FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ's)

The HT-400 is designed to enable users to operate the system with minimal effort The LCD touchscreen interface will provide step-by-step guidance (selecting and playing a tune, changing the musical style, creating a playlist etc), requiring you to navigate and input only what you see.

Our nature as human beings enables us to remember names far more easily than numbers. This is why the HT-400 screen displays the first line and tune name/title of each tune as you select it. This allows you to easily ensure that the correct hymn number has been entered. In addition to this, all of the preset musical styles have been named. You can also give your playlists memorable names.

Yes, you can. Every time you select a tune /hymn. It will be displayed with its usual number of verses, but you can easily change this with simple + and - buttons.  The system will also allow you to change the verses played whilst the tune is playing

Yes, you can. When you select a tune it will be displayed at its usual set pitch, and at a pre-set tempo/speed (congregations vary, so there is no definitive speed for a tune!). These two settings can be changed easily using simple +and - buttons. Unlike ordinary analog/digital audio recordings, the speed and pitch adjustments/settings are quite independent of each other.

Yes, you can. Each tune you select will be displayed with the pause (Break) setting about right for that tune. You can alter the setting on the play screen using simple + and - buttons.

There are three main performance to choose from, all right there on the play screen:

Introduction. Allows you to Add an introduction before the tune starts. With a short tune, many of our church clients prefer to play through an entire extra verse as the introduction instead. It's so easy to change the number of verses, why not?

Rit (ritardando). Sounds technical, but just makes the music slow down during the last line of the final verse.

Amen. Adds a simple amen after the end of the final verse.

These features are simple to control. Press the relevant button to turn it on (the button will show a tick). Press again to turn it off (the button shows a cross).

Yes. The SD memory card is required by the HT-400 in order to save your personal settings (playlist adjustments and any mp3 /file that you have added).

Yes you can. This is done by using the Playlist feature. You can store to memory as many tunes as you like in a Playlist, and add your preferred settings for each tune (number of verses, style etc) . When you have completed your playlist, give it a name (maybe the date of the service). Then if needed create more playlists for additional services - you can store up to 999 Playlists.

The HT-400 has an internal stereo speaker system that outputs around 10 watts per channel. This is similar to that of a small portable CD player or radio, and so this enables sufficient volume levels for use with a small group of people located in a small room. For all other events, an external amplification will be required.

The HT-400 is equipped with stereo line level audio outputs, in the form of a pair of standard 1/4" (6.35mm) mono jacks configured as LEFT/MONO and RIGHT. This can be connected to any system with a suitable line-level audio input. The HT-400 audio outputs automatically switch between unbalanced and balanced output, depending on whether unbalanced TS jacks or balanced TRS jacks are connected. 

The quality of the results you get will depend on whether your sound system was designed to reproduce music as well as speech. Many church sound systems utilise multiple small speakers, primarily designed for speech reinforcement, and are not suitable for high-quality music reproduction.

This can be done, however, this would not be recommended for those wearing hearing aids. A pipe or electronic organ, piano, or worship band would not normally be connected to the loop system because the output level would usually be uncomfortably high. However, it would also be possible to leave a microphone switched on in order to allow a small amount of sound into the loop amplifier.

The HT-400 is designed and built using the latest solid-state digital technology. Unlike a computer, midi file player or CD player there are very few mechanical components to wear out.

Firstly, contact us. The majority of reported faults are actually operational misunderstandings and should be resolved very quickly.

If there is a fault, then the unit would have to be returned to either our service centre or the service centre of the regional distributor, as applicable. We understand that many of our customers rely exclusively on their HT-400 for every worship service, so we aim to turn round all repairs within 2 working days.

A fully charged Hymnal Plus battery pack (HT-B4000) will typically power the HT-400 for about 2 hours of playing time at half volume. The actual time achieved will also depend on volume settings and whether the HT-400's internal speakers are switched on.

The standard supply infra-red remote control handset works in the same way as a typically supplied remote for a television. With healthy batteries and no interference from fluorescent light or very bright daylight, the range will be up to a maximum of about 30 feet.

With ordinary usage (playing its internal tunes and your own midi files) the HT-400's standard-provided SD memory card will be more than sufficient. if you want to store a large number of mp3 files a card with a bigger capacity may be required.

In addition to your own midi, mp3 and PDF files, the SD memory card will also store any settings you enter into the HT-400: playlists, options settings (volume, EQ etc) and  the default styles.

The is no need for a reset button. The user/operator is not able to make changes to the core library or preset styles.

Yes. There are three ways to do this:

• Purchase repertoire upgrades from Hymn Technology. We offer an ever-expanding range of upgrades and are constantly reviewing demand as new hymn books come onto the market. You can even purchase individual tunes. Our current database weighs in at over 9000 tunes ... and growing.
• We offer a bespoke recording service (subject to copyright permissions being obtained as applicable). This comes in useful for everything from music that has been out of print for years to unpublished tunes written by local musicians (full-written music required).
• You can use your own midi and mp3 files, via the HT-400's SD memory card. These files can be included in your playlists.

You will need a Windows PC equipped with an internet connection and either a USB connection or an SD card reader. If your Windows PC does not have a card reader, it can be purchased quite cheaply from most PC hardware stores. They usually plug into the PC via a USB connection.

Repertoire Upgrades

All extra repertoire purchases from Hymn Technology Ltd are sent to you by email as a set of upgrade files, all contained in one compressed zip file.  Remove the memory card from the HT-400 and plug it into your Windows PC's card reader. Copy the upgrade file onto the SD memory card and then insert the card back into the HT-400. When you power up the HT-400 it will automatically install the upgrade. Alternatively, connect the HT-400 to your Windows PC using a USB cable. The upgrade file can then be copied directly onto the SD card in the HT-400 without even removing it.

Midi, mp3, and PDF files

These files are stored on the HT-400's SD memory card. Remove the SD card from the HT-400 and plug it into your Windows PC's card reader. You can create as many new folders as you like (using the PC) in order to categorize your files. Copy your files into the relevant folder on the memory card. Re-insert the card into the HT-400. The files are now available for use via the HT-400's SD CARD key. Alternatively, connect the HT-400 to your Windows PC using a USB cable. You can then copy your files directly onto the SD card in the HT-400 without even removing it.

The HT-400's SD card and USB connection are compatible with Windows PCs only. The use of a PC running any other operating system may cause issues.

Yes, you can. Using the Edit Playlist facility, there are on-screen navigation buttons for appending (adding to the end), inserting, moving up, moving down, and deleting any item.