juicedLink Little DARling System User manual

Little DARling System User Guide
Little DARling Distributed Audio Recorder
Little DARling Distributed Audio Recorder with DARlink
DARlink Wireless Remote Control
© 2015 juicedLink, LLC Little DARling System User Guide
All Rights Reser ed 0.90

1 Contents
Click on heading to jump to page …
1 Contents...........................................................................................2
2 R AD THIS FIRST.............................................................................4
2.1 Introduction.................................................................................4
2.1.1 Thank You!.............................................................................4
2.1.2 How to Print/View This Document........................................4
2.1.3 Document Notation Conventions..........................................5
2.2 Warnings – General.....................................................................5
3 Quick Start Guide.............................................................................6
3.1 Preparation..................................................................................6
3.2 Insert Battery and microSD Card, and Power On.....................7
3.3 Navigation of Menus...................................................................7
3.4 Basic Recording/Playback..........................................................8
3.5 Wireless Remote Control..........................................................10
4 Little DARling Distributed Audio Recorders..................................12
4.1 Part Number Key.......................................................................12
4.1.1 Little DARling Distributed Audio Recorder.........................12
4.1.2 Little DARling Distributed Audio Recorder with DARlink...12
4.1.3 DARlink Hand-held Remote Control Transmitters..............12
4.2 Firmware Version......................................................................12
4.3 Control Descriptions.................................................................12
4.4 Theory of Operation..................................................................13
4.4.1 Audio Signal Path.................................................................13
4.4.1.1 Microphone Input and Plug-in Power...................................................13
4.4.1.2 Preamplifier and Codec Input...............................................................13
4.4.1.3 Headphone Output...............................................................................13
4.4.2 Slate Tone............................................................................13
4.4.3 Buzzer...................................................................................13
4.4.4 Output..................................................................................14
4.4.5 Recording.............................................................................14
4.4.5.1 Audio File..............................................................................................14

4.4.5.2 File Corruption A oidance....................................................................14
4.4.5.3 System Actions During Record.............................................................15
4.5 Other Operational Items...........................................................15
4.5.1 Microphone Selection and Performance............................15
4.5.2 Batteries and Battery Life...................................................16
5 DARlink Hand-held Remote Control Transmitters.........................17
5.1 Part Number Key.......................................................................17
6 Advanced Topics............................................................................18
6.1 Use of Config Files....................................................................18
6.2 General......................................................................................18
6.3 Command List...........................................................................18
6.4 xample.....................................................................................19
6.5 Codec Register Commands......................................................20
7 Appendix.........................................................................................21
7.1 Transmitter DIP Switch Map.....................................................21
7.1.1 Left Display Settings for Transmitter Switches 1-5...........21
7.1.2 Right Display Settings for Transmitter Switches 6-0.........22
7.1.3 Display Setting to Ignore DIP Settings (not recommended)
........................................................................................................23
7.1.4 xamples..............................................................................24
7.2 Firmware Update Procedure....................................................24
7.3 Document Revision History......................................................24

2 R AD THIS FIRST
2.1 Introduction
2.1.1 Thank You!
Congratulations on your new Little DARling! I ha e so much fun bringing you these
unique juicedLink products, so I thank you for your support! In addition to the
products, I really enjoy sharing my experience, and teaching the community about
the best practices for achie ing great audio on a budget. So, make sure you
subscribe to the juicedLink Blog. In addition to getting notified on updates to our
Audio Uni ersity series and Free Field Guide to Audio Production eBook, you'll get
notified on any firmware updates for the Little DARling and other new product
introductions.
Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly. If you need any
clarification of what is presented in the manual, then please don't hesitate to Contact
me for assistance.
- Robert from juicedLink
2.1.2 How to Print/View This Document
Many PDF type documents are ery difficult to read in the field on the small screens
of smart phones, requiring the user to zoom in and scroll right and left to read each
line in a paragraph. The font size and margin in this document were selected as the
best option for iewing on a ariety of screen sizes, from desktops down to smart
phones. Here are recommended iewing configurations:
•Desktop/Laptop: Adobe Reader set to VIEW > PAGE DISPLAY > TWO PAGE
VIEW
•Tablet: Hold tablet in ertical orientation.
•Smart Phone: Hold phone in horizontal orientation.
The margins are ery small in order to fit the text to the entire page width. So, to
print this document, you will need to use page scaling, and fit the document to the
printable area. A better option is to use the page scaling option, select multiple
pages per sheet, and specify 2 sheets per page. This will print with a readable font,
and more information with less page flipping.
Questions? Contact juicedLink 4 - jump to CONTENTS Little DARling System User Guide

2.1.3 Document Notation Conventions
•References to markings/labels on the unit are denoted in underline/bold.
•Example: M C N
•References to characters on the display will use a 7-segment font.
•Example: P represents the character “P” displayed for “play”.
•Commands used in the Config File will be represented in the font Courier.
•Warnings will be preceded with WARNING
•Hyperlinks are used to na igate within the document and to link to external web
pages.
•For example, CONTENTS brings you back to the document Table of
Contents, and juicedLink links to the juicedLink website.
•There are also links to external tutorial ideos.
The link to the ideo and description will be enclosed in a box like this.
2.2 Warnings – General
WARNING: Failure to read and obser e notes and warnings may result in personal
injury, and/or possible damage to this de ice and your other equipment.
WARNING - LOSS OF HEARING: This de ice, as well as any de ice with
aheadphone amplifier, is capable of dri ing the signal at le els that can be
damaging to hearing. Always operate the headphone olume at the lowest practical
le el. Do not wear the headphones o er your ears in any of the following
circumstances:
•While plugging the headphones into the headphone dri ing de ice.
•While plugging a microphone or other source into the de ice input.
•While turning on or off the de ice.
WARNING - RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK: This de ice, its enclosure, and the
connections to cable shields that plug into this de ice are conducti e. A oid
electrocution and obser e caution with cable runs near areas where high- oltages
and/or currents may exist.
Questions? Contact juicedLink 5 - jump to CONTENTS Little DARling System User Guide

3 Quick Start Guide
This section is a quick outline of the steps needed to get up and running. There will
be links to other sections in the document and/or tutorial ideos, to pro ide further
detail and direct to more ad anced features beyond the scope of the Quick Start
Guide.
3.1 Preparation
Watch a tutorial ideo co ering the following steps.
1 Download Required Files - Visit the Little DARling Downloads page on the
juicedLink website, and download the Firmware Boot Image (bootimg.bin)
and the Config File (config0.ini). Note the re isions on the download page.
The firmware re isions that this document was written for is found in the
Firmware Version section.
2 Subscribe to the juicedLink Blog – Subscribe to the juicedLink Blog to get
notified on any future updates to the firmware or config files.
3 Create Other Config Files – The unit can load up to 10 user created
configuration files, which can pro ide e en more control and features than
what is a ailable from the front panel menu user interface. Understanding
the capabilities pro ided in the configuration files is beyond the scope of the
Quick Start Guide, and is co ered in the Use of Config Files section. Here
are some examples of parameters that can be controlled ia the config file:
•Acti ate/Deacti ate stitched sequential 10min recorded files.
•Acti ate/Deacti ate stitched sequential 10min recorded files to be
turned on, only when battery becomes low or card approaches getting
filled up.
•Specify the battery type (Alkaline, NiMH rechargeable, Li-Ion
rechargeable, Lithium) for low battery threshold calculation.
•Direct programming of Texas Instruments codec audio parameter
registers (such as filters, AGC, limiters).
•Assignment, acti ation, or deacti ation of DARlink wireless remote
control buttons, for functions such as record, stop, buzzer, slate tone
type.
•Base filename.
4 Copy Files to microSD Card – Sa e the Firmware Boot Image bootimg.bin
and the Config File config0.ini (and any other created config files config1.ini,
Questions? Contact juicedLink 6 - jump to CONTENTS Little DARling System User Guide

… config9.ini) to the root directory of the microSD card.
5 Copy Config Files to your Smart Phone – In the field, it is handy to be
able to iew the contents of the Config File for making your configuration
selection. You can get it to your smart phone a ariety of ways. Probably,
the easiest method is to email it to yourself.
3.2 Insert Battery and microSD Card, and Power On
Watch a tutorial ideo co ering the following steps
6 Open Battery/microSD Cover – Twist the thumbscrew counterclockwise to
loosen, and remo e the co er.
7 nsert microSD card – Insert the microSD card with bootimg.bin and any
config files that you wish to use into the microSD slot in the orientation with
the microSD electrical contacts facing the surface of the printed circuit
board. Push it in all of the way until it clicks.
8 nsert AA battery – As a distributed audio recorder, you will not be within
eyesight of the recorder to check the battery le el. So, it's recommended to
always begin operation with a fresh battery. The bottom of the battery holder
has “+” and “-” indicators. Insert a single AA battery into the battery holder
with the proper orientation. For more information about powering the de ice
including battery types and battery life estimates, please jump to the
Batteries and Battery Life section.
9 Close Battery/microSD Cover – Place the co er o er the battery, and
position the alignment pin and hole. Make sure the plastic tab has been
tucked inside the enclosure to co er the microSD slot. Twist the
thumbscrew clockwise to secure the co er.
10 Power On – The M (middle) buttons is recessed, and will require a pointed
object (pen, etc) to operate. The button is recessed for operations that must
not be accidentally interrupted (such as stopping the recording) while in the
pocket of your talent. Press the M (middle) button to power on the de ice.
Once powered, the displays will show a rotating effect while the unit boots.
•TIP: Although I usually ha e a pen around in the field to use as a tip,
you may not. You can drop a pin in the battery tray, or cut a pin down
and trap it between the battery and the side of the battery tray. This
way, you will always ha e one in the field with you.
3.3 Navigation of Menus
Watch a tutorial ideo co ering the following steps
Questions? Contact juicedLink 7 - jump to CONTENTS Little DARling System User Guide

11 Get Familiar with Menus – Pressing the R (right) and L (left) buttons will
cycle through the menu. Holding one of the buttons will scan quickly through
the menu.
11.1 g = gain of mic amplifier
11.2 r = record
11.3 P = Play
11.4 h = headphone olume control.
11.5 c = configuration: Displays current configuration file loaded, and
selects a configuration file to load.
11.6 t = transmitter switch settings : Displays
11.7 b = battery: Relati e battery oltage.
11.8 S = Storage: Amount of storage left on microSD card
11.9 F = Firmware: Displays the Firmware Version
12 Selecting a Menu tem – Pressing both the R and L buttons simultaneously
will select that menu item for execution or manipulation of the parameters.
Pressing both the R and L buttons simultaneously again will exit that menu
item, and return to the main menu.
13 Check Battery Level – Select b, and a number from 0-9 will be displayed
indicating the relati e battery strength. For more information about powering
the de ice including battery types, battery life estimates, and the limitations
in the accuracy of the meter, please jump to the Batteries and Battery Life
section.
14 Check Storage Availability – Select S, and a number from 0-9 will be
displayed indicating the % of memory a ailable on the microSD card.
3.4 Basic Recording/Playback
Watch a tutorial ideo co ering the following steps
15 Select a Configuration File – The c menu will display the current config file
loaded, and also allow you to select a different config file to load.
Understanding the capabilities pro ided in the configuration files is beyond
the scope of the Quick Start Guide, and is co ered in the Use of Config Files
section. It is not necessary to select a configuration, and default registers
will be loaded for basic recording and playback.
16 Connect a Microphone – The input is a 3.5mm locking TRS (tip/ring/slee e)
jack. Plug-in power (which is not the same as phantom power) is pro ided
on the tip and ring for electret elements common in la alier mics. The audio
feeding the preamp is taken from the tip. The preamp then feeds 2 channels
Questions? Contact juicedLink 8 - jump to CONTENTS Little DARling System User Guide

of the codec recording 2 files (the second recorded at a lower le el as a
safety track, in case the main recording gets blown out). More information
on the operational details can be obtained in the Error: Reference source not
found section.
17 Mic selection and proper use - La mic selection (polar pattern and signal-
to-noise performance) as well as proper microphone placement will effect
the recording quality of your talent. This is beyond the scope of the Quick
Start Guide, but more information can be found in the free juicedLink Field
Guide to Audio Production. There, you will learn the “SANASENECYA”
techniques for achie ing excellent audio, e en on a budget.
18 Adjust the Gain using Meter as guide – Entering the g menu allows for
adjustment of the codec audio gain, and the signal le el meter is displayed
on the right display. You will want to adjust the gain so the peaks splash up
to the J on the display. More information on the operational details can be
obtained in the Error: Reference source not found section.
19 Check Audio Quality with Headphones – The meter pro ides an indication
as to the signal le el, but it does not pro ide any indication as to the quality
of the audio signal. For instance, you may be experiencing a lot of wind
noise, but you would not know this by obser ing the meter only. So, you will
plug headphones into the headphone jack. Going to the h menu allows for
adjustment of the headphone olume. The headphone signal is present in
the left earcup. The right output is used for a slate tone initiated from a
DARlink wireless remote.
20 Start a Recording – Entering the r menu starts a recording. The display
will go blank, with the exception of a blinking decimal point indicating
recording in progress. While recording, the R and L buttons will lock to
pre ent undesired changes to settings while on your talent. Also, the
headphone out will mute. The only signal present at the output jack will be
the slate signal initiated by a DARlink wireless remote.
20.1 Adjustments during Recording – Although the headphone is
muted and both the L and R buttons are disabled during a recording
e ent, the unit can be put into a temporary state to monitor and
adjust limited audio parameters while recording, without ha ing to
completely stop a recording.
•Press both the L and R buttons simultaneously, and the left
decimal point will start blinking rapidly. You then ha e 5
seconds to press the recessed M button.
◦The battery indicator will be displayed for ~2sec.
Questions? Contact juicedLink 9 - jump to CONTENTS Little DARling System User Guide

◦The Storage amount remaining indicator will be displayed for
~2sec.
◦The gain menu and meter will be displayed and the
headphone un-muted. You ha e ~60sec to make your
desired gain adjustments, before the headphone mutes and
the L and R buttons become inacti e, as it returns to the
normal recording state.
21 Stop Recording – Press the recessed M button to stop the recording.
22 Playback a Recording – Enter the P menu to playback recordings. Hitting
the L button will rewind the current file to the beginning. Hitting the L button
again will jump to the beginning of the pre ious file. Hitting the R button will
jump to the beginning of the next file.
23 Power Off – Press and hold the recessed M button for ~5sec to power off
the unit.
•TIP: Although I usually ha e a pen around in the field to use as a tip,
you may not. You can drop a pin in the battery tray, or cut a pin down
and trap it between the battery and the side of the battery tray. This
way, you will always ha e one in the field with you.
24 Save recorded file to your computer – Remo e the microSD card from
the DAR, and insert it into your computer.
3.5 Wireless Remote Control
Watch a tutorial ideo co ering the following steps
25 Equipment – This section requires a Little DARling Distributed Audio
Recorder with DARlink, and a DARlink Hand-held Remote Control
Transmitters. A single transmitter can control multiple DAR recorder units.
26 Match the Transmitter D P switch settings – If you are using a Little
DARling model that is enabled with DARlink and capable of recei ing
wireless remote commands, then you will need to select a code in the t
menu. Then, you will set the DIP switches in the transmitter according to the
Transmitter DIP Switch Map section.
27 Select a Configuration File – The c menu will display the current config file
loaded, and also allow you to select a different config file to load.
Understanding the capabilities pro ided in the configuration files is beyond
the scope of the Quick Start Guide, and is co ered in the Use of Config Files
section. It is not necessary to select a configuration, and default registers
will be loaded for basic transmitter button functionality. Here are some of the
Questions? Contact juicedLink 10 - jump to CONTENTS Little DARling System User Guide