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"This is what we've all been waiting for!" |
It is rare that we focus on specific products in detail within the Newsletter but a new portable sound recorder has been creating considerable interest in the US. AMPS members who had seen or heard of it suggested that it could warrant a special mention, at least as indicating a possible future direction for production sound.
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"This is what we've all been waiting for!" |
The Deva is described by its manufacturer Zaxcom Audio as the 'world's first portable 4-channel 24-bit uncompressed hard disk recorder/player/mixer' which is probably a correct statement. There are actually three models to chose from - a fully configured four channel system; a cheaper 2 channel system with extended battery life; or a mixer only version that has all the features of the 4 channel unit but without the record/replay.
It should be said that at the time of writing we have had no input from any AMPS members who have actually used a Deva and this report is based largely upon Zaxcom's own literature.
Firstly, this machine in undeniably compact with external dimensions of 8 x 3 x 7.25 inches and a weight of 5lbs 2ozs with an NP1 battery installed. The recording medium uses a 2.5 inch removable IDE hard disk drive with a capacity of 1.35 Gigabyte. Using Zaxcom's Mobile Audio Recording Format (MARF) this provides a maximum record length of 2.5 hours mono, 1.25 hours stereo, and 37 minutes for 4 channel. An optional 2.2Gb drive ups this to 4 hours mono.
In mechanical terms this drive is rated at sustaining up to 125G-force and is said to be immune to dust, humidity and temperature changes. Protection of the audio material against knocks while recording is handled by a shock-sensing circuit that automatically shifts recording to a 24 Megabyte RAM buffer. As soon as the Deva senses that the conditions are favourable, the buffer is automatically transferred to the disk
Zaxom's MARF format has been optimised for the task. The Deva provides software tools for the recovery of audio from a disk whose directory has been reinitialised or even reconstruction of a previously erased directory.
During recording the unit undertakes constant read/verify and creates a headphones alert and a visual warning if an uncorrectable error should occur.
The on-board mixing facilities are all digital. Any of the 4 inputs may be mixed to any of the 4 disk channels; and any of the inputs may also be mixed to any of the four line outputs in a balance that may be quite different to the disk mix. All four channels contain their own 3-band EQ with notch filter, compressor/limiter and gate. The Deva's LCD display notes out of phase conditions and then allows the user to correct it on the mixer. Zaxcom claim that their input circuitry allows selection of smooth automatic gain manipulation that makes it 'extremely difficult to overload the A/D converter.
Battery life depends on the model but a working life of at least 2 hours is claimed for an NP1 battery, and options for alternative 12V supply exist.
The standard Deva operates at 48kHz but 44.1 and 48.048 are available as options. The DACS are all 20-bit and an AES/EBU interface allows acceptance of 24-bit signals.
Timecode is handled via an internal reader/generator that supports 24, 25, 29.97 (NDF and DF) and 30 (NDF and DF) frame rates. The system also has the ability store 256 cue points on the disk for noting preferred takes or as cues for playback audio. A PCMCIA slot accepts a SCSI adapter or even a modem. The system also includes Sony BVW75 emulation allowing control from an external source.
Pricing remains to be confirmed for the UK but in the US a basic 4 channel system is quoted as under $10,000. Sandy MacRae has been investigating the Deva, without managing to get his hands on one as yet, and he feels that there are numerous points that need to be clarified before becoming too enthusiastic, such as the additional cost of the accessories, the necessary options, and most particularly the cost of the removable hard disks, of which many would be needed - he reckons up to six or seven when working on a feature film.
Brian Simmons reports that the Deva is being used as principal machine backed up by alternative recorders, on numerous US productions by mixers such as Art Rochester on the next X-Files feature, by Mark Ulano on Jackie Brown with Robert De Niro, by Keith Wester on Armageddon, and Danny Michael on Meet Joe Black with Brad Pitt.
While it may be too early to be specific about this machine is does appear to show promise and a possible alternative direction for production sound that we will be watching very carefully.
KS-A