Portable digital eight-track direct-to-disk field recorder with TC
In a few wordsSound Devices 788T recorder is true to the good ergonomics reputation of its manufacturer. Sound Devices has succeeded to put together eight good mike preamps and a digital eight-track 160 Go SATA HDD recorder in a sturdy compact case of the same size as its field mixer 442. Totally versatile, with full Time Code management, the 788T can record and play mono or polyphonic BWF files, at 16 or 24 bits with sample rates between 32 kHz and 48.048 kHz. MP3 audio playback from 64 kb/s to 320 kb/s are also supported.
On the left panel, globally dedicated to analogical inputs, 4 XLR mike/line inputs and 4 additional mike/line inputs on TA3 connectors are front fader controlled. Headphone volume control is also set on this panel.
Right panel is dedicated to powering (10 V to 18 V) and to analogical outputs and data transfers. There, are found: four symmetrical line outputs on TA3 connectors and an additional stereo asymmetrical output on minijack TSR. Two AES output (SPDIF compatible) on TA3, Word-Clock input and output on BNC, Lemo Time Code Ambient connector on Nagra/Aaton standard and the essential Firewire 400 port with additional Firewire 800 and USB 2.0 for data transfer.
On bottom panel, two RJ12 connectors will, in the future, allow to synchronize and control together several 788T recorders.
Eight small-sized LED level-meter, always clearly viewable, and a backlit LCD display, are set on front panel, leaving just room enough for the eight input controls and function keys, which are, however, laid out in a very clever way. A set of colour mini diodes indicates level, input or output various statuses.
Menu navigation is easy thanks to an instant access key. A pressure rotary switch, which is also a monitor control, as on Fostex PD-6 recorder, makes possible to quickly validate selections. Menu organization and display are clear, but, in record and playback modes, too much information makes reading difficult.
Internal Sony L-type Li-Ion battery provides approximately from one to four hours powering, depending on its capacity, so the use of an external battery is highly advised.
Sound Devices has chosen Compact Flash as portable storage medium, unless burning DVD-Ram on an external DVD burner via Firewire/USB connection. A 2 GB card is supplied with the recorder, providing half an hour of 48 KHz/24 bit recording on 8 tracks.
Thus, 788T retains everything that made 744T success, improves it with more truly controllable inputs, (though there is no real input trim nor progressive low-cut filter like on a field mixer), and with a true independent backup medium (DVD-Ram). The 788T remains nevertheless a compact recorder which will be used first on documentary and on feature movies thanks to its Time Code management.
Depending availability, 788T is provided with an AudioBag or PortaBrace bag. |
