AEQ PAW 120 User manual

AEQ PAW 120
Professional Digital Portable Recorder
USER’S MANUAL
ED 02/07
Software version 3.14

.
AEQ PAW120
1
CONTENTS
Page
1. GENERAL INFORMATION........................................................................................... 2
1.1. Features........................................................................................................... 3
1.2. Front panel keys functions............................................................................... 4
1.3. Left side keys functons.................................................................................... 5
1.4. Rigth side......................................................................................................... 5
1.5. Top face........................................................................................................... 6
1.6. Batteries installation......................................................................................... 6
1.7. Turning on........................................................................................................ 6
1.8. Play/Record window description...................................................................... 7
2. USING THE PAW120.................................................................................................... 9
2.1. Audio recording................................................................................................ 9
2.2. Voice operated recording................................................................................. 10
2.3. Playback.......................................................................................................... 11
2.4. Playback levels adjustment............................................................................. 11
2.5. Settings storage in a template......................................................................... 11
2.6. Fast deleting an audio recording..................................................................... 11
3. PRESET MENU............................................................................................................. 12
4. SETUP MENU............................................................................................................... 14
5. FILE / FOLDER MANAGER.......................................................................................... 17
6. EDITION........................................................................................................................ 19
6.1. Edition display.................................................................................................. 19
6.2. Audio edition.................................................................................................... 19
7. USB............................................................................................................................... 21
8. SOFTWARE UPDATE................................................................................................... 23
9. SPECIFICATIONS......................................................................................................... 24
10. FAQ............................................................................................................................... 28

.
AEQ PAW120
2
1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
What is PAW120?
AEQ PAW120 is a professional hand-held digital audio recorder. It is smart, easy to use and
has extensive features. The PAW120 allows user to record, playback and edit, it supports the
MP2, MP3, BWF and WAV formats. The recorder also can connect with a PC via USB interface
for audio files uploading or downloading.
◙RECORD.
The PAW120 allows user to pre-define some templates to make a faster selection of technical
parameters when a recording is made. Select a template such as “MUSIC” or “SPEECH”.
◙PLAYBACK.
Press “ ”key to start playing. The user can monitor the audio with either earphones or
built-in speaker.
◙FILE MANAGEMENT.
In the file management module it is possible to copy, move and delete files.
◙EDIT.
Cut the unnecessary sections of an audio file and get an storage space release in addition.
◙OLED Display.
The PAW120 recorder has a large bright OLED display. Files can be clearly seen in both bright
(sunlight) and darkness conditions.

.
AEQ PAW120
3
1.1. FEATURES.
•High quality internal microphone capsule.
•Supports any dynamic, capacitor and electrets external microphone, with Phantom power
supply.
•Built-in speaker.
•Built-in waveform audio editor.
•Real-time MPEG and Linear PCM editing.
•OLED dual colour display.
•USB transfer FAT file format compatible with Windows™ and Mac™ OS.
•Automatic Gain Control (AGC) recording.
•Metal case.
•Support BWF (Broadcast Wave File) format, for easy integration into existing automation
system.
•Two modes of operation for VOR (Voice Operated Record) system: Pause REC or Split
Track.
•Variable voice control trigger level.
•Customized mute time delay.
•Automatic level control.
•Standard Windows FAT16 file system.
•Optional external stereo microphone with direct-contact feature and self-lock system.
•Document management.

.
AEQ PAW120
4
1.2. FRONT PANEL KEYS FUNCTIONS.
1 - key:
•Pause function during playback and recording.
•Executes functions in menu mode.
•Selects PRE-RECORD mode from STOP.
2 - C key:
•Cancels (escape) a menu operation or exits a display
mode.
•Play/Record mode and MANAGER and SETUP menus
access.
3 - REC led:
•Red blinking during recording.
4 - Up key:
•Increases the input gain in prerecord/record mode.
•Skip back to previous file in play/stop mode.
•Moves to the previous available option in menu mode.
•Moves the A or B marker backwards in edition mode.
5 - Left key:
•Rewind key during playback.
•Decreases the recording level (0.5dB steps) in
prerecord/record mode.
•Move left in the menu mode.
•In edition mode moves the marker backwards.
6 - Menu key:
•Display the sub-menu for fast selection of input device, template, etc., in play/record
mode.
•Enters markers during recording.
•In edition mode it allows to jump to an exact playback position, return to a previous
situation or modify resolution.
7 - Right key:
•Fast forward key during playback.
•Increases the recording level (0.5 dB steps) in prerecord/record mode.
•Move right in the menu mode.
•In edition mode moves the marker forwards.
8 - Down key:
•Decreases the input gain in prerecord/record mode.
•Skip forward to next file in play/stop mode.
•Moves to next available option in menu mode.
•Moves the A or B marker forwards in edition mode.
9 - Edit key:
•Fast access to edition mode from MANAGER menu.
•Removes the selected portion between 2 marks during editing.
•Removes the selected files in STOP mode.
10 - Play / Stop / Power key:
•Main Power ON/OFF key (press for 5 secs.). When USB cable is connected, the
machine cannot be switched off.
•Toggles between play and stop.
11 - A-B key:
•Selects the position of marker A or B in the edition mode.
•In all other modes, put the display into high brightness for 5 sec.
6
7
1 2
4
3
3
7
3
8
356
3
911
310
Fig. 2

.
AEQ PAW120
5
1.3. LEFT SIDE KEYS FUNCTIONS.
1 - RECORD switch:
•When you slide up the switch the PAW120 starts recording.
2 - AGC (Automatic Gain Control) switch:
•When you slide up the switch Automatic Gain Control is activated.
3 - HOLD switch:
•When you slide up the switch up the keyboard controls are locked.
1.4. RIGHT SIDE.
1 - USB port:
•Used for connecting to a PC/MAC for file download.
•Allows for external DC powering of the unit.
2 - Output VOLUME adjustment:
•Volume adjustment of headphones & built-in speaker.
•In the sub-menus, allows selection of a character or a number (for names changing).
3 - LINE OUTPUT:
•Stereo line output 3.5 mm Jack connector.
4 - Headphone output:
•Stereo headphone output 3.5 mm Jack connector.
1 32
Fig. 2
1 2 3 4
Fig. 3

.
AEQ PAW120
6
1.5. TOP FACE.
1 - LINE INPUT:
•3,5 mm stereo Jack connector for line inputs.
2 - EXT MIC:
•3,5 mm stereo Jack connector for external micro
inputs.
3 - MIC:
•Built-in mono microphone.
1.6. BATTERIES INSTALLATION.
Insert 2 AA batteries into the battery
compartment taking care of the correct
polarity and close the cover.
Rechargeable batteries (NiCd or Ni-mH)
can also be used, but they can not be
charged inside the PAW120 when it is
connected via USB to a PC/MAC for
external powering.
1.7. TURNING ON.
Push and hold the “ ”key for 5 seconds: the machine turns on and shows the initial screen
for 2 seconds followed by the “STOP” window display.
To skip the initial screen, press any key. To jump to the ”PRE-RECORD” window, press the
“”key.
If the AEQ PAW120 recorder is off and you connect it to the computer through the USB cable,
the unit will automatically turn on and a sub-window will appear giving the possibility to select
“USB Power” or “USB Transfer”. Make a selection and press the ” ” key.
Fig. 4
3
21
Fig. 5

.
AEQ PAW120
7
1.8. PLAY / RECORD WINDOW DESCRIPTION.
1 - Function Name: Area that indicates the function´s name of the current display (“STOP”,
“PLAY”, “PRE REC” or “RECORD”).
2 - Input Level: Indicates the input device (internal/external microphone, line input or a new
created device) and the associated input gain.
3 - REC Level: The recording level can be adjusted when record or prerecord function is active
using the left and right keys in steps of 0.5 dB. The adjustment range depends on the selected
input type: from +84 to +144 dB for “EXT MIC”, from -60 to 0 dB for “LINE”, from -12 to +20 dB
for “LINE HI” and from -35 to -3 dB for “LINE LO”. Please note that when internal microphone
(“INT MIC”) is selected, the “AGC” must be turned on as recording level can not be adjusted.
4 - VOR status: Indicates if VOR (Voice Operated Record) mode is turned ON or OFF.
5 - USB status: This icon appears when the machine is connected via USB to a PC/MAC for
external powering.
6 - Keylock status: The key icon appears when the keys are locked by means of the “HOLD”
slide button on the left side.
7 - Battery status: Five stripes inside the battery icon
indicates full capacity.
8 - Input Boost level: Only when using an external mic, indicates additional gain, that can be
turned off or set to +19dB or +34dB.
9 - AGC status: Indicates if Automatic Gain Control is turned ON or OFF.
10 - Output volume: The output volume level for headphones or internal speaker (play mode)
can be adjusted from -40.0 dB to + 1.0 dB in 0.5 dB steps.
11 - VU meter: Full scale from -40 dB to 0 dB with peak hold indicator for left and right
channels.
12 - Current status: ■Stop, ΟMonitoring/pre-record (EE) mode, ●Record, ►Play,
Forward, Rewind and ▐▌Pause.
13 - File counters: The upper counter indicates the total number of recorded files. The lower
counter indicates the number of the file ready to be played.
1- Function Name
2- Input Level
3 - Recording Level
4 - VOR status
7 - Battery status
9- AGC status
8- Boost level
10 - Output volume
5 - USB status
11 - VUmeter
12 – Current status
13 - Files Counters
14 - Total file time / Free
record time
15 - Play / Record file name
16 - Audio parameters
17 -Play / Record time
18 - Play progress bar
6 - Keylock status

.
AEQ PAW120
8
14 - Total file time / Free record time: In playback the counter shows the duration of the
current file and in recording it shows the remaining capacity left in the memory.
15 - Play/Record file name: The name of the current file during recording or playback.
16 - Audio parameters: This area shows (left to right), the current file type, the sampling
frequency, the bit rate and the Mono/Stereo mode.
17 - Play/Record time: Display in minutes & seconds the time since the playback or recording
start.
18 - Play progress & free disk space bar (3 colour): During playback the entire bar
corresponds to the selected file. The “filled-in” part indicates the playback progression. In stop
or record mode, it indicates the remaining record space available in the memory.

.
AEQ PAW120
9
2. USING THE PAW120.
Introduction and general information.
The AEQ PAW120 is a hand-held recorder designed for a wide range of applications and
functions, which are described in this manual.
The operating concept is designed around a system of preset templates where all the required
operating settings are stored. The user can choose different parameters of the machine and
these personalised settings are stored in a template for future quick access. There are two sets
of templates: one for the compression mode to be used and the other one to store different
input devices.
The topics covered into this User’s Manual are:
•Field audio recording.
•Playing a previous recording.
•Storing settings in a template.
•Editing a recording.
•File / Folder management.
•Downloading to a computer.
2.1. AUDIO RECORDING.
Before making a recording the input source, compression mode, file name and working directory
need to be defined. The PAW120 makes recordings according to the pre-selected settings
stored in the templates. If nothing is set prior to the first recording then the default settings will
be adopted. If specific settings are required, then they must be selected first defining a
customized template:
•Input device (internal/external microphone or line input).
•Compression format (Linear PCM, MP2, MP3, a-Law, µ-Law, G729a).
•Working directory (where the recorded files will be stored).
When you select the input device, input gain, additional boost, use (or not) of input filter and
power (this two parameters just for external micro) are automatically set according to the
devices template. Select input device and compression template using the “MENU” key
according to the pre-saved templates.
When ready, press the “OK” key and the PAW120 will go to the “PRE REC” mode where the
audio input can be heard on the headphones and the levels are shown on the vumeter. In this
mode the prerecord buffer (3 seconds) is also active.
In this mode, the recording level can be adjusted in 0.5 dB steps using the “ ” or ” ” keys: the
value is shown in the window that appears. Initially, the value corresponds to the preset value
stored along in the input device template. When internal microphone (“INT MIC”) is selected, the
recording level can not be adjusted.