Sound Devices 888 Portable Production Mixer-Recorder
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With 8 ultra low-noise, 8-Series microphone preamplifiers, 16 channels, 20 tracks, multiple powering methods, and support for multiple USB control surfaces, the 888 can be easily tailored to your workflow. An updated processing architecture and multiple FPGAs enables the 888 to be fully routable: any physical input may be sent to any track, bus, or output.
Features
• 8 ultra low-noise, 8-Series microphone preamplifiers
• 16 channels, 10 buses, 20 tracks
• 16 channels of Dante I/O
• 256 GB internal SSD
• 2 SD card slots
• USB control surface support via MCU
• Dugan Automixing or MixAssist for up to 16 channels
• Optional NoiseAssist and CEDAR sdnx noise suppression plugins
Specifications
Analog Inputs
Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 80 kHz 0.5 dB (192 kHz sample rate, re 1 kHz)
THD + Noise: 0.005% max (mic in, 1 kHz, 22 Hz22 kHz BW, trim at 20, fader at 0, -10 dBu in)
Equivalent Input Noise: -131 dBV (-129 dBu) max (mic in, A-weighting, 76 dB gain, 150 ohm source impedance)
Processing Engine
Highly extensible, full FPGA-based audio processing, 3 FPGAs
Six-way ARM multiprocessor system
64-bit audio processing precision
Audio Over Ethernet
Dante, AES67 compatible
16 channels in, 16 channels out (up to 96 kHz)
1 Gb/s Ethernet, 1 port, transformer-balanced
Inputs
Mic-level inputs: (XLR, TA3): Class-A, discrete differential long-tail pair, 4k ohm input impedance
Line-level inputs: (XLR, TA3): active-balanced, 4k ohm input impedance
48 V phantom: full 10 mA to all 8 inputs simultaneously
12 Total analog inputs: 8 mic-line inputs, 4 on returns
AES3 or AES42 available on XLR input 1
AES42: +10 V, 250 mA available, mode-1, auto-ASRC
USB Audio: 2 Inputs
Rtn A (TA3): unbalanced 2-channel, 4k ohm input impedance
Rtn B (3.5 mm): unbalanced 2-channel, 4k ohm input impedance
Com Rtn (TA3) balanced, 1-channel, 8k ohm input impedance
External Slate Mic (TA5): balanced, 8k ohm input impedance
Maximum Input Level
Mic: +8 dBu (2.0 Vrms)
Line: +28 dBu (19.5 Vrms)
Rtn A, B: +18 dBu (6.2 Vrms)
Com Rtn: +24 dBu (12.3 Vrms)
External Slate Mic: +12 dBu (3.2 Vrms)
Buses
10 Buses (L, R, 1-8)
Left and Right Mix Bus receives post-fade isolated channels. Optional NoiseAssist plugin instances can be applied to any bus. Buses 1-8 can receive pre-fade, post-fade, or independent send level from isolated channels, Returns A or B, and Com Return.
High-Pass Filters
Adjustable 10 Hz to 320 Hz, 18 dB/oct. 1st stage analog (before preamp), 2nd stage digital.
Limiters
Limiters available at all channels, buses, headphones, for all sample rates
Analog first stage, all subsequent stages digital
Attack time: adjustable 1 to 200 ms
Release time: adjustable, 50 ms to 1000 ms
Threshold: adjustable, -2 dBFS to -12 dBFS
Selectable ratio: inf:1, 20:1, 18:1, 16:1, 14:1, 12:1, 10:1
Knee: soft, hard
Compressors
Compressors available at all channels (pre or post-fade) and buses for all sample rates
Attack time: adjustable, 1 to 200 ms
Release time: adjustable, 50 ms to 1000 ms
Threshold: adjustable, 0 dBFS to -40 dBFS
Selectable ratio: adjustable, 1:1 to 20:1
Knee: soft, hard
Delay
Channel Adjustable 0-50 ms
Output Adjustable 0-500 ms
Maximum Gain
Trim stage (mic input): 76 dB
Trim stage (line input): 50 dB
Fader stage: 16 dB
Bus stage: 16 dB
Headphone stage: 20 dB
Mic-to-Line: 108 dB
Mic-to-Headphone: 112 dB
Outputs
XLR (L, R) active-balanced, 250/3.2k/120 ohms (mic/-10/line)
TA3 (X1-X4) active-balanced, 250/3.2k/120 ohms (mic/-10/line)
3.5mm (X5, X6, X7, X8): unbalanced, stereo, 1.8k ohms
Headphone Outputs
1/4", 3.5 mm
TA5 (along with mic input pins) for single connection to headset + mic
High output, 4 ohm output impedance, 400 mW + 400 mW at each connector, all individually driven
Compatible with headphones of any impedance
Maximum Output Level
Line: +20 dBu (7.8 Vrms)
"-10": +6 dBu (1.5 Vrms)
Mic: -20 dBu (0.078 Vrms)
X5/X6 Out: +6 dBu (1.5 Vrms)
Headphone outputs (1/4", TA-5, X7/X8): +14 dBu (4.0 Vrms)
Digital Outputs
AES3 transformer-balanced, in pairs; 1-2 (XLR-L), 3-4 (XLR-R),
110 ohm, 2 V p-p, AES and S/PDIF compatible
Recording
A/D Converters: 32-bit, 120 dB, A-weighted dynamic range typical
Sampling Rates: 44.1 kHz, 47.952 kHz, 48 kHz, 48.048 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 192 kHz
Bit Depth
16, 24
Recording
Internal 256 GB SSD; two removable SD Cards. Each 10% over-provisioned (reserved free space) for optimum performance
Simultaneous recording to internal SSD and the two SD cards
exFAT formatting
20 tracks (16 iso channels, 4 buses)
Broadcast WAV monophonic and polyphonic file format
64-bit WAV (RF64) monophonic and polyphonic; support for files up to 4 GB
AAC 2 track at 48 kHz, selectable bit rate 32, 64, 128, 192, 256 kbps
Automatic Mixing
Dugan Automixer/MixAssist up to 16 channels on Left and Right Mix bus
MixAssist up to 16 channels on Left and Right Mix bus
Noise Suppression
Via optional paid Sound Devices NoiseAssist or CEDAR sdnx Plugins
Two, four, or eight instances of Noise Suppression can run on any combination of isolated channels (excluding 17-32 on Scorpio), or buses.
Attenuation range: 0-20 dB
NoiseAssist operates with sampling rates of 44.1 kHz to 48.048 kHz.
CEDAR sdnx operates with sampling rates of 44.1 kHz to 96 kHz.
NoiseAssist audio path latency: 0.77 ms @ 48kHz
CEDAR sdnx audio path latency: 0.27 ms @ 48kHz, 0.14ms @ 96kHz
USB
USB-C (USB 3.1 type 1) for file transfer of internal SSD, both SD Cards
USB-C 2-in/2-out USB audio interface
USB-A host for keyboard, external controller, external USB hubs supported for connecting multiple devices
Timecode and Sync
Modes Supported: Off, Rec Run, Free Run, 24h Run, External, including External Auto-Record and Continuous modes.
Frame Rates: 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 DF, 29.97 ND, 30 DF, 30 ND
Sample/Timecode Accuracy: 0.1 ppm (0.25 frames per 24 hours)
Timecode Input: 20k ohm impedance, 0.3 V 3.0 V p-p (17 dBu +3 dBu)
Timecode Output: 75 ohm impedance, 5 V p-p (+7 dBu)
Remote Control
Sound Devices CL-16 Linear Fader Controller
Sound Devices CL-12 Linear Fader Controller
USB MIDI MCU Control supported 3rd party fader controllers
SD-Remote Android Tablet app via USB or Bluetooth LE
SD-Remote Android Phone app via Bluetooth LE
SD-Remote iPad and iPhone app via Bluetooth LE
USB Keyboard
External Timecode Record Trigger
File Delivery to Cloud
Compatible with Frame.io Camera to Cloud
Compatible with Viviana Cloud
LCD
320240, Transflective, excellent sunlight visibility
Larger touchscreen display available via USB-connected SD-Remote app
Power
External: 10-18 V input on locking TA4 connectors, (pin 4 positive, pin 1 ground), supports Smart Battery telemetry
Dual rear-mount Sony-style L-mount batteries with chargers
All mic preamps off: 780 mA
All mic preamps on: 990 mA
All mic preamps on, 192 kHz sample rate, recording to 2 SD Cards: 1.13 A
All mic preamps on, 192 kHz sample rate, recording to 2 SD Cards, Dante enabled: 1.38 A
Intelligent power-down of unused mic preamps and other internal circuits
Environmental
Operating: -20° C to 60° C, 0 to 90% relative humidity (non-condensing)
Storage: -40° C to 85° C
Dimensions
5.1 x 24.5 x 18.5 cm (2.0 x 10.0 x 7.3")
Weight
1.83 kg (4.0 lbs) (unpackaged, without batteries)
Q & A
Reviews
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
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Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
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- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
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