Portable Hard Disk Recorder
User Handbook
Sonifex Ltd, 1997-2001
All Rights Reserved
These handbook pages will alter depending on the version of firmware installed in your
Courier. These pages were written for release with V3.0 Courier firmware.
Revision 3.01 June 2001
Email : courier.support@sonifex.co.uk
Website : http://www.so n i fex. co . u k
Courier Firmware Update : http://www.sonifex.co.uk/courier/upgrade.htm
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of the
vendor. Sonifex Ltd shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from the use of information or any error
contained in this manual.
No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval systems, for any purpose other than the purchaser 's personal
use, without the express written permission of Sonifex Ltd.
Unless otherwise noted, all names of companies, products and persons contained herein are part of a completely fictitious
adaptation and are designed solely to document the use of Sonifex products.
Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows, Windows for Workgroups, MSDOS and DOS are a trademark of the Microsoft Corporation. SADiE is a trademark of Studio Audio and Video Ltd, DADpro32
and DAD are trademarks of Enco Systems Inc and Dalet is a trademark of Dalet Digital Systems. All other trademarks or
references are acknowledged.
Contents
Courier User Handbook C-1
Contents
N. Notation used in this handbook................................................................... N-1
1. Warranty & safety information...................................................................1-1
1.1. Warranty and liability............................................................................. 1-1
1.1.1. Returning the warranty card ......................................................................... 1-3
1.1.2. Reporting software bugs............................................................................... 1-3
1.2. Equipment safety ....................................................................................1-4
2. Introduction...................................................................................................2-1
2.1. What’s supplied with your Courier ? ...................................................... 2-1
2.2. Summary of features............................................................................... 2-1
2.3. Notes on operation.................................................................................. 2-4
2.3.1. Handling the unit.......................................................................................... 2-4
2.3.2. Care of the unit............................................................................................. 2-4
2.3.3. Use of Courier for the partially sighted ........................................................ 2-4
2.4. Identification of parts..............................................................................2-5
2.5. Front Panel Controls............................................................................... 2-6
2.6. Right side panel connectors & controls ................................................ 2-10
2.7. Left side panel connectors & controls...................................................2-12
2.8. Top panel controls ................................................................................ 2-14
3. Preparing the machine for use .....................................................................3-1
3.1. Power supply .......................................................................................... 3-1
3.1.1. Mains power requirements............................................................................ 3-1
3.1.2. Portable power requirements ........................................................................ 3-1
3.1.3. Optional 12V power supply.......................................................................... 3-2
3.1.4. Optional charger ........................................................................................... 3-2
3.1.5. Optional AA cell adapter pack...................................................................... 3-2
3.1.6. Inserting the battery...................................................................................... 3-3
3.1.7. Removing the battery.................................................................................... 3-3
3.1.8. Hot swap battery changes ............................................................................. 3-3
3.1.9. Changing the [Battery Type] in Courier....................................................... 3-4
3.1.10. Recharging the external battery .................................................................... 3-4
3.1.11. Recharging the internal cells (used for the hot swap) ................................... 3-5
3.2. Removable disks for operation in Courier ..............................................3-6
3.2.1. Types of PCMCIA hard disk ........................................................................ 3-6
3.2.2. Types of PCMCIA flash card ....................................................................... 3-6
3.2.3. Inserting a PCMCIA disk ............................................................................. 3-7
3.2.4. Removing a PCMCIA disk........................................................................... 3-7
3.3. Connecting the Courier for use............................................................... 3-8
Contents
C-2 Courier User Handbook
3.4. Booting up the Courier............................................................................3-8
3.5. Switching off the Courier........................................................................3-9
3.5.1. Automatic shutdown .....................................................................................3-9
3.6. Inserting the Courier into the carry case ...............................................3-10
4. Menu operation & structure ........................................................................4-1
4.1. Menu key ................................................................................................4-1
4.2. Menu navigation keys .............................................................................4-1
4.3. Menu operation.......................................................................................4-2
4.4. Making a menu selection.........................................................................4-2
4.5. Menu structure ........................................................................................4-3
4.6. Cut List menu structure ...........................................................................4-4
5. Recording .......................................................................................................5-1
5.1. Making a recording.................................................................................5-2
5.2. Pausing and stopping a recording ...........................................................5-3
5.3. Automatically starting a recording..........................................................5-3
5.4. Placing Marks on a recording .................................................................5-4
5.5. Confidence monitor.................................................................................5-5
5.6. Checking the battery status & disk time remaining while recording.......5-6
5.6.1. Battery status.................................................................................................5-6
5.6.2. Disk time remaining......................................................................................5-7
5.7. Selecting the recording format (Record Style)........................................5-8
5.7.1. Record Style menu ........................................................................................5-8
5.7.2. Checking the settings of the Courier’s current Record Style.......................5-10
5.7.3. Altering the parameters of a Record Style...................................................5-11
5.7.4. Volume data................................................................................................5-14
5.7.5. Adding a new Record Style.........................................................................5-14
5.7.6. Renaming a Record Style............................................................................5-15
5.7.7. Deleting a Record Style...............................................................................5-15
5.7.8. Checking the Record Style setting of a cut..................................................5-16
5.8. Audio Options.......................................................................................5-17
5.8.1. Using the Mic Filter....................................................................................5-17
5.8.2. Using the Limiter ........................................................................................5-18
5.8.3. Changing the metering between dB scale and PPM scale...........................5-21
5.8.4. Setting the peak LED level..........................................................................5-22
5.8.5. Muting the speaker while recording............................................................5-23
5.8.6. Phantom power options...............................................................................5-24
5.8.7. Waveform (Sound) option...........................................................................5-25
5.8.8. Mpeg Coding ..............................................................................................5-26
Contents
Courier User Handbook C-3
6. Playing & Monitoring................................................................................... 6-1
6.1. Playing and reviewing a recording.......................................................... 6-1
6.1.1. Transport keys .............................................................................................. 6-2
6.1.2. Adjusting the output level............................................................................. 6-3
6.2. Monitoring audio ....................................................................................6-4
6.2.1. Headphone and speaker monitoring ............................................................. 6-4
6.2.2. Headphone and speaker level control........................................................... 6-4
6.3. Playback options..................................................................................... 6-5
6.3.1. Playback timer count-up or count-down....................................................... 6-5
7. Editing............................................................................................................ 7-1
7.1. Overview ................................................................................................ 7-1
7.2. Keys used for editing .............................................................................. 7-2
7.3. Entering the Edit Mode...........................................................................7-4
7.4. Principles of editing................................................................................7-5
7.4.1. Using Marks ................................................................................................. 7-5
7.4.2. Removing audio segments............................................................................ 7-7
7.4.3. Keeping audio segments............................................................................... 7-7
7.4.4. Selecting multiple sections of audio ............................................................. 7-7
7.5. Saving edited audio files.........................................................................7-8
7.5.1. Save .............................................................................................................. 7-8
7.5.2. Save As......................................................................................................... 7-9
7.6. Editing tools..........................................................................................7-10
7.6.1. Undo ........................................................................................................... 7-10
7.6.2. Changing the display scale ......................................................................... 7-11
7.6.3. Changing the mode of the timer display ..................................................... 7-12
7.7. Exiting the Edit Mode........................................................................... 7-12
7.8. Cut and paste editing ............................................................................ 7-13
7.8.1. Creating a new Playlist ............................................................................... 7-13
7.8.2. Opening an existing Playlist ....................................................................... 7-14
7.8.3. Adding cuts or clips to a Playlist ................................................................ 7-14
7.8.4. Saving a Playlist ......................................................................................... 7-15
7.8.5. Playing a Playlist ........................................................................................ 7-16
7.8.6. Deletion or renaming of a cut that is also included in a Playlist................. 7-17
7.8.7. Checking the contents of a Playlist............................................................. 7-17
7.9. Editing a Playlist in the Playlist Compile Mode ...................................7-18
7.9.1. Rearrangement of cuts in Playlists.............................................................. 7-19
7.9.2. Deleting Playlist cuts .................................................................................. 7-19
7.9.3. Segueway (cut join) auditioning................................................................. 7-20
7.9.4. Fine-editing cuts in a Playlist ..................................................................... 7-20
7.10. Merging linear files...............................................................................7-21
Contents
C-4 Courier User Handbook
8. Using the Courier file system........................................................................8-1
8.1. File management .....................................................................................8-1
8.1.1. Naming audio recordings ..............................................................................8-1
8.1.2. Renaming recordings already made ..............................................................8-4
8.1.3. Deleting cuts from the disk ...........................................................................8-5
8.1.4. Deleting multiple cuts from the disk.............................................................8-6
8.2. Disk management....................................................................................8-6
8.2.1. Formatting a disk ..........................................................................................8-7
8.2.2. Show format command in the main Cut-List Mode menu.............................8-7
8.3. Where recordings and information files are stored .................................8-8
8.3.1. Audio files.....................................................................................................8-8
8.3.2. Information files............................................................................................8-9
8.4. Displaying information about a cut in the Properties Mode .................8-10
8.5. Audio file formats .................................................................................8-11
8.5.1. Compatibility with editing systems .............................................................8-12
9. System settings and display options .............................................................9-1
9.1. System settings........................................................................................9-1
9.2. Altering Courier’s clock..........................................................................9-1
9.2.1. Selecting the date format...............................................................................9-1
9.2.2. Altering the time ...........................................................................................9-2
9.2.3. Altering the date............................................................................................9-2
9.3. Checking the current time & date settings...............................................9-3
9.4. Reading and writing setup .ini files.........................................................9-4
9.4.1. Writing a setup file to disk............................................................................9-4
9.4.2. Reading a setup file from disk.......................................................................9-5
9.5. Passwording............................................................................................9-6
9.5.1. Setting the password .....................................................................................9-6
9.5.2. Entering the password at the [Setup] menu...................................................9-7
9.5.3. Entering an incorrect password.....................................................................9-7
9.6. Display options .......................................................................................9-9
9.6.1. Display of the Cut-List..................................................................................9-9
9.6.2. Appearance of the menu..............................................................................9-10
9.6.3. Type of warning beep..................................................................................9-12
10. Battery and power management ................................................................10-1
10.1. Battery management..............................................................................10-1
10.1.1. BATT/DISK status button...........................................................................10-1
10.1.2. Battery status icon.......................................................................................10-3
10.1.3. Front panel power indicator LED................................................................10-4
10.1.4. Charger features..........................................................................................10-4
10.2. Power management...............................................................................10-5
10.2.1. Power saving features..................................................................................10-5
Contents
Courier User Handbook C-5
11. PhoneBook...................................................................................................11-1
11.1. Protocol & connection information........................................................11-1
11.1.1. Communication method............................................................................... 11-1
11.1.2. Transfer protocol used ................................................................................. 11-2
11.1.3. Entering a number ....................................................................................... 11-3
11.1.4. Selecting a script file ................................................................................... 11-4
11.1.5. Modem types ............................................................................................... 11-4
11.2. Adding an entry to the PhoneBook........................................................ 11-5
11.3. Editing an entry in the PhoneBook ........................................................ 11-7
11.4. Deleting an entry in the PhoneBook ...................................................... 11-8
11.5. Renaming an entry in the PhoneBook.................................................... 11-8
11.6. Setting the default phone number for file transfer..................................11-9
11.7. Setting the default phone number for live audio transmission .............11-10
12. Connectivity................................................................................................. 12-1
12.1. Connecting directly to a PC .................................................................. 12-2
12.1.1. Using a drive-bay........................................................................................ 12-2
12.1.2. Using the serial connection......................................................................... 12-2
12.1.3. Using the USB connection ......................................................................... 12-2
12.2. Using a telephone line to transfer audio................................................12-4
12.2.1. Using a modem to transfer data .................................................................. 12-4
12.2.2. Transferring multiple files .......................................................................... 12-4
12.2.3. Using a telephone hybrid to transfer audio................................................. 12-9
12.3. Using a GSM mobile phone to transfer audio.....................................12-11
12.4. Using an ISDN line to transfer audio.................................................. 12-12
12.4.1. Setting up the internal ISDN modem........................................................ 12-12
12.4.2. Transferring data files over ISDN............................................................. 12-16
12.4.3. Live audio over ISDN............................................................................... 12-17
12.4.4. Dialling the last number used ................................................................... 12-19
13. Courier Configuration Manager ...............................................................13-1
13.1. Installing the Courier Configuration Manager software........................13-1
13.2. Running the Courier Configuration Manager software......................... 13-5
13.2.1. Saving a setup.ini file ................................................................................. 13-6
13.2.2. Format of the Setup .ini file........................................................................ 13-7
13.2.3. Description of setup .ini terms.................................................................... 13-9
13.3. Transferring files between the Courier and a PC using CCM............. 13-12
13.3.1. Setting up the Courier comms options for PC connection........................ 13-12
13.3.2. Connecting the Courier to a PC................................................................ 13-13
13.3.3. Enabling the Courier to send and receive files ......................................... 13-13
13.3.4. Setting up the communications port of the PC ......................................... 13-13
13.3.5. Establishing a connection......................................................................... 13-14
13.3.6. Sending files from the PC to the Courier.................................................. 13-15
13.3.7. Sending files from the Courier to the PC.................................................. 13-18
Contents
C-6 Courier User Handbook
13.4. Script files...........................................................................................13-21
14. Specification & connection details .............................................................14-1
14.1. Specifications........................................................................................14-1
14.1.1. Physical specification..................................................................................14-1
14.1.2. Audio specification .....................................................................................14-1
14.1.3. Connections ................................................................................................14-1
14.1.4. Operational controls....................................................................................14-2
14.1.5. Additional information................................................................................14-2
14.1.6. Firmware versions.......................................................................................14-3
14.1.7. Recording durations for various disk sizes..................................................14-4
14.1.8. Accessories..................................................................................................14-5
14.2. Connection details.................................................................................14-7
14.2.1. Analogue audio inputs ................................................................................14-7
14.2.2. Analogue audio outputs ..............................................................................14-7
14.2.3. AES-EBU digital audio output....................................................................14-7
14.2.4. RS232 .........................................................................................................14-7
14.2.5. Headphone ..................................................................................................14-8
14.2.6. Power ..........................................................................................................14-8
A. Appendix A : Upgrading the firmware.......................................................A-1
A.1. Format of a firmware download file.......................................................A-1
A.2. Where to get new firmware.................................................................... A-1
A.3. Upgrading the firmware .........................................................................A-2
A.4. Subscribing to the Courier firmware updates list ...................................A-3
B. Appendix B : Diagnostics and troubleshooting.......................................... B-1
B.1. Diagnostics............................................................................................. B-1
B.1.1. Checking the LCD........................................................................................B-1
B.1.2. Checking the buttons and switches .............................................................. B-2
B.1.3. Checking the speaker and headphones with beeps....................................... B-2
B.1.4. Checking the RS232 port............................................................................. B-3
B.1.5. Setting the BATT/DISK button to be latching............................................. B-3
B.1.6. Show the charging parameters on the battery display screen ....................... B-4
B.2. Troubleshooting.....................................................................................B-6
B.2.1. PC compatibility problems........................................................................... B-6
B.2.2. Physical problems ........................................................................................ B-6
B.2.3. Power-up problems ...................................................................................... B-7
B.2.4. Recording problems..................................................................................... B-8
B.2.5. Communications problems........................................................................... B-9
C. Glossary of terms..........................................................................................C-1
I. Index ............................................................................................................... I-1
Notation
Courier User Handbook N-1
N. Notation used in this handbook
Throughout this handbook, the following notation is used :
1. Any button presses are displayed in capital letters :
for example press the PLAY button to begin playback.
2. Menu selections are shown in square brackets with a series of menu selections
shown separated by commas, for example :
[Setup], [Display], [Show Type]
means that from the menu you should select the “Setup” option and then the
“Display” option and then the “Show Type” option.
3. Notes to the main text are always shown in bold - these refer to anomalies or
irregularities of the text above the note. For example :
Note : There is an option to mute the speaker to prevent feedback.
4. Modes of operation are displayed in italics and are self-explanatory. For
example :
Edit Mode - This is where editing is carried out and is entered by pressing the
EDIT button.
Cut-List Mode - This is the normal operational mode of Courier and shows a
scrollable list of cuts on the display.
Play Mode - Press the PLAY button to enter the Play Mode.
Record Mode - This mode is entered when you begin recording.
AutoStart Record Mode - This is the mode used when AutoStart recording is
selected.
Record Pause Mode - Slide the RECORD PAUSE switch to the right to enter
the Record Pause Mode.
Notation
N-2 Courier User Handbook
Properties Mode - From the Cut-List Mode, press the ENTER button to see the
properties of a cut.
Chapter 1 - Warranty & Safety Information
Courier User Handbook 1-1
1. Warranty & safety information
1.1. Warranty and liability - important : the
purchaser is advised to read this clause
(a) The Company agrees to repair or (at its discretion) replace Goods which are
found to be defective (fair wear and tear excepted) and which are returned to the
Company within 12 months of the date of despatch provided that each of the
following are satisfied:
(i) notification of any defect is given to the Company immediately upon its
becoming apparent to the Purchaser;
(ii) the Goods have only been operated under normal operating conditions and
have only been subject to normal use (and in particular the Goods must have
been correctly connected and must not have been subject to high voltage or to
ionising radiation and must not have been used contrary to the Company's
technical recommendations);
(iii) the Goods are returned to the Company's premises at the Purchaser's
expense;
(iv) any Goods or parts of Goods replaced shall become the property of the
Company;
(v) no work whatsoever (other than normal and proper maintenance) has been
carried out to the Goods or any part of the Goods without the Company's prior
written consent;
(vi) the defect has not arisen from a design made, furnished or specified by the
Purchaser;
(vii) the Goods have been assembled or incorporated into other goods only in
accordance with any instructions issued by the Company;
(viii) the defect has not arisen from a design modified by the Purchaser;
(ix) the defect has not arisen from an item manufactured by a person other than
the Company. In respect of any item manufactured by a person other than the
Company, the Purchaser shall only be entitled to the benefit of any warranty or
guarantee provided by such manufacturer to the Company.
(b) In respect of computer software supplied by the Company the Company does
not warrant that the use of the software will be uninterrupted or error free.
(c) The Company accepts liability:
(i) for death or personal injury to the extent that it results from the negligence of
the Company, its employees (whilst in the course of their employment) or its
agents (in the course of the agency);
Chapter 1 - Warranty & Safety Information
1-2 Courier User Handbook
(ii) for any breach by the Company of any statutory undertaking as to title, quiet
possession and freedom from encumbrance.
(d) Subject to conditions (a) and (c) from the time of despatch of the Goods from
the Company's premises the Purchaser shall be responsible for any defect in the
Goods or loss, damage, nuisance or interference whatsoever consequential
economic or otherwise or wastage of material resulting from or caused by or to the
Goods. In particular the Company shall not be liable for any loss of profits or other
economic losses. The Company accordingly excludes all liability for the same.
(e) At the request and expense of the Purchaser the Company will test the Goods to
ascertain performance levels and provide a report of the results of that test. The
report will be accurate at the time of the test, to the best of the belief and
knowledge of the Company, and the Company accepts no liability in respect of its
accuracy beyond that set out in Condition (a).
(f) Subject to Condition (e) no representation, condition, warranty or other term,
express or implied (by statute or otherwise) is given by the Company that the
Goods are of any particular quality or standard or will enable the Purchaser to
attain any particular performance or result, or will be suitable for any particular
purpose or use under specific conditions or will provide any particular capacity,
notwithstanding that the requirement for such performance, result or capacity or
that such particular purpose or conditions may have been known (or ought to have
been known) to the Company, its employees or agents.
(g) (i) To the extent that the Company is held legally liable to the Purchaser for any
single breach of contract, tort, representation or other act or default, the
Company's liability for the same shall not exceed the Price of the Goods.
(ii) The restriction of liability in Condition (g)(i) shall not apply to any liability
accepted by the Seller in Condition (c).
(h) Where the Goods are sold under a consumer transaction (as defined by the
Consumer Transactions (Restrictions on Statements) Order 1976) the statutory
rights of the Purchaser are not affected by these Conditions of Sale.
Chapter 1 - Warranty & Safety Information
Courier User Handbook 1-3
1.1.1. Returning the warranty card
In order to register the date of purchase so that we can keep you informed of any
design improvements or modifications, it is important to complete the warranty
registration document that is enclosed with you and return it to Sonifex Ltd in the
UK.
For your own records you should write down the type of machine the serial number
(which can be found on the underside of the Courier) and software version (which
is found on the information menu screen).
Courier Type
CO-STD CO-ISDN-S CO-ISDN-U
CO-STD-USB CO-ISDN-S-USB
CO-ISDN-U-USB
Serial Number CO……………………….
Software Version V…………………………
1.1.2. Reporting software bugs
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the Courier software is bug-free, it
is possible that there are bugs in the software. If you find any bugs, please report
them to Sonifex because it helps us to improve the quality of the product and we
will usually be able to issue another version of firmware onto the Sonifex website
for you to upload into your Courier.
Report any bugs by email to : courier.support@sonifex.co.uk
When you report a bug, please add the following points :
1. The Courier serial number and the firmware version you are using (found in the
[Information] menu screen).
2. A contact who we can get in touch with regarding the problem, together with a
reply email address.
3. What you were doing when the bug occurred.
4. What actually happened, in as much detail as possible.
5. What you think the problem was caused by.
The more information you include, the easier it is to find the bug and cure it so
please add as much information as you can.
Chapter 1 - Warranty & Safety Information
1-4 Courier User Handbook
1.2. Equipment safety
This equipment has been designed to meet the safety regulations currently advised
in the country of purchase.
The mains supply which is provided with the Courier has four adapters for use in
different countries of the world. It is important to use the correct adapter for the
particular country that you are using the Courier in.
The power supply is rated at 12V, 2.5A, with a maximum output of 30W. The
following approvals are pending on the power supply : VDE, SEMKO, DEMKO,
NEMKO, FIMKO, UL, CSA and BABT.
The power cable supplied does not have an earth because the power supply is a
“double insulated” type. Also, the supply has a “self-healing” fuse, so you will
never need to change the fuse in the event of a power failure.
Under no circumstances should you attempt to open the case for either the power
supply, or the Courier.
This equipment conforms to the safety regulations specified by use of the
CE Mark.
Chapter 2 - Introduction
Courier User Handbook 2-1
2. Introduction
2.1. What’s supplied with your Courier ?
Each Courier is shipped with the following equipment. Please check your
packaging to ensure that you have all of the items below. If anything is missing,
please contact the supplier of your equipment immediately.
Where an item is found to have transit damage, notify the carrier immediately with
all the relevant details of the shipment. Packing materials should be kept for
inspection.
Quantity Item
1 Courier portable recorder
1 Carry case
1 Carry strap
1 Universal power supply with 4 different plug adapters
1 1200mAh NiCd battery
1 Serial communication cable (RS-232 to RS-232)
1 3.5” disk containing Courier Configuration Manager software
1 Handbook and warranty card
The first thing to do is to complete your warranty card and to send this back to
Sonifex Ltd in the United Kingdom. This way, you can be sure to receive any
information on software updates for the Courier.
2.2. Summary of features
Courier is a compact, battery powered digital audio recorder designed for in-thefield applications and digital news gathering.
Courier uses industry standard PCMCIA hard disks and flash-cards (PC cards) to
store high quality digital audio. The PC cards can be changed very quickly and are
capable of storing between 11 minutes and 289 hours of audio. (See Section 12.1.7
for detailed information of recording durations).
Chapter 2 - Introduction
2-2 Courier User Handbook
Courier can sample audio in stereo or mono and audio can be stored in industry
standard linear files or it can be compressed as it is recorded using the mpeg 2 layer
2 compression standard.
It's likely that if you use a specific hard-disk playout system, or prefer a particular
audio compression type you'll want to ensure that the recordings that you make are
in the correct format. You can define parameters such as sample rate, file format,
compression used and whether mono or stereo and give them a name - the
"recording style".
For example, a user in the radio industry may wish to store all audio on their playout system in stereo at 384 kbit/sec using mpeg compression. The recording style
could be called "radio" and every time that "radio" is selected as the style, the
recording made would be fully compatible, without the need for setting up the
Courier each time.
When recording in the field you often only get one chance, so it is imperative that
you can rely on your recorder. Courier has a confidence monitor - it is able to
replay material recorded to disk whilst still recording. Once you are recording, all
other controls are disabled except record levels, so you can’t accidentally stop your
recording.
Courier is powered using standard 6V 8mm-camcorder batteries that are
extensively available world-wide. There is an audible warning when the battery is
running low and the battery can even be changed without interrupting the recording
process. Supplied with your Courier is a mains adapter/charger, which
simultaneously charges the battery and powers your machine. An optional cigarlighter adapter is available to operate the Courier and charge the battery when in a
car.
Two inputs are available for either a single stereo source, or two mono sources,
which can be at microphone or line level. Each input has a level control, which can
be used separately or ganged together - the record level control is recessed so that it
can’t easily be knocked. Phantom power at 48V can be supplied to both
microphones individually and a high pass filter, essential for eliminating low
frequency traffic noise, together with a limiter, can be switched in.
A clearly visible display details the recording level (there is a separate LED peak
level display) and time count-up whilst recording. It can also give an indication of
disk space remaining and battery condition.
Chapter 2 - Introduction
Courier User Handbook 2-3
As standard, the Courier provides non-destructive, graphical editing facilities
including a jog/shuttle wheel to allow for accurate edits. When editing, the audio
waveform, or optionally a tape-line appears automatically on the graphical display
and the built in loudspeaker, or headphones can be used to monitor the audio
during editing and playback.
Alternatively, you can simply remove the PC card from your Courier and slot it into
a suitably equipped digital audio workstation for instant editing. Recordings can
automatically be given a unique identification code to categorise the audio reports
that are downloaded onto a hard disk system.
V3.0 software contains communications tools to quickly get your audio where you
want it to be. It is often impractical to return to your studios to download the audio,
so Courier can transfer your audio back to base using a number of flexible methods.
These include :
• Built in ISDN communications (for the CO-ISDN-S & CO-ISDN-U models).
• Software for transfer via standard telephone lines.
• Software for transfer over a digital telephone network via a suitably equipped
mobile phone.
• Live Audio over ISDN or via a telephone hybrid.
• Built-in USB support for the USB versions of Courier which operates directly
with Windows 2000 Explorer.
The audio can be transferred as data and loaded directly onto the editing and
playout system located at your studios. The recorded files are MS-DOS™ and
Windows™ compatible.
Continual software updates will ensure that Courier always has the latest features
and compatibility with other equipment. Software upgrades can be downloaded free
of charge from the Sonifex Web site, where you can also find details of compatible
systems.
Each Courier has a unique serial number that is not only affixed to the base of the
unit on a tamper proof label but is also blown into the memory devices of the
Courier. This serial number can not be changed once programmed and therefore
aids security and traceability of the machines because it can also be encoded into
the header format of “broadcast wave format” recordings.
Chapter 2 - Introduction
2-4 Courier User Handbook
2.3. Notes on operation
2.3.1. Handling the unit
Do not use excessive force on the portable recorder as this may cause it to fail in
certain circumstances. Although the machine has been designed to be robust and to
operate in variable conditions, its operation can not be guaranteed if used in severe
environmental and extreme physical situations.
The case is made from a strong ABS plastic moulding and the rubber boots on the
base of the unit have been designed so that for a high impact drop, the battery
should break out of the bottom of the battery compartment causing only minor
damage to the unit.
The Courier should not be left in the following areas :
• In very humid, wet or dusty conditions.
• In extreme cold (< 0°C).
• Next to strong magnetic fields.
• In very hot places, such as in direct sunlight.
• Where the unit is subject to excessive vibration.
The Courier should not be used under water or in extremely heavy downpours, or
in extremely hot conditions (above 40°C).
Note : The Courier itself has a low temperature LCD and can be used in the
temperature range 0°°°°C to 40°°°°C.
2.3.2. Care of the unit
The Courier casing should only ever be cleaned with a soft moistened cloth using a
neutral detergent. The case is made of ABS plastic which resists corrosion,
withstanding most inorganic acids, bases and salts but which will be damaged if
abrasive cleaners or volatile solvents, such as thinners or alcohol, are used. The
case also has a high impact strength and can be used at temperatures between -40°C
and +60°C.
2.3.3. Use of Courier for the partially sighted
The Courier has a number of features for use by the partially sighted :
Chapter 2 - Introduction
Courier User Handbook 2-5
• The backlit LCD light can be switched on to illuminate the front panel.
• On either side of the RECORD and REC PAUSE switches are two raised bars
to help you locate the switches.
• The PLAY button has raised bars on either side of it to aid location.
• The MARK button has a raised node on the front so that it can be identified.
2.4. Identification of parts
The Courier portable recorder is a compact, light-weight, solid state recorder for
use by journalists and sound recordists.
All the operational controls have been placed on the front panel for ease of access,
split into five groups :
• The four buttons on the left are for power on/off, battery and disk time
remaining indicators, LCD backlight on/off, and the monitor button.
• The record and record pause sliding switches.
• The transport buttons are along the front of the machine and are instantly
recognisable for pause, rewind, play, fast-forward, stop and mark.
• To the right of the LCD, the up and down menu keys, together with an enter
key.
• On the far right, the left and right input level controls are ganged, so that they
can be moved simultaneously, or separately.
The back-lit graphical LCD provides varying information depending on the task
being undertaken : recording, playing, editing or checking cut durations, etc.
The audio connections are on the right hand side (from the front view) of the
machine, together with the headphone socket and volume control.
The PCMCIA slot is on the left hand side with a large orange eject button. The
RS232, USB and ISDN port and mains power input socket are also on this side.
The top surface of the machine is split into three areas :
• The speaker is mounted on the left hand side of the machine.
• The controls for editing are in the centre of the top panel, at the front with the
scrub wheel to the right.
• The third area is for the input selection switches which are in the centre of the
top surface
On the bottom (base) of the machine are two connectors for clipping in the carry
strap of the recorder.
Chapter 2 - Introduction
2-6 Courier User Handbook
2.5. Front Panel Controls
POWER
RECORD
REC PAUSE PAUSE REWIND PLAY FFWD ST OP MARK
BATT/DISK
LIGHT
MONITOR
L R
1
2
34 5
6 6
Chapter 2 - Introduction
Courier User Handbook 2-7
n General buttons
POWER
Depress and hold the POWER button for 0.5 sec to turn the
Courier on. The machine initializes and is ready to operate in
about 10 seconds. To turn the machine off, press and hold the
POWER button for 1 second until the display indicates that the
machine will be switched off. Then release the button.
BATT/DISK
Depressing this button allows you to see the battery and hard
disk time remaining on the display.
LIGHT
This switches on the backlight of the display. The backlight
duration can be configured in the software.
MONITOR
Pressing and holding the MONITOR button allows you to hear
what you have recorded, in delay, so that you can check that
the recording you are making is actually being written to the
hard disk.
o LCD and scroll control buttons
The liquid crystal display is a back-lit graphical display.
UP button
The UP button is used for scrolling the menu or Cut-List up
one place, or for changing a character whilst renaming a cut. It
is also used for increasing the output level during playback.
The LED in the button is a peak level indicator for the left
channel.
DOWN button
The DOWN button is used for scrolling the menu or Cut-List
down one place, or for changing a character whilst renaming a
cut. It is also used for decreasing the output level during
playback. The LED in the button is a peak level indicator for
the right channel.
ENTER button
When the menu is active, the ENTER button is used to select
the highlighted item. When cuts are listed, pressing ENTER
with show properties of the cut.
The LED in the button is used as a battery and power status
indicator.
Chapter 2 - Introduction
2-8 Courier User Handbook
p Record and Rec(ord) Pause sliding switches
RECORD
Slide the RECORD switch to the right to begin recording. The
recording will only stop if the RECORD switch is moved back
to the left.
REC PAUSE
To pause the recording, slide the REC(ORD) PAUSE switch
to the right. This can be done before using the RECORD
switch, or during a recording. To continue recording, slide the
REC PAUSE switch back to the left.
q “Tape transport” buttons
PAUSE
This is the PLAY PAUSE button. Press once to pause
playback. Press PLAY to restart, or press STOP to recue.
REWIND
If not playing : Press and hold for an inaudible fast rewind.
If playing : Press and hold for an audible rewind (mpeg files)
or an inaudible rewind (linear files).
In the Edit Mode, press once to skip to the previous mark.
PLAY
Press to play at normal speed.
FFWD
If not playing : Press and hold for an inaudible fast forward.
If playing : Press and hold for an audible fast forward (mpeg
files) or an inaudible fast forward (linear files).
In the Edit Mode, press once to skip to the next mark.
STOP
If not playing : Returns to the Cut-List Mode.
If playing : Stops the audio and recues to the beginning of the
cut.
MARK
This button places an editing Mark at the current position and
has the same function as the MARK/DRAG button on the top
panel.
Chapter 2 - Introduction
Courier User Handbook 2-9
r Left and right recording level controls
Level markers
Knurled edge
Centre dial
L R
The rotary dials on the right of the front
panel control the input level of the audio
being recorded. The inner ring controls the
right channel, the outer ring controls the
left. For general stereo, or mono
recordings, altering both levels equally will
be the normal operation by rotating the
centre dial.
If you want to adjust only one of the levels,
hold the outer knurled edge at the bottom
and the centre dial in the middle and move
the one that you need to adjust.
s Strap clips -
There are two sockets on the underside of the Courier used
for attaching the strap to the Courier when it is out of the bag. These simply clip
into place.
Chapter 2 - Introduction
2-10 Courier User Handbook
2.6. Right side panel connectors & controls
1
2453
VOLUME PHONES
0
5
10
LLRRMIC/LINE IN LINE OUT AES/EBU OUT
Chapter 2 - Introduction
Courier User Handbook 2-11
n Volume control and headphone socket
VOLUME
0
5
10
Use the VOLUME control to adjust the output volume from the
headphones and the speaker. It provides 1W into an 8Ω
speaker.
PHONES
The headphone socket is a ¼” (6.35mm) jack and provides
250mW per channel into 8Ω. With the headphones plugged in,
the speaker is automatically muted. 32Ω headphones are
recommended.
o Left and right analogue audio inputs
LRMIC/LINE IN
The XLR-3 sockets can be used as either
microphone or line inputs, with left and right
channels individually switchable, so you could
have a microphone input on the left channel
with a cassette recorder of “wild-track” on the
right.
p Left and right analogue audio outputs
LRLINE OUT
The left and right XLR-3 plugs are outputs for
dubbing audio in the analogue domain.
q AES-EBU digital output
AES/EBU OUT
The XLR-3 plug is an output for dubbing audio in the digital
domain. This plug can be connected directly to the input of a
suitably equipped recorder so that the highest quality
recordings are made.
Chapter 2 - Introduction
2-12 Courier User Handbook
2.7. Left side panel connectors & controls
EJECT
PCMCIA CARD
RS232
ISDN
DC POWER
5123
4
USB
Chapter 2 - Introduction
Courier User Handbook 2-13
n Mains input
DC POWER
The mains input is a metal XLR-4 plug. It should be
used for any long-term use of the Courier and for
recharging the battery in the machine.
o RS232 / USB connector
RS232
These connections are used to transfer data between
the Courier and a PC. The RS232 can also be used
to connect to a modem to send audio down a
telephone line.
The USB connection is optional.
p ISDN connector (optional)
ISDN
The ISDN connector is optional and is used for
connecting directly to an ISDN line. If your
machine is a CO-STD without ISDN, then this
connector does not appear.
q Reset Pin -
in the unlikely event of the software in the Courier locking up, the
Courier can be RESET by pushing the reset pin, through the hole.
r PCMCIA card and eject button
EJECT
PCMCIA CARD
The PCMCIA (PC card) slot can accept a single Type III PCMCIA hard disk or a
Type II ATA PC Memory Card . The card will only fit in one orientation - ensure
that the card is level with the slot before pushing the card in. The orange eject
button should be punched with the forefinger, or thumb, to eject the hard disk angling the Courier with this side downwards will help to release the disk.
Chapter 2 - Introduction
2-14 Courier User Handbook
2.8. Top panel controls
1
345 67
2
MENU
LIMITER
L & R
KEEP
SELECT
EDIT
DELETE
MARK/DRAG
SOURCE SOURCE
LEFT
CHANNEL 1
RIGHT
CHANNEL 2
OFF ON
OFF ON
OFF ON
MIC LINE MIC LINE
OFF ON
OFF ON
OFF ON
LIMITER
L & R
PHANTOM PHANTOM
MIC FILTER
L & R
MIC/LINE
ATTEN
MIC/LINE
ATTEN
REW
FFWD
Chapter 2 - Introduction
Courier User Handbook 2-15
n Battery -
The Courier uses a standard 8mm camcorder battery, or there is an
optional AA cell carrier.
o Battery release catch
The battery release catch is used to release the
current battery so that you can replace it with a new
one. Using your thumb, slide the catch towards the
front of the Courier and take out the battery by
lifting it up.
p Loudspeaker
The loudspeaker is a 1W into 8Ω speaker used for
monitoring playback. There is an option to mute the
speaker during recording.
q Input select switches
LIMITER
L & R
SOURCE SOURCE
LEFT
CHANNEL 1
RIGHT
CHANNEL 2
OFF ON
OFF ON
OFF ON
MIC LINE MIC LINE
OFF ON
OFF ON
OFF ON
LIMITER
L & R
PHANTOM PHANTOM
MIC FILTER
L & R
MIC/LINE
ATTEN
MIC/LINE
ATTEN
These switches control the input
channels and are divided into :
SOURCE : For left and right input
independently select either a
microphone, or line input level .
MIC/LINE ATTEN : If the SOURCE
is set to Mic, the attenuator switches
between dynamic or higher level
powered microphones. If the channel is
set to line, the attenuator switches
between professional 0dB balanced and
domestic unbalanced -15dB lines.
Chapter 2 - Introduction
2-16 Courier User Handbook
LIMITER
L & R
SOURCE SOURCE
LEFT
CHANNEL 1
RIGHT
CHANNEL 2
OFF ON
OFF ON
OFF ON
MIC LINE MIC LINE
OFF ON
OFF ON
OFF ON
LIMITER
L & R
PHANTOM PHANTOM
MIC FILTER
L & R
MIC/LINE
ATTEN
MIC/LINE
ATTEN
PHANTOM : Phantom power at +48V (7mA per
leg, 14mA total) is available individually for
microphones connected to either input. Check the
phantom power options for your particular
microphone.
NOTE : Applying phantom power to a
microphone which does not require it can
damage the microphone.
MIC FILTER L & R : This is a high-pass filter
to reduce low noise rumbles and applies to both
inputs when switched on. It is a 6dB per octave
roll-off filter at a 125Hz knee point.
LIMITER L & R : With the limiter switched in,
the input signals are limited to a level which can
be set in the software. The limiter can act on left
and right channels independently, or on both
channels “Linked” together.
r Edit and menu buttons
MENU
KEEP
SELECT
EDIT
DELETE
MARK/DRAG
These are the keys used when editing and also for
bringing up the main menu.
MARK/DRAG : This has the same effect as the
MARK button on the front and is used for placing,
moving and dropping a Mark.
SELECT : This is used during editing to select
multiple sections of audio in a cut.
Select is used in cut list screen to select multiple
cuts for FTP send delete or merge.
DELETE : This button is used to delete cuts and
also during editing to “Delete” a section of audio
between two Marks. The deletion is nondestructive. Delete is used in cut list to delete a
cut or cuts. In entry dialogs it is used to delete a
character
KEEP : Any deletions can be reversed by using
the KEEP button to keep a section of audio
between two Marks. Keep is used in cut list to
add a cut to the current playlist. In entry dialog it
inserts a character.
EDIT : Use the EDIT button to Enter and Exit the
Chapter 2 - Introduction
Courier User Handbook 2-17
Edit Mode.
MENU : Use the MENU button to show and
remove the on-screen menu. Pressing the MENU
key will also cancel an option selection.
s Scrub-wheel
The SCRUB-WHEEL is used for scrolling up and
down the Cut-List, scrolling up and down the
menus, scrolling through text characters whilst
renaming, altering the audio output levels on
playback and in the Edit Mode, for audio
“scrubbing”.
t Shuttle
R
E
W
F
F
W
D
STOP
½ x
SPEED
½ x
SPEED
1 x
SPEED
1 x
SPEED
2 x
SPEED
2 x
SPEED
3 x
SPEED
3 x
SPEED
The SHUTTLE is used in the Edit Mode
for rewinding and fast-forwarding at half
playback speed, normal playback speed,
two times playback speed and three times
playback speed. The centre position of the
SHUTTLE stops playback.
When used on linear recordings, the shuttle
selections which are faster than normal
playback speed are inaudible.
Chapter 2 - Introduction
2-18 Courier User Handbook
This page is deliberately blank.
Chapter 3 - Preparing the machine for use
Courier User Handbook 3-1
3. Preparing the machine for use
3.1. Power supply
3.1.1. Mains power requirements
The Courier is supplied with an external power adapter which will work from 90260 volts, 50 or 60Hz. To make it compatible with the majority of power supply
systems throughout the world, there are four adapters which can be altered
depending on the country of operation :
• Europe
• UK
• USA/Japan
• Australasia
This means that you can travel world-wide with your Courier and still be able to
use the native mains supply.
To remove an adapter simply push it out from the main supply unit, away from the
supply lead. Each of the adapters clicks into place by pushing it in to the supply
unit towards the lead.
This mains supply charges the installed battery and operates the unit
simultaneously. The supply is terminated with an XLR-4 power socket for
connection to the Courier.
3.1.2. Portable power requirements
The unit operates from a standard domestic 8mm camcorder battery used for
powering Sony, JVC, Sharp or Panasonic camcorder varieties. The Courier does
not support batteries which power the less popular Hitachi, Minolta or Canon types
of camcorder.
There are many batteries available in many different sizes and capacities. We
recommend the use of Duracell nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries (DR10 and
DR11) over the equivalent nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries, because NiMH
batteries have less of a memory effect than NiCd batteries and will show a better
performance over an extended time.
Chapter 3 - Preparing the machine for use
3-2 Courier User Handbook
With a fresh 3600mAh battery, you can achieve in excess of three hours of
recording time on the Courier using the mpeg compression algorithm.
Note : the Courier will operate with Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) or Nickel Metal
Hydride (NiMH) batteries only. Any other type of battery (including Lithium
Iron) can damage the circuitry of the unit and should not be fitted.
3.1.3. Optional 12V power supply
An optional unit is a cigar lighter style connection to allow the unit to charge the
battery and work in an in-car environment. This is available from your Sonifex
distributor, stock-code CO-CGR.
3.1.4. Optional charger
A three-way 220-240V multi-charger, stock code CO-MBC, is available, designed
to work with the domestic camcorder batteries used on Courier.
3.1.5. Optional AA cell adapter pack
An adapter pack, stock code CO-AA6, is available into which 6 AA cells can be
fitted, for use in emergencies.
The pack has the same fitting as a standard camcorder battery and gives
approximately 30 minutes of recording time using fresh AA cells.
Note : This adapter can only be inserted into the Courier one way up - the
orientation is shown on the label. Also, when you use AA cells, ensure that you
change the [Battery Type] to show [AA Cell Pack] (see later).
Chapter 3 - Preparing the machine for use
Courier User Handbook 3-3
3.1.6. Inserting the battery
To insert a camcorder battery, the battery should be pushed into the top of the front
wall of the battery compartment and then forced down until it “clicks” into place.
The battery can be inserted in either orientation to allow for fast battery swapping.
Battery
3.1.7. Removing the battery
To remove the battery, hold the battery in your palm and use your thumb to slide
the catch on the top of the Courier. If you pull up with your hand, the battery is
released. Putting the battery in and taking it out needs a small amount of practice
before you can do it smoothly, but is very quick once mastered.
3.1.8. Hot swap battery changes
The main battery can be replaced with a new one without interrupting the recording
process. Internal rechargeable cells in the unit allow approximately 1 to 2 minutes of
“hot-swap” time, before a new battery needs to be inserted.
Note : Remember that if you hot-swap to a different type of battery, you’ll need
to change the [Battery Type] setting as soon as you can.
Chapter 3 - Preparing the machine for use
3-4 Courier User Handbook
3.1.9. Changing the [Battery Type] in Courier
If you use different types of external batteries, even different types of camcorder
batteries, you’ll need to tell the Courier which type of battery you are inserting. This is
so that it can calculate more accurately the battery lifetime and voltages used. The
[Battery Type] menu can be accessed in the Record Pause Mode, in the Cut-List Mode
by pressing the MENU button, or in the [Setup], [Power] menu. Select [Battery Type]
to show :
[GP VD101] is the standard rechargeable NiCd battery supplied with the Courier,
which provides approximately 1.5 hours of power-on time.
[Duracell DR10] and [Duracell DR11] are the recommended batteries for use with
Courier and provide longer recording times - up to 3 hours using the DR11.
[AA Cell Pack] should be selected when the optional AA cell pack is used with the
Courier.
[NiCd] and [NiMH] allow you to define your own battery type, if you are using a
battery which is not one of the above selections. Choosing either one of these
options displays the following :
Use the UP and DOWN arrows, or the SCRUB-WHEEL, to change the rating of
the battery (between 500mAh and 5000mAh) and the ENTER key to accept it.
You will be returned to the [Power] sub-menu.
Select [Close], or press the MENU button, to exit without making any changes.
3.1.10. Recharging the external battery
The external 8mm camcorder battery is recharged whenever the Courier is DC
powered and the external battery is in place in the unit. The Courier can be powered
up, or powered down - the power indicator LED will still glow orange to show you
that it is charging the battery.
Chapter 3 - Preparing the machine for use
Courier User Handbook 3-5
The length of time taken to charge a battery in the Courier depends on the amount of
charge in it when the mains adapter is applied. Courier trickle charges at a rate of
800mA/hour, so the standard 1200mAh GP_VD101 battery supplied with the
Courier will take 2 hours to charge from being fully discharged.
Note : Courier does not carry out a fully discharge/recharge cycle to charge the
batteries. It performs a trickle charge which continuously tops the battery up.
To prevent excessive memory effects which shorten the lifetime of your
batteries, please ensure that intermittently you use a separate
discharge/recharge battery charger to recharge your batteries. Please read the
instructions that are supplied with the batteries.
3.1.11. Recharging the internal cells (used for
the hot swap)
The internal cells are recharged by the camcorder battery or the mains input to the
Courier, but only when the Courier is powered on. If the Courier is not switched
on then the main battery will charge, but the internal cells won’t.
The internal cells take some time to recharge. For example, if your hot-swap takes
approximately 30 seconds, the cells will need to be recharged for roughly 15 minutes
before they are back to full capacity.
This means that if you make continual hot-swaps, one immediately after the other,
eventually the internal cells will fail and your machine will power-off. If this should
happen, leave your Courier mains powered, fitted with a rechargeable battery and
switched on for at least 12 hours, so that the internal cell can be fully recharged.
Chapter 3 - Preparing the machine for use
3-6 Courier User Handbook
3.2. Removable disks for operation in
Courier
3.2.1. Types of PCMCIA hard disk
Courier operates with a Type III or Type II PCMCIA (PC Card) hard disk. At the
time of going to press, the following types of disks have been tested and are
supported by Courier :
• Calluna 130MB hard disk.
• Calluna 170MB hard disk.
• Calluna 260MB hard disk.
• Calluna 260MB hard disk (Type II).
• Calluna 520MB hard disk.
• Calluna 1040MB hard disk.
• Integral Viper 170MB hard disk.
For more up to date information on which disks are supported, please refer to the
Sonifex website: http://www.sonifex.co.uk
3.2.2. Types of PCMCIA flash card
Courier can also record to a Type II PCMCIA Flash Card and operates more
quickly than when using a hard disk.
Any flash card that conforms to the PC Card Standard ’95, is PCMCIA 2.0/2.1,
JEIDA Ver 4.1/4.2 compatible, or uses the words “ATA Flash” should operate with
Courier. The following types of flash card have been tested with Courier :
• Kingmax Kingdisk 20MB ATA Flash Card.
• SanDISK Inc FLASH disk SDP5, SPD5A equivalent.
• Fujisoku 160MB ATA Flash Card.
• Simple Technology ATA Flash Card.
Note : Usually the hard disks do not need to be formatted before use. However,
the flash cards MUST BE FORMATTED before recording on them.
Otherwise, spurious recordings can be made.
Chapter 3 - Preparing the machine for use
Courier User Handbook 3-7
3.2.3. Inserting a PCMCIA disk
The PCMCIA CARD slot is on the left hand side of the machine. It is best to have
the card at the same angle as the Courier and flat against the bottom of the slot
when you are inserting it. Push the disk in until the EJECT button pops out. As
soon as the disk is inserted, the Courier will sense it and begin to read the disk.
PCMCIA
Card
3.2.4. Removing a PCMCIA disk
Hold the machine so that gravity can help when you eject the card and punch the
orange EJECT button with your fore-finger, or thumb. The disk will pop out.
Many disks have a small tag which can be stuck to the outside of the back of the
disk so that you can remove it from the slot more easily.
Chapter 3 - Preparing the machine for use
3-8 Courier User Handbook
3.3. Connecting the Courier for use
The Courier will only initially operate if either mains power has been applied to it,
or a fully charged battery has been inserted into it. Mains power is applied via the
external DC power supply by connecting the XLR-4 connector on the left hand side
of the Courier.
To begin recording, you simply need to connect a microphone, or line input such as
a cassette, to the XLR input labelled “LEFT”. Then alter the SOURCE switch on
the top surface of the Courier depending on which selection you are making.
Note : Before you use the Courier for the first time, it is advisable to insert a
camcorder battery into it, connect it to the mains supply and leave it switched
on for at least 12 hours. This is so that the internal cells in the Courier can be
fully charged. To do this, you should ensure that the “automatic power-down”
feature of Courier is not set.
3.4. Booting up the Courier
The Courier will sit in a stand-by mode draining no power, but monitoring the
POWER key and the DC input (the external battery can be charged in the machine
when it is switched off). If the POWER key is pressed and held for half a second,
power is switched on. The LCD backlight is illuminated and the words “SONIFEX
COURIER”, the software version number and software date are displayed on the
LCD display.
After this opening screen, the Courier reads the contents of the inserted PCMCIA
disk and displays the Cut-List made up of the recordings which are found in the
Default Record Directory (“Audio” by default). If there are no recordings on the
disk, the display shows “No Files On Drive”.
The scroll arrows appear on the right hand side of the display, either at the top, or
bottom, or both, depending on whether there are more than four cuts available. A
Chapter 3 - Preparing the machine for use
Courier User Handbook 3-9
scroll block between the arrows indicates roughly how far down the cut listing the
cursor is positioned. When the top or bottom of the list is reached, a hollow block
is shown instead of the scroll arrow :
The Cut List can be sorted by name, extension, size date or duration, depending on
the selections made in the Display Options menu.
3.5. Switching off the Courier
To switch off the Courier the POWER key must be pressed and held for one second
:
Releasing the button will shut down the Courier. If the Courier is being recorded to,
played from, has unsaved edits, or is in the process of data transfer, the POWER
key will be disabled.
3.5.1. Automatic shutdown
In order to preserve battery life, the Courier can automatically shut down power if
the Courier is not being used and has not been used for a certain time duration (5
minutes by default, but software configurable in the Power menu).
Once the shutdown time has been reached, the following screen is displayed for 10
seconds, during which time, pressing the POWER button restores power to the
Courier :
See Section 10.2 for more information on power-saving features.
Chapter 3 - Preparing the machine for use
3-10 Courier User Handbook
3.6. Inserting the Courier into the carry
case
There is a carry case supplied with your Courier which has velcro side flaps for
easy insertion and removal of cables. The top section of the case has an open “V”
shape so that you can use the editing buttons freely. There is also a cut-out at the
base of the case for inserting and removing batteries - this is attached by a velcro
flap which folds under the case.
To insert the Courier into the carry case, first remove the strap from the Courier by
unclipping the two strap clips on it’s base. Open all of the velcro flaps on the carry
case and insert the Courier base-first into the opening. It is a tight fit, so ease the
Courier left and right until it shuffles down into place. The rubber boots at the base
of the Courier should fit snugly into the base of the carry-case.
Chapter 4 – Menu operation
Courier User Handbook 4-1
4. Menu operation & structure
The menus allow you to alter options settings for the Courier and to configure it in
different ways. It is used for changing the battery type, for deleting and renaming
files, for formatting disks, for changing the meter type, for selecting the type of
recording being made and much, much more.
4.1. Menu key
To enter the menu structure, press the MENU key on the top surface of the Courier.
To cancel a selected option or to escape from the menu structure, press the MENU
key again, or select [Close] from the bottom of each menu.
4.2. Menu navigation keys
The UP (↑) and DOWN (↓) keys next to the menu can be used to move within the
menu structure, with the ENTER (↵) key used to select and de-select items.
Enter button
Up button
Down button
Similarly, the scrub-wheel can be used with the SELECT key in the same manner.
MENU
LIMITER
L & R
KEEP
SELECT
EDIT
DELETE
MARK/DRAG
OFF ON OFF ON
R
E
W
F
F
W
D
Chapter 4 – Menu operation
4-2 Courier User Handbook
4.3. Menu operation
Whenever the MENU key is pressed, a context sensitive menu is displayed on the
right hand side of the display. If there are more than four items in the menu, then
scroll arrows are displayed to indicate further available choices, together with a
scroll block indicating the rough position in the menu.
Pressing the MENU key again makes the menu disappear with the display returning
to the screen that the menu was used in.
If any of the selections have a sub-menu, for example the [Setup] menu, the menuname finishes with an arrow. If you select a sub-menu, the display changes to show
the menu list on the left of the screen with the selected sub-menu placed in the top
right corner of the screen, underlined, so that you can see the menu structure
selections which have been made to get to the sub-menu. For example, to get to the
[Sort Type] menu, you need to have pressed [Setup] and then [Display] :
to show :
4.4. Making a menu selection
Once you’ve entered a menu option, you’ll notice that the currently selected option
has a tick to the left of it. Use the UP and DOWN arrows to select the option that
you require and press the ENTER key.
Chapter 4 – Menu operation
Courier User Handbook 4-3
The new option will be accepted and you’ll automatically be exited from that menu
option. Alternatively, select [Close], or press the MENU key, to leave the menu
option without making any changes.
4.5. Menu structure
The menu displayed changes depending on which Mode you are using when the
MENU key is pressed. There are four different menus that can be displayed :
Cut-List Menu - This is the main menu accessed by pressing the MENU button
when the Cut-List Mode is displayed. This menu gives you access to most of the
options settings and configurations. A full drawing of this menu structure is shown
on the following pages.
Cut Properties Menu - When the Properties Mode of a Cut is displayed, pressing
the MENU button allows you to rename, delete, add to the PlayList, or transfer the
highlighted cut.
Record Pause Menu - When in the Record Pause Mode, you can make selections
for automatic recording, i.e. beginning recording when your audio begins, for
example you could use this feature to automatically begin recording when you
switch your microphone on.
Edit Menu - In the Edit Mode, pressing the MENU button displays options for
adding to the PlayList, deleting all the placed marks, undo’ing the last edit
commands, changing the timer mode and the scale of the displayed audio waveform
and for saving files.
Chapter 4 – Menu operation
4-4 Courier User Handbook
4.6. Cut List menu structure
Compile
New Playlist
Open
Save
Save As
Close
Playlist Menu
Indicates that its appearance on the
menu is software controllable
Save As Menu
New MP2 File
New BWF File
New EncoDAD F il e
New Playlist
Close
Audio
Filing
Styles
PhoneBook
Chapter 4 – Menu operation
Courier User Handbook 4-5
PhoneBook M enu
T im e r M o d e s M e n u
Play
Edit
Close
Audio
Filing
Styles
PhoneBook
Timer
Modes
Chapter 4 – Menu operation
4-6 Courier User Handbook
This page is deliberately blank.
Chapter 5 - Recording
Courier User Handbook 5-1
5. Recording
The Courier is designed primarily with ease of recording in mind and when carried
over the operator’s shoulder, the RECORD and RECORD PAUSE buttons come
immediately to hand.
All of the recording controls can be accessed on the front panel of the Courier. The
RECORD and RECORD PAUSE switches are sliding controls which are designed
to minimise the chances of accidentally knocking them and can be used without
actually looking at them - ridges on either side of the switches help to identify
where they are.
Audio is recorded to the PCMCIA disk in a “random access” fashion. This means
that audio is never over-recorded, as it can be when using tape. Each recording
results in a separate cut (file) on the disk.
When a hard disk is placed in the slot on the side of the unit, the Courier
automatically shows the list of existing cuts and is then ready to record.
Recordings can be made in a number of different standards and formats. Whether
the recording is made in stereo, or mono and at which sample rate, format type and
bit-rate is defined in the Record Style that has been selected. Further information
on defining and selecting Record Styles occurs later in this chapter.
Multiple Marks can be placed on the audio whilst you are recording which can be
used to reference any key points in the audio to aid editing of the cut at a later
stage.
The record input level controls are rotary dual gang knobs which in general use
alter both left and right channels (or channels 1 and 2) together, but can be used
separately. This kind of operation is very useful for situations where left and right
channels are at different input levels - each channel level can be adjusted
individually and then whilst recording, both can be adjusted together.
Note : Courier cuts can not be re-recorded - they must be deleted, by using the
DELETE button or selecting the menu in the Properties Mode, and then rerecorded as new audio files.
Chapter 5 - Recording
5-2 Courier User Handbook
5.1. Making a recording
• Make sure that the Courier has a charged battery or is connected to an external
power supply.
• Check that a PCMCIA disk is fitted into the slot on the side of the Courier.
• Connect a suitable microphone or line input (e.g. cassette) to the left MIC/LINE
IN connector for mono, and left and right inputs for stereo, and alter the
SOURCE switch on the top surface of the Courier to suite the type of input.
• Set the other switches on the top of the Courier depending on your needs -
phantom power, the high pass microphone filter and the limiter (see section 2.8
for more information).
• Check that you have selected the correct Record Style for your application and
that it matches whether you are recording in mono or stereo (see later in this
chapter for choosing and altering Record Styles).
• Either slide both the RECORD PAUSE and RECORD switches to the right to
put the machine into Record Pause Mode, or slide the RECORD switch to the
right if you want to begin recording immediately.
• Check the recording levels. The display shows :
A new unique title is given to the recording (the first four initials of the
recording title can be altered in the software).
• The UP and DOWN arrow keys contain LED’s which act as peak level
indicators for the left and right channels respectively. They flash briefly
whenever the level is over a threshold, which can be software configured (OdB
by default). Adjust the levels using the rotary dials until the peak level LED’s
stop flashing.
Note : There is an option to show the metering with a scale of either PPM
or dB and there is a peak hold display for both types of meter.
• Start recording by sliding the RECORD PAUSE switch to the left. The Courier
will start recording and the display will show "REC".
Along the bottom of the display, from left to right are :
Chapter 5 - Recording
Courier User Handbook 5-3
• A count-up of the cut duration in Hours:Minutes:Seconds format.
• A four bar battery indicator (four bars = full, no bars = empty, x = no battery).
• The cut title, without the three letter extension.
5.2. Pausing and stopping a recording
To pause the recording (without creating another cut), simply slide the RECORD
PAUSE switch to the right. The machine will go into Record Pause Mode and the
display will change to show :
Metering and battery indications are still active and you can press the MENU
button to access record options, for example to change the battery type, or to start
recording automatically once an audio input is sensed.
Whenever the RECORD PAUSE switch is to the right, the machine is in Record
Pause Mode, regardless of the position of the RECORD switch. If you don’t use
the RECORD PAUSE switch at all, each time you make a recording, the Courier
will generate a new cut. Using the RECORD PAUSE switch while recording is a
useful way of putting many continuous clips onto one cut.
To stop the recording, push both RECORD and RECORD PAUSE switches to the left.
The screen will briefly show “Updating Disk Structures” whilst the final recording
information is written to disk, and the Cut-List will re-appear.
Note : Don’t use the RECORD switch while the Courier is “Updating Disk
Structures” - it may miss the recording.
A Mark will be place on the cut near to the pause point – due to the nature of the
buffering it may be 2-3 pixels earlier than the actual pause.
5.3. Automatically starting a recording
The Courier can be configured to automatically begin a recording when the
machine senses audio at the inputs. This can be useful if you want to begin a
recording when you switch your microphone on, for example. Whilst in the Record
Pause Mode, press the MENU button to show :
Chapter 5 - Recording
5-4 Courier User Handbook
Select [AutoStart] from the menu and the following screen is displayed :
Select the audio threshold level at which an automatic recording will be started
(ranging between 0dB and -66dB in 6dB steps), or select [Off] so that recordings
do not automatically start.
The lower the level, the more sensitive the input is to noises starting the recording.
• For microphone use, a setting of -36dB will usually be adequate.
• When using the line input, a lower setting, down to -66dB, can be used.
• At 0dB, you will need to talk quite loudly into the microphone before recording
will begin. (Check the levels by setting the metering to show dB metering).
When an AutoStart level is set, whenever you begin to record, the display will show
“REC AUTO” in the main record screen :
Note : the Courier will stay in the AutoStart Record Mode until you set the option to
[Off], using the same method as for selecting the threshold level.
5.4. Placing Marks on a recording
Whilst recording is taking place you may want to add marks at relevant times to
assist the location of interesting sections of a recording. Either the MARK button
on the front panel, or the MARK/DRAG button on the top panel will place a mark
on the recording when pressed.
Marks can be viewed on the audio in the Edit Mode and you can locate to Marks
quickly in the Play Mode and Edit Mode by pressing the REWIND or FAST
FORWARD keys once.
Chapter 5 - Recording
Courier User Handbook 5-5
5.5. Confidence monitor
Courier has a MONITOR key on the front panel which can be used during
recording as a confidence monitor to playback the audio whilst you are still
recording it.
For example if you record, "testing, testing,
one, two, three.........." and then hold the
MONITOR button, you will, after a few
seconds, hear "testing, testing, one, two,
three.........." repeated.
By occasionally pressing the MONITOR
button you can be reassured that for mpeg
recordings, recording is actually taking place
and that the data is written to the hard disk.
Note : MONITOR plays mpeg compressed
audio as stereo audio, but plays linear files
as mono only. So, if you are recording a
linear stereo clip on only the right channel, then no audio will play when you
press the MONITOR button. Also the monitoring of linear files is carried out
from memory only, not from the PCMCIA disk.
During recording, simply hold the MONITOR key down and what you have
recorded will be played back to you. There are two points to note about monitoring
audio :
• To be able to use the MONITOR key, you must have recorded a certain amount
of audio to disk beforehand. Currently, the amount of audio to be recorded
varies depending on the sample rate, bit rate and recording type specified, with
a minimum of ½ second and a maximum of several minutes (for very low bitrate mpeg compressed audio).
• For all recordings, the audio which is played back is in delay, with the delay
varying as above.
Release the MONITOR key to stop the playback.
Chapter 5 - Recording
5-6 Courier User Handbook
5.6. Checking the battery status & disk time
remaining while recording
There are a number of features of the Courier to help you know the amount of
battery time and hard disk time that you have remaining.
5.6.1. Battery status
1. Whilst recording, check the battery status icon to get a rough indication of time
remaining (see Section 10.1.2 for more information).
2. At any time while you are recording, you can press and hold the BATT/DISK
status button.
This gives you a detailed view of the battery life expectancy, more information
on which is available in Section 10.1.1.1
3. Check the power indication LED in the ENTER key which will notify you if
power is running low (see Section 10.1.3 for more information).
4. You can configure the Courier to beep in the headphones, or speaker, when the
battery is running low. The beep will occur every 10 seconds until the battery is
replaced or mains power is inserted. You can alter the style of the beep so that
you can recognise that it refers to a low battery.
5.6.1.1. Changing the “low battery” beep
Press the MENU key in the Cut-List Mode and select [Setup], [Power] to show :
Select [Battery Beeps] :
Chapter 5 - Recording
Courier User Handbook 5-7
From this menu, select the type of beep that you would like to hear when the
battery is low, or choose [Close] to leave this menu without making any alterations.
Note : You can hear the difference between the different types of beeps in the
[Diagnostics] menu. In the Cut-List Mode press the MENU button and choose,
[Setup], [System], [Diagnostics], [Beeps Test].
5.6.2. Disk time remaining
1. At any time while you are recording, you can press and hold the BATT/DISK
status button.
This tells you the disk time remaining with the current setting for the Record
Style.
2. You can configure the Courier to beep in the headphones, or speaker, when the
disk time remaining is less than two minutes. The Courier will beep every ten
seconds until the recording is stopped. You can alter the style of the beep so
that you can recognise that it refers to the disk time remaining.
5.6.2.1. Changing the “low disk space”
beep
Press the MENU key in the Cut-List Mode and select [Setup], [Filing] to show :
Select [Disk Beeps] :
From this menu, select the type of beep that you would like to hear when the disk
space is running out, or choose [Close] to leave this menu without making any
alterations.
Chapter 5 - Recording
5-8 Courier User Handbook
5.7. Selecting the recording format (Record
Style)
The Courier uses a system called Record Styles to define the recording format (file
format type, whether mono or stereo, sample rate and bit rate) of the recording that
you are about to make. Once a Record Style has been defined, it can then be chosen
as a format to use for recording from the Record Style menu. There are a number of
reasons for using Record Styles:
• The Courier allows a huge range of recording formats and sample rates, so it is
important that the use of these is controlled, so that fewer mistakes are made by
whoever is using the Courier.
• Often the Courier will be configured by technical staff, but actually used by less
technical people. Using Record Styles means that the less technical Courier
users don’t need to know the bit-rate and sample rate of recordings because you
can give the Styles names that can be understood more easily.
• If you are using a particular editing or hard disk playback system, it is essential
that the audio that you have recorded is in the correct format for your system.
The [Setup] menu, which gives access to changing the Styles settings, can be
password protected if you do not want the Record Styles to be altered, once you
have configured them.
• If you so wish, you can set-up a number of different Record Styles for use in
different situations : 48kHz linear .wav recording for high quality sound effects
recording, or 22kHz mpeg compressed audio for speech interviews. You could
call these Styles “Sound FX” and “Pop Vox” respectively.
• You can configure the machine so that only one Record Style is accessible, so
that no mistakes can be made through recording the wrong format of audio.
5.7.1. Record Style menu
The Record Style for your recordings is chosen by using the MENU button when in
the Cut-List Mode, or when there is no disk in the PCMCIA card slot.
Press the MENU button.
The following will be displayed :
Chapter 5 - Recording
Courier User Handbook 5-9
Select [Record Style] from the menu by using the UP (↑)and DOWN (↓) arrow
keys to move the highlight and the ENTER key to select. If you have the Help
Screens selected as an option, the following Help screen will be shown :
Press the ENTER (↵) button to show the factory list of preset Record Styles,
together with any that you have defined, with a tick by the current Style :
The settings of the factory preset Record Styles are :
Style Name Record Format Sample Rate Mono/Stereo Bit Rate
CD Quality
mpeg 2 bwf .wav 48kHz Stereo 384kbps
FM Quality
mpeg 2 bwf .wav 32kHz Stereo 192kbps
AM Quality
mpeg 2 bwf .wav 22.05kHz Mono 80kbps
Tel Quality
mpeg 2 bwf .wav 16kHz Mono 24kbps
CD Linear
linear bwf .wav 44.1kHz Stereo -
ISDN Live
mpeg 2 bwf .wav 24kHz Mono 64kbps
Select the Record Style that you wish to use. The Courier will beep to acknowledge
the change of parameters, and automatically Closes that menu to return to the
previous menu (Note : The beep can be disabled if you wish to operate in quiet
surroundings).
Alternatively, to leave the menu without changing any parameters, either press the
MENU button, or select [Close] from the bottom of the menu list. All recordings
from now on will be made in the selected Record Style, until you select another
one.
Note : These default Styles can be deleted or altered if you wish. You can also
add your own Styles to this list in the Courier, or using the supplied CCM
software.
Chapter 5 - Recording
5-10 Courier User Handbook
5.7.2. Checking the settings of the Courier’s
current Record Style
The settings of the current Record Style can be viewed in the Information screen :
Press
The following will be displayed :
Scroll down the list using the UP and DOWN arrow keys until [Information] is
highlighted and press the ENTER key :
Scroll up and down the full listing to see the Record Style settings (only four lines
of the display are shown at once).
The Information screen shows the current software version being used in the
Courier, the serial number of the machine, the current Record Style settings and the
current Time and Date. It is also used to show a security key which can be entered,
if you lose your password setting. When you’ve finished checking the Style details,
press the ENTER button to accept the OK message and to return to the previous
menu.
Chapter 5 - Recording
Courier User Handbook 5-11
5.7.3. Altering the parameters of a Record
Style
Any of the initial Styles supplied with the Courier can be altered in the following
way. In the Cut-List Mode, press the MENU button and select [Setup], [Styles].
The following menu will be displayed :
Record Style
New Style
Open
Rename
Delete
Close
CD Quality
FM Quality
AM Qualit y
Tel Quality
Close
Linear WAV
Linear BWF
Linear AIFF
Raw Mpeg2
Mpeg2 WAV
Mpeg2 BWF
EncoDAD
Dave 2000
8 Bit
16 Bit
8kHz
11.025kHz
12kHz
16kHz
22.05kHz
24kHz
32kHz
44.1kHz
48kHz
Mono
Stereo
Dual Level Mono
Dalet Mono
Stereo Mix
8kbps
16kbps
24kbps
32kbps
40kbps
48kbps
56kbps
64kbps
80kbps
96kbps
112kbps
128kbps
144kbps
160kbps
192kbps
224kbps
256kbps
320kbps
384kbps
CRC
Volume Data
Save
Save As
Quit
Record Styles Menu V2.51
Styles Menu
List of Styles
Recording
Formats
Bit Rates
(For Linear)
Available
Sample
Rates
Recording
Modes
Commands
to Exit
Bit-Rates
(If Mpeg is
selected as
the Reco rdi ng
Format)
Style Parameters
Chapter 5 - Recording
5-12 Courier User Handbook
Use [Open] to select the Style that you wish to alter and press ENTER. You will
see a long list of different Style Parameters with a tick by the selected options for
the chosen Style. For example, [CD Quality] is shown as :
The Style Parameters are divided into different sections, starting with the
Recording Format. Use the scroll arrows to move up and down the parameters and
press the ENTER key to place a tick by your new selection.
Use [Save] to save the current settings and return to the Styles menu.
Use [Save As] to save the settings to a different Style name.
Use [Quit] to return to the Styles menu without saving any of the changes.
5.7.3.1. Recording format
The particular Recording Format that you select limits the choices for the rest of the
list. For example, if you choose “Linear WAV” as the Recording Format, the bit-rate
selections are not available.
5.7.3.2. Sample rates
The full range of Sample Rates available are 8kHz, 11.025kHz, 12kHz, 16kHz,
22.05kHz, 24kHz, 32kHz, 44.1kHz and 48kHz. These can be used when recording
in linear file formats only the last 6 are available for mpeg files and in Dave2000
format, only 22.05kHz and 32kHz can be used.
Note : Some PC based linear editing systems may only support higher sample
rates - check the documentation of your editing system.
5.7.3.3. Recording mode
There are five Record Modes :
• Mono records signals on the left input and the metering shows one channel.
• Stereo records left and right inputs and has stereo metering.
• Dual Level Mono records the left channel normally and the right channel as the
left channel but with 12dB attenuation (i.e. 12dB reduction in level). It uses
stereo metering.
• Dalet Mono records on the left input and replicates this onto the left and right
outputs, thus giving a stereo recording that has both the left and right channels
with the same level. It uses stereo metering.
Chapter 5 - Recording
Courier User Handbook 5-13
• Stereo Mix allows you to record in a stereo environment (Using left and right
inputs) but records the audio to disk in a mono format that has the information
from both the left and right channels combined.
5.7.3.4. Bit-rates
The Bit-Rate gives an indication of the amount of disk space used for the recording.
The lower the bit-rate selected, the higher the audio is compressed, the lower the
amount of disk space that the recording uses and the lower will be the quality of the
audio recorded. So, the highest quality mpeg recordings that can currently be made
are at 384kbps with the lowest quality recordings at 8kbps (kilo bits per second).
The default Mpeg Record Styles that are used with the Courier (CD Quality, FM
Quality, AM Quality, Tel Quality) can be used for recordings if you want to here
the difference between the different bit-rates.
To calculate the amount of compression that is being applied, multiply the sample
rate selected by 16 bits (recording depth) and then by 2 if a stereo recording is
being made. This will give you the actual bps of a linear recording. Divide by the
selected bit-rate to give the compression ratio.
For example, for a 32kHz stereo recording, at 128kbps, the actual bit-rate of a
stereo linear recording would be 32 x 2 x 16 = 1,024kbps, so the compressed
recording at 128kbps has a ratio of 1,024/128 = 8.
Courier supports the full range of bit-rates for both mpeg 1 layer 2 and mpeg 2
layer 2 recordings. The list of bit-rates that are available to you depend on the
sample rate and recording mode chosen. The following table indicates which
recording modes are supported (Both indicates Mono and Stereo) :
Sample Rate (kHz)
Data Rate
(kbit/sec)
16 kHz 22.05
kHz
24 kHz 32 kHz 44.1
kHz
48 kHz
8 Both Both Both N/A N/A N/A
16 Both Both Both N/A N/A N/A
24 Both Both Both N/A N/A N/A
32 Both Both Both Mono Mono Mono
40 Both Both Both N/A N/A N/A
48 Both Both Both Mono Mono Mono
56 Both Both Both Mono Mono Mono
64 Both Both Both Both Both Both
80 Both Both Both Mono Mono Mono
96 Both Both Both Both Both Both
Chapter 5 - Recording
5-14 Courier User Handbook
112 Both Both Both Both Both Both
128 Both Both Both Both Both Both
144 Both Both Both N/A N/A N/A
160 Both Both Both Both Both Both
192 N/A N/A N/A Both Both Both
224 N/A N/A N/A Stereo Stereo Stereo
256 N/A N/A N/A Stereo Stereo Stereo
320 N/A N/A N/A Stereo Stereo Stereo
384 N/A N/A N/A Stereo Stereo Stereo
So, for example, if you select 32kHz as the sample frequency and mono as the
mode, you will be able to choose all bit-rates except 8 kbps, 16 kbps, 24 kbps, 40
kbps, 144kbps, 224kbps, 256kbps, 320kbps and 384kbps.
5.7.4. Volume data
With all compressed recordings (Raw MP2, MP2 .Wav, MP2 .BWF and
EncoDAD) you can choose to have volume data for the recording. With volume
data selected, the cut will have a waveform in the edit mode or any other edit
programs that you choose to use. Without volume data all that is shown on the edit
waveform is a “tape-line”.
The advantage of not recording with Volume Data is that slightly better quality
mpeg recordings are made, because the storage usually used for storing waveform
information is used to store audio information. This is particularly useful when
creating files to be played live over ISDN links where the waveform (volume) data
is not required. The downside of not using the Volume Data is that if you need to
edit the cut, it is more difficult because only a tape-line is displayed.
5.7.5. Adding a new Record Style
To add a new Style to the Styles List, in the Cut-List Mode, press the MENU button
and select [Setup], [Styles] and then [New Style]. Use the same method as for
“Altering the parameters of a Record Style”, by putting a tick by the parameters
that you want to be set. At the bottom of the parameters list, there are two options :
Use [Save As] to save the settings to a new Style name.
Use [Quit] to return to the Styles menu without saving any of the changes.
Note : You can have a maximum of 20 Record Styles.
Chapter 5 - Recording
Courier User Handbook 5-15
5.7.6. Renaming a Record Style
In the Cut-List Mode, press the MENU button and select [Setup], [Styles] and then
[Rename].
Select the Record Style that you wish to rename and press ENTER :
The first character of the selected Style will be highlighted. Use the UP and DOWN
arrows, or the SCRUB-WHEEL, to change the character and the ENTER key to
move on to the next character. You can use any character in the range : A - Z, a - z,
0 - 9 and the Space character. If you want to quit from this screen without making
any changes, press the MENU button.
You can enter a total of 10 characters, or you can enter a smaller sized name by
entering the Space character twice after the name. Once the new name has been
entered, you will be asked to confirm it :
ENTER on [OK] if the new name is correct, or select [Cancel] if not.
5.7.7. Deleting a Record Style
In the Cut-List Mode, press the MENU button and select [Setup], [Styles] and then
[Delete].
Select the Record Style that you wish to delete and press ENTER :
Chapter 5 - Recording
5-16 Courier User Handbook
If you are sure that you want to delete this file, then select [OK]. Otherwise, select
[Cancel].
5.7.8. Checking the Record Style setting of a
cut
If you want to check the Record Style, or recording conditions of a cut that has
already been recorded, use the Properties Mode to show it :
In the Cut-List Mode, highlight the cut whose recording conditions you would like to
see. Press the ENTER button and a scrollable screen is shown :
Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys or the SCRUB-WHEEL to scroll up and down
the screen. When you’ve finished viewing the display, press the ENTER key to
return back to the Cut-List Mode.
Chapter 5 - Recording
Courier User Handbook 5-17
5.8. Audio Options
There are a number of option settings which affect the way that the Courier will
record.
5.8.1. Using the Mic Filter
As mentioned in Section 2.8, the MIC FILTER L & R switch operates a high pass
filter that has a -3dB point at 125Hz rolling off at 6dB/octave and operates on both
left and right channels simultaneously.
SOURCE SOURCE
LEFT
CHANNEL 1
RIGHT
CHANNEL 2
MIC LINE MIC LINE
OFF ON
PHANTOM PHANTOM
MIC FILTER
L & R
MIC/LINE
ATTEN
MIC/LINE
ATTEN
LIMITER
L & R
OFF ON
OFF ON
OFF ON
OFF ON
OFF ON
When the switch is ON, the Record and Record Pause Modes indicate this with an
“F” symbol next to the battery indicator :
Chapter 5 - Recording
5-18 Courier User Handbook
5.8.2. Using the Limiter
The digital (DSP) limiter is used to hold the level of recordings to a preset level,
such as +4dB or +8dB. It can be used in situations where you do not want to distort
the recording by having too high a level, for example, if you are recording where
there are likely to be loud explosions, or sharp, high intensity noise. By switching
the LIMITER L & R to ON, the machine will automatically limit any signals to the
level that you have defined.
Note: Built in to the Courier is an analogue fixed limiter to stop the unit
overloading the A/D converters, to prevent digital clipping.
5.8.2.1. Setting the Limiter level
The level of the DSP limiter is set in the Courier software. In the Cut-List Mode :
Press the MENU button.
The following will be displayed :
Select [Setup] :
then [Audio] :
and finally [Limiter Level] to show :
Chapter 5 - Recording
Courier User Handbook 5-19
Note that only four of the lines can be displayed at any one time. There are two
sections to the [Limiter Level] option, so you will see two ticks placed on the whole
list. The first set of options are actually the level to which the limiter will operate
and vary between [None], for no limiting (even when the LIMITER L & R switch
is set to ON ) and limiting from [+2dB] to [+10dB], in 2dB steps. Select the limit
level that you require by pressing the ENTER key.
Further down the list are two other options :
[Dual Mono] - If this is selected, left and right channels will be limited
independently at the level set above. This should be used if you have separate
sources for the left and right channels.
[Link] - When this is selected, if either left or right channels need to be limited,
then both channels are limited by the same amount. This should be used for stereo
input signals, so that the stereo image is not altered by the limiting (For example, if
you had a stereo source and used [Dual Mono] for limiting, you could have the
situation where one channel only is being limited, which would detrimentally affect
the stereo imaging of the signal).
Note : If both left and right signals are [Link]ed and above the limit level, the
highest value is picked and both signals are then limited by that amount.
Select either [Dual Mono] or [Link] depending on the number and type of sources
that you will be recording and then choose [Close] to return to the previous menu.
Chapter 5 - Recording
5-20 Courier User Handbook
5.8.2.2. Recording with the Limiter
LIMITER
L & R
SOURCE SOURCE
LEFT
CHANNEL 1
RIGHT
CHANNEL 2
MIC LINE MIC LINE
OFF ON
LIMITER
L & R
PHANTOM PHANTOM
MIC FILTER
L & R
MIC/LINE
ATTEN
MIC/LINE
ATTEN
OFF ON
OFF ON
OFF ON
OFF ON
OFF ON
When the switch is ON, the Record and Record Pause Modes indicate this with an
“L” symbol next to the battery indicator :
Chapter 5 - Recording
Courier User Handbook 5-21
5.8.3. Changing the metering between dB
scale and PPM scale
When in the Record, Record Pause and Playback Modes, the metering can be made to
show a scale of either PPM (“peak programme metering” - a method of showing the
peak level, mainly for UK use), or dB (which is an approximation to the VU scale
“volume units” which shows an average signal level).
Note : The ballistics of the meter does not change - it is only the scale that
alters.
To change the scale from one to the other, in the Cut-List Mode
Press the MENU button.
The following will be displayed :
Select [Setup] :
then [Audio] :
Select [Meter Type], to show :
Press the ENTER key to choose either [PPM Meter] or [dB Meter] and return to
the previous menu, or select [Close] to exit without making any changes.
Chapter 5 - Recording
5-22 Courier User Handbook
5.8.4. Setting the peak LED level
There are two LEDs in the UP and DOWN arrow keys which flash when the
recording or playback level has gone higher than the peak LED level set in the
software.
Left Channel
Peak LED
Ri
g
ht Channel
Peak LED
In a similar way to changing the metering scale, you can alter the level at which the
peak indicator LEDs flash by pressing the MENU key in the Cut- List Mode and
selecting [Setup] and [Audio] to show :
When the [Peak LED Level] is selected, the display changes depending on whether
the [Meter Type] is set to [PPM Meter] or [dB Meter].
[PPM Meter] shows :
[dB Meters] shows :
Select the setting that you require, or select [Close] to exit without making any
changes.
Chapter 5 - Recording
Courier User Handbook 5-23
5.8.5. Muting the speaker while recording
In most interview situations when a microphone is being hand-held and the Courier
is close to the microphone, you will want the Courier speaker to be muted so that
you do not get feedback on the recording and you can monitor using headphones.
In other situations, for example if an interview has been set-up in another room
with a trailing lead to the Courier, you may wish to use the Courier loudspeaker to
monitor the recording. So, you won’t want the speaker muted.
You can alter whether the speaker is muted, or not, in the software. Press the
MENU key in the Cut-List Mode and select [Setup] and [Audio] to show :
Select [Speaker Mute] to show :
and then select [On] to mute the speaker during recording, [Off] to use the speaker
for monitoring during recording, or [Close] to leave the menu without making any
changes.
Note : When the speaker is being used for monitoring, use the volume control
on the right hand side of the Courier to alter the speaker volume.
Chapter 5 - Recording
5-24 Courier User Handbook
5.8.6. Phantom power options
Phantom power is required for certain types of non-dynamic microphones and the
Courier can provide phantom power at +48V independently for both left and right
inputs. Options are available to limit the way that phantom power operates on the
Courier.
Press the MENU key in the Cut-List Mode and select [Setup] and [Audio] to show :
Select [Phantom Power] to show :
[All Mic] - This is the standard setting where the Courier provides phantom power
regardless of the MIC/LINE ATTEN switch setting.
[Mic + Atten] - Phantom power is applied only when the SOURCE is switched to
“MIC” and MIC/LINE ATTEN is switched to “ON”.
[Off] - With this setting, phantom power is never used, regardless of the switch
settings on the top panel (so that you avoid damaging non-phantom powered
microphones),
Select [Close] to leave the menu without making any changes.
Chapter 5 - Recording
Courier User Handbook 5-25
5.8.7. Waveform (Sound) option
This option relates to whether the audio waveform is displayed during editing. For
linear records, it takes some time to generate the wave-form when you start editing,
so these options give you the choice to edit using a tape-line.
Press the MENU key in the Cut-List Mode and select [Setup] and [Display] to show
:
Select [Waveform], or in earlier versions [Sound], to show :
[All] - This is the standard setting where the Courier will show the waveform if it is
available, or will try to generate it if it is not available (for new linear recordings).
[No Peak] – In this mode, the Courier doesn’t create waveform files if they are not
available, but will use them if they are available. This is probably the most useful
setting if you do mainly linear recordings and prefer to edit using a tape-line, as
opposed to waiting for the waveform to be generated.
[No Linear] – In this mode, for linear recordings, the Courier will always show a
tape-line, regardless of whether a waveform file has been generated for it already.
For mpeg recordings, it will display the waveforms if available.
[None] – With this option selected, the Courier will always show a tape-line in the
edit mode, regardless of whether peak files have been generated.
Select [Close] to leave the menu without making any changes.
Note : This option just relates to whether the waveform is displayed during
editing. The Volume Data option decides whether the waveform data is
actually recorded, or not.
Chapter 5 - Recording
5-26 Courier User Handbook
5.8.8. Mpeg Coding
There are the two types of Mpeg coding to choose from [Encode and Limit] and
[DSP Encode Plus].
[Encode & Limit] encodes the signal using original mpeg compression coding
whilst allowing the limit facility.
[DSP Encode Plus] allows the same compression size whilst improving the quality
of the recording. This option uses more of the DSP encoding by eliminating the
limit facility
.
NOTE: If you wish to use the limiter feature the [DSP Encode Plus] option is
not suitable at the highest sample and bit rate.
Chapter 6 - Playing & Monitoring
Courier User Handbook 6-1
6. Playing & Monitoring
6.1. Playing and reviewing a recording
The Courier can play any recording selected in the Cut-List Mode by pressing the
PLAY button on the front panel. The output is simultaneously played to the
analogue line output, AES/EBU digital output and any telephone connection that is
established at the time of playout.
With the [Meter Scale] option set to [dB], the following screen is displayed:
With the [Meter Scale] set to [PPM], the display will look like :
If a mono cut is being played, the meters will only show a mono scale :
Along the bottom of the display, from left to right are :
• A count-down, or count-up, of the cut duration in Hours:Minutes:Seconds
format.
• A four bar battery indicator (four bars = full, no bars = empty, x = no battery).
• The cut title, without the three letter extension.
Chapter 6 - Playing & Monitoring
6-2 Courier User Handbook
6.1.1. Transport keys
PAUSE
This is the PLAY PAUSE button. Press once to pause
playback. Press PLAY to restart, or press STOP to recue.
REWIND
If not playing : Press and hold for an inaudible fast rewind.
If playing : Press and hold for an audible rewind (mpeg files)
or an inaudible rewind (linear files).
In the Edit Mode, press once to skip to the previous mark.
PLAY
Press to play at normal speed.
FFWD
If not playing : Press and hold for an inaudible fast forward.
If playing : Press and hold for an audible fast forward (mpeg
files) or an inaudible fast forward (linear files).
In the Edit Mode, press once to skip to the next mark.
STOP
If not playing : Returns to the Cut-List Mode.
If playing : Stops the audio and recues to the beginning of the
cut.
MARK
This button places an editing Mark at the current position and
has the same function as the MARK/DRAG button on the top
panel.
Chapter 6 - Playing & Monitoring
Courier User Handbook 6-3
6.1.2. Adjusting the output level
While playing, the playback levels can be adjusted to the analogue line output and
AES/EBU digital output by using the SCRUB-WHEEL, or by pressing the UP or
DOWN arrows.
Output Level Up
Output Level Down
This in turn will increase the levels present at the headphones and speaker because
they follow the output.
Any level changes made in this way are “remembered” by the system, but only
while you are still playing this cut. This feature can be useful when auditing a cut
for playback - you can play the cut and adjust the output level. Then, recue the cut
and play it with the adjusted levels. Note that as soon as you return to the Cut-List
Mode, the level changes made on the cut will be lost.
Note : Adjusting the headphone and speaker volume using the rotary control
near the headphone socket will not alter the output level at the analogue or
digital output.
Chapter 6 - Playing & Monitoring
6-4 Courier User Handbook
6.2. Monitoring audio
6.2.1. Headphone and speaker monitoring
The Courier is equipped with a 1/4" jack socket for connection to a pair of stereo
headphones ranging from 32 - 600 ohm. A small speaker is also supplied on the top
surface of the Courier which uses the same level control.
The headphones are normally set to monitor the input to the Courier with Channel 1
(left) in the left ear and Channel 2 (right) in the right ear. When recording in mono,
the signal is sent to both ears.
When the headphones are plugged in, the speaker is automatically muted.
Note : There is an option to mute the speakers when recording to prevent
feedback.
6.2.2. Headphone and speaker level control
The headphone and speaker level is controlled by a rotary knob located on the right
hand side of the Courier.
Chapter 6 - Playing & Monitoring
Courier User Handbook 6-5
6.3. Playback options
6.3.1. Playback timer count-up or count-down
When playing cuts, the timer normally displays a count-down to zero from the total
cut duration. You can alter this display so that it shows a count-up timer from zero :
From the Cut-List, press the MENU button and select [Setup], [Display], [Timer
Modes] and [Play] to show :
[Count Down] – shows a count-down timer (default selection).
[Count Up] – shows a count-up timer.
Chapter 6 - Playing & Monitoring
6-6 Courier User Handbook
This page is deliberately blank.
Chapter 7 - Editing
Courier User Handbook 7-1
7. Editing
7.1. Overview
With the latest version of firmware, you can carry out full cut and paste editing on
your Courier. You can delete multiple sections of audio from a cut and create a
Playlist of multiple cuts, which you can edit and play back.
Courier has graphical editing so that you can see the waveform of the recording - an
invaluable help, especially for speech editing where wave-packets often represent
whole words.
As well as using the tape transport keys, you can use the SCRUB-WHEEL and
SHUTTLE to audition your recording and move to the edit points.
“Marks” are your edit points and can be placed on the cut whilst recording, or
whilst editing. Marks can be moved and deleted, and you delete or keep sections
between Marks to edit. A deleted section is shown as a reversed graph display.
Editing on the Courier is non-destructive, and you also have the ability to create a
new audio file. This means that you always have access to the original source
material, until you decide to delete it. And also, if you’ve made a short edit from a
long recording, you can create a new audio file for the short edit and delete the long
recording to increase your disk space. The flexibility of file saving means that you
have a number of options.
If you make a mistake during editing, even though it is non-destructive, you can
undo your last four edit operations. You can also change the scaling factor of the
waveform, so that low level audio waveforms can be more easily displayed.
Note : The Courier was designed primarily as an mpeg recorder and editor.
Although Courier can record and edit linear files, the time needed to initially
display the file (roughly half real-time for a 44.1kHz, stereo recording) means
that editing linear files can be time consuming. However, once the waveform
has been generated, it does not need to be regenerated each time you go into
the Edit Mode. There is also an option so that you can edit without having to
wait for the waveform to be generated – essential for long linear file editing.
Chapter 7 - Editing
7-2 Courier User Handbook
7.2. Keys used for editing
The keys needed for editing are found on the top surface of the Courier, although
the transport keys on the front panel can also be used. At any time, the use of an
editing control takes over from the control that is currently being used. For
example, if you press PLAY to audition a cut, when you arrive at a part that you
wish to edit in fine detail, you can immediately start to use the SCRUB-WHEEL
without pressing PAUSE.
MENU
LIMITER
L & R
KEEP
SELECT
EDIT
DELETE
MARK/DRAG
OFF ON OFF ON
R
E
W
F
F
W
D
MARK/DRAG
This has the same effect as the MARK button on the front and
is used for placing, moving and dropping a Mark.
SELECT
This is used to select multiple sections of audio.
DELETE
This button is used to “delete” a section of audio between
two Marks. The deletion is non-destructive.
KEEP
Any deletions can be reversed by using the KEEP button to
keep a section of audio between two Marks.
EDIT
Use the EDIT button to Enter and Exit the Edit Mode.
The SCRUB-WHEEL is used for audio “scrubbing” in the Edit Mode and for finedetail editing (you can scrub down to the smallest mpeg frame size). It operates
throughout the cut, for kept and deleted audio.
Note : The scrub-wheel can not simulate anything faster than normal speed
playback which occurs when the scrub-wheel is rotated at more than 2
revolutions/second.
Chapter 7 - Editing
Courier User Handbook 7-3
The SHUTTLE is used in the Edit Mode for
rewinding and fast-forwarding at half playback
speed, normal playback speed, two times
playback speed and three times playback speed.
The centre position of the SHUTTLE stops
playback.
Note : It will only operate in audio which has
been Kept - the shuttle will not work within
deleted audio.
PAUSE REWIND PLAY FFWD STOP MARK
The transport keys only operate in sections of audio that have been Kept. This is so
that you can use these keys for auditioning your edits.
PAUSE
This pauses the playback if you are playing the edit.
REWIND
If not playing then pressing the REWIND key jumps to the
previous Mark, or the start of the cut if there are no Marks.
Pressing and holding the key carries out an non-audible highspeed rewind.
If playing, then there is an audible slow rewind.
PLAY
The PLAY button plays Kept audio, i.e. it doesn’t play any
audio which has been deleted.
FFWD
If not playing then pressing the the FFWD key jumps to the next
Mark, or the end of the cut if there are no Marks. Pressing and
holding the key carries out an non-audible high-speed fast
forward.
If playing, then there is an audible fast forward for mpeg cuts,
but no fast forward for linear cuts.
STOP
This recues the cut to the beginning.
MARK
This has the same function as the MARK/DRAG key on the top
surface and is used for placing, moving and dropping a Mark.
Note : Linear recordings can’t audibly be fast-forwarded, i.e. you can only go
through paused linear cuts by pressing and holding the FFWD key.
R
E
W
F
F
W
D
STOP
½ x
SPEED
½ x
SPEED
1 x
SPEED
1 x
SPEED
2 x
SPEED
2 x
SPEED
3 x
SPEED
3 x
SPEED
Chapter 7 - Editing
7-4 Courier User Handbook
7.3. Entering the Edit Mode
In the Cut-List Mode, highlight the cut that you would like to edit and press the
EDIT key on the top of the Courier :
Press the EDIT button.
For some types of recording, such as linear .wav files, a waveform file will need to
be generated, which may take some time to display. You can exit the waveform
generation at any time by pressing and holding the EDIT key. A count-up indicates
the percentage complete :
Alternatively, you can record files without the waveform data, so that even linear cuts
can be edited instantly. In this case, the waveform is shown as a length of tape.
The Edit Mode screen opens to show :
On the display is a central cursor with a dark triangle at the bottom, together with
the cut waveform to the right of the cursor. The horizontal line running from left to
right across the screen represents a silence point, with left channel information
above the line and right channel information below it. Mono cuts have the same
information shown above and below the line.
The audio waveform moves horizontally along the display with the cursor always
remaining stationary.
Along the bottom of the display is a timer showing the time of the current edit
position, from the start of the cut, in Hours:Minutes:Seconds format. The name of
the cut being edited will appear in the bottom right hand corner whenever the
waveform is stationary.
Note : Pressing and holding the EDIT key again will exit the Edit Mode.
Chapter 7 - Editing
Courier User Handbook 7-5
7.4. Principles of editing
The Courier can do simple non-destructive stereo editing which is ideal for speech
based recordings. Marks, used as reference points, can be placed on the audio while
recording or while editing. Using the SCRUB-WHEEL, Marks are moved in fine
detail, to more accurately represent the edit. You can then non-destructively keep
or delete sections between the Marks and use the transport keys to audition your
edit.
7.4.1. Using Marks
Marks are the key to editing on the Courier. They appear along the top of the
screen as a black triangle which moves with the waveform :
7.4.1.1. Adding a Mark
To add a Mark, simply press the MARK or the MARK/DRAG button. Marks can
be added when the audio is playing or when the waveform is not moving. Up to 49
additional Marks can be placed upon a cut.
Note: You can only add a Mark if you are at least three pixels away from the
edge of another Mark, so that Marks do not overlap.
7.4.1.2. Moving a Mark
To move a Mark, move the cursor to be either on the Mark, or within one pixel of
the edge of it, and press the MARK or the MARK/DRAG button.
The Mark will disappear and the triangle at the bottom of the cursor will become
hollow to show that the Mark has been picked up :
Chapter 7 - Editing
7-6 Courier User Handbook
Use the SCRUB-WHEEL, SHUTTLE or transport keys to move to where you want
to reposition the Mark and press either the MARK or the MARK/DRAG button
again. The Mark will be dropped at this position.
Note : If a section of audio has been deleted, you’ll only be able to use the
scrub-wheel to move into the deleted section, so that you can pick up a Mark.
The transport keys and shuttle only work in the parts of the audio that you
are keeping.
7.4.1.3. Deleting a Mark
To delete a Mark, move the cursor to be either on the Mark, or within one pixel of
the edge of it, and press the MARK or the MARK/DRAG button to pick it up :
At this point, simply press the DELETE button to delete the Mark.
The bottom triangle of the cursor fills to indicate that there is no Mark.
7.4.1.4. Deleting all Marks
If you’ve put many Marks onto a recording and want to delete them all, you can by
using the menu. Press the MENU button to show :
Select [Delete All Marks] from this menu – you’ll be returned to the Edit Mode and
all the Marks will have been removed.
Note : If you use [Delete All Marks] by accident, you can use the [Undo]
option to get your Marks back.
Chapter 7 - Editing
Courier User Handbook 7-7
7.4.2. Removing audio segments
Once you’ve put Marks on your waveform and moved them to the correct
positions, you can simply delete the audio that doesn’t need to be played, or keep
the sections of audio that do.
To delete a section of audio, position the cursor between the Mark and the start or
end of a cut :
Then press the DELETE button.
The part of the audio that has been deleted is shown in reverse video (white
waveform on a black background). If you want to audition the edit, press the PLAY
button on the front panel, or use the SCRUB-WHEEL to move the Mark if the edit
is not in the correct place.
Note : The software reacts as if there is an invisible Mark at the very start and
very end of a cut. If you are between a Mark and the start or end of a cut, you
can still use the DELETE and KEEP buttons.
7.4.3. Keeping audio segments
In normal operation, the waveform that is displayed is the part of the audio that you
are going to keep in your edit. If you have deleted an audio section, you can
undelete it by moving the cursor into the middle of the reverse video area and
pressing the KEEP button.
7.4.4. Selecting multiple sections of audio
You can use the SELECT button to select multiple segments of audio to delete or
keep in a cut.
With the cursor positioned between two Marks, press the SELECT button :
Chapter 7 - Editing
7-8 Courier User Handbook
A line appears across the top of the selected segment. Moving the cursor into
another segment adds that segment to the selection.
Note : To Remove the multiple selection, press the SELECT button in a
selected segment. The line across the top of the display will disappear.
7.5. Saving edited audio files
If you are carrying out a time-consuming edit, it is a good idea to save the edited
file occasionally.
As standard, for mpeg compressed and linear .wav recordings (including broadcast
wave format files), the Courier saves the file in the same format as that which you
recorded it. However, by using “Save As”, you can save the file as a Broadcast
Wave Format file, as another copy of the audio file, or as an edit decision list copy
(edl .CPY) of the file.
Note: Dave2000 audio files can only be saved in their native format, although
copied audio files can be generated for them.
7.5.1. Save
To save the edit that you have created, press the MENU button to show :
Select [Save] to save the file. For large files, saving may take some time :
Once the file has been saved, the display returns to the Edit Mode.
Note : Saving an edited .mp2 audio file will display the [Save As] screen.
Edited .mp2 files can not be saved in the .mp2 format. Select a format from
the displayed list, or select [Close] to exit without making any changes.
Chapter 7 - Editing
Courier User Handbook 7-9
7.5.2. Save As
From the Edit Mode, press the MENU button and select [Save As]
The list which is displayed depends on the format of the original recording :
For mpeg recordings :
For linear recordings :
[New MP2, WAV File] - This generates a new audio file without any of the
deleted segments and automatically gives it the next available name. This is useful
for creating shorter edited files to transfer, or if you don’t want to use your source
audio material at all and want to generate another file on which you can work. This
file can be copied from the disk for use in a PC.
[New BWF, EncoDAD, AIFF File] - This generates a new Broadcast Wave
Format, EncoDAD, or AIFF file without any of the deleted segments and will give it
the next available name. It can be copied from the disk for use in a PC.
[New CPY File] - This generates a copy of the header information for the
recording and gives it the next available filename. Any edits performed on this file
are creating an “edit decision list” which uses the source audio as a reference. This
is useful if you want to work on an edit file without losing your original recording
and without using up much disk space - the .CPY file uses the source file whenever
audio playback is required. The .CPY files can not be used on a PC - they are for
use only in Courier.
Note : Deleting the source audio of a .CPY file will mean that you can’t then
play the .CPY file.
[Close] - Move back to the previous menu.
Chapter 7 - Editing
7-10 Courier User Handbook
7.6. Editing tools
7.6.1. Undo
If you make a mistake during editing, or move a Mark to a position that you are not
happy with, you can Undo any of the last four commands used in the Edit Mode.
Press the MENU button to show :
Select [Undo] from this menu and a list of the last four commands will be
displayed.
Enter the command that you wish to Undo and the display will revert back to just
before that command was issued.
7.6.2. Changing the display scale
The display scale can be altered for recordings which were made at a very high or
very low level. Nominally, the scale shows a peak of +10dB and a baseline of 10dB. These values can be altered.
Chapter 7 - Editing
Courier User Handbook 7-11
Select a part of the waveform which you want to alter and press the MENU button
to show :
Select [Scale] from this menu to show the audio waveform with [Max] and [Min]
level values along the bottom of the screen.
The [Max] value refers to the level that will be shown as a maximum on the
waveform. Decreasing this value will increase the peaks of the waveform. As
standard, the Max value is set to +10dB.
The [Min] value refers to the level that will be shown as the baseline, or minimum
level on the waveform. Decreasing this value will increase the peaks of the
waveform. As standard, the Min value is set to -20dB.
Note : There must be a minimum difference between the Max and Min values
of 10dB.
Adjust the level by using the UP and DOWN scroll keys, or the SCRUB-WHEEL.
Note that it takes a little while for the screen to display the changes. Use the
ENTER key to move from the [Max] to the [Min] value and vice-versa.
To exit this screen, press and hold the ENTER key, or press the MENU button.
Note : There is no [Undo] or [Cancel] facility when altering the scale - when
you exit the screen, that is how the scale will be left.
7.6.3. Changing the mode of the timer display
Whilst you are editing, the timer in the lower left corner can show either :
• The position of the central cursor in the whole cut – this is the normal method
of operation so that you can view where you are in the cut and is useful for
edits of long recordings.
Chapter 7 - Editing
7-12 Courier User Handbook
• The total duration of the kept audio in a cut, i.e. the edited cut length - this is
useful when you need to produce a cut of a given duration.
In the Edit Mode, press the MENU button to show :
Select [Timer Mode] to show :
Select [Position in Cut] or [Cut Length] depending on your preference. Return to
the Edit Mode by pressing the MENU button.
7.7. Exiting the Edit Mode
To leave the Edit Mode, press the EDIT button. If you have made any changes to
the cut the display will show :
Select [Yes] to save the changes to the disk, [No] to return to the cut list without
making changes or [Cancel] to return to the Edit Mode.
Chapter 7 - Editing
Courier User Handbook 7-13
7.8. Cut and paste editing
To create complex edits using cut and paste techniques, or to create a list of cuts
which you would like to play in sequence, you’ll need to use the Playlist function
on Courier.
A Playlist is a list of audio file references which has the file extension .edl, and
which are like a list of .cpy files. It allows multiple cuts to be pasted together to
provide a single playable file. It is not an audio file, but it does appear in the CutList and it can be played as per an audio file.
It is useful to imagine the open Playlist as a clipboard into which you can add audio
cuts.
To create a complex edit from different cuts on a disk, you simply select the cut (in
the Cut-List Mode), or part of a cut (in the Edit Mode), and select [Add to Playlist]
from the menu. Repeat this for all the cuts that you need for your complex edit.
These cuts will be added to the current Playlist.
You can then rearrange the order of the cuts in the Playlist by selecting [Playlist],
[Compile] from the Cut-List Mode menu.
Finally, the joins of the cuts in the Playlist can be auditioned and edited, as well as
being able to play through the whole complex edit.
7.8.1. Creating a new Playlist
On power up, the Courier automatically generates a default empty Playlist and
opens it. Only one Playlist can be open for editing at any one time.
If you already have a Playlist open, but want to create a new Playlist, in the Cut-
List Mode press the MENU button and select [Playlist], [New Playlist] :
You will be asked if you want to save the current Playlist. Selecting [Yes] saves the
current Playlist as a .edl file and returns to the Cut-List Mode. Selecting [No]
returns you to the Cut-List Mode without saving.
Chapter 7 - Editing
7-14 Courier User Handbook
7.8.2. Opening an existing Playlist
In the Cut-List Mode, highlight the Playlist that you wish to open, press the MENU
button and select [Playlist], [Open] :
The selected Playlist will now be the active Playlist and you’ll be returned to the
Cut-List Mode.
7.8.3. Adding cuts or clips to a Playlist
As mentioned earlier, it is useful to think of the Playlist as a clipboard into which
you are adding whole cuts, or sections of cuts.
Note : When you add cuts to a Playlist, you need to ensure that the audio files
that you wish to add are of the same Record Style, i.e. they are of the same
format, same sample rate and same bit-rate. The mixing of different file
formats (e.g. linear and MPEG, linear and DAVE2000 or MPEG and
DAVE2000) is not possible. The Playlist uses the Record Style of the first cut
which is added to it.
You can add cuts to the currently open Playlist at any time in four different ways :
1. Whilst in the Cut-List Mode show the properties of the required cut by pressing
the ENTER button whilst the cut is highlighted. Press the MENU button and select
[Add to Playlist] :
This will add the whole cut to the Playlist You can also add a previously existing
Playlist to the currently active Playlist by the above method.
2. In the Cut-List Mode, highlight a cut and press the KEEP button. The whole of
the selected cut will be added to the Playlist.
3. If you are in the Edit Mode, either use the SELECT button, or the KEEP button,
to highlight the sections of the cut that you’d like to add to the Playlist.
Chapter 7 - Editing
Courier User Handbook 7-15
Note : In the Edit Mode, sections of the edit which have been “deleted” using
the DELETE button will not be played if added to the Playlist.
Press the MENU button and select [Add to Playlist] :
4. In the Playlist Compile Mode you can create a copy of a cut which is already
there by pressing the EDIT key to edit the cut, then pressing the MENU button and
selecting [Add to Playlist].
Press the EDIT button again to return to the Playlist Compile Mode where the
copied cut is added to the bottom of the Playlist.
7.8.4. Saving a Playlist
Once you have created a Playlist you can save it in one of many formats depending
upon what recording styles you have used in the creation of the Playlist.
If you have either a single linear or a mixture of linear file formats you can save the
Playlist in one of the following formats :
WAV, BWF, AIFF or as a New Playlist.
If you have used MPEG compression file formats you will be able to save the
Playlist in one of the following file formats :
MP2, BWF, EncoDAD or as a New Playlist.
If you have used the DAVE2000 file format you can save the Playlist as follows :
DAVE2000 or as a New Playlist
Note : When Courier is powered down, any Playlist in memory will be
discarded, so it is important to save the Playlist to disk if you have added edits
to the Playlist but have not used the Playlist Compile screen to change them.
7.8.4.1. Save
To save the current Playlist, in the Cut-List Mode, press the MENU button and
select [Playlist], [Save] :
Chapter 7 - Editing
7-16 Courier User Handbook
An .edl file will be created with the next available recording filename.
7.8.4.2. Save As
You can save the current Playlist as an actual audio file, or as another Playlist. In
normal use, you may want to record a cut, edit it using the Playlist and then save it
as an edited cut which can be sent via a modem. In this case, you should use [Save
As] to save the file as an audio file.
In the Cut-List mode, press the MENU button and select [Playlist], [Save As] :
A list of available formats is displayed :
Or:
For information on what each option will do, see section 7.5.2. Select one of the
options or select [Close] to exit without saving.
7.8.5. Playing a Playlist
Playlists are selected and played in the same manner as ‘normal’ audio files in the
Cut-List Mode. The individual cuts within the Playlist are played in the order in
which they appear in the Playlist, as one seamless cut. In addition to the Playlist
entry title appearing in the Play screen, the current cut position within the Playlist is
shown.
Chapter 7 - Editing
Courier User Handbook 7-17
Note : Playing a Playlist does not affect the active Playlist unless the Edit
button is pressed. In this case, a prompt to save the current active Playlist is
displayed. The Playlist loaded in play then becomes active and is loaded into
the Playlist Compile screen (See section 7.9 for further information on the
Playlist Compile screen).
7.8.6. Deletion or renaming of a cut that is also
included in a Playlist
If you delete or rename a cut in the Cut-List Mode, which is included in part of a
Playlist, you will not be able to fully play the Playlist .edl file. This is because the
Playlist is a series of references to the actual audio files, so if you rename them, or
remove them from the disk, the Playlist will not be able to refer to them or play
them.
You can still play the Playlist that you have created but when it needs to play the
deleted cut, the Courier will skip over the missing audio file and continue to play
the cut following it.
7.8.7. Checking the contents of a Playlist
Normally, you need to enter the Playlist Compile Mode to see the list of cuts
contained in a Playlist. However, for any .edl, you can view the contents of it in the
Properties screen.
In the Cut-List Mode, highlight the Playlist that you wish to view and press the
ENTER button. At the bottom of the Playlist properties screen is a listing of which
audio files are referred to in the Playlist.
Press the ENTER button again to return to the Cut-List Mode.
Chapter 7 - Editing
7-18 Courier User Handbook
7.9. Editing a Playlist in the Playlist Compile
Mode
Once you’ve added all the cuts that you need to create your complex edit, you can
rearrange the order of the cuts, delete them, fine-edit the cuts and audition the
segueways between them.
All of this is carried out in the Playlist Compile Mode. From the Cut-List, press the
MENU button and select [Playlist], [Compile].
Alternatively, if there is a Playlist .edl file that you wish to alter, in the Cut-List
Mode, press the EDIT button, which will take you straight into the Playlist Compile
Mode, after confirming Yes/No whether you want to save the existing open Playlist.
All the cuts that you’ve added will be shown numerically in the order in which they
were added. At the bottom of the list is the [Close] command which has by it a total
duration time for the Playlist.
In this mode, the play, pause and stop keys have their normal operation. Whilst
playing a rotating reel icon shows which cut is currently being played:
The fast-forward and rewind keys can be used for auditioning the segueways
between cuts - See Section 7.9.3.
To leave the Playlist Compile Mode, select [Close] at the bottom of the list.
If you have made any changes to the Playlist, you are prompted to save it :
Chapter 7 - Editing
Courier User Handbook 7-19
[Yes] will save the Playlist, [No] will discard any changes/edits made and [Cancel]
will return you to the Playlist Compile Mode.
Note : [No] will exit back to the Cut-List Mode and [Cancel] will return you
back to the Compile screen.
7.9.1. Rearrangement of cuts in Playlists
When you are adding cuts to a Playlist, the cuts are listed in the order in which you
add them. In the Playlist Compile Mode, you can alter the playing order of the cuts
by moving cuts up or down the Playlist.
Highlight the cut that you wish to move and press either the MARK/DRAG button
on the top panel, or the MARK button on the front panel - a double ended arrow
icon is displayed by this cut to indicate that you can move it up or down.
Using the UP and DOWN buttons, move the cut to the desired position and press
the MARK/DRAG button again to drop it into position.
7.9.2. Deleting Playlist cuts
In the Playlist Compile Mode, unwanted cuts cans be deleted from the Playlist by
highlighting them and pressing the DELETE button. You will need to confirm the
selection to ensure that you have deleted the correct
cut :
There is no Undo facility for this action.
Chapter 7 - Editing
7-20 Courier User Handbook
7.9.3. Segueway (cut join) auditioning
To audition the segueway, or join between 2 consecutive entries in the Playlist, use
the up and down buttons to highlight an entry and press the PLAY button.
Pressing the FFWD button whilst playing will cause playback to jump to the last 3
seconds of the highlighted cut, where it will continue to play until the end of the
Playlist.
Pressing the REWIND button whilst playing will play the last three seconds of the
previous cut and will continue to play until it reaches the end of the Playlist.
7.9.4. Fine-editing cuts in a Playlist
In the Playlist Compile Mode, you can edit the individual cuts in the Playlist by
pressing the EDIT button whilst highlighting the desired cut. The cut can now be
edited like a normal cut.
Press the EDIT button again to return to the Playlist Compile Mode.
In this mode of operation, you can do whatever edits you like to the selected audio.
You can move Marks a small distance to allow for more silence, or to make the
speech timing more accurate. Alternatively, you can select a different piece of
audio all together, by adding new Marks and changing the areas that are kept and
deleted.
Note : The original cut is not affected by the editing in this mode, only the
Playlist entry is affected.
Loading...