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Audio pros who capture sound in the field know that we're in the midst of a fertile period. Manufacturers release products targeted to this market on nearly a monthly basis, and anyone who needs to record high-quality audio can find a device that suits his or her needs. Even the least expensive digital recorders - several of which have been reviewed in these pages (see digitalcontentproducer.com/soundforpic) - offer pristine sound quality and connections that allow the user to transfer files to a computer for editing and enhancement.
Perhaps you need to record only interviews that don't need to be synced to picture, for example, or you don't demand inputs and outputs that reach the highest professional standards. If your requirements are simple, this review may not be for you. But if you plan on doing serious audio field work, the Sound Devices 702T is a recorder you should investigate.
Founded in 1998, Sound Devices manufactures audio products aimed exclusively at the film, video, and music markets. The 702T is a lightweight, portable recorder that can be powered by the included Lithium-ion rechargeable battery or standard, external DC power. Using the battery as your primary power source, you can expect to get about 2 hours of operation between charges. Should the battery dip below its functional level and you have the DC connections in line, the unit will automatically switch power sources without a loss of signal.
Dislike manuals? I can relate. Generally speaking, I prefer to get my hands on a piece of gear and see what I can learn directly from it. The 702T itself tells you a lot; it's a beautiful box with a simple set of transport functions on the front that are comfortably spaced along the unit's 7.5in. width. The connections on both sides are clearly laid out and easy to understand. But there's so much to the 702T (87 selections in its menu alone) that you may want to...