The 744T is a powerful four-track file-based digital audio recorder. The super-compact 744T records and plays back audio to and from its internal hard drive or Compact Flash medium, making field recording simple and fast. It writes and reads uncompressed PCM audio at 16 or 24 bits with sample rates between 32 kHz and 192 kHz. Compressed (MP3) audio playback and recording from 64 kb/s to 320 kb/s are also supported. The time code implementation makes the 744T ready for any recording job—from over-the-shoulder to cart-based production.

The 744T implements a no-compromise audio path that includes Sound Devices’ next generation microphone preamplifiers. Designed specifically for high bandwidth, high bit rate digital recording, these preamps set a new standard for frequency response linearity, low distortion performance, and low noise.

No other recorder on the market matches its size or feature set. In addition, its learning curve is quite short—powerful does not mean complicated. While the 744T is a very capable recorder by itself, it truly excels when used in conjunction with an outboard audio mixer such as Sound Devices’ own 442 or 302.

Its two recording media (hard drive and Compact Flash) are highly reliable, industry standard, and easily obtainable. The removable, rechargeable battery is a standard Sony-compatible Li-ion camcorder cell. The 744T interconnects with Windows and Mac OS computers for convenient data transfer and backup.

• Two-channels of Sound Devices next generation microphone preamps with phantom, limiters, and high-pass filters
• Channel 3 and 4 line-level inputs on TA3 connectors
• Two-channel, balanced mic/line level outputs on TA3 connectors
• Input-to-track assignment with 256 possible routing combinations
• Records to internal 40 GB hard drive, removable Compact Flash, or both storage medium
• AES3 (XLR) or AES3id (unbalanced AES on BNC) digital inputs and AES3id outputs
• Programmable, sunlight-viewable LED level metering
• WAV or BWF format, mono or poly files, uncompressed PCM audio
• 24-bit or 16-bit (with or without dither) and sampling at 32 kHz–192 kHz
• Ultra-stable Ambient time code circuitry, tuneable to <0.2 PPM accuracy with all relevant TC rates
• MP3 playback capability
• FireWire (IEEE-1394) port for high-speed data transfer to computers
• 6-pin modular C. Link serial input and output for unit linking and future control and expansion
• Removable Li-on rechargeable battery compatible with Sony M- and L-mount Li-on batteries
• 10–18 VDC external input powers and charges on-board battery
• Aluminum & stainless-steel chassis for exceptional durability and light weight
• Class-defining compact size
• Designed for the same operational environmental extremes as Sound Devices field mixers

Sampling Frequency:
internal: 32, 44.1, 48, 48.048, 88.2, 96, 96.096, 176.4, 192 kHz; external: 32–192 kHz via word clock input

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:
114 dB, A-weighted bandwidth
110 dB, 20 Hz – 22 kHz bandwidth

D/A Dynamic Range:
112 dB, A-weighted bandwidth
108 dB, 20 Hz–22 kHz bandwidth

Frequency Res. Mic or Line:
10 Hz–40 kHz, +0.1, -0.5 (gain controls centered), Fs 96 kHz

Equivalent Input Noise:
Mic: -133 dBu max (-135 dBV), 50 ohm source, A-weighted filter
Mic: -131 dBu max (-133 dBV) max, 50 ohm source, 20 Hz–20 kHz BW flat filter, gain fully up
Mic: -130 dBu max (-132 dBV), 150 ohm source, A-weighted filter
Mic: -128 dBu max (-130 dBV), 150 ohm source, 20 Hz–20 kHz BW flat filter, gain fully up

THD + Noise:
Mic: 0.004% max (1 kHz, 22 Hz–22 kHz BW, gain control down, -15 dBu input); line: 0.004% max (1 kHz, 22 Hz–22 kHz BW, gain control down, +16 dBu input)
Gain: (input dBu to -20 dBFS)
mic (normal gain mode): 25 to 70 dB; mic (low gain mode): 10 to 55 dB; line: -6 to 18 dB, 0.1 dB increments

Input Clipping Level:
Mic input: -5 dBu minimum (normal gain mode, gain control fully down); mic input: +10 dBu minimum (low gain mode, gain control fully down); line input: +26 dBu minimum (gain control fully down)

High-Pass Filters:
40, 80, 160, 240 Hz @ 12/18/24 dB/oct (all menu selectable)

Mic Powering:
(each XLR selectable): 48 V phantom through 6.8k resistors, 10 mA per mic available, menu-selected per channel in mic or line level positions

Mic Input Limiters:
analog (pre-A/D converter), dual-stage optocoupler and FET,
-4 dBFS threshold, 20:1 limiting ratio, 5 mS attack time, 200 mS release time

Analog Line Output Clipping Level:
+24 dBu minimum, 10k ohm load
Attenuation & Resolution 0 to 40 dB, 1 dB increments

I/O – Digital:
AES3-id 75 ohm, 0.5 V p-p, S/PDIF compatible with RCA adapter

Digital Storage:
internal hard drive ATA-5 interface 1.8-in or 2.5-in hard drive 4200–7200 RPM supported, FAT32 formatted,; Compact Flash CF type I, II, and + (microdrive) compatible, FAT32 formatted; file types: WAV or BWF, mono or polyphonic; MP3 @ 64, 96, 128, 240, or 320 kb/s stereo; utilities: format, speed test, and repair utility for internal HD and CF volumes

Data Transfer / Control:
FireWire peripheral-mode,IEEE-1394a compliant, 6-pin FireWire, Windows 2000, XP, Mac OS X only: C. Link 6-pin modular input and output, RS-232 machine control, word clock, time code transfer

Metering:
76-segment (4 x 19), sunlight-viewable, selectable peak, VU, or peak (with or without peak hold) with VU ballistics, variable brightness

Time Code:
modes supported: free run, record run, 24 hour run, continuous jam;
frame rates 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97DF, 29.97ND, 30DF, 30ND;
accuracy <0.2 ppm, when tuned with Ambient Master Controller; holds TC clock for 8 hours after main battery removal (AA time code battery installed); after 8 hours, retains time of day

Powering:
operating cell, removable 7.2 V (nominal) Sony M- or L-type Li-on, operational from 6 – 8 V; time code battery, 1.2 V AA nickel metal-hydride; power supply (external) 10–18 V, 1 A minimum, via locking 4-pin Hirose connector, use Hirose #HR10-7P-4P (DigiKey# HR100-ND) for locking mating DC connector; pin-4 = (+), pin-1 = (-) or pin-3 = (+) and pin-2=(-).

Environmental:
operation and storage: ambient temperature 5–55° C, relative humidity (non-condensing) <80%

Other:
LCD Display 202 x 32 pixel, extended temperature, backlit display; tone oscillator 100 Hz–10 kHz, variable output, assigned to tracks or outputs (menu-selectable)

Dimensions and Weight:
45 mm x 209 mm x 125 mm (H x W x D) 1.8” x 8.2” x 4.9” mass unpackaged: 1.2 kg, (2.6 lbs) without battery

If you are recording stereo, at the 16-bit 44.1 kHz resolution of DATs and CDs, figure that 1 GB of memory on a hard drive or a CF (Compact Flash) card gives you an hour and a half of recording time.

If you change the "word length" from 16-bit to 24-bit (to increase the dynamic range of the recording), 1 GB will give you an hour of recording time.

Doubling the sampling frequency to 88.2 kHz (or 96 kHz) to "increase the resolution" halves the available recording time to a half hour. Doubling it again to 176.4 kHz (or 192 kHz) cuts it in half again, to 15 minutes.

These times assume a "stereo" (2-track) recording is being made. A "mono" (one-track) recording doubles these times, a four-track recording halves them.

"CF" Compact Flash cards (also used in many digital cameras and camcorders)

These are currently available in the 1-GB ("Gigabyte"), 2-GB, 4-GB, and 8-GB larger sizes. Buy the "Ultra-II" type if you are recording at the higher bit or sampling rates. Prices range from about $60 for a 1-GB card to $350 for the 8-GB. Over time, these prices should continue to drop.

For more information on this product, see the Sound Devices 744T page.

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© 1997 Posthorn Recordings