Recording MP3 Transcription Files on the 552

News magazine, interview, and reality productions often require transcription recordings with corresponding time code. With its built-in recorder and time code reader the 552 can easily accommodate this requirement. Read the rest of this entry »

PIX Video Recorder FAQ

At its recent introduction at the April 2011 NAB show, PIX recorders generated a great deal of interest and questions. Below are a few of the more common questions covering the PIX 220 and PIX 240 Video Recorders. Read the rest of this entry »

USBPre 2 ASIO Drivers for Windows Available

Sound Devices has introduced Windows ASIO drivers for the USBPre 2. With the addition of ASIO, the USBPre 2 can now connect to popular DAW software platforms in Windows, such as ProTools 9. Read the rest of this entry »

CL-WiFi FAQ

Since its release, Sound Devices has received a wide range of questions about the CL-WiFi control software for the 788T. Below are a few of most common ones.

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788T Firmware Revision 2.14 Available

Version 2.14 introduced several new features and addresses selected bugs. Read the rest of this entry »

USBPre in Mac OS 10.6.6

The latest release of Mac OS, revision 10.6.6, has restored operation of the USBPre in Mac OS. Revision 10.6.5 continues to be problematic with the USBPre. Update to 10.6.6 using the software update utility under the Apple menu.

USBPre Connectivity with Mac OS 10.6.5

With the release of Mac OS 10.6.5 in November, 2010, the original USBPre is experiencing connectivity problems, resulting in the device not operational with this revision. Read the rest of this entry »

USBPre 2 Firmware 1.01 Update Available

A new revision of firmware, version 1.01 is available for the USBPre 2. This firmware changes the following:

  • Fixed – Locks to S/PDIF sample rate of 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, and 176.4 kHz in stand-alone mode.
  • Added – Output sample rate, bit depth, and category code included in S/PDIF channel status bits for increased compatibility with S/PDIF inputs.

Download the firmware installing application for Mac OS and Windows here.

USBPre 2 with Apple iPad

The USBPre 2 can be used as an audio input and out device with Apple’s iPad. An iPad running IOS 3.2 and 4.2 can use USB Class-Compliant audio devices, such as the USBPre 2 for audio I/O. Read the rest of this entry »

High Sampling Rates with USBPre 2

For many specialized applications, sampling at rates higher than 48 kHz is a requirement. Read the rest of this entry »

788T Firmware Revision 2.13 Available

Firmware revision 2.13 is now available for immediate download and installation. 2.13 is highly recommended for all 788T users and corrects a critical, low-level bug in 2.10 which could cause audible artifacts in recorded audio.

Download 2.13 for the 788T here.

788T Firmware 2.10 Removed from Availability

Firmware revision 2.10 for the 788T has been removed from availability. This is due to a reported behavior of audible artifacts in recorded material and the possibility of a connected CL-8 and CL-9 becoming temporarily unresponsive. Firmware revision 2.03 does not exhibit this behavior and units running 2.10 should be reverted to 2.03 if this behavior is experienced. When a resolution is available, new firmware will be made available to re-introduce the features and fixes present in 2.10. Read the rest of this entry »

702, 702T, 722, 744T Firmware 2.66 Now Available

Firmware revision 2.66 for the 702, 702T, 722, 744T Digital Recorders is now available for download. This update addresses a bug in which the recorder’s drive(s) would would not properly mount when connected via FireWire to Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard).

788T Linking with Multiple 7-Series Recorders

788T firmware revision 2.10 introduces the ability to link multiple 788T recorders for simultaneous, synchronous recording. It also allows linking the 788T with other Sound Devices 7-Series recorders including the 702, 702T, 722 and 744T. This is ideal for applications requiring higher track counts or synchronized backups. Read the rest of this entry »

Wave Agent 1.15 Now Available

Wave Agent version 1.15 is now available for download. This new version adds the following:

  • new – Control Mode (Previously called Meter Mode) which allows access to the take list and metadata editing across all media on an attached 788T (2.10 firmware).
  • fixed – application startup time improved.

Downloading and installing will update any previous Wave Agent installation.

Tech Tip – User Guides on the Go

If you are one of the millions of users with an iPhone 3G+, late model iPod Touch, or iPad, Sound Devices product User Guides are easily stored and viewed on these portable devices with the latest version of the free iBooks app (version 1.1+). The latest edition of iBooks supports PDF files. Having product documentation close at hand is a helpful reference in the field. Read the rest of this entry »

552 Firmware Version 1.2 Now Available

Revision 1.2 firmware for the 552 is now available for download. This new revision includes a new input mute feature and a minor change to the metadata written to recorded WAV files in absence of time code. Firmware updates for the 552 require an SD card and a card reader to transfer the firmware file. Detailed instructions and complete details on features and changes are on the download page.

How Final Cut and Avid Import BWF Time Code Metadata

Apple Final Cut Pro and Avid Media Composer use Broadcast Wave file time code metadata in different ways. This tech note highlights a few important things to be aware when importing WAV files containing BWF time code into these editing tools. Read the rest of this entry »

Audio Performance of Canon 5D Mark II Camera

Canon’s 5D Mark II will likely go down in history as the camera which forever changed the definition of a still camera, and of a video camera. The full-frame sensor “5DII” demonstrates that one device can successfully be used as both a superb still camera and as a creative motion picture camera.

The 5D II is showing up in applications where 16 mm film and traditional 2/3-inch sensor high-definition video cameras are used, such as talking head interviews, exteriors, landscapes, and the like. Like most video cameras, the 5DII was designed as an imaging device first…and an audio device last.

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788T / CL-8 Firmware Revision 2.0+ Update Notice

788T firmware revision 2.0 and higher includes updated software for the CL-8 which increases its connection reliability. This update is highly recommended for all 788T/CL-8 users. Sound Devices has received reports that a CL-8 can become unresponsive during this firmware update process and during normal operation. An unresponsive CL-8 needs to be reprogrammed by either Sound Devices or select resellers and distributors. Review the steps below for the safest method of updating a 788T and CL-8 system from 1.xx to 2.xx. Read the rest of this entry »