Sound Devices 788T Manual

788T
High Resolution Digital Audio Recorder with Time Code
User Guide and Technical Information
for 788T and 788T-SSD Recorders
firmware rev. 2.10
Sound Devices, LLC
300 Wengel Drive • Reedsburg, WI • USA
[phone] • fax: [phone]
Toll-Free: [phone]
www.sounddevices.com
[e-mail]
UDMA
USB
2.0
400 / 800
SATA
2.5"

Quick Start Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Front Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Panel Lock
Left Panel Connectors and Controls . . . . . .13
Right Panel Connectors and Controls . . . . .14
Rear Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
LCD Display Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Input Settings Window Descriptions . . . . . . 19
Track Setup Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Track Level Meters View
Track Routing View
Track-to-Media View
Master Gain Levels View
Take List Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Drive Directory (File Viewer) Descriptors . . .26
Root Directory
Input Setup and Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Input Trim and Input Faders
Input Settings Window
Input Type
Phantom Power
High-Pass Filters
Input Gain
Input Limiters
Input Polarity
Input Mute
Input to Track Routing
Analog Inputs
Input Linking (Stereo or MS Decoding)
Digital Inputs
AES42 Digital Microphones
Input Delay
Deactivate Inputs
Input to Track Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Pre-Fade vs. Post Fade
Routing Using the Input Settings Window
Routing Using the Setup Menu
Routing Using The Track Setup Window
Routing Using the CL-8
Routing Using the CL-9
Track Arming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Track Enabling Using the CL-9
Track Status Indication
Track-to-Media Routing
Master Gain Levels
Track Limiters
Master Gain Levels Using the CL-9
Sampling Rate and Bit Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Sampling Rate
Sampling Frequency and Audio Bandwidth
Bit Depth
Bit Depth and Dynamic Range
Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Clock Master
Word Out
AES Digital Outputs
Clock Slave
Internal
Sample Rate Converters
Word Clock Input
Video Sync
Digital Inputs 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Multi-Unit Linking Via C. Link
Outputs – Analog and Digital . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Output Types
Analog Balanced Line Outputs 1-4
Analog Unbalanced Output 5-6
Balanced Digital AES Outputs 1-6
Headphone Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Selecting Headphone Sources
Setting Headphone Source Options
Headphone Source as Outputs
Input Solo (PFL)
MS Stereo Monitoring
SoundField B-Format Surround Monitoring
Multi-Function Rotary Switch Behavior
Headphone Favorite Selection
Headphone Playback Mode
Headphone Warning Tones
Recording Start and Stop Bells
Low Battery Warning
Headphone Power Up Gain
CL-9 Headphone Monitoring
Metering and Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Output Meter
Meter Scale
Favorite Meter Mode
Digital Meter View
Meter Ballistics
VU (Volume Units)
Peak Only
Peak/VU
Peak Hold Time
Input Activity Ring LEDs
Headphone Peak LED
Tone Oscillator
LCD Contrast & LED Brightness
LCD Backlight
CL-2 Metering and Display
CL-8 Metering and Display
CL-9 Metering and Display
Wave Agent Metering and Display
Time Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Frame Rate
F Sampling Rate Modes
48.048k and 48.048kF
Fostex DV40
47.952k and 47.952kF
96.096k and 96.096kF
Time Code Modes
Off
Free Run:
Record Run
Free Run Jam Once
24 Hour Run
Ext TC
Ext TC/cont
Ext TC-Auto Record
Ext TC/cont-Auto Record
Table of Contents

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
1
Time Code Hold Off
Jam Menu
Jam RX TC
Jam Zeros
Jam Value
Edit Value
User Bits
NTSC Standard Def Video Production
Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Recording
Pre-Record Buffer
Media Select
Failure During Recording
Record Timer
Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
AutoPlay
Audio File Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
.WAV
File Type
Monophonic
Polyphonic
Take Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Scene Name/Numbering
Scene Name Incrementing/Decrementing
Take Numbers
Take Number Incrementing/Decrementing
False Take Control
Emptying the False Take Folders
Track Naming
Take List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Refresh Take Metadata
Take Edit Menu
Notes
Renaming Takes
Duplicate Takes
Circle Take
Project
Scene
Ta k e
Tape (Roll)
Set and Clear Copy Flags
Deleting Takes
Renaming Tracks
Wave Agent Metadata Entry and Editing
Wave Agent Beta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
File Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Automatic File Splitting
File Time and Date
Folder Actions
The Drive Directory (File Viewer) . . . . . . . . . .77
Navigation
Selecting Files for Playback
Folder Options Menu
Rename Folders
Set and Clear Copy Flags
Delete Folders
Drive Directory Options Menu
Set and Clear Copy Flags
Emptying the Trash
Erase (Media Format)
Storage Media – Internal Drive . . . . . . . . . . .82
788T Drive Type
788T-SSD Drive Type
Drive Replacement
Storage Medium – Removable CompactFlash 84
When to Use CF
Formatting
Speed Testing
Qualified CF Cards
Storage Medium – External FireWire Drives .85
When to Use External FireWire Drives
Formatting
FireWire Bus Powering
Qualified Drives
DVD-RAM Drives
File Copying Among Available Media . . . . . .86
Copying Individual Files
Error Conditions:
File Transfer to Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Powering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery
External Powering and Battery Charging
Time Code Clock Battery
Auto Functions with External Powering
Power Consumption Variables
Firmware Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Version Information
Upgrading Firmware
Remote Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Keyboard Assignments
Menu Keys
String Edits & Take Name/Number (Renaming & Notes)
Assignable Shortcuts
Shortcut List Functionality
Logic In
Logic Out (Record Tally)
CL-1 Keyboard and Remote Control Interface (optional) 97
Connecting the CL-1
CL-1 Keyboard Interface
CL-1 Logic Inputs and Outputs
Logic Inputs
Logic Outputs
CL-2 Remote Fader (optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
CL-2 Connection
Connecting the CL-2
CL-2 Panel Descriptions
Fader Assignment
CL-2 Switches
CL-8 Controller (optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
CL-8 Connection
CL-8 Front Panel Descriptors
CL-8 Side Panel Descriptors
CL-8 Back Panel Descriptors
CL-8 Fader Control
CL-8 Views
Main View
Aux Routing View
Input Settings View
Slate Mic

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
2
v. 2.10 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
Table of Contents cont.
Slate Mic Routing
Slate Mic Level
CL-9 Linear Fader Controller (optional). . . . 109
CL-9 Connection
CL-9 Rear Panel Descriptors
CL-9 Fader Control
CL-9 Master Gain Level Controls
CL-9 Headphone Monitor
Headphone Level
Monitor Selection
Setup Menu Navigation From CL-9
Soloing Inputs. Outputs, or Tracks
EQ
Pan
Factory Modes
User Modes (U1-U4)
CL-9 Input-to-Track Routing
CL-9 Communications
Slate
Tone Oscillator
Returns
COMs
Setting up a Bidirectional Talk Back Circuit
CL-9 Transport Control
CL-9 Footswitch
CL-9 LED Brightness
CL-9 Specifications
Wave Agent Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Setup Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
User Setup Data File
Setup Menu Shortcuts
Front Panel Button Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Connector Pin Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . .138
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Appendix A - Recording Time Calculation . 141
Uncompressed Recording Time in Track-Hours
Record Time
PCM Audio
Audio Data Rate = Bit Depth x Sampling Frequency
Appendix B – Metadata Implementation . . .142
Appendix C – File Naming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Monophonic WAV File Track Number Designators
Duplicate File Names
Appendix D- FAT32 and Maximum File Size 144
Appendix E - Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
788T CE Declaration of Conformity . . . . . .147
Software License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Warranty and Technical Support . . . . . . . . . 149

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
3
Welcome
Thank you for purchasing the 788T/788T-SSD. The ultra-compact 788T records and plays back audio
to and from its internal drive, CompactFlash, or external drives, making field recording simple and
fast. It writes and reads uncompressed PCM audio at 16 or 24 bits with sampling rates between 32
kHz and 96.096 kHz. The time code implementation makes the 788T ready for any recording job—
from over-the-shoulder to cart-based production.
The 788T implements a no-compromise audio path that includes Sound Devices’ high-performance
microphone preamplifiers. Designed specifically for high bandwidth, high bit rate digital recording,
these preamps set a new standard for frequency response linearity, low distortion performance, and
low noise.
With documentary and ENG mixing engineers in mind, the 788T is very small, while still being
feature-rich. No other recorder on the market matches its size and feature set. In addition, its learn-
ing curve is quite short—powerful does not mean complicated.
Sound Devices took advantage of the best in professional and consumer electronic technologies to
bring incredible feature depth with ease of use. Hard drives and CompactFlash are highly reliable,
industry standard, and easily obtainable. With the ability to write to an external drive, low-cost, por-
table media can be delivered to post production. The removable, rechargeable battery is a standard
Sony-compatible Li-ion camcorder battery pack. The 788T interconnects with Windows and Mac OS
computers for convenient data transfer and backup.
The 788T is available in two models, The standard 788T ships with an internal hard drive. The 788T-
SSD ships with an internal solid state drive. Throughout this document both models will be referred
to as the 788T., except when information is specific to each model.
788T and 788T-SSD Firmware Known Issues
For a complete list of any known issues: www.sounddevices.com/download/788t-firmware.htm.
Copyright Notice and Release
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 expressed written permission of SOUND DEVICES,
LLC. SOUND DEVICES is not responsible for any use of this information.
SOUND DEVICES, LLC shall not be liable to the purchaser of this product or third parties for damages, losses, costs, or expenses
incurred by purchaser or third parties as a result of: accident, misuse, or abuse of this product or unauthorized modifications, repairs, or
alterations to this product, or failure to strictly comply with SOUND DEVICES, LLC’s operating and installation instructions.
Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer. Other
product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
The sound waves logo is a registered trademark of Sound Devices, LLC.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
4
v. 2.10 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
Quickstart
Quick Start Guide
This Quick Start Guide provides a brief overview for first use of the 788T/788T-SSD. For detailed operating
instructions refer to the 788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information.
1) Connect Power.
Connect the supplied AC-to-DC power supply to the DC connector on the Right
Panel.
2) Attach the supplied Li-ion rechargeable battery to the recorder.
Be certain to line up the battery contacts with the battery compartment mounting
pins. Rotate the battery lock to secure the battery in place.
788T Rear Panel
Included L-Mount Battery
The included battery must be charged for six hours prior to initial use.
The 788T will charge the L-Mount battery when DC is connected.
3) Connect analog microphone or line sources.
Please refer to the 788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information for con-
nections with digital audio sources.
788T Left Panel
4) Connect headphones
Connect to either the 1/4-inch or 1/8-inch headphone output on the Right Panel.
788T Right Panel
MENU
SELECT 123
4
5,6
UNBAL
ANALOG BAL LINE OUTS FW800 FW400 USB
BALAES
OUT
1,2 3,4 TIMECODE
SYNC
WORD / VID IN
DC IN
10-18V
PIN 4
PIN 1 ()
()
+
-
WORD OUT

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
5
Quickstart
5) Press and hold the PWR key for one second to power on.
788T
C
D
E
F
BFS
d
0
ARM
BFS
d
0
U
TPWR
REC
6) INPUTS MUST BE ACTIVE TO BE RECORDED.
Press in to release recessed Input Gain Controls. Rotate the knob clockwise past the
detent to turn on the input.
In the full counter-clockwise position, the input is not active and is not available for use.
7) Access the Input Settings Window
To access, momentarily move the Input Selector Switch in the direction of the Input.
This action also sends the input signal to the headphone monitor.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
MENU
HDD
1
2
Left for odd inputs
Right for even inputs
MENU
HDD
Input Setting Options:
Source (mic/line/digital)
Phantom (on/off)
High-Pass Filter (on/off)
Limiter (on/off)
Input-to-Track Routing
Mute (none / mute)
Polarity (normal / reverse)

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
6
v. 2.10 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
Quickstart
Press adjacent key to change the parameter.
8) The Input Settings Window is where changes are made to input parameters.
For example, press the TONE key to toggle Phantom Power on and off. Turn the
Multi-Function Rotary Switch to adjust the High-Pass Filter Frequency.
MENU
HDD
Turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch
9) INPUTS MUST BE ROUTED TO TRACKS FOR RECORDING.
From the Input Settings Window, press the PLAY key to enter Input-to-Track Rout-
ing. Inputs can be assigned to any Track. The Rewind and Fast-Forward keys route
inputs to Track L and R, respectively. Turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to
move among Tracks A - X2. Push in on the rotary switch to route the input to the
track. Refer to the 788T User Guide for details on pre- and post-fade routing. Press
PLAY again to return to the Input Settings Window.
MENU
HDD
MENU
HDD
Press PLAY to enter
Input-to-Track routing.
Press again to exit.
Press REW to route to
Track L, Press FF to
route to Track R. Use the
Multi-Function Rotary
Switch to route to Tracks
A - X2.
10) Return to the Main Display.
Momentarily move the Input Selector Switch again.
11) Press the MENU key to enter the Setup Menu.
The Setup Menu allows you to configure various options, including Sampling Rate,
Bit Depth, Time Code, etc. Navigate through the Setup Menu by turning the Multi-
Function Rotary Encoder. Refer to the 788T/788T-SSD User Guide for Setup Menu
details.
A
B
MENU
HDD
R
L

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
7
Quickstart
MENU
HDD
Setup Menu Basics:
Highlighted selection
Selects highlighted option
Navigates through the menu
Exits option and menu
Cancels changes and exits the menu
Turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to navigate
through the Setup Menu, push to select an option.
12) A TRACK MUST BE ENABLED TO BE RECORDED.
Press the INPUT key to enter the Track Setup Window, where Tracks are enabled
for recording. An * (asterisk) next to a Track indicates that the track is record en-
abled. Navigate through the Tracks using the Multifunction Rotary Switch. To en-
able/disable the track, press in on the Multi Function Rotary Switch. Track Status is
indicated by the asterisk and by the blue Track Status LEDs on the 788T front panel.
When the LED and asterisk is solid the track is armed and will be recorded, if they
are flashing the track is enabled but no active input is routed to it and will not be
recorded, if the asterisk and LED are off the track is disabled.
788T
A
B
C
D
E
F
BFS
d
0
IN
CF
EX
ARM ARM
BFS
d
0
INPUT PWR
REC
R
L
MENU
HDD
Track Setup Menu Basics:
Selector Box
Track Status Indicator
Input Routing Window
Master Levels Window
Track-to-Media Window
VU1 / VU2 Toggle
VU1 / VU2 toggle selects the Tracks displayed on the right-hand column of Track Meter LEDs.
VU1 = Tracks C, D, E, F, G. VU2 = G, H, X1, X2.
Tip: After Inputs are routed to Tracks and the Tracks are record enabled, simply click the Input Gain Pots on and
off to arm and disarm tracks respectively.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
8
v. 2.10 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
Quickstart
13) HEADPHONE MONITOR.
Press the STOP key to return to the Main Display. Turn the Multi-Function Rotary
Switch to select the headphone preset best suited for the particular setup.
Active headphone routing. Track L in the left ear, Track R in the right ear.
14) Press the REC key to start recording.
Press the STOP key to stop the recording. Press the PLAY key to playback the last
recorded take.
15) Press the HDD key to enter the Take List.
The take list displays a listing of all recordings.
A
B
MENU
HDD
R
L
MENU
HDD
Take List Basics:
Next Take
Selected Take (*= Last recorded Take)
Rename Take
Metadata Edit Menu
Add Take Notes
Exits the Take List
Turn the Multi-Function Rotary Switch to navigate through the Take List,
push to toggle the type of information displayed.
16) From the Take List, press the HDD key again to enter the Drive Directory.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
9
Quickstart
MENU
HDD
Drive Directory Basics:
File Information Toggle
Jump to Root Directory
Selected File
Return to Take List
Exits the Drive Directory
Drive Formatting and other media-specific operations are accessed in the
Drive Options Menu located at the root directory.
17) After recording, transfer files from the 788T to a computer using either
FireWire 400, FireWire 800, or USB.
When connecting to a computer with a USB cable, make sure that the Setup Menu
option FireWire/USB: Connection is set to Connect as Mass Storage.
MENU
SELECT 123
4
5,6
UNBAL
ANALOG BAL LINE OUTS FW800 FW400 USB
BALAES
OUT
1,2 3,4 TIMECODE
SYNC
WORD / VID IN
DC IN
10-18V
PIN 4
PIN 1 ()
()
+
-
WORD OUT
MENU
SELECT 123
4
5,6
UNBAL
ANALOG BAL LINE OUTS FW800 FW400 USB
BALAES
OUT
1,2 3,4 TIMECODE
SYNC
WORD / VID IN
DC IN
10-18V
PIN 4
PIN 1 ()
()
+
-
WORD OUT
MENU
SELECT 123
4
5,6
UNBAL
ANALOG BAL LINE OUTS FW800 FW400 USB
BALAES
OUT
1,2 3,4 TIMECODE
SYNC
WORD / VID IN
DC IN
10-18V
PIN 4
PIN 1 ()
()
+
-
WORD OUT
FW400 USB
FW800
USB
FireWire 400FireWire 800
To avoid any possible directory corruption on the 788T, do not interrupt the connection process and always prop-
erly dismount the drives from the operating system. On Mac OS platforms, drag the drive icons to the trash. On
Windows platforms, use the “Disconnect External Media” icon in the system tray.
18) Press and hold the PWR key for one second to shut down the recorder.
788T
C
D
E
F
BFS
d
0
ARM
BFS
d
0
U
TPWR
REC

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
10
v. 2.10 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
Front Panel Descriptions
All 788T settings can be accessed and monitored through the front panel LCD and navigation keys.
This allows the unit to be placed in a production bag along with field mixers and wireless transmit-
ters and receivers.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
788T
A
B
C
D
E
F
BFS
d
0
IN
CF
EX
ARM ARM
BFS
d
0
INPUT PWR
MENU
HDD
REC
R
L
1
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
610 11 12
7 8
249
5
3
1) Input Activity Ring LEDs
The LEDs surrounding the Input gain
pots indicate the input activity for each
input, respectively. The LEDs illuminate
in various colors and intensities to repre-
sent the state of each input.
See Metering and Display.
2) Input Gain Control
By default, controls the analog and digi-
tal input gain (input trim) of each chan-
nel respectively. The Input gain control
can be changed in the Setup Menu to act
as fader controls. See Fader Control.
Input Gain Pots can be switched to the
Off position to deactivate the input.
Deactivated inputs are muted and un-
routed from any designated track. This
ultimately extends battery life. See Input
Setup and Control
3) Input Selector/Solo Switch
Selects odd numbered inputs when
pushed left and even numbered inputs
when pushed right. Selecting an input
using the Input Selector/Solo Switch
will display the respective Input Settings
Window. If enabled in the Setup Menu,
the Input Selector Switch will also PFL
(pre fade listen) the input in the head-
phone monitor. To exit the Input Settings
Window, press the Input Selector Switch
again or select another Input. For mo-
mentary action, press and hold the Input
Selector in position for one second or
longer. See Input Setup and Control
4) MENU Key
Accesses the 788T Setup Menu. When
in the Setup Menu use the MENU key
to move up through the options and
parameters.
5) LCD Display
Primary display of 788T status. The
LCD is backlit by pressing and holding
the LCD backlight key and pressing the
Multifunction Rotary Switch. When the
backlight is active the backlight color
can be set to indicate the recorder’s
current mode. Red = Recording Mode,
Green = Playback Mode, White =
Standby Mode
6) TONE key
Press to activate the tone oscillator, press
and hold for two seconds or longer to
latch on, press again to deactivate. Fre-
quency, tone level, and routing are con-
trolled in the Setup Menu. When in the
Setup Menu use the TONE key to enter
Setup Menu options and select parame-
ters when the check mark appears in the
upper right hand corner of the LCD.
7) Track Status LEDs
A solid blue LED indicates that the
respective track is armed and ready to
record. Armed tracks are both record
enabled in the Track Setup Window and
have at least one active input routed to
it. The LED flashes blue when the Track
is enabled but there is no active input
routed to it and will not be recorded.
The LED is off when the track is dis-
abled.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
11
8) Level Meter LEDs
Eight, 13-segment track level-meters in-
dicate level in dBFS. Metering scale, bal-
listics, and peak hold times are selected
in the Setup Menu. Tracks C, D, E, F can
be used to view Tracks G, H, X1, X2. See
Metering and Display.
9) INPUT Key
Press to access the Track Setup Menu,
from which the user can arm/disarm
record tracks and view meter activity for
all 12 tracks. Press and hold the STOP
key then press the Input key to access
the Input: Track Routing Setup Menu.
Cycle through factory and custom rout-
ings by pressing the Input key while
holding the STOP key. See Input-to-Track
Routing
10) Power Key
To power up the unit, press and hold the
Power (PWR) Key for about one second.
To power the unit down, press and hold
the Power Key for about one second.
11) Power/Charge LED
Indicates the 788T is powered and avail-
able for operation. Indicates the charge
status of the onboard battery charger.
12) Headphone Output Peak LED
Indicates overload of the headphone
amplifier. When lit, the headphone cir-
cuit is overloading. Reduce headphone
level.
13) HDD Key
Press to enter the Take List and Drive
Directory. From the Take List, view and
edit metadata across all storage medi-
ums. From the Drive Directory navigate
between storage media, folders, and
files. View folder and file properties and
select files for playback.
The media that is selected for playback
is shown on the left hand side of the
main screen. Press and hold the HDD
key to toggle between available media.
If only one media is present, media
toggle is disabled. When in the Setup
Menu use the HDD key to move down
through the options and parameters.
14) Rewind Key
Performs reverse (REW) scrubbing
through the played file when pressed in
playback and play-pause mode. Play-
pause indicated by flashing A-time on
LCD. Reverse playback rate increases
the longer the key is held. In play-stop
mode (indicated by flashing filename
on LCD) selects the previous file in the
record folder (either daily folder or main
folder).
15) Play Key
Plays back the file displayed in the LCD.
If pressed immediately after recording is
stopped, the most recently recorded file
is played back.
16) Fast-Forward Key
Performs fast-forward (FF) scrubbing
through the played file when pressed in
playback and play-pause mode. Play-
pause indicated by flashing A-time on
LCD. Fast forward rate increases the lon-
ger the key is held. In play-stop mode
(indicated by flashing filename on LCD)
selects the next file in the record folder
(either daily folder or main folder).
17) LCD Backlight Key
Press to toggle the Level Meter LEDs
View 1 (Tracks C - F) and View 2 (Tracks
G, H, X1, X2). Press and hold for 2 sec-
onds to toggle between the select meter
scale and the favorite meter scale. See
Metering. Hold the Backlight key then
press the Multifunction Rotary Switch to
toggle the LCD and Front Panel soft key
backlighting on and off. Hold the Back-
light key and turn the Multi-Function
Rotary Switch to adjust the brightness
of LEDs. In the Setup Menu the LCD
Backlight key functions as the cancel
and exit key.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
12
v. 2.10 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
Front Panel Descriptions cont.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
788T
A
B
C
D
E
F
BFS
d
0
IN
CF
EX
ARM ARM
BFS
d
0
INPUT PWR
MENU
HDD
REC
R
L
1
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
610 11 12
7 8
249
5
3
18) Media Activity LEDs
Indicates storage media activity. IN
(internal drive), CF (CompactFlash),
EX (external FireWire device). The LED
illuminates green when the storage
media is ready, illuminates yellow when
the storage media is writing/reading
and while connected to a computer, and
illuminates red when the storage media
has encountered an error or if the drive
has less than one minute of recording
time left.
19) Stop/Pause Key
Momentarily press and hold this key to
stop recording. In playback mode, a sin-
gle press pauses playback (play-pause),
allowing audio scrubbing with the FF
and REW keys. Another press of the key
enters play-stop mode where the FF and
REW keys select files for playback from
the current directory, the filename and
time display flash to indicate that a new
file has been selected. One more press of
the key exits playback mode.
Pressing the STOP key whilst in stop
mode displays the name of the next file
to be recorded in the LCD. In the Setup
Menu the STOP key is also used to exit
from any menu, returning to the main
display.
20) Record Key
Press to begin recording. The 788T is
a record-priority device; pressing this
key starts recording and discontinues
all other functions, except file opera-
tions. The REC key will illuminate red
when the 788T is actively recording. If
the selected storage media is not ready
to begin recording a new file, the REC
key will flash red until the recording has
begun. Pressing the REC key during re-
cording can set a cue marker, start a new
file, as selected in the Setup Menu.
21) Record LED
Illuminates red when record mode is
active.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
13
Panel Lock
Press and hold the LCD backlight key then the TONE key to bring up the front panel But-
ton Lock Screen. Button lock prevents unintentional setting changes and/or record status. The 788T
displays any button lock options currently enabled.
select the soft keys to
activate the appropriate
button lock mode
There are three modes:
• Unlocked – all keys are accessible and operate normally.
• Non-Transport Lock – All front panel controls are locked except the Record, Stop, Play, Rewind
and Fast Forward keys.
• Lock All – All front panel keys are locked except the REC key. The REC key is kept active so
the user can initiate recording after entering this mode and enter cue markers. To stop record-
ing in this mode, you must disengage the panel lock and press the stop key.
Left Panel Connectors and Controls
3
12
1) XLR Analog Inputs Channels 1-4
Active-balanced analog microphone- or
line-level input for inputs 1-4 on XLR
connector. Input type is set within the
Input Settings Window. Pin-1 ground,
pin-2 (+), pin-3 (−).
2) TA3 Analog Input Channels 5-8
Active-balanced analog microphone-
or-line-level input connector for inputs
5-8. Input type is set within the Input
Settings Window. Pin-1 ground, pin-2
(+), pin-3 (−).
3) Headphone Volume
Adjusts the headphone volume. NOTE:
the 788T is capable of producing ear-
damaging levels in headphones. Please
use with caution

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
14
v. 2.10 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
Right Panel Connectors and Controls
MENU
SELECT 123
4
5,6
UNBAL
ANALOG BAL LINE OUTS FW800 FW400 USB
BALAES
OUT
1,2 3,4 TIMECODE
SYNC
WORD / VID IN
DC IN
10-18V
PIN 4
PIN 1 ()
()
+
-
WORD OUT
13 4 5 6
2 7
8 9 10 11 12
1) Multi-Function Rotary Switch
When in the Setup Menu, the rotary
switch moves between menu selections;
push to enter selection or enter data.
In Record and Playback modes, selects
headphone monitor source; press action
is user selectable. Turn the knob while
holding the LCD Backlight key to adjust
the brightness of LEDs.
2) TA3 Analog Outputs 1-4
Active-balanced, analog outputs 1-4.
Program source and attenuation lev-
els are user selectable. Pin-1 ground,
pin-2 (+), pin-3 (–). When connecting
to an unbalanced input, do not connect
pin-3.
3) FireWire 800 (IEEE-1394b) Port
Connection to a computer (Mac OS,
Windows) to access the internal hard
drive and CompactFlash volumes as
mass storage devices. Also used to at-
tach external FAT32-formatted FireWire
drives to the 788T for direct recording
and copying.
4) FireWire 400 (IEEE-1394a) Port
Connection to a computer (Mac OS,
Windows) to access the internal hard
drive and CompactFlash volumes as
mass storage devices. Also used to at-
tach external FAT32-formatted FireWire
drives to the 788T for direct recording
and copying.
5) USB-B Port
Connection to a computer (Mac OS,
Windows) to access the internal hard
drive and CompactFlash volumes as
mass storage devices or for extended
display and control of the 788T using
Wave Agent. See Wave Agent for details.
6) Sync Input
This BNC is used to connect an exter-
nal video sync or word clock reference
signal for word clock purposes. Accepts
NTSC, PAL, and Tri-level video syncs as
well as word clock rates between 32 kHz
and 48.048 kHz.
7) External DC In
Accepts power from 10–18 volts DC to
power and charge the Li-ion battery.
Hirose 4-pin connector is wired pin-1
negative (-), pin-4 positive (+). Pin-2 and
pin-3 are not connected. Charging char-
acteristics are set in the Setup Menu.
8) Headphone Output
1/4-inch and 3.5 mm TRS stereo head-
phone connectors. Can drive head-
phones from 8 to 1000 ohm impedances
to very high levels. Tip = left, ring =
right, sleeve = ground.
9) Analog Output 5-6
Unbalanced output on 3.5 mm TRS
stereo connector. Program source and at-
tenuation levels are user selectable. Tip
= left, ring = right, sleeve = ground.
10) AES3 Output 1-2 and 3-4
Transformer-balanced AES3 digital out-
puts 1-2 and 3-4. Program source is user
selectable.
11) Time Code Multi-Pin
Time code input and output on 5-pin
LEMO®connector.
12) Word Clock Output
Provides a word clock output running at
the sample rate of the 788T.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
15
Rear Panel Descriptions
KEYBD OUT INC.LINK
AES I/O, GPIO, PWR
COMPACT FLASH
13 42
56
1) USB Keyboard Input
USB A Female Connector for USB key-
board and CL-8 Controller See Remote
Control for more details regarding Keyboard
and CL-8 setup and functionality.
2) C. Link In/Out
RS-232 protocol interface on 6-pin
modular (“RJ-12”) connector for link-
ing multiple 7-Series recorders together.
Word clock, machine transport, and time
code are carried on the C. Link connec-
tor. See Multi Unit Linking Via C. Link.
Also used for connection to CL-1 Key-
board and Remote Control Interface or
CL-2 Remote Fader. See Remote Control
for more details. The C. Link In is disabled
when Setup Menu option FireWire/
USB: Connection is set to connect to
Wave Agent.
3) CompactFlash Slot
Accepts CompactFlash media with the
label-side up. Compatible with Type I,
Type II, and MicroDrives. High-speed
UDMA cards are recommended for
higher track count recording.
4) Battery Mount
Accepts Sony®InfoLithium L-Series bat-
teries. Also accepts batteries conforming
to this mount. Numerous capacities,
from 1500 to 7000 mAh are available.
5) Multi-Function DE-15 Connector
Mates with Sound Devices XL-88 Multi-
Pin Breakout Cable. The DE-15 connec-
tor acts as AES3 Inputs 1-8, AES3 Out-
puts 5-6, and Logic In and Out. Analog
and digital inputs can be used simulta-
neously. See Connector Pin Assignments.
Sample Rate Converters are enabled
on each AES input when Setup Menu
REC: SYNC SOURCE is set to Internal.
See Sample Rate Converters.
AES inputs support AES42 Mode 1 oper-
ation, supplies +10 V of digital phantom
power. See AES42 Digital Microphones.
6) Security Slot
Compatible with the Kensington®Secu-
rity Slot specification. Used to secure the
recorder to a fixed object with a compat-
ible computer lock.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
16
v. 2.10 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
LCD Display Descriptions
1
8910 11 12 13 14
246 75 3
1) Battery/Voltage Level Indicator
Indicates voltage level of the remov-
able battery or external power sources.
If present, external power overrides
battery power. Graphical bar for relative
level and numeric indicator for precise
voltage measurement.
2) File Name Display
Shows file name actively being recorded
or played back. In Playback-Stop mode,
flashing file name indicates that the
Fast-Forward and Rewind keys can be
used to step through files in the current
playback directory.
3) Absolute Time (A-time) Display
Shows the elapsed time of the file be-
ing recorded or played back in hours,
minutes, seconds, and tenths. The A-
time and the time code display can be
exchanged if a large time code display
is needed. This display can be set to
reverse or flash while recording. Flashes
in playback-pause mode.
4) Cue Marker Display
In Record mode, indicates when cue
markers are set. Markers set by pressing
the REC key (option must be selected in
Setup Menu). In Playback mode, dis-
plays cue points numerically as they are
reached in a file.
5) Sample Rate Indicator
Displays the set record sampling rate. In
Playback mode, displays the currently
selected file’s sampling rate.
6) Time & Date Display
Alternating display between the set date
and time of the 788T. This information is
written as the creation and modification
date for generated audio files.
7) External Digital Clock Indicator
This display will show when the 788T
is locked to a valid external sync source,
sync reference is user-selectable in the
Setup Menu. The display will indicate
the current valid sync source
D = digital input, W = word clock, V =
video. The display currently shows that
the recorder is successfully locked to a
valid word clock source.
8) Media Descriptors
For all three media types, an asterisk in
front of the media descriptor indicates
which media is selected for record.
Highlighted media descriptor indicates
media selected for record monitoring,
playback or file directory display.
9) Media Status
(space remaining/record ready)
Bar graph indicates the remaining
record time available on the select me-
dia. Numbers show time in hours and
minutes based on the presently selected
number of record tracks, sample fre-
quency, and bit rate. Display toggles
between remaining time and track count
when media is set to receive less than
the full amount of armed tracks. See
Track-to-Media Routing. Indicator shows
dashes when no media is available or if
there is no armed tracks routed to it.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
17
LCD Display Descriptions cont.
1
8910 11 12 13 14
246 75 3
10) Time Code Display
In Stop and Record modes, displays
the time code generated or received by
the 788T. In Playback mode, displays
the the time code information of the file
currently selected for playback (if avail-
able). If non-time code files are playing,
the display shows dashes. The time code
display can be exchanged with the A-
time display in the Setup Menu.
11) Headphone Source Display
Indicates the source for headphone out-
put. Sources and selection order are user
selectable in the Setup Menu.
12) Time Code Frame Rate
Displays the set time code frame rate. If
a file has time code information embed-
ded, the playback frame rate is indi-
cated. If external time code is connected
and the external rate differs from the
rate set internally, the display will flash.
13) Bit Depth Indicator
Shows the set record bit depth. In play-
back, shows the file bit depth.
14) Meter Toggle
Press the soft VU (LCD Backlight) key
to toggle between VU1 and VU2 views.
VU1 displays Tracks C, D, E, F on the
second column of Front Panel Level
Meter LEDs, and VU2 displays Tracks G,
H, X1, X2.
Press and hold the LCD Backlight key
for two seconds to toggle between the
selected meter scale and the favorite
meter scale. FAV and the selected VU
view will alternate when favorite meter
mode is active.

788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
18
v. 2.10 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
15
16
17
18
15) Input Level
When input gain is adjusted, gain level
is indicated in dB for the input being
adjusted and its neighboring input. The
relationship of inputs is configured in
the following manner and cannot be
altered 1,2 / 3,4 / 5,6 / 7,8. Neighboring
inputs are not linked or grouped unless
specifically linked in the Setup Menu.
Mic input gain range is from 0 dB to 76
dB, Line input range is from -25 to 50 dB
and Digital input range is from -25 to
50 dB.
16) Headphone Gain Level
When the headphone gain is adjusted,
this will appear and indicate the gain
level in dB.
17) Slate Mic Gain Level (CL-8 only)
Slate Mic gain level is adjusted from -46
to 6 dB in 1 dB increments. To attenuate
the gain press and hold the CL-8 SLATE
button and turn the Multi Function
Rotary Switch.
18) Media Track Count
Display toggles between remaining time
and track count when media is set to re-
ceive less than the full amount of armed
tracks. See Track-to-Media Routing.