Soniclear Portable recorder User manual

Portable Recorder
OPERATION GUIDE

About This Manual
This manual covers the installation procedures for the Portable Recorder system. This
integrated hardware and software system incorporates one of the following SoniClear
digital recording software products:
•SoniClear Meeting Recorder 8
•SoniClear Gov Recorder 8
•SoniClear Court Recorder 8
Printed in the United States.
Copyright 1998 - 2013 Trio Systems LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the
publisher.
SoniClear and Trio Systems are registered trademarks of Trio Systems LLC.
Portable Recorder, SoniClear Gov, Meeting Recorder 8, Gov Recorder 8,
Court Recorder 8, and VoiceBoost are exclusive trademarks of Trio Systems LLC.

Table of Contents
Using Portable Recorder..................................................................................................... 4
Overview......................................................................................................................... 4
Using Samson GoMic USB Microphone........................................................................ 4
Using Motu 4Pre Mixer/Interface................................................................................... 5
Using Motu 896 Mixer/Interface.................................................................................... 5
Using Built-In Microphone............................................................................................. 6
Using USB Audio Adapters............................................................................................ 6
Play Recordings .............................................................................................................. 6
SoniClear Software Operation........................................................................................ 7
Disk Storage Space ..................................................................................................... 7
System Installation and Support ......................................................................................... 8
Overview......................................................................................................................... 8
Software and System Technical Support........................................................................ 8
Hardware Warranty and Repair ...................................................................................... 9
Computer Information: ................................................................................................... 9

SoniClear Portable Recorder Operation Guide Pg 4
Using Portable Recorder
Overview
SoniClear Portable Recorder is an integrated hardware and software system for recording
meetings and administrative hearings. SoniClear software runs on a Windows laptop
computer using an external audio interface.
No installation steps are required for the computer. Simply plug in the system and audio
sources, and start using it.
Using Samson GoMic USB Microphone
To use the Samson GoMic included with your Portable Recorder, connect the
microphone to a USB 2.0 port on the computer before starting SoniClear. DO NOT USE
A USB 3.0 PORT (USB 3.0 ports have a blue color jack).
In addition, the GoMic has a selection switch with three options:
-When set to the bottom position, the microphone has an “omni-directional”
pickup pattern. This means that it will capture audio from all directions around the
microphone. This is a good setting for recording people sitting around a table.
-The top switch setting is for a “cardioid” pickup pattern, with sound picking up
mostly from the front of the microphone (silver side). The back of the microphone
(black side) does not pick up much sound with this setting. This is suitable for
recording in a situation where the people speaking are further away from the
microphone in one direction (such as in front of an audience or at one end of a
conference room).
-The third position in the middle of the switch will record with a reduced loudness.
This is intended for recording loud music and is not suitable for recording
meetings.
Be certain the switch has been set to the appropriate choice before recording a meeting.

SoniClear Portable Recorder Operation Guide Pg 5
Using Motu 4Pre Mixer/Interface
The Portable Recorder has the option to be packaged with the Motu 4Pre audio interface
device. SoniClear pre-configures the included Motu 4Pre device to work with SoniClear.
These instructions only apply to units that have been pre-configured.
To use the pre-configured Motu 4Pre:
1. Connect the Motu 4Pre to a USB 2.0 port on the computer (using the supplied USB
cable). DO NOT USE A USB 3.0 PORT (USB 3.0 ports have a blue color jack).
2. Connect the power adapter included with the Motu 4Pre. The 4Pre will start
automatically.
3. Plug the microphones into the Motu 4Pre (up to 4 professional microphones).
4. Start SoniClear.
If you plan to use the Portable Recorder with a Motu 4Pre unit that was not received from
SoniClear, please contact SoniClear Support for additional configuration instructions.
Using Motu 896 Mixer/Interface
To use the Motu 896 (if that was included with your Portable Recorder):
1. Connect the Motu 896 to a USB 2.0 port on the computer (using the supplied USB
cable). DO NOT USE A USB 3.0 PORT (USB 3.0 ports have a blue color jack).
2. Connect the power cable included with the Motu 896 to an outlet.
3. The Motu 896 device has a power switch, confirm that it is on.
4. Plug the microphones into the Motu 896 (up to 8 professional microphones).
5. Connect a monitor headphone to the “Main Out” jack on the front panel, if you want
to monitor directly from the microphones (no delay).
6. Connect a monitor headphone to the “Phones” jack on the front panel, if you want to
monitor from the computer (5 second delay and readbacks).
7. Start SoniClear.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT MOTU 896 CONTROL KNOBS:
-Do not turn or click the four “Cuemix” knobs. These knobs on the front of the
unit change the internal settings of the Motu 896 and can cause the system to fail
to record properly if they are turned or clicked.
-The microphone level knobs on the left side of the Motu 896 can be used to adjust
the microphone level to ensure optimal pickup of each person being recorded.
-The knobs above each headphone jack control the headphone level.
-The “Meters” knob changes what signals are displayed in the level meters, but
does not affect recording or playback.