Topic: Would you pay to have stereo mics built into the M-Audio Microtrack?

[soundpro]

Basically, we are looking for some feedback on this. We have already disassembled one of the Microtrack units and could build stereo mics into the body. The sound quality, dynamic range and self noise would all be better than the mic they provide and, of course, would always be there whenever you needed them. There would be a tiny micro toggle switch to turn the mics on or off that would extend out of the side of the unit, no higher than the jog switch already present on the unit.

Any thoughts on this idea are welcome along with the poll.....

sales@soundprofessionals.com or 1-800-213-3021 and ask for Chris

Thanks!!

Chris Carfagno
The Sound Professionals, Inc.

[Sanjay]

I think a much better use of your time would be to replace the TRS jacks with mini xlr.  This way phantom can be supplied cleanly without noise generated by movement of the plugs.  This I would buy. 

Built in stereo mics are probably not going to be utilized very much by the taper crowd that hangs around here, the only people I see buying them would be tapers "new" to the game, and they usually would not drop the $400 on a microtrack and would go with a minidisc instead.

[mmedley.]

The only time I would ever use the included mic is maybe to record a conference or something. Simple speech. I do not see any benefit to upgrading them personally. I like Sanjay's idea. Maybe even add an optical input next to the coax? I prefer coax, but some others might like that idea? A coax/optical output?

[kskreider]

Chris most of the folks around here tote around high end stereo pairs, so unless you were gonna jam a pair of DPA 402x's in there you might as well focus on something other than what you described above. 

Now, on the other hand, a mini toslink jack for optical>JB3 would be VERY popular around these parts.

[neutrino]

Wouldn't have a use for built in mic here either.

But, since you seem to be the only one connected with TS.com to actually have a Microtrack, how about posting some pics of the unit and it's internal boards. How about letting us know how the a/d and mic pre's sound, and what kind of opamps the mic pre's are running through if any...
dB-

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Maybe (and it's a longshot) if you put a pair of DPA4061's in there.

I'd rather see upgrades to the preamp. Ideally my perfect rig would be DPA4061 > MICROTRACK and have it sound as good as a moderatly priced pre (like UA5 quality).

I'd also be into extra battery power, although it looks like I'd be able to make that myself. But I'm sure people that don't want to make their own cables would be into that.

Thanks for all the good work.

MIKE B

[goose]

I think that if people want internal mics on a 24 bit recorder they will buy the Edirol R1 for the same price as the stock unit.  I would think that it would offer better performance as well, since that is an intended option.  If your option would raise the price of the unit, which it undoubtedly would, I don't think sales would be too swift.  It might a good "mod" option to offer potential buyers, however.

[mmedley.]

Wouldn't you have to hold it in your hand if you were to stealth a show? Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of stealthing?

I can see it now:

Jordache Blue Jean Jacket (inside pocket) > mic-mod MicroTrack @ 24/96.   

Just having a lil' (drunk) fun.

And oh yeah...post some pics!!!  +T for hacking and cracking that sucker so fast!

[kskreider]

Wouldn't have a use for built in mic here either.

But, since you seem to be the only one connected with TS.com to actually have a Microtrack, how about posting some pics of the unit and it's internal boards. How about letting us know how the a/d and mic pre's sound, and what kind of opamps the mic pre's are running through if any...
dB-

Or what the battery life it like, or whether it charges via USB while in record mode, or whether the SPDIF recognizes AES, or, or ,or...

 

[Simp-Dawg]

simply a useless feature for most here.  you'd be our king if you could post some detailed info on the unit as darkstar says above.

coax output for patchers would be my biggest request...and built in dither to 16 bit on the output

[soundpro]

I think a much better use of your time would be to replace the TRS jacks with mini xlr.  This way phantom can be supplied cleanly without noise generated by movement of the plugs.  This I would buy. 

This is also in the works.......great mind think alike :-)

Built in stereo mics are probably not going to be utilized very much by the taper crowd that hangs around here, the only people I see buying them would be tapers "new" to the game, and they usually would not drop the $400 on a microtrack and would go with a minidisc instead.

OK....thanks.

Chris

[soundpro]

simply a useless feature for most here.  you'd be our king if you could post some detailed info on the unit as darkstar says above.

Understood. For the stealth taper, it's usefullness would be limited. I was thinking in terms of musicians who might use it for sketchpad recordings, people recording lectures, ambient recordings, business meetings, etc. You might be surprised how many of these folks buy small portable recorders like the Edirol, and one of the main reasons they choose the R-1 is it's built-in mics. The mics I am proposing would be better than those in the R-1....

I do appreciate the feedback...... keep it coming!

Chris

[bconnolly]

Just as a note to the confused, it looks like Chris included his reply in the quote there.

[soundpro]

Just as a note to the confused, it looks like Christ included his reply in the quote there.

Oops....sorry.

Chris

[kskreider]

Just as a note to the confused, it looks like Christ included his reply in the quote there.

Oops....sorry.

Chris

Chris, buddy, come on and snap a few pics of those guts already.    (j/k sorta)

Does SoundPros have these for retail distribution already or are your tinkering with a pre-market version?  If the former, um, do you take Paypal?   

[Simp-Dawg]

simply a useless feature for most here.  you'd be our king if you could post some detailed info on the unit as darkstar says above.

Understood. For the stealth taper, it's usefullness would be limited. I was thinking in terms of musicians who might use it for sketchpad recordings, people recording lectures, ambient recordings, business meetings, etc. You might be surprised how many of these folks buy small portable recorders like the Edirol, and one of the main reasons they choose the R-1 is it's built-in mics. The mics I am proposing would be better than those in the R-1....

I do appreciate the feedback...... keep it coming!

Chris

understood, and i agree for that market it may be useful...but on the taping scene we need to have more control over mic placement than that would allow.

[MattinSTL]

If I could pay extra for increased functions and versatility I would. Like independently switchable phantom... or a switch (or firmware) to record mono... or even single channel and double the capacity of the CF card... or better pre-amps... or a FAT version of the MT with real XLR in rather then TRS.

I'd pay more for any of that... but the onboard mics got my vote of "no thanks".

[bluesbrooks]

If they are looking into mods. I think a nice mod for the Microtrack would be the ability to have external harddrive or something like that. Make some compartment that clips on to the unit. That way you dont have to use alot of Compact Flash type cards. Just something I thought would be nice to have because the ability to have moer space would be good. Also if you made just a compartment and the ability to swap harddrives easily would be good as well.

[oleg]

if you intend to do something useful to that small device , external remote control will be it
internal mikes , this is a nice joke , for low quality the microtrack comes with stick in stereo  what is more then enouth to record lectures or guide track

[thegreatgumbino]

My votes for the mini xlr inputs and coax/toslink optical mod. 

[kfrinkle]

i agree... when i finally have neough money to buy one, that is what i would be interested in....

[MattinSTL]

Yayy! It's Oleg, it's Oleg, what a wonderful guy... it's Oleg, it's Oleg, for good advice on what you should buy!

Sing like the Slinky Song... if you don't know the slinky song you're too young.


I've known Oleg for a couple years and he's a good source of info and humor... unfortunately he's funniest when somebody wants to head up a stupid argument... but that's what makes him great.

+T Oleg for joining without me mentioning it! Hey isn't this plus T minus T thing cool? So rather then simply building up a post count you get rated by the readers on your value to the forum!

With all this talk about mic-pres for the MicroTrack I'm trying to decide if I should have just got the MixPre instead of the MM-1... Beas said he got a new MixPre up in Canada for $465... and he would never tell me any more about it... considering that I always share my good deals with everybody that kinda' irked me... it's like he finds killer deals and then keeps it to himself... There's a place in Canada selling Black Oktava kits with all caps for $199 and he isn't forthright with that info either.

So for the MicroTrack... MM-1 good enough or get the MixPre?

[soundpro]

Just as a note to the confused, it looks like Christ included his reply in the quote there.

Oops....sorry.

Chris

Chris, buddy, come on and snap a few pics of those guts already.    (j/k sorta)

Does SoundPros have these for retail distribution already or are your tinkering with a pre-market version?  If the former, um, do you take Paypal?   

I will do my best to get some pics today.....we received our first shipment yesterday and shipped them. We do accept Paypal.

[Ray76]

Just as a note to the confused, it looks like Christ included his reply in the quote there.

Oops....sorry.

Chris

im curious to what Jesus has to say.

[thegreatgumbino]

Just as a note to the confused, it looks like Christ included his reply in the quote there.

Oops....sorry.

Chris

im curious to what Jesus has to say.

Too funny.   

[modmike]

Don't need/want internal mics.  Would like XLR/MiniXLR connectors to replace 1/4" TRS.  Would also like way to power it externally -- NOT using USB.

[thismicsmellsfunny]

Just as a note to the confused, it looks like Christ included his reply in the quote there.

Oops....sorry.

Chris

Chris, buddy, come on and snap a few pics of those guts already.    (j/k sorta)

Does SoundPros have these for retail distribution already or are your tinkering with a pre-market version?  If the former, um, do you take Paypal?   

I will do my best to get some pics today.....we received our first shipment yesterday and shipped them. We do accept Paypal.

Is this just a free advertisement? Where are the pics of these alleged MicroTracks?

[Chad817]

Just as a note to the confused, it looks like Christ included his reply in the quote there.

Oops....sorry.

Chris

Chris, buddy, come on and snap a few pics of those guts already.    (j/k sorta)

Does SoundPros have these for retail distribution already or are your tinkering with a pre-market version?  If the former, um, do you take Paypal?   

I will do my best to get some pics today.....we received our first shipment yesterday and shipped them. We do accept Paypal.

Is this just a free advertisement? Where are the pics of these alleged MicroTracks?

I'm sure he'll get them up.  I would imagine he's working today.  Snapping pics for a message board might not be top priority.

[bconnolly]

IMPOSSIBLE! MEANINGLESS!

WE ARE TOP PRIORITY!

[Ray76]

IMPOSSIBLE! MEANINGLESS!

WE ARE TOP PRIORITY!

i know youre joking but mellow out bud..

some people round here take stuff very seriously

[Brian Skalinder]

IMPOSSIBLE! MEANINGLESS!

WE ARE TOP PRIORITY!

i know youre joking but mellow out bud..

some people round here take stuff very seriously

Yeah, Ray, like his joke of a post is going to cause drama.  Please.  It takes far more asinine behavior than a joke like that to get under people's skin here.

[thismicsmellsfunny]

IMPOSSIBLE! MEANINGLESS!

WE ARE TOP PRIORITY!

i know youre joking but mellow out bud..

some people round here take stuff very seriously

Yeah, Ray, like his joke of a post is going to cause drama.  Please.  It takes far more asinine behavior than a joke like that to get under people's skin here.

Speaking of skin - what beer is everybody drink’n today!!!
                    -back to your regularly unscheduled Sound Pro commercial.

[audBall]

Speaking of skin - what beer is everybody drink’n today!!!

Grant's IPA

                    -back to your regularly unscheduled Sound Pro commercial.

That's right...and I commend Chris for taking the time to gather our interests in a product that he might be willing to 'refine' for our purposes.  If it doesn't pan out?  eh, no worries.  If so, then cool for both parties.

added post- btw, I'll put my vote in for some miniXLR inputs and the optical mods that others have mentioned.   

[zowie]

Even for sketchpad, conference etc. type purposes I don't know why built-in mics would be worth the cost over using a little plug in electret like the one supplied, or an upgrade or different pick-up pattern.

What I would want is a quality preamp (w/ XLRs and phantom) + A/D converter, a la an updated Deneke, in a TIDY companion sized case for a front end.  Would also allow the microtrack to run 8 hours instead of 3 by not using its internal 48v.

[kskreider]

I had a Rogue Dead Guy Ale before bed last night

[thegreatgumbino]

Blue Moon here.

[nic]

Don't know if its been said, or even needs saying,...
Is there a digi-output from this thing?
And if not, can there be?

moke, the only output is analog rca.
not sure if there is even room for a digi out to be modded into it...