At 1:33 PM -0500 1/30/05, Walter Knapp wrote:
>From: Rob Danielson <>
>
>> Operation is a joy, seriously. Yes, there are many menu settings
>> that one should run through and become familiar with initially but
>> all can be set and are remembered with power-up. Many menu shortcuts
>> too. The LED display covers a huge range, has several response
>> options and can be quickly turned off. I've worked at night in the
>> woods and I didn't need a flashlight at all. The LCD menu display is
>> large and clear-- I struggle with most LCD displays. I still can't
>> believe how small the 744T is, yet, the only controls that aren't
>> easy to reach in my hip pack are the CF card (in the back) and the
>> multi-function controller (side). I'll probably modify my pouch to
>> access the later knob someday. Big, lighted, "RECORD," and "STOP"
>> buttons. Many configurations for headphone monitoring including m-s
>> and confidence.
>
>I would expect it would be nice compared to the walkman MD's. I am
>comparing from experience with the Portadisc. Which is also a joy to
>use. I'm also only interested in the 722, but they both seem to function
>essentially the same.
>
>I noted there was only one user storage of your settings, and 4 factory
>combination settings on the 722. I use three stored custom setups on the
>Portadisc, though it's so easy to setup it's hardly necessary. I'm
>changing between mics, or such like and have to change the setups. I
>would be doing the same if I was using a 722.
>
>The menu system sounded like it was going to annoy me. Without enough
>preset setups to store I'd have to be running through the menu's
>frequently. And they appear to be very long.
>
>Speaking of the one user preset, how much of the settings does it store?
>Headphone settings, for instance? The headphone volume being stuck off
>on the side is a flaw to my mind.
I'd rather have it in front too. But I use the controls that are one
the front more than I do headphone level.
>
>The fact all that menu system seems to run through a single control is
>going to slow things I'd think. Lots of steps to get to items. With the
>Portadisc the equivalent controls are on several different buttons. So
>menus don't have to be so deep.
You can have multiple configurations. There are four buttons
associated with the menu use and the menu knob one the side is a
short-cut/redundant one. I use it for switching between Front/Back
M-S and Non M-S monitoring. The knob on the side not the main menu
control.
>
>The location of the main menu control on the side must be a problem in a
>case. Have you seen the portabrace case for the recorder? With controls
>and things that you need to access fairly often on four sides I'd like
>to know how good that case is.
No, I haven't seen it. Markertek might have some shots. It was ~ $200
more than the fanny pack and I wanted something that wouldn't bounce
when I walk.
>
>Can you turn off all lights? Even a single led attracts insects. And
>what color is the LCD backlight? The Portadisc's LCD backlight is bug
>light yellow so it attracts few insects.
yes, its single button for "stealth" recording.
>
>The battery does not appear to have any protection. Does it at least
>have a secure lock to keep it on as long as the plastic of the battery
>does not fail?
yes, theres a lock
>How robust are the mounts?
Very strong, very solid. An unexpected gust came up and my whole
stand mounted rig took a 12 foot fall onto concrete with the 744T
inside of a Targus backpack and fanny pack. The headphones got hung
up and the 3.5mm plug bent 90 degrees before the cable tore loose. .
Other than the lost plug, all I got was a frightening recording of
the whole event, in surround. No marks on the case though it clearly
absorbed considerable impulse.
The 744T ran longer than my MKH 30 would when the temp dropped to -15
for several hours on day. I purposely brought it inside freezing
cold and proceeded to do transfers without letting it warm up. It
hummed along while condensation formed on the exterior case. Not
advised for sure but sometimes I have to do this with a recorder.
There's a good chance that it will take high humidity well.
>
>> The 744T's 2 channel mic pre has 70dB gain-- about 5dB more than the
>> MP-2. I've only used a Lunatec V3 a few times, but I agree with
>> reports that the 744's sound is similar, maybe more transparent. My
>> MP-2 mic pre produces a "rounder" sound- especially below 250Hz. The
>> 744's pre brings out spatial depth and detail in my MKH 30/40 M-S
>> pair that I've _never_ heard through my MP-2. I hope SD comes out
>> with a matching 2 channel mic pre add-on unit. Hard to think I'd
>> leave my MP-2 at home, but I would.
>
>This sort of thing I expected given Sound Devices reputation. And why
>it's top on my list if MD goes away with no other optical drive
>replacement. Sounds like they have gone away from the transformer input.
>I like the sound from transformer inputs, not so cold and clinical.
All I can say is there a good chance you might change you mind.
>
>> Sound Devices just completed a significant upgrade of the FireWire
>> code for downloading files to PC and Mac. It works flawlessly when
>> downloading to my 1GHz Tibook's internal FireWire connector (Mac
>> OSX10.3.4), but its currently not working when I place my 744T at the
>> end of the FW chain. Might just be my hardware or my OS-- they're
>> just starting to look into this. To the Int HD on my Mac, I've been
>> getting a FW transfer rate of about 4mbs. Another FW update is
>> planned that will allow files to be recorded on an external FW drive
>> for additional space or back-up.
>
>In the 722 manual it states (in fine print in the back) that you cannot
>download from the compact flash but only from the HD. Is that still so?
I think I have dl'd from the CF card when its installed, but there's
no need to. I pull it out and use my $12 CF reader. You'll appreciate
being able to record to both media on those nights you get some
special stuff.
>
>4mbs is not near hard disk transfer speed, at least what I get with
>ultra SCSI, but not bad for firewire stuff.
This has been an unexpected issue for them. I'm not sure if its the
tiny size allotment they have for the FW interface, whether they use
a 911 oxford circuit or what. Everyone agreed to focus on
reliability of if there was any trade off between speed. Haven't lost
any files. I should also mention that my powerbook on has one FW
port and thus the need to place the 744 at the end of the chain when
I want to download to en external FW drive. Desktops have another FW
port so I suspect it would not be an issue.
>
>> Another possible issue is recording through midnight. The 744 can
>> have trouble starting a new folder at the date change and can stop
>> recording. The work-around is to re set the clock to 8am so it can
>> run for 16 hours. SD may fix this too.
>
>That's a serious flaw. Someone was not thinking. I do a lot of recording
>around midnight. And don't want it breaking the recording at midnight
>either. The correct solution as far as I'm concerned is you store the
>files based on their start time. That's how I do it in my database and
>in my file naming.
The time stamping on the audio file itself will be a big plus for
many nature recordists. I set my clock for 12 noon =3D 12 midnight and
its an easy translation. Bet they will have fixed the folder date
roll-over issue by the time your PD dies.
SD went out on a limb to create these two recorders and extended
their resources as far as any businesses ever do. You'll understand
immediately when you hold it in your hands. Its no easy technical
accomplishment, believe me. One has to tip one's hat to all the
things they did take under consideration in making something really
well suited for field use. SD is a very small, company here in
Wisconsin. They pay their workers well, they have realized something
the big audio companies haven't managed yet and they do listen to
customers.
I'm curious to hear the R-4 and I hope it sounds great too. The 744T
with external mic pre and battery is about the same weight.
>
>It's always amazing how equipment will undergo a long development period
>and then when it comes out lots of the simpleist and obvious things to
>do in using it are not functioning properly. Unfortunately the designers
>are no longer users. In this case it sounds like the users they had try
>it were not nature recordists, no surprise there.
As you have said many times, nature recordists are a very tiny piece
of the pie. I came across a performance issue that two, top spec
houses missed and SD went right to work to fix them to our standards.
If, in a year ot two, nature recordists have several 4 track
recorders that are suited for the field to choose from, that will be
terrific. In the meanwhile, this one is solid.
>
>> My understanding is there are quite a few 744's on pre-order and its
>> best to get a request into your dealer if you hope to get one over
>> the next few months. They say the first 722's will start rolling out
>> within two weeks with many pre orders to meet. Rob D.
>
>I don't have to worry about this, the pipeline will be long filled, and
>maybe even better models out by the time my Portadisc wears out, if it
>wears out.
Long live your Portadisc.
>
>Walt
>
>
>
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