide the rear section back as far as it will go.

Open the hinged plastic battery compartment cover.

Insert the two batteries oriented as shown on the compartment cover.

The two batteries must point the same way.

Always change both batteries at the same time, and always use two batteries of the

same brand and type. NEVER mix alkaline and rechargeable batteries.

Close the cover, push the rear section back over the compartment, and screw up tight.

Note: If changing alkaline batteries, dispose of the old ones in a responsible manner – always observe local environmental guidelines.

Battery Management

Battery life will be maximised if the FlashMic is switched off when not in use, as the power consumed in IDLE mode is virtually the same as in REC mode.

The internal clock settings are protected within FlashMic for approximately 1 minute after the batteries are removed. Recorded sound files and configuration settings are not affected by battery removal.

Remove any batteries from the FlashMic if it is to be unused for an extended period (more than a month).

Battery Status Indicator

A 4-segment battery status indicator is provided on the LCD display.

The number of segments displayed is proportional to the battery power remaining. The rate of change of the display can be altered (via the menu system or via the FlashMic Manager software) to reflect the different discharge characteristics of alkaline or rechargeable batteries.

The display backlight, the record LED on the FlashMic base and the battery indicator will all flash when the remaining battery life approaches zero.

Using the FlashMic

Jogswitch Description

Many of the FlashMic’s operating functions are accessed via the jogswitch on the bottom panel. These include power on/off, navigation through the various internal menus, adjustment of levels, and track selection for replay.

Operation of the jogswitch for each specific FlashMic function is described in detail in the section of the manual covering the function. However, because the jogswitch has several physical movements associated with it, an overview is given here.

The jogswitch is a small wheel protruding from the base of the FlashMic. It is effectively three momentary-acting pushbuttons in one; it can be pressed inwards (from its rest position), or rotated in either direction. The actions are all springloaded so that the jogswitch always returns to its rest position. Each of the three possible movements can be either ‘long’ or ‘short’, giving a total of six possible actions. The FlashMic’s firmware determines a ‘long’ press to be one of greater than 2 seconds. duration, and as ‘short’ press to be one of less than 2 seconds.

The diagram below summarises the possible movements.

Elsewhere in this manual, the following notations are used to denote the various types of jogswitch action. It is assumed that the FlashMic is orientated with the LCD display facing the user.

NOTATION ACTION

SHORT PRESS Press the centre protrusion inwards and release

LONG PRESS

SHORT DOWN TURN Move the wheel downwards and release

LONG DOWN TURN

SHORT UP TURN Move the wheel upwards and release

LONG UP TURN

Press the centre protrusion inwards for a least 2 seconds

Move the wheel downwards and hold for at least 2 seconds

Move the wheel upwards and hold for at least 2 seconds

03:14:35

TRK001

Switching The FlashMic On

The FlashMic is switched on by a SHORT PRESS on the jogswitch, and switched off by a LONG PRESS until the text OFF appears in the display. The FlashMic will turn off when the jogswitch is released.

Note that it is not possible to turn the FlashMic off while it is connected to a computer via its USB cable.

On switching the FlashMic on, the LCD panel displays in sequence:

DRM85

Firmware version

Microphone name

Active preset.

Note that the factory default microphone name is DRM_85 and the factory default preset is PSET_1.

After this sequence, the FlashMic is in its standby state – referred to in this manual as IDLE mode - and the displays are as shown below.

FlashMic IDLE Mode Displays

In IDLE mode – i.e. when the FlashMic is powered but not otherwise being operated

– the main display alternates between the number of the last recording (

- recorded files within the FlashMic are referred to as ‘tracks’) and the remaining recording time.

An exception to this is when no recordings have been made since the FlashMic was last reconfigured, when the message NOFILE appears instead of TRKnnn.

The FlashMic is fitted with an internal calendar/clock. Before using the FlashMic for the first time it is recommended that this is set correctly. See Clock Set Menu, page 23 for details of how to do this.

TRKnnn

03:24:04

Rec

SAVING

Making a Recording

The file format created within the FlashMic includes a record of the date and time

at which the recording was made, together with textual information – entered via

FlashMic Manager software – to aid later identification of recordings. Nevertheless,

it is good recording practice to keep a separate written or electronic recording log

during a recording session in the field, as many similar-sounding files may often be

created.

Keeping such a log is recommended. It will frequently ease the task of identifying

your recordings after they have been transferred into a computer for further

editing.

To initiate a new recording, press the red REC button (G). The REC flag in the display and the REC LED on the FlashMic’s rear panel both illuminate.

The record LED can be turned off, if for example, the FlashMic is in camera shot. To

do this, press and hold the PLAY button while the FlashMic is in REC Mode; the display

will show LEDOFF. The LED can be re-enabled by repeating this action while still in REC

Mode. Note that the LED will always illuminate initially when REC Mode is selected.

The bargraph meter in the display provides an indication of the recording level.

The main display indicates the remaining recording time, and counts down.

When there are 10mins. of record time remaining, the display backlight, the record LED on the FlashMic base and the REC flag in the display will all flash. The FlashMic will stop recording when there is 1min. of recording time remaining; this is to allow for data error correction.

Recording Display

To stop the recording, press the M/STOP button (M). The text SAVING appears in the display, and after a brief pause, the IDLE display resumes, with the track number being indicated.

Saving Recorded Track

Factory settings:

Settings of recording format, record level, etc., will generally be made via the system of configuration files and presets within the FlashMic Manager software. However, the FlashMic comes with a set of factory parameters enabling it to be used “out of the box”, without any recourse to FlashMic Manager. See Using the Default Configuration, page 28 for a list of these parameter values.

UNLOCK

Rec

LOCKED

Rec

PreRecord Buffer (Introduction)

In a busy journalistic schedule, it is sometimes difficult - or impossible - to get to the record button quickly enough. The result is a recording that starts a few seconds after the vital bit of information that was needed. The FlashMic incorporates a prerecord buffer of up to 10 seconds (adjustable), which avoids this situation.

When the recording is replayed, it will be found that it begins with a few seconds of audio immediately before the REC button was pressed. See PreRecord Buffer, page 36 for more details.

Record Lock

The FlashMic is equipped with a REC LOCK function to prevent the accidental cancelling of REC mode during a recording.

Once in REC mode, press the REC button a second time, holding it down for at least 2 seconds, until the LCD screen displays the text LOCKED.

Pressing the M/STOP button will now have no effect (other than to display the text LOCKED).

To disable REC LOCK mode, press and hold the REC button until the LOCKED display changes to UNLOCK.

Now the recording can be stopped in the normal manner by pressing M/STOP.

REC LOCKED/UNLOCK Displays

Monitoring

A pair of headphones may be connected to the FlashMic for monitoring purposes. Headphones of 32 ohms impedance or higher should be used. Connect the headphones via the 3.5mm 3-pole jack marked PHONES on the FlashMic bottom panel. The mono signal from the FlashMic will be heard in both earpieces. Headphone monitoring of live audio is active in both IDLE and REC modes.

The monitor output may be used to drive external equipment for monitoring or recording if desired.

The monitor level is adjusted with the jogswitch; a SHORT PRESS shows the text PHONnn on the LCD display, where nn = the current level. (The units are arbitrary; 00 = off, 50 = max.) A SHORT UP TURN or DOWN TURN will respectively increase or decrease the monitor level. Note that the monitor level always resets to 28 when the FlashMic is switched on. The level can be adjusted during REC, PLAY or IDLE modes.

The LCD display will return automatically to the REC or IDLE displays after a timeout period of approx. 2 seconds.

RVOL35

Rec

RV AGC

Rec

00:00:01

Play

TRK005

Adjusting Record Level

Adjustment of Record level is only possible if the FlashMic has been set (via the FlashMic Manager software) to permit configuration changes by the user. See the section on FlashMic Manager for more information.

The recording level is adjusted with the jogswitch. A SHORT UP TURN or DOWN TURN while in REC mode displays the text RVOLnn, where nn = the current level. (Unlike monitor level, the units are not arbitrary, being increments of approximately 1dB; 01 = min, 40 = max.) Further SHORT UP or DOWN TURNS will nudge the record level up or down.

When the record level is reduced to minimum, the AGC system is selected and the display shows RV AGC. In this mode, FlashMic automatically adjusts recording level according to the sound level. In most situations, this ensures that a recording of usable level will be made, but as with all automatic gain systems, a degree of background noise “pumping” may be audible on the recording.

It is also possible to adjust the FlashMic’s recording level from IDLE mode, using the menu system. See FlashMic Menu System, page 18.

Note that the record level always resets to the last value used when the FlashMic is switched on, and not to the value set as part of the preset by FlashMic Manager. (See section on FlashMic Manager for more information on presets.)

Setting Recording Levels

Replaying Tracks

A recorded track may be replayed for auditioning purposes.

To replay the last track recorded, press the PLAY button (H). The PLAY flag on the LCD display illuminates. After a brief pause, the display shows the elapsed time of the track. The recording may be monitored via the PHONES connector. At the end of the track, the FlashMic will resume IDLE mode. Pressing the M/STOP button during replay will also return the FlashMic to IDLE mode. To pause playback during play, press PLAY again. The LCD display will show PAUSE. Play can be resumed by pressing PLAY again, or stop mode can be entered by pressing ‘MENU/STOP.

A LONG UP TURN on the jogswitch will “fast-forward” the track (FFW mode), to enable a particular section of the track to be located. Similarly, a LONG DOWN TURN “rewinds” the track (REW mode). The time display continues to show the track time during these ‘fast’ modes.

To select and replay a track other than the last recorded, decrement the track number with SHORT DOWN TURNs on the jogswitch. (A LONG DOWN TURN will decrement faster.) UP TURNs will similarly increment the track number. When the required track number is displayed, press the PLAY button to replay the track.

It is also possible to select a different track while remaining in PLAY mode; SHORT TURNs of the jogswitch will skip to the next or previous track, depending on the direction of rotation. Be careful not to make LONG TURNs, as the FlashMic will instead enter FFW or REW mode, as described above.

Select Track Display

Track Replay Display

+ 30 hidden pages