HHB Communications DRM85

The HHB FlashMic is the world’s first professional digital recording microphone. Combining a high-quality, Sennheiser omni-directional condenser capsule with an inbuilt, broadcast-quality Flash recorder, FlashMic is a convenient, easy to operate and durable recorder that’s perfect for press and broadcast journalism, or any other voice recording application.

With no messy cables, just one button press is all it takes to start recording in either linear or MPEG 2 formats. Simple ‘drag and drop’ file transfer at up to 90x real time to a Mac or PC for editing or onward transmission is enabled by a ‘plug and play’ USB connection. Two AA batteries provide more than 6 hours continuous power and, with a 0 - 10 seconds pre-record buffer and 1GB of flash memory, you can be sure that you’ll never miss a word of that important interview with a FlashMic.

The FlashMic comes complete with a pouch, stand clamp, USB cable, FlashMic Manager software and 2 x AA batteries

Record Times

• LIN48K Linear PCM 48 kHz – – 3 hrs 00 mins
• LIN32K Linear PCM 32 kHz – – 4 hrs 30 mins
• MP384 MPEG1 Layer 2 48 kHz 384 kbps 6 hrs 00 mins
• MP256 MPEG1 Layer 2 32 kHz 256 kbps 9 hrs 00 mins
• MP192 MPEG1 Layer 2 48 kHz 192 kbps 12 hrs 15 mins
• MP128 MPEG1 Layer 2 32 kHz 128 kbps 18 hrs 15 mins

Connectivity
FlashMic has a built in USB port for fast transfer of recorded data to a computer. Both USB 1.0 and USB 2.0 protocols are supported.
The headphone socket accepts a standard 3.5mm jack. The mono signal from the A/D converter is sent to both channels of a stereo input. The output from the headphone socket can also be connected to the analogue line-in on any soundcard, should external recording be required.

Features

• Convenient, portable and extremely easy to use
• Rugged build quality, designed to withstand the rigours of portable recording
• High-quality, omni-directional Sennheiser condenser microphone capsule for broadcast-quality recording
• Very high quality microphone preamplifier with full manual or automatic gain control (AGC)
• 1GB Flash memory for digital audio data
• Maximum record time of over 18 hours (see over for table of record times)
• LCD display with backlight for time, level and status information
• USB-Interface for transfer of audio data (configured as a mass storage device), also used for configuration presets and FlashMic firmware updates
• Headphone amplifier with volume control
• 9 user templates can be configured externally using the FlashMic Manager PC/Mac software supplied
• Real time clock, time-date updated when linked to host PC/Mac
• Uses 2 x AA batteries – either primary cells or rechargeable
• Battery remaining indicator with visible low battery warning
• Battery life greater that 6 hours (1500mAh primary cells)
• Pre record buffer adjustable from 0-10 seconds
• Records linear 32 or 48kHz, or MPEG 1 Layer 2 encoded audio (128- 384 kbps)
• Records broadcast .wav files linear (including time stamp) or .mp2 MPEG encoded
• Simple mode of operation where presets from external PC/Mac templates can be recalled
• Expert mode of operation where all variables are accessible on the FlashMic
• Record time remaining indicator with low time remaining visible warning
• Switchable high pass filter, 12dB/octave @ 100Hz

Specifications

• Sampling Frequency: 48kHz, 32kHz. Selection by FlashMic Manager software or on DRM85
• Bit Resolution (Linear): 16 Bit
• Audio Formats: Linear PCM, MPEG 1 Layer 2, Selection by FlashMic Manager software or on DRM85. 6 mode settings
• Bitrates (MPEG): 384, 256. 192, 128 kbps
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz ± 1dB @ 48 kHz FS Linear PCM
• THD + N: < 0.1% (20 Hz - 20 kHz) @ 48 kHz FS Linear PCM
• Number of Channels: 1 (Mono)
• Microphone Capsule: Omni-directional
• Record Level: Automatic Gain Control (AGC = on), Manual Gain Control (AGC = off)
• High Pass Filter: Switchable on/off, 12 dB/octave @ 100Hz
• Data Storage System: Fixed internal memory, capacity 1 GB
• Date / Time: Internal real-time clock, running as long as power supply is available. Back-up supply for 1 minute to allow battery change. Set / synchronized automatically by host computer application according to host computer clock. Manual setting on DRM85 by menu item.
• File Format: Linear PCM: .wav, Broadcast Wave File (BWF). MPEG 1 Layer 2: .mp2, ISO/IEC-11172-3. Date / Time stamp is stored in file header. Filename generated automatically by DRM85, basic text string provided from PC software.
• File System: FAT32. Mounts as a removable drive via USB mass storage device protocol. File transfer is possible with the FlashMic Manager software or through Windows Explorer and Mac OS Finder.
• Headphone Output: 3.5mm stereo socket, mono signal to both channels. Manual volume control by rotary switch. Output may be used for audio recording on PC. Drive capability for 32 O headphone, short circuit protection.
• Optional Accessories: Wind shield, table stand.
• Weight: 13 ounces (excluding batteries)
• Dimensions: Length: 9.6", Diameter at widest point (mic capsule) 2"