Topic: IKEY-AUDIO M3................(Have you tested this, any feedback???)

[igene]

Ok.
So I see this deck for sale and it looks to be a solid basic recorder.
No mics, just recorder.  up to 320 Kps MP3 and 44.1k/16 bit WAVE
mic in / line in... boost and pad for recording...levels (adjustable)
SD recorder + Plug in USB flash memory and record to that.
Runs on 4 AA batteries (but how long)?
   (no hold button)
Anyone have any info on this? looks good...

they sell for about $125.

here are the specs>

IKEY M3 Product Description

Portable digital recorder with color display, records from any stereo or mono line or microphone level audio source directly to supported USB storage devices or to the included SD card. Features 1/8" headphone/line output for instant playback & easy monitoring, 1/8" mic input, rotary volume control, 1/8” line input, records up to 320kbps MP3 files and WAV files. Download to a computer with the included USB cable. Batteries included.

Includes:

    * USB Cable for connecting to computer
    * (4) AAA Batteries

Features:

    * Full color LCD screen
    * Records from any MONO or STEREO line source
    * Records 128, 256 and 320 kbps MP3 files and 44.1 WAV files
    * Record direct to the included 1 GB SD card
    * SDHC compatible
    * Record direct to USB key drive (not included)*
    * 1/8-inch (3.5mm Jack) headphone/line output
    * 1/8-inch (3.5mm Jack) line input
    * 1/8-inch (3.5mm Jack) mic input
    * Input gain switch with 3 input gain levels – 20 db, 0 db and +10 db
    * Adjustable record level with digital input VU
    * Easily playback previously recorded media
    * Rotary headphone volume control
    * Easily download to a computer with the included USB cable
    * Batteries Included
    * Stand mountable (Stand not included)
    * AC adaptor (not included)
    * *Compatible with FAT and FAT32 format only
    * Weight: 0.26 Lbs (0.11 kg)
    * Dimensions: (W x D x H) 2.5” x 1.06” x 4.52” (65 x 27 x 115mm)

[OOK]

I saw this too....I wonder what kinda quality it has.....

[igene]

The best price I found on this deck is $106.20 / shipped.

[acidjack]

Just out of curiosity, but what about this deck attracts you more than, say, the DR-07, which can record at higher sampling rates and is about same price?

[igene]

dual media (SD, USB flash), Easy battery and media access, small size, basic layout
jacks are in a good spot for stealthing.
(don't care about 24 bit, 16 is fine)
Made by Gemini - so probably built pretty well.

New toy,

[fmaderjr]

Just out of curiosity, but what about this deck attracts you more than, say, the DR-07, which can record at higher sampling rates and is about same price?

Jack beat me to the draw. Get a DR-07. This looks better than the previous junk that iKey made, but I'd bet 1000-1 it isn't as easy to use and doesn't make as good recordings as a DR-07.

[igene]

I'm sure Tascam has their shit together...
I have a collection of small decks and thought this
was an interesting recorder.
It's so bare bones that it's interesting.

Seems pretty straight forward.
Granted, I've never seen it or tested it.

that's why I'm fishing for someone who's done a hands on test.

[sunjan]

dual media (SD, USB flash), Easy battery and media access, small size, basic layout
jacks are in a good spot for stealthing.
(don't care about 24 bit, 16 is fine)

All these bells and whistles won't mean a thing compared to the quality of the inputs. Good AD, low noise on the line in, clean gain on the mic-in - this is what counts.

Ikey has a poor track record for their previous products (use the search function here). I'd wait until I have solid proof that the M3 is better.

Given that you can buy a DR-07 for $130 right now, it's a no-brainer:
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-TAS-DR07-LIST

(BTW, I found the M3 for $96 if you're dead set on it: http://www.fadfusion.com/selection.php?product_item_number=20026700672)

[igene]

thanks.
But I'd like to hear from someone who has actually played around with it.
All your points are valid, but for some reason I believe they've improved their product.

I saw the price at fadfusion, after shipping it's more. like $112 or something.

There is no rush on this, it just appealed to me, and I'd like to know more about it.

I have an R-09 for a stealth deck.
All my other small ones are DAT (D3,M1,D7 and a small Denon somewhere)

the others are much bigger - (R-01 and 660)

so... that's the deal.

someone must have tested one of these out.
It's been out for over 8 months.

[kirk97132]

someone must have tested one of these out.
It's been out for over 8 months.

Answers your question doesn't it?

[fmaderjr]

I have an R-09 for a stealth deck.
All my other small ones are DAT (D3,M1,D7 and a small Denon somewhere)
the others are much bigger - (R-01 and 660)

Are you saying you expect this to be better than an R-09 as a stealth deck? The R-09 is already a great stealth deck for loud sources and add an ST-9100 or UGLY and it's a great stealth deck for even acoustic performances (albeit a bit larger). If you want smaller than that, the DR-07 has been proven in the field.

I guarantee the I-Key is going to be junk and won't compare to a DR-07.

[darktrain]

I'm sure Tascam has their shit together...
I have a collection of small decks and thought this
was an interesting recorder.
It's so bare bones that it's interesting.

Seems pretty straight forward.
Granted, I've never seen it or tested it.

that's why I'm fishing for someone who's done a hands on test.

Looks like garbage, and i would venture a guess that no one here has used it, a dozen other choices for far better and a few in the price range, i would rather use a 6-7 year old ihp120 thats been sitting for 4 years than to pick up this POS

[igene]

Well, I guess that's what I wanted to know.
But still everyone is guessing w/o having tried the "POS".
I know Gemini is like a mid-line brand... but if you don't ask - you don't know.

I go by -  "I'll try anything once" - so that's also why this peaked my interest.

It's real utilitarian looking, much different than all the other recorders out there.

I'd still like to know if anyone has any hands on.

Oh, BTW - I just want a small backup deck in case of problems.
My R-09 is a champ.
I just like to be prepared.

What about a Tascam DR-08 ? >  ($150.+ s/h)

 

[darktrain]

Well, I guess that's what I wanted to know.
But still everyone is guessing w/o having tried the "POS".
I know Gemini is like a mid-line brand... but if you don't ask - you don't know.

I go by -  "I'll try anything once" - so that's also why this peaked my interest.

It's real utilitarian looking, much different than all the other recorders out there.

I'd still like to know if anyone has any hands on.

Oh, BTW - I just want a small backup deck in case of problems.
My R-09 is a champ.
I just like to be prepared.

What about a Tascam DR-08 ? >  ($150.+ s/h)

 

I would blinly trust the tascam over that other "thing"

[fmaderjr]

I know Gemini is like a mid-line brand...
What about a Tascam DR-08 ? >  ($150.+ s/h)

I-Key is not a mid line brand, at least as far as recorders-they've been junk.

Now you're thinking in the right direction. Very good chance of being a good product. I won't buy anything anymore until a few other TSers have tested and reported, however, since I blindly bought a Zoom H4 without hearing reports. This uses AA batteries which makes me wonder if the battery life could be less than hoped. They provide much less run time then AA's, so I'd want to hear reports. It's probably fine though, given Tascam's track record. I doubt if they'd use AA"s unless they could get at least 6-8 hours out of them, which would be enough for my purposes..