664 Portable Production Mixer and Recorder User Guide and Technical Information firmware rev. 1.0 Sound Devices, LLC E7556 State Rd. 23 and 33 • Reedsburg, WI • USA +1 (608) 524-0625 • fax: +1 (608) 524-0655 Toll-Free: (800) 505-0625 www.sounddevices.com support@sounddevices.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Table of Contents Front Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Left Panel Connectors and Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Right Panel Connectors and Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Rear Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Screen Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Main Screen RTN Screen Input Setup and Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
664 User Guide and Technical Information Copyright Notice and Release All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the expressed written permission of SOUND DEVICES, LLC. SOUND DEVICES is not responsible for any use of this information.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Front Panel Descriptions 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 13 14 2 1) 3 Input Fader Primary control for adjusting the level of an input during operation. Ranges from off to +15 dB. Nominal setting is in the middle (0 dB). 2) Gain (Trim) Coarse input gain control. Sets the initial input sensitivity level so that the Input Fader can be used for fine gain adjustments. Range is from +22 dB to +72 dB. See Input Setup and Control.
64 User Guide and Technical Information 14) Headphone Encoder Meter and Input Settings ScreView: Turn to adjust headphone gain. Push to select headphone monitor source. In Menus turn to navigate. Push to make selection. In Input Settings Screen push to select input source. again to deactivate. For momentary action hold for one second or longer. Slide right to activate the Tone Oscillator. Tone will latch if held for 2 seconds or longer; slide again to deactivate.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Right Panel Connectors and Controls 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 1) 12 11 USB B Connector Factory use and keyboard connection (with adapter). 2) Timecode Input Time code input and output on 5-pin LEMO® connector. 10 9 8) Battery Compartment Holds five AA (LR6) batteries for backup powering. NiMH rechargeable cells advised. 9) DC Input Accepts DC voltages from 10–18 V for powering. Pin 1 = Negative (–), pin 4 = Positive (+).
664 User Guide and Technical Information Rear Panel Descriptions 1) BNC Word Clock Input Accepts word clock rates between 32 kHz and 48.048 kHz for synchronizing the internal recorder to external digital audio devices. 2) BNC Word Clock Output Provides word clock signal to synchronize external digital audio devices to the 664. 3) TA3 COM Send Unbalanced, stereo, line-level output. Program assigned to COM output from Setup Menu.
664 User Guide and Technical Information RTN Screen When the Meters button is pressed from the Main Screen, the RTN Screen is shown. Bus tracks RTN during gain adjustment Return inputs Return gain (during adjustment) SMPTE Timecode Absolute recording time Timecode frame rate Time and date Input Setup and Control The 664 has six, full-featured audio inputs on XLR connectors (six additional inputs on TA3 connectors with the optional CL-6 Input Expander attached).
664 User Guide and Technical Information 1) ISO Track Status Displays the status of the Input’s dedicated Iso Track on the recorder. Each input is permanently routed to its Iso track. To select whether an input is routed pre- or post-fade, push the Select Encoder, turn it to make a selection, and push it again to confirm the selection. The background color of the Iso Track Status box indicates the status of the Input’s Iso Track.
664 User Guide and Technical Information 5) LR Bus Assignment Displays the status of the Input’s assignment to the main Left and Right Output Buses. Inputs routed to the Left and Right Output Bus are always post-fader and post-pan. To add or remove the Input from the Left and Right Output Bus, slide the RTN Switch to the right.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Input Fader The Input Fader is the primary control used while mixing and it affects the level of the Input signal routed to all post-fade destinations. Use the Input Fader to make fine gain adjustments. The fader can be attenuated from off (full counter-clockwise position) to +15 dB above the set Trim level (full clockwise position). To optimize gain structure for the best performance, operate input faders at or near the 0 dB (unity gain) position.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Input Linking Input pairs 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6 can be linked as stereo pairs. When a pair of inputs is linked: • Each channels’ Trim Control and High-Pass Filter Control work as normal, controlling coarse gain and high-pass filtering for their respective inputs. • The odd channel’s Input Fader controls the post-fade level of both inputs. • The odd channel’s Pan Control controls the balance of the stereo signal to the Master Bus.
664 User Guide and Technical Information To use a digital input, slide the Input 1 or Input 6 Input Selector Switch to the right to enter the Input Settings Screen. Press the Headphone Encoder to display the list of available input sources. Turn the Headphone Encoder to select AES3 or AES42, and press the Headphone Encoder to confirm the selection. Each connector carries two channels of digital audio.
664 User Guide and Technical Information the L, R, X1, and X2 tracks are adjustable from the Setup Menu item OUTPUTS > L,R Limiter Thresh and OUTPUTS > X1,X2 Limiter Thresh. In normal operation, with a properly set gain structure, the threshold of the Input Limiter is rarely reached. Without Input Limiters, high signal conditions can overload a channel and cause distortion. The Input limiter is working when the respective input’s Input Activity LED illuminates yellow.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Headphone Peak LED The Headphone Peak LED is located just left of the Headphone Encoder. This LED will illuminate red to indicate clipping in the headphone amplifier. Monitoring without a visual indication of headphone clipping can mislead the sound mixer into thinking that the output or return feeds are distorted.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Headphone Presets Six custom monitor sources are available. These headphone presets can be edited, named and saved. To edit a custom headphone preset, press the Headphone Encoder to access the Monitor Source List, highlight the desired preset, then slide the Slate/Tone Switch.
664 User Guide and Technical Information PFL (Channel Solo Monitor) Slide the PFL switch left to activate, and again to deactivate. For momentary action, hold the switch left for one second or longer. PFL stands for “Pre-Fade Listen”. When any input’s PFL is activated, the currently selected monitor source is replaced with the PFL mix program. The PFL mix program is a mono mix of the pre-fade level of all inputs with PFL enabled.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Hirose 10-pin Each Hirose 10-pin connection has a balanced pair of outputs that carry the Left and Right Master bus program. By default, each of the balanced outputs on the Hirose 10-pin connections sends a balanced analog signal. Each of the balanced outputs on the 10-pin A connections can be independantly configured to send AES3 signal. see AES Digital Outputs for details. Each Hirose 10-pin also includes an unbalanced stereo return input for headphone monitoring.
664 User Guide and Technical Information The following screen shot shows the AES Output Routing screen. The highlighter is in the lower-left corner. COM Setup The 664 features an unbalanced stereo COM Send (TA3) and an unbalanced stereo COM RTN (TA3) for communications purposes. These special input and output channels can be used to privately communicate with a boom operator or other member of the production crew.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Com Program Auto-Mute By default, the Com Send program will mute when slate communication is engaged. This helps the boom operator hear the voice of the 664 operator. This behavior can be disabled so that the Com Send program is not muted when communication is engaged via the Setup Menu option COMMS/RETURNS > Program Auto-Mute. Slate/Com Mic & Tone Oscillator The 3-position Slate / Tone Switch controls both the slate microphone and the tone oscillator.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Digital Audio Recorder The 664 features a powerful multi-track digital recorder. The internal recorder can record up to 10 tracks (16 tracks with the optional CL-6 Input Expander. see CL-6) of uncompressed PCM audio (.WAV file extension) or 2 tracks of compressed MP3 audio (.MP3 file extension). See File Formats. Data is written to removable CompactFlash (CF) and SD/SDHC/SDXC (SD) cards. See Record Media.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Tracks ready for recording (armed tracks) have a red label. Tracks not assigned for recording (disarmed tracks) have a gray label. To toggle the armed status of a track, turn the Select Encoder to highlight the track, press and hold the Meter button, then push the Select Encoder. The background color of the track will change to indicate the new arming status.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Sampling Rate The 664’s digital audio recorder can record at the following sampling rates: • 44.1 kHz • 47.952 kHz • 47.952 kHz “F” (files stamped 48 kHz) • 48 kHz • 48.048 kHz • 48.048 kHz “F” (files stamped 48 kHz) The sampling rate of the digital recorder is set from Setup Menu item RECORDER > Sample Freq. See Time Code section for details of “F” modes. The current Sample Rate is displayed on the Main Screen.
664 User Guide and Technical Information If the CF card is oriented correctly, it will slide in easily until only a few millimeters are protruding. If the CF card is oriented incorrectly, it will slide in easily until over 1 cm of the card is still protruding. Formatting Media The 664 uses the FAT32 file system. FAT32 is compatible with all major operating systems. Before recording to CF or SD media, cards must be formatted. To format cards in the 664: 1. Press the Menu button to enter the Setup Menu.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Timecode modes The time code mode determines if the 664 generates or reads timecode and when time code runs and stops. Time code mode is changed from the Setup Menu option TIMECODE/SYNC > Timecode Mode. Rec Run (Record Run) Generator mode. The 664 sends running timecode while recording and stationary timecode while not recording. Timecode in this mode defaults to the last stationary value at power-up.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Jam Menu The Setup Menu option TIMECODE/SYNC > Jam Menu displays the timecode Jam Menu. This special screen displays detailed information about the 664’s internal SMPTE timecode generator and SMPTE timecode present on the 664’s time code input. External timecode value External timecode frame rate Internal timecode value Internal timecode frame rate The difference between external and internal timecode.
664 User Guide and Technical Information two frame rate options in 47.952kF mode. The time code frame rate can be set to 23.97 while the file is identified as 24ND or it can be set to 29.97ND while the file is identified as 30ND. By default, when 47.952kF mode is selected the frame rate is changed to 29.97ND and identified as 30ND unless the Frame Rate was already set to 23.97 in which case it will remain at 23.97. Synchronization A stable sample clock source is essential for high quality digital audio.
664 User Guide and Technical Information of a scene name, take number, and a file extension. For example, for scene S01, take T01, the polyphonic file name and take name are both S01T01.wav. S01T01.WAV scene number extension take number Folder Options All files generated by the 664 can be saved to the Root directory, a Project Folder, a Daily (Roll) Folder, or a Scene Folder (Files are saved to the Root directory by default).
664 User Guide and Technical Information Metadata Fields 664 Broadcast wave files include iXML (revision 1.5) data and bEXT chunk data. For bEXT and iXMLaware software applications this data is available. For applications that don’t recognize bEXT or iXML, this information is ignored. Sound Reports The 664 can generate sound reports as a comma separated values (CSV) file.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Information in the Overview section is managed in the Setup Menu option FILE STORAGE > Sound Report Info. The 664 derives information for the overview section from these settings at the time the sound report is generated. Take List Section The following fields make up the Take List section. Each row of this section corresponds to a take, and each field corresponds directly to the metadata of that take (BEXT and iXML).
664 User Guide and Technical Information The top take in the Take List is displayed with orange text. This is a special entry that represents the next take to be recorded. Editing the metadata of this entry will affect all subsequent recordings. Take Number A take is a single recording that may represented by a file on each media. Takes are labeled numerically and begin at the number 1. Each new recording creates a new take. The take number will increment by one until it is reset.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Scene Name The scene name is a logical group of takes. It can be any combination of letters or numbers up to 9 characters in length. The scene name will only change when a new scene name is entered by the user or when the scene is incremented. The scene name is written in the file name and stored in the metadata of each recorded file. see File Structure To enter and select a new scene name: 1.
664 User Guide and Technical Information 3. Select the Notes field and press the Headphone Encoder. 4. Select
664 User Guide and Technical Information Whenever the on-screen keyboard is displayed, an attached USB keyboard can be used to enter data. The table below showa the keyboard shortcuts available. Key Combination Action F1 Accesses the Setup Menu. F2 Accesses the Take List. F3 Switches between Main Screen and RTN Screen. Menu Button Accesses the Setup Menu. Ctrl + R Record Ctrl + S Stop Spacebar Play Left Arrow Main Screen: Rewind. Input Settings Window: Toggle phase inversion.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Linking to Other Mixers The Link I/O function allows the 664 to be linked to a Sound Devices 302, 442, or MixPre mixer for applications requiring higher input channel counts. When the 664 is linked with another Sound Devices mixer, all input channels will be present on the stereo Master Bus of the 664. Return audio and PFL only occur on the headphone output of the mixer that it is performed on.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Powering The 664 is powered by external DC power or internal AA batteries. The power switch selects the power source, either internal or external. There is a large enough power reserve to switch back and forth from one source to the other without interrupting mixer operation. External Powering The 664 can be powered from any DC voltage from 10 to 18 VDC. Pin-4 of the locking, Hirose connector is positive (+) and pin-1 is negative (–).
664 User Guide and Technical Information 36 4. Output drive level - higher output drive levels into multiple, low-impedance inputs increases power consumption. 5. Headphone output circuit - high headphone output levels increase current draw. 6. LED and LCD Brightness - decrease LED and LCD brightness to extend battery runtime. v. 1.0 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Setup Menu The chart below shows the Setup Menu number, Function name, a description of the control, options available within that menu, and the factory default setting. Inputs # Parameter Name Description Options 1 Ch 1-2 Linking Links channels 1 and 2 with or without Mid/Side decoding. » Unlinked • 1-2 • 1-2MS 2 Ch 3-4 Linking Links channels 3 and 4 with or without Mid/Side decoding.
664 User Guide and Technical Information # Parameter Name Description Options 9 TA3-X2 Out Select the analog output level of the Aux 2 TA3 output. • Mic » Line • -10 10 Direct Out Levels Select the analog output level of the TA3 Direct Outputs. • Mic » Line • -10 11 Direct Out Pre/Post Globally select pre- or post-fader signal source for all Direct Outputs. » PreFade • PostFade 12 Tape Out Source Choose the stereo source for the TA3 and 3.5 mm Tape Output.
664 User Guide and Technical Information # Parameter Name Description Options 4 Sample Freq. The internal sample rate and sample rate of recorded WAV files. • • • » • • 5 Bit Depth The bit depth of recorded WAV files. » 24 • 16 44.1k 47.952k 47.952kF 48k 48.048k 48.048kF Comms/Returns # Parameter Name Description Options 1 Slate/Com Mic Source Select internal or external slate microphone. Use Ext 12V setting for external condenser microphones.
664 User Guide and Technical Information # Parameter Name Description Options 3 Frame Rate Sets the frame rate for the internal timecode generator. • • • • • » • 4 Hold Off Sets the duration that a valid time code signal has to be recognized by the 664 before generating a new take while in Ext TC-Auto Record and Ext TC/contAuto Record modes. • 0.0-8.0 s (0.1 second increment) » 0.
664 User Guide and Technical Information # Parameter Name Description Options 5 Max File Size Selects the file size when the 664 will close, then start a new file. The 664 will not record a file larger than the selected size. The largest file permissible with the 664’s FAT32 file system is 4 GB » • • • • 4GB 2GB 1GB 640MB 512MB 6 Scene Increment Mode Selects which format the scene increments will use.
664 User Guide and Technical Information # Parameter Name Description 11 Date Format Select the format used to indicate the date. 12 Set Time/Date Displays a dialog where the 664 time and date can be set. When highlighter is orange, turn Headphone Encoder to highlight a field and press Headphone Encoder to edit. When highlighter is blue, turn Headphone Encoder to change the value, and press Headphone Encoder to accept the value. 13 Fader/Pan Calibration Calibrates fader and pan positions.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Front Panel Button Shortcuts To speed navigation the 664 has numerous navigation “shortcuts”. For combinations, press and hold down the first identified key then press the next identified key(s). Function Key Sequence False Take + Scene Increment + Action Press and hold the Headphone Encoder then slide the Transport Control left (Rewind). Moves take to FALSETAKES folder and decrements take number.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Connector Pin Assignments Connector 44 Pin Assignments Notes (6) XLR F Analog Inputs 1-6 1 – ground 2 – signal (+) 3 – signal (-) Mic- and Line-level balanced. For unbalanced, pin 1 and pin 3 tied together = ground, pin 2 = positive. (6) TA3M Direct Outputs 1-6 / CL-6 Inputs 7-12 1 – ground 2 – signal (+) 3 – signal (-) Active balanced direct outputs (without CL-9) or active balanced inputs 7-12 (with CL-9).
664 User Guide and Technical Information Connector Pin Assignments Notes (1) 1/4-inch Female Headphone tip – signal L ring – signal R sleeve – signal ground Mates with 1/4-inch TRS jack. (1) 5-pin LEMO Time code 1 – ground 2 – SMPTE TC In 3 – ASCII in/out 4 – tuning out 5 – SMPTE TC out LEMO B-series connector, pin assignments as viewed on panel-mounted connector (1) Hirose 4-pin DC Input 1 – ground 2 – not connected 3 – not connected 4 – DC (+) 10-18 Volt DC input.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Analog Outputs Output Type XLR Line: Transformer-balanced for use with ≥600 ohm inputs XLR -10: Transformer-balanced for use with ≥10k ohm inputs XLR Mic: Transformer-balanced for use with ≥600 ohm inputs 10-pin Hirose Line: Transformer-balanced for use with ≥600 ohm inputs 10-pin Hirose -10: Transformer-balanced for use with ≥10k ohm inputs 10-pin Hirose Mic: Transformer-balanced for use with ≥600 ohm inputs TA3 Active Balanced Mic/Line: pin-2 and 3 driven, for us
664 User Guide and Technical Information Timecode and Sync Modes Supported Off, Rec Run, Free Run, 24h Run, External Frame Rates 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97DF, 29.97ND, 30DF, 30ND Accuracy Ambient Generator, 0.2ppm (0.5 frames per 24 hours) accuracy. Holds TC clock for two hours after main battery removal Input / Output Input: 20k ohm impedance, 0.3 V - 3.0 V p-p (–17 dBu - +3 dBu) Output: 1k ohm impedance, 3.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Accessories Several high-value accessories are available for the 664, including production cases, cables, and power accessories. For a full list of Sound Devices products and accessories, visit our web site www.sounddevices.com/products.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Wave Agent Wave Agent Beta is a WAV file librarian for Mac OS and Windows computers. Designed for Production Sound Mixers and Post Production Editors, Wave Agent provides a comprehensive and indispensable range of tools for preparing audio files for problem-free passage through complex production workflows. Wave Agent is an essential, time-saving tool for anyone working in Production Sound.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Declaration of Conformity According to EN ISO/IEC 17050-1:2004 Manufacturer’s Name: Sound Devices, LLC Manufacturer’s Address: E7556 State Rd.
664 User Guide and Technical Information Warranty and Technical Support Warranty & Service Sound Devices, LLC warrants the 664 against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE (1) year from date of original retail purchase. This is a non-transferable warranty that extends only to the original purchaser. Sound Devices, LLC will repair or replace the product at its discretion at no charge. Warranty claims due to severe service conditions will be addressed on an individual basis.
664 rev. 1.0 - Printed in U.S.A.
