Dodotronic ULTRAMIC384K BLE User manual

ULTRAMIC384K BLE USER GUIDE
1
ULTRAMIC384KBLE
Ultrasonic USB microphone and recorder
with Bluetooth for an easy configuration via Android smartphone
USER GUIDE
0.4.6

ULTRAMIC384K BLE USER GUIDE
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Summary
Contents
Summary............................................................................................................................................................2
Overview............................................................................................................................................................3
Features..........................................................................................................................................................3
Applications...................................................................................................................................................4
The Circuit .....................................................................................................................................................4
Disassembly...................................................................................................................................................4
Versions..........................................................................................................................................................5
Waterproof .....................................................................................................................................................6
USB Microphone ...............................................................................................................................................7
Unattended Recorder .........................................................................................................................................9
One Hour Recording Mode ...........................................................................................................................9
Minutes Recording Mode ............................................................................................................................10
Scheduled Recording Mode.........................................................................................................................10
UM384BLE configuration app ....................................................................................................................11
USB Power ..................................................................................................................................................12
SD card ........................................................................................................................................................13
XML File Editing.........................................................................................................................................14
Scheduling Deletion.....................................................................................................................................16
Amplification Settings .....................................................................................................................................17
Firmware Upgrade ...........................................................................................................................................18
Simplified Flow Code......................................................................................................................................19
Led messages ...................................................................................................................................................20
Technical Specifications ..................................................................................................................................22
Recording Times ..............................................................................................................................................23
Customization ..................................................................................................................................................23
UM384K Bottom Recorder .............................................................................................................................24
Examples..........................................................................................................................................................25
1 BAT CALLS .............................................................................................................................................25
2 BIRD, INSECT AND BAT CALLS .........................................................................................................30
3 SOUNDSCAPE ........................................................................................................................................31
4 CALLS RECORDING .............................................................................................................................32
5 MONITOR PREDICTIVE .......................................................................................................................32
FAQ..................................................................................................................................................................33
TIPS and TRICKS ...........................................................................................................................................34
Glossary ...........................................................................................................................................................35
Safety Precautions ...........................................................................................................................................36

ULTRAMIC384K BLE USER GUIDE
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Overview
The Ultramic384K is a high quality - professional digital audio and ultrasonic microphone that can
work as both:
-Ultrasonic USB microphone
-Unattended audio and ultrasonic recorder
The Ultramic384K has an integrated analog-to-digital converter able to achieve a 384 Khz data
sampling rate; this mean that you can record sounds up to about 190 Khz.
The USB 2.0 full speed port allows an easy connection to your PC, iOS, Android smartphone or tablet
and to embedded Linux systems.
When used with an external USB battery, the Ultramic384K’s low power, integrated 32 bit
microcontroller makes it the perfect device for long term autonomous recording.
Only 30 mA @5 Volts of power are required when operating at full speed.
Features
A high performance - omnidirectional audio and ultrasonic microphone
USB 2.0 full speed connection using a driverless - standard audio class UAC 1.1 interface for an
easier communication with host devices
Hardware amplification gain is settled via two switches
Easy disassembly to access the SD card slot, the backup battery, the preamplification switches and
button.
CAP
BODYFRONT
REAR CAP
CIRCUIT
SWITCHES
PUSH BUTTON
BLUETOOTH
MICRO SD CARD
CR1220 CLOCK BATTERY

ULTRAMIC384K BLE USER GUIDE
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Applications
BIOACOUSTICS:
oDetecting and recording of biological ultrasounds for bioacoustics studies on insects,
cetaceans, rodents, and bats.
oEnvironmental studies to assess the impact of wind farms on bats.
oRecording and analyzing mice ultrasonic vocalizations for pharmacological studies.
oSoundtracks and special effects (such as slowing down the recorded ultrasounds).
INDUSTRIAL:
oLEAK detection
oPredictive motor fault monitoring
oDetection of high-frequency noises emitted by switching power supplies, LCD screens, or
the turbines of car and truck engines, energy saving lamps.
The Circuit
SD card
Backup and clock battery
Bluetooth
Push
button
Ampification
switches
INPUT CONNECTOR
+5V
INPUT –
INPUT +
RS232 RX
RS232 TX
GROUND
+1.5V
USB CONNECTOR
+5V
D-
D+
GROUND
PROGRAMMER
CONNECTOR

ULTRAMIC384K BLE USER GUIDE
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Disassembly
To disassemble the UM384K you can simply
unscrew the back ring and keep the metal tube
with one hand and push the plastic
component.
To reassemble the UM384K you can push back
the plastic into the metal tube.
Versions
Three UM384K versions are available:
-UM384K USB MICROPHONE
-UM384K BOTTOM RECORDER
-UM384K CIRCUIT ONLY
The different versions have the same circuitry and as a consequence the same functionality.
UM384K USB MICROPHONE
The easiest way to detect and record ultrasound, all integrated in a delrin container and aluminum
tube.
UM384 BOTTOM RECORDER
The hydrophone version. The bottom recorder is essentially an Ultramic installed into a plastic case
specifically designed to support high pressure for deep sea recordings.
Take care with the O-Ring!!! A bad insertion can cut the sealing, vanishing the waterproof
protection.
1
2
3

ULTRAMIC384K BLE USER GUIDE
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UM384K CIRCUIT ONLY
The availability of the circuit UM384K only allows a customized integration of the UM384K for many
different applications, such as the combination with a specific sensor to detect - vibrations, piezo
ultrasound detector, infrasound, etc.
Please, be aware that using this circuit outside of its specification may damage the circuit.
Waterproof
Ultramic384Kis a waterproof IP67 microphone when the front cap is tightly screwed. The USB
connector is – not a waterproof device, therefore it must be protected from humidity and dust. The
microphone sensor is protected by a PTFE membrane glued to the black front cap.
Even if the membrane is very small it will block a part of ultrasonic sounds. If you don’t need the
waterproof protection or if you have provided a custom shelter for UM384K from rain than unscrew the
front cup so you’ll got all the sensitivity of UM384K.
While the Ultramic384K is water resistant and designed to operate in an outdoor environment, it is
strongly recommended that the Ultramic384K must be protected from the direct rain or snow. In
addition, please note that it will be difficult for the sound to be captured by the sensor if the
windscreen or the sensor becomes wet.
Finally, please ensure that the USB cable leads down from the device so that any water is channeled
away from the microphone, minimizing the chance of water infiltration through the grommet.
The front membrane greatly decrease the sensitivity in ultrasonic range so provide a
shelter from rain and unscrew and remove the front membrane to have a better sensitivity.

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USB Microphone
Ultramic384k is commonly used as a USB ultrasonic microphone.
You simply have to:
-Remove the internal SD card
-Connect the USB connector to your PC, smartphone or tablet.
The use of standard USB audio class allows the microphone to be used as a standard Plug & Play
device with no driver installation required.
… WITH YOUR PC
Insert the USB connector of the microphone to the USB connector of your PC.
Less than a minute is required for the operating system of your PC to install the required software.
Install your preferred audio software. The list of compatible software can be found on:
www.dodotronic.com
… WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET
Use a USB OTG adapter and connect the Ultramic to your Android smartphone.
Download the BAT RECORDER app and open it.
Connect your headphones to listen the ultrasound translated in audio range. The online user guide will
lead you to understand the many available features.
Smartphone and UM384K with the microphone metal holder.

ULTRAMIC384K BLE USER GUIDE
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… WITH YOUR iOS DEVICE
With the lightening USB adapter connect your microphone to your iPad, iPod or iPhone.
Download the ULTRASONIC ANALYZER app to capture the ultrasound.
The list of compatible devices and other
compatible apps can be found on:
www.dodotronic.com
Visit: www.dodotronic.com to find the
updated list of devices, apps and more
regarding the use of Ultramic384k.

ULTRAMIC384K BLE USER GUIDE
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Unattended Recorder
The Ultramic384K is also an embedded recorder and nothing else is required but an external USB
power supply and a formatted SD card.
There are three ways of recording:
ONE HOUR RECORDING MODE
MINUTES RECORDING MODE
SCHEDULED RECORDING MODE
One Hour Recording Mode
This is the simplest way to use it as an autonomous recorder. No scheduling is needed.
This mode allows you to make a single, one hour length recording each time the microphone is
powered on. After one hour the file is closed and the Ultramic384K will go into a low power mode.
How to setup the autonomous one - hour recording mode:
-Open the Ultramic384k by unscrewing the back.
-Insert a formatted SD card into the slot on the circuit board.
-Reassemble the device.
-Power the device via an USB power supply such as wall adapter or a USB power bank.
Then the device starts recording at 384Khz sampling rate.
Every 8 seconds the RED led emits a blink indicating the beginning of recording.
If you want to stop the recording press the button for a few seconds. Consequently the green led
blinks rapidly to state the stop of the current recording.
Every time Ultramic384K is powered on, it creates a new folder - sequentially named using the
format PWRxxxxx - where xxxxx is a sequential number. A maximum of 6 files is saved in the folder,
each file up to 480 Mbytes in size (approximately 10 minutes recording).
If you need another hour recording, then repower the device again.
Note:
-As an alternative, you could use an external timer connected to a USB wall mount adapter so that the
timer powers the microphone for a periodic one - hour recording.
In both One Hour Recording Mode and in Minutes Recording Mode no scheduling must be
present in the memory of the UM384K. Please check the memory and erase it as explained in the
SCHEDULING DELETION chapter.

ULTRAMIC384K BLE USER GUIDE
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Minutes Recording Mode
In this recording mode you can do recordings with a specified length and sampling rate, with no need
to do a complex scheduling.
For example if you need to record for 70 minutes at 48 Khz in a simple way please consider the
following steps:
-By using a simple text editor with your PC create two files with the following extension:
70.rec and 48.spr
- copy the files in a micro SD card
- power the Ultramic, it will start recording at 48 Khz for 70 minutes.
If you need different times, please change the “70” file name with the correct one. If you need other
sampling frequencies, please change the “48” file name with the preferred frequency.
Allowed frequencies in Khz are:
384
192
96
48
200
250
Allowed file name for minutes are between 11.rec and 90.rec (the range is between 11 and 90
minutes).
NOTE:
-If no sampling rate is specified it will record at 384 Khz.
-No scheduling must be present in the memory of UM384K else, the scheduling mode is
followed instead of Minutes Recoding mode.
Scheduled Recording Mode
The scheduled recording mode allows a wide flexibility in record planning.
For example, you can record a bird’s song every day from 5:00 a.m. for 2 hours at 48Khz and then
bat’s calls from 10:00 p.m. for 50 minutes at 384Khz and so on.
Another recording scheme mainly used in soundscape recording can be as follow: you can record a
sound for 10 minutes then keep the device off for 50 minutes and then repeat the cycle.
There are two ways to program the device for scheluding:
By the UM384BLE CONFIG Android app (preferred)
Manually editing the XML file
When the Ultramic is recording it is important not to power off the device, this will compromise
the FAT damaging all files stored in the SD card.
SOLUTION: while recording (beware of the blinking RED led) you can stop the device by pressing
the button for few seconds. Then the green led will blink and the recorded file closed correctly.

ULTRAMIC384K BLE USER GUIDE
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UM384BLE configuration app
The UM384BLE CONFIG app allows
a complex recording scheduling.
Follow these steps to set up your
Ultramic:
-Download the UM384BLE
CONFIG app from
www.dodotronic.com
Install and launch the app. The
following screen appears:
CONNECTION TAB
SCHEDULING TAB
TRIGGER
TAB
CONFIG. TAB
USER MENU
Only Android devices from 4.3 are compatible with Bluetooth low power!!

ULTRAMIC384K BLE USER GUIDE
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HOW TO CONNECT UM384K
TO YOUR SMARTPHONE
-Go to the CONNECT tab on the screen and press the Scan & Connect button(the smartphone is
now waiting for a connection).
-Insert a micro SD card in the UM384K.
-Power the UM384K via USB.
-Then green led blinks rapidly until the device is connected.
The systems are synchronized and the following parameters are displayed:
-SD Free space in Mbytes
-Internal clock (click on the SEND TIME button to align the clock)
-Voltage of the clock battery.
On the CONNECT tab the available buttons are:
-Scan and Connect - press this button to connect the smartphone to UM384K
-Disconnect - press this button to disconnect the Bluetooth connection
-Conf erase - it allows you to delete the configuration from the UM384k
-Send Time - it aligns the time (synchronizing) of the smartphone with the internal clock of the
UM384K
-Get Mic Info - it updates the information on this page with the internal settings of the Um384K
-Audio Level - it shows the audio level in dB.
-Send conf – it send the configuration parameters to the UM384K
USB Power
In recording mode, the microphone needs to be
powered continuously. If the power is interrupted
the scheduling stops. If the power stops while the
microphone is recording, the SD card can be
corrupted with the loss of all files previously stored
in the card.
Unfortunately the commercial power banks used to
recharge smartphones, have got a circuit that stops
the power at a defined minimum level of current.
This happens when the Um 384k in scheduled mode
sleeps between two recordings and the current falls
below 1 mA.
On the website www.dodotronic.com you can find a
way to modify the power bank in order to supply
constantly the current even when there’s no load at
all.
Another possibility is to create a homemade power bank by using standard battery holder combined
with a USB voltage converter (easily available on online electronics shop).
The clock battery is a coin battery inserted in the circuit and visible when opening the
UM384K.
This battery is used only to keep the internal clock on and it cannot supply any power to
recording.
The power to turn on the microphone comes only from the USB connector!

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SD card
The SD card is inserted into the connector present in the integrated circuit board and used to record
incoming data.
By default, the Ultramic384K behaves as a standard USB audio microphone without the need for a
driver. If a SD card is present when the device is powered on, the Ultramic384K will behave as a
recorder according to the previously mentioned modes.
If using a SD card, Ultramic384K requires a card with a 2 GB mininum storage capacity. Note also that
faster data transfer speeds will result in better performance. Old or low quality SD cards could have a
low transfer rate and data loss can occur during recordings.
To insert or remove the SD card, pull out from the micro connector.
Please note that data transfer speed may gradually degrade depending on the type of SD card used.
Specifically, your card performance may deteriorate if the SD card is repeatedly written to or erased. If
this occurs, try to re-initialize the SD card using the above mentioned software.
Also note that the recorder may be incompatible with certain SD, SDHC or SDXC cards.
If your SD card is not recognized, please remove the SD card and then re-insert it to see if the
recorder finally recognizes it.
The SD card MUST be formatted using the SD card formatter free software every time a
new recording session is started:
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/

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XML File Editing
Recording by using the XML
recording mode: - you can use the
online configurator from
www.dodotronic.com (the safest
way to do it), or you can use a text
editor such as Notepad (not very
safe) to create an XML file that
contains all the information to
specify an autonomous recording
plan.
Then:
-Save the XLM file in the root
of the micro SD card.
-Open the Ultramic384K and
insert the micro SD card into the
slot on the circuit board.
-Power the Ultramic384K (the
time stamp will be set according to
time the device is powered up).
The Ultramic384K will now starts
recording according to the XML file
stored information. After the end of
the recording session, the device
will go into a sleep mode until the
integrated timer wakes the device
up again for the next recording
session.
ATTENTION: Please do not turn
off the power while recording, as
this could corrupt the FAT partition
on the SD card and all the stored
files could be lost!
If a XML file is present in the micro
SD card, recorded files will be
stored in folders using the naming
convention YYYYMMDD where YYYY
stands for the year, MM for the
month and DD for the day. Each file in the folder will use the following naming convention:
YYYYMMDDThhmmss.wav, where the last part of the file name corresponds to the starting hour,
minutes and seconds respectively.
During recording, the red LED will blink every 8 seconds.
1. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
2. <UltraMic384>
3. <version>1.2</version>
4. <config>
5. <defaultsettings>
6. <defaultrate>3</defaultrate>
7. <trigger>1</trigger>
8. <filedimension>10</filedimension>
9. <devicename>UM_wind_1</devicename>
10. <timeleft>1</timeleft>
11. <stop_db>-35</stop_db>
12. <start_db>-29</start_db>
13. </defaultsettings>
14. <scheduling>
15. <modetime>
16. <start>06:00</start>
17. <duration>03:00</duration>
18. <samplingrate>4</samplingrate>
19. </modetime>
20. <modetime>
21. <start>19:00</start>
22. <duration>01:00</duration>
23. <samplingrate>4</samplingrate>
24. </modetime>
25. <modetime>
26. <start>20:10</start>
27. <duration>09:00</duration>
28. <samplingrate>1</samplingrate>
29. </modetime>
30. <modetime>
31. <start>11:00</start>
32. <duration>05:00</duration>
33. <samplingrate>3</samplingrate>
34. </modetime>
35. </scheduling>
36. </config>
37. <setdatetime>2018-08-15T19:37:20</setdatetime>
38. </UltraMic384>
XML file example for TIME MODE

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XML File Explanation
XML file configuration is a straightforward operation. The text file is composed of delineating tags. Each
tag defines a specific parameter. Specifically, each parameter is surrounded by a start tag <xxx> and
an end tag </xxx>, where xxx is the parameter name.
The following parameters are currently supported:
<UltraMic384> main tag
<version> version number
<config> configuration tag
<defaultrate> sampling rate
definition: 1=384Khz, 2=192Khz,
3=96Khz, 4=48Khz, 5=200Khz,
6=250Khz, Default =1
<trigger> trigger activation: 2=on
with HPF (high pass filter), 1=on,
0=off, Default = 0
<filedimension> is the dimension in
which the file is split to be better
processed in post-production (in
minutes).
<devicename> this custom field can
be used to set a name for a recording
session.
<timeleft> is the remaining recording time in the SD card before the alert (defined by a yellow led fast
blinking).
<stop_db> and <start_db> values are related to the trigger; if a signal goes over the start dB, then
the recording starts and continues until a signal is present over the stop dB. If the signal is below the
stop dB for at least 30 seconds then the recording is stopped.
Please, you may consider that when the signal exceed the start dB, then the record starts and the
signal is not monitored for 15 seconds. Therefore if a single event is captured the minimum recording
is (15 + 30 = ) 45 seconds.
<scheduling> this tag defines the start of the scheduling tag.
TIME MODE
<modetime> in time mode the single programmed event is repeated daily
<start> start defines the starting time of a recording event (i.e. 19:00)
<duration> duration defines the length of the recording expressed in hours and minutes i.e. 05:00
<samplingrate> sampling rate definition: 1=384Khz, 2=192Khz, 3=96Khz, 4=48Khz. 5=200Khz,
6=250Khz. This tag overwrites the <defaultrate> tag and it is specific for the single event.
1. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
2. <UltraMic384>
3. <version>1.2</version>
4. <config>
5. <defaultsettings>
6. <defaultrate>1</defaultrate>
7. <trigger>0</trigger>
8. <filedimension>10</filedimension>
9. <devicename>UM_CONTIN</devicename>
10. <timeleft>1</timeleft>
11. <stop_db>-45</stop_db>
12. <start_db>-39</start_db>
13. </defaultsettings>
14. <scheduling>
15. <moderepeat>
16. <record>23:55</record>
17. <pause>00:05</pause>
18. </moderepeat>
19. </scheduling>
20. </config>
21.
<setdatetime>2018-08-15T19:37:20</setdatetime>
22. </UltraMic384>
XML file example for REPEAT MODE

ULTRAMIC384K BLE USER GUIDE
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<setdatetime> defines the date and time clock. This tag is mandatory to synchronize the clock of the
microphone with all the scheduling.
REPEAT MODE
<moderepeat> the event is repeated continuously starting when the UM384K is powered on.
<record> this is the time in hours and minutes for recording.
<pause> this is the pause between two records.
Comments can also be added using the following tag: <!-- xxx →>, where xxx represents the
comment itself. Comments are ignored by the Ultramic384K.
How to load the XML file:
-Copy the XML file named ultramic384.xml in the root directory of a micro SD card
-Insert the SD card into the UM384K.
-Power the microphone (the yellow led is ON)
-After few seconds the green led will blink very fast.
-All the leds blink sequentially
This sequence indicates that the new scheduling is stored in the memory of the UM384K
If you check the SD card the file ultramic384.xml is renamed in ultramic384.old
If something is gone wrong, then the file is renamed ultramic384.err and the old scheduling is
deleted. If the scheduling is not loaded at all then the file name ultramic384.xml remains unchanged.
Scheduling Deletion
The Ultramic384K stores the recording mode and ALL programming instructions into the internal
memory. Even if the UM384K is disconnected from the USB all these values are retained into the
memory supplied by the internal watch battery.
If you want to delete the scheduling there are three ways to do it:
-Remove the backup
battery, every scheduling is
deleted herein, included the
internal clock.
-Use the Android app and
once connected click on
CONF. ERASE. The clock is
maintained.
-Save the following xml file
and store it into the UM384K
as previously explained for
normal scheduling:
-
Contrary to the standard scheduling
programming, the ultramic384.xml
file will be renamed in
ultramic384.err and the scheduling
will be deleted.
Every time the file is renamed in ultramic384.err the previous configuration stored into
the microphone will be deleted!
1. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
2. <!-- THIS FILE MUST BE SAVED AS ultramic384.xml
Configuration file to blank timer and date time
on device -->
3. <UltraMic384>
4. <config>
5. <defaultsettings>
6. <filesize>460</filesize>
7. <devicename>OFF</devicename>
8. <timeleft>1</timeleft>
9. </defaultsettings>
10. <scheduling>
11. </scheduling>
12. </config>
13. <setdatetime>2016-10-15T10:55:00</setdatetime>
14. </UltraMic384>
XML file example to DELETE THE SCHEDULING

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Amplification Settings
The integrated switches control the amplification level. By unscrewing the back of the device near the
USB cable and then pushing on the aluminum tube you can access to the circuit board.
Turning on the switch n° 1 will result a 10 x amplification. (Default with the FG sensor)
Turning on the switch n° 2 will result a 100 x amplification.
Be sure to grease the o-ring when reassembling the device.
UM384K_BLE circuit board
PIN
NUMBER
FUNCTION
NOTES
1
+5V
Directly connected to USB port
2
GROUND
Directly connected to USB port
3
SDA (I2C) – RS232 RX
TTL levels
4
SCL (I2C – RS232 TX
TTL levels
5
IN+
Positive differential input
6
IN-
Negative differential input
The Ultramic384K has no internal filter, and a voltage applied to IN+ and IN- will result in a
DC sampling proportional to the voltage itself. This can be very useful to capture very low speed
signals, such as vibration or infrasound.

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Firmware Upgrade
Download the FIRMWARE.ENC file from www.dodotronic.com.
Store the file in the root directory of a micro SD card.
Insert the SD card into the Ultramic384k.
Power the microphone, the yellow led is on for some second and then the green led will blink up to
the end of the firmware updating.
Remove the SD card.
The filename FIRMWARE.ENC is mandatory!
A different filename will not update the firmware.

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Simplified Flow Code
STARTUP
SD card?
USB audio
YES
NO
XML
SET TIME AND DATE
LOAD ALARMS
SET THE FIRST ALARM
START ONE HOUR
RECORDING
START SCHEDULED RECORDING
NO
YES
RENAME THE XML TO “OLD”
UPDATE THE
FIRMWARE
Are there
configured timers?
YES
NO
FIRMWARE.EN
C PRESENT?
NO
YES

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Led messages
RECORDING MESSAGES
Y




G


R





USB Audio
Yellow led blinking every 5 seconds.
Y




G


R





Recording on SD card
Red led blinking every 5 seconds.
MIX MESSAGES
Y




G


R





Entering in Stop mode
Yellow and Green led alternating for about 3 seconds
Y




G


R





Alarm on SD card free space
Fast yellow led blink for 3 seconds
Y




G


R





Low battery level
Red and yellow led fast alternating for about 1 second