Sound Devices 788T User manual

788T

High Resolution Digital Audio Recorder with Time Code User Guide and Technical Information for 788T and 788T-SSD Recorders ﬁ rmware rev. 2.19

SATA

Sound Devices, LLC

E7556 State Rd. 23 and 33 • Reedsburg, WI • USA +1 (608) 524-0625 • fax: +1 (608) 524-0655 Toll-Free: (800) 505-0625 www.sounddevices.com support@sounddevices.com

2.5"

USB

2.0

UDMA

400 / 800

Table of Contents

Quick Start Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Front Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Panel Lock

Left Panel Connectors and Controls . . . . . . 13

Right Panel Connectors and Controls . . . . .14

Rear Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

LCD Display Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Input Settings Window Descriptions . . . . . .19

Track Setup Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Track Level Meters View Track Routing View Track-to-Media View Master Gain Levels View

Take List Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Drive Directory (File Viewer) Descriptors . . .26

Root Directory

Input Setup and Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Input Trim and Input Faders Input Settings Window

Input Type Phantom Power High-Pass Filters Input Gain Input Limiters Input Polarity Input Mute Input to Track Routing

Analog Inputs Input Linking (Stereo or MS Decoding) Digital Inputs AES42 Digital Microphones Input Delay Deactivate Inputs

Input to Track Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Pre-Fade vs. Post Fade Routing Using the Input Settings Window Routing Using the Setup Menu Routing Using The Track Setup Window Routing Using the CL-8 Routing Using the CL-9

Mix Assist™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Noise Adaptive Threshold Number of Open Mics Attenuation Last Mic Lock-On One Mic Per Sound Source Using Mix Assist

Track Arming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Track Enabling Using the CL-9 Track Status Indication Track-to-Media Routing Master Gain Levels Track Limiters Master Gain Levels Using the CL-9

Sampling Rate and Bit Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Sampling Rate

Sampling Frequency and Audio Bandwidth

Bit Depth

Bit Depth and Dynamic Range

Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Clock Master Word Out AES Digital Outputs Clock Slave Internal

Sample Rate Converters

Word Clock Input Video Sync Digital Inputs 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Multi-Unit Linking Via C. Link

Outputs – Analog and Digital . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Output Routing Output Types

Analog Balanced Line Outputs 1-4 Analog Unbalanced Output 5-6 Balanced Digital AES Outputs 1-6

Output Delay

Headphone Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Selecting Headphone Sources Setting Headphone Source Options

Conﬁ guring User Headphone Monitor Modes

Headphone Source as Outputs Input Solo (PFL) MS Stereo Monitoring SoundField B-Format Surround Monitoring Multi-Function Rotary Switch Behavior Headphone Favorite Selection Headphone Playback Mode Headphone Warning Tones

Recording Start and Stop Bells Low Battery Warning

Headphone Power Up Gain CL-9 Headphone Monitoring

Metering and Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Output Meter Meter Scale

Favorite Meter Mode

Digital Meter View Meter Ballistics

VU (Volume Units) Peak Only Peak/VU

Peak Hold Time Input Activity Ring LEDs Headphone Peak LED Tone Oscillator LCD Contrast & LED Brightness LCD Backlight CL-2 Metering and Display CL-8 Metering and Display CL-9 Metering and Display Wave Agent Metering and Display

CL-WiFi Metering and Display

Time Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Frame Rate F Sampling Rate Modes

48.048k and 48.048kF Fostex DV40

47.952k and 47.952kF

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

96.096k and 96.096kF

Time Code Modes

Off Free Run: Record Run Free Run Jam Once 24 Hour Run Ext TC Ext TC/cont Ext TC-Auto Record Ext TC/cont-Auto Record

Time Code Hold Off Jam Menu

Jam RX TC Jam Zeros Jam Value Edit Value

User Bits NTSC Standard Def Video Production

Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Recording Pre-Record Buffer Media Select Failure During Recording Record Timer

Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

AutoPlay

Audio File Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

.WAV File Type

Monophonic Polyphonic

Take Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Scene Name/Numbering Scene Name Incrementing/Decrementing Take Numbers Take Number Incrementing/Decrementing False Take Control Emptying the False Take Folders Track Naming

Take List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Refresh Take Metadata

Take Edit Menu

Notes Renaming Takes Duplicate Takes Circle Take Project Scene Ta k e Tape (Roll) Set and Clear Copy Flags Deleting Takes Load Settings Renaming Tracks

Wave Agent Metadata Entry and Editing CL-WiFi Metering and Display

CSV Sound Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Sound Report Setup

Overview Section Take List Section

Generating Sound Reports Sound Report Best Practices

Wave Agent Beta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

File Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Automatic File Splitting File Time and Date Folder Actions

The Drive Directory (File Viewer) . . . . . . . . . . 82

Navigation Selecting Files for Playback Folder Options Menu

Rename Folders Set and Clear Copy Flags Delete Folders

File Options Menu Drive Directory Options Menu

Set and Clear Copy Flags Emptying the Trash Erase (Media Format)

Storage Media – Internal Drive . . . . . . . . . . .86

788T Drive Type 788T-SSD Drive Type Drive Replacement

Storage Medium – Removable CompactFlash 88

When to Use CF Formatting Speed Testing Qualiﬁ ed CF Cards

Storage Medium – External FireWire Drives . 89

When to Use External FireWire Drives Formatting FireWire Bus Powering Qualiﬁ ed Drives DVD-RAM Drives

File Copying Among Available Media . . . . . . 90

Copying Individual Files Error Conditions:

File Transfer to Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Powering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery External Powering and Battery Charging Time Code Clock Battery Auto Functions with External Powering Power Consumption Variables

Firmware Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Version Information Upgrading Firmware

Remote Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Keyboard Assignments

Menu Keys String Edits & Take Name/Number (Renaming & Notes) Assignable Shortcuts Shortcut List Functionality

Logic In Logic Out (Record Tally)

CL-1 Keyboard and Remote Control Interface (optional) 101

Connecting the CL-1 CL-1 Keyboard Interface

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Table of Contents cont.

CL-1 Logic Inputs and Outputs Logic Inputs Logic Outputs

CL-2 Remote Fader (optional) . . . . . . . . . . . 103

CL-2 Connection

Connecting the CL-2

CL-2 Panel Descriptions Fader Assignment CL-2 Switches

CL-8 Controller (optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

CL-8 Connection CL-8 Front Panel Descriptors CL-8 Side Panel Descriptors CL-8 Back Panel Descriptors CL-8 Fader Control CL-8 Views

Main View Aux Routing View Input Settings View

Slate Mic

Slate Mic Routing Slate Mic Level

CL-9 Linear Fader Controller (optional) . . . . 113

CL-9 Connection CL-9 Rear Panel Descriptors CL-9 Fader Control CL-9 Master Gain Level Controls CL-9 Headphone Monitor

Headphone Level Monitor Selection

Setup Menu Navigation From CL-9 Soloing Inputs. Outputs, or Tracks EQ Pan Factory Modes User Modes (U1-U4) CL-9 Input-to-Track Routing CL-9 Communications

Slate Tone Oscillator Returns COMs Setting up a Bidirectional Talk Back Circuit

CL-9 Transport Control CL-9 Footswitch CL-9 LED Brightness CL-9 Speciﬁ cations

CL-WIFI (optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Connecting the CL-WIFI Conﬁ guring the CL-WIFI

Optional: Conﬁ gure WEP Security

Conﬁ guring Apple iOS Wi-Fi settings

Connection Troubleshooting

CL-WiFi Application for Apple iOS Transport View

Enabling Tracks Renaming Tracks

Take List

Editing metadata

Routing

Wave Agent Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Setup Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Saving and Recalling User Settings

User Settings From SUP Files User Settings From WAV Files

Setup Menu Shortcuts

Front Panel Button Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . .150

Connector Pin Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Speciﬁ cations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Appendix A - Recording Time Calculation .154

Uncompressed Recording Time in Track-Hours

Record Time PCM Audio Audio Data Rate = Bit Depth x Sampling Frequency

Appendix B – Metadata Implementation . . .155

Appendix C – File Naming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

Monophonic WAV File Track Number Designators Duplicate File Names

Appendix D- FAT32 and Maximum File Size 157

Appendix E - Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157

788T CE Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . 160

Software License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Warranty and Technical Support . . . . . . . . . 162

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Welcome

Thank you for purchasing the 788T/788T-SSD. The ultra-compact 788T records and plays back up to 12 tracks of audio to and from its internal drive, CompactFlash, or external drives, making ﬁ eld recording simple and fast. It writes and reads uncompressed PCM audio at 16 or 24 bits with sampling rates between 32 kHz and 96.096 kHz. The time code implementation makes the 788T ready for any recording job—from over-the-shoulder to cart-based production.

The 788T implements a no-compromise audio path that includes Sound Devices’ high-performance microphone preampliﬁ ers. Designed speciﬁ cally for high bandwidth, high bit rate digital recording, these preamps set a new standard for frequency response linearity, low distortion performance, and low noise.

With documentary and ENG mixing engineers in mind, the 788T is very small, while still being feature-rich. No other recorder on the market matches its size and feature set. In addition, its learning curve is quite short—powerful does not mean complicated.

Sound Devices took advantage of the best in professional and consumer electronic technologies to bring incredible feature depth with ease of use. Hard drives, SSD drives, and CompactFlash are highly reliable, industry standard, and easily obtainable. With the ability to write to an external drive, low-cost, portable media can be delivered to post production. The removable, rechargeable battery is a standard Sony-compatible Li-ion camcorder battery pack. The 788T interconnects with Windows and Mac OS computers for convenient data transfer and backup.

The 788T is available in two models, The standard 788T ships with an internal hard drive. The 788TSSD ships with an internal solid state drive. Throughout this document both models will be referred to as the 788T, except when information is speciﬁ c to each model.

788T and 788T-SSD Firmware Known Issues

For a complete list of any known issues: www.sounddevices.com/download/788t-ﬁ rmware.htm.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the expressed written permission of SOUND DEVICES, LLC. SOUND DEVICES is not responsible for any use of this information.

SOUND DEVICES, LLC shall not be liable to the purchaser of this product or third parties for damages, losses, costs, or expenses incurred by purchaser or third parties as a result of: accident, misuse, or abuse of this product or unauthorized modiﬁ cations, repairs, or alterations to this product, or failure to strictly comply with SOUND DEVICES, LLC’s operating and installation instructions.

Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

The sound waves logo is a registered trademark of Sound Devices, LLC.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Quick Start Guide

This Quick Start Guide provides a brief overview for ﬁ rst use of the 788T/788T-SSD. For detailed operating instructions refer to the 788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information.

1) Connect Power.

Connect the supplied AC-to-DC power supply to the DC connector on the Right Panel.

Attach the supplied Li-ion rechargeable battery to the recorder.

2) Be certain to line up the battery contacts with the battery compartment mounting pins. Rotate the battery lock to secure the battery in place.

Included L-Mount Battery

The included battery must be charged for six hours before initial use. The 788T will charge the L-Mount battery when DC is connected.

788T Rear Panel

Quickstart

3) Connect analog microphone or line sources. Please refer to the 788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information for connections with digital audio sources.

4) Connect headphones Connect to either the 1/4-inch or 1/8-inch headphone output on the Right Panel.

WORD/ VIDIN

DCIN

MENU SELECT

ANALOG BALLINE OUTS

UNBAL

5,6

FW800

FW400

USB

BALAES

OUT

1,2 3,4

TIMECODE

10-18V

SYNC

PIN4 PIN1

WORDOUT

788T Left Panel

788T Right Panel

()

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

5) Press and hold the PWR key for one second to power on.

788T

BFS

PWR

ARM

C D E F

REC

BFS

6) INPUTS MUST BE ACTIVE TO BE RECORDED. Push to release the recessed Input Gain Controls. Rotate the knob clockwise past the detent to turn on the input.

In the full counter-clockwise position, the input is not active and is not available for use.

7) Access the Input Settings Window To access, momentarily move the Input Selector Switch in the direction of the Input. This action also sends the input signal to the headphone monitor.

Input Setting Options:

Source (mic/line/digital)

Phantom (on/off)

High-Pass Filter (on/off)

Limiter (on/off)

Input-to-Track Routing

Mute (none / mute)

Polarity (normal / reverse)

Quickstart

HDD

Left for odd inputs

Right for even inputs

HDD

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Press adjacent key to change the parameter.

8) The Input Settings Window is where changes are made to input parameters. For example, press the TONE key to toggle Phantom Power (Choose 48V for microphones). Turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to adjust the High-Pass Filter Frequency.

Turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch

HDD

9) INPUTS MUST BE ROUTED TO TRACKS TO RECORD. From the Input Settings Window, press the PLAY key to enter Input-to-Track Routing. Inputs can be assigned to any Track. The Rewind and Fast-Forward keys route inputs to Track L and R, respectively. Turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to move among Tracks A - X2. Push in on the rotary switch to route the input to the track. Refer to the 788T User Guide for details on pre- and post-fade routing. Press

Quickstart

PLAY again to return to the Input Settings Window.

HDD

Press PLAY to enter Input-to-Track routing. Press again to exit.

HDD

Press REW to route to Track L, Press FF to route to Track R. Use the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to route to Tracks A - X2.

10) Return to the Main Display. Momentarily move the Input Selector Switch again.

Press the MENU key to enter the Setup Menu.

11) The Setup Menu allows you to conﬁ gure various options, including Sampling Rate, Bit Depth, Time Code, etc. Navigate through the Setup Menu by turning the MultiFunction Rotary Encoder. Refer to the 788T/788T-SSD User Guide for Setup Menu details.

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

A B

Setup Menu Basics:

Highlighted selection

Selects highlighted option

Navigates through the menu

Exits option and menu

Cancels changes and exits the menu

Turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to navigate

through the Setup Menu, push to select an option.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

HDD

12) A TRACK MUST BE ENABLED TO BE RECORDED. Press the INPUT key to enter the Track Setup Window, where Tracks are enabled for recording. An * (asterisk) next to a Track indicates that the track is record enabled. Navigate through the Tracks using the Multifunction Rotary Switch. To enable/disable the track, press in on the Multi Function Rotary Switch. Track Status is indicated by the asterisk and by the blue Track Status LEDs on the 788T front panel. When the LED and asterisk is solid the track is armed and will be recorded, if they are ﬂ ashing the track is enabled but no active input is routed to it and will not be recorded, if the asterisk and LED are off the track is disabled.

788T

BFS

PWR

C D E F

REC

BFS

Track Setup Menu Basics:

Selector Box

Track Status Indicator

INPUT

ARM ARM

A B

Quickstart

Input Routing Window

Master Levels Window

Track-to-Media Window

VU1 / VU2 Toggle

HDD

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

VU1 / VU2 toggle selects the Tracks displayed on the right-hand column of Track Meter LEDs.

VU1 = Tracks C, D, E, F, G. VU2 = G, H, X1, X2.

Tip: After Inputs are routed to Tracks and the Tracks are record enabled, simply click the Input Gain Pots on and off to arm and disarm tracks respectively.

13) HEADPHONE MONITOR. Press the STOP key to return to the Main Display. Turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to select the headphone preset best suited for the particular setup.

Active headphone routing. Track L in the left ear, Track R in the right ear.

14) Press the REC key to start recording. Press the STOP key to stop the recording. Press the PLAY key to playback the last recorded take.

15) Press the HDD key to enter the Take List.

Quickstart

The take list displays a listing of all recordings.

Take List Basics:

Next Take

Selected Take (*= Last recorded Take)

Rename Take

Metadata Edit Menu

Add Take Notes

Exits the Take List

HDD

Turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to navigate through the Take List,

push to toggle the type of information displayed.

16) From the Take List, press the HDD key again to enter the Drive Directory.

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Drive Directory Basics:

File Information Toggle

Jump to Root Directory

Selected File

Return to Take List

Exits the Drive Directory

HDD

Drive Formatting and other media-speciﬁ c operations are accessed in the

Drive Options Menu located at the root directory.

17) After recording, direct transfer ﬁ les from the 788T to a computer using ei-

ther FireWire 400, FireWire 800, or USB.

When connecting to a computer with a USB cable, make sure that the Setup Menu option Connection Mode is set to Connect as Mass Storage.

WORD/VID IN

DCIN MENU SELECT

FW800

ANALOGBALLINE OUTS

UNBAL

5,6

FW800

BALAES

OUT

1,2 3,4

10-18V

FW400

USB

SYNC

() +

PIN4

()

PIN1

WORDOUT

TIMECODE

MENU SELECT

ANALOGBALLINE OUTS

UNBAL

5,6

FireWire 400FireWire 800

FW400

WORD/VID IN

DCIN

BALAES

OUT

1,2 3,4

10-18V

FW400

USB

SYNC

() +

PIN4

()

PIN1

WORDOUT

TIMECODE

FW800

MENU SELECT

FW800

FW400

ANALOGBALLINE OUTS

UNBAL

USB

BALAES

OUT

5,6

1,2 3,4

TIMECODE

To avoid any possible directory corruption on the 788T, do not interrupt the connection process and always properly dismount the drives from the operating system. On Mac OS platforms, drag the drive icons to the trash. On Windows platforms, use the “Disconnect External Media” icon in the system tray.

18) Press and hold the PWR key for one second to shut down the recorder.

788T

BFS

PWR

ARM

C D E F

REC

BFS

WORD/VID IN

DCIN 10-18V

SYNC

() +

PIN4

()

PIN1

WORDOUT

Quickstart

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Front Panel Descriptions

All 788T settings can be accessed and monitored through the front panel LCD and navigation keys. This allows the unit to be placed in a production bag along with ﬁ eld mixers and wireless transmitters and receivers.

HDD

13 14 15

1) Input Activity Ring LEDs

The LEDs surrounding the Input gain pots indicate the input activity for each input, respectively. The LEDs illuminate in various colors and intensities to represent the state of each input.

See Metering and Display.

2) Input Gain Control

By default, controls the analog and digital input gain (input trim) of each channel respectively. The Input gain control can be changed in the Setup Menu to act as fader controls.

See Fader Control.

They can also be switched to act as Input Enables Only for quick access to arm/ disarm a track. Input Gain Pots can be switched to the Off position to deactivate the input. Deactivated inputs are muted and unrouted from any designated track. This ultimately extends battery life. See Input Setup and Control

3) Input Selector/Solo Switch

Selects odd numbered inputs when pushed left and even numbered inputs when pushed right. Selecting an input using the Input Selector/Solo Switch will display the respective Input Settings Window. If enabled in the Setup Menu, the Input Selector Switch will also PFL (pre fade listen) the input in the headphone monitor. To exit the Input Settings Window, press the Input Selector Switch again or select another Input. For momentary action, press and hold the Input Selector in position for one second or longer.

See Input Setup and Control

7 8

17 18 19

4) MENU Key

Accesses the 788T Setup Menu. When in the Setup Menu use the MENU key to move up through the options and parameters.

LCD Display

Primary display of 788T status. The LCD is backlit by pressing and holding the LCD backlight key and pressing the Multifunction Rotary Switch. When the backlight is active the backlight color can be set to indicate the recorder’s current mode. Red = Recording Mode, Green = Playback Mode, White = Standby Mode

TONE key

6) Press to activate the tone oscillator, press and hold for two seconds or longer to latch on, press again to deactivate. Frequency, tone level, and routing are controlled in the Setup Menu. When in the Setup Menu use the TONE key to enter Setup Menu options and select parameters when the check mark appears in the upper right hand corner of the LCD.

7) Track Status LEDs A solid blue LED indicates that the respective track is armed and ready to record. Armed tracks are both record enabled in the Track Setup Window and have at least one active input routed to it. The LED ﬂ ashes blue when the Track is enabled but there is no active input routed to it and will not be recorded. The LED is off when the track is disabled.

INPUT

ARM ARM

A B

788T

BFS

C D E F

REC

20 21

PWR

BFS

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

8) Level Meter LEDs

Eight, 13-segment track level-meters indicate level in dBFS. Metering scale, ballistics, and peak hold times are selected in the Setup Menu. Tracks C, D, E, F can be used to view Tracks G, H, X1, X2. See

Metering and Display.

9) INPUT Key

Press to access the Track Setup Menu, from which the user can arm/disarm record tracks and view meter activity for all 12 tracks. Press and hold the STOP key then press the Input key to access the Input: Track Routing Setup Menu. Cycle through factory and custom routings by pressing the Input key while holding the STOP key. See Input-to-Track

Routing

10) Power Key

To power up the unit, press and hold the Power (PWR) Key for about one second. To power the unit down, press and hold the Power Key for about one second.

11) Power/Charge LED

Indicates the 788T is powered and available for operation. Indicates the charge status of the onboard battery charger.

12) Headphone Output Peak LED

Indicates overload of the headphone ampliﬁ er. When lit, the headphone circuit is overloading. Reduce headphone level.

13) HDD Key

Press to enter the Take List and Drive Directory. From the Take List, view and edit metadata across all storage mediums. From the Drive Directory navigate between storage media, folders, and ﬁ les. View folder and ﬁ le properties and select ﬁ les for playback. The media that is selected for playback is shown on the left hand side of the main screen. Press and hold the HDD key to toggle between available media. If only one media is present, media toggle is disabled. When in the Setup Menu use the HDD key to move down through the options and parameters.

14) Rewind Key Performs reverse (REW) scrubbing through the played ﬁ le when pressed in playback and play-pause mode. Playpause indicated by ﬂ ashing A-time on LCD. Reverse playback rate increases the longer the key is held. In play-stop mode (indicated by ﬂ ashing ﬁ lename on LCD) selects the previous ﬁ le in the record folder (either daily folder or main folder).

15) Play Key Plays back the ﬁ le displayed in the LCD. If pressed immediately after recording is stopped, the most recently recorded ﬁ le is played back.

16) Fast-Forward Key Performs fast-forward (FF) scrubbing through the played ﬁ le when pressed in playback and play-pause mode. Playpause indicated by ﬂ ashing A-time on LCD. Fast forward rate increases the longer the key is held. In play-stop mode (indicated by ﬂ ashing ﬁ lename on LCD) selects the next ﬁ le in the record folder (either daily folder or main folder).

17) LCD Backlight Key Press to toggle the Level Meter LEDs View 1 (Tracks C - F) and View 2 (Tracks G, H, X1, X2). Press and hold for 2 seconds to toggle between the select meter scale and the favorite meter scale. See

Metering.

press the Multifunction Rotary Switch to toggle the LCD and Front Panel soft key backlighting on and off. Hold the Backlight key and turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to adjust the brightness of LEDs. In the Setup Menu the LCD Backlight key functions as the cancel and exit key.

Hold the Backlight key then

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Front Panel Descriptions cont.

HDD

13 14 15

18) Media Activity LEDs

Indicates storage media activity. IN (internal drive), CF (CompactFlash), EX (external FireWire device). The LED illuminates green when the storage media is ready, illuminates yellow when the storage media is writing/reading and while connected to a computer, and illuminates red when the storage media has encountered an error or if the drive has less than one minute of recording time left.

19) Stop/Pause Key

Momentarily press and hold this key to stop recording. In playback mode, a single press pauses playback (play-pause), allowing audio scrubbing with the FF and REW keys. Another press of the key enters play-stop mode where the FF and REW keys select ﬁ les for playback from the current directory, the ﬁ lename and time display ﬂ ash to indicate that a new ﬁ le has been selected. One more press of the key exits playback mode. Pressing the STOP key whilst in stop mode displays the name of the next ﬁ le to be recorded in the LCD. In the Setup Menu the STOP key is also used to exit from any menu, returning to the main display.

20) Record Key Press to begin recording. The 788T is a record-priority device; pressing this key starts recording and discontinues all other functions, except ﬁ le operations. The REC key will illuminate red when the 788T is actively recording. If the selected storage media is not ready to begin recording a new ﬁ le, the REC key will ﬂ ash red until the recording has begun. Pressing the REC key during recording can set a cue marker, start a new ﬁ le, as selected in the Setup Menu.

21) Record LED Illuminates red when record mode is active.

7 8

ARM ARM

A B

17 18 19

788T

BFS

C D E F

REC

INPUT

PWR

BFS

20 21

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

Panel Lock

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Press and hold the LCD backlight key then the ton Lock Screen. Button lock prevents unintentional setting changes and/or record status. The 788T displays any button lock options currently enabled.

select the soft keys to activate the appropriate button lock mode

There are three modes:

• Unlocked – all keys are accessible and operate normally.

• Non-Transport Lock – All front panel controls are locked except the Record, Stop, Play, Rewind and Fast Forward keys.

• Lock All – All front panel keys are locked except the REC key. The REC key is kept active so the user can initiate recording after entering this mode and enter cue markers. To stop recording in this mode, you must disengage the panel lock and press the stop key.

TONE key to bring up the front panel But-

Left Panel Connectors and Controls

XLR Analog Inputs Channels 1-4

Active-balanced analog microphone- or line-level input for inputs 1-4 on XLR connector. Input type is set within the Input Settings Window. Pin-1 ground, pin-2 (+), pin-3 (−).

TA3 Analog Input Channels 5-8

Active-balanced analog microphoneor-line-level input connector for inputs 5-8. Input type is set within the Input Settings Window. Pin-1 ground, pin-2 (+), pin-3 (−).

3) Headphone Volume

Adjusts the headphone volume. NOTE: the 788T is capable of producing eardamaging levels in headphones. Please use with caution

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Right Panel Connectors and Controls

MENU SELECT

8 9 10 11 12

2 7

ANALOG BAL LINEOUTS

UNBAL

5,6

3 4 5 6

FW800

BALAES

1,2 3,4

FW400

USB

OUT

TIMECODE

SYNC

WORD /VID IN

DC IN 10-18V

PIN 4 PIN 1

WORD OUT

()

1) Multi-Function Rotary Switch

When in the Setup Menu, the rotary switch moves between menu selections; push to enter selection or enter data. In Record and Playback modes, selects headphone monitor source; press action is user selectable. Turn the knob while

6) Sync Input

This BNC is used to connect an external video sync or word clock reference signal for word clock purposes. Accepts NTSC, PAL, and Tri-level video syncs as well as word clock rates between 32 kHz

and 48.048 kHz. holding the LCD Backlight key to adjust the brightness of LEDs.

7) External DC In

Accepts power from 10–18 volts DC to

2) TA3 Analog Outputs 1-4

Active-balanced, analog outputs 1-4. Program source and attenuation levels are user selectable. Pin-1 ground, pin-2 (+), pin-3 (–). When connecting

power and charge the Li-ion battery.

Hirose 4-pin connector is wired pin-1

negative (-), pin-4 positive (+). Pin-2 and

pin-3 are not connected. Charging char-

acteristics are set in the Setup Menu. to an unbalanced input, do not connect pin-3.

8) Headphone Output

1/4-inch and 3.5 mm TRS stereo head-

3) FireWire 800 (IEEE-1394b) Port

Connection to a computer (Mac OS, Windows) to access the internal hard drive and CompactFlash volumes as

phone connectors. Can drive head-

phones from 8 to 1000 ohm impedances

to very high levels. Tip = left, ring =

right, sleeve = ground. mass storage devices. Also used to at-

tach external FAT32-formatted FireWire drives to the 788T for direct recording and copying.

Analog Output 5-6

Unbalanced output on 3.5 mm TRS

stereo connector. Program source and at-

tenuation levels are user selectable. Tip

FireWire 400 (IEEE-1394a) Port

= left, ring = right, sleeve = ground. Connection to a computer (Mac OS,

AES3 Output 1-2 and 3-4

Windows) to access the internal hard drive and CompactFlash volumes as mass storage devices. Also used to attach external FAT32-formatted FireWire

10) Transformer-balanced AES3 digital outputs 1-2 and 3-4. Program source is user selectable.

drives to the 788T for direct recording and copying.

11) Time Code Multi-Pin Time code input and output on 5-pin

USB-B Port

LEMO® connector.

Connection to a computer (Mac OS,

Word Clock Output

Windows) to access the internal hard drive and CompactFlash volumes as mass storage devices or for extended

12) Provides a word clock output running at the sample rate of the 788T.

display and control of the 788T using Wave Agent.

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

See Wave Agent for details.

Rear Panel Descriptions

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

KEYBD

OUT

AES I/O, GPIO, PWR

3 42

INC.LINK

COMPACTFLASH

1) USB Keyboard Input

USB A Female Connector for USB keyboard and CL-8 Controller See Remote

Control for more details regarding Keyboard and CL-8 setup and functionality.

2) C. Link In/Out

RS-232 protocol interface on 6-pin modular (“RJ-12”) connector for linking multiple 7-Series recorders together. Word clock, machine transport, and time code are carried on the C. Link connector. See

Multi Unit Linking Via C. Link. Also used

for connection to CL-WIFI Wireless, Interface, CL-1 Keyboard and Remote Control Interface, or CL-2 Remote Fader.

See Remote Control for more details. The

C. Link In is disabled when Setup Menu option FireWire/USB: Connection is set to connect to Wave Agent.

Multi-Function DE-15 Connector

5) Mates with Sound Devices XL-88 MultiPin Breakout Cable. The DE-15 connector acts as AES3 Inputs 1-8, AES3 Outputs 5-6, and Logic In and Out. Analog and digital inputs can be used simultaneously.

See Connector Pin Assignments.

Sample Rate Converters are enabled on each AES input when Setup Menu REC: S YNC SOURC E is set to Internal.

See Sample Rate Converters.

AES inputs support AES42 Mode 1 operation, supplies +10 V of digital phantom power. See AES42 Digital Microphones.

6) Security Slot Compatible with the Kensington® Security Slot speciﬁ cation. Used to secure the recorder to a ﬁ xed object with a compatible computer lock.

3) CompactFlash Slot

Accepts CompactFlash cards, label-side up. Compatible with Type I, Type II, and MicroDrives. High-speed UDMA cards are recommended for higher track count recording.

Battery Mount

4) Accepts Sony® InfoLithium L-Series batteries. Also accepts batteries conforming to this mount. Numerous capacities, from 1500 to 7000 mAh are available.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

LCD Display Descriptions

1) Battery/Voltage Level Indicator Indicates voltage level of the removable battery or external power sources. If present, external power overrides battery power. Graphical bar for relative level and numeric indicator for precise voltage measurement.

File Name Display

Shows ﬁ le name actively being recorded or played back. In Playback-Stop mode, ﬂ ashing ﬁ le name indicates that the Fast-Forward and Rewind keys can be used to step through ﬁ les in the current playback directory.

3) Absolute Time (A-time) Display Shows the elapsed time of the ﬁ le being recorded or played back in hours, minutes, seconds, and tenths. The Atime and the time code display can be exchanged if a large time code display is needed. This display can be set to reverse or ﬂ ash while recording. Flashes in playback-pause mode.

Cue Marker Display

In Record mode, indicates when cue markers are set. Markers set by pressing the REC key (option must be selected in Setup Menu). In Playback mode, displays cue points numerically as they are reached in a ﬁ le.

Sample Rate Indicator

5) Displays the set record sampling rate. In Playback mode, displays the currently selected ﬁ le’s sampling rate.

12 13

6 75

6) Time & Date Display

Alternating display between the set date and time of the 788T. This information is written as the creation and modiﬁ cation date for generated audio ﬁ les.

7) External Digital Clock Indicator

This display will show when the 788T is locked to a valid external sync source, sync reference is user-selectable in the Setup Menu. The display will indicate the current valid sync source D = digital input, W = word clock, V = video. The display currently shows that the recorder is successfully locked to a valid word clock source.

Media Descriptors

8) For all three media types, an asterisk in front of the media descriptor indicates which media is selected for record. Highlighted media descriptor indicates media selected for record monitoring, playback or ﬁ le directory display.

Media Status (space remaining/record ready)

Bar graph indicates the remaining record time available on the select media. Numbers show time in hours and minutes based on the presently selected number of record tracks, sample frequency, and bit rate. Display toggles between remaining time and track count when media is set to receive less than the full amount of armed tracks. See

Track-to-Media Routing. Indicator shows

dashes when no media is available or if there is no armed tracks routed to it.

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

LCD Display Descriptions cont.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

10) Time Code Display

In Stop and Record modes, displays the time code generated or received by the 788T. In Playback mode, displays the the time code information of the ﬁ le currently selected for playback (if available). If non-time code ﬁ les are playing, the display shows dashes. The time code display can be exchanged with the Atime display in the Setup Menu.

11)

Headphone Source Display

Indicates the source for headphone output. Sources and selection order are user selectable in the Setup Menu.

Time Code Frame Rate

12) Displays the set time code frame rate. If a ﬁ le has time code information embedded, the playback frame rate is indicated. If external time code is connected and the external rate differs from the rate set internally, the display will ﬂ ash.

12 13

6 75

13) Bit Depth Indicator

Shows the set record bit depth. In playback, shows the ﬁ le bit depth.

14)

Meter Toggle

Press the soft VU (LCD Backlight) key to toggle between VU1 and VU2 views. VU1 displays Tracks C, D, E, F on the second column of Front Panel Level Meter LEDs, and VU2 displays Tracks G, H, X1, X2. Press and hold the LCD Backlight key for two seconds to toggle between the selected meter scale and the favorite meter scale. FAV and the selected VU view will alternate when favorite meter mode is active.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

15) Input Level When input gain is adjusted, gain level is indicated in dB for the input being adjusted and its neighboring input. The relationship of inputs is conﬁ gured in the following manner and cannot be altered 1,2 / 3,4 / 5,6 / 7,8. Neighboring inputs are not linked or grouped unless speciﬁ cally linked in the Setup Menu. Mic input gain range is from 0 dB to 76 dB, Line input range is from -25 to 50 dB and Digital input range is from -25 to 50 dB.

16) Headphone Gain Level When the headphone gain is adjusted, this will appear and indicate the gain level in dB.

17) Slate Mic Gain Level (CL-8 only)

Slate Mic gain level is adjusted from -46 to 6 dB in 1 dB increments. To attenuate the gain press and hold the CL-8 SLATE button and turn the Multi Function Rotary Switch.

18) Media Track Count

Display toggles between remaining time and track count when media is set to receive less than the full amount of armed tracks.

See Track-to-Media Routing.

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Input Settings Window Descriptions

To access the Input Settings Window press the Input Selector Switch into the position of the desired input. Pushing the Input Selector Switch to the left will select the odd numbered inputs and pushing it to the right will select the even numbered inputs. Press the Input Selector Switch for the select input again to return to the previously displayed screen.

4 653

1) Input Type The highlighted selection indicates current Input Type. Input Type is selectable from Mic, Line, and Digital Inputs for each channel respectively. Toggle through Input Type selections by pressing the MENU key.

2) Input Gain Display The Input gain is displayed in dB for the selected input. Information displayed toggles between TRIM and FADER levels when faders are available. When the Setup Menu option INPUT: FRONT PANEL CONTROLS is set to Fader Controls, use the Multifunction Rotary Switch to attenuate Trim levels. Pressing in on the Multifunction Rotary Switch will toggle control between Trim level and High-Pass Filter control.

3) Input Selected Displays the Input that has been selected.

4) Headphone Monitor Hold Indication Press and hold the Input Selector Switch for ﬁ ve or more seconds to latch Input PFL. To exit the PFL monitoring select another input with the Input Selector Switch or rotate the Multi-Function Rotary Switch. This mode only applies when the INPUT: PFL FUNCTION is set to enabled.

High-Pass Filter

Indicates the state of the High-Pass Filter and the cut off frequency selected. Control the High-Pass Filter by using the Multi-Function Rotary Switch.

7) Input Limiter

8) Input to Track Routing

9) Input Mute

10) Input Polarity

11)

Phantom Power

The highlighted selection shows the current state of phantom power (48V: mic only, 48VL: mic and line, Off: no phantom power) for the selected input. Switch between Phantom Power modes by using the Tone key.

The highlighted selection shows the state of the Input Limiter for the selected Input. Enable or disable the Input Limiter using the HDD key.

The highlighted selection(s) indicate the track(s) the selected input is currently routed to. To enter and exit the Input to Track Routing press the Play key.

When highlighted the selected Input is Muted and removed from all tracks. Input Mute is toggled on and off using the Fast Forward key.

When highlighted the Input Polarity is inverted. Control polarity using the LCD Backlight key.

Mix Assist

The highlighted selection shows whether or not the input is automixed. This option will be crossed out when MIXASSI ST: MODE is set to Off. Automix is toggled on and off using the Rewind key. See Mix Assist

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

The following screen appears if the select Input is linked as a stereo pair.

The following screen appears if the select Input gain pot is switched to the Off position.

12) Panning Control If the Input selected is a linked stereo pair, the odd numbered inputs will display gain and the even numbered inputs will display the stereo image.

13) Channel Is Powered Down

The Input Settings Window cannot be accessed if the Input’s Gain Pot is switched to Off.

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Track Setup Window

The Track Setup Window allows a user to record enable or disable tracks, route inputs-to-tracks, adjust master gain levels, and route tracks-to-media. Press the front panel INPUT key to access the Track Setup Window. There are four views of the Track Setup Window, Track Level Meters View, Track Routing View, Master Gain Levels View, and Media-to-Track View. The Track Meters View is always the ﬁ rst view to appear upon entry of the Track Setup Window. Items that appear in all views have identical functionality.

Track Level Meters View

1 2

1) Track Status Indicator An * (asterisk) next to a Track indicates that the track is record enabled. Navigate through the Tracks using the Multifunction Rotary Switch. The selected track has a box around it (Track G in the example above). To enable/disable the track, press in on the Multi Function Rotary Switch. Track Status is indicated by the asterisk and the 788T Front Panel Track Status LEDs. When the LED and asterisk is solid the track is armed and will be recorded, when it ﬂ ashes the track is enabled but no active input is routed to it and will not be recorded, the asterisk and LED remain off when the track is disabled.

2) Track Level Meters Displays all twelve available track Level Meters. Meter ballistics settings are identical to the front panel Track Level Meters and are adjustable within the Setup Menu.

3) Track Routing View

Press the Rewind key to access the Track Routing View.

4) Master Gain Levels View

Press the Play key to access the Master Levels View.

5) Track-to-Media View

Press the Fast Forward key to access the Track-to-Media view.

6) VU Toggle

Press the soft VU (LCD Backlight) key to toggle between VU1 and VU2 views. VU1 displays Tracks C, D, E, F on the second column of Front Panel Level Meter LEDs, and VU2 displays Tracks G, H, X1, X2.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Track Routing View

The screen below is the Track Routing View, it appears if the ROUTING (Rewind) Key is selected.

7) Track Routing Displays all inputs currently routed to the given track. Rotate the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to move the selector box. Press in on the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to route an Input to the Track. Pre- or post-fade routing is applied as it is deﬁ ned in the Input Settings Window or the Setup Menu.

8) Track Level Meters View

Press the Rewind key to return to the Track Level Meters Window.

Track-to-Media View

The screen below is the Track-to-Media View, it appears if the MEDIA (Fast Forward) Key is selected.

9) Track-to-Media Routing Displays which media the given track will be recorded to. Rotate the MultiFunction Rotary Switch to move the selector box. Press in on the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to toggle the routing of the track to CompactFlash, Internal Drive, or External media respectively. Tracks will only be written to a given media if it is selected in the Setup Menu option Rec: Media Select, regardless of it’s Track-to-Media routing status.

10) Track Level Meters View

Press the Rewind key to return to the Track Level Meters Window.

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

Master Gain Levels View

The screen below is the Master Gain Levels View, it appears if the LEVELS (Play) Key is selected.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

11 12 13

1615 18

11) L/R Meters Displays real time metering of Left and Right Track Levels.

12) Track Limiter Indicator Appears when Track Limiter is engaged. Limiter is active when the indicator is solid.

13) Track Limiter Linked Indicates that the track limiter is linked.

14) AUX Meters Displays real time metering of X1 and X2 Track Levels.

15) L/R Master Gain Level Displays gain level applied to the Master Left and Right Tracks. Only one bar is displayed when tracks are linked as a stereo pair (as shown). Two bars are displayed when the tracks are independent.

16) L/R Master Gain Pressing the soft L/R (Rewind) key will select the Left and Right Tracks Master Gain level. Pressing again will select the track to be controlled. When both tracks of the pair are highlighted the Tracks are linked as a stereo pair (as shown). Gain is adjusted from -60 to +15 dB in .1 dB increments using the Multi Function Rotary Switch or the soft up and down arrows. Press in on the Multi Function Rotary Switch to return to unity gain (0 dB).

19 20

17) Meters

Press the soft METERS (Play) key to return to the Track Level Meters View.

18) AUX Master Gain Level

Displays gain level applied to the Aux Tracks. Only one bar is displayed when tracks are linked as a stereo pair. Two bars are displayed when the tracks are independent (as shown).

19) AUX Master Gain

Pressing the soft AUX (Fast Forward) key will select the Aux Tracks Master Gain level. Pressing again will select the track to be controlled. When both tracks of the pair are highlighted the Tracks are linked as a stereo pair. Gain is adjusted from -60 to +15 dB in .1 dB increments using the Multi Function Rotary Switch or the soft up and down arrows. Press in on the Multi Function Rotary Switch to return to unity gain (0 dB).

20) Limiter Key

Press the LCD Backlight key to toggle the select stereo pairs Track Limiter status. Each press cycles the various settings Off, On, Linked. See Track Limiters

for details.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Take List Descriptions

To access the Take List press the HDD key or select Setup Menu option FILE: VIEW TAKE LIS T . From the Take List view and edit metadata across all storage mediums.

1) Current/Last Take The * (asterisk) indicates the current take being recorded or the last take to have been recorded by the 788T.

2) Next Take The n indicates the name of the next take to be recorded. With the n take highlighted the user can make notes entry or increment/decrement Scene and Take for the next ﬁ le to be recorded.

3) Take Name Column This is a sequential list of Takes recorded by the 788T ﬁ rmware revision 1.5+.

Next File Destination

Displays folder destination for the next Take to be recorded.

Additional File Information

Displays additional ﬁ le information, the following information can be toggled through by pressing in on the Multifunction Rotary Switch: Beginning Time Code Stamp, Time of File Creation, Date of File Creation, Scene Names, Drives Containing the File, and Folder that Contains the File.

DRV (Drive Directory)

6) Press the soft Drive (HDD) key to access the Drive Directory (File Viewer).

7) RENAME Press the soft RENAME (Rewind) key to access the ﬁ le/metadata rename window.

8) EDIT Press the soft EDIT (Play) key to access the Take Edit Menu. From this menu, make notes entries and view/edit the following metadata at anytime for any take: Notes, Rename, Circle, Project, Scene, Take, Tape (Roll), Set/Clear Copy, Delete (sends ﬁ le to the Trash), and Rename Tracks.

NOTES

Press the soft NOTES (Fast Forward) key to quickly access the Notes ﬁ eld.

10)

X Exit

Exits to the previously viewed window.

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

The following screen appears if the next (n) file is highlighted.

11) Take +/-

Appears when the next take, indicated by the “n” is highlighted. Pressing the soft Take +/- (Rewind) key will access the Take increment or decrement options.

The following screen appears if Take +/- (11) is selected.

13) Take -

Appears when the Take +/- is selected. Pressing the Take - (Rewind) key will decrement the take number. If the take number is decremented to match the name of the last ﬁ le recorded, the False Take prompt will appear.

12) Scene +/- Appears when the next take, indicated by the “n” is highlighted. Pressing the soft Scene +/- (Fast Forward) key will enter the Scene increment or decrement window.

14) Done Pressing the soft DONE (PLAY) key saves the increment/decrement settings for the next take to be recorded.

15) Take + Appears when the Take +/- is selected. Pressing the soft Take + (Fast Forward) key will increment the take number.

The following screen appears if Scene +/- (12) is selected.

16) Scene -

Appears when the Scene +/- is selected in the above window. Pressing the Scene - (Rewind) key will decrement the scene.

17) Scene + Appears when the Scene +/- is selected. Pressing the soft Scene + (Fast Forward) key will increment the scene. Scenes will be incremented with either alpha characters or numeric digits, depending on the setting for Setup Menu option REC : S CENE INCREMENT MODE.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Drive Directory (File Viewer) Descriptors

To access the Drive Directory press the soft DRV (HDD) key from within the Take List. Press the HDD key twice from the main screen for quick access to the Drive Directory. To return to the Take List from the Drive Directory, press the TK soft (HDD) key.

1) Root Directory

Press to quickly access the Root Directory. From the Root Directory navigate between media or perform drive functions via the Drive Options Menu.

2) Directory Path

Indicates the directory path for the ﬁ le/ folder currently being viewed.

3) Selected File

Scroll through polyphonic and monophonic ﬁ les using the Multifunction Rotary Switch. The highlighted ﬁ le will display ﬁ le properties and additional ﬁ le information. Press play to immediately playback the select ﬁ le.

4) Additional File Information

Displays additional information of the currently selected ﬁ le. The information displayed is determined by the state of the File Information Toggle (6).

9 10

5 7

6) File Information Toggle Press to toggle the type of information displayed in the Additional File Information ﬁ eld (4). The following information is displayed. BEG = Beginning Time Code Stamp, LEN = Length of File, USR = User Bits, FPS = Frames Per Second.

7) File Size Displays the size of the currently selected ﬁ le.

Take List

Press to access the Take List.

9) File Properties Displays channel count, bit depth, and sampling rate of the highlighted ﬁ le.

10) Copy Flag Status Displays the status of the Copy Flags. Check marked ﬁ les have Copy Flag set.

X Exit

Time and Date

Display toggles between date of ﬁ le

11) Exits to the main screen.

creation and time of ﬁ le creation for the highlighted ﬁ le.

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

Root Directory

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

The following screen appears if the Root Directory (1) is selected.

14 15

12) Media Select

Highlight desired media to view or perform drive functions.

13) Free Space

Displays the amount of free space available on the highlighted media. The time available is dependent on user setup.

14) Media Size

Displays the media size for the highlighted media.

15) Drive Directory Options Menu Press the soft Options (Fast Forward) key to access the Drive Options Menu. The following drive functions are performed in the Drive Options Menu: Rename, Set/Clear Copy Flags, Empty Trash and False Takes, Erase (format).

Input Setup and Control

The 788T has eight inputs and twelve record tracks. Inputs can be analog or digital sources. Analog inputs 1 through 4 are on 3-pin XLR connectors; inputs 5 through 8 are on 3-pin TA3 connectors. Digital AES3 inputs 1-8 use the DE-15 (D-Sub) connector.

Analog and digital inputs can be used simultaneously, for a total of eight.

Input Trim and Input Faders

The Front Panel Input Gain Controls can be switched to the Off position to disable and power down the input and to ultimately extend battery life. Disable inactive inputs by turning the Input Gain Control to the full counter-clockwise (Off) position. The Input Gain Controls must be on to route an input to a track and/or access the Input Settings Window.

The gain of an input is adjusted by two controls, its Input Trim and its Input Fader. This two-stage control is identical the to topology of mixing consoles and provides a great deal of ﬂ exibility when inputs are assigned to tracks. Input Trim is often thought of as a coarse gain control and Input Fader is thought of as the ﬁ ne gain control.

From the factory, the front panel Input Gain Controls adjust trim levels. When an input is sent to a track, the input is sent at the level controlled by the Input Trim. In this factory default mode, the Input Fader control is set at unity, cannot be controlled, and has no effect on levels.

The Setup Menu option INPUT: FRONT PANEL CONTROLS provides three options, Trim Control, Fader Control, or Input Enables Only. This menu is not available when the CL-9 is attached. Selecting

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Fader Control changes the eight front panel Input Gain Controls to adjust the fader level on an input. Trim levels are now set using the Multi-Function Rotary Switch from within the respective input’s Input Settings Window. Pressing in on the Multi-Function Rotary Switch will toggle between Trim control and High-Pass Filter control. When Input Enables Only is selected, the Front Panel Controls turn the inputs on and off only and the Trim Level is controlled within the Input Settings Window.

When Input: Front Panel Controls is set to anything other than Trim Controls, panning linked inputs is disabled.

The fader range is adjustable in the Setup Menu option INPUT: FADER RANGE between Wide, Fade Only, and Narrow. A Wide range allows the user to attenuate the fader from negative inﬁ nity (off) to +15 dB. Fade Only allows the user to attenuate the fader level from negative inﬁ nity (off) to 0 dB. A narrow range allows the user to attenuate the fader level from -15 to +15 dB. Fader levels are relative to the trim level of the selected input. Fader range applies to all available faders including, Front Panel Gain Controls (if set as Fader controls in the Setup Menu option Input: Front Panel Controls), the CL-2 fader, the CL-8, and the CL-9 faders.

The CL-8 and CL-9 faders can be calibrated in the Setup Menu option FADER CAL. This allows the Sound Mixer to set the 0 dB (unity gain) position of the fader. To calibrate the faders of the CL-8 or CL-9, set all fader levels to the desired 0 dB position. Enter the Setup Menu option FADER CAL and press the check mark.

When the CL-9 is attached to the 788T, the trim and fader levels are adjusted only from the CL-9. The 788T Front Panel Gain Controls simply activating/deactivating inputs.

When the CL-8 is attached to the 788T and the Setup Menu option INPUT: FRONT PANEL CONTROLS is set to Trim Controls or Fader Controls, the behavior of the front panel Input Gain Control adjusts trim levels and the CL-8 rotary potentiometer controls the Input Fader level. When Setup Menu option INPUT: FRONT PANEL CONTROLS is set to Input Enables Only, the behavior of the front panel Input Gain Control simply activates/deactivates the input, trim levels are adjusted in the Input Settings Window using the Rotary Encoder, and the CL-8 rotary potentiometer controls the Input Fader level. When the CL-8 is attached, the Fader Controls option has no effect. The front panel controls continue to act as trims and the CL-8 faders act as input fader controls.

When the CL-2 is attached and assigned to an input, the input’s fader level will be controlled by the CL-2 only.

Input Settings Window

From the Input Settings Window, view and/or change the following settings:

• Input Type

• Phantom Power

• High-Pass Filter

• Input Gain (Trim and Fader)

• Input Limiter

• Input Polarity

• Input Mute

• Input Routing

• Mix Assist

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

To enter the Input Settings Window, press the desired input’s Front Panel Input Selector Switch. The Input Settings Window will latch on, this allows for one handed operation of the 788T. If momentary action is desired, press and hold the Input Selector Switch for one second or more. To exit the Input Settings Window press the selected Input Selector Switch again or select another Input.

While in the Input Settings Window the selected input is displayed in the center of the screen. The selected input will be soloed in the headphone monitor, although this can be disabled in the Setup Menu option INPUT: PFL FUNCTION.

If the Input Selector/Solo Switch is held for 5 or more seconds “Hold” will appear on the screen and the soloed input will remain in the headphone monitor until either another headphone monitor mode has been selected with the Multi-Function Rotary Switch or with the Input Selector/ Solo Switch. Once the Input Selector Switch is pressed again, the 788T will return to the previously displayed screen.

If the selected input is stereo linked, both of the inputs will be soloed in the headphone monitor.

Input Type

Select between Mic, Line, or Digital inputs using the MENU key while in the Input Settings Window.

Input Type Input Connectors Gain Range (Trim only)

Mic XLR 1-4, TA3 5-8 Off (-infinity) 0 dB to 76 dB

Line XLR 1-4, TA3 5-8 Off (-infinity) -25 dB to 50 dB

Digital AES3 1-8 (D-Sub 15) Off (-infinity) -25 dB to 50 dB.

Phantom Power

Phantom power (48 volts) can be activated individually, for each analog input on. Phantom power can be used for both mic- and line-level inputs. Enable or disable Phantom Power in the Input Settings Window using the Tone key to select 48V (phantom power for mic level only), 48VL (phantom power for mic- and line-level), or Off.

Using line-level inputs with microphones is useful in high SPL environments such as recording ﬁ rearms or loud concerts. Make certain to disable phantom power on inputs with attachedc line-level output devices that might be susceptible to damage from DC.

High-Pass Filters

High-pass ﬁ lters on analog and digital inputs reduce sensitivity to low frequency signals. Pressing the Multi-Function Rotary Switch will engage or disengage the High-Pass Filter. Turn the MultiFunction Rotary Switch to select the cut off frequency in 10 Hz steps from 40 Hz to 320 Hz.

If the Setup Menu option INPUT: FRONT PANEL CONTROLS is set to Fader Controls, pressing the Multi-Function Rotary Switch will toggle between Trim and High-Pass Filter control.

Filter slopes of 6 dB and 12 dB per octave are selectable in the Setup Menu and will apply to all inputs where the high-pass ﬁ lter have been engaged.

Input Gain

The gain display will toggle between trim and fader levels (if applicable). If the Setup Menu option INPUT: FRONT PANEL CONTROLS is set to Fader Controls or Input Enables Only, pressing the Multi-Function Rotary Switch will toggle between Trim and High-Pass Filter control. When Trim is selected, turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to adjust the trim level.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Input Limiters

Analog inputs incorporate an advanced, analog/DSP-controlled hybrid limiter to prevent input overload. In normal operation and with proper gain settings, the limiters should rarely engage. When activated, these limiters prevent unusually high input signal levels from clipping the analog input stage of the preamp.

The 788T is equipped with 16 Input Limiters, a pre-fade and a post-fade limiter for each input. Limiting is applied only at the stage of the signal path where the level exceeds the set Limiter Threshold. If the threshold is exceeded at both pre- and post-fade stages, each limiter will act independently of one another.

The Input Activity LEDs illuminate yellow when an input is being limited at either stage. When a fader accessory is connected, the 788T will indicate pre-fade limiting and the fader accessory will indicate post-fade limiting. The Input Limiters are active for both mic- and line-level inputs.

Enable or disable the Input Limiters using the soft Lim (HDD) key while in the Input Settings Window. This enables/disables both the pre- and post-fade limiters. The 788T offers several adjustments for its peak limiter to tailor the sound to the user’s desire: Threshold; Knee; Ratio; and Recovery.

The Limiter Threshold adjusts the maximum peak level at which the limiter will engage. Sounds louder than this threshold are attenuated. This threshold is adjustable in the Setup Menu option INPUT: LIMITER THRESHOLD from -12 to -2 dBFS in .1 dBFS increments.

The Limiter Recovery adjusts how slowly the limiter brings its gain back up after a peak is limited. A shorter recovery follows the envelope of speech better than a longer recovery, but at the expense of low-frequency distortion. Recovery time is adjustable in the Setup Menu option INPUT: LIMITER RECOVERY from 50 msec to 2000 msec in 10 msec increments.

Setup Menu option INPUT: LIMITER KNEE allows the user to control the ratio at which the signal is limited and whether the limiter has a Hard- or Soft-Knee. The limiter ratio is either inﬁ nite: 1 or 20:1. The hard knee setting leaves all program material below the threshold completely unaffected and attenuates only those peaks above the threshold. The soft knee setting attenuates the program material slightly before the threshold (about 6 dB) for a more gradual tape-like sound.

Inputs can have their limiters linked or grouped according to the Input Linking settings. This is ideal for working with stereo or surround sources.

Input Limiters are disabled when set to record at high sampling rates (48048 +).

See Input Linking.

Input Polarity

Input Polarity inversion (sometimes referred as phase reverse) can be applied to both analog or digital inputs. This can be used to rectify incorrectly wired balanced cables, to prevent signal cancellation when a source is dual-miked from opposite directions, or reverse left/right with MS microphones. Select between Normal and Inverse polarities using the LCD Backlight key. When the Input Polarity symbol is highlighted, the polarity is inversed.

Input Mute

To mute an input, press the soft Mute (Fast Forward) key. When an input is muted, the Mute display will ﬂ ash and the respective Input Activity Ring LED illuminates solid red. Muting an input effectively turns the Input Gain Pot to negative inﬁ nity without having to touch the Input Gain Pot. Muting an Input does not change the Input to Track Routing. Muted Inputs assigned to tracks that are record enabled will record silence. This is useful when an input is not needed temporarily but the user wishes to maintain all settings, levels, and track counts.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Input to Track Routing

The Input to Track Routing allows the user to quickly view and edit the input-to-track routing for the selected input. The highlighted selections indicate the tracks that the input is currently routed to. In order to record, tracks must be armed in the Track Setup Menu.

Routing Section.

For more details view the Input to Track

Analog Inputs

Analog inputs 1-4 on XLR connectors and analog inputs 5-8 on TA3 connectors, are the primary connections into the recorder. These inputs accept balanced or unbalanced mic- or line-level inputs. Gain is controlled by the front panel Input Gain Pots.

Input Linking (Stereo or MS Decoding)

Inputs 1-8 can be grouped or linked together to ensure that gain is applied evenly across all linked inputs. Linked or grouped inputs can also be muted and un-routed from tracks by using a single Input Trim Pot. Input settings such as Input type, Limiter, Phantom Power, and High-Pass Filters are also linked and will be applied across all linked inputs.

Neighboring inputs can be linked as stereo pairs in the following sequences: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8. When linked, the odd Input’s trim controls the signal level of linked inputs, and the even Input’s trim controls the left-to-right balance of the stereo pair.

When set to link as an MS pair, the inputs are decoded as MS stereo, where the gain and balance for the pair work the same as stereo linking above. The odd input is for Mid signal and the even input is for Side signal.

When linked, the Input Selector Switch will solo the linked pair in the headphone monitor. For example if Input 1 and Input 2 are linked as a stereo pair, pushing the Input Solo Switch will change the headphone monitor to 1,2 (Input 1 on the left-side and Input 2 on the right-side of the headphone monitor).

When a CL-8 is attached or the Setup Menu option INPUT: FRONT PANEL CONTROLS is set to Fader Controls, the odd Fader will control the post fade signal level of the linked pair and the even fader will be disabled.

If MS stereo linking is selected for inputs, program sent to tracks and headphones will be L/R stereo program. To record discrete M and S signals, do not link for MS, but monitor the MS signal in headphones.

Digital Inputs

The 788T accepts AES3 (AES/EBU) balanced and AESid unbalanced digital signals in professional or consumer format via its DE-15 connector. The 788T will auto detect the type of digital signal and adjust accordingly. Digital input gain is controlled via the front panel potentiometers.

To use a digital input, the Input Type switch located in an input’s Input Settings Window must be set to Digital. Although a digital input signal contains a pair of inputs, the 788T is able to select just one of the pair as an input, so for example, it is possible to select line or mic for Input 1 and digital for Input 2.

When recording from a digital input, it is important to sync the 788T’s sample clock from a source that is synchronous with the digital input signal otherwise audio quality will be degraded.

chronization.

clock embedded within a digital signal. Go to the REC: S YN C REFE RE NCE Setup Menu and set the sync source to the applicable digital input pair.

The simplest way to achieve this is to set the 788T to derive its sample clock from the

See Syn-

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

The LCD will display ‘D’ when locked to the selected digital input. If the Input Activity ring LEDs are ﬂ ashing, then a digital input is selected but no valid digital clock is being received.

AES42 Digital Microphones

The 788T is compatible with digital microphones conforming to the AES42 speciﬁ cation, such as the Schoeps CMD-2U. By setting DIGITAL INPUT: AES42 POWER to Enabled, the 788T supplies +10V of “digital phantom power” to each of the digital inputs. The gain of the microphone can be adjusted with the 788T’s front panel gain control just like a normal analog microphone. The gain adjustment is controlled in the 788T digital domain.

Never apply digital phantom to unbalanced digital inputs, as this can result in damage to the hardware.

The 788T can lock its sample clock to a single AES42 digital microphone signal. This is set from the Setup Menu option REC: S YNC RE FE RE NCE to the corresponding digital inputs. When the 788T is set to use its internal clock any connected incoming AES3 or AES42 signal is sample rate converted.

Things to consider when using AES42:

• The 788T supports four AES42 pairs.

• Input Limiters can not be enabled for Digital Inputs.

• The 788T supports AES42 Mode 1 operation, Mode 2 operation is not supported. In other words, the 788T supports digital audio transfer via AES42. However, it does not support the AES42 protocol for remote control, microphone identiﬁ cation, or status ﬂ ag indicators. Mode 2 microphones will automatically operate in Mode 1 when connected to the 788T.

• When using multiple AES42 microphones set the REC: SYN C REFERE N C E to Internal. This will ensure a synchronous operation between the 788T and digital microphones.

Input Delay

A digital delay is selectable on each input of the 788T. Delay time per input is selectable in tenths of a millisecond (0.1 msec) steps up to 30 msec. Each input has its own designated Input Delay Setup Menu. If an input is turned Off, its Input Delay Setup Menu is crossed out. Delay is not set until the Multi-Function Rotary Switch is pressed or the Check Mark (Tone) soft key is selected.

Input delay is limited to 15 milliseconds when set to sampling rates of 88.2 kHz or above.

Input delay can be useful for time aligning input signals from differing sources. For example, digital wireless mics that have a processing delay in their outputs. In addition, all digital conversion stages have delay.

Deactivate Inputs

Deactivate inputs by turning the Input Gain Pot to the full counter-clockwise (Off) position, the pot should click off. A deactivated input is muted and un-routed from any of its designated tracks. Deactivated inputs disables associated circuitry and ultimately extends battery life. Input Activity LEDs for each respective input will remain off when deactivated. When an input is clicked to Off the Input Selector/Solo Switch for the respective input will also be deactivated.

Tip: Clicking on and off Input Gain Pots can be used to arm and disarm tracks. In order for a track to be

recorded, it must have at least one active input routed to it. Because of this rule, deactivating an input will effectively disarm the associated track, given than no other active inputs routed to it. If it is desired to record an empty or silent track without effecting audio levels the Input can be muted in the Input Settings Window.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Input to Track Routing

The 788T offers a great deal of routing ﬂ exibility. Any input can be routed to any track. With this powerful routing, iso tracks and sub-mixes can be recorded simultaneously.

Input to track routing is managed from any of four screens/controls:

• the Input Settings Window,

• the Setup Menu

• the Track Setup Window, or

• from an attached CL-8 (only tracks L, R, X1, and X2 can be routed from the CL-8).

• from an attached CL-9

• from the CL-WiFi application

Tracks are destinations for inputs, they can be routed to outputs and/or selected for recording. See

Track Arming. The following diagram displays the available input to track routing options, the check

marks and asterisks indicate factory default settings.

Tracks

Inputs

At Factory Default inputs are sent to Tracks L and R Post Fade and Tracks A -X2 Pre Fade.

L* R* A* B* C* D* E* F* G H X1 X2

 



* Track is Armed for Recording

Pre-Fade vs. Post Fade

Inputs can be assigned to tracks either pre- or post-fade. Pre-fade tracks are fed the respective input’s audio signal immediately following the Trim level stage of the signal path. Fader adjustments have no effect on pre-fade Tracks.

Post-fade tracks are fed the respective input’s audio signal immediately following the Fader level stage of the signal path. Fader levels range is adjustable and is relative to the Trim level. Fader adjustments do affect the audio signal sent to post-fade tracks. Pre- and post-fade assignments are applied to all inputs routed to that track.

Without a CL-2, CL-8, or CL-9 attached and with the front panel gain controls set to Trim Controls, fader levels are ﬁ xed at unity gain.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Routing Using the Input Settings Window

The Input to Track Routing in the Input Settings Window allows the user to quickly view and edit the input-to-track routing for the selected input. The highlighted selections indicate the tracks that the input is currently routed to. In order to record, tracks must be record enabled in the Track Setup Menu.

To edit track assignments:

1. Enter the Input Settings Window using the Input Selector Switch. The image below indicates that Input

1 is currently assigned to Track L.

2. To make edits to the input to track assignments press the Play key.

3. Route or un-route the input to Track L and Track R by pressing the Rewind and Fast-Forward keys

respectively. Route or un-route the input to Tracks A-X2 using the Multi-Function Rotary Switch. Scroll through the assignable tracks by turning the rotary switch. To route or un-route the input to tracks, press in on the rotary switch.

4. Inputs can be sent to tracks pre or post fade. To toggle between the pre- and post-fade setting, press and

hold the Multi-Function Rotary Switch. If the Track has a line above it is set as post-fade, if the Track has a line below it is set as pre-fade. Pre- and post-fade assignments are applied to all inputs routed to that track.

5. The image below indicates that Input 1 is now routed to Track L post fade and Track A pre fade. Once

changes have been made, the settings will be saved in the INPUT : TRACK ROUTING Setup Menu option under the “Edited” routing selection.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

6. To exit Input to Track Routing press the Play key.

7. The new track assignments will be visible from the Input Settings Window.

Routing Using the Setup Menu

Press and hold STOP then press the INPUT key to bring up the following menu. This menu can also be accessed via the Setup Menu option INPUT : TRACK ROUTING.

Continue to hold down the Stop key then press the INPUT key to cycle through the preset input-to-track routing combinations. These presets are factory set and cannot be changed. The last three preset selections are CU S TOM ROUTE options. Press the EDIT soft key to enter the custom rout- ing menu. Custom routing allows any input to be assigned to any track. In the menu, highlighted input and track combination are displayed in white text. The eight inputs are shown on the left; the twelve tracks are shown on the right. Tracks can be assigned as pre or post fade, when the given track is highlighted press the Play key to toggle between pre and post fade assignment.

To assign custom input routings:

1. Press the INPUT key until INPUT TRACK ROUTING is displayed on the LCD display.

arrow indicates highlighted input is assigned to highlighted track

select to exit menu and apply selected

selet to move up and down menu

highlighted selection indicates if the input is sent pre or post fade to the select track

2. Press the EDIT soft button ( ) and scroll to the appropriate input screen.

routing

select to remove input assignment

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

3. Using either the Multi-Function Rotary Switch or the up and down arrows, navigate to the desired

input-to-track combinations.

4. When a chosen pairing is highlighted, press either the ASSIGN soft key or the Multi-Function Rotary

Switch to assign the combination. Assigned tracks are noted on the screen by the addition of an arrow pointing to the record track.

5. Inputs can be assigned to tracks pre or post fade. Press the Play key to toggle between pre and post fade

routing per input. Pre- and post-fade assignments are applied to all inputs routed to that track.

6. Once a track is assigned, move to the next input-to-track combination desired.

7. To remove an input-to-track combination assignment, navigate to that combination and press the

UNASSIGN (LCD Backlight) soft key or the Multi-Function Rotary Switch.

8. Exit and complete the assignment by pressing the Check Mark (Tone) soft key.

The Input Routing menu will always exit to the main screen. Tracks must be armed in the Track Setup Menu in order to record.

Routing Using The Track Setup Window

The Track Routing View within the Track Setup Window provides a useful global overview of all input to track routing of the 788T. From this view, route any input to any track using the Multi-Function Rotary Switch. Pre- or post-fade routing is applied as it is deﬁ ned in the Input Settings Window or the Setup Menu.

1. Enter the Track Setup Window by pressing the INPUT key.

2. Press the soft ROUTING (REWIND) key to enter the Track Routing View.

3. Use the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to navigate through the Track Routings. If a number is displayed

the corresponding input is assigned to the given track.

4. Press in on the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to toggle the routing of an input to a track.

Routing Using the CL-8

From the CL-8 the user can quickly make input to track routing changes to the Left, Right, Aux 1, and Aux 2 Tracks. See CL-8 Controller section for more details.

Routing Using the CL-9

From the CL-9 the user can quickly route any Input to any Track. See CL-9 Linear Fader Controller sec-

tion for more details.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Mix Assist™

Mix Assist™ is a powerful feature of the 788T which can automatically attenuate the level of any microphone which is not active, reducing the background noise level in the mix. This function is commonly referred to as “automix”. The 788T’s MixAssist™ feature automixes post-fade signals to the L and R tracks. Pre-fade signals are not affected by Mix Assist.

Inputs that are automixed will be “open” (unattenuated) when a person talks into the input’s microphone and “closed” (attenuated) when the person stops talking. Microphone channels open within 1 mS to ensure that no syllables are lost, and then will gate off smoothly over 500mS. This gating action is smooth and imperceptible when switching between microphones. Mix Assist will allow several microphones to be open simultaneously if there are several talkers - Mix Assist does not limit the number of open microphones.

Mix Assist is more sophisticated than a simple gate, and uses four different principles to automix input signals.

Noise Adaptive Threshold

An input with Mix Assist enabled will be smoothly attenuated by 20 dB when its microphone is below the adaptive threshold. The threshold is not a static level (as with the limiter or simple gate) but a level which changes dynamically based on the average level of the input. This prevents common background noise (fans, crowd murmur, etc) from causing the input to open, while allowing normal sounds to open the mic.

Number of Open Microphone Attenuation

As the number of open inputs increases, the level of each input as it is routed to the track will decrease by 3 dB per doubling of open mics. This ensures that the overall level of the track is consistent regardless of the amount of open inputs routed to it.

Last Mic Lock-On

When talking stops, the last input to be active will remain open. This maintains a consistent level of natural sound and avoids a dramatic transition to silence on the track, even when no inputs are in use.

One Mic Per Sound Source

Often a sound source (i.e. someone speaking) is captured by more than one microphone. Mix Assist actively compares signals from all inputs and when it senses the same audio on multiple inputs, it will only open the input in which that speciﬁ c program audio is loudest. Note that this does not prevent another input from opening when unique program audio is sensed at that input.

Using Mix Assist

Mix Assist is enabled when the Setup Menu option MIXASS IST: MODE is set to ON (LR TRACKS ONLY ) or ON (ALL TRACKS FOLLOW LR ). Each input to be automixed will then

have “AUTO” highlighted in the Input Settings window. Any input can then be switched to manual operation, forcing that input to stay on regardless of level. Press the Rewind key in the Input Settings Window to activate or deactivate Mix Assist for that input.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

When ON (LR TRACKS ONLY ) is selected, Mix Assist attenuation is applied to the tracks L and R only. This allows the user to simultaneously create both a mix-assisted mix on tracks L and R and a manual mix on any other track set to post-fade. When ON (ALL TRACKS FOLLOW LR) is selected, Mix Assist enabled inputs routed to post-fade tracks will be attenuated by Mix Assist.

The input activity LED ring will light bright green to indicate an automixed input that is currently open. The input activity LED for closed inputs will be off. This input activity LED ring behavior overrides the metering behavior of the input activity LED ring.

Inputs that are routed post-fader to track L or R and do not have automix activated will not be automixed but will still be analyzed by Mix Assist for the purposes of Last Mic Lock-On, One Mic Per Sound Source, and Number of Open Mics Attenuation. The input activity LED ring for these inputs will light dim green and show metering activity.

Mix Assist is a processor-intensive feature. Mix Assist is disabled when the sampling rate is above

48.048 kHz. Recording mono ﬁ les is not recommended when using Mix Assist. Output Delay is not recommended when using Mix Assist. When a CF card is in use, UDMA is recommended.

Track Arming

The 788T only records tracks that are armed. Armed tracks are tracks that are both record enabled and have active inputs routed to them. Track Enabling is controlled in the Track Setup Menu. To enable a track for recording perform the following steps.

1. Enter the Track Setup Menu by pressing the INPUT key.

2. Navigate through the Tracks using the Multi-Function Rotary Switch. The Track with the box around it

is the selected track. This is Track L in the above image.

3. A solid * (

indicate that the track is enabled for recording but an active input is not routed to it, and the track will not be recorded. Enable/Disable select tracks by pressing in on the Multi-Function Rotary Switch. The above image indicates that Tracks L, R, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H are enabled for recording. Tracks X1 and X2 may have inputs routed to them, but are not enabled and will not be recorded.

4. Exit the Track Setup Menu by pressing the INPUT key.

When recording higher track counts or higher sampling rates, Sound Devices recommends using solid

state drives, hard drives, and high speed UDMA CompactFlash cards.

asterisks) in front of a given track indicates that the track is armed. Flashing * (asterisks)

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Track Enabling Using the CL-9

From the CL-9 the user can quickly enable any Track for recording. See CL-9 Linear Fader Controller

section for more details.

Track Status Indication

Track status is indicated by the blue Track LEDs located on the 788T front panel and by the asterisks in the Track Setup Window. The LED and asterisks are solid when a track is ready to record (Armed). The LED and asterisks ﬂ ash to indicate that the track is record enabled but no active input is routed to it and therefore will not record. The Track LED remains off and the asterisks disappears when the Track is disabled.

The ﬂ ashing behavior of the Track LED’s can be disabled by setting the menu option METER : TRACK ARM LEDS to Show Arm Status Only.

Track LED/

Track Status Description

Asterisk

Status

Off

Flashing

Solid

Track is disabled and will not be recorded. Track has been disabled in the Track Setup Window or by

Track is enabled but will not be recorded. Track has been enabled in the Track Setup Window or by

Track is Armed, enabled and will be recorded.

pressing the CL-9 Track Button. This is useful when using a track as an output or monitoring bus.

pressing the CL-9 Track Button but the track is not armed for any one of the following reasons:

• No inputs are routed to the track

• Inputs routed to the track are not turned on

• Track is not routed to a media in the Track-to-Media menu.

Track has been enabled in the Track Setup Window or by pressing the CL-9 Track Button and there is one or more active inputs routed to it.

Track-to-Media Routing

From the Track-to-Media View, tracks are individually assigned to CompactFlash, Internal Drive, or External media. This is extremely useful for those recording to a deliverable media, but only select tracks need to be delivered. For Example, the speciﬁ c application may require ten-track recordings, two-track stereo mix and eight isolated tracks. Instead of recording ten tracks to all three media, the user can select which tracks are written to each media. The user may opt to record all ten tracks to internal drive, eight isolated tracks to CompactFlash, and the two-track stereo mix to DVD-RAM.

The media status on the Main Display toggles between Remaining Time and Track Count when the given media is set to receive less than the full amount of armed tracks.

By default, all tracks are assigned to all available media. Tracks will only be written to a given media if the media is selected in the Setup Menu option REC : MED IA S ELEC T, regardless of it’s Track-to- Media routing status.

To assign tracks-to-media perform the following steps.

See Media Select.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

1. Enter the Track Setup Window by pressing the INPUT

2. Press the soft MEDIA (Fast Forward) key to enter the Track-to-Media View.

3. Use the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to navigate through the track-to-media routing. If media is dis-

played the corresponding track will be written to that media, that is, if the media has been selected in the Setup Menu and the track is armed. In the illustration above, the external hard drive will only write Tracks L and R.

4. Press in on the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to toggle the routing status of a media.

key.

Master Gain Levels

The master gain levels are controlled independently for the Left, Right, X1, and X2 Tracks. The Left and Right tracks and the X1 and X2 Aux Tracks can be linked, allowing one level control for both tracks of the pair. Levels are adjustable from -60 to +15 dB in .1 dB increments. The master gain level is applied to the Tracks prior to recording. This allows the Sound Mixer to adjust the overall mixed signal of all summed inputs routed to these tracks. Follow these steps to adjust the master gain level.

1. Press the INPUT key to access the Track Setup Window.

2. Press the soft Levels (Play) key to access the Master Gain Levels View.

3. Press the soft L/R (Rewind) or the soft AUX (Fast Forward) key to select the pair of tracks to be adjust-

ed. This is indicated by the box around the Left and Right Track Meters as shown in the above image. Tracks are adjusted independently or as a linked stereo pair. To adjust the gain of each track independently, press the Rewind or Fast Forward key respectively to highlight the Track to be adjusted. To link the tracks as a stereo pair, press the Rewind or Fast Forward key respectively to highlight both the L, R or the X1, X2 tracks.

4. Turn the Multi Function Rotary Switch to attenuate the master gain level in .1 dB increments. Press in

on the Multi Function Rotary Switch to immediately return to unity gain (0 dB).

5. Press the soft Tracks (Play) key to return to the Track Setup Window.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Track Limiters

Track Limiters prevent multiple summed inputs from overloading the track prior to being recorded. The Left, Right, X1, and X2 tracks are all equipped with their own track limiter. Track Limiter and the Input Limiters share the same characteristics as deﬁ ned in the Setup Menu.

Track Limiters are turned on by pressing the soft LIM (LCD Backlight) key in the Master Gain Levels View. Limiters settings are applied to both tracks in the pair. Tracks are paired as Left, Right and X1, X2.

The Track Limiters can either be linked as a stereo pair (LINKED) or can work as two independent limiters (ON). When linked, the limiters will apply the same gain reduction equally to both tracks of the pair. LINKED is recommended when recording stereo program, so that level changes are identical on both tracks. ON is recommended when using the tracks of the pair as two separate buses.

Track Limiter activity is displayed in the Master Gain Levels Window. Track Limiter Indicators will appear when the Track Limiters are engaged. When Limiters are LINKED the indicators will be connected with a line. The Indicators are solid when the limiter is active. In the image below, the Left and Right Track Limiters are LINKED and actively limiting. The Aux Track Limiters are ON and only the X1 Track Limiter is actively limiting.

Master Gain Levels Using the CL-9

The CL-9 has dedicated physical master gain controls for the Left, Right, Aux 1, and Aux 2 Tracks. When the CL-9 is attached the Master Level Gains can only be adjusted using these level controls. Master Track Linking is still performed on the 788T in the Master Gain Levels Window. See CL-9

Linear Fader Controller section for more details.

Sampling Rate and Bit Depth

The 788T generates uncompressed PCM audio WAV ﬁ les in the Broadcast Wave File format at the user-selected sampling rate and bit depth. The 788T LCD displays the remaining available recording time based on the sampling rate, bit depth, number of assigned tracks, and the selected storage media’s available capacity. See Apendix A - Record Time Calculation.

Sampling Rate

When a sampling rate is selected for recording, all tracks are recorded at the selected sampling rate. Sampling rates are selected among common rates from 32 kHz to 96.096 kHz. Additionally, nonstandard sampling rates can be applied when the 788T is word clocked from an external source (clock sources between 32 kHz and 96.096 kHz). When recording off-speed sampling rates, ﬁ les will be stamped with the rate closest to the internally generated frequency.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Sampling Frequency and Audio Bandwidth

The sampling frequency is expressed in samples per second (hertz) and deﬁ nes the number of times in a second that the analog audio signal has been measured. Sampling frequency determines the audio bandwidth, or frequency response, that can be represented by the digital signal. A quick estimate of the maximum bandwidth capable of being represented at a given sampling rate is maximum analog frequency = sampling frequency/2. Higher sampling frequencies allow for wider audio bandwidth.

The 788T generates the following sampling rates:

• 32 kHz

• 44.1 kHz

• 47.952 kHz

• 47.952kF - ﬁ le stamped at 48 kHz

• 48 kHz

• 48.048 kHz

See Time Code for more information about the 47.952kF, 48.048kF, 96.096kF rates.

Things to consider when recording High Sampling Rates (above 48.048 kHz):

• Real time recording to DVDRAM is not recommended.

• Sound Devices strongly recommends using high speed UDMA CompactFlash cards.

• Limits recording to only two storage media at a time.

• Track counts are restricted to 8 tracks.

• Input Limiters are disabled.

• Input Delay is limited to 15 msec.

• EQ Settings (CL-9 only) are disabled.

• Mix Assist is disabled.

• 48.048kF -ﬁ le stamped at 48 kHz

• 88.2 kHz

• 96 kHz

• 96.096 kHz

• 96.096kF - ﬁ le stamped at 96 kHz

Bit Depth

The 788T records at bit depths of either 16 or 24 bits. 24-bit recording provides greater dynamic range and addition headroom for signal peaks relative to 16-bit recordings. 24-bit recording (versus 16-bit) is a signiﬁ cant beneﬁ t for ﬁ eld production audio tracks.

Bit Depth and Dynamic Range

Bit depth deﬁ nes the digital “word length” used to represent a given sample. Bit depth correlates to the maximum dynamic range that can be represented by the digital signal. Larger bit depths accommodate more dynamic range. A quick estimate of the maximum dynamic range capable of being represented by a given word length is dynamic range ~= no. of bits x 6 dB. Bit depth is an exponential measure (exponent of 2), so as bit depth increases, the amount of data it represents increases exponentially. The majority of ﬁ eld recording is done with 16-bit audio, therefore, each sample is represented by a digital word of 2^16 (65,536) possible values. 24-bit audio has a word length of 2^24 (16.7 million) possible values per sample.

The 788T has 24-bit analog-to-digital converters. To obtain 16-bit recording the 788T can be set to dither 24-bit digital signals to 16-bit. The 788T uses a proprietary pseudo-random dither routine for accurate bit rate reduction. Dither can be defeated in the Bit Depth Setup Menu option. Without dither, 24-bit audio is truncated to 16-bit, meaning the least signiﬁ cant 8 bits are discarded.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Once a ﬁ le is recorded its sampling rate and bit depth can not be changed in the recorder. The 788T does not perform sample rate conversion or bit depth changes. File conversion must be done in another environment, such as an audio workstation. Alternatively, a real-time analog transfer is often performed instead of sample rate conversion.

Synchronization

A stable sample clock source is essential for high quality digital audio. Setups involving multiple digital recording/playback devices often require that all devices are locked to a common clock reference to ensure they are synchronous, i.e. run at the same speed and in phase with one another.

The 788T can act as either a clock master, where it is the provider of word clock, or as clock slave, where it locks its internal word clock to a received external master reference clock. Incorrect word clock settings can result in poor audio quality, sample clock timing errors, and time code drift.

The 788T uses a rock-stable word clock and PLL circuitry to generate its internal clock frequency. The 788T only uses its own word clock during playback, ignoring AES clock and video sync during playback.

Clock Master

The 788T provides a master clock reference via its WORD OUT BNC connector or from any of its balanced digital AES3 outputs. The difference between Word Out and AES is deﬁ ned below.

Word Out

Word clock is purely a signal for sync purposes and contains no audio information. It is a square wave signal with a frequency equal to the 788T’s internal sample rate. The 788T word clock output is always active. Connect the 788T’s WORD OUT to the slave device’s WORD INPUT.

AES Digital Outputs

AES digital outputs provide both PCM audio data and word clock within the same stream. A compatible slave device can derive its reference clock from this stream at the same time as receiving the digital audio. This is ideal for recording the digital outputs of the 788T to a slave device with AES/ AES3id inputs. No additional Word Clock connection is required.

Clock Slave

The 788T can accept external clock sources as its word clock reference. The 788T accepts word clock, AES clock, and various video sync formats for clock. Audio devices often output word clock or AES digital audio. Cameras and video decks often provide video sync (video black) which can be used for word clock.

When the 788T is slaved to an external clock source, be certain that the signal is stable. Loss of sync signal during recording can cause the 788T to revert back to its internal set sampling frequency causing audio glitches and/or sync issues later in post.

The 788T’s sync reference is selected in the Rec: Sync Reference Setup Menu. The options for sync sources are:

• Internal

• Word Clock

• Video Sync

• Digital Inputs 1-2

• Digital Inputs 3-4

• Digital Inputs 5-6

• Digital Inputs 7-8

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Internal

The 788T generates its own clock at the set rate and disregards all external clocks connected. When set to Internal, the Sample Rate Converters are activated for all incoming AES signals.

Sample Rate Converters

The 788T has high-quality, hardware sample rate converters (SRCs) on each of its AES/EBU digital inputs. The SRCs apply to AES signals when the Setup Menu option RE C: S Y N C REFERE N C E is set to Internal. The 788T’s digital inputs accept AES signals with sampling rates from 32 kHz to 192 kHz. With the sample rate converters active, each digital input can be connected with signals of any sample rate without having to word clock all of the devices together.

The SRCs are only active when needed; when not needed they are deactivated. To use digital inputs without the SRCs active, set the REC: S YN C REFE RE NCE Word Clock Input, Video Input, or to an AES input pair.

Word Clock Input

When the 788T is set to receive external word clock, the 788T locks to a valid clock signal connected to the Sync Input connector. If a valid word clock is detected, ‘W’ is displayed in the LCD. If no valid word clock is detected, the input activity LED rings will ﬂ ash yellow and the Lock indicator, ‘W’ does not appear.

Video Sync

The 788T can lock to valid video sync sources, including composite NTSC, PAL and Tri-level connected to the Sync Input connector. If valid video sync is detected, ‘V’ is displayed in the LCD. If no valid video sync is detected, the input activity LED rings will ﬂ ash yellow and the Lock indicator, ‘V’ does not appear.

Digital Inputs 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

The 788T can be set to derive word clock from valid digital input pairs even if the equivalent numbered analog input pair has been selected for recording. For example, sync reference is set to digital input 1-2 and inputs 1 and 2 are both set to MIC. If a valid digital input sync source is detected, ‘D’ is displayed in the LCD. If a valid digital input is not detected, the Input Activity Ring LED associated with the selected digital input sync source will ﬂ ash yellow and the Lock indicator, ‘D’ will not appear.

If digital audio is connected to the 788T from more than one digital source, you must lock these sources together to a common reference, otherwise differences between the sources’ clocks will cause unpredictable results. Sample rate conversion is not active for digital inputs unless the sync source is set to Internal.

Notes regarding Word Clock Input and Digital Input clock references

1. Loss of clock reference: When using external clock and the clock source is removed, the portion of the ﬁ le recorded after the loss of the clock source may not play back at the proper speed. For ﬁ le integrity, it is recommended that you set the 788T to the same sample frequency as the external clock source. Loss of the clock signal in this case will likely cause a short glitch in the ﬁ le as the internal generator takes over, but the ﬁ le may still be usable since it will play back at nominally the correct speed.

2. The 788T LCD main display screen shows the sample clock rate of the incoming word clock or digital input reference when locked (‘D’ or ‘W’ indicators are ON).

3. If multiple Digital Inputs are used, it is best practice to set the sync source to Internal. This will activate the hardware Sample Rate Converters on the 788T Digital Inputs and ensure that all inputs are synchronized.

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Multi-Unit Linking Via C. Link

The proprietary C. Link (control link) connection enables multiple 788T, 744T, 722, 702T, and 702 recorders to be connected for recordings requiring high track counts. C. Link also enables connection to the CL-1 Remote Control and Keyboard Interface and the CL-2 Remote Fader.

When linked, the 7-Series recorders have a master/slave relationship. The master recorder and the slave unit will share accurate start and stop record times. Multiple units can be daisy-chained together to provide even higher numbers of record tracks.. The C. Link protocol links carries the following data:

• word clock

• time code information (788T, 744T, and 702T only)

• RS-232 machine transport data

master

unit

slave

unit

slave

unit

The 788T C. Link In port is disabled when the Setup Menu Connection Mode is set to Connect to Wave Agent. 788T Multi-Unit Linking is not supported when this mode is selected.

To link 788T units:

1. Connect multiple units as shown in the illustration above.

2. Set all linked recorders to the same sampling rate, bit depth, ﬁ le type, and time code frame rate (if

used). This will ensure that all ﬁ les generated are compatible. When using one of the F-Modes, make certain that both master and slave are set to the same F-Mode. This will ensure proper recording speeds and metadata stamps.

3. If time code is being used, set slave units to External Time Code mode so that they will follow the mas-

ter recorder’s time code generator.

4. On the slave 788T(s), set the Setup Menu option REC : SYNC REFERENC E to Wordclock Input.

5. Set scene names on each of the units for easy identiﬁ cation in post production. Take numbers should be

set to the same on all linked recorders if take numbers are reset before recording. There is no ﬁ le name synchronization with multiple unit linking.

6. Press Record on the master recorder. All units in the chain will enter record. Press stop on the master to

stop the recording of all linked recorders. The slave units will display the following message.

7. Wait for the above message to disappear before pressing record again on the master. If record is pressed

while the Media Notiﬁ cation is displayed, the slave units may not receive the record command.

To link 788T to Sound Devices 7-Series 2- and 4-Track units:

1. Connect multiple units as shown in the illustration above.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

2. Set all linked recorders to the same sampling rate, bit depth, ﬁ le type, and time code frame rate (if

3. If time code is being used, set slave units to External Time Code mode so that they will follow the mas-

ter recorder’s time code generator.

4. Set scene names on each of the units for easy identiﬁ cation in post production. Take numbers should be

set to the same on all linked recorders if take numbers are reset before recording. There is no ﬁ le name synchronization with multiple unit linking.

5. Press Record on the 788T master recorder. All units in the chain will enter record. Press stop on the mas-

ter to stop the recording of all linked recorders.

6. Wait for the slave unit(s) Media Activity LEDs to extinguish before pressing record again on the master.

If record is pressed while the Media Activity LEDs are on, the slave units may not receive the record command.

When linked, record start and stop on slave units will not affect units “above” in the linked chain. This makes it possible for units to get out of synchronization if a unit other than the master is set to record or stop. Using the master unit will assure that all machines begin and end recording together.

The master recorder’s pre-roll buffer setting applies to the master and all slave units. Be sure that the slave is on long enough for the pre-roll buffer to ﬁ ll prior to pressing record on the master unit.

If a recording reaches the max ﬁ le size setting of the Master recorder then the ﬁ le is closed and a new recording begins on both the master and slave recorders. The slave should be set to a higher value (taking track count and ﬁ le type into consideration) to ensure that the slave doesn’t split the ﬁ le before the master does. If this should happen, the slave ﬁ le will be shorter in length than the master. The slave ﬁ les split both when the master and slave max ﬁ le size is met.

Pressing record on the master, if set to New File in the Setup Menu Option File: Marker Mode, closes the ﬁ le and begins a new recording on both the slave and the master.

Sound Devices recommends setting all recorders in the chain to the same ﬁ le type/format. This will ensure accurate start and stop times across all units in the chain. However, if recording MP2 or MP3 on a slave 2- or 4-Track recorder is desired, the start and stop times are close enough for most transcription purposes.

Master/Slave relationships between C.Linked recorders is established immediately after the C.Link Out to C.Link In connection is made. To reverse the Master/Slave relationship, power down all recorders, establish the new Master/Slave relationships by reconnecting the C.Link Out to C.Link In connectors in the desired sequence, then power on all units in order of their Master/Slave relationships.

The C. Link jack is a proprietary RS-232 port. Under no circumstances should analog or digital telephone lines be connected to either jack. Serious damage to the recorder could result.

The C. Link cable uses an RJ-9 connector, however the wiring is not necesarilly the same as a standard telephone cable. All 6 conductors are wired in a crossed-over fashion so that pin 6 is connected to pin 1 on the other end, pin 5 to pins 2, etc. The maximum length for C.Link cable is 6 feet (1.8 meters).

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Outputs – Analog and Digital

The 788T has six analog and six digital outputs. Each of these outputs is assigned an audio source independently, enabling the 788T to feed multiple outputs with unique program. Although there are only six outputs, it is possible to output all eight inputs individually by using the Headphone Output together with the six outputs.

Output Routing

The audio sources for each output bus are set in the Setup Menu option OUTPUT: ROUTING. Rotating the Multi Function Rotary Switch will move the highlight box amongst the available sources. Pushing the Multi Function Rotary Switch will toggle the routing status of the highlighted item. The Menu and HDD buttons will scroll the view up and down to access other outputs.

The chart below shows the audio sources available for each of the Output Busses. Each row in this table represents a group of sources that is mutually exclusive from the sources represented in other rows.

Available Output Sources Description

Input 1 Input 2 Input 3 Input 4

Track L Track R Track A Track B Track C Track D

HP Mix Left

HP Mix Right

Input 5 Input 6 Input 7 Input 8

Track E Track F Track G Track H Track X1 Track X2

Inputs are assignable to each output bus.

When inputs are selected as the source for the outputs, the state of recording or playback activity has no effect on the output signal. This allows for uninterrupted audio at the outputs.

Tracks are assignable to each output bus.

Headphone left or headphone right sources are assignable to each output bus. Output mutes do not affect headphone sources. Headphone program is sent to the outputs before the CL-9 is introduced in the signal path.

Outputs can be set to receive Slate Mic (CL-8 or CL-9) or COM1 or COM2 (CL-9 only) announcements. See the CL-8 Slate Mic or CL-9 Communications sections for details.

Output Types

Audio signals routed to an output are sent to both the analog and digital outputs simultaneously. For example, the audio source signal selected for Output 1 is sent to both analog output 1 and digital output (AES) 1.

The CL-9 has an Output Mode that allows the user to solo the output in the headphone monitor and make quick adjustments to the Output level, including Mute.

See CL-9 Modes for details.

Analog Balanced Line Outputs 1-4

The analog line outputs are active-balanced line-level signals on Switchcraft-type TA3M locking connectors. The output level is a nominally 0 dBu at −20 dBFS. The line-level output can be adjusted in the Setup Menu from -40 to 0 dB in 1 dB increments.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Analog Unbalanced Output 5-6

This is a two-channel output on a TRS 3.5 mm connector with nominal level of -10 dBV. This level can be adjusted in the Setup Menu from -40 to 0 dB in 1 dB increments.

Balanced Digital AES Outputs 1-6

Balanced AES outputs 1-4 are on TA3 connectors on the right side panel. Balanced AES outputs 5-6 are on the DE-15 connector on the rear panel. See Connector Pin Assignments. These outputs are compatible with most AES3 and S/PDIF inputs.

The format for the AES3 output is selectable between professional AES and consumer SPDIF. In either case the SCMS bit is not set. The output level of the digital outputs is not adjustable.

Output Delay

Output audio signal can be delayed on Outputs 1 and 2 from the Setup Menu options OUTPUT 1/2: DELAY. Delay is adjusted from 0 to 10 frames in increments of 0.1 frames. The amount of delay in mS is dependent on the selected frame rate in Setup Menu Option TIMECODE: FRAME RATE.

Output Delay is a processor-intensive feature. Sound Devices recommends using fast media, avoiding recording to more than two media, and to refrain from using MixAssist when any amount of Output Delay is applied.

Headphone Output

The 788T headphone output is a ﬂ exible tool for monitoring audio in the ﬁ eld. The 788T allows the user to monitor inputs and tracks in a wide range of combinations. MS stereo and B-format surround decoding are also available as headphone monitoring options.

The headphone output is independent of the Output Buses and audio sources can be routed to headphones independent of routing assignments to output buses. The headphone output source is sent to both the 1/4-inch and the 3.5mm TRS jacks.

The 788T is capable of driving headphones to extremely high sound pressure levels. Hearing experts advise against exposure to high sound pressure levels for extended periods.

Selecting Headphone Sources

The headphone source is displayed on the main LCD screen ( ). The 788T comes from the factory with several preset headphone audio source combinations selected by the Multi-Function Rotary Switch. These selections include inputs and tracks. Turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to select among the available headphone monitoring sources.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Setting Headphone Source Options

The user can deﬁ ne which headphone routings will be available when turning the Multi-Function Rotary Switch. Headphone monitoring sources can be set from various preset combinations of inputs and tracks, including stereo MS decoding, and SoundField B-Format surround decoding. The order of monitor sources is also user selectable.

To set the available headphone source options:

1. Enter the HP : MONITOR MODE S Setup Menu option. Once you enter the Monitor Modes menu you will

immediately be in slot-1.

2. Turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to select the source you wish to appear ﬁ rst in your Headphone

monitor list.

3. Once the chosen source appears, press the Multi-Function Rotary Switch or the soft key ENTER (Tone)

key to move to the next slot.

4. Continue down the list to select the source for each slot in the list.

5. Once all sources have been chosen, select DONE and press ENTER. This will exit the headphone monitor

mode setup. You can exit the selection process by pressing the Stop key or cancel (LCD Backlight) key at any time.

If you press (done) in the ﬁ rst headphone slot, the 788T will select a single option (Tracks L, R) for headphone monitoring. The other factory presets will be erased.

Available audio sources for headphone monitoring include:

HP Sources Description

Inputs 1,2 Inputs 3,4

Tracks L,R Tracks A,B Tracks C,D

Input 1 Input 2 Input 3 Input 4

Track L, Track R Track A Track B Track C Track D

Inputs 1,2 (MS) Inputs 3,4 (MS)

Tracks L,R (MS) Tracks A,B (MS) Tracks C,D (MS)

Inputs 5,6 Inputs 7,8

Tracks E,F Tracks G,H Tracks X1,X2

Input 5 Input 6 Input 7 Input 8

Track E Track F Track G Track H Track X1 Track X2

Inputs 5,6 (MS) Inputs 7,8 (MS)

Tracks E,F (MS) Tracks G,H (MS) Tracks X1,X2 (MS)

Stereo monitoring of input pairs. Inputs 1, 3, 5, and 7 are assigned to left headphone outputs; inputs 2, 4, 6, and 8 are assigned to right headphone outputs.

Stereo monitoring of track pairs. Tracks L, A, C, E are assigned to left headphone output; tracks R, B, D, and F are assigned to right headphone output. During playback, will play as track monitor.

Solo monitoring of selected input. This signal is sent to both sides of the headphones.

Solo monitoring of selected track. This signal is sent to both sides of the headphones. During playback, will play as track monitor.

Stereo monitoring of discrete M (mid) and S (side) input pairs. Highlighted media is source of monitor program.

Stereo monitoring of discrete M (mid) and S (side) track pairs. Highlighted media is source of monitor program. During playback will function as MS track monitor.

Inputs 1-4 Inputs 1-6

Inputs 1-8

Combinations of summed inputs appear in each ear.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

HP Sources Description

Tracks LA, RB Tracks LAC, RBD Tracks LACE, RBDF Tracks LACEG, RBDFH Tracks LACEGX1, RBDFHX2 Tracks LRAB Tracks LRABCD Tracks LRABCDEF Tracks LRABCDEFGH Tracks LRABCDEFGHX1X2 Tracks LR

Tracks LRA Tracks LRB Tracks LRC Tracks LRD Tracks LRE Tracks LRF Tracks LRG Tracks LRH Tracks LRX1 Tracks LRX2

Combinations of summed tracks appear in each ear. Combinations without commas (,) are dual mono and program appears in both left and right headphone monitors.

Inputs B-format stereo Tracks B-format stereo

User 1-10

The built-in SoundField B-format decoder uses three inputs to build a left/right stereo signal for monitoring.

10 custom headphone monitor routings.

phone Monitor Modes

See Configuring User Head-

When tracks are monitored in headphones, audio assigned to the tracks is heard in headphones while Recording. During Playback the recorded track audio is heard in headphones.

Conﬁ guring User Headphone Monitor Modes

In addition to the preset headphone routings, there are 10 custom routings available. The source of these routings can be customized to any combination of Inputs or Tracks with a routing matrix.

To edit a custom headphone routing:

1. Enter the HP : MONITOR MODE S Setup Menu option. Once you enter the Monitor Modes menu you will

immediately be in slot-1 of the routing matrix.

2. Press the Multi-Function Rotary Switch or the soft key ENTER (Tone) key to move to the next slot. Re-

peat this action until you have highlighted the slot you wish to set as a custom heaphone routing.

3. Turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to select any of the editable headphone routings, which are

titled USER and followed by a number from 1 to 10.

4. Push the Edit (Fast Forward) key to enter the Headphone Monitor Editing screen.

5. Turn the Multi-Function Rotary Encoder or use the Fast Forward and Rewind keys to move the high-

lighter. Push the Play button or the Multi-Function Rotary Encoder to assign or unassign the highlighted source to the channel.

6. When all routings are complete, push Enter (Tone) to exit the Headphone Monitor Editing Screen and

return to the Monitor Modes menu.

7. Once all sources have been chosen, select DONE and press ENTER. This will exit the headphone monitor

mode setup. You can exit the selection process by pressing the Stop key or cancel (LCD Backlight) key at any time.

Assigning any track to a monitor channel will unassign all inputs from that channel. Inversly, assigning any input to a channel will unassign all tracks from that channel.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Headphone Source as Outputs

The left and right program of the headphone monitor can be selected as an output source. This allows the user to send the selected headphone monitor source to third party devices. Output muting and the Headphone Volume control have no effect on the signal at the outputs. Headphone program is sent to the outputs before the CL-9 is introduced in the signal path.

Input Solo (PFL)

Inputs are quickly soloed (pre fade listen) in headphones by pressing its corresponding Input Selector Switch. This will latch on the Input Settings Window and solo the input in the headphone monitor. To exit the Input Settings Window and return to the last headphone monitor program, press the selected Input Selector Switch again.

If momentary action is desired, press and hold the Input Selector Switch for one second or longer. If the Input Selector/Solo Switch is held for 5 or more seconds “Hold” will appear on the screen and the soloed input will remain in the headphone monitor until either another headphone monitor mode has been selected with the Multi-Function Rotary Switch or with the Input Selector/Solo Switch. If it is desired to access the Input Settings Window without soloing the input, disable the PFL function in the Setup Menu option INPUT: PFL FUNCTION.

When a CL-8 is attached a user can quickly solo an input by pressing the A and B buttons from the CL-8 Main View. See CL-8 for more details.

When a CL-9 is attached a user can quickly solo an input by pressing the input’s rotary encoder from the CL-9 Top Panel. See CL-9 Linear Fader Controller section for more details.

If the selected input is stereo linked, both of the inputs will be soloed in the headphone monitor.

MS Stereo Monitoring

The MS stereo mode decodes discrete Mid-Side stereo signals to a left/right stereo signal for monitoring purposes. This allows for a proper stereo signal to be monitored in the ﬁ eld while discrete M and S signals are recorded for later post production. For the MS decoder to operate properly, the Mid signal is connected to either of the odd inputs (1, 3, 5, 7) and the Side signal is connected to the even inputs (2, 4, 6, 8). The amount of stereo “spread” is ﬁ xed at a 50/50 percentage from Mid to Side signal.

If MS is selected for input linking, do not use MS stereo monitoring. This would result in two MS decoders being inserted in the signal path. The resulting audio in the headphones would be the discrete M and S signals!

SoundField B-Format Surround Monitoring

SoundField B-format is a four channel surround sound format generated by SoundField surround microphones. The 788T can accept the four signals output from a SoundField microphone and record each to its own track.

When recording four-channel B-format audio, the 788T headphone monitor can decode the B-format signal into L/R stereo. The 788T constructs a stereo signal using the W, X, and Y signals of the Bformat. The Z-axis signal is not used. Similar to the 788T’s MS stereo monitoring, the stereo width is ﬁ xed for headphone monitoring.

To record and monitor B-format signals, connect signals as follows:

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

SoundField  788T  Resulting File Name (for monophonic ﬁ le type) W signal  input 1, track L  FILE _ 1 .WAV X signal  input 2, track R  FILE _ 2. WA V Y signal  input 3, track A  FILE _ 3 .WAV Z signal  input 4, track B  FILE _ 4.WAV

SoundField ﬁ les generated in other recorders or software applications can be copied to CompactFlash or the 788T internal drive and can be played back and monitored in stereo. Make certain that channel assignments follow the order above for proper headphone decoding. If multiple monophonic SoundField .WAV ﬁ les are named using the “_W, _X, _Y, _Z” sufﬁ xes, the 788T will recognize that these are multiple monophonic B-format ﬁ les and will play them back in the proper track order.

The 788T can play back monophonic or polyphonic B-format ﬁ les.

There are two B-format monitoring selections, one for inputs and one for tracks. They are listed as INPUT B-FMT STEREO and TRACK B-FMT STEREO. For most recording and playback applications the track monitor selection is appropriate. If the user wants to hear the inputs at all times, the input monitor selection is appropriate.

Multi-Function Rotary Switch Behavior

From the Factory, pressing in on the Multi-Function Rotary Switch will automatically recall the headphone monitor source deﬁ ned in the Setup Menu option HP: FAVORITE MODE. It can also be set to quickly toggle through the available storage media from which the recorder will playback from, or it can be disabled.

• Disabled: pressing the Multi-Function Rotary Switch has no effect.

• Selects Favorite Mode: recalls the headphone source selected in HP: FAVORI TE MODE.

• Playback Drive Select: selects which of the available storage media to playback from.

Headphone Favorite Selection

If Selects Favorite Mode is selected from the choices above, pressing the Multi-Function Rotary Switch selects the monitor source deﬁ ned in the Setup Menu option HP: FAVORITE MODE. This feature is helpful to quickly return to a selected headphone monitoring source while recording or playing. Pressing in on the Multi Function Rotary Switch again will return the headphone monitor to the last routing selected.

Headphone Playback Mode

A single headphone source can be set to automatically activate during playback. All headphone monitor combinations are available in the Setup Menu option HP: PLAYBACK MODE. No Change can also be selected, which makes no change to the headphone selection during playback.

Headphone Warning Tones

The 788T generates audible beeps, or warning “bells”, in the headphone monitor when an error has occurred. The speciﬁ c error will be reported on the LCD. The output level of the warning bell can be adjusted from Off or -60 to -12 dBFS in the Setup Menu option HP: WARNING BELL LEVEL .

Recording Start and Stop Bells

If enabled in the Setup Menu option HP: RECORD/STOP B ELL, the start of recording can be indicated audibly by a single, 440 Hz tone sent solely to headphones. When recording is stopped, two 220 Hz tones will be sent to the headphones.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

A B

C D E F

ARM ARM

Low Battery Warning

Warning tones are sent to the headphones when either the attached battery or external power supply voltage reaches their low warning levels (6.9 V for the attached Li-ion, 10.5 V or user-selectable in the Setup Menu option POWER: EXT LOW BAT T VO LT). The Low Battery Warning is three short 880 Hz tones that are sent every 20 seconds.

When warning bells are turned Off, no tones are sent to headphones, including the Low Battery Warning.

Headphone Power Up Gain

The 788T’s headphone level is adjustable from Off, -40 dB to 26 dB in 2 dB increments. The Setup Menu option HP: POWER UP GAIN sets the headphone level control upon start up to: Off, the Last Gain setting used, or at Midpoint Gain (0 dB).

CL-9 Headphone Monitoring

The CL-9 allows has a ﬂ exible headphone monitoring system. From the CL-9 the user can monitor the 788T headphone program, communication sends and returns, and quickly solo inputs, outputs, and tracks. See CL-9 Linear Fader Controller section for more details. .

Metering and Display

The 788T features a 104 LED (8 x 13) Output Meter. The DSP-controlled output meter provides a selection of ballistics and lighting intensities. Input Activity Ring LEDs are available on each of the inputs indicating input level and clipping activity. In addition, a Headphone Peak LED is available to indicate that clipping is occurring in the headphone monitor.

Output Meter

The meter uses energy efﬁ cient LEDs which are viewable in full sunlight. The 788T Output Meter is unaffected by shock or extremes in temperature and humidity. Meter scale, ballistics, and peak hold duration are selectable in the Setup Menu.

The ﬁ rst column of meters always displays the Left, Right, A, and B tracks. The second column of meters can be toggled to display either VU1 (Tracks C, D, E, and F) or VU2 (Tracks G, H, X1, and X2) by pressing the LCD Backlight key.

Meter Scale

There are two factory meter scales, Standard and Zoom. Standard is a non-linear scale which covers the range -44 to 0 dBFS. Zoom provides a high resolution meter scale focused on the range from -32 to 0 dBFS. At factory default, Standard is the set meter scale and Zoom is the Favorite meter scale. To switch between Standard and Zoom meter scales press and hold the LCD Backlight key for two seconds or longer. See Favorite Mode for more details.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Standard Meter Scale Resolution

Zoom Meter Scale Resolution

The LED Output Meter uses a tri-color scale, allowing the track levels to be easily viewed and monitored. The standard scale is separated by Green LEDs to indicate normal input-to-track activity from

-44 to -12 dBFS, Orange LEDs to indicate a hotter input-to-track activity from -9 to -6 dBFS, and Red LEDs to indicate that the input-to-track activity is approaching clipping from -3 to 0 dBFS.

The meter scale can be customized by the user to meet the requirements of a speciﬁ c application. Each LED can be set to illuminate at a speciﬁ ed dBFS level. Follow these steps to enter a customized meter scale.

1. Access the Setup Menu Option MET E R: SCA L E.

2. Scroll down to Add New Entry.

3. Enter a name for the custom scale using the Multi-Function Rotary Switch. Press the soft check mark

(Tone) key to save the meter scale name.

4. Highlight the new custom scale then press the soft Edit (Fast Forward) key.

5. Each LED is represented by a square box. Use the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to adjust the value for

each LED. The 788T prevents entering a greater value than the LED to the left and a lower value than the LED to the right. To move to the adjacent square press the Rewind and Fast Forward keys respec-

tively.

6. Press the soft check mark (Tone) key to save the settings and exit the meter scale setup.

7. Highlight the new custom scale in the list and press the soft check mark (Tone) key to select it.

All custom meter scales can be saved as a list. These lists can be saved and loaded from the internal drive. Lists are saved to a METERSCALE folder within in the SOUNDDEV folder on the internal drive.

Favorite Meter Mode

The favorite meter scale is set in the Setup Menu Option MET E R: S CA L E . The meter scale with the asterisks indicates the favorite scale. The favorite meter scale can be activated from the Main Display and the Track Setup Windows by pressing and holding the LCD Backlight key. When the favorite scale is active, the VU1/VU2 display in the bottom-right corner of the LCD will alternate with the FAV display as shown:

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

At factory default, the favorite meter scale is set to Zoom. The factory Zoom scale is designed to offer the user with a high resolution alternative to the Standard scale.

To set a scale as the Favorite follow these steps.

1. Access the Setup Menu option MET E R: SCA L E .

2. Scroll down to Set Favorite. Press the soft check mark (Tone) key to enter the Select Favorite Window.

3. Select a scale from the list by highlighting it and pressing the soft check mark (Tone) key. This will save

the new favorite scale setting and return to the Meter: Scale Window. The selected favorite scale should have an asterisk following its name in the list.

Digital Meter View

All 12 track meters can be viewed at the same time from the Track Setup Window. To enter the Track Setup Menu, press the INPUT key. The metering ballistics and peak hold time settings are deﬁ ned in the Setup Menu and apply to both the Front Panel Output Meter and the Digital Meter View.

Meter Ballistics

The output meter can be set to display any of three types of meter ballistics: VU, Peak, and a combination of VU and Peak. The meter ballistics are selected in the Setup Menu option MET ER: BAL LIS TIC S.

VU (Volume Units)

Ballistics correspond closely to how the human ear perceives loudness and provides a good visual indication of how loud a signal will be. In VU mode, the attack and decay of the meter signal is 300 msec. While giving a very good visual indication of perceived loudness, VU meters give poor information on actual signal peaks and thus not ideal for use during recording. In VU mode, the front panel meter labeling is in volume units.

Peak Only

Peak-reading ballistics correspond to actual signal maximums, but don’t necessarily correspond to perceived signal loudness. A peak meter has a near-instantaneous attack to display maximum signal amplitude and a slow decay to allow the user to see them. Peak metering is essential for digital recording, since signal overload can cause immediate distortion. The peak meters front panel markings are calibrated in dBFS, decibels relative to full-scale digital signal.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Peak/VU

Peak/VU mode will display VU and Peak level information simultaneously. In this mode, the perceived loudness (VU) is displayed as it is in VU mode, and the Peak level is indicated by the uppermost LED. With this combination the user gets the best of both VU and Peak metering by seeing both the perceived loudness and the peaks of the signal at the same time. Peak/VU is the factory default.

Peak Hold Time

Peak-hold indicators are useful for metering in applications when an overload condition is unacceptable or when program material must not exceed a prescribed threshold. The Peak Hold Time is user selectable in the Setup Menu option METER : PEAK HOLD TIME. The peak LED will hold its position for the selected duration from 0 to 5 seconds in .1 second increments. This allows for easy viewing of peak values that could otherwise go unnoticed.

Input Activity Ring LEDs

The LEDs surrounding the Input gain pots indicate the input activity for each input respectively. The LEDs illuminate in various colors and intensities to represent the state of each input. Green = signal activity, Yellow = limiter activity (pre- or post-fade), Red = signal overload (clipping). When a fader accessory is connected the Input Activity Ring LEDs will only indicate pre-fade limiting.

If a digital input has been selected and the 788T detects a valid digital signal, the Input Ring LEDs will follow the normal red and green LED behavior. The Input Activity Ring LEDs can be defeated by color in the Setup Menu option METER: I NPUT LED RING MODE.

When Mix Assist is enabled, the Input Activity Ring LEDs will illuminate green on automixed inputs to indicate an open mic. This behavior overrides the metering behavior of the Input Activity Ring LEDs. See Mix Assist

Headphone Peak LED

The headphone circuit has an indicator for peak overload. Monitoring without a visual indication of headphone clipping may mislead the operator into thinking that the record or playback signal is distorting.

Tone Oscillator

The tone oscillator can be used as an aid to lining up levels. Both tone level and frequency are user selectable. Reference level is adjustable over a range of −40 to 0 dBFS in the Setup Menu option TONE: LEVEL. The tone frequency is adjustable from 100 to 10,000 Hz in increments of 10 Hz from the Setup Menu option TONE: FREQUENCY. Standard tone levels vary according to the practices and needs of production and post-production, but are generally in the –20 to −12 dBFS range.

The tone oscillator is activated by pressing the latch on, pressing again will deactivate the tone signal. Tone is routed where speciﬁ ed in the Setup Menu option TONE: MODE. Routing choices include: Outputs only, Outputs and Tracks, Tracks only, or no tone routing (disabled). When routed to Tracks, all selected record tracks will receive the tone signal. Changes to tone oscillator settings made while tone is latched on do not take affect until tone is turned off.

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TONE key. Press and hold for two seconds to

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

To record tone at the head of a take, activate the tone signal then press the REC key. From the factory, subsequent presses of the TONE key are locked out to prevent tone from being inadvertently recorded. Tone can be activated while recording by following these steps.

1. Enter the Setup Menu option FILE: MARKER MODE and set it to disabled.

2. Press the REC key to begin the recording.

3. To record tone, Press and hold down the REC key then press the TONE key. To latch tone, press and

hold the Tone key for 2 seconds, press again to release. Once tone is generated the REC key can be released.

The tone oscillator can be activated anytime during recording by setting the TO N E: RE C ORD LO C K feature in the Setup Menu. Press the Tone key anytime to generate a tone signal. Please note that when enabled, any slight press of the tone key will generate tone and override any program material where tone has been routed to, including record tracks.

The Tone Oscillator can be activated from the CL-9. See CL-9 Communications for details.

LCD Contrast & LED Brightness

LCD contrast is controlled in the Setup Menu option LCD: CONTRAST . From the factory, the contrast is set to 50%, suitable for most viewing conditions. Contrast can be adjusted from 0 to 100% in 1% increments.

LED brightness is continuously adjustable from low to high. To adjust the LED brightness level, hold down the LCD Backlight key then turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch. In Stealth Mode the LEDs are toggled On and Off with the LCD backlight key. Enable Stealth Mode in the Setup Menu option

METER : S TEALT H MODE.

LCD Backlight

To toggle the LCD and Front Panel Soft Key backlight press and hold the LCD Backlight key and press in on the Multi-Function Rotary Switch. Backlighting is suitable in low or no ambient light situations. By Factory Default the LCD backlight will be White in Standby, Green in Playback, and Red in Record Modes. The user can defeat the LCD backlight by color in the Setup Menu option LCD: BACKLIGH T MODE.

White/Green/Red This is the Factory Default setting. The backlight will illuminate White in Standby, Green during

Red on Record Only The LCD backlight will illuminate Red during Recording and White for Standby and Playback..

Green on Play Only

White Only

Playback, and Red during Recording.

The LCD backlight will illuminate Green during Playback and White for Standby and Record..

The LCD backlight will remain White at all times.

Time Display and Record Indication

The position of the A-time numbers and time code numbers can be exchanged in the Setup Menu option TIME CODE: DI S P LAY MODE. When Big Time Code is selected, the time code value is displayed in the main numeric display. If time code is turned Off, the A-time is displayed as large numbers, even when Big Time Code is selected.

reversed numbers indicating that recording is active

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

To provide for additional visual indication that recording is in process, the big numerals can be set to reverse contrast or to ﬂ ash during record. This is selected in the Setup Menu option REC: RECORD INDICA T O R.

CL-2 Metering and Display

The CL-2 is an optional one channel remote fader for the 788T. The CL-2 displays Post-Fade Signal activity, Post-Fade Limiting activity, Media Activity status, Input Solo, Input Mute status, and Record status. See CL-2 Remote Fader for more details.

CL-8 Metering and Display

The CL-8 is an optional mixing control surface for the 788T. The CL-8 displays Post Fade Signal Activity, ost-Fade Limiting activity, Left/Right track routing, Aux 1/Aux 2 track routing (pre or post fade), Input Limiter status, Input Polarity status, High-Pass Filter status, and Solo status. See CL-8

Controller for more details.

CL-9 Metering and Display

The CL-9 is an optional Linear Fader Controller for the 788T. The CL-9 displays Pre-Fade Signal Activity, Pre- and Post-Fade Limiting activity, Input-to-Track routing, Input/Output/Track Solo and Mute status, Track Arming status, and much more.

details.

See CL-9 Linear Fader Controller section for more

Wave Agent Metering and Display

Sound Devices Wave Agent Control Mode allows a Sound Devices 788T or 788T-SSD to be connected to Wave Agent over USB. When connected, Wave Agent can be used to display 788T track metering, time code, and various other settings. See Wave Agent Control for details.

CL-WiFi Metering and Display

With a CL-WIFI accessory connected to the C. Link in jack, an ad-hoc wireless connection can be established between the 788T and any Apple iOS device. The CL-WiFi application running on the iOS devices can be used to display 788T track metering, time code, and various other settings.

CL-WIFI for details.

Time Code

The 788T holds accurate time code for up six hours between battery changes using its internal, Li-Ion time code battery. After six hours without power, the 788T reverts to a slightly less-precise time-ofday crystal to maintain the date/time of the unit. This time code battery is charged from internal or external power whenever the 788T is powered up.

See

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

If the time-of-day clock is reset during the production day or if the time code mode is changed from 24 hour run to another mode and back, the time code value will change. You must re-jam all time code devices to ensure proper synchronization.

File-based recorders place a single time code stamp in the BEXT and iXML chunks of an AES31 (Broadcast WAV) ﬁ le. The 788T generates SMPTE time code from this number and extrapolates it based on the time code frame rate for playback.

All ﬁ les generated by the 788T have time code numbers begin on the 0 frame (or 02 in DF modes). If necessary, pre-roll is dynamically applied to accomplish this. This simpliﬁ es synchronization in post-production. Furthermore, all ﬁ les end on the 0 frame such that a ﬁ le’s duration is always an integer number of seconds long. If necessary, post-roll is applied to accomplish this. Sound Devices Wave Agent Beta for Mac OS and Windows computers allows users to add or edit Beginning Time Code Stamps. See Wave Agent Beta for more details.

Frame Rate

A single time code frame rate is selected in the Setup Menu option T I MECODE: FRAME RATE.

Sound Devices strongly recommends that the appropriate frame rate be conﬁ rmed with Post Production prior to the start of production.

The 788T supports all of the common production time code frame rates, including:

• 23.976 – This frame rate is most often used in productions shooting high deﬁ nition video. Counts 0.1% slower than real time.

• 24 – Frame rate of standard ﬁ lm. Sometimes, it is also used in high-deﬁ nition video production when the video ﬁ les go through a telecine process.

• 25 – The frame rate of PAL video. Most often used in video and ﬁ lm production in Europe and other PAL-based environments.

• 29.97 – The frame rate of NTSC color video. Most often used in the USA and other NTSC based nations. Counts 0.1% slower than real time.

• 29.97DF – The frame rate of NTSC video modiﬁ ed to match real time. Drop frame time code is primarily used in the NTSC broadcast industry where it is often required that the time code of ﬁ nished program material reﬂ ects actual real time duration. Drop frame is not common for production time code.

• 30 – Originally, the standard frame rate for American black and white television. Today, it is most often used to sync sound to ﬁ lm where transfer to NTSC video is expected.

• 30DF – This is a rarely used non-standard frame rate. Do not use unless speciﬁ cally requested by production.

• 30+ – This setting is speciﬁ c to Sound Devices recorders. Records at 48.048 sampling rate at 30 frames per second but stamps the ﬁ le at 48 kHz, 30 frames per second.

Sound Devices Wave Agent Beta for Mac OS and Windows computers allows users to change the Frame Per Second Stamp of any ﬁ le. This is useful when the wrong Frame Rate was selected at the time of recording.

See Wave Agent Beta for more details.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

F Sampling Rate Modes

48.048k and 48.048kF

The 48.048kF mode (F stands for fake, faux, Fostex—take your pick) is a speciﬁ c compatibility mode for use with the Fostex DV40 software (1.74 and previous), Avid, Final Cut Pro, and other post-production environments that do not recognize audio ﬁ les written at 48.048 kHz. In this mode ﬁ les are recorded at a 48.048 kHz sampling rate but are stamped at 48 kHz. When played, they will play back

0.1% slower than real time.

One use for the 48.048kF mode is to force a 0.1% speed reduction (pull down) of audio to match MOS-telecined ﬁ lm (24 fps-to-NTSC) in non-linear edit systems, such as Avid or Final Cut Pro. Since the ﬁ le is stamped as a 48 kHz ﬁ le, the edit system will play it back at 48 kHz and not at 48.048 kHz. This “audio pull down” will match the transferred picture without the need for an intermediate step through other software to create the pull down.

The time code frame rate (actual recording rate) is forced to 30 ND in 48.048kF mode. The LCD display will show 30 ND during recording. No other frame rate is available in 48.048kF mode.

The audio ﬁ le, however, is stamped with a 29.97 ND frame rate, along the 48 kHz sampling rate. It will appear as if the ﬁ le was originally recorded at a 48 kHz sampling rate at a TC rate of 29.97 ND.

the file is recorded at 48.048 k, 30 ND

on playback, file appears at 48 k, 29.97 ND

Fostex DV40

When using ﬁ les recorded in the 48.048kF mode in with a DV40 with early software, set the DV40 time code frame rate to 29.97ND. Time code stamps will properly match the original time code start times.

47.952k and 47.952kF

Both 47.952 and 47.952kF settings use a record sampling rate of 47.952 kHz, 0.1% lower than 48 kHz. The 47.952kF mode, however, identiﬁ es the ﬁ le as being recorded at 48 kHz. Additionally there are two frame rate options in 47.952kF mode. The time code frame rate can be set to 23.97 while the ﬁ le is identiﬁ ed as 24ND or it can be set to 29.97ND while the ﬁ le is identiﬁ ed as 30ND. By default, when

47.952kF mode is selected the frame rate is changed to 29.97ND and identiﬁ ed as 30ND unless the Frame Rate was already set to 23.97 in which case it will remain at 23.97.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

96.096k and 96.096kF

Both 96.096 and 96.096kF settings use a record sampling rate of 96.096 kHz, 0.1% higher than 96 kHz. The 96.096F mode is a rarely used workﬂ ow and should only be selected if speciﬁ cally requested by production. It is essentially the high sampling rate version of 48048F mode. The takes are recorded at

96.096 kHz but are stamped at 96 kHz. Additionally, in 96.096F mode, the time code rate is restricted to 30ND, while the ﬁ le is identiﬁ ed as 29.97ND. It is important to note that most productions will not accept ﬁ les at 96 kHz rates.

Time Code Modes

The 788T includes the following time code modes:

Off

The time code generator is disabled. The front panel time code display is blank.

Free Run:

The internal time code generator runs continuously without regard to the Record mode. Any time code value can be used as the start value by “jamming value” in the jam menu.

Record Run

The time code generator runs only when the 788T is recording. Time code in this mode defaults to 00:00:00:00 at power-up. When switching to Record Run from another mode, the internal generator will stop at the last number generated. A user-deﬁ ned value can be jammed into the internal generator from the jam menu.

Free Run Jam Once

The onboard time code generator will re-jam from external time code whenever a valid, running time code signal is connected to the TC input. Similar to Free Run mode, the generator runs continuously without regard to Record mode. For a jam to occur, the time code signal must be disconnected and re-connected to the time code input. Free Run Jam Once is useful when using the recorder as a slave, although one of the External TC modes may be more appropriate for slaved operation.

24 Hour Run

Identical to Free Run with the exception that the generator will automatically jam itself from the time-of-day clock on power-up. The generator will also re-jam if the time-of-day clock is reset. Once jammed, the generator will run continuously from the time code clock, not the time-of-day clock.

Ext TC

The internal time code generator follows an external time code signal appearing at the time code input. In all of the external time code modes, the time code value set on the 788T appears as the recorded ﬁ le’s time code rate value.

Ext TC/cont

The internal time code generator follows an external time code signal appearing at the time code input. If the external time code is removed, the internal generator continues to run to preserve continuous time code. Useful for time code transmission over RF where RF “hits” may interrupt time code.

Ext TC-Auto Record

The internal time code generator follows the external time code signal appearing at the time code input. When external code advances, the 788T enters Record mode automatically. When the external code is stationary, the 788T generator pauses and recording is stopped. This is appropriate when dual-system sound is used with video cameras set for Rec Run time code. The video camera will function as master time code and the recorder “transport” will follow the video camera transport.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Ext TC/cont-Auto Record

The internal time code generator follows the external time code signal appearing at the time code input. When external code advances, the 788T enters Record mode automatically. When the external code is stationary, the 788T generator pauses and recording is stopped. If the external time code is removed the internal generator continues to run to preserve continuous time code. Useful for time code transmission over RF where RF “hits” may interrupt time code. This is appropriate when dualsystem sound is used with video cameras set for Rec Run time code. The video camera will function as master time code and the recorder will follow.

Time Code Hold Off

In the industry there are a wide variety of time code generators. Time code streams are standard from device to device; however, the start and stop sequence of the time code stream can differ. Because of this, the 788T recorders were susceptible to generating unintentional takes when in EXT TC - Auto Record or EXT T C/CONT - AUTO RECORD modes.

Time Code Hold Off is designed to eliminate unintentional takes from occurring. The user can now determine a duration in which a valid external time code signal has to be detected before the recorder generates a new take. The value of Time Code Hold Off needed is dependent on the start and stop sequence of the master time code source.

To use the Time Code Hold Off feature:

1. Access the Setup Menu option TIMECODE: HOLD OFF .

2. Set a value between 0 and 8 seconds in .1 second increments using the soft Up and Down Arrow (Menu

and HDD) keys or the Multi Function Rotary Switch. 2.0 Seconds is the factory default.

3. Save the selected value by pressing the soft Check Mark (Tone) key or by pressing in on the Multi Func-

tion Rotary Switch.

4. Exit the Setup Menu by pressing the soft X (Brightness) key or the Stop key.

5. Begin rolling time code from the master time code source.

6. The 788T recorder will display the Record Pending message immediately after detecting a time code

signal.

7. When the selected Hold Off value has elapsed, the 788T will begin recording.

Things to consider when using Time Code Hold Off:

• This feature only applies to Ext TC - Auto Record and Ext TC/Cont - Auto Record modes.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

• If Pre-Roll is set, it will be applied. Pre-Roll will only capture audio from the initial detection of a time code signal. If no Pre-Roll is selected, the ﬁ le will begin after the Hold Off time expires. It is best practice to set Pre-Roll, in the Setup Menu option REC: PRE-RO LL T I ME, to a value greater than the selected Hold Off value. This ensures that audio is captured from the moment a time code signal is detected and unintentional ﬁ les triggered by short bursts of time code are not generated.

Jam Menu

external time code/u-bit value received by 788T

press to jam

menu selection

current 788T time code/u-bit value

Time code setup is managed in the Setup Menu option TIME CODE: JAM MENU. To quickly enter the Jam Menu simultaneously press the HDD key and the MENU key. In this menu, the top of

the display shows the value of signal present on the time code input and the bottom of the display shows the currently set time code value. In addition, the 788T displays the frame rate of the incoming time code and the current frame rate setting of the 788T.

The 788T time code generator can be set in three ways.

Jam RX TC

When the JAM RX TC menu item is highlighted in the jam menu, the external time code, user bits, and frame rate are shown at the top of the LCD screen; the 788T internal generator, user bits, and frame rate are shown at the bottom of the screen. To jam the 788T from an external value, press the JAM soft key (TONE key) or the Multi-Function Rotary Switch. The screen will display JAMMING. Once the 788T is jammed to the external time code, the external and internal numbers will match and run in sync.

no valid time code is received

Make certain that the external time code source appears in the time code jam menu. If the 788T does not receive valid time code from the sending source the jam menu displays lines in place of numbers.

Identical to the Ambient Recording series of time code products, the 788T time code generator can “cross jam” differing frame rates. The 788T will cross jam time code at the top of the second for phase-accurate (the 00 frames will match) time code at the set frame rate.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Jam Zeros

This menu selection resets the internal generator to zero.

value to jam, or zeros

menu selection

788T current timecode value

Jam Value

Press the enter soft key (TONE key) or the Multi-Function Rotary Switch button to jam the userentered time code start value into the internal generator.

Edit Value

This menu allows the user to set any valid time code value (00 : 00 : 00:00–2 3 : 5 9 : 5 9 : 29) for entry with the jam value selection above. The initial screen of this menu shows the currently set value as well as the current time code setting of the 788T. Press the Multi-Function Rotary Switch or the enter key (tone key) to enter into edit mode. The user can set the time code numbers in pairs (hours, minutes, seconds and frames). Once (DONE) is selected the value is available to jam into the internal generator with the jam value selection.

press to jam

A value is not jammed into the 788T time code generator until JAM VALUE is selected.

User Bits

The 788T has seven user-selectable user bit modes. Time code user bits are a portion of the time code data which can be allocated however the user chooses. Commonly, user bits carry information such as the date, take, sound roll, or camera roll number.

User bits are edited from the EDIT U-BIT selection in the jam menu. Press the enter soft key (TONE key) or the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to enter user bit edit mode. The screen will show the format and setting of the user bits. Using the Multi-Function Rotary Switch or the Up and Down Arrow soft keys, user bit digits can be edited (in pairs). Once DONE is selected, the user bits are set. If editing is not available in the selected user bit mode “NO USER ED I TS“ will appear in the screen.

NTSC Standard Def Video Production

NTSC video uses a frame rate of 29.97 frames per second. Unfortunately, that leaves 108 frames per hour unaccounted. To keep 29.97 time code in sync with “clock” time, the concept of “drop frame” was devised. Two frames are dropped at the top of each minute not divisible by 10. 54 drops per hour x 2 frames = 108 frames per hour.

To sync the 788T to a video camera, ﬁ rst determine if the camera is in drop frame or non-drop frame mode. If you, the DP or the producer are unsure about what setting to use, check with post-production, if possible.

As a rough guideline, video for NTSC broadcast is drop-frame. Whether at drop or non-drop rates, make certain all time code devices are at the same rate.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

1. Set the 788T to either 29.97DF or 29.97 respectively.

2. Jam the camera using a LEMO-5 to BNC adapter cable connected to the time code input on the video

camera.

3. Switch the camera to free run time code. The 788T time code should appear in the time code display on

the camera.

4. Disconnect the time code cable.

The camera and recorder time code should now be running in sync. Check it after roughly 5 minutes to be certain synchronization is maintained.

Video cameras are notorious for time code instability when powered down. If the video camera must be shut down, re-jam it when it is powered back up.

Recording

Recording and Playback functions are quite similar to that of tape-based machines. The ﬂ exibility of ﬁ le-based recording provides control not possible with tape-based recorders.

Recording

The largest, most easily accessed control on the 788T is its REC key. Recording takes priority over all activity except for disk formatting, disk speed tests, and ﬁ le transfers. The 788T will immediately enter Record mode whenever the REC key is pressed. If the storage media selected is not ready to begin recording a new ﬁ le, the REC key will ﬂ ash red and the LCD will display Record Pending until the recording has begun.

When recording, the REC key, adjacent red LED, and the LCD backlight will all illuminate red to indicate that the unit is in Record mode. The LCD backlight illuminates red in record mode by factory default, this can be defeated in the Setup Menu option LCD: BACKLIGH T MODE.

Recording integrity is further enhanced through a process of periodic, automatic ﬁ le directory and header updates written to disk during recording. This ensures ﬁ le integrity in the unlikely event of a total loss of power.

If no tracks are armed to record, the 788T will not enter Record Mode. Make certain that at least one record track is armed for recording.

While recording, the POWER, FAST FORWARD, REWIND, PLAY and TONE keys are disabled. See

Panel Lock to engage Panel Lock during recording. Stop recording by pressing and holding the STOP

key. The STOP key must be held for 150 msec or greater to end recording. Although you can enter the Setup Menu during recording, menu items that affect recording are lined out in the menu list.

During recording, subsequent presses of the REC key can perform one of three Setup-Menu-selected actions:

• no action,

• new cue - cue markers are set within the ﬁ le being written,

• new ﬁ le - a new ﬁ le is started with each press of the REC key, the take counter increases by one.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Pre-Record Buffer

To prevent missing record cues or up-cutting takes, the 788T has a pre-record (or pre-roll) buffer. When active, pre-record begins recording at a set number of seconds preceding the REC key being pressed. When recording higher sampling rates (48048 +) pre-roll is limited to ﬁ ve seconds and below.

Record buffering is disabled when the time code mode is set to Record Run. In External Time Code Auto Record and External Time Code Continuous Auto Record modes, the Pre-Record Buffer is only active from the time the 788T receives a valid time code signal. This allows the 788T to capture audio before the set Time Code Hold Off value is reached. This prevents possible overlapping time code numbers between adjacent ﬁ les.

Media Select

The 788T can record up to 12 tracks to all three available media (internal drive, CompactFlash, and external hard drives) simultaneously at sampling rates of 48048 and below. Higher Sampling rates are limited to eight tracks to two media only. When recording higher track counts and higher sampling rates, Sound Devices recommends using hard drives, solid state drives, and high speed UDMA CompactFlash cards.

Media must be selected in the Setup Menu option REC : MED IA S ELEC T in order for material to be written to it. Tracks can be individually routed to CompactFlash, Internal drive, and External media.

See Track-to-Media Routing.

See Time Code Hold Off for additional information.

Failure During Recording

In the event of a storage media failure, the speciﬁ c error will be indicated on the LCD and warning bells in the headphone monitor. Possible causes of media failure include, a hard drive in severe motion which results in recording errors, a CompactFlash card ﬁ lling up while recording, or an external DVD-RAM that can’t keep up with the chosen data rate, track count, or ﬁ le type. If more than one drive is selected for recording, the remaining drives will continue recording without failure. If a media continues to be displayed as slow after the warning prompt has been cleared, press the Stop key to clear the Slow status.

Record Timer

The 788T is equipped with a record start and stop timer. This allows a user to record a take at a speciﬁ c time from an unattended recorder. Set the start time in the Setup Menu option REC : TIMER START then set the record stop time in the Setup Menu option REC: TIMER STOP. The 788T will boot up and start recording when the timer start time elapses.

Playback

The 788T has high-resolution playback circuitry and is appropriate for any reference audio application. Any ﬁ le recorded by the 788T can be played back. In addition, MP2, MP3, and WAV ﬁ les can be copied to the storage media from a computer can be played back. This is useful when using the 788T as a high-resolution playback device. In Playback mode, the LCD backlight will illuminate green by factory default, this can be defeated in the Setup Menu option LCD: BACKLIGHT MODE.

The 788T plays back the last recorded audio ﬁ le unless another ﬁ le is selected. There are two ways to select another ﬁ le for playback. To select another ﬁ le in the current record directory, from stop mode, push either the FastForward or reverse key to put the 788T into play-stop mode. The ﬁ lename display will begin ﬂ ashing and the FAST FORWARD and REWIND keys are used to step through ﬁ les

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

available in the current record directory. To select a ﬁ le in an alternate directory, press the HDD key to enter the media directories. Navigate to the appropriate directory. Select the ﬁ le that is desired for play back with the Multi-Function Rotary Switch and press the PLAY key.

The current playback media is indicated by the highlighted (white type on black background) media descriptor on the left hand side of the main LCD display. Regardless of the directory selected for playback, when the REC key is pressed, the 788T will revert to the directory determined by the REC : MED IA S ELE CT and F ILE: FOLDER O P T IONS Setup Menu settings.

AutoPlay

The 788T can be set to play back all valid audio ﬁ les in a directory. Files will play back in their order in the directory. Varios autoplay options can be set in the Setup Menu option PLAY : AUTOPLAY MODE:

• Disabled – auto playback is Off

• Play all – all ﬁ les in the directory will play, then stop when all ﬁ les have been played

• Repeat one – the selected ﬁ le will play back continuously until stopped by the user

• Repeat all – all ﬁ les in the directory will play in succession, then repeat until the Stop key is pressed.

Audio File Formats

The 788T records audio to the industry-standard Broadcast Wave ﬁ le format, either monophonic or polyphonic. Additionally, the 788T will also playback ﬁ les in the WAV, MP2, or MP3 formats. The 788T will also read ﬁ les with the .BWF extension.

.WAV

The 788T writes AES-31 Broadcast Wave formatted ﬁ les. The audio ﬁ les created by the 788T include additional information (Metadata) in the ﬁ le’s header, BEXT (Broadcast Audio Extension) and iXML data chunks. See Appendix 2 – Metadata Implementation. Software that does not recognize these additional broadcast wave data chunks will simply ignore them.

File Type

The 788T has two ﬁ le type options for recording, WAV mono and WAV poly. Select the ﬁ le type in the Setup Menu option REC: F ILE TYPE.

Monophonic

When WAV Mono is selected, the 788T will generate a separate audio ﬁ le for each recorded track. The mono ﬁ les generated by the 788T have ﬁ le names similar to T01_1.WAV and T01_2.WAV. The ﬁ le name sufﬁ xes, _1 and _2, identify the track number of the ﬁ le. If a take contains 10+ mono tracks the tracks will be sufﬁ xed with _A (10), _B (11), _C (12).

Polyphonic

When WAV Poly is selected, the 788T will generate one audio ﬁ le for each take. All recorded tracks are interleaved into this single ﬁ le.

Wave Agent Beta allows for the splitting (de-interleaving) of polyphonic ﬁ les and combining (merging or interleaving) of monophonic sibling ﬁ les into a single polyphonic ﬁ le. See Wave Agent Beta.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Take Management

A Take is a single recording which is composed of one or more audio ﬁ les.

For polyphonic wav ﬁ le recordings, a take is represented by a single polyphonic ﬁ le generated at the time of recording. The single polyphonic ﬁ le contains all the tracks of the take. In this case, since the take is represented by this one ﬁ le, its name is the same as the ﬁ le’s name.

In the 788T, a polyphonic take/ﬁ le name consists of a scene name, take number, and a ﬁ le extension. For example, for scene S01, take T01, the polyphonic ﬁ le name and take name are both S01T01.wav.

For monophonic wav ﬁ le recording, a take is represented by a group of monophonic ﬁ les generated at the time of recording. Each monophonic ﬁ le represents an individual track of the take. In this case, since the take is represented by several ﬁ les, its take name is the same as any of the constituent ﬁ les’ names except with the track number sufﬁ x is replaced by ‘_X’.

In the 788T, a monophonic ﬁ le name consists of a scene name, take number, track number sufﬁ x and a ﬁ le extension. See Appendix 3 – File Naming. For example, for scene S01, take T01, comprising of 4 tracks, the monophonic ﬁ le names are S01T01_1.wav, S01T01_2.wav, S01T01_3.wav, S01T01_4.wav, and the take name is S01T01_X.wav.

S01T01_1.WAV

scene number

take number

mono file designator

extension

Scene Name/Numbering

Scene names are selected for use from a scene name list. This list is managed in the Setup Menu option REC : S CENE NAME/NUMBER. Any number of scene name lists can be generated and these can be made up of any number of scene names. The advantage of scene name lists is that frequently used scene names can be compiled before production starts.

Scene names are made with alphanumeric characters, including “_ ” and “-” and can be any length between zero (0) and nine (9) characters. Scene numbers help to match audio with the corresponding scene in a production. Scene names can also be used to identify other items, including roll number, recording date, artist name or any other descriptor as required.

Scene names are user-selected in the Setup Menu and do not change until changed by the user.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

To change scene numbers:

1. Enter the user menu and navigate to the Scene Name/Number option.

2. Use the REWIND (<<) and FAST FORWARD (>>) soft keys to move among characters. Use the PLAY

key to delete characters. Characters are entered from left to right and deleted from right to left.

3. Use the Multi-Function Rotary Switch or the Up and Down Arrow soft keys to choose characters. Press

the Multi-Function Rotary Switch or press the FAST FORWARD key to save the character and move to the next position.

4. To save the scene name, press the soft Check Mark (TONE) key or press in on the Multi-Function Rotary

Switch without selecting a character. After the ninth character is entered, the scene name is automatically saved.

If all characters are removed, no scene name will be written to ﬁ les.

Scene Name Incrementing/Decrementing

Scene Names can be quickly incremented from the main screen by pressing and holding the Stop key and then the Fast Forward key. See Front Panel Button Shortcuts. Scenes will be incremented by either alpha characters (A,B,C...) or numeric digits (1,2,3...). This is selectable by the user in the Setup Menu option REC : S CENE INCREMENT MODE.

To increment the Scene Name/Number from the Take List.

1. Press the HDD key to access the Take List.

2. Scroll to the top of the Take List and highlight the next take, which is indicated by the letter n.

3. Press the soft Scene +/- (Fast Forward) key to enter the Scene increment/decrement screen.

4. Press the soft Scene + (Fast Forward) key to increment the scene name from WILDCAT1T02.WAV to

WILDCAT2T01.WAV.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

5. Press the soft Done (Play) key.

6. The name of the next take will be displayed on the top line indicated by the n.

Take Numbers

Take numbers are integers between 01 and 99, 999, with or without preceding zeros, which increase by one each time a new ﬁ le is recorded. Take numbers can be set with or without a take separator, such as the character “-” or “T”. The take separator can be used to clearly identify the take number within the ﬁ le name. Take numbers are managed in the Setup Menu option REC: T AKE N AME/NUMBE R. Take numbers can be incremented and decremented in the Take List.

If the 788T detects a take/ﬁ le with the same name in the destination folder, a letter sufﬁ x, starting with “A” is added to the take/ﬁ le name, before the extension.

To change take numbers:

1. Enter the Setup Menu and navigate to the Take Name/Number option.

2. Use the REWIND (<<) and FAST FORWARD (>>) soft keys to move among decimal places and to jump

to the single alphanumeric take spacer character. Use the PLAY key to reset the take number to 1. Characters are entered from left to right and deleted from right to left.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

3. The Multi-Function Rotary Switch or the soft keys are used to choose characters/numbers. Press the

soft Check Mark (TONE) key or press in on the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to save the character and move to the next position.

From the Setup Menu the action for take resetting is controlled by the following options:

• Never – take numbers do not reset

• When scene is changed – take resets when scene name is changed

• When daily folder is changed – takes reset on new day

• Either scene or daily– takes reset on either change

Take Number Incrementing/Decrementing

Take increments and decrements can be made in the Take List. To increment and decrement takes.

1. Press the HDD key to access the Take List.

2. Scroll to the top of the Take List and highlight the next take, which is indicated by the letter n.

3. Press the soft Take +/- (Fast Forward) key to enter the Take Increment/Decrement screen.

4. Press the soft Take + (Fast Forward) key to increment or the Take - (Rewind) key to decrement the take.

5. Press the soft Done (Play) key.

6. The name of the next take will be displayed on the top line indicated by the letter n.

7. Exit the Take List by pressing X.

Press and hold the STOP key to display the next incremented take’s ﬁ le name.

Indicates active take

Indicates next upcoming take

False Take Control

To identify a take as a False Take, perform the following:

1. Press the STOP key to end the recording.

2. Wait for the ﬁ le to ﬁ nish writing, the activity LED will turn from orange to green.

3. Simultaneously press the STOP and REWIND keys to be prompted to delete the most recent take.

4. Press the soft Check Mark (TONE) key to delete the take.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Alternatively, the last take can be identiﬁ ed as a False Take from within the Take List. This can be done by decrementing the take number to match the most recent recorded take’s ﬁ lename.

Files that have been conﬁ rmed as false takes are moved to the FALSETAKES folder. When recording to internal drive, CompactFlash, and external FireWire storage devices, ﬁ les determined as False Takes will be moved to the FALSETAKES folder on each storage media that the ﬁ le has been written to. This folder sits in the drive root. False Takes will remain on the drive until the FALSETAKES folder is emptied.

Emptying the False Take Folders

Files that have been moved to the False Take folders can be permanently deleted from each media in the Drive Options Menu by selecting EMPTY T RAS H. Each drive has its own False Take folder and they are permanently deleted independently. Once the False Take folder has been emptied, any ﬁ les it contains are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. See Emptying the Trash for more details.

Track Naming

Each track in a ﬁ le, whether monophonic or polyphonic, can be named with a unique, descriptive track name. Descriptive track names such as ‘radio mic 1’, ‘boom 2’ or ‘John Smith’ are more helpful to editors than track numbers. Track names with up to 26 characters are managed in the Setup Menu option REC : TRACK NAMES. The track names selected prior to recording are stored in the Broadcast Wave Extension (BEXT) data as well as in the iXML data.

Take List

All metadata edits and entries performed in the Take List and are applied across all available media that contain the select take. The Take List is accessed via the Setup Menu option FILE: VIEW TAKE LIST or by simply pressing the HDD key.

The File Viewer (Drive Directory) (formerly accessed by pressing the HDD key) is now accessed by pressing the soft DRV (HDD) key from within the Take List or via the Setup Menu option FILE: VIEW FILES.

The Take List contains a list of every Polyphonic or Monophonic take that has been recorded by the 788T. Takes must be recorded with 1.51 (Wildcat Beta) or greater in order to view them in the Take List.

The name of the take is displayed on the left hand side of the Take List. The right hand side of the Take List displays additional ﬁ le information. The type of information displayed can be toggled by

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

pressing in on the Multi Function Rotary Switch. Each press will toggle between the following information.

• Beginning time code stamp

• Time of ﬁ le creation

• Date of ﬁ le creation

The following functions are performed within the Take List.

• Increment/Decrement Scene and Takes

• Edit metadata and rename ﬁ les

• Scene name

• Drives that contain the ﬁ le

• Folder that contains the ﬁ le

Refresh Take Metadata

During power up, the 788T automatically loads the metadata for the last 100 ﬁ les (mono and poly) recorded. “Building List” will be displayed if the Take List is entered while the ﬁ rst 100 ﬁ les are loading. Takes containing ﬁ les beyond the most recent 100 ﬁ les will need to be loaded manually by pressing the soft REFRESH (Play) key.

Take Edit Menu

From this menu, the user can perform the following edit operations while the recorder is in Standby or Record modes:

• Notes

• Rename

• Circle

• Project

• Scene

• Take

• Tape (Roll)

Post-record metadata editing can also be performed using a Mac OS or Windows based computer with Sound Devices Wave Agent Beta. See Wave Agent Beta for more details.

Follow these steps to access the Take Edit Menu.

1. Enter the Take List by pressing the HDD key.

2. Choose any Take from the Take List.

3. Press the soft Edit (PLAY) key to enter the Take Edit Menu.

• Set Copy Flag

• Clr Copy Flag

• Delete (sends ﬁ le to the Trash / Post-record only)

• Load Settings

• Rename Tracks

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Notes

Notes can be added to a Take to describe its contents. BEXT and iXML support notes ﬁ elds. To add notes to a Take:

1. Enter the Take List by pressing the HDD key.

2. Highlight the desired ﬁ le.

3. Press the soft EDIT (Play) key to access the Take Edit Menu.

4. Select Notes

5. Enter text in the Notes ﬁ eld using the Multi-Function Rotary Switch or a USB Keyboard.

6. Press the soft Check Mark (TONE) key or simultaneously press the CTRL and Enter keys from a USB Keyboard to save Notes. Pressing the soft X (LCD BACKLIGHT) key or Esc on a USB Keyboard will

cancel the Notes entry.

Entering notes using an external USB keyboard is quicker than the Multi-Function Rotary Switch.

Renaming Takes

Takes can be renamed in the Take Edit Menu during and after recording. Renaming a take renames its associated ﬁ les and updates their embedded metadata. Edits made to the Take name are applied across all media and associated mono ﬁ les. The new name can be up to 26 characters in length including the .WAV extension.

Duplicate Takes

With the ability to rename ﬁ les and edit scene names directly from the 788T, it is possible to generate ﬁ les with duplicate ﬁ le names. In this event, the 788T will detect that a ﬁ le with the same name already exists and will ask the user if a duplicate ﬁ le should be created. If the user selects to do so, the resulting ﬁ le name will be pre-ﬁ xed with a +. If this occurs for more than two ﬁ les, an additional + will be added respectively for every ﬁ le altered.

Circle Take

Take names can be altered to include the “@” symbol preceding the ﬁ le name. This can be used to highlight a take as a “Circled Take”. Circled Takes are often used to identify good takes for transferring. Circle Take information is also embedded within the BEXT and IXML data chunks.

To Circle or uncircle a take, perform the following steps:

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

1. Press the STOP key to end the recording.

2. Press the HDD key to enter the Take List.

3. Scroll among ﬁ les to highlight the ﬁ le as a Circled Take.

4. Press the soft EDIT (PLAY) key to enter the Take Edit Menu.

5. Highlight and select the Circle option from the list. This will toggle the Circle indication on and off.

Project

Edits can be made to the Project ﬁ eld during and after recording. The Project ﬁ eld by default is the name of the Top-Level folder deﬁ ned in the Setup Menu option FILE: FOLDER O PTIONS. Project metadata is embedded within the BEXT and IXML data chunks.

Scene

Scene name edits can be made during and after recording. Any changes to the Scene name are applied to both the ﬁ le name and the Scene tag in the iXML and bEXT chuncks.

Take

Take number edits can be made during and after recording. Any changes to the Take are applied to both the ﬁ le name and the Take tag in the iXML and bEXT chunks.

Tape (Roll)

Edits can be made to the Tape (Roll) iXML tag during and after recording. The Tape (Roll) ﬁ eld by default is the name of the Mid-Level folder deﬁ ned in the Setup Menu option FILE: FOLDER O P T IONS. Tape (Roll) metadata is embedded within the BEXT and IXML data chunks.

Set and Clear Copy Flags

Deleting Takes

Takes and their associated ﬁ les are now deleted from the Take List Edit Menu. Deleted ﬁ les are sent to the respective media’s Trash Folder. The Trash Folder is emptied via the Drive Directory Options Menu. To send a Take to the Trash Folder.

1. Enter the Take List by pressing the HDD key.

2. Highlight the ﬁ le that you wish to delete.

3. Press the soft Edit (Play) key to access the Edit Menu.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

4. Highlight and select the Delete option.

5. The Conﬁ rm Take Delete window appears. Select which drives the ﬁ le should be deleted from using the soft CF, HDD, and EXT (Rewind, Play, and Fast Forward) keys. The take will be deleted from any drive that is highlighted.

For example, if the ﬁ le WILDCAT2T01.WAV is to only be sent to the EXT drive Trash Folder, press the

soft CF and HDD (Rewind and Play) keys to deselect the drives.

6. Press the soft Check Mark (Tone) key to send the take to the Trash Folder.

Load Settings

User Settings can be recalled from any take recorded by the 788T post ﬁ rmware revision post 2.18.

See Saving and Recalling User Settings

Renaming Tracks

Track names can be renamed during and after recording via the Take List. To rename a track:

1. Enter the Take List by pressing the

2. Highlight the desired take to be edited.

3. Press the soft EDIT (PLAY) key to access the Take Edit Menu.

4. Highlight and select the track that is to be renamed.

5. Rename the track and press the soft Check Mark (TONE) key to save the new track name.

HDD key.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Wave Agent Metadata Entry and Editing

Sound Devices Wave Agent Control Mode allows a Sound Devices 788T or 788T-SSD to be connected to Wave Agent over USB. When connected, Wave Agent can be used to enter or edit various metadata ﬁ elds for the previous, current, and upcoming takes.

See Wave Agent Control for details.

CL-WiFi Metering and Display

With a CL-WIFI accessory connected to the C. Link in jack, an ad-hoc wireless connection can be established between the 788T and any Apple iOS device. The CL-WiFi application running on the iOS devices can be used to enter or edit various metadata ﬁ elds for the previous, current, and upcoming takes. See CL-WIFI for details.

CSV Sound Reports

The 788T can generate sound reports as a comma separated values (CSV) ﬁ le. CSV ﬁ les can be opened and edited by common text editors and spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel, OpenOfﬁ ce Calc, Apple Numbers, Google Docs.

Sound Report Setup

A sound report consists of two sections: A Take List section which provides information for each take in the folder the sound report was generated in, and an Overview section that contains ancillary information to the Take List section. The Overview section is ﬁ rst, followed by the Take List section.

Overview Section

The table below lists the rows that make up the Overview section.

Row Description Default

Project: The name of the project.

Producer: The name of the producer.

Director: The name of the director.

Job: The title of the job.

Date:

Location: The location.

Sound Mixer: Your name.

Phone: Your phone number. Limited to numbers and symbols.

Email: Your email address.

Client: Client’s name.

Boom Op: Boom operator’s name.

Prod.Co: The name of the production company.

Prod.Co. Tel:

Mics: Notes about mics used.

Comments: Miscellaneous comments.

Roll: The roll / daily identifier.

Media: Media type

The date. The <System Date> option will insert the current system date (In MM/DD/YY format) at the time the report is generated.

Production company telephone number. Limited to numbers and symbols.

<NONE>

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Row Description Default

File Type:

Sample Rate:

Frame Rate:

Bit Depth:

Tone Level:

Information in the Overview section is managed in the Setup Menu option FILE: SOUND REPORT. The 788T derives information for the overview section from these settings at the time the sound report is generated.

File type. Options are <Current Selection> (WAV Poly or WAV Mono) or <None>

Sample rate of recorded audio. Options are <Current Selection> (At time of report generation) or <None>

Timecode frame rate. Options are <Current Selection> (At time of report generation) or <None>

Bit depth of recorded audio. Options are <Current Selection> (At time of report generation) or <None>

The amplitude of the 788T’s tone generator. Options are <Current Selection> (At time of report generation) or <None>

Take List Section

The following ﬁ elds make up the Take List section. Each row of this section corresponds to a take, and each ﬁ eld corresponds directly to the metadata of that take (BEXT and iXML).

• File Name

• Scene

• Take

• Start TC

• T1 to T12 (12 ﬁ elds)

• Notes

• Length

Generating Sound Reports

A sound report can be generated for all the ﬁ les in any folder on the 788T. There are two methods for creating a sound report. Each method will create a CSV ﬁ le named SOUND_REPORT.CSV in the target folder.

To generate a sound report in the current recording folder on all media, simultaneously press the STOP and MENU buttons. A message will appear indicating that the reports are being created, followed by a message indicating that the reports were created successfully. Push the TONE button to accept this.

Using the STOP + MENU shortcut to create a sound report on each media will create a report that derives information from the primary media depending on what is selecting in REC: MEDIA SELEC T. This method might not be preferred if different tracks are routed to different media with Track-to-Media routing.

It is also possible to generate a single sound report in a single folder.

1. Press the HDD key to access the Take List.

2. Press the soft DRV (HDD) key to access the Drive Directory.

3. Use the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to highlight the desired

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folder.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

4. Press the soft Options (Fast Forward) key to access the Drive Directory Options Menu.

5. Select the Create CSV option from the list. A message will appear indicating that the reports are

being created, followed by a message indicating that the reports were created successfully. Push the TONE button to accept this.

Sound Report Best Practices

Since sound reports on the 788T are generated per folder, ﬁ le organization settings should be conﬁ gured so that a folder corresponds logically to each sound report. See Folder Actions. For example: In a project where ﬁ les are handed in on a daily basis it would be beneﬁ cial to set the Mid-Level folder to something that changes daily (like <DAILY>), and the Bottom-Level folder to <NONE>.

Wave Agent Beta

Sound Devices Wave Agent ﬁ le librarian for Mac OS and Windows computers. Wave Agent provides a comprehensive and indispensable range of tools for preparing audio ﬁ les for problem-free passage through complex production workﬂ ows. Wave Agent v. 1.10+ provides control of the 788T Record and Stop commands, allows for 12-Track metering and time code display, and real-time metadata entry and editing.

Wave Agent is an essential, time-saving tool for anyone working in Production Sound. It allows for the following;

• Playback of polyphonic and monophonic WAV and Broadcast Wave ﬁ les from any source

• Viewing and editing ﬁ le metadata

• Changing of sampling rate, frame rate, and start time code metadata stamps

• Splitting and combining polyphonic and monophonic ﬁ les with selectable track assignments

• Batch editing

• Generating customized PDF and CSV Sound Reports

• Large time code display

• Monitor mixer with faders, pans, solos, mutes, and meters

• Drag-and-drop operation

• Comprehensive keyboard shortcuts for accelerated operation

• Mac OS and Windows compatible

• Remote Record and Stop commands of the connected 788T

• 12-Track Metering and Time Code Display of the connected 788T

• Real-time metadata entry and editing of the connected 788T

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Wave Agent is available as a no-charge software download for either Mac OS or Windows. www.waveagent.com.

File Management

The 788T, like a computer, saves audio recordings to a ﬁ le system containing ﬁ les and folders. The 788T/788T-SSD formats its internal drive, CompactFlash cards, and attached external drives in the FAT32 format as single drives named “788T INDD”, “788T CF”, and “788T EXTHDD,” respectively.

Automatic File Splitting

While it is possible to have thousands of ﬁ les on the 788T storage volume(s), the largest any single ﬁ le may be is 4 GB. See Appendix D – FAT32 and Maximum File Size. The 788T automatically splits an audio ﬁ le before the 4 GB size is reached (2 GB is factory default) and begins writing to a new ﬁ le. When joined in an editing program, these ﬁ les match seamlessly with no samples lost. Maximum File Size can be selected in the Setup Menu option FILE: MAX SIZE of 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, and 4 GB. The 512 MB size allows the user to break an audio program into CD-R sized ﬁ les for backup to inexpensive CD-R media. There is also a selection of sizes to ensure that recorded ﬁ les will ﬁ t onto common CompactFlash card capacities.

File Time and Date

Similar to a computer ﬁ le system, all ﬁ les recorded by the 788T are stamped with the creation time and date. To ensure that accurate time-of-day and ﬁ le generation dates are written for each ﬁ le, make certain that the time-of-day clock and calendar are correct.

File time and date and time code are unrelated.

1. Enter the Setup Menu option TIME/DATE: SET.

2. Set the current time and date using the navigation below.

advances to the

soft keys increment and decrement time and date, controller can be turned, as well

Once set, the time and date clock will be maintained indeﬁ nitely.

next selection

returns to the previous selection

Folder Actions

All ﬁ les generated by the 788T can be saved to the Root directory, a Project Folder, a Daily (Roll) Folder, or a Scene Folder (Files are saved to the Root directory by default). File organization is managed in the Setup Menu option FILE: FOLDER O PTIONS. Folder choices include TOP - LEVEL, MID- LEVEL, and BOTT OM LEVEL FOLD ERS . Folders are created when the record key is pressed. This reduces the likelihood of empty folders.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

• Top-Level / Project Folder – is a root-level folder and can be set with a user-selected Project

name. Use this, for instance, as the name of the movie you are working on. The name of this folder is inserted in the <PROJECT> ﬁ eld of the iXML and bEXT chunks. See Appendix 2 –

Metadata Implementation.

The Top-Level folder can also be de-activated by selecting <NONE> from the Setup Menu. If the Top-Level folder is not used then the next lower-level folder will reside at the drive’s root. If the TOP-LEVEL folder is active then the MID-LEVEL and BOTTOM- LEVEL folders will be its sub- folders.

• Mid-Level / Tape (Roll) Folder – can be selected as a Roll folder with user-selected name or as

a <DAILY> folder, or not used. The name of this folder is inserted in the <TAPE> (Roll) ﬁ eld of the iXML and bEXT chunks. If a TOP-LEVEL folder is in use, the MID-LEVEL folder will be a sub-folder of the TOP-LEVEL folder. If no TOP- LEVEL folder is used, the MID- LEVEL folder will reside at the drive’s root. If set to <DAILY> a new folder will be created daily. When recording past midnight the 788T will prompt to make to a new daily folder.

• Bottom-Level / Scene Folder – can be selected as a <SCENE> folder which will use the name

generated from the REC: SCENE NAME/NUMBER Setup Menu, as a user-selected name, or not used at all. If no upper-level folder is in use, the BOTTOM- LEVEL folder will reside at drive’s root. If the MID- LEVEL and/or TOP-LEVEL are in use the BOTTOM- LEVEL folder will be a sub-folder.

Example: If a daily Folder is desired, set the TOP-LEVEL to <NONE> , the MI D-LEVEL folder to <DAIL Y>, and the BOTTOM-LEVEL to <NONE>. This will generate a Daily Folder in the root directory with ﬁ les directly inside the folder.

A hierarchical view of ﬁ les generated by the 788T is below.

788T

 FALSETAKES  SOUNDDEV

 TRASH

 TOP-LEVEL

 MID-LEVEL

Example:

788T

 FALSETAKES  SOUNDDEV  TRASH  PROJECT

 07Y01M15

NAMET01.WAV NAMET02.WAV

 BOTTOM-LEVEL

 SCENE

The FALSETAKES, SOUNDDEV, and TRASH folders are automatically generated. SOUNDDEV is not viewable from the 788T File Viewer.

A TOP-LEVEL folder sits in the root directory. This folder can be negated by choosing <None> in the menu File: Folder Options.

A MID-LEVEL folder can be used as a sub-folder. This folder can be selected to be a <Daily> folder in the menu File: Folder Options.

A BOTTOM-LEVEL folder could also be used as a sub-folder. This folder can be selected to be a <Scene> folder in the menu File: Folder Options.

This is a TOP-LEVEL folder named PROJECT activated in the menu File: Folder Options.

This is a MID-LEVEL folder set to <Daily> from the menu File: Folder Options.

This is a BOTTOM-LEVEL folder set to <Scene> from the menu File: Folder Options.

These two files are title NAME in the menu Rec: Scene Name/Number.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

The Drive Directory (File Viewer)

From within the Drive Directory, navigate between storage media, folders, and ﬁ les. View ﬁ le properties and select ﬁ les for playback. The Drive Directory always exits to the main LCD display whether entered from the Setup Menu or via the Take List.

The left side of the File Viewer displays storage media, folders, and ﬁ les. The top line displays the directory path in the form of DRIVE\FOLDER NAME and the right side displays ﬁ le or folder properties depending on what is selected on the left hand side. File and folder names are listed in the order in which they were recorded.

Navigation

Moving from ﬁ le to ﬁ le is similar to navigating among ﬁ les on a computer. To access the Drive Directory perform the following:

1. From the Main screen, press the HDD key to access the Take List.

2. Press the soft DRV (HDD) key to access the Drive Directory. The Drive Directory will open immediately to the location of the last take recorded or played back. Note: For quick access to the Drive Directory from the Main Screen, simply press the HDD key twice.

3. Use the Multi Function Rotary Switch to scroll through ﬁ les and folders. Select “\.. ” at the top of the

list to move up one menu level. For quick access to the Root Directory press the soft

(MENU) key.

4. Select either HDD, CF or EXT and scroll down through the directory to the required ﬁ le. Should CF or EXT not be connected, the media will be crossed out in the media select screen.

Larger ﬁ les on slower media can take longer to display details; this is normal. Unrecognized File types do not appear in the ﬁ le viewer, although all folders are viewable.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Selecting Files for Playback

Enter the Drive Directory and navigate to the desired ﬁ le for playback. Once the desired ﬁ le is highlighted, press play. The 788T will playback according to what has been selected in the PLAY : AUTOPLAY MODE Setup Menu option. If a monophonic ﬁ le is selected, the 788T will playback all associated monophonic ﬁ les from the same take simultaneously. See Playback.

Folder Options Menu

The Folder Options Menu is accessed by pressing the soft OPTIONS (FAST FORWARD) key for any folder in the Drive Directory. Here it is possible to rename folders, set and clear copy ﬂ ags, and delete folders.

Operations performed within the Drive Directory Folder Options Menu are only applied to the select media, as deﬁ ned in the directory path. To apply edits across all available media, operations must be performed within the Take List. See Take Edit Menu.

Rename Folders

Folder names can be edited after recording has taken place. To rename a folder:

1. Enter the Drive Directory.

2. Highlight the desired folder to be renamed.

3. Press the soft OPTIONS (FAST FORWARD) key to access the Folder Options Menu..

4. Select Rename.

5. Rename the folder and press the soft Check Mark (TONE) key to save the new ﬁ le name

Set and Clear Copy Flags

Copy Flags are useful for selecting various takes to be copied from one media to another. By default, Takes recorded by the 788T have their Copy Flag set to On. If the Setup Menu option FILE: COPY FLAG RESET is enabled the Copy Flags will automatically clear after the ﬁ le has been copied from one media to another. See File Copying Among Available Media. Setting and Clearing Flags from the Folder Options menu only changes the Copy ﬂ ag status on the select media. If changing the ﬂ ag status across all media is desired, perform the Set/Clr Copy Flag operation in the Take List.

To set or clear Copy Flags from the Drive Directory Folder Options Menu:

1. Select a media or folder in the Drive Directory.

2. Press the soft OPTIONS (FAST FORWARD) key, then choose Set Copy Flag or Clr Copy Flag respectively. If the media or folder contains sub-folders, the 788T will display the following prompt:

Delete Folders

Any folder located on any of the storage media, can be deleted. Permanently deleting folders is a two-step process. Similar to Mac OS and Windows operating systems, the 788T uses a “trash” folder to temporarily hold ﬁ les which have been deleted. To send a folder and all of its contents to the trash, perform the following:

1. Enter the Drive Directory.

2. Navigate to the folder to be deleted.

3. Press the soft OPTIONS (Fast Forward) key.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

4. Select DELETE.

5. You will be prompted to conﬁ rm folder deletion.

The ﬁ le has now been moved to the select media’s trash folder and will no longer appear in the Drive Directory. It will, however, appear in the trash folder. Files sent the trash folder can still be viewed and played.

If a folder has accidentally been sent to the trash, the drive can be mounted to a computer via FireWire/USB and moved back to its original folder. Folders moved to the trash cannot be removed from the trash directly from the 788T.

Folders deleted from the Folder Options Menu are only deleted from the select media, as deﬁ ned in the directory path. To Delete ﬁ les across all available media, Delete must be performed within the Take List.

See Take Edit Menu for more details.

File Options Menu

The File Options Menu is accessed by pressing the soft OPTIONS (FAST FORWARD) key for any ﬁ le in the Drive Directory. User Settings can be recalled from any WAV ﬁ le recorded by the 788T postﬁ rmware revision 2.18. See Saving and Recalling User Settings

Drive Directory Options Menu

All drive speciﬁ c operations are performed in the Drive Directory Options Menu, with the exception of the Drive Speed Tests. Drive Speed Tests are performed within the Setup Menu option DRIVE : SPEED TEST S . The following functions are performed within the Drive Directory Options Menu:

• Rename (the Drive/Folder)

• Set Copy Flags

• Clear Copy Flags

Perform the following steps to the access the Drive Directory Options Menu.

1. Access the Drive Directory and navigate to the Root Directory. See Navigation for additional steps.

4. Highlight the desired Drive.

5. Press the soft Options (Fast Forward) key to access the Drive Directory Options Menu.

• Empty Trash (and False Takes)

• Erase (Formats the Drive)

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Set and Clear Copy Flags

Copy Flags are useful for selecting various takes to be copied from one media to another. By default, Takes recorded by the 788T have their Copy Flag set to On. If the Setup Menu option FILE: COPY FLAG RESET is enabled the Copy Flags will automatically clear after the ﬁ le has been copied from one media to another. from the Drive Options Menu changes the Copy ﬂ ag status of all ﬁ les on the select media. If changing the ﬂ ag status for select takes is desired, perform the Set/Clr Copy Flag operation in the Take List.

To set or clear Copy Flags from the Drive Options Menu:

1. Select a media or folder in the Drive Directory.

2. Press the soft OPTIONS (FAST FORWARD) key, then choose Set Copy Flag or Clr Copy Flag respectively. If the media or folder contains sub-folders, the 788T will display the following prompt:

See File Copying Among Available Media. Setting and Clearing Flags

Emptying the Trash

Files and folders that have been moved to the Trash or False Takes folders can be permanently deleted from each media. Each drive has its own Trash folder and False Takes folder that are permanently deleted independently from the Drive Directory Options Menu.

Once the trash folder has been emptied, any ﬁ les or folders it contained are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. After the trash folder has been emptied, a prompt to empty the false takes folder is displayed.

Erase (Media Format)

For best operation periodic re-formatting of the 788T media is recommended. Formatting the internal drive, Compact Flash, and external media rebuilds the FAT (ﬁ le allocation table) and erases all audio and data ﬁ les present on the medium. Formatting media prevents fragmentation and reduces the likelihood of directory corruption.

Be certain that all ﬁ les on the drive have been backed up to another media before formatting. Once formatted, all data on the given media will be erased. Dynamic lists such as track names, scene names, folder name entries, etc... will be saved.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

To format the 788T media:

1. Ensure that all data on the drive has been copied or is no longer needed.

2. Press the HDD key to access the Take List.

3. Press the soft DRV (HDD) key to access the Drive Directory.

4. Press the soft

5. Use the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to highlight the desired media to be formatted.

6. Press the soft Options (Fast Forward) key to access the Drive Directory Options Menu.

7. Select the ERASE option from the list.

8. To verify that a non-recoverable format of the storage device is desired, two keys must be pressed to begin formatting. Press and hold down the PLAY key to enable the Check Mark.

9. Press the soft Check Mark (TONE) key to begin formatting.

(MENU) key to access the Root Directory.

Press and hold down the PLAY key

Press the TONE key to begin formatting

When the operation is complete, the 788T will generate a fresh menu hierarchy. Dynamic lists such as track names, scene names, folder options, etc. will be saved.

Storage Media – Internal Drive

The 788T and 788T-SSD internal drive is the primary storage medium. The large capacity and fast data read/write speeds of hard drives and solid state drives are a perfect choice when long form, high data rate recording is performed. These drives offer a good balance of speed, reliability, noise performance, and current draw.

The drive installed in the 788T is formatted at the factory as a single-partition FAT32 volume. If a drive with multiple partitions is installed, the 788T will only “see” and address the primary partition.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

788T Drive Type

The 788T ships with a 2.5-inch, 5400 RPM hard drive with a SATA interface. Sound Devices has chosen the speciﬁ c mechanism for vibration and shock resistance. Most 2.5 inch drives conforming to the SATA speciﬁ cation can be substituted for the factory hard drive. When choosing a substitute hard drive, note that higher RPM hard drives draw more current, reducing battery run time. Higher speed drives may be used with the 788T, however they will not signiﬁ cantly improve performance. They will slightly increase transfer throughput with the penalty of increased current draw and reduced battery run time. The 788T can address drives with capacities up to 2 TB.

788T-SSD Drive Type

The 788T-SSD ships with an upgraded 2.5-inch Solid State Drive (SSD) with a SATA interface. Upgrading to an SSD further enhances the performance and reliability of the recorder. SSD mechanisms allow for faster transfer speeds, ultra-quiet performance, and maximum vibration and shock resistance.

Drive Replacement

The internal drive can be removed and replaced if the device fails or if a different capacity drive is needed. The internal drive is not intended to be a swappable, deliverable medium. Its SATA connector is not rated for repeated insertion and removal cycles and may be prone to breakage with repeated cycling.

In typical service conditions Sound Devices recommends hard drive replacement once every three years.

The internal drive is mounted to the bottom-side of the recorder’s chassis and is screwdriver accessible. The drive is “suspended” in the unit with a shock absorbing foam and is attached to the main circuit board via a “ﬂ ex board”. Since the high-density circuitry and tight construction require specific electronics knowledge, Sound Devices strongly recommends drive replacement be performed by a qualiﬁ ed technician using proper ESD precautions. Drive replacement done by a qualiﬁ ed technician has no warranty implications.

788T with bottom panel removed showing drive mounting location

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Storage Medium – Removable CompactFlash

CompactFlash (CF) is a practical, portable storage media for audio recording. Its speed, capacity, and price continue to evolve to the beneﬁ t of portable recorders. The 788T can write to and read from CF cards as either its sole storage media or simultaneously with the internal drive.

When to Use CF

The key beneﬁ ts of CompactFlash include:

• wider temperature range capability than hard drives

• greatly increased shock immunity versus hard drives

• convenient, portable, removable media

• ubiquitous card readers and transfer tools

• more power efﬁ cient than hard drives and solid state drives

Formatting

Upon insertion of an unformatted (or non-FAT32 formatted) CF card, the 788T will prompt the user to format the card. If the card is formatted as a FAT32 volume, the card will be ready to be selected.

To reformat the CF media see Erase (Media Formatting) in the Drive Directory Options Menu. The 788T can

format and use CompactFlash cards with capacities of 128 MB and greater.

Formatting the CF rebuilds the FAT (ﬁ le allocation table) and erases all audio and data ﬁ les present on the card. While some PC and Mac utilities can recover ﬁ les immediately after formatting a CF card, consider that the ﬁ les have been permanently erased. FAT32 volumes generated by the 788T may not be compatible with some consumer electronic devices, including entry-level digital cameras.

After recording has stopped, it may take several seconds for the 788T to ﬁ nish “housekeeping” on CF. When preparing to remove the CF, always observe the CF activity LED. If it is lit yellow or red, wait until it turns green before removing the card. If the CF is removed while the LED is yellow or red, there is a possibility of ﬁ le or FAT corruption.

Speed Testing

CF cards varied widely in their read and write throughput. Later generation “24x” and greater CF cards can reliably read and write multi-track, high sample rate audio. We recommend the use of UDMA x300 CF cards for 8+ track recording. The 788T includes a drive speed test to measure the throughput speed of CF medium.

Qualiﬁ ed CF Cards

Sound Devices does not speciﬁ cally “qualify” CompactFlash cards for use in the recorder. Some older CF cards are known to have compatibility issues with the 788T. These cards cannot be formatted or addressed by the recorder.

The 788T supports the use of ultra fast UDMA Compact Flash cards ideal for recording multi-track, high data rate digital audio. The unit will support up to 2 TB of data. Small capacity cards may not format as FAT32 and may not be usable. Use the CF transfer speed test to verify that an installed card can support the needed read/write speed.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Storage Medium – External FireWire Drives

The FireWire ports on the 788T can function in either “host” mode or “drive” mode. See File Transfer

to a Computer. In host mode, an attached FireWire storage volume such as a hard drive or DVD-RAM

can be used to record and play back audio ﬁ les. Because the 788T can write to all available mediums simultaneously, the ability to write to an external drive reduces the need for post-record copying of sound ﬁ les.

External hard drive is attached

When to Use External FireWire Drives

The key beneﬁ ts of recording external drives include:

• the choice of drive types include DVD-RAM optical drives or hard drives

• near limitless storage capacity when a large volume external hard drive is attached (up to 2 TB)

• fast, no-waiting simultaneous record option

• post-record copying to quickly back up the internal drive or CF medium

Formatting

Identical to both the internal drive and CompactFlash, attached FireWire drives are formatted as FAT32 volumes. Upon connection to an unformatted (or non-FAT32 formatted) external drive, the 788T will prompt the user to format the drive. If the drive is already formatted as a FAT32 volume the drive can be selected as a recording destination. The front panel drive LED will illuminate to show which drives are available for recording. To reformat the external media see Erase (Media Format-

ting) in the Drive Directory Options Menu.

After recording to an external drive has stopped, it may take several seconds for the 788T to ﬁ nish “housekeeping” on drive. This is especially true when recording to DVD-RAM disks, which generally have slower throughput than hard drives. When preparing to disconnect a FireWire drive, always observe the activity LED labeled EX. If it is yellow, wait until it turns green before disconnecting the drive. If the drive is disconnected while the LED is yellow, there is a possibility of ﬁ le or FAT corruption.

FireWire Bus Powering

The FireWire 400 and 800 ports on the 788T provides power for bus-powered FireWire drives. The following conditions should be observed when connecting to bus-powered drives.

• Bus powering a drive requires external DC powering of the 788T, however, the 788T can bus-

power select lower power devices such as a CF card reader from Li-ion power. Sound Devices recommends using the supplied XL-WPH3 in-line power supply when bus-powering external storage media such as hard drives and DVD-RAM burners.

• While hot-swapping FireWire cables is possible, Sound Devices recommends making connec-

tions to bus-powered drives with the recorder turned Off.

The 788T does not require the XL-1394 FireWire Power Conditioning Cable accessory used with the 702, 702T, 722, and 744T recorders. The power conditioning circuitry is integrated into the 788T’s design.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Qualiﬁ ed Drives

External FireWire storage volumes that can be formatted and addressed as FAT32 can be used with the 788T. These include:

• external hard drives, bus-powered or mains powered. Drives as large as 2 TB can be addressed,

• FireWire CompactFlash card readers,

• DVD-RAM drives.

FireWire drives use a variety of chipsets to perform conversion from the drive’s native format (i.e. IDE) to FireWire. To check for compatibility with the 788T attach a FireWire drive and run the media speed test selected from the Setup Menu. This will write, then read a ﬁ le to the drive. If the drive can perform this test then it can be used to record audio.

DVD-RAM Drives

DVD-RAM drives, such as the XL-DVDRAM, are essentially optical hard drives. The 788T supports recording to and playing back from DVD-RAM drives when formatted as FAT32 volumes.

When recording to DVD-RAM drives in real time, it is important to note the following:

1. Record to polyphonic ﬁ le formats.

2. Use DVD-RAM drives and media that support 5X recording speeds.

3. Only record to a DVD-RAM drive when it is on a stable surface. Unpredictable results may occur if the DVD-RAM drive is moved while in operation.

4. Avoid recording to DVD-RAM when recording higher track counts.

5. Keep sampling rates at or below 48048.

File Copying Among Available Media

Audio ﬁ les can be transferred between the 788T’s internal drive, CF, and external drives. File transfer is initiated from the Setup Menu option FILE : COPY FILE S

The File Copy menu has numerous options for each media type:

Copy All [Media] > [Media]:

Copies all ﬁ les from one media to the other.

Last 24Hr [Media] > [Media]:

Copies ﬁ les created in the last 24 hours from one media to the other.

Last 48Hr [Media] > [Media]:

Copies ﬁ les created in the last 48 hours from one media to the other.

Flagged [Media] > [Media]:

Copies all ﬁ les with their Copy Flag set from one media to the other.

Once ﬁ le copying has begun, the 788T searches the source media for the selected ﬁ les. The 788T will then search the destination drive looking for duplicate ﬁ le names. The LCD will report the number of ﬁ les found, the number of duplicates found, and the number of ﬁ les to be copied and prompt to continue.

Pressing the soft Check Mark (TONE) key or pressing in on the Multi-Function Rotary Switch begins the copy process. The LCD will report the progress of the copy operation. When ﬁ le copying is complete, the 788T will report the number of ﬁ les successfully copied.

Copying Individual Files

Clear Copy Flags from all the ﬁ les on the 788T internal drive from the Drive Options Menu.

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Individual ﬁ le copying is done using the Copy Flagged Files function. Files generated by the 7-Series automatically have their Copy Flags set. By default, these ﬂ ags are cleared once the ﬁ le has been copied to another drive. Before selecting individual takes to be copied make sure that all other Copy Flags have been cleared on that drive.

Select takes to be copied by setting their Copy Flags. Then copy ﬂ agged ﬁ les from one media to another in the Setup Menu option File: Copy Files. The following tech note is a step by step description of how to copy individual ﬁ les from the internal drive to the CompactFlash using a 7-Series Recorder.

Clear Copy Flags from all the ﬁ les on the 788T internal drive from the Drive Options Menu.

1. From the Main Display, press the HDD key twice to access the Drive Directory.

2. Press the Menu key to jump to the Root Directory.

3. Highlight the HDD.

4. Press the Options (Fast Forward) key to access the Drive Options Menu.

5. Highlight and select Clr Copy Flag from the list.

6. A prompt appears asking “Do you want to include subfolders?” press the check mark (tone) key.

7. Press X (Brightness) key to exit the Drive Options Menu.

Set Copy Flags for individual takes from the Take List.

1. From the Main Display, press HDD to enter the Take List.

2. Highlight the Take to be copied.

3. Press the Edit (Play) key to access the Take Edit Menu.

4. Highlight and select Set Copy Flag.

5. Press X (Brightness) key to exit the Take Edit Menu.

Copy Flagged Files to a select media from the Setup Menu.

1. From the Main Display, press the Menu key to access the Setup Menu.

2. Navigate to the Setup Menu Option File: Copy Files.

3. Highlight and select the option Flagged INHDD > CF.

Error Conditions:

If a ﬁ le is too large for the destination storage media, the 788T will prompt to skip that ﬁ le and continue with the next or abort copying all together. If an error occurs while copying, the 788T will prompt to cancel the transfer. When the destination storage media is full, the 788T will report the error and end the ﬁ le transfer.

File Transfer to Computer

WORD/VID IN

DCIN MENU SELECT

ANALOGBALLINE OUTS

UNBAL

5,6

10-18V

FW800

FW400

USB

SYNC

BALAES

OUT

() +

PIN4

()

PIN1

WORDOUT

1,2 3,4

TIMECODE

MENU SELECT

ANALOGBALLINE OUTS

UNBAL

5,6

WORD/VIDIN

DCIN 10-18V

FW800

FW400

USB

SYNC

BALAES OUT

() +

PIN4

()

PIN1

WORDOUT

1,2 3,4

TIMECODE

MENU SELECT

FW800

ANALOGBALLINE OUTS

BALAES

UNBAL

5,6

1,2 3,4

WORD/VID IN

DCIN 10-18V

FW400

USB

SYNC

OUT

() +

PIN4

()

PIN1

WORDOUT

TIMECODE

FW800

FireWire 400FireWire 800

FW400

USB

The 788T’s data transfer ports makes transferring recorded ﬁ les to a computer quick and easy. When connected to a computer, the 788T’s internal drive and CompactFlash card will mount to a Mac OS

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

X or Windows computer as a local, removable mass storage volumes. Using Mac Finder, Windows Explorer, or any other ﬁ le utility, ﬁ les can be copied, read, and deleted directly to and from the 788T internal drive.

The 788T FireWire ports automatically detect whether the 788T is connected to a computer for FireWire ﬁ le transfer or to an external drive. The USB connection serves two purposes. It can be set in the Setup Menu option CONNECTION MODE to connect to a computer as a mass storage device or to connect to Wave Agent. When connected to Wave Agent a user can view 12-Track Metering, Time Code display, and perform record and stop commands from the computer. See Wave Agent for more

details.

When connected to a computer for ﬁ le transfer, the MENU and HDD keys are disabled. The 788T remains functional in the areas listed below, thus permitting various operations including A/D and D/A conversion, routing (mixing), recording to an external device, time code and sync generation and monitoring.

• Analog and digital I/O

• Headphone monitoring

• Metering

• Input gain controls

• Input Mutes

• Routing

• Time code

• Sync

• Battery charging

It is best practice to copy original audio ﬁ les from the original recorded medium to another volume before editing.

To mount the 788T to a computer:

1. Stop all playback and recording activity.

2. Make certain the 788T battery is fully charged, or connect to external DC.

3. Connect the 788T to the host computer with a FireWire 400, FireWire 800, or USB cable. If connecting

with a USB cable make sure that the Setup Menu option CONNECTION MODE is set to Connect as Mass Storage. No drivers are required if the computer meets the requirements.

See Speciﬁ cations.

5. If the 788T doesn’t search for the computer connection, initialize the FireWire/USB connec-

tion by entering the Setup Menu option CONNECTION MODE and select Connect as Mass Storage or

simply press and hold the STOP key then press the HDD key. The 788T will enter File Transfer mode, indicated by FIREWIRE/USB CONNECTION on the LCD display. All functions of the 788T are stopped while the 788T is connected to a computer.

6. Navigate to either the internal drive or CF card from the computer and copy all needed audio ﬁ les to local storage on the computer.

To avoid possible directory corruption on the 788T internal drive, always properly dismount the unit from the operating system. On Mac platforms, drag the drive icons to the trash. On Windows

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788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

platforms, use the “Eject”, “Safely Remove”, or “Disconnect External Media” icon in the system tray.

To disconnect the 788T from the computer:

1. Make certain that any software applications that reference the 788T drive are closed and that all ﬁ le copy functions to and from the 788T have completed.

2. In Mac OS X highlight the drive icon on the desktop and select -e to eject the volume. Alternatively, drag the drive icon to the trash in the dock. In Windows, right-click the drive icon and select “eject.”

3. The cable between the computer and 788T can now be disconnected. If a future connection is going to be made the cable can be left connected.

If the 788T is disconnected from the computer via an eject command and the chosen cable is still physically connected between the computer and recorder, the data connection can be made by entering the Setup Menu option CONNECT I ON MODE and selecting Connect as Mass Storage. Alternatively, simultaneously press the STOP and HDD keys to begin a connection.

Do not remove the CompactFlash card while FIREWIRE/USB: CONNECTION appears in the LCD.

Powering

The 788T is powered from either removable, Li-ion rechargeable batteries or external DC power. The included, removable 7.2 V Li-ion cell can be used as a primary or backup power source. The 788T automatically chooses the power source based on the voltage level of the external power supply. If it falls below a factory-set threshold, the unit will transition to Li-ion power. The transition between external and removable battery powering is seamless and has no affect on recording or playback operation.

Run times can vary considerably from one to four hours when powering the 788T with the included 4600 mAh Li-ion battery. Run times are dependent on setup. See Power Consumption Variables.

Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery

The 788T is compatible with Sony L-mount Li-ion rechargeable batteries. Numerous power capacities are available in these battery types, ranging from 1000 mAh to 7000 mAh. The 788T’s mount accommodates unlimited battery depth. Larger amp-hour cells provide more run time.

When powered by the removable Li-ion battery the LCD displays the battery voltage. The nominal operating voltage for Li-ion batteries is 7.2 V, with operating voltages ranging between 6.5–8.5 V. When the voltage drops to 6.9 V, the voltage display on the LCD will begin ﬂ ashing and the power LED will also ﬂ ash red to warn that the battery is nearly depleted. When the voltage reaches 6.5 volts the 788T will power down—any recordings in-process will automatically close (stop).

External Powering and Battery Charging

The 788T can be powered externally from 10–18 VDC (4 amp minimum). DC input uses a 4-pin Hirose connector (Part # HR10-7P4P). External DC fully powers the unit and charges an attached Li-ion battery simultaneously using the 788T’s onboard Li-ion charger.

Pin-1 of the external DC input is at the same ground potential as chassis and signal ground.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

In the Setup Menu option POWER: BAT TER Y CHARGER , the charger circuit can be set to operate only when the unit is off, only when the unit is on, always, or never. If the 788T is set to use any of the External Power Functions, the options Off and Charge Only When Unit Is On will be crossed out.

When power is applied, the charging circuit evaluates the battery condition and supplies charging current, if necessary. Once the battery is fully charged, the charger will turn Off. Large capacity cells increase the charge time.

With an external DC source applied, the Power LED will indicate the battery charging status.

Power LED Activity Description of Activity

Off Unit is Off, charger is disabled

Solid Amber Unit is Off, battery is fully charged

Solid Green Unit is On, battery is fully charged or detached

Solid Green/Flashing Amber Unit is On, battery is charging

Flashing Amber Unit is Off, battery is charging

The voltage level of the source powering the unit is displayed on the main LCD screen in the upper left-hand corner ( ). To account for the wide variety of external powering sources available, the 788T has an adjustable external low battery threshold. Set the low voltage cutoff point in the Setup Menu option POWER: EXT LOW BAT T VO LT according to the power source.

When the 788T senses a low voltage condition from an external DC source, dependent on the userselectable external low battery voltage setting, the voltage level display will ﬂ ash, to alert the user.

Additionally, if a charged L-Mount battery is attached the power LED will illuminate solid yellow to alert the user that the external power source is within 0.5 V of the low voltage threshold and will be switching power sources over to the L-Mount battery when the low voltage threshold is reached.

If no battery is attached, the power LED will ﬂ ash red when the external power source is within 0.5 V of the low voltage threshold to alert the user that the unit will shut down automatically when the low voltage threshold is reached.

Time Code Clock Battery

The 788T has an internal lithium Ion battery to power the time code generator circuitry. When charging from external DC, this battery is charged simultaneously with the Li-ion removable L-Mount battery. If no external DC is connected, the internal Li-ion battery is charged from the removable L-Mount battery.

Accurate time code is held for six hours after power down. The 788T can be powered down and the removable battery can be removed and replaced without worry of time code jumps or inaccuracy. When the internal Li-ion Ion cell reaches a factory-set voltage, the time code generator will shut off and the time-of-day clock will take over, holding time and date indeﬁ nitely

788T maintains accurate time code for six hours after power-down.

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Auto Functions with External Powering

The 788T can perform several functions when DC power is applied and removed from the recorder. External power functionality is set in the Setup Menu option POWER: EXT POWER FUNCTION. Op- tions available include:

• Power On Unit – unit will turn on and be ready for operation.

• Power On and Begin Recording – unit will power on and begin recording with the settings

used when previously powered down.

• Power On, Power Off Unit – external DC functions as the on/off switch.

• Power On and Begin Recording, Power Off – unit will power on and begin recording, then

turn off when power is removed.

These functions are useful when the unit is part of a production kit powered by a single power source. A single power switch can be used to power on the whole kit.

In addition to the internal record timer, the auto functions (power on/begin record/power off) can be used for more extensive unattended recording control. Using an outboard timer attached to a DC supply the 788T can be placed and activated to record events including EFX or nature, and for surveillance applications.

Power Consumption Variables

The 788T draws power from either its on-board Li-ion battery or from external DC sources. Two factors need to be considered to calculate battery runtime—battery/power supply capacity and unit power consumption. The best determination of your run time is to experiment with a given recording setup.

The 788T power consumption varies over a range between 4 W to 20 W (12 volts), depending on active functions. The following functions have the most signiﬁ cant affect on power consumption:

Inputs

Drive Activity When the unit is recording to or playing back from the internal drive, power consumption

Microphone Powering Phantom powered microphones draw power for operation. Up to 4 W can be drawn from the

Battery Chargers Depending on the charge state of the on-board Li-ion, the charging circuit can draw ~10 W

Meter Brightness

LCD Backlight

If the Setup Menu option POWER: BAT TER Y CHARGER is set to any mode that charges the battery while the unit is off, the 788T will use 390 mW while powered down.

Active inputs increase power consumption. If recording solely to input 1 and input 2, disable inputs 3-8 to reduce power consumption. Analog inputs and the microphone preamps draw current whether they are idle or active. Active inputs draw 1.5 W compared to deactivated inputs.

raises by approximately 2 W. Recording to CF only will greatly reduce power consumption.

phantom supply.

from external DC. When the 788T is on, the internal Li-ion time code battery is charged from the removable L-mount battery if an external DC source is not connected.. This may slightly reduce the removable battery’s run time.

The LED brightness can be lowered to conserve power.

The backlight can be defeated to conserve power.

Firmware Upgrades

The 788T uses upgradable EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) to hold its operating software, or ﬁ rmware. Firmware is the source code which controls all aspects of the device, including: menu options, signal routing, signal processing, LED’s, keys, and switches, and data ports.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Version Information

During manufacturing the hardware revision number and serial number are burned into a protected area of the EEPROM and cannot be altered. The serial number, FireWire (IEEE-1394) revision, and current ﬁ rmware revision can be viewed in the Setup Menu option INFO:VERSION.

The 788T ﬁ rmware version and unit serial numbers are written to the data chunk of every WAV audio ﬁ le generated by the 788T.

Firmware upgrades usually preserve all user Setup Menu settings. However, save a snapshot of the settings to a Setup ﬁ le on the internal drive or CF. After upgrading the ﬁ rmware, restore settings from this ﬁ le. Some ﬁ rmware updates may make changes to user setups; verify all user setups after an upgrade.

Upgrading Firmware

From time to time, Sound Devices may issue revisions (new versions) of ﬁ rmware for the 788T. Firmware is user-upgradeable. To upgrade ﬁ rmware follow these steps.

1. Download the ﬁ rmware ﬁ le from the Sound Devices web site.

2. Transfer the ﬁ rmware ﬁ le (it will be named VERSION _ NUMBER.PRG) to the 788T internal drive via

FireWire/USB or onto a CF card. If there are multiple ﬁ rmware ﬁ les on the media, the 788T will indicate the ﬁ rmware ﬁ le listed to apply. To prevent confusion, ensure that there is only one ﬁ rmware ﬁ le available on either 788T media.

3. Enter the Setup Menu option UPDATE SOFTWARE. You will be prompted to search for the ﬁ rmware ﬁ le.

4. If a valid ﬁ rmware ﬁ le is present on either the internal drive or CF the recorder will prompt if the path is the proper ﬁ le to use. Press the Multi-Function Rotary Switch or the soft Check Mark (TONE).

5. To verify that the PRG ﬁ le selected is correct, the 788T will ask “Are you sure?” Press the Multi-Function Rotary Switch or the soft Check Mark (TONE) key to say yes.

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

6. The 788T will begin to program the ﬁ rmware upgrade. Progress is indicated with a bar graph.

7. The 788T will automatically verify that the software update was a success.

8. When the programming and verify process is complete, the 788T will prompt to power cycle. Press the

Multi-Function Rotary Switch or the soft Check Mark (TONE) key to power down the 788T.

9. After the 788T shuts down completely, press the PWR key.

10. Verify the ﬁ rmware version using the Setup Menu option INFO: VERSION.

11. Verify any recording parameters.

12. It is best practice to download the latest user guide from the Sound Devices web site, since the changes to functionality are documented.

Remote Control

The 788T provides remote control functionality using a USB keyboard, Logic Input/Output via the rear panel DE-15 connector, the Sound Devices CL-1 Remote Roll Accessory, Sound Devices CL-2 Remote Fader, the Sound Devices CL-8 Controller, the CL-9 Linear Fader Controller, and Sound Devices Wave Agent.

The USB Keyboard Input is available to plug in a standard USB keyboard to control the 788T. Front panel controls and menu selections on the 788T can be mapped to keyboard shortcuts, allowing for full keyboard control of the recorder. Sound Devices has tested and recommends the following USB keyboards:

• A4Tech KL-5UP (http://www.a4tech.com)

• Kensington K64366 (http://us.kensington.com)

• Adesso ACK-595U (http://www.adesso.com)

Keyboards with internal USB hubs do not function with the 788T.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information

Keyboard Assignments

Menu Keys

Standard keyboard shortcuts have been pre-assigned and are listed below.

Shortcut Key Function

Escape

Enter

Up Arrow

Down Arrow

Left Arrow

Right Arrow

CTRL + Up Arrow

CTRL + Down Arrow

Page Up

Page Down

Home

End

Delete

Insert

Custom Assignment “Hot Key”

01 - 99 (number sequence)

Cancel – Exits without saving in all menus

Ok – Saves and exits in all menus (Check Mark or Edit)

Mirrors the LCD Up Arrow in all menus

Mirrors the LCD Down Arrow in all menus

Mirrors the LCD REWIND Arrow in all menus Custom Route User Interface – Un-assign Route Time Menu – Moves to previous field

Mirrors the LCD FAST FORWARD Arrow in all menus Custom Route User Interface – Assign Route. InRoute User Interface – Edit if on ‘Custom Route’ File User Interface – Selects Options for Folders/Files when displayed Shortcut Edit User Interface – Edit shortcut if on shortcut number Scene/Track Lists – Edits (Same as pressing the Play key) Time Menu – Moves to next field.

Setup User Interface Menu: Moves to the previous category

Setup User Interface Menu: Moves to the next category

Setup User Interface Menu: Moves to the previous category or marker

Setup User Interface Menu:- Moves to the next category or marker Shortcut Edit User Interface Menu: Same as Enter

Enters the Setup Menu

Setup User Interface Menu: Moves to the top of the list. File User Interface: Moves to the top of the list Shortcut Edit User Interface : Goes to first shortcut number or Hot Key String User Interface: Goes to the beginning of the string

Setup User Interface Menu: Moves to the bottom of the list. Shortcut Edit User Interface: Goes to last shortcut number or Hot Key String User Interface: Goes to the end of the string being edited

Scene/Track Lists: Deletes entry when permitted String User Interface: Deletes character when permitted

Setup User Interface Menu: Toggles Markers String User Interface: Inserts a space when permitted

Shortcut Edit User Interface Menu: Selects Hot Key In Set Key Mode Global: Executes Command if function is assigned to Hot Key

Setup User Interface Menu: Jumps to menu list number. Shortcut User Interface Menu: Jumps to shortcut number.

String Edits & Take Name/Number (Renaming & Notes)

Hot Key Function

ASCII Characters

Backspace

Delete

Enter

CTRL + Enter

Insert

v. 2.19 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

Scene: Inserts and moves to next character. Take – ‘0-9’ – Inserts Number, ‘A-Z’ – Inserts space character

Deletes the previous character and moves one character to the left

Deletes the currently selected character Take: Same as ‘Reset’ (PLAY key)

Carriage Return if permitted, otherwise Ok: Saves and exits

Ok: Saves and exits. (Only when Carriage Return is permitted.)

Inserts a space character when permitted

Sound Devices 788T User manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual