Sound Devices 688 User Manual

®

688

Field Production Mixer with

Integrated Recorder and MixAssist

User Guide

™

Legal Notices

Manual Conventions

Product specications and features are subject to
change without prior notication.

Copyright © 2017 Sound Devices, LLC.
All rights reserved.

This product is subject to the terms and conditions
of a software license agreement provided with the
product, and may be used in accordance with the
license agreement.

This document is protected under copyright law. An
authorized licensee of this product may reproduce
this publication for the licensee’s own personal use.
This document may not be reproduced or distrib­uted, in whole or in part, for commercial purposes,
such as selling copies or providing educational ser­vices or support.

This document is supplied as a technical guide. Spe­cial care has been taken in preparing the information
for publication; however, since product specications
are subject to change, this document might contain
omissions and technical or typographical inaccura­cies. Sound Devices, LLC does not accept responsi­bility for any losses due to the user of this guide.

Trademarks

The “wave” logo and USBPre are registered
trademarks; FileSafe, PowerSafe, SuperSlot,
MixAssist, QuickBoot, and Wave Agent are trade­marks of Sound Devices, LLC. Mac and OS X are
trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and
other countries. Windows and Microsoft Excel are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in
the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks
herein are the property of their respective owners.

Symbol Description

>

+

i

⚠

This symbol is used to show the order
in which you select menu commands

and sub-options, such as: Main Menu

> Audio indicates you press the Menu
button for the Main Menu, then scroll to
and select Audio by pushing the Control
Knob.

A plus sign is used to show button or

keystroke combinations.

For instance, Ctrl+V means to hold the
Control key down and press the V key
simultaneously. This also applies to

other controls, such as switches and

encoders. For instance, MIC+HP turn
means to slide and hold the MIC/TONE
switch left while turning the Headphone
(HP) encoder. METERS+SELECT means
to hold the METERS button down as you
press the SELECT encoder.

A note provides recommendations and
important related information. The text
for notes also appears italicized in a dif­ferent color.

A cautionary warning about a specic
action that could cause harm to you,
the device, or cause you to lose data.
Follow the guidelines in this document
or on the unit itself when handling elec­trical equipment. The text for caution­ary notes also appears italicized and
bold in a different color.

FCC Notice

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.

FCC Part 15.19(a)(3)

www.sounddevices.com

[e-mail]

688 User Guide • Rev 4-C • January 15, 2019

This document is distributed by Sound Devices, LLC
in online electronic (PDF) format only. E-published
in the USA.

Sound Devices, LLC

E7556 Road 23 and 33
Reedsburg, Wisconsin 53959 USA

Direct: [phone]
Toll Free: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Revision History

This table provides the revision history and cross-reference links to “what’s new” in this guide.

Rev# Date Firmware

Version

1-A; 1-B March 2015 v1.00 Preliminary Draft; Initial Ofcial Publication

2-A June 2015 v2.00 Added Firmware updates for v2.00, including new SL-6 chapter

2-B; 2-C August 2015 v2.00 Added and revised new section “Automatic Receiver Output Set-

2-D Oct 2015 v2.00 Updated RF Filtering section & added new CL-12 chapter

2-E Feb 2016 v2.11 Updated CL-12 chapter w/ 664 & 633 integration information,

2-F Feb 2016 v2.11 Minor change to the Feature Comparison Chart

3-A April 2016 v3.00 Updates include:

3-B June 2016 v3.10 Updates include:

3-C July 2016 v3.11 Update includes performance enhancements to existing features

4-A Sept 2016 v4.00 Added new chapter “Wingman” covering how to use the Wingman

Description

up” on page 172

including a new “Feature Comparison Chart” on page 161

• Revised and renamed MixAssist chapter, adding information on
the new Dugan Automixing feature

• Revised the SL-6 chapter to include information on the new RF
scanning and frequency assignment feature

• Added new chapter on Remote Control of 6-Series mixers.

• In CL-12 chapter, added new section “Disabling Output Con-

trols” on page 167.

• In File Storage chapter, added new section “Changing the Take
Designator” on page 98.

and minor documentation edits.

iOS-based app that, when paired with the WM-Connect Blue-

tooth® Smart USB dongle, enables remote control of any 6-Series

mixer.

Other updates include:

• Change in Channel 7-12 Trim Gain factory default. It is now
0 dB; it was 6 dB.

4-B Feb 2017 v4.50 • Added new “Receiver Details Screen - Example C” section to

the SL-6 chapter providing information related to new support
for the Sennheiser EK-6042 two-channel, wireless receiver.

4-C Apr 2017 v4.51 Updated Wingman chapter with information on Wingman

Password.

3

User Guide

4

Table of Contents

Overview of Chassis

Front, Top, and Bottom Panels .....................9

Left Side Panel ..................................12

The LCD and User Interface

Meter Views ....................................15

Using Meter Views ............................16

Customizing Meter Views ......................16

Headphone Monitoring

Connecting Headphones .........................21

Selecting Headphone Source .....................22

Setting Headphone Encoder Mode ................22

Configuring the Headphone Preset List. . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Power

Powering the 688 ...............................27

Using External Power ..........................27

Using Battery Power ..........................28

Voltage Ranges and Thresholds ...................28

Configuring Power Settings ......................29

Right Side Panel ................................12

Back Panel .....................................13

Accessing the Main Menu ........................17

Customizing the LCD and LEDs ....................18

Using LCD Daylight Mode ......................18

Defining Custom Headphone Presets ............23

Choosing a Favorite Headphone Preset ..........24

Using Headphone Source Shortcuts ................24

Headphone Peak LED ............................25

PowerSafe .....................................30

QuickBoot .....................................30

Forcing Power Off (Optional) .....................30

Power Consumption .............................31

Inputs

Physical Input Controls ...........................33

Activating an Input ..............................34

Accessing the Input Setting Screens ................34

Setting Input Source ...........................35

Setting Input High-Pass Filters ..................36

Setting L, R, X1, and X2 Routing ................36

Using a Track Name Shortcut ...................37

Inverting the Phase ...........................37

Adjusting Trim and Fader Controls .................38

Outputs

Output Connections .............................45

Adjusting Output Gain ...........................45

Accessing Output Settings ........................46

Configuring Output Linking ......................47

Setting Output Type and Nominal Level ............47

Output Routing .................................48

Accessing AES Output Routing Screen ...........48

MixAssist & Dugan Automixing

Auto Mixer Screen ..............................55

Turning the Auto Mixer On or Off ...............56

Assigning Inputs to the Auto Mixer ..............57

Overview of MixAssist ...........................57

Setting MixAssist Off-Attenuation ...............58

Adjusting Trim - Inputs 7-12 ....................39

Adjusting Pan ..................................40

Accessing Input Settings ..........................40

Configuring Linking ...........................40

Configuring Phantom Voltage ..................42

Configuring the PFL Toggle Mode ...............42

Configuring Input to ISO Routing ...............43

Configuring Input Delay .......................43

Accessing Aux (X1 - X6) Routing Screen ..........49

Routing Tape Output ..........................50

Enabling Playback to LR Outputs ..................51

Adjusting Output Delay ..........................51

Entering Return Loopback Mode ..................52

Sending Tone to Outputs .........................53

LCD Views During MixAssist Automixing .........59

Overview of Dugan Automixing ...................60

LCD Views During Dugan Automixing ...........60

5

User Guide

Limiters

Overview ......................................63

Enabling the Limiters ............................64

Recording

Using Media ....................................67

Using the Transport Control ......................68

Arming or Disarming Recording Tracks .............69

Accessing Recorder Settings ......................70

Setting File Type and Media Track Assignment ......71

WAV (Broadcast WAV) .........................71

MP3 ........................................71

Changing the MP3 Bit Rate .......................72

Comms and Returns

Overview of Slate Mic ...........................77

Setting up an External Slate Microphone ...........77

Setting Slate Mic Gain ...........................78

Routing the Slate Mic ............................78

Using the Slate for Notation ......................79

Private Comms ..................................79

Activating Comms ............................79

Adjusting the Threshold .........................64

Linking Limiters .................................64

Setting the Sample Rate .........................72

F Sample Modes ..............................73

Setting the Bit Depth ............................73

Setting the Pre-roll ..............................74

Using the Slate Microphone ......................74

Playing Back Active Takes ........................75

Viewing Approved Media List via Smart Phone ......75

Monitoring COM/RTN .........................80

Com Send Routing ............................80

Comms / Returns Settings ........................80

Adjusting Com Return Gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Adjusting Comms Muting Behavior ................81

Customizing MIC/TONE and RTN/FAV ..............82

Timecode and Sync

Timecode ......................................83

Setting the Timecode Mode ....................84

Setting the Frame Rate ........................85

Setting Timecode Hold Off .....................85

Jamming the Timecode ........................86

File Storage

File Structure ...................................91

Transferring Files to PC ...........................92

Take List and File List ............................93

Accessing the File List ..........................93

Deleting Files or Folders .......................94

File Storage Settings .............................95

Setting Folder Options ...........................96

Generating Sound Reports .......................97

Metadata and Take List

Take List Overview .............................103

Accessing the Take List ........................104

Playing Takes ..................................104

Editing Metadata on the 688 ....................104

Using the Phrase List for Notes ...................105

Setting the Timecode Generator ................86

Setting User Bits ..............................87

Setting Display Mode ..........................88

Synchronizing the Word Clock ....................88

Setting Word Clock Sensitivity ..................89

Changing the Take Designator ....................98

Defining File Max Size ...........................98

Setting Scene Increment Mode ....................99

Setting Take Reset Mode .........................99

Setting File Playback Mode ......................100

Selecting a Default Playback Card ................100

Erasing / Formatting Media ......................101

Clearing Scene List .............................106

Metadata Overview ............................107

Renaming or Deleting Previous Takes .............108

Editing Metadata in Other Programs ..............108

System

Setting up Tones and Bells .......................109

Configuring Record/Stop and Warning Bells .....110

Configuring the Meters .........................111

6

Setting Meter Ballistics and Peak Hold ..........112

Setting Peak Hold ............................113

Setting up Date and Time Parameters .............113

Calibrating Faders & Pans .......................115

Using a USB Keyboard ..........................116

Viewing Shortcut Information ...................116

Viewing User Guide via Smart Phone QR Code .....116

Viewing Version Information ....................117

Updating Firmware ............................117

Quick Setup

Saving Settings ................................119

Copying Quick Setup Files .....................120

Deleting Quick Setup Files ....................120

Loading Previously Saved Settings ................121

Shortcuts

Front Panel Shortcuts ...........................123 USB Keyboard Shortcuts ........................125

Wingman Integration: 6-Series

Starting Wingman .............................127

Setting up Wingman Password ...................127

User Interface .................................128

Transport View ................................130

Connecting to a 6-Series Mixer .................131

Using Transport Controls ......................133

Designating Circle and False Takes ..............133

Using Meter Views ...........................134

Editing Track Names ..........................135

Arming/Disarming Tracks ......................136

Take List View .................................137

Editing a Take’s Metadata .....................138

Reports View ..................................139

Creating Sound Reports .......................141

About View ...................................141

Track View on iPhone or iPod Touch ..............142

Third-Party Remote Control

Control in the Palm of Your Hand ................145

iOS Remote Control Connection Diagrams .......147

iOS Remote Control Examples .................148

Specications

Analog Inputs .................................153

Digital Inputs ..................................154

Analog Outputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Digital Outputs/Recorder .......................155

Accessories

Electronic Accessories ...........................157

Cables and Connectors ..........................158

SL-6 Powering and Wireless System

Front Panel ....................................163

Right Panel ....................................164

Left Panel .....................................164

Powering with the SL-6 .........................165

Power Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

SL-6 DC Outputs .............................166

SL-6 Power Settings ..........................166

Turning Off Power to Rx Slots ....................167

Using Antenna Distribution ......................167

Antenna Bias Power ..........................168

Radio Frequency (RF) Filter ....................168

Web-based Wireless Remote Control ..............149

Web-based Remote Control Connection Diagrams 150

Web-based Remote Control Examples ..........151

Timecode and Sync .............................155

Power ........................................156

Environmental ................................156

Dimensions and Weight ........................156

Cases .........................................160

Software ......................................161

Using Wireless Receivers ........................169

Selecting a Wireless Source ....................170

Accessing the Receiver Overview Screen .........170

Unislot Receivers ...............................171

Using SuperSlot Receivers .......................171

Automatic Receiver Output Setup ..............172

Receiver Details Screen - Example A ............173

Receiver Details Screen - Example B .............175

Receiver Details Screen - Example C .............177

Scanning for Radio Frequencies ..................178

7

User Guide

CL-12 Linear Fader Controller

Overview of Panels ............................181

Top: EQ & OUTPUTS Sections ..................184

Left: Channel Strip Section ....................185

Right: Buttons and HP Encoder ................187

Altered Functionality ...........................189

Feature Comparison Chart ....................189

CL-12 Sub-menu .............................190

Selecting One or More Input Channels ............191

Activating PFL of an Input .......................192

Setting SEL to follow PFL ......................192

Trim Level Adjustment on 6-Series ................192

Adjusting Trim Levels (688 only) ................193

Adjusting Trim Levels (664 only) ................193

Adjusting Trim Levels (633 only) ................193

Routing Input Channels .........................194

Adjusting Output or Track Levels .................194

CL-6 Input Controller

Front Panel ...................................205

Top and Bottom Panels .........................206

Trim Levels (688 only) ...........................207

Trim Levels (664 only) ...........................207

Configuring Output Meters (688 only) ..........195

Disabling Output Controls .......................195

Arming L, R, X1, X2 Tracks .......................195

Using the 3-Band Equalizer (688 only) .............196

Accessing the EQ Submenu ....................197

Bypassing EQ ................................199

Setting the Q-Factor ..........................199

Setting LF and HF Frequency Defaults ...........200

Setting LF and HF Filter Types ..................200

Setting EQ Routing ...........................201

Using High-pass Filters ..........................201

Naming Tracks .................................201

Configuring User Programmable Buttons ..........202

Adjusting CL-12’s LED Brightness .................203

Specifications ..................................203

Using High-pass Filters ..........................207

Quick Routing of L and R Tracks ..................208

Specifications ..................................208

CS-688

Features ......................................209 Specifications ..................................209

Software License

8

Overview of Chassis

Front panel

Top panel

The 688 chassis is made of light-weight
and durable carbon-ber.

The front panel of the chassis features
several easy-to-reach controls,
switches, LEDs, and a sunlight-visible
LCD screen.

Its side panels provide a variety of
connection options for ultimate I/O
exibility. The top and bottom panels
offer additional connectors that allow
for expansion with optional accessories,
such as the SL-6 (on the top only) or
the CL-6 (on the bottom only).

Front, Top, and Bottom Panels

Topics in this section include:

Front, Top, and Bottom Panels

Left Side Panel

Right Side Panel

Back Panel

The top panel of the chassis features the SL-6 multi-pin header connector used
with the optional SL-6 accessory. Similar to the top panel, the bottom panel
(not shown) features the CL-6 multi-pin header connector used with the op­tional CL-6 accessory. Both connectors are located under removable protective
covers.

The front panel provides the LCD as well as several buttons, switches, and con­trols as dened in the following tables.

9

User Guide

Power Switch and LED

Menu Button

Headphone Encoder

Headphone Clipping LED

RTN/FAV SwitchMIC/TONE Switch

Slate/Tone LED

Select Encoder

Meters Button

Transport Control

Timecode LED

Power Switch and LED Powers 688 on and off, and indicates power status.

Timecode LED Flashes blue to indicate whether the internal timecode generator (and

Menu Button Provides access to the Main menu. Used for various shortcut

Headphone Encoder Adjusts headphone level and monitor source. Used for various shortcut

Headphone
Clipping LED

RTN/FAV Switch Toggles monitor source. Can be customized or disabled in the Main

MIC/TONE Switch Toggle slate mic and tone generator. Can be customized or disabled in

Slate/Tone LED Indicates slate mic is active or tone generator is locked on.

Select Encoder Multiple purpose rotary encoder. Used for various shortcut functions.

Meters Button Cycles between meter views. Used for various shortcut functions.

Transport Control Controls playback and recording. Used for various shortcut

Feature Description

QuickBoot) is active while the mixer is off.

functions.

functions.

Illuminates red to indicate headphone output is approaching clipping
level.

menu (Comms/Returns). Used for various shortcut functions.

the Main menu (Comms/Returns). Used for various shortcut functions.

functions.

10

Also on the front panel, there are six sets of controls related to inputs, such as
pans, faders, and trims.

OVERVIEW OF CHASSIS

Fader (1-6)

Pan (1-6)PFL (Left: 1-6, Right: 7-12)

Trim (1-6)

PFL status / Activity LED (7-12)

PFL status / Activity LED (1-6)

Mini-Fader (7-12)

Feature Description

PFL Switch By default, this switch has dual-functionality. It activates

Pre-Fade Listen (PFL) and displays Input Settings screen for
input 1-6 (slide left) and 7-12 (slide right). Slide again to
deactivate. The functionality of this switch may be altered
via the Main menu’s Inputs > PFL Toggle Mode.

Does not affect Master Output signal. For momentary ac­tion, hold the switch for one second or longer. The input LED
ashes yellow when an input’s PFL is active.

i Because the CL-6 accessory provides separate PFL switches

for inputs 7-12, when the CL-6 is attached to the 688, the
dual-functionality of the six PFL switches on the 668
changes. Slide left activates PFL and slide right displays
Input Settings for inputs 1-6 only.

Fader (1-6) Adjusts fader level for inputs 1-6.

Mini-Fader (7-12) Adjusts fader level for inputs 7-12.

i When the CL-6 accessory is attached to the 688, the

mini-faders become trim controls for inputs 7-12.

Trim (1-6) Adjusts trim level for inputs 1-6.

Pan (1-6) Adjusts pan between L and R tracks.

PFL status / Activity LED (1-6) Indicates PFL status and input signal activity.

PFL status / Activity LED (7-12) Indicates PFL status and input signal activity.

11

User Guide

XLR Inputs

TA3 Inputs Headphone Outputs

10-pin A and C

SD Card Slot

CompactFlash SlotUSB B Connector

Battery CompartmentTimecode I/O DC InputMain OutputsRTN B InputTape Output

COM/RTN InputX5 and X6 OutputsX1, X2, X3, and X4 Outputs

Left Side Panel

Feature Description

XLR Inputs Active-balanced analog microphone- or line-level inputs. Inputs 1 and

TA3 Inputs Active-balanced analog line-level inputs.

6 can also accept AES3 or AES42 (Mode 1) signal.

[Pin-1 = ground, pin-2 = hot (+), and pin-3 = cold (-)]

Headphone Outputs 3.5mm and 1/4-inch TRS headphone outputs. Can drive headphones

Right Side Panel

[Pin-1 = ground, pin-2 = hot (+), and pin-3 = cold (-)]

from 8 to 1000 ohm impedances to very high levels.

[Tip = left, ring = right, and sleeve = ground]

12

Feature Description

USB B Connector Factory use and keyboard connection (with adapter).

CompactFlash Slot Accepts approved CompactFlash cards with the label-side toward the

rear of the mixer. Compatible with Type I and Type II cards. High­speed UDMA cards are recommended for higher track count recording.

OVERVIEW OF CHASSIS

Word Clock Input Word Clock Output

Feature Description

10-pin A and C Each connection includes a pair of transformer-isolated Outputs and

a stereo unbalanced Return input. Analog Output levels are selected
between Line, -10, and Mic levels in Main menu OUTPUTS section.
10-pin A outputs can be set to AES Outputs 5,6 and 7,8 in Main menu
OUTPUTS section.

X1, X2, X3, X4 Out-

puts

X5, X6 Output Unbalanced stereo, tape level output on TA3 connector.

COM/RTN Input Line-level input for return feed from on-set communications sources.

SD Card Slot Accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with the notched corner oriented to-

Timecode I/O Timecode input and output on 5-pin LEMO® connector.

Tape Output Unbalanced stereo, tape level output on 3.5 mm connector.

RTN B Input Unbalanced stereo 3.5 mm female connector for Return B audio input.

Line, -10, or Mic level selected in Main menu OUTPUTS section.

[Pin 1 = Ground, pin 2 = hot (+), pin 3 = cold (-). Float pin 3 to un­balance.]

[Pin 1 = ground, pin 2 = left, pin 3 = right]

ward the top of the 688. High speed class 10 cards are recommended.
Insert until it clicks securely in the slot. The card should glide smoothly
into the slot. Press to eject.

[Sleeve = ground, tip = left, ring = right]

Main Outputs Transformer-balanced analog outputs on standard 3-pin XLR-3M con-

Battery Compartment Holds ve AA (LR6) batteries for backup powering. NiMH rechargeable

DC Input Accepts DC voltages from 10–18 V for powering.

Back Panel

The back panel contains BNC word clock connections:

[Sleeve = ground, tip = left, ring = right]

nectors. Can be set to send AES3 digital signals (1,2 and 3,4 on L and
R respectively) in Main menu OUTPUTS section.

[Pin 1 = Ground; pin 2 = hot (+); pin 3 = cold (-). Unbalance by
grounding pin 3 to pin 1.]

cells advised.

[Pin 1 = Negative (–), pin 4 = Positive (+)]

Feature Description

Word Clock Input Accepts word clock rates between 44.1 kHz and 192 kHz for synchro-

nizing the internal recorder to external digital audio devices.

Word Clock Output Provides word clock signal to synchronize external digital audio de-

vices.

13

User Guide

14

The LCD and User Interface

Current Take

Active playback media

Media time remaining and audio le format

Power source and level

Input limiting activity

Monitor (Headphone) information.

RTN levelsSample rate information

Absolute recording time

SMPTE timecode

Powered off input

Armed track

Unarmed track

Meter View

The LCD display is the primary source
of information when operating the 688.
All settings are congured via the LCD
display. All signal level meters can be
displayed on the LCD display.

This chapter describes meter views,

including the Main screen which is

displayed when no other screens
are active, the Main menu, and LCD
Daylight mode.

Other screens are described where
applicable throughout the guide.

Meter Views

The 688 displays important metering information at a glance on its LCD. All
meter views provide various combinations of input, track, and return meters. By
default, the rst of three predened meter views is shown. This view is known
as the Main screen.

Topics in this section include:

Meter Views

Using Meter Views
Customizing Meter Views

Accessing the Main Menu

Customizing the LCD and LEDs

Using LCD Daylight Mode

The three predened meter views are:

• LR, 1-12 — This meter view (shown above) shows left and right bus tracks
as well as all 12 input tracks.

• LR, X1, X2, RTNs — This meter view shows left, right, X1, and X2 bus
tracks, plus all returns.

• LR, X1-X6 — This meter view shows left and right bus tracks as well as sig­nal from X1 through X6.

15

User Guide

The following images show all three predened meter views.

i Use of the Mix Assist feature changes the appearance of the meters. For more in-

formation, see the chapter on MixAssist™.

Using Meter Views

Although the rst meter view is known as the Main screen, there are other
screens, which may appear on the LCD, such as the Main menu or the Input
Settings screen.

Regardless of what screen is visible, returning to the Main screen and its meter
view is easy.

To return to the main screen at any time:

X Press the METERS button.

You can also easily switch to any of three different meter views.

To toggle between the three meter views:

X Press the METERS button. Each press of the button switches the display to

the next view.

Customizing Meter Views

While the 688 provides three meter views by default, all three may be custom­ized to display the information you deem most important. The second and third
meter views may also be turned off so that only one meter view is shown as the
Main screen at all times.

To customize the meter views:

16

1. Press MENU.

2. Turn and press the Headphone encoder to select SYSTEM > Meter Views.

3. Select the meter view you would like to change.

4. Select the display option for that meter view.

For more information on conguring the meters displayed in Meter Views, see

Conguring the Meters.

Accessing the Main Menu

MENU Button

Headphone Encoder

The majority of the 688’s settings are congured with the Main menu.

To access the Main menu:

X Press the MENU button.

The Main menu is made up of categories, each with its own set of
sub-menu options. Turn the Headphone encoder to navigate the
Main menu and press it in to select any category or sub-menu
option.

THE LCD AND USER INTERFACE

While sub-menu options are covered in more detail throughout this guide in
sections related to those options, the Main menu’s categories are provided with
brief descriptions in the following table.

category Description

POWER Settings related to external power sources. Also displays voltage

level of External DC, Internal DC (AA), and PowerSafe™. See Cong-

uring Power Settings for details.

INPUTS Settings related to channel linking, phantom power, PFL or Input

modes, input to ISO routing, and input delays. See Accessing Input

Settings for details.

OUTPUTS Settings related to output types or levels, output sources, output

routing, and output delays. See Accessing Output Settings for details.

LIMITERS Settings related to input and output limiters. See Limiters for details.

MIXASSIST Allows MixAssist to be enabled or disabled and inputs to be added or

removed from MixAssist. See MixAssist Setup Screen for details.

RECORDER Settings to target recording media, WAV sample rate / bit depth, MP3

bit rate, and recording pre-roll time. See Accessing Recorder Settings
for details.

COMMS/RETURNS Settings related to communications (Comm), including slate mic

(source, gain, routing), comm return gain, and RTN and FAV switch
actions. See Comms / Returns Settings for details.

TIMECODE/SYNC Settings related to timecode and sample clock synchronization. See

Timecode and Sync for details.

FILE STORAGE Settings related to le storage and metadata. See File Storage Set-

tings for details.

SYSTEM Various system settings. See System for details.

17

User Guide

category Description

QUICK SETUP Allows user to save and recall user settings to and from SD, CF, and

internal memory. Also allows resetting all settings to factory default.
See Quick Setup for details.

Customizing the LCD and LEDs

Because the 688 is a portable eld mixer, it may be used in a variety of environ­ments, including some where lighting is an issue that requires adjustments to
the mixer. With some System settings, you can modify the brightness levels of
the LCD, the brightness levels of the LEDs, and even enable or disable the LCD
Daylight mode.

To set the LCD brightness level:

1. Press the MENU button.

2. Turn and press the Headphone encoder to select SYSTEM > LCD Brightness.

3. Turn the Headphone encoder to change the value from 10 to 100%. Then
press the encoder to make your selection.

By default, the LCD brightness level is set to 100%.

To set the LED brightness level:

1. Press the MENU button.

2. Turn and press the Headphone encoder to select SYSTEM > LED Brightness.

3. Turn the Headphone encoder to change the value from 5 to 100%. Then
press the encoder to make your selection.

By default, the LED brightness level is set to 60%.

Using LCD Daylight Mode

The default appearance of the LCD screen is a dark theme. However, a
lighter theme is available as an alternative mode, which can make viewing in
bright conditions easier. When enabled, the LCD Daylight mode may be toggled
between dark and light themes.

To enable or disable LCD Daylight mode:

1. Press the MENU button.

18

2. Turn and press the Headphone encoder to select SYSTEM > LCD Daylight
Mode.

3. Do one of the following:

X Select On to enable.
X Select Off to disable.

THE LCD AND USER INTERFACE

To toggle LCD Daylight mode:

X SELECT + HP: simultaneously press the SELECT and Headphone encoders.

19

User Guide

20

Headphone Monitoring

1/4”

3.5mm

The 688 provides two headphone
outputs on its left panel, several options
for headphone sources including up to
10 custom presets, plus a variety of
other customizable features related to
audio monitoring.

Connecting Headphones

Topics in this section include:

Connecting Headphones

Selecting Headphone Source

Setting Headphone Encoder Mode

Conguring the Headphone Preset List

Defining Custom Headphone Presets
Choosing a Favorite Headphone Preset

Using Headphone Source Shortcuts

Headphone Peak LED

Connect headphones to either the 1/4-inch or 3.5mm headphone outputs, lo­cated on the left panel of the 688.

⚠ The 688 can drive headphones to dangerously high vol-

umes. Turn down the headphone gain before attaching
headphones or selecting a headphone source to prevent
accidental high levels. The range for headphone levels
may be set from OFF, -42 dB to +20 dB.

To adjust Headphone gain:

X Turn the Headphone encoder.

While adjustment is in progress, the gain value will be dis­played in the lower-right corner of the Main screen next to
the Headphone Source icon.

21

User Guide

Selecting Headphone Source

The default list of headphone presets consists of six predened headphone
sources and 10 customizable presets. The predened headphone sources are:

Hp source Description

LR ST Master bus in stereo.

LR Mono Master bus summed mono to both ears.

L Mono Left channel of master bus sent to both ears.

R Mono Right channel of master bus sent to both ears.

LR MS ST Mid-side stereo - master bus decoded MS stereo to headphones. This

is not to be used if the inputs are already linked as an MS pair.

X1X2 Aux bus in stereo.

To select a headphone source:

1. Press the Headphone encoder to display the list of available sources.

2. Turn the encoder to change the headphone source. Options include: LR ST,
LR Mono, L Mono, R Mono, LR MS ST, X1X2, and HP Preset (1) through HP
Preset (10).

The headphone source changes immediately as it is highlighted in the list.

3. Press the encoder to close the list, or wait two seconds and it will close on
its own. The chosen headphone source is displayed in the lower-right corner
of the Main screen next to the Headphone Source icon.

Setting Headphone Encoder Mode

The default functionality of the Headphone encoder can be reversed so that the
Headphone encoder must be pressed before turning to adjust the headphone
volume, and headphone source can be selected by simply turning the Head­phone encoder.

To set Headphone Encoder mode:

1. Press the MENU button.

2. Turn and press the Headphone encoder to select SYSTEM > Headphone En­coder Mode > Preset/Vol. By default, this mode is set to Vol/Preset.

Conguring the Headphone Preset List

22

Presets can be excluded from this list to make preset selection simpler.

To edit the Headphone Preset list:

1. Press the MENU button.

2. Turn and press the Headphone encoder to select SYSTEM > Headphone

HEADPHONE MONITORING

Pre-fade routing

Post-fade routing

Unrouted source

Right HPLeft HP

Preset List.

The Headphone Preset List will be displayed; presets with a blue back­ground are visible, and presets with a black background are hidden.

3. Turn and press the Headphone encoder to toggle visibility of each preset.

Dening Custom Headphone Presets

In addition to the six predened headphone sources, 10 options are available as
custom headphone presets.

To customize a headphone preset:

1. Press the Headphone encoder to display the list of available sources.

2. Turn the encoder to choose one of the 10 customizable preset options, such
as HP Preset(1).

3. Slide the MIC/TONE switch left or right.

The Headphone Preset Editing screen appears.

4. Do one of the following:

X Turn the Headphone encoder to move the orange highlight horizontally.
X Turn the Select encoder to move the orange highlight vertically.

5. Press the Headphone or Select encoder to change the selected source be­tween Off (black), Post-fade (blue), and Pre-fade (green).

i Only ISO sources have the pre-fade option.

6. (Optional) Do any of the following:

X Slide the MIC/TONE switch left to toggle MS decoding for this head-

phone preset.

X Slide the MIC/TONE switch right to toggle mono summing for this head-

phone preset. (All active sources will be summed into both headphone
channels.)

X Slide the RTN/FAV switch left to name the headphone preset.
X Slide the RTN/FAV switch right to toggle the favorite status of this head-

phone preset.

23

User Guide

7. Press MENU or METERS to save the preset and exit the Headphone Preset
Editing screen.

i Only one preset at a time can be set as a favorite. Marking a preset as favorite will

remove the favorite status of all other presets.

Choosing a Favorite Headphone Preset

A single headphone preset can be designated as a favorite. This favorite head­phone preset can be quickly accessed via the front panel.

To choose a predened Headphone preset as favorite:

1. Press the Headphone encoder to display the list of available sources.

2. Turn the Headphone encoder to highlight the predened preset you want.
Options include: LR ST, LR Mono, L Mono, R Mono, LR MS ST, and X1X2.

3. Slide the RTN/FAV switch right to set the highlighted Headphone preset as
your new favorite.

Using Headphone Source Shortcuts

There are a total of four headphone monitor shortcuts on the 688. By default,
these shortcuts go to: RTN A, RTN B, COM RTN, and the headphone source set
as favorite.

To monitor RTN A:

X Slide the RTN/FAV switch to the left.

To monitor RTN B:

X Hold down the Select encoder and simultaneously slide the RTN/FAV switch

to the right.

To monitor COM RTN:

X Hold down the Select encoder and simultaneously slide the RTN/FAV switch

to the left.

To monitor the favorite headphone source:

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X Slide the RTN/FAV switch to the right.

i These are the default headphone source shortcuts. These shortcuts may be cus-

tomized via the Main menu’s COMMS/RETURNS settings.

Headphone Peak LED

The Headphone Peak LED, located just left of the Headphone encoder, illumi­nates red to indicate headphone output is approaching clipping level. Monitoring
without a visual indication of headphone clipping can mislead a sound mixer
into thinking the output or return feeds are distorted.

HEADPHONE MONITORING

25

User Guide

26

Power

The 688 utilizes different powering
options, such as external DC power, or
it may be powered by ve AA batteries.
When used with the SL-6 accessory, an
optional powering and wireless system,
the 688 may be powered via an NP1
battery.

The 688 also incorporates exclusive
PowerSafe™ technology with smart
sensing of available power sources,
front panel power warning indication,

and an integrated 10-second power

reserve that safely stops recording and
shuts down in the event of a power loss.

Powering the 688

The 688 operates on either external DC power or internal AA battery power.

Topics in this section include:

Powering the 688

Using External Power
Using Battery Power

Voltage Ranges and Thresholds

Conguring Power Settings

PowerSafe

QuickBoot

Forcing Power O (Optional)

Power Consumption

To turn on the 688:

X Flip the Power switch to the ON position.

The Power LED illuminates yellow then green. The Sound
Devices splash screen appears briey on the LCD, and then the
Main screen is displayed.

As part of the Main screen, the LCD displays a DC voltage indi­cator in the form of a battery icon that indicates the level and
type of the power source currently in use.

Normal Voltage

(Green)

i Letters in the icon indicate the type of power source in use, such as EX for external

power (as shown), SL for when the optional SL-6 is attached, and so forth.

Warning Voltage

(Yellow)

Low Voltage

(Orange)

Using External Power

Power LED

Critical Voltage

(Red)

The 688 uses only one power source at a time, with external DC power taking
precedence over internal AA battery power.

27

User Guide

To connect an external power source:

X Plug a DC power source (not included) into the 10-18 VDC input on the

right panel.

i Pin-4 of the locking, Hirose connector is positive (+) and pin-1 is negative (-).

Using Battery Power

The 688 uses ve AA batteries as a backup to external power. Alkaline AA bat­teries may be used with the 688; however, NiMH batteries are the preferred
type because they provide for longer run times compared to Alkaline batteries.

To insert batteries:

1. Unscrew the battery cap (counter-clockwise).

2. Insert ve AA NiMH batteries (not included) into the battery tube. Orient
the batteries with the positive (+) end facing in and the negative (-) end
facing out.

i With external power connected, depleted AA batteries may be removed from the

688 and replaced with new ones without affecting operations.

Voltage Ranges and Thresholds

The DC voltage indicator provides power status information based on the Ex­ternal DC Reference parameter, which denes the voltage range and warning
threshold for external DC power sources. Setting the External DC Reference to a
value appropriate for the type of external power being used maximizes runtime
with that source.

For instance, the indicator appears solid green when the active power source is
full or operating within the dened high voltage range. As the voltage depletes,
the indicator’s color changes from green to yellow (warning) to orange (low)
and to red (critical), based on the external power source’s range and threshold,
as shown in the following table:

ext Dc reF Low VoLtage warning VoLtage HigH VoLtage

12V Ext DC 9 10 11

NiMH 11 11.5 13

Expanded NiMH 11 11.5 18

12V Lead Acid 10 11.4 14

14V Li-ion 12.5 13.5 16.3

Full Range 6 11.5 18

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If the active power source is removed or its voltage drops to the critical thresh­old, the 688 switches to alternative battery power or shuts down, according to
how its External DC Loss parameter is congured in the Power settings.

⚠ The DC voltage indicator ashes red when there are no other connected

backup power sources remaining with adequate voltage. When all power
sources are depleted, PowerSafe shutdown occurs automatically.

Conguring Power Settings

The 688 allows you to congure the type of external power source and what the
mixer should do in the event of an unintentional power loss.

To congure Power settings:

1. Press the MENU button.

2. Turn and press the Headphone encoder to select POWER.

The Power screen appears, from which numeric voltage levels of all con­nected power sources may be monitored. Disconnected power sources have
a black background and no voltage level. The power source currently in use
has a thick white border.

POWER

3. Adjust the settings based on the following table:

parameter Description options

Ext DC Ref Calibrates the power level indicator accord-

ing to the type of external DC source. By
default, this is set to 12V Ext DC.

Select the appropriate option for the
external DC power.

Ext DC Loss Choose what action the 688 should take

when external power is removed or voltage
drops below the set threshold. By default,
this is set to Switch Power Source.

i If the Ext DC Loss setting is congured to Switch Power Source when

external power is lost, but there are no internal batteries with ade­quate voltage in the 688, then automatic PowerSafe shutdown will
occur.

i SL-6 settings are only enabled when an SL-6 is attached to the 688.

• 12V Ext DC

• NiMH

• Expanded NiMH

• 12V Lead Acid

• 14V Li-ion

• Full Range

• Switch Power

• Shut down

Source

29

User Guide

PowerSafe

When all connected power sources are depleted or power is lost unexpectedly,
the PowerSafe™ circuitry activates. The 688 displays a warning, stops any ac­tive recordings, nishes writing les, and shuts down. The PowerSafe battery
powers the 688 during this time. This feature ensures that les are protected
even in the event of unexpected power loss.

i The PowerSafe battery recharges from the active power source only when the 688

QuickBoot

QuickBoot™ circuitry is enabled for two hours after the 688 is powered down.
During this time, the 688 can turn on and start recording in less than two sec­onds. Each time the 688 is turned on and off, the two-hour timer is reset. Be­yond the two-hour mark, QuickBoot is deactivated, so powering up results in a
normal, slightly longer boot-up process.

is powered on.

Within the two-hour time frame, while QuickBoot is enabled, the internal Time­code (TC) generator continues to be active and the TC LED on the front panel of
the 688 blinks every two seconds.

Forcing Power O (Optional)

In the unlikely event you need to manually force a complete shutdown of the
688, by-passing the PowerSafe and QuickBoot features, do the following:

To force power off:

1. Slide the Power button to the left.

2. Press and hold the MENU button for 5 seconds.

After the 688 is manually powered off, the QuickBoot is reset and the TC LED no
longer ashes.

30