OPERATION

PORTADRIVE makes simultaneous recording from analog and digital sources easy, with comprehensive internal routing giving the user complete flexibility. Developed in consultation with leading sound recordists, all the PORTADRIVE's front panel controls are arranged to give immediate and intuitive access to the most frequently required functions. Using a 5-position rotary transport control to initiate recording, a Lock mode prevents accidental changes to settings during recording. Similarly, a Stop Lock prevents unwanted changes to existing settings while on the move. A Review function allows the user to check the last audio take and a Mark button enables the easy identification of points within a session.

Four front-panel Primary Mode (PMODE) buttons allow rapid access to the control, metering and monitoring of all audio signals. Six rotary encoders operate in conjunction with a large, transreflective LCD for the easy adjustment of any displayed parameter, and Undo, Jam TC, Slate, Tone and Group function buttons are protected from accidental use with an Enable button.

The facilities on the top panel of the PORTADRIVE have been arranged into a highly intuitive, hierarchical navigation system, allowing the user to set every system parameter. Although this dictates a considerable number of pages, menus nested within menus have been avoided so the user can quickly locate and adjust any function. Input, Busmix, Track and Output function buttons parallel the front panel Primary Modes and additional Disk, Session, TC and Setup functions allow the operator to configure their recording sessions to suit their workflow, and also to name, store and recall entire system configurations. Pressing any of these 8 menu buttons causes an associated menu to be displayed on the large top panel transreflective LCD (with wide viewing angle). The user can navigate and alter information displayed on this graphical LCD using cursor keys and the large data wheel. Further pages within the selected menu are listed along the bottom of the LCD and are easily accessed through the row of function buttons immediately below the screen.

Large transport controls on the top panel allow convenient operation of the PORTADRIVE's Locate and Playback functions. As well as the usual Play, Stop and Cue functions, the Locate button can be used to access audio by whatever means is most suitable to the user - take, marker or timecode value.