5 Akai DD8 machines – Care and Use
I f a PAL sync is used, this is set up as follows
§Press SYST EM – DI GI
§Set Sample Rate to 44.1kHz
§Set Digital Sync to PAL Video sync
§Press SYNC
§Set Ext. time source to 25FPS
Please note that if NT SC sync is used in a “pulled down” set up, the sampling frequency must also be pulled down to 44.056. T his is set up as follows.
§Press SYST EM - DI GI
§Set Sample Rate to 44.056
§Set Digital Sync to NT SC 29.97
§Press SYNC
§Set Ext time source to SMPT E 29.97 nd T hen record the master in the usual way.
5.6Levels
Reference level =
I t is important to select the correct analogue operating level in the DD8, as the audio will be digitally transferred into the camera. T herefore levels can’t be altered at the optical transfer site. Use the following table as a guide.
Studio Operating Level | Set Akai ref to | T one at | Gives |
+4dBu or 0VU | +4dBu | ||
0dBu or | 0dBu | ||
+2dBu or | +2dBu | ||
T o change the setting on the DD8, perform the following.
§Press SYST EM – MORE – LEVELS
§T he level can now be changed
§Press EXI T .
T he new setting must be saved, either in the project or as a default in the Flash ROM (recommended).
Please remember that it is important to listen back to the SDDS master, to check for clicks, dropouts, bad connections etc.
5.7Problems with MO drives
One fault of the Akai DD8 is the fact that it doesn’t report disk reading errors. I f it fails to retrieve a file, it will simply mute one track for, say, half a second, and then carry on as normal. Otherwise it may not play a track at all. T hese problems are caused by:
§Fragmentation – I f a reel contains a lot of
§Dirt and age – it is extremely important to service the drives regularly (see below).
For SDDS masters it is recommended that a newly formatted disc is used, and the amount of
SDDS Print Master Guidelines, Page 15 of 26