Mackie HDR 24, HDR 96, HDR 24/96 Operation Manual

HDR 24HDR 24

HDR 24/96

HDR 24HDR 24

Operation Guide

24 TRACK/24 BIT, DIGITAL AUDIO HARD DISK RECORDER AND EDITOR

CAUTION AVIS

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE

NE PAS OUVRIR

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE CHOC

ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUN

ENTRETIEN DE PIECES INTERIEURES PAR L’USAGER. CONFIER

L’ENTRETIEN AU PERSONNEL QUALIFIE.

AVIS: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES D’INCENDIE OU

HDR 24/96

D’ELECTROCUTION, N’EXPOSEZ PAS CET ARTICLE

A LA PLUIE OU A L’HUMIDITE

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated
"dangerous voltage" within the product’s enclosure, that may be
of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

Le symbole clair avec point de fl che l’int rieur d’un triangle

quilat ral est utilis pour alerter l’utilisateur de la pr sence
l’int rieur du coffret de "voltage dangereux" non isol d’ampleur
suffisante pour constituer un risque d’ l ctrocution.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to
alert the user of the presence of important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

Le point d’exclamation l’int rieur d’un triangle quilat ral est
employ pour alerter les utilisateurs de la pr sence d’instructions
importantes pour le fonctionnement et l’entretien (service) dans le
livret d’instruction accompagnant l’appareil.

Important Safety Instructions

1. Read Instructions — Read, understand and follow all safety and operating
instructions before using the HDR24/96.

2. Retain Instructions — Keep these safety and operating instructions for future
reference.

3. Heed Warnings — Follow all warnings on the HDR24/96 and in these
operating instructions.

4. Water and Moisture — Do not use the HDR24/96 near water – for example,
near a bathtub, kitchen sink, garden hose, incontinent poodle, sweaty
drummer, etc. – or when condensation has formed on the unit.

5. Cleaning — Clean only with a dry cloth.

6. Heat and Ventilation — Locate the HDR24/96 away from heat sources such

as radiators, campfires, compost pits, heliarc welders, magma flows, etc. Do
not block HDR24/96 ventilation openings or install in spaces that prevent
adequate air circulation to the unit.

7. Power Sources — Connect the HDR24/96 only to a power source of the type
described in these operating instructions or as marked on the HDR24/96.

8. Power Cord Protection — Route power supply cords so that they are not likely
to be walked upon, tripped over, or abraded by items placed upon or against
them. Pay particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and
the point where they exit the HDR24/96.

9. Object and Liquid Entry — Do not drop objects or spill liquids into the
HDR24/96. Clean only with a dry cloth; do not clean with liquid or aerosol
cleaners.

PORTABLE CART WARNING

Carts and stands - The
Component should be used
only with a cart or stand
that is recommended by
the manufacturer.
A Component and cart
combination should be
moved with care. Quick
stops, excessive force, and
uneven surfaces may cause
the Component and cart
combination to overturn.

2

HDR 24/96

10.

Attachments — Use the HDR24/96 with only the accessories specified in

this manual.

11.

Damage Requiring Service — The HDR24/96 should be serviced only by

qualified service personnel when:

A. The power supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or
B. Objects have fallen onto, or liquid has spilled into the unit; or
C. The unit has been exposed to rain or water; or
D. The unit does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked

change in performance; or

E. The unit has been dropped, or its chassis damaged.

12.

Servicing — Do not attempt to service the HDR24/96. All servicing

should be referred to the Mackie Service Department.

13.

Power Precaution — Unplug the HDR 24/96 during lightning storms or

when unused for long periods of time. Note that this Mackie product is not
completely disconnected from the AC mains service when the power switch
is in the OFF position.

14.

Grounding and Polarization — To prevent electric shock, do not use the

HDR24/96 polarized plug with an extension cord, receptacle or other
outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure.
Do not defeat the HDR24/96 grounding by plugging into an ungrounded
receptacle or ground lift adapter.

This apparatus does not exceed the Class A/Class B (whichever is applicable)
limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as set out in the radio
interference regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

ATTENTION — Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits
radioélectriques dépassant las limites applicables aux appareils numériques de
class A/de class B (selon le cas) prescrites dans le réglement sur le brouillage
radioélectrique édicté par les ministere des communications du Canada.

FCC Information

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply

with the limits for a Class A digital devices, pursuant to Part 15
of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential
area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the
user will be required to correct the interference at his own
expense.

This product has been tested and complies with the
following standards and directives as set forth by the

European Union:
* EN 55022 Radiated and Conducted Emissions
* EN 61000-4-2 Electrostatic Discharge Immunity
* EN 61000-4-3 RF Electromagnetic Fields Immunity
* EN 61000-4-4 Electrical Fast Transient/Burst Immunity
* EN 60950/IEC 950 Electrical Safety Requirements

WARNING — To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this

appliance to rain or moisture.

WARNING — Before applying power to the HDR24/96, make sure that the

Voltage Selector switch next to the AC inlet jack on the rear panel is set
to the line voltage used in your region. Powering-on the HDR24/96
with the Voltage Selector switch set incorrectly will cause an electrical
and fire hazard that may result in irreparable damage to the unit.

Contents

Operation Guide

Introduction ----------------------------4

Save your Box! -------------------------------- 4
How To Use This Guide --------------------- 4
Conventions ---------------------------------- 5
About “Tape” --------------------------------- 5
Overview -------------------------------------- 6

Setup & Configuration ----------------7

Required Equipment ------------------------ 7
Installation------------------------------------ 7

I/O Cards & Cables ------------------------------- 8
Sync Card & Cables - Word Clock and
Digital Synchronization------------------------ 10
Mackie Media (Optional) ----------------------- 12
Monitor / Mouse / Keyboard (Optional) --- 13
Remote 24 / Remote 48 (Optional) ---------- 14
Footswitch (Optional) --------------------------- 14

Power-Up-------------------------------------- 14
Configuration--------------------------------- 15

I/O Cards------------------------------------------- 15
Synchronization ---------------------------------- 19

Hookups ----------------------------------------21

Analog Hookup (AIO•8) ------------------------- 21
TDIF Hookup (DIO•8) ---------------------------- 23
ADAT Optical Hookup (DIO•8 or OPT•8) ---- 25
AES/EBU Hookup (PDI•8) ----------------------- 28

Appendix A: Compatible Cables ----52

Analog and Digital Multitrack Cables ----52
Other Cables---------------------------------- 53

Appendix B: I/O Card Pinouts ------54

AIO•8 Pinouts -------------------------------- 54
PDI•8 Pinouts --------------------------------- 54

Troubleshooting and Service--------55

Please write your serial number here for future
reference:

Purchased at:

Date Of Purchase:

HDR24/96 Operation----------------- 30

Opening Projects ---------------------------- 30
Basic Transport Operations ----------------32
Time Displays--------------------------------- 33
Locate Points and Looping----------------- 34
Cues -------------------------------------------- 36
Creating Projects ---------------------------- 38
Naming Tracks -------------------------------- 40
Monitoring ------------------------------------ 40
Metering and Setting Record Levels ----- 42
Recording ------------------------------------- 44
Autopunch ------------------------------------ 46
Footswitch Operation ---------------------- 47
Delete Last ------------------------------------ 48
Saving Projects --------------------------------48
Project Backup / Restore ------------------ 49

Manual Part No. 820-225-00 Rev. C1 10/02
© 2002 Mackie Designs Inc. All rights reserved

Printed in the U.S.A.

Operation Guide

3

HDR 24/96

Introduction

Save your Box!

Uncle Jeff’s Bottom Ten Reasons to Save the Box:

10. You think boxes grow on trees?

9. It’s actually a time capsule, packed with a biological code that can’t be
decrypted until 2043.

8. Its festive graphics will cheer up those other boxes forgotten in your
attic.

7. Impress your friends: tape it up and pretend that you actually have two
HDR24/96s.

6. If you throw it away, bad people will know you have a studio in your
house.

5. Someday, when paper costs more than steel, it could net you a fortune.

4. The HDR24/96 itself only costs $47.95. The balance is what you paid for
the box.

3. Properly sealed, it can be used as a flotation device in the unlikely event
of a water landing.

2. It’s a great place to hide your old digital 8-track recorder.

1. If you collect ten HDR24/96 boxes, Greg will come over for dinner (this
offer does not apply to dealers or distributors).

In the unlikely event that you should need to send the HDR24/96 back to Mackie
for service, please use the shipping box it came in. This box has been specially
designed to minimize damage to the HDR24/96 during shipping, so that it won’t
end up more broken than when you sent it.

How To Use This Guide

Welcome to the cutting edge of affordable multitrack recording and editing! We
know you’re feeling eager, but please take a few minutes and read this Operation
Guide before you jump into your first HDR24/96 session. The first part of this guide
explains how to install and configure the various HDR24/96 I/O cards and connect
the HDR24/96 to an analog or digital console. The second part describes how to
start a session, operate the basic transport and monitoring controls, and explains
the terms and conventions used to name, store, and retrieve projects on disk.

To get the most out of this guide, you’ll need to be familiar with the basic
multitrack recording process. To take advantage of the built-in Graphical User
Interface (GUI), you’ll need to attach a standard SVGA computer monitor, mouse,
and keyboard. This Quick Start Guide covers both front panel and GUI operation.

We have purposely excluded all the extra stuff from this guide to give you just the
basic information you need to get going right away. For more information see the
companion Editing Guide and download the Technical Reference Guide from our
website. Updated manuals and the latest software releases can be obtained from
Mackie’s website at:

www.mackie.com.

4

HDR 24/96

Conventions

The HDR24/96 Operation Guide uses the following conventions to help you find
information quickly:

Text Conventions

a) Keyboard Keys (example: SHIFT)
b) Keyboard keys you hold at same time (example: CTRL+SHIFT+6)
c) File or folder names (example: C:\HDR Projects\Ode To Masters\Ode

To Masters.hdr)

d) Software or hardware controls (example: Punch)
e) Proper names of objects in GUI or front/rear panel (example: Transport)

Icons

This icon identifies a description of how to perform an action with the mouse.

This icon identifies a description of how to perform an action with the keyboard.

Operation Guide

This icon identifies a description of how to perform an action from the front panel.

This icon identifies in-depth explanations of features and practical tips. Though
not required reading, they do offer some choice tidbits of knowledge that will
leave you wiser for the reading.

This icon identifies information that is critically important to the operation of the
HDR24/96. So for your own sake, please read these sections.

About “Tape”

No, you’re not reading the wrong manual. Our goal was to build a hard disk
recorder that is comfortable for someone familiar with tape recording, but that
doesn’t require you to get a brain transplant from a computer geek to use. When
familiar terms such as Tape Inputs, Tape Returns, Transport, and the like are
applied to the HDR24/96, they mean exactly what you expect them to mean.
Where the well-worn shoe fits, we continue to wear it.

Operation Guide

5

HDR 24/96

Overview

By combining traditional multitrack tape recording features with the power and
flexibility of graphical non-linear editing, the Mackie Designs HDR24/96 takes
multitrack recording to a level never before achieved by a product in its price
range. In addition to the standard battery of traditional tape-based features, the
HDR24/96:

• Combines the familiarity of a multitrack tape machine with the security of

non-destructive recording and non-degrading recording media.

• Includes a Graphical User Interface and a built-in DAW-style editor,

accessible by adding an SVGA monitor, two-button PS/2 compatible
mouse, and a standard PC keyboard.

• Records simultaneously on all 24 tracks at 44.1 or 48 kHz and on 12

tracks at 88.2 or 96 kHz. At 48 kHz the internal hard drive stores over
2200 track-minutes of 24-bit audio (90 minutes of 24 full tracks). That’s
more than six reels of 2” tape at 30 inches per second! At 96 kHz the drive
stores 1100 track-minutes of 24-bit audio (90 minutes of 12 full tracks).

• Has eight Virtual Takes per track, allowing you to record multiple passes

without having to change routing and busing assignments or use
additional tracks.

• Interfaces with any analog or digital console. The HDR24/96 uses the

same I/O cards as the Mackie Digital 8•Bus console: the AIO•8 (24-bit
analog A/D and D/A), DIO•8 (TDIF/ADAT Optical), PDI•8 (AES/EBU),
and low-cost OPT•8 (ADAT Optical).

Record Ready

24TRACK/24BIT DIGITAL AUDIO HARD DISK RECORDER/EDITOR

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REC REC REC REC REC REC REC REC REC REC REC

POWER

ON

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• Provides three convenient methods of backup: Mackie Media M•90, a

removable hard drive (also capable of 24-track recording and playback),
Mackie Media PROJECT, a removable drive using inexpensive, removable

2.2 GB ORB cartridges, and data transfer to another computer through the
HDR24/96’s 100 Base-T Ethernet port via the built-in FTP server.

• Offers two optional remote control devices — the compact Remote 24 for

smaller project studios, and the full-featured Remote 48 for controlling up
to 48 tracks on two HDR24/96 recorders.

Meter Display

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LOC 2LOC 1 STORE

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2019181716151413121110987654321

21

ALL

REC

INPUT

SAFE

Status Display

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242322212019181716151413121110987654321

242322

AUTO

T-CODE

AUTO

TAKE

CHASE

INPUT

Current
Time Display

HDR 24/

44.1k

48k

96k

VARI

24 BIT

16 BIT

ERROR

TC CLOCK

PROJECT: Little love

PLAYLIST: Playlist 1
DRIVE: C:Internal
AVAIL: 01:35:00

TRACKDELETE LAST PROJECT BACKUP DISK UTIL SYSTEM DIGI-I/O SYNC DEC INC

REWIND

FAST FWD

HIGH RESOLUTION AUDIO

96

44.1/48/96K SAMPLE RATES

MINUTESHOURS

BARS

SELECTSELECTSELECT

STOP

SECONDS FR AMES

BEATS

TICKS

SELECT

PLAY

LCD Display

RECORD

Media Tray Floppy Drive

Locate & Loop

Monitoring &
Record Safe

6

HDR 24/96

Auto Take & Time
code Chase

Transport

System Control

LCD Control