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Re: 722 Primer

Subject: Re: 722 Primer
From: Wild Sanctuary <>
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 09:54:14 -0800
Thanks for the info, oryoki. It looks like just the right and helpful 
approach that's needed. I'll give it a read and see if there're any 
problems I catch.

The only thing I find a bit unnerving about HD recording is my bias 
as an old-timer used to having something in hand (like a DAT, 
digi-disk, or reel of analog tape) that can be detached from the 
machine. One can only hope - having captured precious and hard-earned 
sounds from the field - that the 722 HD media remains viable until it 
is transferred and backed up.

Bernie

>The Sound Devices 722 is a powerful tool with lots of options for
>recording and playback.  When facing the recorder for the first time,
>my colleagues and I felt a bit overwhelmed!  So I wrote a simplified
>set of instructions for the 722.  These act as "training wheels" for
>the first couple of times you use the machine.
>
>I have attached my 722 Primer below.  Please let me know if you see
>any errors, or think other subjects need to be included.
>
>If you wish to copy these notes to post elsewhere online, please
>mention the source as the NatureRecordists group on Yahoo.  Maybe we
>can get a few more people to join!
>
>--oryoki
>
>-----------
>
>
>Say Hello to the Sound Devices 722
>
>These notes were written to help you get started using the 722.
>There's lots more information in the 722 manual. Read it when you need
>to learn more.
>
>
>Battery
>------------------------------------
>To install the battery, look for the two holes in one end of the
>battery.  There is a white sticker on the battery here.  These holes
>slide onto pins in the battery slot on the back of the 722.  Push the
>battery firmly onto the pins. A small spring loaded pin will pop up
>behind the battery as it slides into place.  This locks the battery
>onto the recorder.
>
>To remove the battery, depress the locking pin.  A small screwdriver
>or large coin is necessary.  While holding the pin down, slide the
>battery towards the pin and lift up.
>
>The standard 1500 mAh battery powers the 722 for about 2 hours. Larger
>batteries are available for more record time.
>
>
>Mains Power
>------------------------------------ 
>The mains power connector is on the right side of the 722.  Press the
>power cable lightly onto the connector, and rotate slowly to align the
>pins.  When aligned, the cable will slide farther onto the connector.
>  The power cable locks into the connector when properly attached. 
>
>To remove the cable, pull the locking collar of the cable away from
>the 722, then pull the cable out of the connector.  It's easily
>accomplished with one hand.
>
>The 722 will run on mains power without the battery installed.  If a
>battery is present, the 722 will charge it even when powered off.
>
>
>Turning the recorder on and off
>------------------------------------ 
>There is a button labeled "PWR" on the upper right of the front of the
>recorder.  Press it briefly to turn the machine on.  It takes only 4
>seconds for the recorder to start up and be ready to record.
>
>Press the button continuously for two seconds to power off.  If you
>don't hold the PWR button in long enough you'll see a message telling
>you so.
>
>
>Recording
>------------------------------------
>Connect mics to the XLR ports on the left side of the 722.  Check that
>the small slide switch above each XLR is set to the "mic" position (to
>the left). 
>
>Power up the 722.  Then press the large rectangular "REC" button on
>the front of the 722.  A red LED on the front panel shows you that
>recording has started.
>
>The Stop key is the oval button with the dark square on it, located to
>the left of "REC."  Start and stop are almost instantaneous.
>
>Set the record level using the two gray knobs to the left of the
>display on the front panel.  Press the top of the knob to pop it up
>when you want to increase or decrease pre-amp gain.  Press the knob
>back down to lock it against accidental changes.
>
>Note that there is no "pause recording" button like most recorders
>have.  The 722 headphone monitor is always active, and with the
>microphone plugged in you can monitor the mic input and set record
>levels before you start recording.
>
>
>Headphones
>------------------------------------
>Plug in headphones on the left side of the 722.  The large black knob
>on the left sets the headphones volume.
>
>The large black knob on the right side of the 722 has several
>functions.  During recording, the knob lets you choose the headphones
>source. The front panel display shows which signal is sent to the
>headphones.  Look for the dark rectangle on the lower right of the
>display.
>
>"A,B"  =  left and right XLR input is sent to the headphones
>
>"1,1"  =  the left XLR input is sent to both headphones
>
>"2,2"  =  the right XLR input is sent to both headphones
>
>"A,B m" = the signal as recorded on the hard disc is played back.
>This results in a delay of about 10 seconds between the live input and
>recorded playback.  Use this setting to reassure yourself that a
>recording is being made.
>
>
>Playback
>------------------------------------
>The Play key is the large white key with a triangle on it.  With
>recording stopped, press Play to listen to the most recently recorded
>file.
>
>Use the black knob on the right side to adjust the way playback is
>sent to the headphones.  The black knob on the left side sets
>headphones volume.
>
>The Stop key has several functions during playback.
>
>Press Stop once during playback to allow audio "scrubbing" using the
><< and >> keys.  Keep track of your position in the file using the
>minutes:seconds display
>
>Press Stop twice, and the << and >> keys let you choose another file
>to play.   File names appear in the top center part of the 722's
>display.  These files are from the current directory.
>
>Press Stop 3 times to stop playback and exit from playback mode.
>
>
>Using the 722 with a computer
>------------------------------------
>With the 722 and computer powered off, plug in the Firewire cable
>linking the two devices.  Now power up the computer.  Once the
>computer is running, power up the 722.  The 722 will display the
>message "Computer Connection" when it is ready.
>
>If the connection is successful, the 722 appears as a new hard disc
>named "722" on your computer display.  I found that sometimes I had to
>power down the 722 and power it up again before the computer
>recognised it.
>
>The 722's recordings are organized in files and folders.  I set the
>machine so it creates a new folder for each day.  The folder names are
>in year-month-day format.  For example, Y05M11D26 is a folder created
>on 26 November 2005.
>
>File names are sequential.  T0003.WAV, T0004.WAV, and so on.
>
>Copy files from the 722 to the computer in the way you normally copy
>any file.  When you're finished, dismount the 722 from your file
>system before turning it off.  On a Mac, drag the disc icon into the
>trash.  On a PC, use the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon in the System
>Tray of the Desktop.
>
>
>Changing the settings
>------------------------------------
>The 722's menu system lets you set and change all sorts of recording,
>playback, and file system parameters.  The manual describes all the
>options. 
>
>Access the menu by pressing the "MENU" button on the upper left of the
>display on the front panel.  Step through the menu by turning the knob
>on the right side of the 722.  Select a Menu item by pressing inward
>on the knob.
>
>Exit from the menus by pressing the * (lightbulb symbol) key.  It's
>located near the lower right corner of the display.
>
>You can save a particular set of menu selections as a "User Preset."
>See the manual for instructions about creating a preset of your own.
>The 722 is already configured with "Factory," "Film," "Reporter," and
>"Music" presets. 
>
>So don't be afraid to experiment with different settings -- It's easy
>to recover.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>"Microphones are not ears,
>Loudspeakers are not birds,
>A listening room is not nature."
>Klas Strandberg
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>


-- 
Wild Sanctuary
P. O. Box 536
Glen Ellen, CA 95442
t. 707-996-6677
f. 707-996-0280
http://www.wildsanctuary.com


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