Connecting a Sound Devices 702T or 744T Digital Audio Recorder to a computer

The purpose of this wiki is to explain how to connect the Sound Devices Digital Audio Recorder (both model 702T and model 744T) to a computer. Once achieved, the recorded audio may be offloaded from the external recorder to another backup device.

The 702/744 has a FireWire (IEEE-1394) port which makes transfer of recorded files to a computer quick and easy. When connected, the 702/744 recording unit will mount to a Mac OS X or Windows computer as a local, removable mass storage devices. Using Mac Finder, Windows Explorer, or any other file utility, the audio files can be copied, read, and deleted directly to and from the recording unit

To mount the Sound Devices recording unit to a computer via a FireWire cable:

1. Stop all playback and recording activity. For larger/multiple file transfers it is recommended you use the included AC power supply (and not the portable lithium battery) when connecting to a computer. This will help prevent battery failure which can cause drive failure, and, ultimately, file corruption.

2. Make certain that within the menu 2) FIREWIRE: CONNECTION setup, menu option COMPUTER/CONNECT has been selected.

3. Interconnect the unit to a FireWire-enabled computer using an appropriate FireWire cable. No drivers are required if the computer meets the requirements listed in Specifications. FireWire 400-800 cables are currently provided with all of our Sound Devices digital audio recorders.

4. The recording unit should now show the screen below when successfully connected via FireWire. When connected, all audio functionality of the 702 is defeated.

5. Navigate the drives on the computer and copy all needed audio to local storage.

To avoid possible corruption of CompactFlash medium, always properly dismount the 702 from the operating system. On Mac platforms, drag the drive icons to the trash. On Windows platforms, use the “Disconnect External Media” icon in the system tray.

To un-mount the Sound Devices recording unit from a computer:

1. Make certain that any software applications referencing the 702/744 are closed and that all file copy functions to and from the unit have been completed.

2. In Mac OS X, right-click the drive icon on the desktop and choose to eject the volume. Alternatively, you can drag the drive icon to the trash in the dock to eject.

3. In Windows, right-click the drive icon and select “eject.”

4. The cable between the computer and unit can now be disconnected. If a future connection is going to be made the cable can be left connected.

If the unit is disconnected from the computer via an eject command and the FireWire cable is still physically connected between the computer and recorder, the data connection can be made by entering the Setup Menu select 2) FIREWIRE: CONNECTION. Alternatively, press the STOP button and HDD button together to begin a FireWire connection.