Author Topic: Microtrack II Love? (Read 9213 times)

jb63 · « **on:** October 09, 2014, 06:28:19 PM »

Digging around h=in here to find a Microtrack board and I can't find it!

Did everyone hate it so much that there isn't even a board left?

(heh)

I picked up one that was "supposed" to be working, but it came with no CF card. Did the research and bought a CF card, plugged it in, updated the firmware, adjusted the settings, then had to unplug it from the computer to use the computer for emergency other crap. Now, just because I am an idiot, I told the micro track to shut down, didn't eject any cards from the desktop or whatnot, just told it to shut down. Which it promptly tried to do for 45 minutes. It then became an emergency that the computer had to go, so I had to unplug everything and run to work.

an hour later it was still trying to shut down, so after lots of searching found this:

http://forums.m-audio.com/showthread.php?10115-Frozen-Microtrack-24-96

and was able to shut it off using the power and menu switches.

Now it is a brick. About $80 worth of brick, although I suppose the $16 card can still be returned.

I was simply trying to get something small and cheap to feed from my SBM1, but as usual, I just love throwing money out the door.

Is there any way to torn one of these back on once this happens? All can find is hate for this beast.
There has to be a dead board here somewhere I can waste more time searching...

jb63 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2014, 12:02:23 PM »

OK, so the next day, I plug it in and the logo appears and it begins charging.

We'll see….

I remember what a pain it was to have the pocket-sized combination of the SBM-1>M1 with the very tricky 7-pin connector and how hard it was to work out how to avoid stress to that contact point.
I was hoping to somehow avoid that with what looked like a more solid connection of the SPDIF plug on the microtrack, but this thing is a real quirky little box if its going to behave like this.

There really needs to be a nice solid state recorder like this microtrack that actually works.

anhisr · « **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2014, 12:39:22 PM »

I use my MT II as a bit bucket behind a V3. I have had a problem only once using it in that setup.

Gene Poole · « **Reply #3 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:26:00 PM »

I've got an MT-2496 and a MT-II and never had an issue with either (except that the MT-II needed some cleaning of the 1/4 jacks). I use a CF to microSD adapter in mine. Just like this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161157563762

I'm still running FW ver 1.0.4 and am a little scared to update to current (1.0.7 I think) because of issues like this.

stevetoney · « **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2014, 01:29:24 PM »

I'd pay for REAL shit before I bought another one of these POS. So, no. No MTII love at all from me. I'd have gotten more out of burning four $20 bills because at least then I could add that to a short list of crazy things I've done in my life.

Jhurlbs81 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2014, 02:38:50 PM »

I loved mine when I had it. I never had issues. Great bit bucket IMO.

jb63 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2014, 03:50:44 PM »

See what I mean?
Its almost like every other one was bad.

dnsacks · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2014, 04:29:42 PM »

why not ditch both the sbm-1 and the micro track and go with a sony m10? -- its a>d sounds quite nice (to my ears), supports a very wide range of input levels through its line in, is very user-friendly (to me), has good metering (digital meters on the screen plus "confidence" and "over" leds for each channel) and is being extensively used behind some really nice sounding preamps/rigs (the schoeps>actives>tinybox>m10 is becoming a gold standard for low profile rigs). Plus it will run forever on a pair of aa batteries.

SClassical · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2014, 08:02:34 PM »

the only problem I experienced was that only one channel was recorded when I wanted it to record in stereo... and another time i get a message "no signal"... and sometimes I get 1 drop out for a few sec after recording for over 1 hr straight. all times were using with the V3 and the MTII as the bitbucket. So I only had 3 problems. I know how to solve the "no signal" issue but have no idea why I get a few sec dropout after a continuous recording for over an 1hr or why sometimes it records only in 1 channel.

jb63 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2014, 08:19:21 PM »

I have an m10 that I use constantly, but I am just fooling around to see what I can use as a bit bucket with the v3 or the sbm1 or the mini me. The pmd661 is HUGE by comparison, and a waste no using it's own preamps.

I'm slightly nostalgic for the dpa4061>Linestagemod sbm1>M1 tapes I pulled in small clubs and wanted to see if I could replicate that.

Anyway.

The microtrack claimed to be fully charged so I ran it through its paces. Formatted the card again. Tested the card, which reported "ok for 2496" or something.

So then I decided to shut it down, pushed the power button and here's what it's been doing for hours.
I guess that means there is some big, but I don't know if I can even figure out how to reload firmware.

Anyone have any if that?

willndmb · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2014, 09:57:36 PM »

Quote from: jb63 on October 10, 2014, 08:19:21 PM

I have an m10 that I use constantly, but I am just fooling around to see what I can use as a bit bucket with the v3 or the sbm1 or the mini me. The pmd661 is HUGE by comparison, and a waste no using it's own preamps.

I'm slightly nostalgic for the dpa4061>Linestagemod sbm1>M1 tapes I pulled in small clubs and wanted to see if I could replicate that.

Anyway.

The microtrack claimed to be fully charged so I ran it through its paces. Formatted the card again. Tested the card, which reported "ok for 2496" or something.

So then I decided to shut it down, pushed the power button and here's what it's been doing for hours.
I guess that means there is some big, but I don't know if I can even figure out how to reload firmware.

Anyone have any if that?

i recall some having this issue wayyyyyy back but I don't know the outcome. Mine, mt1, always worked perfect but I know others had huge issues. Like you said above, seems hit or miss

Gene Poole · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2014, 10:20:51 PM »

Quote from: jb63 on October 10, 2014, 08:19:21 PM

I have an m10 that I use constantly, but I am just fooling around to see what I can use as a bit bucket with the v3 or the sbm1 or the mini me. The pmd661 is HUGE by comparison, and a waste no using it's own preamps.

I'm slightly nostalgic for the dpa4061>Linestagemod sbm1>M1 tapes I pulled in small clubs and wanted to see if I could replicate that.

Anyway.

The microtrack claimed to be fully charged so I ran it through its paces. Formatted the card again. Tested the card, which reported "ok for 2496" or something.

So then I decided to shut it down, pushed the power button and here's what it's been doing for hours.
I guess that means there is some big, but I don't know if I can even figure out how to reload firmware.

Anyone have any if that?

I think I'd be suspect of the memory card first. Do you have a spare to try? I can send you mine if you want. I have 3 CFs that I'll never use again since moving to the SD Adapter (128MiB, 2GiB, and 4GiB).

jb63 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 10, 2014, 11:13:04 PM »

Hm.
Memory card. Ok. I had to buy the one I have from amazon because nothing else I have uses them.
Shoot me a message and I'll see if yours will do it.

mepaca · « **Reply #13 on:** October 11, 2014, 05:39:22 AM »

I bought one of the very first microtracks when they came out. It took 9 firmware updates before it functioned as advertised.
Besides that the unit is hobbled by it's internal battery. The unit is a cool concept but ultimately flawed.

jb63 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2014, 07:06:41 PM »

Is there a way to go BACKWARDS in firmware?
I also just noticed that the backlight doesn't work.

Oh well.

Maybe those cards will get it started!

yug du nord · « **Reply #15 on:** October 11, 2014, 08:59:21 PM »

just beware that if the battery craps out before the file writes, there is no file.

Gene Poole · « **Reply #16 on:** October 11, 2014, 11:51:50 PM »

If the battery is healthy, it will write the file and shut down just before it runs out of juice (about 5% or so). I always use an external battery. This $10 unit from ebay with another $30 in good Panasonic 18650 cells will power the MTII with 48V phantom for over 10+ hours.

anhisr · « **Reply #17 on:** October 12, 2014, 11:58:20 AM »

My external battery for the MT II is the small black box in the back underneath the MT II. The DVD battery is for the V3

tedyun · « **Reply #18 on:** October 12, 2014, 02:51:39 PM »

Check that the settings specify whether the backlight is on or off. I updated the FW in mine once and it set it to have the backlight off by default. I didn't know this for the longest time and thought the backlight broke until I was scrolling through the settings one day.

I don't think I've had the same problem you had jb. Mine always worked reliably as a bit bucket behind the V3. I've always thought it was a great deal for the money, but I haven't had the same problems as everyone else. It can be fussy sometimes and the battery doesn't last long (an external is a must).

Quote from: jb63 on October 11, 2014, 07:06:41 PM

Is there a way to go BACKWARDS in firmware?
I also just noticed that the backlight doesn't work.

Oh well.

Maybe those cards will get it started!

flipp · « **Reply #19 on:** October 12, 2014, 03:48:22 PM »

Quote from: jb63 on October 11, 2014, 07:06:41 PM

Is there a way to go BACKWARDS in firmware?

You might reset it to factory defaults but I don't know if that will remove firmware updates.

jb63 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 17, 2014, 03:52:00 PM »

Quote from: flipp on October 12, 2014, 03:48:22 PM

Quote from: jb63 on October 11, 2014, 07:06:41 PM
Is there a way to go BACKWARDS in firmware?

You might reset it to factory defaults but I don't know if that will remove firmware updates.

It does not.
Its back to being a brick again…

>sigh<

anhisr · « **Reply #21 on:** October 17, 2014, 06:06:48 PM »

See if maudio has any suggestions. I see they recently posted about a Microtack problem. http://community.m-audio.com/m-audio

jb63 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 18, 2014, 11:57:18 AM »

I'll poke around.
4 GB card showed up today and seems to have solved the problem, but I need to do some rigorous testing!

anhisr · « **Reply #23 on:** October 18, 2014, 10:51:08 PM »

Maybe it was just the card. Hope so.

raymonda · « **Reply #24 on:** October 19, 2014, 11:50:09 AM »

I've got one and have recorded 1500 sessions with out a problem.

jb63 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 19, 2014, 11:24:09 PM »

So far all the tests I've run with the new (old, tested) card have the thing working like a champ.
Battery lasts just under 2 hours, saves file, shuts down with hold switch on.

Now to find a power source and a few cards that work!

Thanks for the love!

jb63 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 05, 2014, 05:55:16 PM »

Ok!
I'll update this now that I think I have it Under control. I guess if that if you use a card that's corrupt it gums up your system, and I had a corrupt card so everything took forever. I have two good cards now everything seems to be working so maybe there are fewer bad units than you think just lots of bad cards!

bombdiggity · « **Reply #27 on:** November 05, 2014, 06:30:14 PM »

Quote from: jb63 on November 05, 2014, 05:55:16 PM

I guess if that if you use a card that's corrupt it gums up your system, and I had a corrupt card so everything took forever. I have two good cards now everything seems to be working so maybe there are fewer bad units than you think just lots of bad cards!

If there's not a thread here about fake cards there ought to be (especially CF cards, though it happens with all of them).

Long story short you've got to buy cards from one of the really big legit retailers (B&H or whatever). The cheapest options from the third party riff-raff on Amazon or Ebay are essentially 100% fakes. Amazon's tendency to undercut their third party vendors by drop-shipping them or fulfilling them as a "buy from Amazon" option may also lead to issues buying things there.

Nick's Picks · « **Reply #28 on:** December 20, 2014, 10:00:12 AM »

i've been lucky.
my MTII was flawless....but was stolen out of my truck a few years back.
I picked up the original MT2496 of ebay for $50 and It's never "failed"...., I have had an instance where I had a drop-out once. But its been stable
for me otherwise.

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #29 on:** December 23, 2014, 12:29:28 PM »

The MT was EASILY the worst deck I've EVER used, by a LONG shot lol

I think I got it to record successfully just once the whole time I had one just to transfer DATs to, out of about 50 tries!

Stay away from these at ALL costs since you asked lol

I honestly wouldn't even run one if you paid me, and I'm dead nuts serious

Author Topic: Microtrack II Love? (Read 9213 times)

stevetoney