Sound Devices has released firmware v3.0 for its 788T field recorder, bringing 192kHz sampling, increased C-Link metadata functionality and added limiters for digital inputs.
Version 3.0 offers Sound Devices 788T users a 192kHz sampling rate for up to four tracks (L through B) recording to one drive. It provides for scene, take, notes, false takes, circle and track name metadata to be synched between C-Linked 788Ts. The new firmware also features digital input limiters for AES3 and AES42 inputs. Additional enhancements include a left/right tone identification mode with a shortcut to toggle the mode on or off, added user-customisable CL-9 encoder adjustments which affect trim gain and EQ frequency, and the option to decode MS into LR Mix only and leave ISO tracks as un-decoded MS.
In addition, v3.0 adds a new timecode mode, Free Run – Auto Output Mute. This is the same as the Free Run mode, but mutes the Lemo time code output when stopped and can be used to roll external devices when the Rec-Run time code is not suitable. In addition to overall faster drive formatting, the latest firmware features an upgraded external low voltage threshold, now 11.3V, along with various overall system improvements and optimisations.
‘The 788T has become a mainstay in the industry, and is in constant use on high-profile film, television and new media projects,’ says Sound Devices Technical Development Manager, Paul Isaacs. ‘As audio production techniques continue to evolve and become more streamlined, Sound Devices is committed to ensuring that our products remain on the cutting edge of technology through regular firmware updates.’
The 788T has several options for recording media, including an internal SATA hard drive (solid-state in the 788T-SSD), CompactFlash cards, an external FireWire hard drive or DVD-RAM (with bus powering). Any or all of these can be used simultaneously. Additionally, when connected to Mac or Windows computers with high-speed USB or FireWire 400/800, the 788T functions as a high-speed mass storage device.
To simplify AES3 connectivity with mixers and cameras, the 788T has eight channels of balanced AES3 digital inputs and six channels of balanced AES3 outputs. The 788T can be clocked from an external word clock or from video sync. The 788T also comes equipped with a high-accuracy time-code reader/generator. It also includes auto-record features to chase external ‘Rec-Run’ video sources. To simplify metadata entry, the 788T accepts USB keyboards directly or can be operated remotely from iOS devices with the optional CL-WiFi.
