HDR 24 24/96 Operation Guide 24 TRACK/24 BIT, DIGITAL AUDIO HARD DISK RECORDER AND EDITOR
HDR 24/96 CAUTION AVIS RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK) NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES RISQUES DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE, NE PAS ENLEVER LE COUVERCLE. AUCUN ENTRETIEN DE PIECES INTERIEURES PAR L’USAGER. CONFIER L’ENTRETIEN AU PERSONNEL QUALIFIE.
Introduction ----------------------------4 Appendix A: Compatible Cables ----52 Save your Box! -------------------------------How To Use This Guide --------------------Conventions ---------------------------------About “Tape” --------------------------------Overview -------------------------------------- 4 4 5 5 6 Setup & Configuration----------------7 Required Equipment ------------------------ 7 Installation------------------------------------ 7 I/O Cards & Cables ------------------------------- 8 Sync
HDR 24/96 Introduction Save your Box! Uncle Jeff’s Bottom Ten Reasons to Save the Box: 10. You think boxes grow on trees? 9. It’s actually a time capsule, packed with a biological code that can’t be decrypted until 2043. 8. Its festive graphics will cheer up those other boxes forgotten in your attic. 7. Impress your friends: tape it up and pretend that you actually have two HDR24/96s. 6. If you throw it away, bad people will know you have a studio in your house. 5.
The HDR24/96 Operation Guide uses the following conventions to help you find information quickly: Text Conventions a) Keyboard Keys (example: SHIFT) b) Keyboard keys you hold at same time (example: CTRL+SHIFT+6) c) File or folder names (example: C:\HDR Projects\Ode To Masters\Ode To Masters.hdr) d) Software or hardware controls (example: Punch) e) Proper names of objects in GUI or front/rear panel (example: Transport) Icons This icon identifies a description of how to perform an action with the mouse.
HDR 24/96 Overview By combining traditional multitrack tape recording features with the power and flexibility of graphical non-linear editing, the Mackie Designs HDR24/96 takes multitrack recording to a level never before achieved by a product in its price range. In addition to the standard battery of traditional tape-based features, the HDR24/96: • Combines the familiarity of a multitrack tape machine with the security of non-destructive recording and non-degrading recording media.
This chapter explains how to set up and configure the HDR24/96 for use in your studio. Two application examples show how to interface the HDR24/96 with analog and digital recording consoles. Required Equipment Of course, there’s more to a studio than a recorder and some musicians. At a minimum, you’ll need the following to make the HDR24/96 feel at home: • Three Mackie 8-channel I/O (input/output) cards.
I/O cards are available in four different flavors and can be mixed and matched in any combination: AIO•8 ANALOG I/O OUTPUT AIO•8 DIO•8 APOGEE DIGITAL I/O INPUT HDR 24/96 I/O Cards & Cables • Each DIO•8 provides 8 digital inputs and outputs in two formats: 1. TASCAM Digital Interface (TDIF) provides 8 input and output channels of digital audio on a single DB25 connector. It requires a TASCAM PW-88D or equivalent TDIF-compatible cable.
1. If the HDR24/96 is plugged into AC power, unplug it. 2. Remove the I/O card slot cover plates by removing the rather tight top and bottom screws with a screwdriver. Operation Guide To install the I/O cards: 3. Before you take I/O cards from their bags, touch a grounded metal object to discharge any static electricity from your body. 4. Remove the I/O card from its bag and hold it so that the component side faces left. 5.
NOT HDR 24/96 WARNING Sync Card & Cables - Word Clock and Digital Synchronization The Sync Card provides ports to synchronize the HDR24/96’s sample clock and time/transport position to other equipment. The functions of the jacks and switch, from top to bottom are: • SMPTE Input/Output — This 1/4" TRS jack serves as an input when slaved to incoming SMPTE time code, and as an output when generating SMPTE time code to synchronize other devices with the HDR24/96.
TDIF (DIO•8) With the HDR24/96 as a master, connect Word Clock Out of the HDR24/96 to Word Clock In on the receiving device(s). If connecting to older TASCAM DTRS recorders, use the Sync Out port on the first DIO•8 card instead of Word Clock Out. If there is more than one DTRS recorder in the chain, connect Sync Out to the word clock input of the first DTRS recorder only; the other recorders are synchronized through their interconnecting DTRS cables.
HDR 24/96 Mackie Media (Optional) The HDR24/96 emulates the tape library tradition with Mackie Media M•90 and Mackie Media PROJECT drives. Both drives come complete with a plug-in tray for quick removal and a nifty storage case for shelving and transporting the drives. Trays can be purchased separately if you want to use your own UDMA IDE drives. The HDR24/96 can record or play directly off the M•90, so you can change sessions as quickly as changing tape on a 24-track — no backup time required.
Most of the HDR24/96 editing features require a monitor, mouse and keyboard. Here’s how to install them: 1. Connect a color SVGA monitor to the HDR24/96 Video connector. The monitor should support a 1024x768 screen resolution at a 60 Hz vertical scan rate, and for the best picture, should have at least a 17" screen. 2. Connect a two-button PS/2 compatible mouse to the Mouse port. 3. Connect a PC-style keyboard to the Keyboard port.
HDR 24/96 Remote 24 / Remote 48 (Optional) Note: The Remotes duplicate nearly all of the front panel operating controls and some extras to boot. When we describe a front panel operation, you’ll probably find it available on the Remote also. Installing either remote is as simple as plugging in a telephone.
Before starting a Project, you need to configure the HDR24/96 I/O card options and synchronization parameters. These parameters determine where the sample clock is coming from, how fast the sample clock runs, and how many bits are recorded in every sample. Some options, like sample rate and bit depth, will become “standards” that you won’t need to change very often. The remaining synchronization options (for time code and video) are covered in detail in the Technical Reference Guide.
HDR 24/96 1. Select Setup from the Windows menu (or use keyboard shortcut CTRL+1) and click the Digital I/O icon. The Digital I/O Setup dialog shows you the current settings for each of the three I/O cards (see illustration below). 2. Click the Input pulldown menu and select either ADAT or TDIF for each DIO•8 card. 3. Click the Output pulldown menu and select the desired output format.
The PDI•8 card options include sample rate conversion for each stereo AES/EBU input, and status bit control (pro/consumer mode) for each output. When a PDI•8 card is first installed, its default settings are for sample rate conversion Off, and channel status bits set to indicate the Pro (AES/EBU) format. In most circumstances you won’t need to change these settings.
HDR 24/96 1. Select Setup from the Windows menu (or use keyboard shortcut CTRL+1). 2. Click the Digital I/O icon. For each PDI•8 card, click the Setup button. In the AES/EBU Setup dialog, check the Converted boxes corresponding to the desired input(s) to enable sample rate conversion; leave the boxes unchecked for no sample rate conversion (default). 3. Then select Pro (default) or Consumer from the pulldown menus associated with the desired output(s).
Sample Clock The PDI·8 is the only Mackie I/O card that currently supports 88.2 or 96 kHz operation. Do not operate the HDR24/96 at these Sample Rates with AIO·8, DIO·8, or OPT·8 cards installed. The Sample Clock setting determines the source of the HDR24/96 sample clock. If the HDR24/96 is a clock master or is not connected to any other digital device(s), set it to Internal. If the HDR24/96 is a word clock slave, set it to Word Clock. The Video setting is discussed in the Technical Reference Manual.
HDR 24/96 5. Select Bit Depth. Set the Bit Depth to 16 Bit or 24 Bit using the (–)Dec/ (+)Inc or << / >> buttons. Select OK. <- SYNC OPTIONS Bit Generate TC Depth SMPTE MTC Offset Sync Settings for 88.2/96 kHz operation only: 1. Move to the last page of the Sync Options menu with the Page Right (>) button. Select SR/2 In. 2. Set the Word Clock Input divisor to On or Off using the (–)Dec / (+)Inc or << / >> buttons. Off selects 1x operation, On selects 0.5x operation. 3.
This section shows how the HDR24/96 is typically connected to both analog and digital consoles (using the Mackie Analog and Digital 8•Bus consoles as examples). These examples assume that the rest of your studio equipment (monitors, sound sources, outboard processing, etc.) is already connected, or that you know how to connect it. Before you begin, note how the three eight-channel I/O cards are arranged on the HDR24/96 rear panel: 1-8 is on the left, 9-16 is in the center, and 17-24 is on the right.
HDR 24/96 2. Connect three snakes to the HDR24/96 Outputs (top connector). Connect the plug end of the snakes to the like-numbered Tape Return jacks on the 24•8 console. HDR24/96 Settings 1. Set the Sample Clock to Internal. 2. Set the Sample Rate and Bit Depth according to your preference. Console Settings Set the 24•8 console to the nominal +4 dBu operating level by setting the five Operating Level switches in the Sub Out and Tape Return sections to the ‘out’ position.
Cables & Hardware (3) DIO•8 cards for HDR24/96 (3) DIO•8 cards for D8B (1) Clock I/O card for D8B (3) TDIF cables (1) 75 Ω BNC word clock cable Hookup 1. Connect the three TDIF cables between the corresponding TDIF jacks on the HDR24/96 and D8B. 2. When TDIF is used, the D8B must have a Clock I/O card installed. To make the D8B the clock master, connect its Word Clock Out (not DIO•8 Sync out) to the HDR24/96 Word Clock In.
HDR 24/96 TDIF Hookup with DIO•8 Apogee Clock I/O Card APOGEE SYNC DIO•8 Cards APOGEE DIGITAL I/O APOGEE DIGITAL I/O APOGEE DIGITAL I/O TDIF TDIF TDIF TDIF Connection Word Clock Out Word Clock Out HDR 24/96 OUT SYNC IN OUT IN TDIF TDIF APOGEE DIGITAL I/O Figure 1 OUT IN SYNC OUT ADAT OPTICAL IN SYNC ADAT OPTICAL ADAT OPTICAL TDIF Connection Word Clock Out 24 TDIF Cables (DB25) HDR 24/96 Word Clock In Note: The Word Clock connections shown here are the same for Figure 2, 3 and
Cables & Hardware (3) DIO•8 or OPT•8 cards for HDR24/96 (3) DIO•8 or OPT•8 cards for D8B (1) Clock I/O card for D8B (6) ADAT Optical cables (1) 75Ω BNC word clock cable Hookup 1. Connect three ADAT Optical cables from the HDR24/96 Optical Outputs to the Optical Inputs on the corresponding D8B I/O cards. 2. Connect three ADAT Optical cables from the HDR24/96 Optical Inputs to the Optical Outputs on the corresponding D8B I/O cards. Operation Guide ADAT Optical Hookup (DIO•8 or OPT•8) 3.
HDR 24/96 ADAT Optical Hookup with DIO•8 Apogee Clock I/O Card DIO•8 Cards APOGEE DIGITAL I/O TDIF TDIF APOGEE DIGITAL I/O TDIF APOGEE DIGITAL I/O Word Clock Out Word Clock Out APOGEE SYNC ADAT Optical Out APOGEE Digital 8 Bus OUT SYNC IN OUT IN ADAT OPTICAL SYNC TDIF APOGEE DIGITAL I/O TDIF OUT ADAT OPTICAL APOGEE DIGITAL I/O TDIF Use one only Depress the Termination button if the HDR24/96 is set to Slave IN APOGEE DIGITAL I/O OUT IN OUT IN ADAT OPTICAL ADAT OPTICAL HDR 24/9
Operation Guide ADAT Optical Hookup with OPT•8 OPT•8 Cards Apogee Clock I/O Card APOGEE SYNC ADAT Optical Out Word Clock Out Word Clock Out APOGEE Digital•8 Bus Word Clock In Word Clock Out (HDR24/96 as Master) Word Clock Out (D8B as Master) Word Clock In ADAT Optical In HDR Sync Card ADAT Optical Out WARNING NOT Use one only HDR 24/96 Depress the Termination button if the HDR24/96 is set to Slave ADAT Optical In Word Clock In OPT•8 Cards Word Clock Out Figure 3 Operation Guide 27
HDR 24/96 AES/EBU Hookup (PDI•8) Cables & Hardware (3) PDI•8 cards for HDR24/96 (3) PDI•8 cards for D8B (1) Clock I/O card for D8B (3) DB25 to DB25 AES/EBU snakes (1) 75Ω BNC word clock cable Hookup 1. Connect the three AES/EBU cables between the corresponding AES/EBU connectors on the HDR24/96 and D8B. 2. When AES/EBU is used, the D8B must have a Clock I/O card installed. To make the D8B the clock master, connect its Word Clock Out to the HDR24/96 Word Clock In.
Operation Guide AES/EBU Hookup with PDI•8 PDI•8 I/O Cards Apogee Clock I/O Card APOGEE SYNC PDI•8 PDI•8 PDI•8 Word Clock Out Word Clock Out Word Clock In AES/EBU I/O AES/EBU I/O Word Clock In APOGEE AES/EBU I/O Digital 8•Bus AES/EBU Cables (DB25) NOT HDR Sync Card PDI•8 PDI•8 PDI•8 HDR 24/96 Use one only AES/EBU I/O Depress the Termination button if the HDR24/96 is set to Slave AES/EBU I/O WARNING Word Clock Out (D8B as Master) AES/EBU I/O Word Clock Out (HDR24/96 as Master) Wor
HDR 24/96 HDR24/96 Operation Now that you’ve finished installing and configuring the HDR24/96, you’re almost ready to start your first Project. We still want you to read this entire guide, but we already hear some of you shuffling and muttering. Okay, okay, okay... for the terminally impatient, read this chapter, then you can go out and play with your friends.
Operation Guide 1. Select Open Project from the File menu (or use keyboard shortcut CTRL+O). 2. In the Open Project dialog box, click on the desired Project name, then click Open, or simply double click the Project name.
HDR 24/96 Basic Transport Operations The HDR24/96 transport and recording controls are similar to those on most multitrack tape recorders. Play Play puts the HDR24/96 into play from any state (as if you didn’t know). Play also punches out of record and cancels master record standby while leaving the Transport in play. To put the Transport into play: REWIND FAST FWD STOP PLAY ♦ Press Play. ♦ Click Play. ♦ Press the Spacebar when the Transport is stopped.
HDR 24/96 Front Panel HOURS K MINUTES BARS SECONDS FRAMES BEATS TICKS HDR 24/96 GUI Current Time Display Current Time Display Marker Bar Time Bar The Current Time display shows the exact position of the HDR24/96’s “playback head.” In the GUI, Current Time is represented both by an eight digit numeric display in the top right corner and by a vertical yellow line called the Time Line.
HDR 24/96 To change the Time Units: ♦ Right-click on the Time Bar or in any time display (except in the Cue List and the Setup window), and select one of the four options from the Time Units pop-up menu. ♦ Just in case you were looking—you can only switch the Time Units from the GUI. Locate Points and Looping Locate points provide fast access to frequently used locations in your Project. The HDR24/96 has four numbered Locates and a Transport Locate.
1. Click on the List View arrow to expand the List View. 2. Click on the Cues tab (or use keyboard shortcut CTRL+5). Enter the desired time directly into the Locate time display with the mouse or keyboard (see Time Displays). Or, when the Transport is at the desired time, click CAPTURE, or CTRL+click inside the Locate time display. ♦ Press CTRL+L when the Transport is at the desired time.
HDR 24/96 Cues Like Locates, Cues mark frequently used locations in your Project. However, Cues are available only from the GUI. The HDR24/96 provides up to 999 namable Cues that are visible in both the Cue List and the Marker Bar. To create, edit and recall Cues from the Cue List: ♦ Click the List View arrow and click on the Cues tab (or use keyboard shortcut CTRL+5). Click on a Cue in the List to select it for editing. Create a new Cue ♦ Click New when the Transport is at the desired time.
♦ Double-click on the Cue time and enter a new value into the Cue time display with the mouse or keyboard (see Time Displays). or: Drag the Cue marker in the Marker Bar. ♦ Delete a Cue ♦ Operation Guide Move a Cue Select a Cue and then click Delete. Renumber Cues ♦ Although Cues are always listed in chronological order, moving or creating Cues can put the Cue numbers out of chronological order. Click Renum to renumber the Cues in chronological order.
HDR 24/96 Creating Projects Now that you have a few basics down, you’re ready to start recording. First, you’ll need to create a new Project. Typically a Project is a song, radio spot, or sound effects stem for a 10-minute film reel, but it could also be a live concert or an entire symphony. To create a new Project from the front panel: 1. Press Project, then select New. The HDR24/96 asks if you want to save the PROJECT currently open Project.
1. From the File menu select New Project or use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+N. The HDR24/96 asks if you want to save the currently open Project. 2. Click No if you want to discard the changes you made to the demo Project. 3. In the New Project dialog box, select the drive you want to create the project on from the Drive Select pulldown menu. 4. Select a Sample Rate mode from the two checkboxes. The Sample Rate mode determines whether your project will be a 24-track Project at 44.
HDR 24/96 Naming Tracks Recorded audio files inherit the name of the track they are recorded on. The default names are Track 1, Track 2, etc. By giving your tracks meaningful names, managing your project and your audio files becomes much easier. To name Tracks: 1. Double-click on a Track Name to highlight it. Type in a new track name of 12 characters or less. 2. Hit TAB or SHIFT+TAB to move to the next/previous Track Name field. 3. Press ENTER or click outside the Track Name when done.
Auto Input is used for recording. Auto Input affects only tracks that are in Record Ready (“armed”). Tracks that are not armed only monitor the playback of previously recorded audio. All Input overrides Auto Input. To use Auto Input, All Input must be turned off. When Auto Input is On, armed tracks monitor their inputs in Stop, Fast Forward, Rewind, and Record. In Play, you hear only what’s already recorded on the tracks.
HDR 24/96 Metering and Setting Record Levels A professional analog recorder has meters that indicate 0 VU at a +4 dBu nominal signal level. Generally you can record peaks 10 to 15 dB above that before distortion becomes objectionable. This 10-15 dB range above the nominal level is called “headroom.” On digital recorder meters, zero represents the full-scale digital signal level, 0 dBFS for short. 0 dBFS is the hottest signal that a digital device can handle, with no headroom to spare.
4. After adjusting the tape output levels for each console channel, follow your console manufacturer’s instructions for setting the console tape return levels. The overload indicators on the HDR24/96 light when the signal level reaches –1 dBFS. In the GUI, the white track number above the Meters flashes red continuosly when the signal on that track clips (reaches 0 dBFS). If the tracks Clip Indicator is lit, then turn down the console tape output to that track a bit. Operation Guide 3.
HDR 24/96 Recording All recording in the HDR24/96 is non-destructive. When you record over existing audio, the old audio is not “erased” as it with magnetic tape; rather, new audio files are created in addition to the existing files. Recording can only take place on tracks that are “armed” for recording. To arm tracks for recording: 1. Press a track’s Record Ready button. REC 2. Press it again to disarm the track. 1 1. Click a track’s Record Ready button. 2. Click it again to disarm the track.
♦ From Play, Press Record; there is no need to hold Play to start recording. Press any Transport button other than Record to stop recording. RECORD When Record is engaged, you can punch in and out of record on individual tracks using the Record Ready buttons. All of the recording methods sound the same, with no clicks or gaps.
HDR 24/96 Auto Punch Auto Punch allows you to automatically punch in and out between two predefined points. This feature is very convenient when you need to nail a really tight punch or need two hands to play your instrument. Numbered Locates 3 and 4 (available on the GUI and the Remotes but not the front panel), double as the Auto Punch Punch In and Punch Out points. To enable Auto Punch: Click the Punch button. ♦ When Punch is enabled, two red Punch markers appear in the Marker Bar.
Using a footswitch with the HDR24/96 gives you hands-free access to several of the most-used HDR24/96 functions. The footswitch is extremely handy when you want to use your hands for other tasks, like playing your instrument, working the console, or eating pizza. Punching in and out is probably the most common use of the footswitch, but it can do other tricks as well. Punch punches-in just like pressing Play+Record and punches-out like pressing Play.
HDR 24/96 Delete Last With the HDR24/96 you don’t need to worry about filling up your hard disks with unwanted takes. The Delete Last function erases all the audio files recorded during the last record pass. A recording pass consists of all punches made within one play/stop cycle. To delete the last recording pass: ♦ Press the DELETE LAST button. The LCD display asks you to confirm that you want to delete the last record pass. Press OK.
With Mackie Media drives, you can back up your Projects on removable media that you can hand to the client or store in your tape library. Backing up and restoring Projects is as simple as copying the Projects between the internal and the Mackie Media drives. To copy Projects between the internal and Mackie Media drives: 1. Press the BACKUP button. T BACKUP D BACKUP SOURCE: Internal DESTINATION: External Set Source Dest Exit Backup 2.
HDR 24/96 It is extremely important that you make backup copies of your projects at the end of each session. While digital recording technology is highly reliable and hard disk media is durable, sometimes stuff just happens. To reduce your risk of catastrophic data loss (and the possible loss of $$ and clients), back up your projects on two media before deleting them from your working drive(s). There…. now you know better.
Operation Guide 1. Select Format Drive from the File menu. 2. Click OK in the Format Drive conformation box. 4. When the format operation has completed, another message will appear asking you to verify the drive speed for recording and playback. If a UDMA drive is installed, select OK. After the performance verification is completed, select Continue. If a Mackie Media PROJECT drive is installed, select Cancel; they are too slow to be used for recording and playback.
HDR 24/96 Appendix A: Compatible Cables Analog and Digital Multitrack Cables The following companies supply analog and digital multitrack cables for use with the HDR24/96 I/O cards: Horizon Music, Inc. P.O. Box 1988, Cape Girardeau MO 63702-1988 Tel: (800) 255-9822; Fax: (800) 455-3460 http://www.horizonmusic.
Operation Guide Marshall Electronics PO Box 2027, Culver City, CA 90231 Tel: (800) 800-6608; Fax: (310) 391-8926 http://www.mars-cam.com/cable.html AIO•8 Analog Interface Cables DC-DAXM Series DB25 to 8 male XLR’s DC-DAXF Series DB25 to 8 female XLR’s DC-DAS Series DB25 to 8 1/4" TRS connectors Standard lengths: 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 feet DIO•8 TDIF Interface Cables DCD-88D Series DB25 to DB25. Standard lengths: 1, 3, 6, 12, 15, 20, 25, 33 feet.
Pin 14 Pin 15 Pin 16 Pin 17 Pin 18 Pin 19 Pin 20 Pin 21 Pin 22 Pin 23 Pin 24 Pin 25 Tape 17-24 Ch24 Ch24 Ch23 Ch22 Ch22 Ch21 Ch20 Ch20 Ch19 Ch18 Ch18 Ch17 Tape 9-16 Ch16 Ch16 Ch15 Ch14 Ch14 Ch13 Ch12 Ch12 Ch11 Ch10 Ch10 Ch 9 Tape 1-8 Ch 8 Ch 8 Ch 7 Ch 6 Ch 6 Ch 5 Ch 4 Ch 4 Ch 3 Ch 2 Ch 2 Ch 1 Signal Description Tape 17-24 + shield – + shield – + shield – + shield – N/C Tape 9-16 Pin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3 Pin 4 Pin 5 Pin 6 Pin 7 Pin 8 Pin 9 Pin 10 Pin 11 Pin 12 Pin 13 Tape 1-8 AIO•8 Pinouts Signal Desc
Although you probably won’t need them, troubleshooting tips can be found in the Technical Reference Guide. Technical support is available by contacting your Mackie dealer, calling Mackie Designs at (800) 258-6883 (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time), or visiting Mackie’s website at www.mackie.com. Please read the included warranty information, then complete and return the included Warranty Registration card, or it’s straight to bed for you with no dinner.
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