In early revisions of firmware for the 702, 702T, 722, 744T, and 788T recorders, a drive repair utility was an available menu item. This utility was removed from the recorders in firmware revision 2.61 (702, 702T, 722, and 744T) and 1.51 (788T).  (more…)

Reliable, rock-solid recording is the single most important design criteria of Sound Devices recorders. 7-Series recorders are built upon a highly-stable, dedicated hardware and firmware foundation. Recording integrity is further enhanced through a process of periodic, automatic file directory and header updates written to disk during recording. This ensures file integrity in the unlikely event of a total loss of power. (more…)

788T firmware version 1.65 introduces the ability to record multiple tracks at 88.2 and 96 kHz sampling rates. These rates are typically used in ultra high fidelity recording applications, such as classical music recording, test & measurement applications, or sound FX recording. (more…)

Sound Devices has released revision 1.05 of its powerful Wave Agent file utility software. This new revision adds several new features and includes numerous bug fixes. Download Wave Agent Beta 1.05 here. (more…)

Before file-based recording technology was introduced for portable recording, planning storage needs was straight forward—buy enough medium (tape) to cover the recording time. In analog, a 7-inch reel at 7-1/2 ips lasts 33 minutes. A 120 minute DAT tape lasts…120 minutes, whether recorded in mono or stereo.

Sound Devices has a powerful web-based record time calculator available here. (more…)

There has been a certain lack of “resolution” on how best to provide time code sync for shooting double-system sound with the popular Panasonic Varicam high-definition camcorder. The VariCam is the commonly used name for Panasonic’s AJ-HDC27 variable frame-rate high-definition video camera. (more…)

The chart below shows speed test results for transfers between a 788T and a MacBook Pro. The selection of storage medium is based on common CompactFlash cards commercially available as of April 11, 2008 (more…)

Q: What sample rate & frame rate should I set my 702T/744T to when recording sound for picture?

The short answer. . .

Set sample and frame rate to what pre-production tells you (and get it in writing!) (more…)

Sound Devices has posted sample files of the latest revision of 7-Series firmware. This sample file repository is available at:
www.sounddevices.com/download/sample-files.htm

With a near complete shift from tape-based digital (DAT) and analog recording formats to file-based digital audio recording formats, the choices of audio file types have exploded. In the recent past, audio engineers would set their DAT recorder to 48 kHz, record its two audio tracks as either dual-mono or stereo, and would then concentrate on the business of getting great sound. With a file-based work flow, there are other elements that need to be considered to ensure a smooth transition from the field or studio to the editing suite. (more…)

Question: What software applications have the ability to recognize the cue markers settable on the 7-series recorders? (more…)

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) is a lossless data compression format available as a file format on 702, 702T, 722, and 744T recorders. The FLAC algorithm is very processor intensive, and subsequently has several limitations. (more…)

MP2 and MP3 sound files generated by a 7-Series recorder running version 2.34 firmware play incorrectly when played back on a 7-Series recorder running 2.34. The file duration is incorrectly calculated, causing the machine to cut short the file playback. Playback is unaffected when using third party hardware and software to play MP2 and MP3 files. (more…)

Q: I am set up to record two-track WAV poly files with my 744T but when I import my files into my DAW there are four tracks, two of which have nothing on them. I feed the recorder a two-channel stereo mix using the line in TA3 connectors on my 744T. I have custom routed inputs 3 and 4 to tracks C and D. Why is my two-track WAV poly setup creating four-track WAV poly files. (more…)

Q: The 7-Series recorders have two options for WAV files, WAV mono and WAV poly. What’s the difference between these two WAV file types? (more…)

Q: How do you handle the 2 GB file size limit that is often associated with .WAV files? Will the file system break a recording seamlessly at a given file size and start a new one without any operator intervention? (more…)

Q: What is the maximum sample rate that the 7-Series recorders support? Do they accept a 24/192 signals from external digital sources? (more…)

With the removal of the file extension “.BWF” on the 7-Series recorders (as of the most current firmware) we have received numerous inquiries about file formats. To clarify, all 7-Series recorders write Broadcast Wave files all the time. (more…)

Q: I’ve made a bunch of recordings of interviews in Russia that the producer wants to have translated with time code. Unfortunately no one is familiar with broadcast wave audio files. I have found a program called Audacity, but it doesn’t read the time code. (more…)

The 702, 702T, 722, and 744T recorders can record to several different file formats to extend record time and reduce file size. A review of the options are discussed in this article. (more…)