Sound Devices has released a 8-Series v10.0 firmware update. This Free user-driven update includes 32-bit float recording, streamlined functionality, and more flexible audio routing options. The firmware update is a direct result of customer feedback.
New features including 32-bit float recording
- Added ability to record 32-bit float ISOs for full dynamic range recording.
- Added Daylight Mode On/Off option in the System > Display menu.
- Added support for the new SD-Remote Routing Matrix.
- Ability to rename Record Folders.
- Added Outputs > Playback Outputs menu with options for Playback to Headphones Only or All Outputs. When set to Headphones Only, input channels remain live to the outputs when playing back to headphones.
- New ‘Playback’ routing option in the HP Preset Routing menus.
- Ability to output playback timecode or live timecode during playback. Select in the new Timecode > Output Playback Timecode Menu.
- Characters ! : ’ ” / \ ? * are now available in the Notes metadata field.
- Added support for auto-mute on record, stop, and playback on Dante and USB outputs.
- Added Next Take Display option in the Record/Play menu allowing the Next take display to be latched on or momentary. Can be used with the Scene, Take, Notes ‘Follow stop’ toggle switch actions to quickly edit the metadata of the displayed take, whether it is Next or Current.
- Added Fahrenheit display for Smart Battery temperature data
The firmware introduces the ability to record ISO tracks in 32-bit floating point, eliminating clipping in the file, no matter the gain setting. It is good to see Sound Devices integrate 32-bit float recording capabilities in their flagship mixer/recorder series.
There is also a new Daylight Mode includes a brighter LCD color scheme, making it easier to see important information and navigate menus, even in direct sunlight.
With the v10.01 upgrade, Record folders can quickly be renamed without the need for a computer, directly from the 8-Series Record Folder Options menu.
Users can also choose whether playback audio goes to all outputs or just headphones, while leaving live audio to pass through to other outputs. This is beneficial for production crews, who can continue hearing live audio without interruption while the sound mixer can check playback of takes.
With the 8-Series v10.01 upgrade, the SD-Remote, a companion app to 8-Series mixer-recorders, now has a new Routing Matrix tab with an overview of all input, channel, bus, and output routing on a single screen, making it much easier to view and control where audio signals are coming from and where they’re going to. With so many inputs, channel, bus, and output routing permutations, this provides an indispensable tool for production sound mixers.
Sound Devices Livestream
On Wednesday, May 29th, 2024, at 11:00am CDT (4:00pm GMT), Paul Isaacs will be joined by Sound Devices Technical Support Expert Laura Sillanpää for a live-streaming event where they will demonstrate some of the new features in the v10.01 firmware. Attendees will be able to submit questions to be answered during the session or following the live stream. The event is open to the public, but registration in advance is required at https://www.sounddevices.com/8-series-v10-01-live-stream/. To learn more about 8-Series mixer-recorders and to download v10.01 firmware, visit www.sounddevices.com/8-series.
