Topic: 1-bit recording and Korg MR-1

[tmwsiy]

Hello All,

I have been poking around lately trying to find an entry point to get back into taping.
I have been looking at the Korg 1-bit stuff and I had a some questions about the MR-1 and 1-bit in general:

1-bit audio:
1) Is this in general considered to be a good format to master/archive in?
2) By my calculations it will take approx. 9.42 GB per hour storage, is this correct?
3) Is this format well supported by common audio editing apps?
4) Can this signal be transported over normal spdif?

MR-1:
1) Does anyone else make a unit like the MR-1 with 1-bit recording capabilities? 
2) If above storage requirements are correct... I know that it would be very limiting time wise to have some kid of flash memory storage like a cf card. I like flash storage better in theory however over a hard drive.
3) It appears as if this unit has no spdif  or other digital inputs? (maybe something to do with 1-bit)

Well I think that covers it (LOL).
Any input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

[H₂O]

- It's all personal opionon, but I think it's a good archiving format and easily convertable through Audiogate to 24-96 or 16-44.1.
- MR-1 records 1 Hour per about 2.4GB in DSD
- It is not supported very well in audio editing apps - if at all - so to edit you typically need to convert to PCM first
- Signal cannot be transported over SPDIF - DSD uses a a different digital connection and this only typically found on high end professional gear.  Although it is supported over HDMI 1.2 and equipment that supports it - i.e. Playstation 3, Denon Recievers, etc

- If you record the files in DFF (one of the DSD formats) the Sony Playstation 3 can play them - they have to be setup in a special folder layout though

[edtyre]

I was one of the first tapers that used an MR-1. I recorded over 70 shows with
my unit before i sold it. The sound is great, very transparent and clear.

My issues:
hard drive based, will skip if bumped into or dropped.
system software not perfected, some freezes
needs pre in front for quiet stuff, if you push the MR-1's gain, it will add horrible noise
internal battery sucks, only 1.5 hours with full charge
problems when connecting external battery source, unit does
not automatically switch over to external power, sometimes it just
shuts off......this was the deal breaker for me

ymmv

[tmwsiy]

Thanks for the replies!

[dorrcoq]

I was one of the first tapers that used an MR-1. I recorded over 70 shows with
my unit before i sold it. The sound is great, very tranparent and clear.

My issues:
hard drive based, will skip if bumped into or dropped.
system software not perfected, some freezes
needs pre in front for quiet stuff, if you push the MR-1's gain, it will add horrible noise
internal battery sucks, only 1.5 hours with full charge
problems when connecting external battery source, unit does
not automatically switch over to external power, sometimes it just
shuts off......this was the deal breaker for me

ymmv

Man, doesn't that sound good?

[Sunday Driver]

I was one of the first tapers that used an MR-1. I recorded over 70 shows with
my unit before i sold it. The sound is great, very tranparent and clear.

My issues:
hard drive based, will skip if bumped into or dropped.
system software not perfected, some freezes
needs pre in front for quiet stuff, if you push the MR-1's gain, it will add horrible noise
internal battery sucks, only 1.5 hours with full charge
problems when connecting external battery source, unit does
not automatically switch over to external power, sometimes it just
shuts off......this was the deal breaker for me

ymmv

Man, doesn't that sound good?

it makes my R-09HR sound like heaven on earth 

[deadheaded]

i have recorded over 150 shows with the mr-1 and the mr-1000.
both have gotten moved and jostled around pretty hard without any hard drive skipping problems.
i've only had the new version of audiogate freeze up, never the original version.
battery life sucks,  my mr-1 was used so the battery was already hammered when i got it. external seems to work ok.
can't speak for the preamps, i go line in on both units.
i guess i have been lucky.
i'm a big fan of the 1 bit dsd, kinda makes me feel like pcm is old technology.
happy taping
ed

[fmaderjr]

I bought edtyre's MR-1 and love it. I've always used it with an ST-9100 preamp, so can't comment on the quality of the MR-1 pre but I'm sure ed knows what he's talking about. If you expect to use a preamp anyway, no problems there.

Have not had the problems with the external battery pack that he reported. It runs around 6 hours with the external pack (with 4 NiMh's) and has never shut off when switching over. It starts running on external power and then switches over to internal. It switches over to internal before external is expended, but will switch back if necessary. After it has switched over to internal, if you turn off the battery pack and then turn it back  on, it will start running on external again (assuming the external batteries are not expended). A bit curious, but it seems to work well. Six hours is more than enough for me.

Have not had any problems with the hard drive skipping.

I record in 24/44.1 so can't comment on the software. But the 1 bit is great for archiving the maximum amount of musical information.

[edtyre]

I bought edtyre's MR-1 and love it.

And thats what counts 

[JasonSobel]

1) Does anyone else make a unit like the MR-1 with 1-bit recording capabilities?

Korg is the only company that makes portable DSD recorders (that I know of).  Tascam makes a reasonably priced DSD recorder, but that is rack-mounted and not very portable.  and then you get into the real high end stuff that costs a lot more money.

[H₂O]

FWIW - I ran my MR-1 (DSD) in parallel to my old SD702 (@ 24/96) and I thought the MR-1 sounded slightly better.  More soundstage.  Just my opinion though.

[edtyre]

I'll add this

Build quality is super, metering is the best and it feels like top gear in your hand.
The sound is fantastic, and kudos to the tapers that have found
a way to successfully run the MR-1.

The next version should be killer.

[shnflac]

for a few hundred bucks more the korg 1000 is the choice for me.  I was shopcked at how good 1bit/5.6mHz sounded on our first recording...cymbals shimmer..bass floods the floor...its not too big and if you don't generally tape in super stealth situations, its an ideal choice w a decent preamp and nice mics...
jamie