Maycom Handheld User manual
Contents
1. Introduction
•Docking Station
2. Unpacking
•Accessories
3. Conventions
4. Power sources
•Alkaline batteries
•Battery pack
•Docking Station
5. Controls
6. Display information
7. Connections
8. Getting started
9. The main menu
•User profile
•System settings
•Audio settings
•Item manager
•USB mode
10. Configuration editor
•Installation
•Start configuratior editor
•New profile
•Modify profile
•Remove profile
11. Recording
•Preparations
•Record level
•Pre recording/recording
•Placing markers
12. Play back
•Item info
•Select an item
•Play back
•Markers
•Fast forward/fast rewind
13. USB transfer
•Installation
•Operation
Technical specifications
General Conditions
Warranty card
Maycom HandHeld Users Manual
Well known as an important industry innovator Maycom has achieved another major break-
through in digital audio capture. With a highly appealing and stylish design, fully featured but
compact in size, the Maycom HandHeld offers rugged and reliable digital portable recording for
both professional and consumer usage. The HandHeld is very easy to operate, doesn't contain
difficult features and is mainly meant for making high quality recordings. The HandHeld can be
configured via the configuration editor for Windows, which makes it very easy and fast to
configure a Handheld recorder. The HandHeld is equipped with an internal microphone, but it is
also possible to connect one or two external sources like a CD-player, mixing console or your
own high quality microphone. The main features of the HandHeld recorder are: Recording,
Playback and USB file transfer between HandHeld and a computer.
•Superb audio quality
•MPEG-2 layer II and linear processing
•Removable compact flash card media storage
•Built-in high quality microphone
•Illuminated LCD display
•Operates on standard alkaline
•Rechargeable smart battery pack system
•Plug & Play USB computer connector
The Handheld recorder is based on the industry standard compact flash cards to store high quali-
ty, digital audio. The cards are robust, are able to operate in severe environmental conditions and
can be changed very quickly. Audio recording capacity depends on the size of flash card but
could be approximately 6 hours using a 320 MB flash card at 128 kb/sec.
Through its USB connection the handheld can be directly ported to your local or central PC
system for further editing of the various stored files.
Docking Station
The Docking Station is a fully equipped multifunctional portable and desktop device. It acts as the
recharger for the smart battery pack, but also provides (additional) loudspeaker functionality and
external interface options. It offers connections for two balanced XLR inputs (line or microphone),
a headphone and PC (through USB). Maximum portability is secured through the 12 volts DC
(100-240 VAC mains adapter) which automatically adapts to the local power system.
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1. Introduction
Page 3 of 26
Please unpack the HandHeld and check whether all the standard accessories have been
provided. Use the checklist below:
•HandHeld recorder
•4 alkaline batteries
•CD-Rom with manual, configuration editor and drivers
•Quickstart manual
•Battery clip (red)
If this list is not complete please contact your dealer or the sales department of Maycom,
Accessories
Besides the standard accessories the HandHeld can be supplied with optional accessories:
•Rechargeable battery pack (charging via the Docking Station), with unique power level indicator
•Carrying bag for HandHeld or both HandHeld and DockingStation
•USB cable
•Mono microphone or line cable
•Stereo microphone or line cable
•Tripod
•Compact flash card
•Docking Station
For more information or a quotation please contact your dealer or the sales department of Maycom
2. Unpacking
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Notations
The following notations are used to represent units of measure.
dB Decibel
kbps Kilobits per second
Hz Hertz
kHz KiloHertz
kg Kilogram
kB Kilobyte
MB Megabyte
3. Conventions
The HandHeld can be powered by three sources: alkaline batteries,
a rechargeable battery pack* and via the Docking Station*. The first
two are inserted on the back of the HandHeld. The picture below
shows the HandHeld with the back-cover already removed.
Figure 1
Alkaline batteries
When alkaline batteries are used, observe that the polarity of the cells match the polarity indica-
ted on the sticker (3). Use four AAA-type or LR03-type alkaline cells only. The indicator is calibra-
ted for alkaline batteries only, for all other types of batteries Maycom cannot guarantee proper
functionality.
Insert the compact flash card (1) first and lift up the lid (2). Insert the cells one by one between
the springs (4) and the lid (2). Never use partially empty and full cells together. Never leave the
cells inside the HandHeld when the recorder will not be used for a longer period. This prevents
the cells from running empty and leaking acid inside the HandHeld.
5 minutes before the batteries run empty the HandHeld will give a visible warning on the display
and a short beep in the headphone or loudspeaker. Longer warning beeps are given 3,2 and 1
minute before complete discharge. The last 10 seconds the HandHeld will beep continuously. If
at this point a recording still takes place the recorder will automatically stop and shut down.
Important!:
If the batteries are empty take care of proper disposal.
Battery pack
The second and more convenient power source is a rechargeable NiMH battery pack*. This pack
is equipped with a smart battery system that delivers the highest performance in operating time,
lifetime and reliability. The smart battery system also enables you to check the battery state of
charge even if the pack is not attached to the HandHeld or the Docking Station.
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4. Power sources
Page 6 of 26
Figure 2
Press the button (1) and the four LED’s will indicate the state of charge of the battery pack (2).
Every LED represents 25% of full charge. If the last LED is flashing, this indicates that there is
between 0% and 1% energy left and the HandHeld will either not start on this pack or will shut-
down after a few minutes. Besides on the battery pack itself the charge indicators are also visible
on the HandHeld display.
To insert a battery pack inside the HandHeld remove the back-cover. Make sure you have inser-
ted a compact flash card first if you want to make a recording. Flip down the lid (2 in figure 1).
Insert the pack and press it against the springs until it clicks into place.
5 minutes before the pack runs empty the HandHeld gives a visible warning on the display and a
short beep in the headphone or loudspeaker. Longer warning beeps are given 3,2 and 1 minute
before complete discharge. The last 10 seconds the HandHeld will beep continuously. If at this
point a recording still takes place the recorder will automatically stop and shut down.
Important!:
The NiMH battery pack can only be recharged inside the Docking Station. Use Maycom equip-
ment only for recharging the pack. See Docking Station manual.
If the temperature drops below 0º the performance of the NiMH battery pack can drop with 20%
of its full capacity.
Docking Station
The Docking Station* can also be used to power the HandHeld recorder. Via the Docking Station
it is even possible to connect the HandHeld to a mains adapter or cigarette lighter adapter. For
more information see the Docking Station manual.
* optional accessory
4. Power sources
2
1
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1 Record indicator led
2 Power On/Off button
Switch on/off. The Handheld will boot up and
enter the standby mode. The power button is
only enabled when the HandHeld recorder is idle.
When pressing the power button in any other
functional mode (like menu, playback or recor-
ding), the HandHeld recorder ignores your
request and will continue with the current action.
3 Function button left
The function is shown in the display above
and will be activated by pressing once.
4 Up/down buttons
Control the menu and recording level by pres
sing up ( ) or down ( ).
5 Function button right
The function is shown in the display above
and will be activated by pressing once.
6 Volume control up/down
For headphone and internal speaker.
7 Marker button mode
1. Starts new recording and switches from
pre record to record mode.
2. Sets next marker during a recording.
8 Go to previous item
Skip to previous item. When pressed together
with button 7: go to previous marker in cur
rent marker item.
9 Fast rewind
Search for a certain part within the audio.
10 Play/pause button
Press once to playback the recording. Press
again to pause.
11 Go to next item
Skip to next item. When pressed together with
marker button 7: go to next marker in current
item.
12 Record switch
Slide up: activates pre-record mode.
Slide down: stops a recording.
13 Fast forward
Search for a certain part within the audio.
button 7: go to next marker in current item.
This section shows all the various controls of the Handheld and describes their function.
5. Controls
1
2
4
5
7
11
12
13
10
3
6
6
8
9
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Figure 4
1. Item number. This number indicates the current selected item. This item will play when the
play button is pressed. Use previous or next item button to select a different item.
2. Info bar. The info bar shows all kind of information. When pressing the right function button
INFO repetitive, all information about the current item will be shown: time stamp, profile
name author and filename.
3. Left function button indicator. This shows the current function of the left function button (in
this case: enter the menu).
4. Right function button indicator. This shows the function of the right function button (in this
case: toggle the information in the info bar).
5. Remaining disk capacity. This bar indicates the available amount of disk space. Black is
used, white is free space.
6. Battery indicator. This bar indicates the amount of energy left in the batteries or the smart
battery pack. black is full, white is empty. The indicator is calibrated for alkaline batteries
only.
7. Item length counter. Shows the length of the current item in H:MM:SS.
8. Marker information. In this example it shows that the current position within the audio
equals the marker 02 position. In total there are 89 markers being set in this item.
9. Current position indicator. Current position within the current item in H:MM:SS.
6. Display info
6
9
7
2
4
5
8
1
3
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All connections for the HandHeld are easily located at the bottom of the HandHeld:
Figure 5
1. Stereo headphone connector, switches off the internal loudspeaker when a headphone
connector is inserted.
2. Multi I/O, for interfacing with external microphones and Docking Station. This connector is
coded and recognizes which cable is inserted and the HandHeld will automatically be
setup for this cable. This setup is done according this table:
Type of Cable Profile Mode
Mono Stereo
No Cable Internal Microphone L = Internal Microphone
R = Internal Microphone
Mono Cable External Microphone or Line L = Internal Microphone
R = ExternalMicrophone or Line
Stereo Cable External Microphone or Line (Left channel) L = External Microphone or Line
R = External Microphone or Line
7. Connections
12
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This chapter helps you to quickly start a first recording with your HandHeld. More detailed information
you can find in the respective manual chapters.
1. Open the back-cover and insert a compact flash card (figure 1).
2. Insert a power source, either a charged battery pack* or 4 alkaline batteries. Note the polarity
indicated on the sticker in the battery compartment and finally cover the batteries with the
battery clip. This prevents movement of the batteries.
3. Close the back-cover and switch on the HandHeld recorder by pressing the button above
the display.
4. If applicable, connect any external accessories like a headphone or external microphone(s).
5. After the HandHeld has powered up, slide the red record switch in the upward position. The
HandHeld enters pre-recording mode and the red LED flashes. The display shows you input
peak level information, disk-, battery- and mode-status. When the input level is too low or high,
you should use the up/down buttons for adjustment.
6. Once you have set the required record level, press the marker button and the HandHeld starts
it’s actual recording. The actual recording is indicated by the continuous LED indicator, a large
dot and a running counter on the display.
7. During a recording it is possible to change the headphone / loudspeaker volume and the input
gain. By pressing the marker button you can add markers.
8. Slide back the red record switch to stop a recording. A new track is created.
9. To avoid accidental loss of data: The power button is only enabled when the HandHeld recor
der is idle. When pressing the power button in any other functional mode (like menu, playback
or recording), the HandHeld recorder ignores your request and will continue with the current
action.
* additional accessory
8. Getting started
The HandHeld is equipped with an easy to understand menu structure. You have to press the left button below
the display to enter the various menu's. The main structure of the menu consists of 5 options activated by the
down ( ) button: 1. User profile
2. System settings
3. Audio settings
4. Item manager
5. USB mode
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9. The Main Menu
USER PROFILE
First profile
Second profile
......
Last profile
Press back to go to the previous menu level
Press back to go to the previous menu level
All profiles created with the configuration editor can be selected in this
menu. When there is no configuration file available the HandHeld will
create a default configuration file with several common profiles. When
selecting a profile the HandHeld will be configured according to the
settings in the selected profile.
SYSTEM SETTINGS
ENTER CONTRAST allows you to change the contrast of the display. The
contrast scope can be adjusted through a range
varying from -3 (low) up to a value of +3 (high).
ENTER
BACKLIGHT allows you to switch the backlight of the display on or
off. This option will overrule the setting in the selected
profile (until you select a new profile).
-ON
-OFF CHANGE
DATE to adjust the current date. The HandHeld is equipped with a
small backup battery and a real-time clock which will keep the
date up-to-date.
CHANGE -YEAR
-MONTH
-DAY
up
up
up
down
down
down
-ENTER
-ENTER
-ENTER
TIME allows you to adjust the current time. The HandHeld is equipped
with a small backup battery and a real-time clock which will keep the
time up-to-date.
The HandHeld uses an internal rechargeable battery for the real time clock and date.
This battery has an autonomy of 60 days and will charge within an hour from the
batteries, the pack or and external power source.
CHANGE -HOUR
-MINUTE
-SECONDS
up
up
up
down
down
down
-ENTER
-ENTER
-ENTER
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9. The Main Menu
AUDIO SETTINGS
ENTER INPUT allows you to change the type of source connected to the
external input(s). When you connect a microphone you
have to select the option “Mic”.
When connecting devices like CD-player or mixing console
you should select the option “Line”.
-MIC
-LINE CHANGE
AGC allows you to switch the Automatic Gain Control on or off.
When the AGC is active, when necessary the HandHeld will
automatically adjust the input level to achieve a high quality
recording.
-ON
-OFF CHANGE
ITEM MANAGER
ENTER DELETE allows you to delete the currently selected item. Before the
HandHeld will delete the file it will ask you to confirm this
action.
-YES
-NO CHANGE
USB MODE
ENTER -(RE)CONNECT USB CABLE
-USB MODE ACTIVE -DONE
-STOP
LIMITER the limiter prevents an overload on the analogue
microphone inputs.
It will automatically switch off when line input is selected
-ON
-OFF CHANGE
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The HandHeld is a versatile professional audio recorder capable of recording in many different
modes, with a number of input sources. To prevent the daily user from having to go through all
these rather technical details, Maycom introduced the profile. A profile is basically a configurable
preset that can be personalized. On the HandHeld it is possible to change only a few settings that
relate to the day to day settings. All other settings are entered via a profile, which is created by the
configuration editor. The configuration editor is a separate program that runs on a Windows PC.
The profile information is stored on the HandHeld via the USB cable or by placing the compact
flash card in a reader. It is possible to store 30 different profiles on a compact flash card. The user
can select up to 30 profiles by using the main menu of the HandHeld. If a HandHeld is used for
the first time, there are 6 factory defaults to choose from.
Installation of the configuration editor
To use the configuration editor you need a PC compatible computer running Windows95 (Not
USB), Windows98 (Not USB), Windows2000, Windows ME, or Windows NT (Not USB). To transfer
the profile information to the HandHeld you need either a USB port or a compact flash reader in
your computer. Next step is to install the configuration editor on your hard disk. Insert the CD-
ROM. Use the start button in windows to invoke the run Command. By pressing the Browse button
select the CEsetup.exe file on the CD-ROM. Press OK and follow the instructions given by the
setup program.
Start the configuration editor
After the installation you can start the editor via windows, select: start, programs, Maycom,
HHConfEdit. This is the start up screen of the configuration editor.
10.
Configuration editor
Figure 6
The first important thing to do is to select the disk that is being used to store the profile data. This
can be either the HandHeld itself via USB (make sure that the HandHeld is attached and running
in USB mode) or a compact flash card reader (make sure that a disk is inserted in the reader).
It is now possible to create, remove and or edit profiles.
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10.
Configuration editor
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New Profile
To make a new profile press the new button, enter a profile name in the Profile ID box and enter a
File prefix in the File prefix box. After entering all the other preferred options press the OK button
and your profile will be stored on the disk. (becomes visible in the user profile box). The maximum
number of profiles you can create is 30. If you use the compact flash reader, take out the card and
insert it in the HandHeld. If you use the USB connection, leave the USB mode and the profiles
become available in the profile selector in the main menu.
Profile ID: Enter the name of the profile. This name will be displayed in the select profile menu on
the handheld.
File Prefix: These are the first 6 characters of the actual file name of an item. The next 2 charac-
ters are placed by the HandHeld itself. For example: if reporter Bert makes two recordings with
profile “Mono MPEG”, the actual file names on the disk will be: Bert01.wav and Bert02.wav. Each
profile can have its own or the same prefix.
Reporter: In this box you can enter the name of the user. This information is copied in the header
information of each file and can be used by Broadcast Automation Systems for further processing.
Company: In this box you can enter the name of the company or broadcaster. This information is
copied in the header information of each file and can be used by Broadcast Automation Systems
for further processing.
Compression: Choose between uncompressed audio or compressed audio. Compressed lets you
store more audio on the same disk with almost the same quality.
Sample rate: Equals the amount of audio samples taken within a second. Higher sample rates
equals higher quality, equals more disk space needed.
Mode: Enter here whether you want to make a stereo, or mono recording.
Bit rate: (MPEG only) this represends the compression ratio. High bitrates equals low compres-
sion, equals more disk space needed.
Pre-recording: In this menu option you can disable the Pre-Record buffer, or enter the size of this
buffer in seconds.
Audio input: Configure the analoge inputs of the HandHeld as a line level input or as a micropho-
ne input.
AGC: Automatic gain control (Microphone inputs only), when enabled the HandHeld automaticaly
adjusts its gain level on the incomming audio. Manual gain is disabled.
Limiter: (microphone inputs only) Limits the gain preventing the inputs from going into overload.
Backlight: Check this box if you want the backlight of the LCD always on. Note: when the back-
light is switched on, the run time of the batteries will decrease with approxamitely 5%.
10.
Configuration editor
Modify profile
To modify an existing profile, select the profile from the list and make the adaptation you want to
make and press modify. The existing profile will be updated with the new information.
Remove profile
If you want to delete a profile , select the profile in the name box and press the remove button.
The profile will be deleted from the profile list.
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10.
Configuration editor
The HandHeld stores a recording as an item on a compact flash card, a non volatile random accessible
media. This means that you don’t have to “search for an empty spot”on the disk before making a new
recording. Also no rewind or fast forward is necessary to access a different item for playback; the
HandHeld does this automatically. The maximum number of items on a disk is 99 and the maximum num-
ber of markers per item is also 99. A new item number is given automatically when the HandHeld switches
from record to idle mode and is always the next number in line.
Making a recording on the HandHeld involves basically three steps:
•Preparations: set up the recorder.
•Record level: set the proper input level for this recording.
•Recording: Make the actual recording.
Preparations
Before actual recording please check these basic requirements:
•Is a compact flash card inserted?
•Is a power source connected? See Chapter 4
•Which input source(s) is/are connected and is/are it/they configured? See Chapter 7
•Switch on the HandHeld recorder.
•Does the power source contain enough energy? See Chapter 6
•Does the card contain enough free space to make a new recording? See Chapter 6
•Is the right profile selected? See Chapter 9
If all requirements are made the HandHeld is ready for making a new recording.
Record level
One last thing to be done before making an actual recording is the input gain adjustment. This can be
done in two ways:
•Manual Gain Control
•Automatic Gain Control
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11. Recording
Page 18 of 26
This option can be changed in the configuration tool as well as in the HandHeld Main Menu. To check the
current gain level slide the record switch in the upward position. The display shows “pre-recording”, the
LED starts flashing and the peak level indicators represent the incoming audio level.
Manual Gain Control means that the user is able to change the recording level. Use the up button to
increase the audio level, use the down button to decrease the audio level. Make sure that at the end of the
peak meter the overload indicator does not appear and that your average level is around 2/3 of the total
Peakmeter scale.
Automatic Gain Control (AGC) means that the HandHeld does all the gain adjustments automatically all
input levels are recorded on the same average level. So weak audio is amplified, loud audio is tempered. It
does not prevent against possible overload of the microphone inputs, this is the function of the limiter.
Pre-Recording mode has a second function: the pre-record buffering. If enabled (in the current profile) the
HandHeld is capable of recording 2, 5, or 10 seconds in a loop buffer (visible on the display). Once you
start a recording the content of this buffer is copied in front of the recording. This mode is implemented to
prevent tight “in’s”or clipped opening words in hurried recording starts.
Pre-recording / recording
The recording mode can only be entered from pre-record mode ( see previous paragraph).
You can start the actual recording by pressing the MARK button above the record switch.
Figure 8
11. Recording
The display shows the new item number (in this example 53) and the record dot followed by the length of
the item. At the same time the LED lights continuously.
Check the input level on the peak bar indicator during recording and adjust (if necessary) with the up ( )
or down ( ) button.
Other options available during recording are:
•headphone volume up or down.
•change the information in the info bar.
•place marker.
The recording mode is stopped by sliding the red record switch downwards.
Placing markers
The HandHeld automatically places 2 markers in an item and 3 markers if the pre-recording buffer is ena-
bled. One marker is placed at the beginning of an item and one is placed at the end of an item. The third
marker in pre-recording mode was placed at the moment the actual recording started. The user can also
place markers by pressing the marker button during recording or (at a later stage) during playback.
For further marker functions see chapter playback.
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11. Recording
A recorded item can be played back on the HandHeld via the internal loudspeaker, the headphone or the
Docking Station loudspeaker. The HandHeld does not need a profile for playback and all items recorded
with different profiles can be played without reconfiguring. During playback it is possible to adjust the head-
phone or speaker volume.
Item Info
By default the info bar in the display shows a time stamp (item creation time and date).
By pressing the function button INFO (5, Figure 3) once, the HandHeld shows the name of the profile used
to record this item.
By pressing INFO again, the HandHeld shows the reporter name.
By pressing INFO a third time, the file name is shown.
By pressing INFO a fourth time, time stamp again.
Selecting an item
The item shown on the display is the active item. To make another item active use the previous(8) or next
buttons(11). The items are shown sorted on recording date. The maximum number of items is 99.
Playback
To playback an item press the play/pause button (10). The active item will start to play. Press the
play/pause button (10) again to pause or stop playback. The HandHeld will stop automatically when the end
of an item is reached.
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12. Playback
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