Sound Devices 788T-SSD 8 Input Portable Field Recorder

The 788T-SSD: Portable, Eight Input, Twelve-Track Recorder with Timecode
The 788T-SSD is the right choice for demanding production sound applications. With its eight inputs, it is perfect for high track count applications ranging from over-the-shoulder reality-style production to cart-based drama production.

Inputs and Outputs
The 788T-SSD features eight high bandwidth, ultra-low noise microphone preamplifiers. Inputs feature input limiters, input delay, and selectable high-pass filters. It also accept analog line level or AES digital signals.
Six analog and six digital outputs are available on multiple connector types, including TA3, multi-pin, and 3.5 mm.

Routing and Tracks
Any input can be routed to any of 12 recording tracks. This offers iso recording of inputs plus recording a two-channel mix and two aux tracks.
Any record track can be assigned to each of the three recording media. This allows, for instance, a two-mix to be recorded to CompactFlash while isos and a mix can be simultaneously recorded to the internal drive.

File Storage and Transfer
The 788T-SSD has three options for recording media: internal solid-state drive (SSD), CompactFlash card, or external FireWire drive. Any or all of these can be used simultaneously.
It may also be connected to Mac OS or Windows-based computers for high-speed data transfer.

Timecode & Word Clock
With its on-board high-accuracy Ambient timecode generator the 788T-SSD is at home in complex multi-camera sync-sound productions. Use it as the master clock for the most accurate on-set timecode reference. All common timecode frame rates and modes are supported. Word clock I/O can be used for sample-accurate multi-device connection.

Controls
The 788T-SSD controls are fast and intuitive with easy to access buttons, scroll wheel, pop out gain and an informative front panel display. It also offers a USB keyboard input for control and metadata editing. The available CL-8 and CL-9 accessories offer dedicated faders and controls for the portable recorder.

Mix Assist
Mix Assist auto-mixes the post-fade outputs by automatically reducing, or attenuating, the level of microphones that are not active. Mix Assist helps maintain consistent background sound level regardless of the number of open microphones. It reduces comb filtering and phasing when multiple microphones pick up a single sound source. It also increases gain before feedback when the recorder is feeding a sound reinforcement system.

788T System
The CL-8 or CL-9 Controllers enhance the 788T System by adding extensive mixing capabilities, whether working in a production bag or on a sound cart. Along with Wave Agent, CL-1, and CL-2 accessories, the 788T System can be customized for any production sound environment.

Additional Features

• Each input has solo headphone monitoring, 48 V phantom, limiter, polarity reverse, high-pass, and selectable delay.
• Sampling rate converters for digital inputs.
• Sampling rate selectable up to 192 kHz.
• AES42 digital microphone support.
• Backlit LCD display viewable in any environment.
• 8 x 13-segment Peak/VU meters with arm LED.
• Powered by removable Li-ion rechargeable batteries.
• External DC input powers unit and charges Li-ion battery.
• Multi-pin connector for one-cable connection to digital mixing boards (AES input/output, power, switch closure in/out).
• FireWire 400/800 and USB 2.0 connections for file transfer between 788T’s CF and SSD to computer.
• USB keyboard input for control.
• Aluminum & stainless-steel chassis for exceptional durability and light weight.
• Designed for the same operational environmental extremes as Sound Devices field mixers.

Included With the 788T-SSD

• 1 X 788T-SSD
• 1 X XL-WPH3 power supply
• 1 X CS-MAN padded carry case
• 1 X USB cable (USB-A to USB-B)
• 1 X XL-RJ C-link cable
• 1 X XL-B2 Li-Ion battery
• 4 X Adhesive Rubber “Bumpers”
• 1 X Product registration card
• 1 X 788T Front Panel Button Shortcuts reference card
• 1 X Full-line Audio Catalog

Digital System
Sampling Frequency

• Internal: 32, 44.1, 47.952, 48, 48.048, 88.2, 96, 96.096, 176.4 and 192 kHz
• External clocking: 3296.096 kHz via word clock or digital inputs

Internal Data Path and Processing: 32 bit, 192 dB dynamic range
A/D, D/A Converters: 24 bit, 192 kHz sample rate maximum

A/D Dynamic Range

• 123 dB, A-weighted bandwidth
• 120 dB, 20 Hz22 kHz bandwidth

D/A Dynamic Range

• 114 dB, A-weighted bandwidth
• 111 dB, 20 Hz22 kHz bandwidth

Analog Audio

• Frequency Res. Mic or Line
• 10 Hz40 kHz, +0.1, -0.5 (gain controls centered, measured at 48 kHz)

THD + Noise

• Mic: 0.004% max (1 kHz, 22 Hz22 kHz BW, gain control down, -15 dBu input)
• Line: 0.004% max (1 kHz, 22 Hz22 kHz BW, gain control down, +16 dBu input)

Gain (input dBu to -20 dBFS)

• Mic: Off (0) to 76.0 dB
• Line: Off, -26.0 to 50.0 dB

Input Impedance: Mic (XLR and TA3): 3.3k ohm; Line (XLR and TA3): 3.3k ohm
Input Clipping Level: Mic input: +8 dBu minimum (gain = 10 dB); line input: +26 dBu minimum (gain = 0 dB)
Input Topology Mic and Line: Fully electronically balanced, RF, ESD, short, and overload protected; pin-2 hot, pin-3 cold
Gain Matching Mic/Line inputs: 0.1 dB increments, channel-to-channel while linked
Common Mode Rejection Ratio: Mic: 40 dB minimum at 80 Hz
Metering: 112-segment (8 x 14), sunlight-viewable, selectable peak, VU, or peak (with or without peak hold) with VU ballistics, variable brightness
High-Pass Filters: 40-320 Hz in 10Hz steps @ 6/12 dB/oct (Setup Menu selectable)
Mic Powering (Each analog input selectable): 48 V phantom through 6.8k resistors, 10 mA per mic available, menu-selected per channel in mic or line level positions
Mic/Line Input Limiters: Variable threshold -12 to -2 dBFS; Infinite:1 limiting ratio, 2 mS attack time, menu-selectable release time 200-2000 mS, soft-knee starting approximately 6dB below setting.
Line Output Clipping Level: +24 dBu minimum, 10k ohm load
Attenuation & Resolution: 020 dB, 1 dB increments
Output Topology Line: Fully electronically-balanced, RF, ESD, short, and overload protected; pin-2 driven hot, pin-3 driven cold; let pin-3 float for unbalanced connections.

I/O Digital

• Balanced AES in 1-8 on DE15 connector 110 ohm, 2 V p-p, AES and S/PDIF compatible with RCA adaptor, AES42 mode 1 compatible and provides 10 V to AES42 microphones
• AES3 Balanced AES out 1-4 on TA3 connector; Balanced AES out 5-6 on DE15 connector 110 ohm, 2 Vp-p, AES and S/PDIF compatible with RCA adaptor

Digital Storage

• Internal solid-state drive (SSD) supported, FAT32 formatted, up to 2 TB addressable
• CompactFlash CF type I, II, and + (microdrive) compatible, UDMA (300x) compatible, FAT32 formatted, up to 2 TB addressable

File Types

• Record: WAV (AES-31 format), mono or polyphonic, at supported Fs, 24-bit or 16-bit;
• Playback: WAV (AES-31 format), mono or polyphonic, at supported Fs, 24-bit or 16-bit;
• MP3 @ 32, 64, 96, 128, 160, 192, 256, or 320 kb/s stereo; MP2 @ 64, 96, 128, 160, 192, 256, or 320, 384 kb/s stereo

Utilities: Drive formatting and speed test for internal hard drive, CF and external drive volumes

Data Transfer / Control

• FireWire 400: For connection to external drives and computers: IEEE-1394a compliant, 6-pin FireWire, Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7) Mac OS X only
• FireWire 800: For connection to external drives and computers: IEEE-1394b compliant, 8-pin FireWire, Windows (2000, XP, Vista, 7), Mac OS X only
• USB 2.0: Slave mode only. For connection to Windows( 2000, XP, Vista,7) Mac OS X only
• USB Keyboard Input: For connection to USB keyboards for entering notes and controlling features and functions of the 788T via user selectable keyboard shortcuts.

Time Code

• Modes Supported: Off, free run, record run, 24 hour run, external time code receive, free run -auto output mute
• Frame Rates: 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97DF, 29.97ND, 30DF, 30ND, 30+
• Accuracy: 0.2 ppm, when tuned with Ambient Master Controller, holds TC clock for 4 hours after main battery removal; after 4 hours, retains time of day
• Input / Output 20k ohm impedance, 0.3V p-p (8 dBu) minimum / 1k ohm impedance, 3.0V p-p (+12 dBu)

Word Source

• Internal Sync: internal word clock generator
• External Sync Input: Word Clock, AES3, or Video (NTSC, PAL, and Tri-Level)
• Word Clock Output: Square wave, running at sample rate, 3.3 V p-p, 75 ohm

Power

• Power supply (batteries): operating cell, removable 7.2 V (nominal) Sony L-type Li-ion, operational from 6.58.5 V, time code battery, internal 3.6 Liion
• Power supply (external): 1018 V, 1000 mA minimum, via locking 4-pin Hirose connector, use Hirose #HR10-7P-4P (DigiKey# HR100-ND) for locking mating DC connector; pin-1 (-), pin-4 (+).
• Environmental: Operation and Storage ambient temperature 555 C, relative humidity (non-condensing) 80%
• Other: Tone Oscillator: 100 Hz10 kHz, variable output, assigned to tracks or outputs (menu-selectable), continuious or L-ident mode

Dimensions and Weight

• Size: 45 mm x 257 mm x 163 mm (H x W x D) 1.8″ x 10.1″ x 6.4″
• Mass: unpackaged: 1.7 kg, (3 lbs 12 oz.) without battery