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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: Brian Skalinder on September 17, 2005, 12:22:55 PM
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All - thought it made sense to separate the old MT speculative threads and create a new thread for posting your hands-on, real-life experiences. If this makes sense, use it. If not, ignore it.
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Great...a thread that no one can post to..... ;D
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Great...a thread that no one can post to..... ;D
This is not true. A few (well, at least one confirmed) has this in hand. And I believe SoundPros when they say they have a few of these and have started shipping.
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Here are today's reports (sorry, no concerts, just foolin' around):
Bad news: Again got only about 3 hours not using phantom power, this time at 24/96. Tomorrow I will try turning off input monitoring, which factory defaults to "on" to see if that helps timing. Also will test the 4 AA batery USB power pack. If you plug in USB power when the machine is off, it goes into charging mode and the switches don't work to turn on record mode, but if the power is plugged in while the machine is running it seems okay, though I still have to confirm that it is charging or drawing on the power.
Good news: correcting for the L/M/H being backwards (i.e., setting the switch to H for line-in), and assuming unitary gain for line-in is max record volume (without the 27 dB menu boost!!!) I get levels that are recognizable. That is, when feeding in the signal from DPA 4060s with a 10 dB boost from the preamp I get roughly comparable results to feeding that signal to my Edirol R1. And the 24/96 signal sounds pretty nice (but need to test with music rather than just ambiant noise).
At 2 GB limit it shuts off and saves the file (though oddly I could not play it back on the Microtrack, while smaller files will play), opens fine in Wavelab with proper 24/96 properties. Also saves the file when power runs out.
The menu choices and navigation iare intuitively pretty clear. Sometimes it is hesitant to recognize that the Hold switch has been turned off, and needs a reboot or other slightly too drastic action to get it to respond.
Jeff
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Thanks Jeff... this sort of reporting is VERY APPRECIATED! ;)
From what I understand 3 hours was the reported duration of battery life when using phantom anyway... so that should be no surprise.
It's a bummer if the thing actually shuts down at 2 GB... How long does it take to get back up and recording?
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From what I understand 3 hours was the reported duration of battery life when using phantom anyway... so that should be no surprise.
It's a bummer if the thing actually shuts down at 2 GB... How long does it take to get back up and recording?
Yeah, but it was supposed to go 8 hours _without_ phantom, and I'm getting nothing like that, even though I was careful to charge initially for 6 1/2 hours. Sometimes the first few charges are not representative, and the rechargeable has to be conditioned to get to optimal life, but I've never had ones that go from 3 to 8 hours, so I'm worried. I was reluctant to turn off input monitoring from its default "on" because manual p11 says turning it on "will allow you to see the level of your incoming signal," which sounds as if the meters will be screwed if I turn it off, but I'll see tomorrow.
Jeff
I haven't timed the turnaround to save and restart, but it seems about the same as for the Edirol R1. When you turn off "hold" and press record, it flashes that it is saving for a few seconds, then when you hit record again it starts up, but there seems to be another second or two of latency until the timer indicates that you're rolling.
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he WASNT using phantom and only got 3 hrs :'(
bummer.
the 2gb file limit thing is why i WONT own one of these til they release the firmware to fix that, otherwise, its useless to me
id rather have a FULL 16 bit recording than MOST of a 24-bit recording w/ these right now! and once again, why not take the extra time and release it w/ a 2GB file limit fix ???
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he WASNT using phantom and only got 3 hrs :'(
Hmm. Looks bad. I don't no Li-Ion batteries but an increase towards 8 hours!?! ???
BTW: Are we sure the phantom power button works as labelled?
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I think Jeff stated in the other thread that he's using a 8 GB MicroDrive. MicroDrives generally consume way more power than flash cards, so we shouldn't really judge the unit by this until we have reports on the power consumption with flash cards.
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I think Jeff stated in the other thread that he's using a 8 GB MicroDrive. MicroDrives generally consume way more power than flash cards, so we shouldn't really judge the unit by this until we have reports on the power consumption with flash cards.
He wrote 8GB CF and that he was going to try a MicroDrive.
If the current 8GB is a MD as well that could explain the poor battery life.
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God I hope that's the case... sorry I missed the part about NOT using phantom. 3 hours w/o phantom would be a JOKE and would possibly affect me getting this thing. (or it would make me buy two)
I need a recorder to go for the better part of a day. I was pretty much counting on at least 6 hours minimum!
I'll cancel my order and get a friggin' Marantz and run it line in if the MicroTrack can only do 3 hours... I was ALREADY bummed about the sealed in battery... I mean really, what the F&CK? The thing coulda' been a half inch longer and used DOUBLE AA... and then you coulda' had a pocket FULL of juice for anything! Even a power in that you could wire a battery pack to would be nice... The first thing I'll need to do is mod the adapter.
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Well, so much for a thread with just experiences from people holding the unit :P
It was a great idea, Brian. But quickly went just like the other threads - 'my random whine/concern about the MT' thread, or the 'they better do xx or they won't get my money'. Of course if they were NEW valid concerns that hadn't been posted a bunch of times before, it'd be different. But it seems like we're mostly seeing a repeat of concerns that have been expressed many times before from people who still haven't held one.
Maybe we need a "if you're holding one in your left hand while posting with your right hand...." thread...
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Bad news: Again got only about 3 hours not using phantom power, this time at 24/96.
Was the backlight on or off while you were testing? Were headphones connected? Were the RCA outputs connected to anything?
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Bad news: Again got only about 3 hours not using phantom power, this time at 24/96.
Was the backlight on or off while you were testing? Were headphones connected?
Would those things really cause a 5 hour difference in power usage? I wonder if Jeff just got a bum unit. The L/M/H switch issue would be enough for me to send it back.
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Would those things really cause a 5 hour difference in power usage? I wonder if Jeff just got a bum unit. The L/M/H switch issue would be enough for me to send it back.
Those things would reduce the battery life in my D8 by at least half. W/ a digi signal, it can go 4 hours w/o even dropping a level in the batery meter. But use the headphone or line jack, or feed it an analog signal and it is a big drain on the battery.
eta: I don't think the internal battery in this thing has anywhere near the power of 4 AA's either.
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Chucky and I went to Tomoka's microphone and recording supplies while we were shopping for windscreens and battery sleds in Akihabara. We held and played with supposed 'grail' and were impressed and a little not so impressed. The menus are intuitive and setting record levels was easy enough but the thing felt kind of light and cheap. I guess I was expecting something a bit sturdier (then again, no moving parts). They got them for 37,000yen after tax which is like $337 after the conversion. With it being so low here, I suspect it was made in China or Mayalasia. The salesguy claimed it couldn't take an AES digi-signal but there is the language barrier and for all I new I could have very well been asking him, 'does my breath stink?'. I was still very tempted and thank gawd I had only 10,000yen in my pocket. We went to the brand-new Yodabashi camera there and the salesguy was putting one on display in the recording devices department glass case, price was 39,000yen.
Anhoo, here is the coveted unit right in chucky's sweaty big palm...(sorry my keitai denwa camera sucks)
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i'd imagine if you're writing a 24/96 wav file, you're using more battery than if you were writing a 16/44 wav file, or even an mp3 file for that matter. at least its like that with playback on mp3 players. fill that puppy full of wavs and the battery will die much faster than it would playing back mp3s, i bet the same goes for recording. just speculation, but i bet it would effect it some. i don't believe they said anywhere that the battery would last 8 hours if you're recording at 24bit, did it? the battery my last 8 hours if you're recording 192kbps mp3s tho.
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Anhoo, here is the coveted unit right in chucky's sweaty big palm...(sorry my keitai denwa camera sucks)
woot +t
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also, when i just got my new NIMH battery setup for the v3/jb3, i had to cycle the batts at least a few times for them to give reliable runtimes
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i'd imagine if you're writing a 24/96 wav file, you're using more battery than if you were writing a 16/44 wav file, or even an mp3 file for that matter. at least its like that with playback on mp3 players. fill that puppy full of wavs and the battery will die much faster than it would playing back mp3s, i bet the same goes for recording. just speculation, but i bet it would effect it some. i don't believe they said anywhere that the battery would last 8 hours if you're recording at 24bit, did it? the battery my last 8 hours if you're recording 192kbps mp3s tho.
Should it really make THAT much of a difference if you're recording 24 bits vs 16 bits? While recording the Microtrack is constantly writing to the CF or microdrive regardless of the bitrate. I would think recording in mp3 format would drain the battery even faster as it's having to work harder to do compression on-the-fly. The reason higher bitrates do drain batteries faster with mp3 players is the files are much larger and the internal buffer fills up more quickly, so the player has to spend more time reading from the hard drive/flash card. At least that's how I understand it.
If the Microtrack's battery can only do 3 hours without phantom power, I hate to think what's going to happen with phantom power turned on? I can't imagine phantom power being of much use then if you can only get 1 to 1/2 hours of battery life. I'm sure there's a plausible reason why WiFiJeff only got 3 hours of battery life. Maybe he has a bad battery? Or like another poster said, perhaps they also mistakenly reversed the phantom power switch in the firmware. It's too bad more of these units aren't out there being tested this weekend. Like mine!
If battery life is going to be an issue, I have to question why M-Audio decided to make it a closed-box battery like the iPod. I would have preferred swapable Lithium Ion batteries like the ones used by P&S digital cameras. Then you could have extra batteries on hand if needed.
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i really do think that recording at a high bit rate will put more stress on the battery.
and if the phantom power switch is messed up, wouldn't that be peaking his recordings beyond belief, or at least fry them. considering he'd be running 48v of power to mics that were meant to be run on 9v.
and if the battery really concernes you, why not buy one of these http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=49161.0 that seems like it'd do the thrick, you could have two of those and i'm sure you could get thru any show even using the phantome power, i don't see how that 'd be any different than carrying a pocket full of camera batteries or a pocket full of aa's.
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and if the battery really concernes you, why not buy one of these http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=49161.0 that seems like it'd do the thrick, you could have two of those and i'm sure you could get thru any show even using the phantome power, i don't see how that 'd be any different than carrying a pocket full of camera batteries or a pocket full of aa's.
We don't know yet if you can actually run the MT on one of those, or merely recharge the battery. If it's the latter, you won't be able to record while the battery pack is connected.
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i'd imagine if you're writing a 24/96 wav file, you're using more battery than if you were writing a 16/44 wav file, or even an mp3 file for that matter. at least its like that with playback on mp3 players. fill that puppy full of wavs and the battery will die much faster than it would playing back mp3s, i bet the same goes for recording. just speculation, but i bet it would effect it some. i don't believe they said anywhere that the battery would last 8 hours if you're recording at 24bit, did it? the battery my last 8 hours if you're recording 192kbps mp3s tho.
Should it really make THAT much of a difference if you're recording 24 bits vs 16 bits? While recording the Microtrack is constantly writing to the CF or microdrive regardless of the bitrate. I would think recording in mp3 format would drain the battery even faster as it's having to work harder to do compression on-the-fly. The reason higher bitrates do drain batteries faster with mp3 players is the files are much larger and the internal buffer fills up more quickly, so the player has to spend more time reading from the hard drive/flash card. At least that's how I understand it.
If the Microtrack's battery can only do 3 hours without phantom power, I hate to think what's going to happen with phantom power turned on? I can't imagine phantom power being of much use then if you can only get 1 to 1/2 hours of battery life. I'm sure there's a plausible reason why WiFiJeff only got 3 hours of battery life. Maybe he has a bad battery? Or like another poster said, perhaps they also mistakenly reversed the phantom power switch in the firmware. It's too bad more of these units aren't out there being tested this weekend. Like mine!
If battery life is going to be an issue, I have to question why M-Audio decided to make it a closed-box battery like the iPod. I would have preferred swapable Lithium Ion batteries like the ones used by P&S digital cameras. Then you could have extra batteries on hand if needed.
I bet if you keep being really good about charging it all the way up and draining ALL the way down (until the thing shuts off on its own), after a few cycles of that, you're record times will get better. Otherwise, we're screwed...
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Hi everyone!
It exists: http://homepage.mac.com/jengo/PhotoAlbum3.html
I got that little nice thing from a small shop here in Zurich, because they had *one*.
First charge took around 6hrs, playing around then... First impression: It's pretty much the toy I've always dreamed of, yet it's a real-life product, and so it's only around 84% perfect compared to what I imagined when I read about Microtrack for all the last weeks :-)
Gear: Microtrack 24/96 firmware 1.02, Sandisk CF 512 MB Ultra II, included Stereo-Mic
Some points of interest:
- Battery time: Today I ran a test recording a MP3 file at 192kbps, and the unit recorded for 4 hours 30 minutes before it went off. (backlite off, input monitor on, headphones at low level and the included mic 1/8" plugged in)
- The L/M/H knob is the other way round as well.
- The Ph PWR Knob seems to be in the right position (checked with a V-Meter on the 1/4" plugs, so probably no power drain from here when OFF)
- Seems to have no input monitor while recording from SPDIF
- I've had one freeze so far after deleting a large file. Turning the device off and on and it was ok again.
- Boot time was 16 sec with my 512 CF Card.
- The device can be turned ON (push DEL) when it's charging :-) and then again OFF (Menu > System > Connect to PC)
Now, as I am not a sound professional in any way, please don't ask me too much about recording quality. However, so much:
Mic recordings: I did some recordings with different settings, and at least for my ears, files with MP3s with 224kbps or better and WAV 44.1khz at 16bit sounded quite alright. There is some preamp noise in all settings, but I can't comment on how much it is compared to other gear, which I don't have...
Recordings from Line and SPDIF seem to be quite good as far as I can tell.
Hope that helps and you will get yours *very* soon too... :-)
Laters, jboyz
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I wonder if the noise your hearing is really preamp noise, or just the mic - it (the mic)doesn't appear to be the utmost quality judging from the pics.. Either way, coming off a SPDIF will bypass the pre anyways (I'll be running from a V3).
What does concern me is the battery life (time will tell if a few cycles will help) and the lack of external power plugs and/or AA use.
I'm hoping they release a new firmware soon that'll correct the 2 gig file limitation. It'd be lame if they didn't, especially for those (like me!) that want to record 24/96 from the v3. Been waiting 2 years to run 24 bit! :)
Also, Cascade better get some in soon! I need something new to play with ! hahaah
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Well, so much for a thread with just experiences from people holding the unit :P
It was a great idea, Brian. But quickly went just like the other threads - 'my random whine/concern about the MT' thread, or the 'they better do xx or they won't get my money'. Of course if they were NEW valid concerns that hadn't been posted a bunch of times before, it'd be different. But it seems like we're mostly seeing a repeat of concerns that have been expressed many times before from people who still haven't held one.
Maybe we need a "if you're holding one in your left hand while posting with your right hand...." thread...
Umm, I hope that comment wasn't directed at me since the guy who IS HOLDING one in his hands said that the battery only lasted 3 hours... and so that isn't a "random concern" but rather a comment based on what the guy JUST SAID.
Also I ALREADY PAID for my unit... and YES, I'm considering cancelling my order.
I think anybody that has totally loyalty to something based on ideas rather then realworld experiences is an idiot. I need to get what works for me and after waiting a month on one that should have been here I'd hate to find out that it's worthless to me due to crappy battery life. I'm not trying to grab some free music from a local band... I need this thing to work through a whole day of video production. If it can't do that then I don't want one. :P
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What does the metering on the unit look like compared to a JB3?
I can't tell you about the accuracy of the meters and especially the clip indicators, and I can't compare to JB3 (don't own), but IMO the levels can pretty easily be adjusted while recording (L+R linked so you can use either level button or L/R separately). I also like that there are 3 indicators: level meters (moving all the time), peak indicator bars (moving every some seconds), and red LED clip indicators.
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what were you feeding in on the s/pdif? what type of cable did you use and does the molding of the case around the spdif jack get in the way?
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- Seems to have no input monitor while recording from SPDIF
Yikes. WiFi, can you confirm this? Hope this isn't true, although I imagine a firmware upgrade could fix it.
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I wonder if the noise your hearing is really preamp noise, or just the mic - it (the mic)doesn't appear to be the utmost quality judging from the pics.. Either way, coming off a SPDIF will bypass the pre anyways (I'll be running from a V3).
What does concern me is the battery life (time will tell if a few cycles will help) and the lack of external power plugs and/or AA use.
I'm hoping they release a new firmware soon that'll correct the 2 gig file limitation. It'd be lame if they didn't, especially for those (like me!) that want to record 24/96 from the v3. Been waiting 2 years to run 24 bit! :)
Also, Cascade better get some in soon! I need something new to play with ! hahaah
I'm talking about the noise I could hear with mic recordings at rather low volume levels (such as whispering), not line in and not SPDIF. I don't think the included mics are the ones to blame, but you might better test with pro gear as well to tell.
AFAIK there exists a USB battery pack you can use.
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what were you feeding in on the s/pdif? what type of cable did you use and does the molding of the case around the spdif jack get in the way?
Motu828, with low quality cable, but it seemed to work. I could actually see the level meters jumping, but not hear anything, even if the Input Monitor was set ON.
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what about rca outs , did you try to check if something going out?
another thing , does it have ant int/ext power indicator , charging indicator?
looks to me that you get what you pay for but i was expecting from maudio make more thinking about end users ,
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- Battery time: Today I ran a test recording a MP3 file at 192kbps, and the unit recorded for 4 hours 30 minutes before it went off. (backlite off, input monitor on, headphones at low level and the included mic 1/8" plugged in)
Could you try the same thing with line in or digital in? I'd imagine the 9v power required for the mic would tax the battery as well.
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sorry if i sound like an ass here, but i think a lot of you are way to quick to judge. two days ago, this was thought to be god's gift to the taping world by some of you. now after you've heard reviews by two people, who have hardly even played with the thing, you're already fully discrediting it.
i think all of you should just remain calm. either wait for yours to come and test it then, or wait for more reviews of the product. you can't judge something from the few tests that have been done.
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what about rca outs , did you try to check if something going out?
another thing , does it have ant int/ext power indicator , charging indicator?
looks to me that you get what you pay for but i was expecting from maudio make more thinking about end users ,
just checked rca, but the same as with phones, no signal while spdif recording.
when charging with unit off, battery symbol constantly "fills" until full, then stays.
power indicator w external usb power shows letters "CHG", else just the battery symbol.
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sorry if i sound like an ass here, but i think a lot of you are way to quick to judge. two days ago, this was thought to be god's gift to the taping world by some of you. now after you've heard reviews by two people, who have hardly even played with the thing, you're already fully discrediting it.
i think all of you should just remain calm. either wait for yours to come and test it then, or wait for more reviews of the product. you can't judge something from the few tests that have been done.
:cheers: +T Ed, I still hope this unit pans out since I've been itching to upgrade for quite a while....
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Even with these initial rudimentary "reviews" this piece of hardware is worth its weight in solder. If nothing else, for 400 USD you get a digital/analog recording device that is far smaller than a JB3 and is cheaper and less cumbersome than dealing with DAT. Moreover, the pre and phantom are there if you need them in a pinch. 400 USD, folks.
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just checked rca, but the same as with phones, no signal while spdif recording.
when charging with unit off, battery symbol constantly "fills" until full, then stays.
power indicator w external usb power shows letters "CHG", else just the battery symbol.
that's bad -you know ,that's really bad
i can live with bad battery life but i cant live without knowing if i have some trouble with the signal .
what about the ph power , does it exist on line input as well or its disappear when you go from mike?
can you check if you still have 5v bias when you on line setting on the 1/8 input?
thanks
oleg
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just checked rca, but the same as with phones, no signal while spdif recording.
when charging with unit off, battery symbol constantly "fills" until full, then stays.
power indicator w external usb power shows letters "CHG", else just the battery symbol.
that's bad -you know ,that's really bad
i can live with bad battery life but i cant live without knowing if i have some trouble with the signal .
what about the ph power , does it exist on line input as well or its disappear when you go from mike?
can you check if you still have 5v bias when you on line setting on the 1/8 input?
thanks
oleg
I don't see why that's a bad thing. I can't even remember the last time I monitored my recordings in the field. I know the V3 puts out a good SPDIF signal and I know the JB3 accepts it fine. As long as the MicroTrack can do the same I'm all set. If there's a problem it's definitely nothing I'd be able to fix in the field anyway...
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some people make a living with that stuff >:(
i'm not saying that is coming substitute the 744 , but ....
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- The device can be turned ON (push DEL) when it's charging :-) and then again OFF (Menu > System > Connect to PC)
So does it record while charging and disconnected from the computer? Did you actually test this or just turn it on while charging? Regardless of what it actually gets on the internal battery, I think one of the crucial questions is will it record on external (USB) power.
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that's bad -you know ,that's really bad
i can live with bad battery life but i cant live without knowing if i have some trouble with the signal .
what about the ph power , does it exist on line input as well or its disappear when you go from mike?
can you check if you still have 5v bias when you on line setting on the 1/8 input?
thanks
oleg
hope it's just the FW...
ph power is on the 1/4 input when "ph power" button is put on, regardless of the LMH button.
the 1/8 input is mic only, but this seems to be as advertised on m-audio.com, so that's ok.
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some people make a living with that stuff >:(
i'm not saying that is coming substitute the 744 , but ....
no offense, but if you're doing this for a living, and you're serious about your job/career/what you do for a living. why would you use this, especially considering what else is available - 722, 744, deva, marantz, etc <-- all proven to work, all pro gear. not to mention the soon to be released sonosax recorders. *shrug*
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hope it's just the FW...
ph power is on the 1/4 input when "ph power" button is put on, regardless of the LMH button.
the 1/8 input is mic only, but this seems to be as advertised on m-audio.com, so that's ok.
sorry didn't get ,does the phantom still exist if you set to line level ?
did you check if setting to line level influence on 1/8 input attenuation?
oleg
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- The device can be turned ON (push DEL) when it's charging :-) and then again OFF (Menu > System > Connect to PC)
So does it record while charging and disconnected from the computer? Did you actually test this or just turn it on while charging? Regardless of what it actually gets on the internal battery, I think one of the crucial questions is will it record on external (USB) power.
Yes, it does, tested.
Right now I have the MT connected with the USB power plug only (NOT with the computer), and am recording from mic at the same time. The battery sign shows now "CHG" (instead of battery level symbol) while the device records and plays just normally.
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some people make a living with that stuff >:(
i'm not saying that is coming substitute the 744 , but ....
no offense, but if you're doing this for a living, and you're serious about your job/career/what you do for a living. why would you use this, especially considering what else is available - 722, 744, deva, marantz, etc <-- all proven to work, all pro gear. not to mention the soon to be released sonosax recorders. *shrug*
werent there problems w/ the marantz pmd-671 w/ a 2gb file limit thing ??? any other big problems ???
the marantz def looks more solid and more pro-sumer
so its working just phine w/ the CHG sign on, thats great news!
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so what happens after the 2GB mark? you have to redo a file and that means you miss part of a recording if the show goes over 2GB. isn't 2GB 2 hours?
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so what happens after the 2GB mark? you have to redo a file and that means you miss part of a recording if the show goes over 2GB. isn't 2GB 2 hours?
at 24/48, 2gb is just about 2 hrs!
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so it'll record while its being charged, and it'll take a digi signal just fine, and i remember somewhere someone saying that maudio was gonna fix the 2gb thing in one of the first firmware updates.
sounds like everything i need in a recorder. woot!
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hope it's just the FW...
ph power is on the 1/4 input when "ph power" button is put on, regardless of the LMH button.
the 1/8 input is mic only, but this seems to be as advertised on m-audio.com, so that's ok.
sorry didn't get ,does the phantom still exist if you set to line level ?
did you check if setting to line level influence on 1/8 input attenuation?
oleg
yes, I have to manually put phantom power ("PH PWR" button) off when changing to line input.
yes, there seem to be two different levels.
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I hate to ask a stupid question... but does the unit send signal out the RCA outs while it's recording? I was hoping to use the unit w/o phantom, being fed by a MixPre, and then use the RCA outs back to the MixPre and monitor my recording from there.
For the record, Oleg is a professional video guy in Isreal... and I'm a video guy here in the states... that's why these types of issues are really important to us. I think we're both hoping for a convenient field recorder that'll still get quality on a budget... but without any "deal breakers". The reasons to contemplate using this even for professional work are obvious... they're all the same reasons YOU want one... but there's a couple things that it MUST do for us.
And I'm not judging the unit in any way... I just happen to have a couple questions for people who got theirs and I'd like to get their first impressions... AND get some answers that M-Audio has refused to answer. We now know what happens at 2 GB on a file and I've tried to get that question answered for weeks.
What could be a deal-breaker for a video guy won't mean anything to the rest of you... but I still paid for a MT and since I'm waiting anyway I wouldn't mind finding a problem that would make me return it. Not being able to record and monitor the line-outs at the same time would probably be a deal-breaker for me. I'm not going to feed it with a MixPre and then plug phones into the MT... rather then the MixPre.
For a cool little field recorder the thing is dirt cheap and dead sexy... but for somebody contemplating professional use of this thing there's a few important questions that need to be answered. I'll take a worse SN in a fat machine if I know I can count on it to do everything I need it to... only if I can't count on the MT... but I hope I can!
So why did I already pay for a MT? 100db SN and phantom available (if needed)... that alone is worth the price of admission! But I can't buy this unit and a Marantz... it's one or the other.
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so it'll record while its being charged, and it'll take a digi signal just fine, and i remember somewhere someone saying that maudio was gonna fix the 2gb thing in one of the first firmware updates.
sounds like everything i need in a recorder. woot!
just check that you can plug both usb and spdif at the same time because they are really really close...
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no offense, but if you're doing this for a living, and you're serious about your job/career/what you do for a living. why would you use this, especially considering what else is available - 722, 744, deva, marantz, etc <-- all proven to work, all pro gear. not to mention the soon to be released sonosax recorders. *shrug*
i dont say it going to be the main one , but some times i need more tracks ,and i prefer for this small unit go digi in
not to say that sometimes i do fx or small budgets while my 744 making money on the side , was thinking to have "dv" recorder :-)
about the sanosax , few shekels more and i buy deva4 while my 744 becomes a back up:-)
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I hate to ask a stupid question... but does the unit send signal out the RCA outs while it's recording? I was hoping to use the unit w/o phantom, being fed by a MixPre, and then use the RCA outs back to the MixPre and monitor my recording from there.
For the record, Oleg is a professional video guy in Isreal... and I'm a video guy here in the states... that's why these types of issues are really important to us. I think we're both hoping for a convenient field recorder that'll still get quality on a budget... but without any "deal breakers". The reasons to contemplate using this even for professional work are obvious... they're all the same reasons YOU want one... but there's a couple things that it MUST do for us.
And I'm not judging the unit in any way... I just happen to have a couple questions for people who got theirs and I'd like to get their first impressions... AND get some answers that M-Audio has refused to answer. We now know what happens at 2 GB on a file and I've tried to get that question answered for weeks.
What could be a deal-breaker for a video guy won't mean anything to the rest of you... but I still paid for a MT and since I'm waiting anyway I wouldn't mind finding a problem that would make me return it. Not being able to record and monitor the line-outs at the same time would probably be a deal-breaker for me. I'm not going to feed it with a MixPre and then plug phones into the MT... rather then the MixPre.
For a cool little field recorder the thing is dirt cheap and dead sexy... but for somebody contemplating professional use of this thing there's a few important questions that need to be answered. I'll take a worse SN in a fat machine if I know I can count on it to do everything I need it to... only if I can't count on the MT... but I hope I can!
So why did I already pay for a MT? 100db SN and phantom available (if needed)... that alone is worth the price of admission! But I can't buy this unit and a Marantz... it's one or the other.
Whatever counts: yes, I hear the signal on the Line-outs and the Phones when recording from 1/8 imput or from 1/4 input.
I'm pretty curious what you pros say about the sound quality once you've got you MTs :-)
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I hate to ask a stupid question... but does the unit send signal out the RCA outs while it's recording? I was hoping to use the unit w/o phantom, the MT... rather then the MixPre.
For a cool little field recorder the thing is dirt cheap and dead sexy... but for somebody contemplating professional use of this thing there's a few important questions that need to be answered. I'll take a worse SN in a fat machine if I know I can count on it to do everything I need it to... only if I can't count on the MT... but I hope I can!
So why did I already pay for a MT? 100db SN and phantom available (if needed)... that alone is worth the price of admission! But I can't buy this unit and a Marantz... it's one or the other.
matt . don't think there is problem while you analog in , you get e to e signal threw the rcas , only in digi in mode the recorder cant make a2d convertion the same time it recording . cheap stuff :-)
about ph power , you would need ext battery for normal work , the units internal battery is very limited , suspect that m-audio made testwith very low bitrate recording and gods know what phantom mikes
about li-ion batteries , even new one usially get 70-80 % of capacity after first charge
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[
yes, there seem to be two different levels.
2 or 3 different levels , since the attenuation have 3 positions , or the line doesn't change the last setting on 1\8 plug
the phantom can be a dog for some mixer boards outputs , very stupid that m audio didn't made this option threw the menu ( like 744), since phantom is very nice for very loud sfx as gunshots when you like to use the line inputs with mikes
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I hate to ask a stupid question... but does the unit send signal out the RCA outs while it's recording? I was hoping to use the unit w/o phantom, being fed by a MixPre, and then use the RCA outs back to the MixPre and monitor my recording from there.
Maybe I don't understand what your trying to do. With the mixpre you can monitor the meters before you send it to the microtrack, so long as you keep the gain at 0db on the microtrack there is no reason to need to further monitor. In fact you cannot feed the microtrack with the mixpre and send a signal right back to the mixpre from the recorder.
Also I saw you were looking to buy one, search online for used Shure FP-24, they are the EXACT same as teh mixpre, just branded under shure.
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Thank you for that Sanjay! I'll look for that model also... and by the way you can send anything with an RCA out back to the mixer... just go to monitor in. Right?
Well I know it's really easy on the MM-1... and you can dial up the monitor or the direct headphone out... hmm... maybe I should hold onto the MM-1 if other mixers don't do this... right now I can just dial up as much phone or monitor as I want... right into my 7506's... simultaneously or independently.
That's what Oleg was talking about in a pro environment... and that's why recorders like the 671 let you hear what just got recorded... instead of what's about to... it's the only way to be sure of what you're taking home!
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I hate to ask a stupid question... but does the unit send signal out the RCA outs while it's recording? I was hoping to use the unit w/o phantom, being fed by a MixPre, and then use the RCA outs back to the MixPre and monitor my recording from there.
Maybe I don't understand what your trying to do. With the mixpre you can monitor the meters before you send it to the microtrack, so long as you keep the gain at 0db on the microtrack there is no reason to need to further monitor. In fact you cannot feed the microtrack with the mixpre and send a signal right back to the mixpre from the recorder.
Also I saw you were looking to buy one, search online for used Shure FP-24, they are the EXACT same as teh mixpre, just branded under shure.
in film recording ( for money) business you always trying to hear actually recording or at least e 2 e from the recorder to bee sure you have the signal .
you can feed the micro track and monitor the e2e on mix pre , it has return input
its quit important actually to hear it since i dont sure the analog input stage wouldn't distort on high levels , even your miters are showing right signal , i am not sure in that but seems the fine leveling of microtrack signal is after a to d stage and not in analog domain
the sure 24 doesn't identical to mix pre as it made now
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I hate to ask a stupid question... but does the unit send signal out the RCA outs while it's recording? I was hoping to use the unit w/o phantom, being fed by a MixPre, and then use the RCA outs back to the MixPre and monitor my recording from there.
Maybe I don't understand what your trying to do. With the mixpre you can monitor the meters before you send it to the microtrack, so long as you keep the gain at 0db on the microtrack there is no reason to need to further monitor. In fact you cannot feed the microtrack with the mixpre and send a signal right back to the mixpre from the recorder.
Also I saw you were looking to buy one, search online for used Shure FP-24, they are the EXACT same as teh mixpre, just branded under shure.
in film recording ( for money) business you always trying to hear actually recording or at least e 2 e from the recorder to bee sure you have the signal .
you can feed the micro track and monitor the e2e on mix pre , it has return input
its quit important actually to hear it since i dont sure the analog input stage wouldn't distort on high levels , even your miters are showing right signal , i am not sure in that but seems the fine leveling of microtrack signal is after a to d stage and not in analog domain
the sure 24 doesn't identical to mix pre as it made now
Interesting did not know that aspect.
As for the last part, I am not sure if I understood, but the Shure FP-24 is 100% identical, except for the name, I have played with a shure and a mixpre side by side and they have no differences whatsoever. They are exactly the same. If you are referring to the Sound devices MP-2 and the FP-24, they are different. The MP-2 has an automatic 16db gain (6 if using 1/8" out), allows you to mid side decode on the fly, and allows you to shut off meters. The mixpre has no auto gain, no mid side, and does not allow you to shut off meters.
shure: (http://www.adorama.com/images/Product/VDSHFP21.JPG)
mixpre: (http://www.micsupply.com/mixpre-angle.jpg)
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according to Sound Devices there IS a slight difference between the MixPre and the FP-24. they are not identical.
marc
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according to Sound Devices there IS a slight difference between the MixPre and the FP-24. they are not identical.
marc
well until they'd want to tell me what it is, I call bullshit, they look and sound the same, on the inside they look the same. I think they just want you to buy their version thats all.
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according to Sound Devices there IS a slight difference between the MixPre and the FP-24. they are not identical.
Enlighten us? All the info I received some time ago, direct from both Shure and Sound Devices, indicated the Shure FP-24 is simply a re-branded SD MixPre.
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Several +Ts awarded during informative read. Please continue...
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- Seems to have no input monitor while recording from SPDIF
Yikes. WiFi, can you confirm this? Hope this isn't true, although I imagine a firmware upgrade could fix it.
I hope to do some SPDIF tomorow, have only done line-in so far. One plus today is that by plugging in USB power (from the AC adapter) while the machine is on I was able to record for clearly longer times than the 3 hours of the internal battery, so the 4 AA USB pack should work, I'll also try that soon. I also confirmed that I still get meter readings with the input monitoring turned off (I guess the manual only means that incoming levels are not monitored, but recorded levels are?), but not sure the battery is going down any slower with monitoring off (I wasn't using any headphones or analog out, and had the playback levels at zero).
Here's a picture my wife took (maintaining my anonymity):
Jeff
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so it'll record while its being charged, and it'll take a digi signal just fine, and i remember somewhere someone saying that maudio was gonna fix the 2gb thing in one of the first firmware updates.
sounds like everything i need in a recorder. woot!
just check that you can plug both usb and spdif at the same time because they are really really close...
This is a good point, I hadn't noticed the potential for a problem here. The fit is incredibly tight, but it does work okay, I will probably want to shave down the plastic on the outside of the RCA connector so it goes in without a fight.
Jeff
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Please confirm if the RCA outs are live (E to E in Record) when taking a s/pdif signal. I'd like to plug an SVU-1 or SVU-2 there during recording. They are much easier to read than some funky LCD level gauge -- especially in the dark. ;D . . . and I like to look at levels at the VERY END of the chain, whether it's KM140>MT2496 . . . or KM140>V2>MiniMe>MT2496.
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[
As for the last part, I am not sure if I understood, but the Shure FP-24 is 100% identical, except for the name, I have played with a shure and a mixpre side by side and they have no differences whatsoever. They are exactly the same. If you are referring to the Sound devices MP-2 and the FP-24, they are different. The MP-2 has an automatic 16db gain (6 if using 1/8" out), allows you to mid side decode on the fly, and allows you to shut off meters. The mixpre has no auto gain, no mid side, and does not allow you to shut off meters.
http://www.sounddevices.com/tech/mixpre_changes.htm
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- Seems to have no input monitor while recording from SPDIF
Yikes. WiFi, can you confirm this? Hope this isn't true, although I imagine a firmware upgrade could fix it.
Confirmed...
It is in the helpdesk email you get when you send in an issue.
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God I hope that's the case... sorry I missed the part about NOT using phantom. 3 hours w/o phantom would be a JOKE and would possibly affect me getting this thing. (or it would make me buy two)
I need a recorder to go for the better part of a day. I was pretty much counting on at least 6 hours minimum!
I'll cancel my order and get a friggin' Marantz and run it line in if the MicroTrack can only do 3 hours... I was ALREADY bummed about the sealed in battery... I mean really, what the F&CK? The thing coulda' been a half inch longer and used DOUBLE AA... and then you coulda' had a pocket FULL of juice for anything! Even a power in that you could wire a battery pack to would be nice... The first thing I'll need to do is mod the adapter.
Funny you should say this about the battery. I spent 6 mos emailing back and forth with the guy who designed this unit last year (to help them define which features it would have, etc) and I STONGLY suggested that it have the following features that M-Audio elected to eliminate/change:
1-that it use a field replaceable Lithium-Ion battery, or if not, standard recharegable AA batteries. Yes, the size would grow, but I thought the slight difference in size wold be worth it.
2-that it should have a limiter (switchable, of course). I find the limiter function on the R-1 to be very handy.
3-that it should use XLR's for the balanced mic inputs, not the TRS 1/4" (although they created a nice market for adapters :-).....I would have preferred the XLR's though. Again, the size would have increased a little......
4-that the max file size would allow at least 6 hours of recording at CD quality without stopping.
There were other minor points, but these were the major ones.
Chris Carfagno
The Sound Professionals, Inc
www.soundprofessionals.com
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If someone could figure out how to open it up, it is likely that the internal battery can be easily removed and replaced with a custom connector to a better (albeit external) regulated power source that would allow longer recording times.
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3-that it should use XLR's for the balanced mic inputs, not the TRS 1/4" (although they created a nice market for adapters :-).....I would have preferred the XLR's though. Again, the size would have increased a little......
4-that the max file size would allow at least 6 hours of recording at CD quality without stopping.
3: mini-XLR inputs wouldn't be that much larger than a TRS 1/4". Who knows, someone here might be able to replace the TRS inputs..
4: that is something that could possibly be fixed in the future.. (if the battery holds up, that is)
I totally agree with you about the battery, this can turn out to be the biggest problem of this unit. We'll see how this turns out as people will test this in the field.
Roel
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As long as you can record off external power via USB, I don't see the harm in having a built in battery, but it would be nice if it were replaceable. Totally getting rid of the internal battery and replacing it with an external jack would remove some of the stealth factor of the unit.
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i think if the internal can last a solid 3 hours in stealth type situations, most people will be plenty happy. i can't think of any situations where i've need to stealth longer than 3 hours, other than in a festival environment.
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Exactly 8)
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If someone could figure out how to open it up, it is likely that the internal battery can be easily removed and replaced with a custom connector to a better (albeit external) regulated power source that would allow longer recording times.
We opened it already.....the top panel is held on with double sided tape. The botton snaps on and off...the clips that hold it are along the long sides. The battery is on the bottom and just a square, thin pack covered in thick foil material. They added some Kapton tape on one end to keep it from shorting out component leads on the circuit board. I don't think any 'normal' pack will fit in there. Of course, an external pack would be possible....
Chris Carfagno
The Sound Professionals, Inc
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We opened it already.....the top panel is held on with double sided tape. The botton snaps on and off...the clips that hold it are along the long sides. The battery is on the bottom and just a square, thin pack covered in thick foil material. They added some Kapton tape on one end to keep it from shorting out component leads on the circuit board. I don't think any 'normal' pack will fit in there. Of course, an external pack would be possible....
Chris Carfagno
The Sound Professionals, Inc
+T
Can you post a couple pics of the internals for us? I'm curious what chips they are using in it. Does the battery have any specs written on it? It may be possible to buy a better battery and replace it.
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We opened it already.....the top panel is held on with double sided tape. The botton snaps on and off...the clips that hold it are along the long sides. The battery is on the bottom and just a square, thin pack covered in thick foil material. They added some Kapton tape on one end to keep it from shorting out component leads on the circuit board. I don't think any 'normal' pack will fit in there. Of course, an external pack would be possible....
Chris Carfagno
The Sound Professionals, Inc
+T
Can you post a couple pics of the internals for us? I'm curious what chips they are using in it. Does the battery have any specs written on it? It may be possible to buy a better battery and replace it.
also, if we know what chip is used for the digital input, we can find out if it resamples or not!
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We opened it already.....the top panel is held on with double sided tape. The botton snaps on and off...the clips that hold it are along the long sides. The battery is on the bottom and just a square, thin pack covered in thick foil material. They added some Kapton tape on one end to keep it from shorting out component leads on the circuit board. I don't think any 'normal' pack will fit in there. Of course, an external pack would be possible....
Chris Carfagno
The Sound Professionals, Inc
+T
Can you post a couple pics of the internals for us? I'm curious what chips they are using in it. Does the battery have any specs written on it? It may be possible to buy a better battery and replace it.
Mostlikely its a soft li-poly 3.7V battery. These are generally only avilable it big quantaties unless it is used in some other products that are out there. They are generally the most capacity/size/weight efficient packs out there. Unless there is any extra room in there an internal "upgrade" is not likely. Should be realatively easy to rig an external pack to the internal connections if external powering via USB is in-adequate.
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some people make a living with that stuff >:(
i'm not saying that is coming substitute the 744 , but ....
if you plan on making a living than I would never even look into the tracker.
There are better options that you should be using. For one putting the house on cutting edge tech that has not even had a week to test in the field is ludicrous.
All it will cause is lost of money and customers imo if you plan on using it to make money right away and not wait for the unit to get tested thoroughly in the field.
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Mostlikely its a soft li-poly 3.7V battery. These are generally only avilable it big quantaties unless it is used in some other products that are out there. They are generally the most capacity/size/weight efficient packs out there. Unless there is any extra room in there an internal "upgrade" is not likely. Should be realatively easy to rig an external pack to the internal connections if external powering via USB is in-adequate.
Better soft li-poly batteries come out evetually, sometimes you can locate a better battery to replace an older or cheaper one (like people do with their old iPods, and sometimes new laptops). For my needs, external USB may just be enough.
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Mostlikely its a soft li-poly 3.7V battery. These are generally only avilable it big quantaties unless it is used in some other products that are out there. They are generally the most capacity/size/weight efficient packs out there. Unless there is any extra room in there an internal "upgrade" is not likely. Should be realatively easy to rig an external pack to the internal connections if external powering via USB is in-adequate.
Better soft li-poly batteries come out evetually, sometimes you can locate a better battery to replace an older or cheaper one (like people do with their old iPods, and sometimes new laptops). For my needs, external USB may just be enough.
If 3+ hours is the max without phantom (although they (dare to) state 8 hours) I may need an internal battery upgrade. Tips are welcome.
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has anyone contacted M-audio to find out what the problem is?
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If 3+ hours is the max without phantom (although they (dare to) state 8 hours) I may need an internal battery upgrade. Tips are welcome.
Going external is probably best. If the USB options are good I may just do that, otherwise I may hack out the original battery and wire up a new external batt. FYI- don't forget about the related thread:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=49161.0
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has anyone contacted M-audio to find out what the problem is?
I sent a message to their helpdesk to ask under what conditions the 8 hour battery lifetime is achieved.
Maybe they'll respond.
Maybe not, so better ask them the same if you're interested in the answer.
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Most manufacturers battery life claims will be with the least current draw to make the battery life look better.
So common sense tells us recording without monitoring (no headphones), backlight, micro drives and phantom power would give the longest battery life.
All of these things are major current draw items.
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I just dropped Chris a pm to confirm whether a Sound Pro bat box can be plugged into the 1/8" input with the mics we commonly use (whether cmc4 or 4061, etc).. It should work okay but it would be nice to know if that application will require 1/4 adapts..
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I've had the Microtrack running almost 5 hours now with a 4 AA battery USB power supply (using 2500 mAh Lenmar batteries). When I unplug the USB power, the battery indicator is down to 1/4, but the green light on the USB box is still on. I'm doing all line-in (no phantom power, no monitoring).
Issues with SPDIF in. When I selected SPDIF on the MT menu, it set the sampling rate to "automatic" but the bid depth changes to 16 and I can't access the change menu (though it works for analog-in selection of bit depth). ANd feeding the MT with the output of my Grace V3 (via the RCA out) just got the MT to lock up. Another call to tech support, this is a known issue, probably the one we were hearing about a few weeks back from the guy in Spain. It will be fixed in the famous firmware update WHICH IS EXPECTED IN A WEEK OR SO. I'm not sure how good this estimate is, since US tech support doesn't have access to MT 24/96s yet.
Jeff
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If 3+ hours is the max without phantom (although they (dare to) state 8 hours) I may need an internal battery upgrade. Tips are welcome.
Going external is probably best. If the USB options are good I may just do that, otherwise I may hack out the original battery and wire up a new external batt. FYI- don't forget about the related thread:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=49161.0
My choice would be to keep the internal battery and hack an external adapter. I've got my NJB3 set up like that. Even though the internal battery sucks, at least you have a backup in case you lose the external power, eg., connector comes off, or you have to change batteries. Also, I try to preserve the internal battery, whatever is left anyway, by running off the external, even when not taping. So, internal battery is OK with me as long as you can plug/unplug an external battery *while the unit is recording*.
Richard
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I've had the Microtrack running almost 5 hours now with a 4 AA battery USB power supply (using 2500 mAh Lenmar batteries). When I unplug the USB power, the battery indicator is down to 1/4, but the green light on the USB box is still on. I'm doing all line-in (no phantom power, no monitoring).
Jeff
Battery pack crapped out at 5 hours, though the light was still on and the AA batteries tested okay. The internal MT battery was down to zero. I put some lithium AAs into the 4 AA USB pack, and it started charging the MT again. Diagnosis: the NiMH voltages drop and at some point fail to power the MT. I'll try tomorrow with a recharged MT and a lithium AA battery pack.
Jeff :'(
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damnit, +T for testing tho
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so youre gonna have to keep ahead of the MT battery so the voltage doesnt drop
damn that sucks!
monitor on and all that jazz ???
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Shouldn't be a problem for the VRBox, should it? ;)
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WiFiJeff, just gave you another +T for keeping us all updated with info. you rule!
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I've had the Microtrack running almost 5 hours now with a 4 AA battery USB power supply (using 2500 mAh Lenmar batteries). When I unplug the USB power, the battery indicator is down to 1/4, but the green light on the USB box is still on. I'm doing all line-in (no phantom power, no monitoring).
Jeff
Battery pack crapped out at 5 hours, though the light was still on and the AA batteries tested okay. The internal MT battery was down to zero. I put some lithium AAs into the 4 AA USB pack, and it started charging the MT again. Diagnosis: the NiMH voltages drop and at some point fail to power the MT. I'll try tomorrow with a recharged MT and a lithium AA battery pack.
Jeff :'(
So you only got 5 with no phantom power or no monitoring and on an external pack? That dosn't sound very good. Have you tested phantom power on with the internal battery?
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Likewise Jeff, +t for the testing! So, just so I'm clear -- this 4 AA battery pack is the one nickspicks posted awhile back that has the usb output? Also, so if I'm understanding the spdif doesn't work with the V3 and may not work at all until the firmware update?
Thanks again for all your info!
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according to Sound Devices there IS a slight difference between the MixPre and the FP-24. they are not identical.
Enlighten us? All the info I received some time ago, direct from both Shure and Sound Devices, indicated the Shure FP-24 is simply a re-branded SD MixPre.
from the Knowledge Base
MixPre versus Shure FP24
There are few minor differences between the current MixPre and the Shure FP24. They share the same preamplifier topology, chassis, and controls. The differences are that the MixPre has a two-color meter versus the FP24's single color output meter. The output balancing on the FP24 is impedance-balanced versus the active-balanced output topology of the MixPre. These differences are quite subtle. Both products are built by Sound Devices.
...not to prolong the discussion about SD vs. Shure products in this thread, but here's the answer.
like i said, the difference is slight.
marc
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Likewise Jeff, +t for the testing! So, just so I'm clear -- this 4 AA battery pack is the one nickspicks posted awhile back that has the usb output? Also, so if I'm understanding the spdif doesn't work with the V3 and may not work at all until the firmware update?
Thanks again for all your info!
Yes, I was using that 4 AA pack. With 4 NiMHs it only had 4.8 V to start, unless the circuitry took it up to 5 V, but the instructions that came with it contemplate using 1.5 V alkelines, I expect to do better with lithium (which are 2900 mAhs in any case).
The SPDIF won't let you select 24 bits period, as far as I can tell, I don't think it's a V3 issue. The tech guy at M-Audio was well aware of the issue, though he didn't have a MicroTracker to hand yet. There were reports of this from Europe, but we all discounted them since they were pretty much anonymous friend -of-a-friend reports. I guess they have a fix but shipped the first lot without the firmware fix they have engineered. The Edirol R1 also had these kinds of issues when they shipped, but by the time I got mine in January they were shipping with the 1.03 firmware.
Jeff (love my Oade modded R1)
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We opened it already.....the top panel is held on with double sided tape. The botton snaps on and off...the clips that hold it are along the long sides. The battery is on the bottom and just a square, thin pack covered in thick foil material. They added some Kapton tape on one end to keep it from shorting out component leads on the circuit board. I don't think any 'normal' pack will fit in there. Of course, an external pack would be possible....
Chris Carfagno
The Sound Professionals, Inc
+T
Can you post a couple pics of the internals for us? I'm curious what chips they are using in it. Does the battery have any specs written on it? It may be possible to buy a better battery and replace it.
The chips are not visible without *really* taking it apart. The battery has no markings at all on it. We had to put it back together before any pics were taken. As soon as I can, we will open it up again and get some pics.
Chris
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I just dropped Chris a pm to confirm whether a Sound Pro bat box can be plugged into the 1/8" input with the mics we commonly use (whether cmc4 or 4061, etc).. It should work okay but it would be nice to know if that application will require 1/4 adapts..
If you are going to record loud sounds, you need to plug the battery modules into the line input. You will need an adapter:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-PHON-MINI-1
Chris
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I believe you meant to post to:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?board=22.0
"hippies" - "Happy Retailing"
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I believe you meant to post to:
Just because he's a retailer, doesn't mean all of Chris' posts have to go in the Retail forum. Someone asked a question about using the gear he sells, and Chris answered appropriately. Seems reasonable to me.
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I disagree for this particular post. If he were not a retailer he would likely have responded that we simply need an adapter.
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One thing that could account for reduced battery time could be the use of high speed CF cards which I have not seen discussed. In the R1, and I am making an assumption that it will be similar in the MicroTrack, regular speed, or even low speed CF cards are used and get significantly better battery time than SanDisk Extreme CF cards.
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One thing that could account for reduced battery time could be the use of high speed CF cards which I have not seen discussed. In the R1, and I am making an assumption that it will be similar in the MicroTrack, regular speed, or even low speed CF cards are used and get significantly better battery time than SanDisk Extreme CF cards.
So maybe someone should test battery life with a high speed card versus a normal card to confirm?
We could then make a list of cards versus battery timings.
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Here's a picture my wife took (maintaining my anonymity):
either you have really big hands or that thing is much smaller than i thought it was......
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One thing that could account for reduced battery time could be the use of high speed CF cards which I have not seen discussed. In the R1, and I am making an assumption that it will be similar in the MicroTrack, regular speed, or even low speed CF cards are used and get significantly better battery time than SanDisk Extreme CF cards.
I've been using the Sandisk 2 GB and 8 GB Ultra II normal cards, not the Extreme. I have a Lexar 4 GB 80x card, which gave slightly less good battery times in the R1, but I haven't used that in the MT yet.
Jeff
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Here's a picture my wife took (maintaining my anonymity):
either you have really big hands or that thing is much smaller than i thought it was......
My hands are TINY. The MT is MICROSCOPIC. When the bugs are out it will be great.
Jeff
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I got an email confirm from another user that the MT does lock up and require a reboot when you try to do SPDIF 24/96 in, so this is not just my cluelessness. He also reports that while it seems to record SPDIF in at 24/48, the resulting file is labeled 16 bit. No idea of what it sounds like. I am not going to do anymore digital-in testing, since this feature is absolutely in need of a fix and the experimentation should be done with the fixed firmware.
Jeff
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a little confusion from earlier posts...
when locking into a incoming s/pdif signal, you shouldnt be able to set the sample rate or the bit depth as that info is contained in the signal stream.
only when recording from a analog source do you have the ability to set bit depth and sample rate.
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i dont say it going to be the main one , but some times i need more tracks ,and i prefer for this small unit go digi in
not to say that sometimes i do fx or small budgets while my 744 making money on the side , was thinking to have "dv" recorder :-)
about the sanosax , few shekels more and i buy deva4 while my 744 becomes a back up:-)
Oleg! Welcome to the TS section.
(For those who don't know Oleg, he is a regular on RAMPS, while I'm mostly a lurker there).
I always knew you have Deva envy. ;D
Wayne
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a little confusion from earlier posts...
when locking into a incoming s/pdif signal, you shouldnt be able to set the sample rate or the bit depth as that info is contained in the signal stream.
only when recording from a analog source do you have the ability to set bit depth and sample rate.
Agreed. When you choose SPDIF the sample rate showing in the menu is "automatic" as one would expect. But the bit depth shows as "16" NOT "automatic" and putting in a 24/96 signal causes the machine to lock up and hang, showing either a saving file or a deleting file message forwever or until you reboot it. Perhaps a 16 bit 44.1 signal will record, but I bought this machine to do 24/96 and with the current firmware it doesn't.
I expect that this issue will be ressolved with new firmware, the battery issue is an iffier one I think. I have been running a couple of hours this morning with lithium AAs in the USB power box, and the battery meter when I disconnect the box shows full charge, so I think this will be okay, I'll know more in the afternoon. Then I can see if the sound quality is any good!
Jeff
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I got an email confirm from another user that the MT does lock up and require a reboot when you try to do SPDIF 24/96 in, so this is not just my cluelessness. He also reports that while it seems to record SPDIF in at 24/48, the resulting file is labeled 16 bit. No idea of what it sounds like. I am not going to do anymore digital-in testing, since this feature is absolutely in need of a fix and the experimentation should be done with the fixed firmware.
For a device named Microtrack 2496 how did this escape testing!? ???
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One, albeit clumsy, way of assuring long battery life would be to use a usb car charger see (http://www.boxwave.com/products/carcharger/) and run it into a 12 v sla. If one were running a 12 volt for a V3 or a MME anyway, this wouldn't be so bad.
It would be a huge environmental and financial waste to blow through 4 lithium AAs every show.
-Noah
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I would be a huge environmental and financial waste to blow through 4 lithium AAs every show.
-Noah
I will try out the MyPower lithium rechargeable from Tekkeon as well, they have a USB out that should work (if I can figure out the polarity without frying the MT!). But it a hell of a lot larger than the 4 AA box. On the financial side, there is a web site that has generic lithium AAs (made by the same plant in China as the Energizers, I think) for $1. Also, my hope is that I'll be getting way over 8 hours with this, and thus be able to get two or three concerts with it. The alternative is rechargeable alkaliines, there is a new device that will recharge ordinary alks as well, reported to restore them to original vigor:
http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/battery_xtender_alkaline_battery_recharger
Jeff
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I got an email confirm from another user that the MT does lock up and require a reboot when you try to do SPDIF 24/96 in, so this is not just my cluelessness. He also reports that while it seems to record SPDIF in at 24/48, the resulting file is labeled 16 bit. No idea of what it sounds like. I am not going to do anymore digital-in testing, since this feature is absolutely in need of a fix and the experimentation should be done with the fixed firmware.
For a device named Microtrack 2496 how did this escape testing!? ???
No doubt! The answer to that is clearly that they shipped anyway, despite the lockup problems. There's no way they didn't know about that bug considering that's the freakin' NAME of the product (like you said). Not that I personally care too much about 24/96 recording myself, but that seems kind of sleezy, and makes you wonder what other "known" problems are out there right now. Let's hope that firmware fix is REALLY just around the corner, if not...
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I got an email confirm from another user that the MT does lock up and require a reboot when you try to do SPDIF 24/96 in, so this is not just my cluelessness. He also reports that while it seems to record SPDIF in at 24/48, the resulting file is labeled 16 bit. No idea of what it sounds like. I am not going to do anymore digital-in testing, since this feature is absolutely in need of a fix and the experimentation should be done with the fixed firmware.
For a device named Microtrack 2496 how did this escape testing!? ???
Just because it has issues taking a 24/96 signal, doesn't mean it can't do it's own sampling at that rate with an analog signal. >:D
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Has anybody tried feeding this an AES signal yet? I'm curious if this is like the D8/D7 and thinks the signal is some copy protected signal.
Wayne
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I wonder if this battery pack would be a good alternative. Its pricey, but rechargable and 4.4 AH @ 5v...
http://www.socketcom.com/product/AC4009-541.asp
But I don't see a real problem with 5hr run times, as its not a big deal to have extra AA's on hand to switch up at festivals, and other than Big Cypress, I can't remember the last time I taped a set >5hrs.
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I sent M-Audio support something like:
Why, in the 21st century, does a device power down when new media is
inserted?
The device *does* detect that new media is present, so why not act
accordingly? We live in a Plug and Play era, not the 1995 version but
the 2005 version.
With the device slowly getting available and news/info spreading I start
to worry. The L/M/H issue, the battery life, the power down when CF is
inserted (combined with the slowish startup timings), etc, etc.
This may look like peanuts to you but it gives and indication of
quality, both of the design and testing procedures.
Please improve whatever you can on this device!
As a reply I got (from an American person):
I have forwarded your comments to the top of the company, thanks for your
feedback.
Hopefully we will be able to fix some of the issues you mentioned in a
forthcoming firmware update, which will be available from our website soon.
(sounds good but nothing set in stone yet)
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For a device named Microtrack 2496 how did this escape testing!? ???
Just because it has issues taking a 24/96 signal, doesn't mean it can't do it's own sampling at that rate with an analog signal. >:D
Sure, but is there a speed limit in the manual somewhere for SPDIF?
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thank god for the trusty jb3
this product is already pissing me off more than the 722 series, if you can believe that!
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thank god for the trusty jb3
this product is already pissing me off more than the 722 series, if you can believe that!
I love it Bean - gear that you don't even own manages to piss you off. ;)
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i just bel;ieve things should WORK when theyre released, ya know!
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i just bel;ieve things should WORK when theyre released, ya know!
This thing sucks particularly bad because we've been yearning for something like it for a long time - so its more disappointing.
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I mentioned before that SPDIF is a consumer interface and the specs do not go to 24/96
The product can be called 24/96 because it does indeed convert analogue at that rate.
I don’t think that M-audio will give a fuck if their digital interface does not carry 24/96. How many people do you thing will be using 24/96 external a2d, s hardly any. Because they are so fucking expensive. The only affordable pre/a2d claiming 24/96 is the UA5. That’s not made anymore and while it too is labeled 24/96 and does indeed do this via USB to the computer. (You need to load new drivers for this to work) I bet it does not send 24/96 out its light pipe I checked in the manual and it says, “Lightpipe confirms to spdif spec” The only a2d,s doing this are high ticket items this is a $400 dollar product aimed at Joe public. You want pro you have to pay for it.
That said I am still going to buy one and M-audio may update this feature.
This product stand alone is great for stealthing but why would you put a high end A2D on it anyway? Save your money on your pre and go buy a 722 its a pro all in one solution
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I wonder why Hosa makes a "SPDIF only" 24/96 coax/optical converter?
http://www.hosatech.com/hosa/products/odl-276.html (http://www.hosatech.com/hosa/products/odl-276.html)
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what, this thing does not deliver flawless 24/96?! :o :o ;)
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722 passes a 24/96 signal via spdif as well
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I wonder why Hosa makes a "SPDIF only" 24/96 coax/optical converter?
FYI, that's not how I read what their product does. I read it as UP TO 24-bit (feed it 16-bit if you want) and UP TO 96 KHz (I bet you can feed it a different sampling rate without any problems).
Wayne
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why would you put a high end A2D on it anyway? Save your money on your pre and go buy a 722 its a pro all in one solution
:-X
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why would you put a high end A2D on it anyway? Save your money on your pre and go buy a 722 its a pro all in one solution
:-X
Yeah? Why would anyone want to put a nice A/D in front of a recorder that supposedly records at 24/96? That's ludicrous.... ;D
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I mentioned before that SPDIF is a consumer interface and the specs do not go to 24/96
You are plain wrong.
Just got an email from M-audio and they told me all issues would be resolved in the next firmware to be released next week. He said there are instructions in the box relating to these issues...backwards switches, battery, etc. Didn't go into much more detail than that, so we shall see.
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This product stand alone is great for stealthing but why would you put a high end A2D on it anyway? Save your money on your pre and go buy a 722 its a pro all in one solution.
I tell ya if I was still running my DAT rig, I would be doing it in a heartbeat. Why? Because I already owned the A-D converter and the AD2K+ allowed a real 24-bit output in addition to the 16-bit output. I don't think many people, at least on this board, are buying this as their entry point into recording. They are instead doing it already having some gear. If they have an external A-D already they'll probably want to stick that on the front end of things. The MicroTrack simply gains them entry into the 24-bit recording space without having to spend a king's ransom on a hard drive recorder. Very few people here are making their living doing on-location recording, most are like yourself are hobbist and the price point is very attractive. I kept looking for the right box for my wants/needs. That ended up being a multi-track box that cost more than most people would ever be willing to spend on a recorder, but I'm still very excited about this product because I want a device that I can use as a backup without having to go to tape. So I'm basically going to be sticking a $11K A-D on the front end of this thing. It's wrong to think that everybody buying one of these is currently using a ghetto rig, just as it's wrong to think everyone is using a Bevery Hills rig.
Wayne
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I believe you meant to post to:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?board=22.0
"hippies" - "Happy Retailing"
Sorry:
I wasn't trying to sell something, I just thought a picture would help.....
Chris
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I mentioned before that SPDIF is a consumer interface and the specs do not go to 24/96
You are plain wrong.
Just got an email from M-audio and they told me all issues would be resolved in the next firmware to be released next week. He said there are instructions in the box relating to these issues...backwards switches, battery, etc. Didn't go into much more detail than that, so we shall see.
once again, why not just wait the extra week and release it w/ the GOOD firmware! ???
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once again, why not just wait the extra week and release it w/ the GOOD firmware! ???
I agree with you completely Bean, but I understand why they did it. From M-Audio's point of view, they can ship it, and work on the firmware while the unit's are in transit. IF they actually do release a working firmware next week, it will still be before the vast majority of people actually get their units.
Let's just cross our fingers and hope it gets resolved shortly.
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once again, why not just wait the extra week and release it w/ the GOOD firmware! ???
I agree with you completely Bean, but I understand why they did it. From M-Audio's point of view, they can ship it, and work on the firmware while the unit's are in transit. IF they actually do release a working firmware next week, it will still be before the vast majority of people actually get their units.
Let's just cross our fingers and hope it gets resolved shortly.
great point jason! +T
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once again, why not just wait the extra week and release it w/ the GOOD firmware! ???
I agree with you completely Bean, but I understand why they did it. From M-Audio's point of view, they can ship it, and work on the firmware while the unit's are in transit. IF they actually do release a working firmware next week, it will still be before the vast majority of people actually get their units.
Let's just cross our fingers and hope it gets resolved shortly.
add to it the point that I made when the 722 came out...this is how most SW is introduced to the world...a stable load goes out and the first group of customers use it and prove it in...while also in the process identifying bugs that would have taken much longer in a lab environment to create. This being said, keep in mind the first load is usually the most stable, until a few additional "fix" loads go out to fix errors, and the new errors that the new load creates. The SW will get back to being stable after that.
Bottom line, be happy that the manufacturer is willing to admit its a problem and fix it....in consumer devices (and this is not a knock on the MT, just a general statement) you are lucky if a manuf will even take your call after it is released. Hopefully they can get the issues resolved and stable...but I would think it is good news they recognize and admit the problem...
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Battery report: with the 4 lithium AA cells in the USB battery box I've been running the MT over 8 hours at this point, and I'm beginning to see a drop in the MT battery meter when I unplug the USB connection, it looks like I'll be getting something over ten hours with this. I am going to try alkalines tomorrow, with the idea of using either rechargeable alkalines or the device that recharges ordinary alkalines. Still, it would be nice to get 7-8 hours without the box, wouldn't it? I don't see how they can address this with a firmware revision, though.
Jeff
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+T jeff, now if we can only get the spdif coax working right :(
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Once you've done a few cycles, with any luck, the internal battery will be conditioned and you'll start seeing better run times, maybe?
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Once you've done a few cycles, with any luck, the internal battery will be conditioned and you'll start seeing better run times, maybe?
my battery lifes were VERYT unpredictable in my latest 7.2v NIMH battery packs powering the v3/jb3 combo
i had to cycle them quite a few times before i thought they were ready for moedown
they would die at the 3hr mark, when i KNEW they could get 6 hrs easily
so maybe the runtime WILL double, ya never know
how many cycles have you put on them jeff ???
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I mentioned before that SPDIF is a consumer interface and the specs do not go to 24/96
You are plain wrong.
Just got an email from M-audio and they told me all issues would be resolved in the next firmware to be released next week. He said there are instructions in the box relating to these issues...backwards switches, battery, etc. Didn't go into much more detail than that, so we shall see.
Is it the same guy that told you this:
I just called. GOOD NEWS!!! Spoke with Robert and they started shipping out from M-Audio to vendors TODAY! He has held one in his hands...so no vaporware! He stated that recording 24/96 was capable on ALL inputs He also stated that microdrives will be able to handle 24/96. The only thing he wasn't sure of was the 2GB file size limit and splits. He also said Guitar Center was getting ALOT of them as well.
Not trying to burst any bubbles around here, but this was a known issue back in July. So was the phantom power thing. I'm not hating on the box. I want it to work just as bad as the next guy, but with all this commotion, I think a collective deep breath would do some good.
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Len posted this to the PDAudio list, pretty interesting:
First thing I did was measure the phantom power voltage. That was the first
surprise: 30 Volts instead of the usual 48 Volts. That will improve the
MicroTrack's battery operating times when using phantom power but may not be
sufficient for some microphones. I haven't yet checked how much current the
phantom power circuit can provide -- I'll run those tests later this week.
Now that is really weird..
Roel
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Len posted this to the PDAudio list, pretty interesting:
First thing I did was measure the phantom power voltage. That was the first
surprise: 30 Volts instead of the usual 48 Volts. That will improve the
MicroTrack's battery operating times when using phantom power but may not be
sufficient for some microphones. I haven't yet checked how much current the
phantom power circuit can provide -- I'll run those tests later this week.
Now that is really weird..
Roel
Strange indeed. :hmmm:
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Just wondering, I know it locks up at 24/96, but how about 24/48?
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Sorry if this is a re-post but I see on M-audio's site that they have posted a new manual with more "in depth" instructions for set-up.
http://www.m-audio.com/images/global/manuals/050906_MicroTrack_UG_EN01.pdf (http://www.m-audio.com/images/global/manuals/050906_MicroTrack_UG_EN01.pdf)
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I mentioned before that SPDIF is a consumer interface and the specs do not go to 24/96
You are plain wrong.
Just got an email from M-audio and they told me all issues would be resolved in the next firmware to be released next week. He said there are instructions in the box relating to these issues...backwards switches, battery, etc. Didn't go into much more detail than that, so we shall see.
Is it the same guy that told you this:
I just called. GOOD NEWS!!! Spoke with Robert and they started shipping out from M-Audio to vendors TODAY! He has held one in his hands...so no vaporware! He stated that recording 24/96 was capable on ALL inputs He also stated that microdrives will be able to handle 24/96. The only thing he wasn't sure of was the 2GB file size limit and splits. He also said Guitar Center was getting ALOT of them as well.
Not trying to burst any bubbles around here, but this was a known issue back in July. So was the phantom power thing. I'm not hating on the box. I want it to work just as bad as the next guy, but with all this commotion, I think a collective deep breath would do some good.
Not the same person (one was sales, the other tech support), but I'm pretty sure they are aware of MOST of the issues that people are already reporting and the latest firmware will address them I am sure. I was going to cancel my order and wait it out a month or so longer, but I'm gonna stick with it. I know it will be fixed soon. Just gotta have faith...didn't you learn that with the 722? :P I am in no rush. I can still tape without this. The phantom issue doesn't really bother me as I (and most others I suspect) won't be using this anyways.
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...
Bottom line, be happy that the manufacturer is willing to admit its a problem and fix it....in consumer devices (and this is not a knock on the MT, just a general statement) you are lucky if a manuf will even take your call after it is released. Hopefully they can get the issues resolved and stable...but I would think it is good news they recognize and admit the problem...
Am happy for this - and don't regret having bought MT even with the few issues at least for now.
on the other hand, the things that I wanted from MT are already here: good mic and line-in recording, solid > 4 hours from internal bat, and > 8 hours with external usb power. i can also plug and unplug usb power while recording (...if not yet mentioned). Hope they get the few freezes (spdif, file management stuff) away with the next *initial* firmware release too...
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I mentioned before that SPDIF is a consumer interface and the specs do not go to 24/96
You are plain wrong.
Just got an email from M-audio and they told me all issues would be resolved in the next firmware to be released next week. He said there are instructions in the box relating to these issues...backwards switches, battery, etc. Didn't go into much more detail than that, so we shall see.
once again, why not just wait the extra week and release it w/ the GOOD firmware! ???
I can see your point. But..... what if they already had them produced and packaged for shipment? Would you crack open everysingle one to update? If they're putting notices in that says "ya, we're aware of xxxx issues, check our site for an update.. blah blah" then whats the big deal, other than having to wait?
Oh, and damnit, I want mine! :)
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How many people do you thing will be using 24/96 external a2d, s hardly any.
umm, no, you are wrong sir.
From M-Audio's point of view, they can ship it, and work on the firmware while the unit's are in transit. IF they actually do release a working firmware next week, it will still be before the vast majority of people actually get their units.
Let's just cross our fingers and hope it gets resolved shortly.
+t
add to it the point that I made when the 722 came out...this is how most SW is introduced to the world...a stable load goes out and the first group of customers use it and prove it in...while also in the process identifying bugs that would have taken much longer in a lab environment to create. This being said, keep in mind the first load is usually the most stable, until a few additional "fix" loads go out to fix errors, and the new errors that the new load creates. The SW will get back to being stable after that.
Bottom line, be happy that the manufacturer is willing to admit its a problem and fix it....in consumer devices (and this is not a knock on the MT, just a general statement) you are lucky if a manuf will even take your call after it is released. Hopefully they can get the issues resolved and stable...but I would think it is good news they recognize and admit the problem...
+t
I think a collective deep breath would do some good.
+t
honestly people, a week before it was supposed to be released, you were all going nuts over it. then when the speculated date wasn't hit, you all hated it. then it was released, and everyone went nuts. now theres a few problems with it and everyone hates it again. i'm gonna take a wild guess and say that when the firmware update hits and it does everything its supposed to do, everyone is gonna go nuts again.
i think you should all just remain calm, and make your final decision on the product in a month or two when the kinks are worked out. until then, i don't think yelling at m-audio is really gonna do much good.
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some people make a living with that stuff >:(
i'm not saying that is coming substitute the 744 , but ....
if you plan on making a living than I would never even look into the tracker.
There are better options that you should be using. For one putting the house on cutting edge tech that has not even had a week to test in the field is ludicrous.
All it will cause is lost of money and customers imo if you plan on using it to make money right away and not wait for the unit to get tested thoroughly in the field.
1- i like your name :-) , since I'm a Guinness fun 2
2 - make a living with micro tracker for me - is to have another tool that can bring few pints .i never intended to make the micro track be my main recorder ,i have few better.
3 about testing ,the 99 % of people who lark in that forum cant test the recorder for my applications - we are just not use it in the same way , so if i wont or not i have to do tests or wait for people from my industry to do it for me , what can take adages since these dont like changes and the penetration and feed back very slow .
the reason i sit here and reed revues is to decide if i wont to check it at all , the mt will be here about a week from now , so it better be prepared for what to look for .
best
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I got an email confirm from another user that the MT does lock up and require a reboot when you try to do SPDIF 24/96 in, so this is not just my cluelessness. He also reports that while it seems to record SPDIF in at 24/48, the resulting file is labeled 16 bit. No idea of what it sounds like. I am not going to do anymore digital-in testing, since this feature is absolutely in need of a fix and the experimentation should be done with the fixed firmware.
Jeff,
Is there any chance you tried 16/44 or 16/48 digital in? I'd at least like to run v3>mt@16/44 vs v3>r1@16/44 at my next show.
Thanks.
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so much for only actual real life experiences...it turned into aq bitch thread like all the others!!! mods, can you delete anything that isn't from one of the people that actually have a microtrack?
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mods, can you delete anything that isn't from one of the people that actually have a microtrack?
Yes and no. Yes, it's easy to do. No, I won't. PITA.
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Just got mine! Hell yeah!
So does this count as real life? Right now it is charging. Won't be a productive day at work today.....
But holy cow, this thing is freakin tiny, it's about the size of a blackberry.
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so much for only actual real life experiences...it turned into aq bitch thread like all the others!!! mods, can you delete anything that isn't from one of the people that actually have a microtrack?
:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
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Just got mine! Hell yeah!
So does this count as real life? Right now it is charging. Won't be a productive day at work today.....
But holy cow, this thing is freakin tiny, it's about the size of a blackberry.
the phone one? 7750 I htink? hehehe
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I got an email confirm from another user that the MT does lock up and require a reboot when you try to do SPDIF 24/96 in, so this is not just my cluelessness. He also reports that while it seems to record SPDIF in at 24/48, the resulting file is labeled 16 bit. No idea of what it sounds like. I am not going to do anymore digital-in testing, since this feature is absolutely in need of a fix and the experimentation should be done with the fixed firmware.
Jeff,
Is there any chance you tried 16/44 or 16/48 digital in? I'd at least like to run v3>mt@16/44 vs v3>r1@16/44 at my next show.
Thanks.
I just plugged a Denecke inbox into it at 16/44.1, and it works fine. I also tested plugging in and removing the USB power while recording from SPDIF, and I don't hear (or see, in Wavelab) anything. Wavelab sees it as 16/44.1. everything looks and sounds fine.
Jeff
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Has anyone tried the 1/8" mic in?
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Just spoke with Chris at Sound Pro to ask whether they'd tested any mics in the 1/8" input.
He said they haven't done much testing because there is so much demand for the few units they have that they haven't had time. But he did say that a line in signal into the 1/8" doesn't work because the levels are too high. He suggested either going into the 1/4" or running an attenuator.
This wasn't consistent with what I've read in the docs. The docs say that of the L, M, H gain settings, only the High gain setting is *not* avail on the 1/8". The docs suggest that the Low gain setting is avail on the 1/8".
So this is helpful but confusing. I'll have my MT today and will hopefully have enough charge time to record tonight and answer this question one way or another. But now I've gotta run out and get some TRSes to be ready in case I have to go that route..
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This wasn't consistent with what I've read in the docs. The docs say that of the L, M, H gain settings, only the High gain setting is *not* avail on the 1/8". The docs suggest that the Low gain setting is avail on the 1/8".
Everything I've read has led me to conclude that the 1/8" is not intended for line in.
From http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MicroTrack2496-focus.html:
professional balanced 1/4” TRS inputs with mic/line switch
1/8” TRS input with 5V power for use with stereo electret microphone (microphone included)
then in the specs:
1/8" Mic Input
and
1/4" Mic/Line Inputs
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Alright, so mine is currently charging, and the battery light is flickering, not rising and falling, just quickly blinking.
Anyone know if this is normal?
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Just spoke with Chris at Sound Pro to ask whether they'd tested any mics in the 1/8" input.
He said they haven't done much testing because there is so much demand for the few units they have that they haven't had time. But he did say that a line in signal into the 1/8" doesn't work because the levels are too high. He suggested either going into the 1/4" or running an attenuator.
This wasn't consistent with what I've read in the docs. The docs say that of the L, M, H gain settings, only the High gain setting is *not* avail on the 1/8". The docs suggest that the Low gain setting is avail on the 1/8".
So this is helpful but confusing. I'll have my MT today and will hopefully have enough charge time to record tonight and answer this question one way or another. But now I've gotta run out and get some TRSes to be ready in case I have to go that route..
Sorry for the confusion, let me clarify one point: If you want to use any reasonably sensitive mic with a power module in a loud situation, you have to plug into a line level input. A mic input, even on "low gain", would likely overload (brickwall) in this senario.
Hope that helps!
Chris
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Alright, so mine is currently charging, and the battery light is flickering, not rising and falling, just quickly blinking.
Anyone know if this is normal?
Mine did this too. I'm not sure what the hell it means. The latest cycle I didn't have that response, no idea if it's a feature or a sign of battery/firmware problems.
Jeff
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Jeff,
The latest cycle I didn't have that response, no idea if it's a feature or a sign of battery/firmware problems.
How many times have you charged your MT so far? Do you feel the battery-life is getting any better?
Roel
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Jeff,
The latest cycle I didn't have that response, no idea if it's a feature or a sign of battery/firmware problems.
How many times have you charged your MT so far? Do you feel the battery-life is getting any better?
Roel
Five or six times. No improvement. This latest cycle may turn out even worse than three hours, though the meter goes down fast and then keeps cranking out at 1/3 level reading for a while longer than I expect. I charged it overnight and then some, but did not get a "charging complete" message, and am worried that in spite of near paranoid worrying I have screwed up the battery somehow. If others start getting better hours I'll have to see if my battery is bad and can be replaced.
Jeff
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If others start getting better hours I'll have to see if my battery is bad and can be replaced.
Brings up an interesting thing I found on their website. 90 day warranty on the battery and $75 per replacement.
http://www.m-audio.com/images/en/warranty/MT_Warranty.pdf
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Jeff,
The latest cycle I didn't have that response, no idea if it's a feature or a sign of battery/firmware problems.
How many times have you charged your MT so far? Do you feel the battery-life is getting any better?
Roel
Five or six times. No improvement. This latest cycle may turn out even worse than three hours, though the meter goes down fast and then keeps cranking out at 1/3 level reading for a while longer than I expect. I charged it overnight and then some, but did not get a "charging complete" message, and am worried that in spite of near paranoid worrying I have screwed up the battery somehow. If others start getting better hours I'll have to see if my battery is bad and can be replaced.
Jeff
In fact it ran 3 hours again. No change at all, plus or minus.
Jeff
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Hey Jeff, your running digi in, no monitoring and no backlight correct? Can you test w/backlight and and another with 1/8" mic in? Just wondering how long to expect it to run w/light on (probably what I'd do) and then the mic in for stealth use...
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In fact it ran 3 hours again. No change at all, plus or minus.
Hm.. let's "hope" for a busted battery. :-\
Any chance you can post a "noise floor" measurement? That is, a WAV file of recorded silence, nothing plugged in, maybe try the three levels H/M/L and possibly check if the backlight has any influence on the noise floor?
Thanks for all the cool info so far, it's all very much appreciated! :coolguy:
Roel
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Well UPS says my MicroTrack will be in by 10am. tomorrow. I'll charge it during work and run tests as soon as I get home.
I plan on hooking up the V3 and seeing what kind of digi signals I can send it and what works. Any other requests for testing?
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Hey Jeff, your running digi in, no monitoring and no backlight correct? Can you test w/backlight and and another with 1/8" mic in? Just wondering how long to expect it to run w/light on (probably what I'd do) and then the mic in for stealth use...
I'm running line-in (though I tested that 16/44.1 digi-in worked this morning, since 24/96 digi-in was locking up my machine), the 30-second default backlight (so mostly always off) and no input monitoring. I intend to try this same set-up with a USB AA alkaline battery pack tomorrow, then I'll try AT mics into the 1/8" jack. Things should become clearer late in the week with more people testing different variations. I probably won't do any concert taping until the firmware fixes are available, since I need reliability.
Jeff
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Welp, mine has been on the charger for just under 3 hours.. After a while the slow waves across the charging indicator started going faster. I just glanced at it and noticed the display had changed. Charged?! Maybe not. It said "no media found". WTF?
It is supposed to say "charging complete" or something. So I slid a card in (never unplugging) and it said booting (again) and still seems to be charging. Though the charging indicator is now going slow again...
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Well UPS says my MicroTrack will be in by 10am. tomorrow. I'll charge it during work and run tests as soon as I get home.
I plan on hooking up the V3 and seeing what kind of digi signals I can send it and what works. Any other requests for testing?
Yes!!
Please test all SPDIF input bit rates 16/24bit, 441,48,96k.
That is the most important!!
Im not so concerned about battery life since i will be buying the USB battery pack anway
and maybe another picture or 2 of it next to the v3 for size comp
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I got mine this morning at my office, plugged it in at about 10am EST. As of 5pm EST still charging. I have NOT gotten the "charging complete" display.
I called m-audio they said wait until it says "charging complete", and don't unplug it until then.
So.....I had to leave it at work, since I didn't want to wait until it says its done.
Oh well, no playing tonight.
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Well UPS says my MicroTrack will be in by 10am. tomorrow. I'll charge it during work and run tests as soon as I get home.
I plan on hooking up the V3 and seeing what kind of digi signals I can send it and what works. Any other requests for testing?
Yes!!
Please test all SPDIF input bit rates 16/24bit, 441,48,96k.
That is the most important!!
Im not so concerned about battery life since i will be buying the USB battery pack anway
and maybe another picture or 2 of it next to the v3 for size comp
yes. def. Maybe your unit will be different than Jeff's!!!
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:lol: :birthday: :lol:
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I just dropped Chris a pm to confirm whether a Sound Pro bat box can be plugged into the 1/8" input with the mics we commonly use (whether cmc4 or 4061, etc).. It should work okay but it would be nice to know if that application will require 1/4 adapts..
If you are going to record loud sounds, you need to plug the battery modules into the line input. You will need an adapter:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-PHON-MINI-1
Chris
does the MT not accept line in on the 1/8th input? like a DAT does?
Drew
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does the MT not accept line in on the 1/8th input? like a DAT does?
Drew
that is correct, according to two of Chris Carfagno's (soundpro) posts in this thread. if memory serves - which is rare - i think someone else in one of the Microtrack threads here said this same topic (Microtrack cannot tape loud shows via 1/8" mini-plug) was mentioned at the Oade board.
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does the MT not accept line in on the 1/8th input? like a DAT does?
Drew
that is correct, according to two of Chris Carfagno's (soundpro) posts in this thread. if memory serves - which is rare - i think someone else in one of the Microtrack threads here said this same topic (Microtrack cannot tape loud shows via 1/8" mini-plug) was mentioned at the Oade board.
Seems like that is the early consensus, but can I ask a possibly stupid question? Does this just mean -- practically speaking -- that you need to get your mini-source converted into two mono 1/4" TRS plugs via a simple adapter? Then you'll just be going line-in to the TRS at that point? Or won't the MT accept unbalanced 1/4" feeds into those inputs?
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Just got back from taping Duo at the Blind Pig. We had 9 rigs going! I had 3 soundboard patches going out of the minime (AES, USB and coax), both 16 bit and 24.. And the Mk21's into the 722.. Also had mk41's into a sonosax/722, and some U87's, and some 140's. And yes, I had the Microtracker running with my 4061's at 24/44.1.
Unfortunately, my L, M, H selector does nothing. I tried both the 1/4 inputs and the 1/8". I believe the show clipped quite badly. I need an attenuator until this gets sorted out (show on thursday). Ideally, I'd like to solder something up but need some schematics.
I'm transferring the show off now, copying via the USB port from my 4 GB card. The transfer rate is about 1.78 MB/sec on Linux with USB 2.0. I expect a CF card reader would be much faster.
Board member afife brought his 4061's and we rigged them right next to one another spread about 36". He runs modsbm>jb3. Unfortunately, his jb3 was unhappy and I'm not sure if he has the show. I expect I'll get some useful audio off my MT but I'm expecting lotsa clipping.
After watching the clipping for quite a while going into the 1/4", I moved the mics to the 1/8, tried running wtihout my sound pro bbox and going directly into the 1/8 and I tried restarting the unit. None of it really helped. The dpa's definitely work on the mic input without a bbox. The levels seemed higher without the bbox.
I'm gonna give it a quick listen and crash...
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So you are saying that you could plug the 406Xs into the mini plug and use the plug in power from the MT? Listen to that part carefully and see if there is more pronouced clipping and or distortion. What about running the 406Xs line-in? +T for the update. I was not too happy with the construction when I held it in my hands last week.
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jboyzh sent me some WAV samples to analyse the MicroTrack's noise-floor. Here's a page with results, more to come (probably).
http://home.rustradio.org/~rdvdijk/microtrack/ (http://home.rustradio.org/~rdvdijk/microtrack/)
Note: we need to double check the 1/8" M/H levels, because they are the same at the moment.
some initial notes:
- all 1/4" TRS samples have a peak at 6681 Hz and 200040 Hz
- all 1/4" TRS samples have a weird 'wavering' noise floor on the left channel..
- the backlight does not seem to have any influence on the noise floor
edit: 24bit, 96KHz analysis added!
- peaks at 6694 Hz, 20074 Hz, 33457 Hz and 46837 Hz on 96KHz recording
- left channel wavering not present on 24/96 "L" setting
Roel
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I just dropped Chris a pm to confirm whether a Sound Pro bat box can be plugged into the 1/8" input with the mics we commonly use (whether cmc4 or 4061, etc).. It should work okay but it would be nice to know if that application will require 1/4 adapts..
If you are going to record loud sounds, you need to plug the battery modules into the line input. You will need an adapter:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-PHON-MINI-1
Chris
This is EXACTLY what I am trying to figure out. So if I used that cable would I go, SP-CMC-4>SP-SPSB-1>Dual 1/4 Male Plugs to 1/8 Stereo Cable>Line-In? I'm definitely going to be recording loud shows, just not sure about the battery thing. Would phantom power even work? Would I have to turn phantom power off to use the battery box? Or can I use them both at the same time? Sorta confused since you said you need to plug the battery module in. I'm also ordering all over this stuff right now, at soundpros. (Hopefully I get it by next wed!) Thank you so much for the help.
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The battery thing may be my bad. Although I left it charge well over 6 hours, the techs say that you need to go overnight-plus the first time. And then you'll get 6 hours on a charge, NOT 8 hours. But that's better than the 3 hours I'm getting. Anyone getting near 6 hours yet?
Jeff
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get around 4:30, not 6 :(
also don't understand when the "charging completed" should appear, it did not appear here...
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also don't understand when the "charging completed" should appear, it did not appear here...
Mine has been charging for 23 hours and I still don't get a charging completed" display.
I suppose it's charged.
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I did not get charging completed.
After about 2 hours it said "no media present". That concerned me a bit.. So I plugged in a cf card. It said 'booting' again and went back to the charging screen. I never unplugged it. After about 5 hours, I noticed that the battery icon was solid (instead of pulsing).
Has anyone ever seen 'charging completed'???
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also don't understand when the "charging completed" should appear, it did not appear here...
Mine has been charging for 23 hours and I still don't get a charging completed" display.
I suppose it's charged.
Hmm.
Aren't modern batteries 'intelligent' and say they are full by themselves?
Who has a spec on the battery used in the MT so we can see some figures?
Type number would be a start?
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from r.a.p.:
Len Moskowitz wrote:
> We received our first shipment of M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96 flash memory
> recorders this past Monday. I've been posting my impressions to the
> PenComputingAudio group on Yahoo, and thought that this groups might
> appreciate them too. -- LM]
>
> As I work my way through what the MicroTrack 24/96 can do, I've found
> some more interesting and unexpected things:
>
> First, as I noted before, its phantom power voltage is 30 Volts and not
> the usual 48. I haven't measured how many milliAmps per channel it can
> supply.
>
> When recording an S/PDIF data stream, MicroTrack 24/96 is currently
> limited to making 16-bit recordings. That really clinches my initial
> impression that it's really a 16-bit recorder. Its Mic and Line inputs
> are limited to roughly 16-bit dynamic range (despite the option to
> record that to file in a 24-bit format), and the digital input is also
> 16-bit only. Perhaps the next firmware release will extend it to
> 24-bit?
>
> Also, while the level meters operate when recording from the S/PDIF
> input, the headphone output (and presumably the Line outputs too, since
> they are probably driven from the same analog signal source) does not.
> So you can't monitor on headphones while recording from a S/PDIF source.
> (You can monitor on 'phones when recording from the TRS and 1/8-inch
> analog inputs.)
>
> Another surprise is that MicroTrack 24/96 is currently a stereo-only
> recorder. It can not record in mono, though there are indications that
> it will be added in a future release of the firmware.
>
> There are a fair number of bugs, most of which do not "sink the ship",
> but are pretty weird and annoying. Like what? Like imagine you
> recorded three files from the S/PDIF input. You simply can't get it to
> play back the first file in the file system. If you try to play back
> the first file, it simply won't play. If that weren't enough, it also
> causes a condition that you then can't play *any* of the files. But if
> you first play back the second or third file, it works fine unless you
> then try to play the first: that breaks it and you have to cycle power
> to get it back.
>
> The workaround (not surprisingly) is to record a few short files and
> then delete the first file -- then you'll always be able to play the
> rest of the files.
>
> Weird.
>
> There are others like that. And then there are the ones that can sink
> the ship. Like the one that I haven't quite figured out yet. It makes
> the file system act like the CF card has no more space for recording.
> If you check the time remaining for recording, it's a negative number.
> But when you check the directory to list the files that are there, there
> aren't any files! If you've made a recording, it's gone and in some
> cases unsalvageable. The only way I've found to get back into business
> is to reformat the card in a PDA or a PC and start over.
>
> I'm keeping M-Audio informed of what I find.
>
> I'll post more as I dig deeper.
>
>Len
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cool.. thanks craig..
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jboyzh sent me some WAV samples to analyse the MicroTrack's noise-floor. Here's a page with results, more to come (probably).
http://home.rustradio.org/~rdvdijk/microtrack/ (http://home.rustradio.org/~rdvdijk/microtrack/)
Thanks!
How to read the titles (D10+25 etc?) and how were the measurements done?
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Has anyone ever seen 'charging completed'???
Maybe I was mistaken. I had thought someone said, when the unit is completely charged, the display read, "charging complete"
Maybe it doesn't. The battery indicator on mine looks as if it is definetly finished charging.
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I did not get charging completed.
After about 2 hours it said "no media present". That concerned me a bit.. So I plugged in a cf card. It said 'booting' again and went back to the charging screen. I never unplugged it. After about 5 hours, I noticed that the battery icon was solid (instead of pulsing).
Has anyone ever seen 'charging completed'???
Well I don't feel like such a dork anymore for screwing up the charging. Apparently the "charging completed" flashes up for a second or so, like we're going to be watching the screen for 12 hours to catch it. If anyone gets close to 6 hours I guess I'll send mine in for a battery replacement. Meanwhile, it seems that the 4 AA USB battery box does work with alkalines (NiMH lost voltage fast, didn't help timing much, and lithiums went 10 hours, should maybe go 13 with a 6-hour conditioned internal battery), I'll post the times I get later today. Rechargeable AA alkalines may be the way I go.
Jeff
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How to read the titles (D10+25 etc?) and how were the measurements done?
The titles are bit vague to me as well, that's just what Audition gave me. I think it 'guesses' the note that is played or something.
I selected a second of audio that were sent to me by jboyzh, and hit alt-Z (Frequency Analysis) and clicked the "Scan" button.
Roel
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Talking to M-audio right now.
The current units NEVER PRINT "CHARGING COMPLETED" !!
The battery is fully charged when the battery icon goes solid. HOWEVER, there is one pixel in the corner which NEVER fills in.
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Excellent! Thank you.
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How to read the titles (D10+25 etc?) and how were the measurements done?
The titles are bit vague to me as well, that's just what Audition gave me. I think it 'guesses' the note that is played or something.
I selected a second of audio that were sent to me by jboyzh, and hit alt-Z (Frequency Analysis) and clicked the "Scan" button.
Ah, thanks. So it was just a 'clean' MT with nothing connected being recorded?
Hmmm.
If the peaks were flat and the wobbling was a bit less (could be modded?) it would be a great 16bit recorder!
But in this condition it beats the Sony decks SNR?
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jboyzh sent me some WAV samples to analyse the MicroTrack's noise-floor. Here's a page with results, more to come (probably).
http://home.rustradio.org/~rdvdijk/microtrack/ (http://home.rustradio.org/~rdvdijk/microtrack/)
Thanks a lot,
Does someone know how these figures compare to Edirol R-1 and Marantz PDM 660. The Marantz is usually criticized for having a bad preamp section and producing a lot of noise. How does the MicroTrack compares in this field (when recording from the mic input) ?
Thanks in advance
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[(NiMH lost voltage fast, didn't help timing much, and lithiums went 10 hours, should maybe go 13 with a 6-hour conditioned internal battery), I'll post the times I get later today. Rechargeable AA alkalines may be the way I go.
Jeff
ni-mh don't go down the voltage , they stay 1,2 v 99% of the time , the come about 1.3-14 from charger but go fast to the 1.2 and dont drop in voltage under load
there is no rechargeable alkalies - the alkalines drop the voltage very fast under load
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Just measured the phantom on my unit. It is 30 volts as reported by Len.
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[(NiMH lost voltage fast, didn't help timing much, and lithiums went 10 hours, should maybe go 13 with a 6-hour conditioned internal battery), I'll post the times I get later today. Rechargeable AA alkalines may be the way I go.
Jeff
ni-mh don't go down the voltage , they stay 1,2 v 99% of the time , the come about 1.3-14 from charger but go fast to the 1.2 and dont drop in voltage under load
there is no rechargeable alkalies - the alkalines drop the voltage very fast under load
NiMH gave me an extra hour, they were doing something (not much).
There certainly ARE rechargeable alkalines. I just ordered some (Rayovac used to make them, discontinued a few years back, Sundance Solar sells an "improved" version with their "Envirocharger"). And I posted a link on one of the MT powering threads for a device that recharges ordinary alkalines successfully, reviewed on the-gadgeteer.com and found to work for at least a few cycles very well, no detectable loss of lifetime, but it takes at least overnight slow microcircuit controlled charging.
Jeff
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Just measured the phantom on my unit. It is 30 volts as reported by Len.
WTF?! Can this be fixed with firmware? I wouldn't think so, but does anyone know?
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Damnit. Well I got my microtrack in, but it doesn't charge at all. The LCD wont come on.
Gonna have to call M-Audio in a minute...
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Mine JUST got delivered :)
but I have to go out and do some field work this afternoon, so I don't want to start charging it here. I'll start charging when I get home, around 4 pm today. it looks like it won't be ready to roll for a show tonight though. oh well, next week...
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Just measured the phantom on my unit. It is 30 volts as reported by Len.
WTF?! Can this be fixed with firmware? I wouldn't think so, but does anyone know?
I am dreaming of Schoeps mics (12-52V, right?). Can anyone verify the MT drives these, it's a big investment to make on spec.
Jeff
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Well I don't know how I did it, but I fixed whatever it was wrong. It's charging right now. As soon as it's done I'll do some SPDIF tests.
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[[/quote]
NiMH gave me an extra hour, they were doing something (not much).
There certainly ARE rechargeable alkaline. I just ordered some (Rayovac used to make them, discontinued a few years back, Sundance Solar sells an "improved" version with their "Envirocharger"). And I posted a link on one of the MT powering threads for a device that recharges ordinary alkalines successfully, reviewed on the-gadgeteer.com and found to work for at least a few cycles very well, no detectable loss of lifetime, but it takes at least overnight slow microcircuit controlled charging.
Jeff
[/quote]
extra hour for what - above the alkaline ?,extra hour to internal battery?
about the rechargeable alkalines , i know what are you talking about but i dont think they hold more the 10 charges
about running time , some one have to check what is the minimum voltage the microtrack have to see , if it more then 4.8 you have problem to run nimh batteries without step up converter to 5 v
the alkalines start at 6 v with lower capacity and fast dropping , to use them until the end you need voltage regulator as well , as soon they go under the minimum
with 4 2500 nimh and step up converter you have to get 65-70 % of what you get from non rechargeable lithium ion which stay 1.5 v all the way ( total 6v before step down)
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I am dreaming of Schoeps mics (12-52V, right?). Can anyone verify the MT drives these, it's a big investment to make on spec.
Schoeps makes bodies with different voltage specs. I have cmc6 and they want 48. Schoeps even sells a plug in tester with a green LED to check the phantom voltage and current. I'm guessing we'll need to run a 48v bbox for the schoeps. That isn't the end of the world but it is a PIA...
There are some small lithiums that should do this. I have a friend checking.
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Well I don't know how I did it, but I fixed whatever it was wrong. It's charging right now. As soon as it's done I'll do some SPDIF tests.
Cool. WHEW! Glad it is working for you!
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Just measured the phantom on my unit. It is 30 volts as reported by Len.
WTF?! Can this be fixed with firmware? I wouldn't think so, but does anyone know?
I am dreaming of Schoeps mics (12-52V, right?). Can anyone verify the MT drives these, it's a big investment to make on spec.
Jeff
the cmc6 and the ccm series can run on everything from 12-48 without any problem , but you have to check if there enouth current on the outputs to drive the preamp
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+T to all you guys who got your MicroTracks and have been adding to this thread. I've never been caught up in the bleeding edge of a product like this before and you guys are making it hard to decide which way to go... but I mean that in a good way... I haven't made a commitment to an alternate choice yet just because of some of the really good stuff posted here.
rdvdijk... your link is really impressive for me at least. +T for that. I'd have no problem running the MicroTrack as a 16bit recorder only... even if the firmware didn't smooth out the bumps... although I'm sure it will. The 16bit measurements show it AT LEAST as good as the stated claim of -100db SN... with the right channel maintaining -116db? That's a pretty clean recorder considering my alternate choice to the MicroTrack is 2.5 times the price with specs that don't even approach this.
I haven't read too much from anybody in way of love or hate... so I guess everyone is just playing it cool and waiting to see what happens.
If anybody can post some recordings that would be GREAT... I'd love to hear a silent wav with a mic plugged in, one without a mic plugged in, and then some voice or instrument in a quiet room or studio. Would anybody be willing to do that? :)
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You can send a file to matt at gettreel dot com and I'll host it for as long (or short) as you want.
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Does someone know how these figures compare to Edirol R-1 and Marantz PDM 660. The Marantz is usually criticized for having a bad preamp section and producing a lot of noise. How does the MicroTrack compares in this field (when recording from the mic input) ?
If someone would send me short WAVs of just silence recorded with those units, I could make these graphs for them, and we can compare them.
Roel
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I'll have some recordings up tonight, just need the thing to charge first.
Also, after hearing the reports of the unit "feeling cheap" I was very impressed by how the unit felt. It's so much better than the JB3 in that regard. It's no tank like my V3 is, but I don't feel like I'm going to break it just by holding it.
I am concerned with how close the SPDIF is to the USB port. My guess is you wont be able to have both connected without filing down the connectors.
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To create 48v from a small DC battery you need a charge pump type DCtoDC converter. This kind of circuit may need the load connected to give the correct voltage so if you guys are just sticking a voltmeter on the pins with no load this reading is meaningless.
-
extra hour for what - above the alkaline ?,extra hour to internal battery?
about the rechargeable alkalines , i know what are you talking about but i dont think they hold more the 10 charges
about running time , some one have to check what is the minimum voltage the microtrack have to see , if it more then 4.8 you have problem to run nimh batteries without step up converter to 5 v
the alkalines start at 6 v with lower capacity and fast dropping , to use them until the end you need voltage regulator as well , as soon they go under the minimum
with 4 2500 nimh and step up converter you have to get 65-70 % of what you get from non rechargeable lithium ion which stay 1.5 v all the way ( total 6v before step down)
The 2500 mAh NiMH in the USB battery box gave me a total of 4 hours WITH my lame internal battery, which on its own does 3 hours pretty consistently.
The Sundance Solar product claims 100 cycles, not 10. The Gadgeteer-reviewed recharger of ordinary alkalines has only been tested by them for a few cycles, so I don't know on that one.
For regular alkalines, I have gotten 5 hours now (including a charged internal battery that runs 3 hours on its own), the state of the meters leads me to guess I'll get a total of 6-7 hours or so.
How big is the step-up converter package? The niceness of the USB battery box itself is than it is about as small as a 4 AA package can get. I'd be interested in a small package USB box using NiMHs, for sure.
Jeff
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I am concerned with how close the SPDIF is to the USB port. My guess is you wont be able to have both connected without filing down the connectors.
I commented on that when I first got my unit last Friday. With a fatter RCA connector they hug each other a bit too closely, but everything seems to go in alright. An extra mm or so would have been nice and there seems to be enough real estate on the outsdie of the machine, not sure what internal constraints led them to snug the the ports up so close.
Jeff
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Mine JUST got delivered :)
but I have to go out and do some field work this afternoon, so I don't want to start charging it here. I'll start charging when I get home, around 4 pm today. it looks like it won't be ready to roll for a show tonight though. oh well, next week...
can you bring it anyways? Id like to see it
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extra hour for what - above the alkaline ?,extra hour to internal battery?
about the rechargeable alkalines , i know what are you talking about but i dont think they hold more the 10 charges
about running time , some one have to check what is the minimum voltage the microtrack have to see , if it more then 4.8 you have problem to run nimh batteries without step up converter to 5 v
the alkalines start at 6 v with lower capacity and fast dropping , to use them until the end you need voltage regulator as well , as soon they go under the minimum
with 4 2500 nimh and step up converter you have to get 65-70 % of what you get from non rechargeable lithium ion which stay 1.5 v all the way ( total 6v before step down)
The 2500 mAh NiMH in the USB battery box gave me a total of 4 hours WITH my lame internal battery, which on its own does 3 hours pretty consistently.
The Sundance Solar product claims 100 cycles, not 10. The Gadgeteer-reviewed recharger of ordinary alkalines has only been tested by them for a few cycles, so I don't know on that one.
For regular alkalines, I have gotten 5 hours now (including a charged internal battery that runs 3 hours on its own), the state of the meters leads me to guess I'll get a total of 6-7 hours or so.
How big is the step-up converter package? The niceness of the USB battery box itself is than it is about as small as a 4 AA package can get. I'd be interested in a small package USB box using NiMHs, for sure.
Jeff
http://www.tekgear.com/index.cfm?pageID=90&prodid=466§ion=99&nodelist=1,99
something like that jeff, but if you making one , be sure you make proper cut off not to ruin the batteries by over discharge them
so you actually can use the ni-mh - other wise you use only small part of it , the same for the alkalines
you have this one also but for 2 batteries only
http://www.tekgear.com/index.cfm?pageID=90&prodid=252§ion=99&nodelist=1,99
you need to replace the jack for usb connector
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That 5 volt DC2DC convertor only outputs 200ma this will not be enough if the internal battery needs a charge.
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That 5 volt DC2DC convertor only outputs 200ma this will not be enough if the internal battery needs a charge.
you are right on that point ,so it better come with full charge battry or look for better converter
at least 25% over the total consumption durring the charging prosses while the unit runs 24/96
since i still dont have my i cant check it :-)
if someone can mesure the current unit drows it will be very nice
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I don't think anyone has mentioned it.. The meters on this thing are Excellent. They're VERY fast. They had a long peak hold of around 2 or 3 seconds. The bottom LEDs flicker with signal and the top are clip indicators.
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Ok well I'm going to attempt a bit accuracy test for this thing. I guess I'll just record my stereo with my m1290s > v3 > optical to jb3 and coax to microtrack. After that I'm not exactly sure how to compare them... But I'll worry about that after I have the files. ;D
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Any speculation on how long until the next batch is coming out, fixing the physical problems associated with the first batch ?
I was told by support that the LMH switch would be fixed via firmware and it was not a physical switch issue. :)
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why not to think the l as low signal and high as high(line signal) , i might think that the problem is in the manual and not in the recorder :-)
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Ok well I'm going to attempt a bit accuracy test for this thing. I guess I'll just record my stereo with my m1290s > v3 > optical to jb3 and coax to microtrack. After that I'm not exactly sure how to compare them... But I'll worry about that after I have the files. ;D
can you please check if its incode the digital input to mp3 files please , didnt see that some one checked that stuff
thanks
Oleg
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Bad news is that the hefty digital cable i have wont even fit into the unit. So I'm off to Rat Shack to get something smaller...
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Hmm...looks like it will only take a 16/48 signal over SPDIF. If I send it any other sample rate it locks up. And even if I send it a 24 bit signal it records as 16...
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To create 48v from a small DC battery you need a charge pump type DCtoDC converter. This kind of circuit may need the load connected to give the correct voltage so if you guys are just sticking a voltmeter on the pins with no load this reading is meaningless.
Is there anyone here who will get an MT and knows how to confirm this?
I find it very unlikely that it would not support 48v, even the switch is named '48v'! They MUST have tested this.. :hmmm:
Roel
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Here are some photo's of the unit.
On top of my V3:
(http://www.turtleside.com/microtrack/DSCN3897.jpg)
The bottom, with the mini-USB plugged in (it's still charging):
(http://www.turtleside.com/microtrack/DSCN3898.jpg)
These are the right-angle coax connectors that I have on the S/PDIF cable I have been using for a couple of years now. perfect fit, nice and snug (but not too tight) ;D
(http://www.turtleside.com/microtrack/DSCN3899.jpg)
as far as the USB being too close to the digital input, I agree, it's a few millimeters too close. the digi coax sort of pushes gently against the USB (the digi coax is a much more solid connection than the USB). However, it looks like there is enough extra plastic on the mini-USB end, so I'll just take my swiss army knife and shave off a bit, shouldn't be too hard, and then problem solved. When I bought the swiss army knife, years ago, the guy did tell me it "battle ready", after all.
can you bring it anyways? Id like to see it
Sorry Don, unless it's done charging by 8, then I'm going to leave it plugged in. Besides, it seems like the Firmware isn't ready for 24 bit S/PDIF just yet, so even if the battery were fully charged, I won't be able to get anything better than my trusty D8 can give me. If you want to swing by this weekend and check it out, I'll be playing with it the whole time :)
oh, and my unit also didn't start charging for the first 10 minutes or so. The screen just wouldn't come on. then it did. I'm not really too worried about it. This weekend, I'll be doing lot's tests, probably some bit accuracy tests of the digital input, at 16 bit I'll transfer a DAT that I've already transferred to my computer, and then compare the .wav's)
As far as the build quality, as has been stated, it's not a V3 or 722 quality, but it's not that bad. very light, but it doesn't feel like I'm going to break it just by holding it. not by a long shot...
So those are my preliminary thoughts (all of course, before really using it)
EDIT TO ADD:
two more photos, this time with my D8 shown for size comparison.
next to the Sony D8:
(http://www.turtleside.com/microtrack/DSCN3903.jpg)
the side view:
(http://www.turtleside.com/microtrack/DSCN3904.jpg)
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Ok, I have two files that I need to compare to check bit accuracy. Anyone want to let me know how to do that exactly?
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Ok, I have two files that I need to compare to check bit accuracy. Anyone want to let me know how to do that exactly?
once both .wav files are on your computer, open them up in a .wav editor. Find a drum beat or something, and zoom real far in. You need tro trim both files so that start and end in EXACTLY the same place. once that is done, you can invert both channels of one file and mix it with the other file. if you get an absolutely FLAT line of silence, than the files were identical, any spike from the silence shows where the files were different.
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Great. I recorded "Going to California" - no drums at all. ;) I'll do my best.
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Well, it's confirmed to be bit accurate at 16/48.
That was about all the tests I was going to run. Anyone else want anything?
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once both .wav files are on your computer, open them up in a .wav editor. Find a drum beat or something, and zoom real far in. You need tro trim both files so that start and end in EXACTLY the same place. once that is done, you can invert both channels of one file and mix it with the other file. if you get an absolutely FLAT line of silence, than the files were identical, any spike from the silence shows where the files were different.
Once you have two aligned files of the same length you should just FLAC them both and compare the fingerprints. The fingerprints are the MD5 hashes of the PCM data in a canonical format. That's gotta be easier than inverting, mixing, and comparing.
I got my MicroTrack today also, but it sounds like I am going to have to wait for new firmware to do a test.
That bites about the peak hold. A good peak hold waits until you push a button to reset it. Everyone nag them to add a mode where the peak holds until you push 'del' or something.
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once both .wav files are on your computer, open them up in a .wav editor. Find a drum beat or something, and zoom real far in. You need tro trim both files so that start and end in EXACTLY the same place. once that is done, you can invert both channels of one file and mix it with the other file. if you get an absolutely FLAT line of silence, than the files were identical, any spike from the silence shows where the files were different.
Once you have two aligned files of the same length you should just FLAC them both and compare the fingerprints. The fingerprints are the MD5 hashes of the PCM data in a canonical format. That's gotta be easier than inverting, mixing, and comparing.
good point :)
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That was about all the tests I was going to run. Anyone else want anything?
How long can it record with one battery charge and encoding at 320 kbit/s MP3, recording
from the 1/8" mic input? I need at least 5 hours, otherwise that device is useless for me.
All numbers I've seen so far are for WAV recordings.
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You could also just hash the original files instead of FLACing them. However, the inversion test is easier to do if you're not 100% sure you started and ended on the same sample for each file. A hash would be very different, but the inversion would probably still be close to flat, and you'd know to adjust it in one way or the other.
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once both .wav files are on your computer, open them up in a .wav editor. Find a drum beat or something, and zoom real far in. You need tro trim both files so that start and end in EXACTLY the same place. once that is done, you can invert both channels of one file and mix it with the other file. if you get an absolutely FLAT line of silence, than the files were identical, any spike from the silence shows where the files were different.
Once you have two aligned files of the same length you should just FLAC them both and compare the fingerprints. The fingerprints are the MD5 hashes of the PCM data in a canonical format. That's gotta be easier than inverting, mixing, and comparing.
I got my MicroTrack today also, but it sounds like I am going to have to wait for new firmware to do a test.
That bites about the peak hold. A good peak hold waits until you push a button to reset it. Everyone nag them to add a mode where the peak holds until you push 'del' or something.
Exact Audio Copy also has a wav compare function. it takes into account any offset between the two files, saving you the trouble of having to line them up perfectly. once you run wav compare, all you have to do is look for any error messages stating "different samples", disregarding any offset errors.
EDIT- im pretty sure EAC only works for 16/44.1 wavs though.
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Ok, well here's an odd thing. Inverting the JB3 recording and mixing it into the MicroTrack recording yields a completely flat wav form. However the hash for the files (pre-inversion in the case of the jb3) are very different. Any reason for this?
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Ok, well here's an odd thing. Inverting the JB3 recording and mixing it into the MicroTrack recording yields a completely flat wav form. However the hash for the files (pre-inversion in the case of the jb3) are very different. Any reason for this?
A 1 bit difference between two files could result in very different md5 hashes.
see this for an example:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Md5#MD5_hashes
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On March 21, 1947, the 122nd Street police station in New York City received a call from a man claiming that there was a dead body at 2078 Fifth Street Avenue. The police knew the house, a decaying three-story brownstone in a run-down part of Harlem, and its inhabitants, Langley and Homer Collyer, two eccentric recluses. No one could recall having seen Homer for years. There were even rumors that his dead body was I the house. Langley was seen only when he went out on furtive sorties, usually after midnight. He earned himself the nickname of "the ghostly man." The day after the call, patrolman William Barker broke into the second-floor bedroom. What he found there took his breath away. The room was filled from floor to ceiling with objects of every shape, size and kind. It took him several hours to cross the few feet to where the dead body of Homer lay, shrouded in an ancient check bathrobe. The autopsy revealed that Homer had not eaten for several days and had died of a heart attack. There was no sign of Langley, and the authorities immediately began to search for him. It took 3 weeks to shift through the estimated 136 tons of junk with which the house was filled. The bizarre collection of objects included 14 grand pianos, two organs, and a clavichord; human medical specimens preserved in a glass jars; the chassis of a Model-T Ford; a library of thousands of medical and engineering books; an armory of weapons; the top of a carriage; 6 U.S. flags and one Union Jack; a primitive X-Ray machine; and 34 bank deposit books with the balance totaling $3,007.18. Gradually the story of the Hermits of Harlem unfolded, and the presence of some of the contents of the house began to be explained. Homer Lusk Collyer and Langley Collyer were born in 1881 and 1885 respectively. Their father, Dr. Herman L. Collyer, was an eminent gynecologist and their mother, Susie Gage Frost Collyer, a well-born lady noted for her musical abilities. The family set up home at 2078 Fifth Avenue in then-fashionable Harlem. But around 1909 Herman left. When he died in 1923, all the furniture, medical equipment, and books that he had collected over the years were taken back to Fifth Avenue and crammed into his wife's house. Langley had been trained as an engineer; Homer became a lawyer. Both were eccentric in innocuous ways - increasingly so when left to fend for themselves after their mother's death in 1929. Langley apparently never had a job, but was always tinkering with inventions, such as one for vacuuming the insides of pianos, and attempting to make the Model-T engine run via electricity. In the 1930's Homer became blind, crippled with rheumatism, and progressively paralyzed. Langley devoted the rest of his life to caring for him. Distrustful of doctors, but with access to his father's extensive medical library, Langley devised odd "cures" for his brother's illness, subjecting him to regimes as a diet of 100 oranges a week, black bread, and peanut butter. The house was already cluttered with the content of two large homes, but Langley stuffed it with yet more objects picked up on his nightly excursions. After all windows were boarded up, and the gas, electricity, and water cut off, one small oil stove served all their cooking and heating needs; Langley collected water from a standpipe four blocks away. On more that one occasion thieves tried to break in to steal the fortune that was rumored to be kept in the house. Langley responded by building booby raps, intricate systems of trip wires and ropes that would bring tons of rubbish crashing down on any unwary burglar. A honeycomb network of tunnels carved out in the mountains of junk enabled Langley to grope his way to where Homer sat. As the world's newspapers revealed the secrets of 2078 Fifth Avenue, there was a final, grisly twist. On April 8, Artie Matthews, one of the workmen commissioned t clear the place, raised a pile of newspapers, tin boxes and other debris near a spot where Homer has been found. His horrified gaze fell first on a foot, then the remains of a body. It had been gnawed by rats, but there was no doubt that it was Langley Collyer. Langley had died some time before his brother, suffocated under the garbage that had cascaded down upon him when, he had sprung one of his own burglar traps. Homer's death was now easily explained. Blind and paralyzed, and totally dependent on Langley, he had died of starvation and shock. The house was gradually emptied and its more valuable contents sold at auction. But despite the Collyer brothers lifelong hoarding, the 150 items raised only $1,800. The house too has now gone. Condemned as a health and fire hazard, number 2078 Fifth Avenue was razed to the ground. Today it is a parking lot.
-Cliff
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Ok, well here's an odd thing. Inverting the JB3 recording and mixing it into the MicroTrack recording yields a completely flat wav form. However the hash for the files (pre-inversion in the case of the jb3) are very different. Any reason for this?
A 1 bit difference between two files could result in very different md5 hashes.
Yeah but wouldn't that mean I couldn't have a completely flat wav form?
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Ok, well here's an odd thing. Inverting the JB3 recording and mixing it into the MicroTrack recording yields a completely flat wav form. However the hash for the files (pre-inversion in the case of the jb3) are very different. Any reason for this?
A 1 bit difference between two files could result in very different md5 hashes.
Yeah but wouldn't that mean I couldn't have a completely flat wav form?
Is there any header info in the WAV files?
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Ok, well here's an odd thing. Inverting the JB3 recording and mixing it into the MicroTrack recording yields a completely flat wav form. However the hash for the files (pre-inversion in the case of the jb3) are very different. Any reason for this?
A 1 bit difference between two files could result in very different md5 hashes.
Yeah but wouldn't that mean I couldn't have a completely flat wav form?
Is there any header info in the WAV files?
Quite possible. How would I go about discovering if there is?
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Ok, well here's an odd thing. Inverting the JB3 recording and mixing it into the MicroTrack recording yields a completely flat wav form. However the hash for the files (pre-inversion in the case of the jb3) are very different. Any reason for this?
A 1 bit difference between two files could result in very different md5 hashes.
Yeah but wouldn't that mean I couldn't have a completely flat wav form?
Is there any header info in the WAV files?
Quite possible. How would I go about discovering if there is?
Open them in a HEX editor.
(or I think you can look at the first 16 bytes in an ASCII editor)
I believe all wav files have headers, take a look at this link:
http://ccrma.stanford.edu/courses/422/projects/WaveFormat/
A bunch more +Ts given out. Keep the info coming.
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do you have wavelab john ???
there is a wave comparer in there, should work w/ anything up to 24/96 possibly
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I'm on a mac, no wavelab here. However I'm about to post a bunch of pictures over at rig pics. ;)
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http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=50713.0
Enjoy. :)
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+T
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Thanks Kohn +T for that.
Would you consider recording some silence, then silence with mic-in, then some simple monologue or basic instrument?
So should I still be looking at a pmd671? What's your feeling so far?
Also has it always been Kohn? OR was it John K. before... am I losing my mind?
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so it still doesnt record digitally at 24 bit??
i guess its ok considering i dont have a computer that could handle those files...yet ;)
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+T
Backatcha
Thanks Kohn +T for that.
Would you consider recording some silence, then silence with mic-in, then some simple monologue or basic instrument?
So should I still be looking at a pmd671? What's your feeling so far?
Also has it always been Kohn? OR was it John K. before... am I losing my mind?
Haha, yeah it's John. My friends just call me Kohn Jelly so I switched my name up here. ;)
I'll record that stuff tonight and get it up for ya.
so it still doesnt record digitally at 24 bit??
i guess its ok considering i dont have a computer that could handle those files...yet ;)
Not at all. I'm hoping the new firmware will fix it.
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Not at all. I'm hoping the new firmware will fix it.
yeah, you and everyone else :)
and my battery symbol just stopped moving, so I think it's a go.
I should be able to get AC power tonight anyway, so I'll do that and not worry about testing the battery length.
I'll run the D8 out of the AES1 jack, because I know that works, and I'll run the coax S/PDIF into the Microtrack. both at 16/48. I'll be using a 4 GB Sandisk Ultra II CF card. it says I've got 4 hours, 17 minutes, after formatting the card.
It'll give me a nice long test of the bit accuracy. I'll let you all know how it goes.
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I thought I was losing my mind too Kohn! :D
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Well, finally got mine fully charged. Started playing around with it, recorded some TRS analog files fed from my stereo's RCA out, input into the microtrack using 1/4" TS (mono) to RCA adapters. So it looks like TS (mono) plugs should work fine. Recorded 16/44.1 and 24/44.1, both worked fine. Then recorded into the spdif coax fed 16/44.1 from my SBM1. Again worked fine.
Then tried recording 16/44 from the SBM1 with the MT plugged in. At first the MT functioned fine with the "CHG" indicator on, went thru the menus with no troubles. Then I tried to start the recording file and it locked up. No way of getting it off this locked up screen. :angry3:
Tried unplugging and plugging in the USB adapter, tried every button, tried taking out and re-inserting the CF card. No dice, locked up. Nice of M-Audio not to include a reset button. Generally with things like this (JB3, Zen micro, etc) when the lockup happens I just take the battery out and re-install it, and the deck will re-boot. No way of taking out the battery.
Anyone know how to re-boot one of these things? I guess my only choice is to let the battery die out completely and then maybe when I re-connect the USB it will re-boot.
Seemed like a pretty nice little recorder until this f*ckup, but this is pretty ridiculous. Anytime the MT decides to lockup, you just have to give up recording for 8 hours until the battery dies. (Or whenever that is, but the only function seemingly drawing power is the backlight).
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that does blow, whats up w/ no reset button ???
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Well, finally got mine fully charged. Started playing around with it, recorded some TRS analog files fed from my stereo's RCA out, input into the microtrack using 1/4" TS (mono) to RCA adapters. So it looks like TS (mono) plugs should work fine. Recorded 16/44.1 and 24/44.1, both worked fine. Then recorded into the spdif coax fed 16/44.1 from my SBM1. Again worked fine.
Then tried recording 16/44 from the SBM1 with the MT plugged in. At first the MT functioned fine with the "CHG" indicator on, went thru the menus with no troubles. Then I tried to start the recording file and it locked up. No way of getting it off this locked up screen. :angry3:
Tried unplugging and plugging in the USB adapter, tried every button, tried taking out and re-inserting the CF card. No dice, locked up. Nice of M-Audio not to include a reset button. Generally with things like this (JB3, Zen micro, etc) when the lockup happens I just take the battery out and re-install it, and the deck will re-boot. No way of taking out the battery.
Anyone know how to re-boot one of these things? I guess my only choice is to let the battery die out completely and then maybe when I re-connect the USB it will re-boot.
Seemed like a pretty nice little recorder until this f*ckup, but this is pretty ridiculous. Anytime the MT decides to lockup, you just have to give up recording for 8 hours until the battery dies. (Or whenever that is, but the only function seemingly drawing power is the backlight).
I've had my unit lock up on me a few times. Holding the power button down seems to turn it off every time.
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Ok, maybe this is covered somewhere in the manual, but yes, I was able to get it to turn off by holding in the power button for about 20 seconds. You need to hold it in far longer than usual when it locks up.
So far, I've had it lock up 5 or 6 times when attempting to record a 16/44 spdif stream. And it had recorded the exact same stream another dozen or more times without a glitch. I can't find any rhyme or reason as to when it locks up, it seems to be completely random, with the exception that it has always been when recording the spdif stream. I haven't pulled out the V3 to try a 24 bit signal, thought that sounds like it has been tested and won't work until the new firmware. But 16/44, 16/48, battery only, plugged into USB, etc -- generally works, sometimes locks up.
Most of my high-end coax and RCA cables will not fit into the MT, but I have a few that do fit, and have plenty of RCA connector ends for building cables that do fit. Guess I need to get busy building myself some new cables for this. No problem fitting the 1/4" TRS connectors I have into the MT, including the right-angle 1/4" TRS connectors I got in case anyone wanted some custom cables with RA TRS. Most of the beefy coax cables would not fit onto the spdif RCA of the MT, but the coax cables that have fit into the spdif RCA haven't had a problem fitting in next to the USB (ie, USB cable connected for external battery power).
The voltage regulator I put togeter worked great with the MT. In fact, I didn't do the original charging with the USB/power cable, but instead charged it from my Walmart battery + Juice box + usb power cable. The external battery set-up charged it no problem for 4 hours, but I haven't had a chance for full walmart li-ion battery testing.
Some things I'd like that might be able to be addressed with future firmware:
- well, the obvious that stated functions work (eg, 24 bit spdif)
- Meters that have db labelling, or at the very least labeling where 0dbFS is.
- At least at the beginning of a recording, briefly show what is being recorded (16 vs 24, 44 vs 48 vs 96)
- Info available for already recorded files, like above: 16 or 24, 44 or 48 or 96, length, maybe date and time recorded
- Menu lock-out/disabling of phantom power, no matter where the switch is (I can tape it down, but I'm not trusting that switch to stay in the off position if it might fry my upstream equipment
Oh, and as was already mentioned -- the headphone amp is very powerful. Probbly more than enough to do permanent hearing damage if you decide you just have to do headphone monitoring while at the show. (Though you can't do headphone monitoring when using the spdif input.)
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damn man, i hope they get alot of those problems fixed todd, thats a laundry list of problems for sure :'(
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both at 16/48. I'll be using a 4 GB Sandisk Ultra II CF card. it says I've got 4 hours, 17 minutes, after formatting the card.
2GB should give you 3 hours at 48 Khz/16. Double for 4GB. (!?)
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Mine says I have about 6 1/2 hours of record time available with a 4gb card (forget the exact timing). Record time left depends on how you have the MT configured. Even though Jason says he wants to record at 16/48, I suspect that his MT was set for 24/48 at the time he checked the record time available.
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Is there anyone here who will get an MT and knows how to confirm this?
I find it very unlikely that it would not support 48v, even the switch is named '48v'! They MUST have tested this.. :hmmm:
Someone should call them and report back. I loaded it with two different resistors today and wasn't able to get it to pump anything above 30. The second resistor dropped it to 28 volts.
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I put up a torrent of a comparison of the MT's line-in. Up at COtapers.org. Hopefully Ethan won't mind hosting it for a bit.
3 tracks, all about 2 1/2 minutes, moreorless from my CD player into:
1) MT line-in, at 16/44
2) V3 (16/44) > coax > MT (spdif in)
3) ToddR-modSBM1 (16/44)> coax > MT (spdif in)
Not trying to do any blind testing here, and I skipped doing 24/44 line-in to the MT since I can't do 24/44 spdif in. Just a few tracks to give some idea how the line-in sounds compared to a V3 and a modSBM1 (although my mod, not the more well known Oade-mod).
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I stealthed Beck 4061 > Microtrack!
http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=60950
Cool! Jumping on it now, I'm very curious how this has turned out. How did your battery hold up, run into any troubles near the end or no big problems?
Roel
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I stealthed Beck 4061 > Microtrack!
http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=60950
Thanks! Seems like the bass levels are always insane at Beck shows. I'll certainly never try to tape him in front of the stacks anymore after ruining an otherwise perfect recording...
Anyway, could you also seed the 24-Bit version when it's done? I'd like to see how the MT performs on that.
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I stealthed Beck 4061 > Microtrack!
I ran afife's 20 db attenuator cable and set my levels nearly all the way down. Keep in mind that this likely impacted the audio quality. Also, my unit is believed to be defective because the level switch doesn't work (hence the cable). The show was loud and had extreme bass. I set the SP bbox rolloff at 65 dB.
I checked levels with the opener and then powered down until the main event.. Levels turned out good, my highest peak was -2.86 dB.
http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=60950
Thanks a ton! Just wondering, did you go straight from the sp-spsb-1 to Mic-In or Line-In with a Dual 1/4 male to 1/8 female cable?
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You're welcome! Good question. I missed including that detail. This was into the 1/8.
I was not in a position to look at the battery indicator. I did look at it after the show last night but I don't remember what fraction was showing. Not that it would mean much. It is so nice that the 722 just gives you volts. Even though 7.5 volts on a 6000 maH is not the same as 7.5 v on a 1500 maH, it is nice to have a real number.
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Even though Jason says he wants to record at 16/48, I suspect that his MT was set for 24/48 at the time he checked the record time available.
That's exactly what happened. after setting up, but still pre-show, I realized my error and that the 4 gig card would hold approx. 6 hours at 16/48.
So here's what happened last night. Preshow, I'm playing around with the unit, because I didn't have a chance to do any tests beforehand, just barely had enough time for the battery to fully charge. still pre-show, I'm all like "cool, I can make it record" I go through all the settings, the menus are very straight-forward. I'm plugged into AC power (just the MicroTrack, everything else is my normal SLA setup), so I leave it on, and I'm good to go.
The band comes onstage, I get my D8 rolling, and then, bam, the Microtrack freezes. after some fiddling, and holding down the power button for a long time (probably similar to the 20 seconds that Todd experienced), I get the unit to shut off. turn it back on and hit record. By this time, the DAT has been rolling for about 2 minutes. Luckily for me, the band had been tuning and getting ready, so I didn't actually miss any music (not that it really mattered, because I had the DAT going anyway).
but then it recorded fine, with nothing out of the ordinary for the first set, 2 hours and 10 minutes. At the start of the second set, it does not freeze and acts as it should. records fine for the 1 hour second set.
again, just for clarity, this was out of the V3's S/PDIF coax out, set at 16/48. I was using a 4 GB Sandisk Ultra II CF card. the microtrack was plugged in to AC power, so I don't have anything to report yet on battery life.
One strange observation. The green light under the level controls, doesn't that mean that you're getting signal? I need to read the manual more closely. Anyway, during the first set, I saw those flash off and on a bit. I hope that doesn't mean that there are drop outs in the recording. I'll have to look at the file this afternoon when I get home from work.
both sets together were 2.04 gigs. using a USB 2 card reader, it took 16 minutes to copy the files to my computer.
the other good thing about the experience last night was the show. Man, it was GREAT. really, really awesome show.
However, even with the Microtrack, 3 and a half hours of sleep just isn't enough. it's going to be a LONG day at work...
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Yep, those are just signal indicator lights. They were handy last night.. I was able to peak into my pocket and see that I was still probably rolling. Not that there was much I could do if they went out..
If anyone would like to host some samples of the beck show, please drop me a pm. It will be a while before the seed gets cranking.
FWIW, it was clipping along pretty well when I left the house.
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I used mine last night a Los Lobos. Ran it out of the SBM-1 > coax in.
It worked great for the first set, then right before the band came on as the lights went out, damn thing froze up.
I did everything even pulled out the CF card and put it back in but it was still on and frozen. Finally I don't know what I did but it powered down and started back up. Missed the first tune but had the DAT rolling.
Anyway, my first impression is that this is a glorified JB3, but has potential.
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Got my MT on wednesday. Made the decision after reading this thread when someone confirmed it worked at 16/44.1 through the spdif input. I bought it in person at a store in Toronto ($499 cdn) that received their shipment on monday I was the first person to buy one from them and they had a stack of 15 MT's sitting there. The guys in the store were dying to try it out but had not opened up one of the boxes yet. I was surprised to find it so easily as I usually order all my gear from the USA and have it shipped.
I only had time to charge it on wednesday night. First charge took about 2.5 hours until the charging was complete. I turned it off and then immediately charged it again and it took another 1 to 1.5 hours untill it indicated it was fully charged again. Then I did the same yesterday when i got home, again about 1 to 1.5 hours till charged. I wanted to make sure it was fully charged before testing.
I wasn't able to really spend much time testing it last night but I did let it record until the battery died. I didn't have a digi-cable that would fit the the tight spdif plug on the MT so I simply ran the 1/8" out of my laptop to the 1/8" on the MT. I recorded a MP3 at the lowest quality setting since i only have a 2GB CF card. I was able to set levels at first when I was playing around with the unit trying to get a signal but once it started recording it appeared that I had no control over the levels anymore (hold was not on). Not sure why this happened. File plays OK but the loud parts were clipped as expected since it was going over a lot.
This morning i checked the file and it recorded for 4.5 hours. I also wasted at least half an hour trying out various digi-cables and playing around with levels and such. I think I would have gotten over 5 hours on the internal battery if I had simply hit record. I'm not sure if this is significantly more than i will get using the spdif. I plan on doing that today, now that I have a digi-cable that fits into the connector (had to shave off the plastic on one side of the cable to make it fit beside the USB plug).
Hope to be up and recording shows again soon.
Thanks for all the help on this thread,
Jeff
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the cmc6 and the ccm series can run on everything from 12-48 without any problem , but you have to check if there enouth current on the outputs to drive the preamp
Oleg, you're right. The cmc3 is 48v only and the cmc6 is 12-48v.
But wait, this source says 12 or 48v and that the impedance changes. I hope that includes everything in between. Schoeps says the cmc6 has "dual voltage security". That sorta implies either/or.
http://www.noyzboyz.nl/schoeps.html
http://www.schoeps.de/E-2004/cmc.html
I guess we should start a 'phantom on mt' thread to discuss which mics can work at 30 volts and related issues. I'd like to call MA about the 30 volts but probably won't have time today.
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Before people start calling it might be important to try your mics out first...
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I think I'd rather risk a call than risk a $1700 mic :P
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I think I'd rather risk a call than risk a $1700 mic :P
under powering will not damage the mic
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I ran cmc6 with an oade m118 (providing 18 volts of phantom power) quite a few times without problem (fwiw)
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I think I'd rather risk a call than risk a $1700 mic :P
you dont risk anything if you power the 48 mike with 30 phantom :-)
the cmc3 is intend to work with 12 v , but it can run on 48 as well( i did it a few times in my life with no problem when i need another cmc but didn't have 12v separate phantom on the mixer ) but then it drows about 10 ma what might be critical for some inputs ..
the schoeps cmc6 ,cmc3 or ccms can run on everything in between . the cmc 5 which is 48ph only wouldn't work properly with low voltage, it would distort on very low spl and the self noise will go up drastically
lets say that that m -audio mostly hit hard all the octava and low cost chiniz users which runs 48 v
the others who can afford the mkhs ,sankens , neumans ,dpa or any other quality mikes -usially can afford deneky ps-2 as well if they decide to run straight forward :-)
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Just received my MT and have got it charging up, but I did have to see how the unit responded to my Hitachi 6gb microdrive. The microdrive I have was taken out of a Ipod mini and I have read about capability problems do to an alleged Apple code which was written to the drive making it unusable on certain devices. The MT booted up with no errors with the Hitachi drive. The drive formatted very quickly and displayed just under three hours of record time available at 24/96. Will try a 24/96 recording once the charging cycle is complete.
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p.s. added comparison pics of the MT with an M1/SBM1/Sonosax
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=50750.0
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Actually Tim, you can easily run the AT853Rx on less than 48v. You can run any voltage below 48 and the 853 power modules will simply take whatever voltage down to the proper operating range. I have used 18volts to power them before.
If the p48 active naks use a similar power module, they will work just fine as well.
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When the phantom issue becomes just that, is when I want to stealth with the microtracker and get a 24 bit recording without inserting a PSP2 or something akin to it in front. I will not be able to run my AT853Rx mics or my p48 active mod Naks 300s straight into the micrtotrack and get 24 bit if this thing ouptuts 30. I am unable to prodce 24 bit stealth tapes with this unit by itself, seriously diminshing the value of the unit for me atleast. Running a pre in front of it is not that big a deal, but it's disappointing when the setup could easily be mics > microtrack.
Let's keep our fingers crosssed, hopefully it will output a true 48 volts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------snip----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the AT can run on everything between12-52 or without phantom at all :-)( electret mike -bias from 1/8 pl)
i dont think that the phantom power would be fix by firmware update ( the same for the battery life issiu)
they would need to redesign the whale power circuit which might bring to design completely new board - or almost completely new product .
like every new product of its kind , m-audio made allot of mistakes and compromises
and these mistakes and compromises are part of the final cost of the product ,might be that without these it wouldn't go to the market at all.
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Ok, well here's an odd thing. Inverting the JB3 recording and mixing it into the MicroTrack recording yields a completely flat wav form. However the hash for the files (pre-inversion in the case of the jb3) are very different. Any reason for this?
A 1 bit difference between two files could result in very different md5 hashes.
Yeah but wouldn't that mean I couldn't have a completely flat wav form?
Is there any header info in the WAV files?
Quite possible. How would I go about discovering if there is?
Well, if you're in the PC world and aren't scared of a non-GUI method, there's always the ol' reliable "fc /b file1.wav file2.wav > diffs.txt" from a command prompt to generate a file (diffs.txt) with the hex differences and/or offsets. Works best if they're close, though. If they're mixing to a flat wave, you're presumably quite close.
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I just wanted to come in here and say that the 16/48 S/PDIF input is indeed bit-accurate.
This is based on an set 2 of the show that I taped last night. V3 > D8 via AES1 output, V3 > Microtrack via the coax output.
I haven't yet transferred set 1, and I'll test that one as well. but set 2 was an hour long. Microtrack file copied with a USB 2 card reader.
the DAT was transferred via D8 > EgoSys Waveterminal 2496 > Cool Edit 2000.
I then trimmed both files to start and end at exactly the same place. Then I used mkwACT to generate md5 files for both.
89c23072bd5dd4c2d86d6abb13cf2847 *set2-DAT.wav
89c23072bd5dd4c2d86d6abb13cf2847 *set2-MT.wav
;D
So amid all the bugs and quirks of the initial firmware, this gives me a good deal of hope. I know I'm not the first one to do bit accuracy tests, but I don't think John's tests were over the same length of time. So basically, in my mind, this proves that not only does it not resample the digital input, but it also doesn't have any periodic or random blips over a long period of time.
after I transfer the 2 hour long first set, I'll do the same thing and post here with results.
Edit: typos
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+T Jason!
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Freelunch, you really let the setlist requester have it on DaD!! ;D
Hey, a few questions....namely that you ran mic-in or what? How far back were you? The recording is quite good but there is one thing I have noticed and I am not sure if it is the MT or the processing, The highs at times are a just a tiny bit washy. I just want to say that the show itself is really a decent Beck show
That SP batt box sure does take the serious boom about of the DPAs. Beck shows are thick, and you managed to take the boomy edge off here. IS the box mini-in? Did you have the DPAs reterminated?
After some of the initial negative things and dissapointment expressed about the MT, I am glad to hear you pulled a very sucessful recording off with the it. It makes me feel much better about it. The only complaint after my handling it last week was that it felt kind of cheap. Reminds me of my Rio 500 a bit.
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I've added some internal pics of the MT in the rig section. I did note the adc chip which is used in the MT and have provided a link to the specs of this adc.
http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/product/ak5365/ek5365.pdf
Also, the headphone amplifier which several people have commented on can be found at the link below.
http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tpa152.pdf
Enjoy yr weekend...
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It could be that I'm overly tired at the moment and I'm missing something, but does anyone have a problem with setting a record level with out actually starting a new file to do so. It doesn't seem like I can put the unit into a record pause mode to get a level for a later recording. I do have "monitor recording" enabled via the menu but I can't see a recording level without actually starting a recording.
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hello bonjour...
What "rig" or "rigpics" means...
Thank you ;o)
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I've added some internal pics of the MT in the rig section. I did note the adc chip which is used in the MT and have provided a link to the specs of this adc.
http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/product/ak5365/ek5365.pdf
The PGA in the ADC has a range of 0 - 12dB. Did you see any opamps or similar near the ADC?
Hmm. Is the limiter usable? ???
What resistor value is between pins 10 & 11 and 14 & 15 of the ADC?
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hello bonjour...
What "rig" or "rigpics" means...[/url]
Voila! (http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=50750.0) (click there)
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Merci :)
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It could be that I'm overly tired at the moment and I'm missing something, but does anyone have a problem with setting a record level with out actually starting a new file to do so. It doesn't seem like I can put the unit into a record pause mode to get a level for a later recording. I do have "monitor recording" enabled via the menu but I can't see a recording level without actually starting a recording.
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I am having the same problem. I was able to set the levels initially but then I had no control over it. I assume this will be fixed soon.
Yesterday I ran the output from my DAT deck into the spdif input (16/44.1) and was able to record for 4:45 on the internal battery alone. I'm pretty happy with this. I hope it can maintain these recording times. The unit was still powered after 4:45 but I could not start a new file. I'm guessing if the battery voltage is too low it won't allow you to start a new recording??
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Has anyone checked to see if the MT can take a consumer AES signal (such as from AES1 on the V3) yet?
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My MT will not display the recorded levels on playback, or give me the ability to set a recording level prior to actually creating a file. Can anyone confirm this with their MT.
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It could be that I'm overly tired at the moment and I'm missing something, but does anyone have a problem with setting a record level with out actually starting a new file to do so. It doesn't seem like I can put the unit into a record pause mode to get a level for a later recording. I do have "monitor recording" enabled via the menu but I can't see a recording level without actually starting a recording.
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I am having the same problem. I was able to set the levels initially but then I had no control over it. I assume this will be fixed soon.
Yesterday I ran the output from my DAT deck into the spdif input (16/44.1) and was able to record for 4:45 on the internal battery alone. I'm pretty happy with this. I hope it can maintain these recording times. The unit was still powered after 4:45 but I could not start a new file. I'm guessing if the battery voltage is too low it won't allow you to start a new recording??
I'm going to take a wild guess yet, but given what you just said and considering what I've read in the manual, didn't it seem weird to you guys in the manual how they kept giving examples where they started recording, got the level right, stopped recording, and then you were "ready" to tape? Didn't I read a bunch of examples like that in the manual? Kind of implies that they didn't program a rec-pause-like mode...
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So, how do I set my levels? The right channel button seems to control both channels and the left channel button doesn't do anything.
Is that normal?
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So, how do I set my levels? The right channel button seems to control both channels and the left channel button doesn't do anything.
Is that normal?
yes, Under the "System" menu, there is a control to "Link L+R " if you want seperate controls over each channel, just turn that function "off"
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Freelunch, you really let the setlist requester have it on DaD!! ;D
Yeah, I just wasn't in the mood for whining from non-tapers on a show that I worked so hard to get out quickly ;)
Hey, a few questions....namely that you ran mic-in or what? How far back were you? The recording is quite good but there is one thing I have noticed and I am not sure if it is the MT or the processing, The highs at times are a just a tiny bit washy. I just want to say that the show itself is really a decent Beck show
I was on the main floor about 60' from the stage and about 4' right of dfc.
I'll have to check out the highs. I've listened to the recording a bit but have had very little time since the show (just got back into town). Plus, I couldn't eval it being very sleep deprived.
It would be interesting to go record a drum kit to comp the high end, etc. I'm sure we'll be seeing some very interesting comps soon. I can't wait to run my schoeps directly into this thing.
You guys should feel free to tear the quality apart, I don't mind. I only wish I had a similar 4061 source from a modsbm, etc.
I ran into the mic input with a 20db attenuation cable. That was necessary because my MT is defective and I can't switch it into line in mode. I assume line in mode would make the pad cable unnecessary. Even with the pad, I ran the levels only one or two clicks from the lowest setting!
Keep in mind that this pad cable may not be well tuned to this rig. We don't know the impedance of the microtracker at various gain settings (it is typically different). Attenuators, and bass rolloff circuits, should be matched to the impedance of the mics and the pre-amp input. AT mics are in the 200 ohm range. The 4061 is 30-40 ohms. I don't know how much sonic impact this has, but we need to put some effort into measuring this aspect of the MT. I'd be happy to work on that but I can't really do it until mine is replaced. There is a great thread here that explains how it was done for the jb3.
So I would not be the least bit surprised if the highs on this recording suffered due to this attenuator config or an ill matched bass rolloff. Even if the attenuator were well matched, this is still a high gain recording that should have been a low gain recording. I'm guessing the MT can do much better than this.
That SP batt box sure does take the serious boom about of the DPAs. Beck shows are thick, and you managed to take the boomy edge off here. IS the box mini-in? Did you have the DPAs reterminated?
That was my first time seeing him live and the bass was very thick. I wonder how it would have sounded with the filter in the off setting. The microtrack does not seem to be lacking on bass.
I re-soldered the dpa's with a miniplug. Sound pro did my bbox with a female miniplug on a pigtail so I could easily change the connector type later. I could have made my own bbox but didn't have time and their service was great.
Afife has made many many more 4061 recordings than I have. His approach is to not use the rolloff on his SP box.. I don't have enough experience with these mics and this much bass to say which is best. This was the first time I've used the rolloff with the dpa's (I've used it with CMC4's, where it seems more necessary due to brickwalling, etc).
After some of the initial negative things and dissapointment expressed about the MT, I am glad to hear you pulled a very sucessful recording off with the it. It makes me feel much better about it. The only complaint after my handling it last week was that it felt kind of cheap. Reminds me of my Rio 500 a bit.
I'm pleased with it. The bass seems fairly accurate to where I was in the venue. That's saying a lot considering how much there was. I love those 4061's.. The MT is Very light weight. I think the fit of the case is very good and that the cheapness feel is due to the light weight (and those cheap switches).
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I'm going to take a wild guess yet, but given what you just said and considering what I've read in the manual, didn't it seem weird to you guys in the manual how they kept giving examples where they started recording, got the level right, stopped recording, and then you were "ready" to tape? Didn't I read a bunch of examples like that in the manual? Kind of implies that they didn't program a rec-pause-like mode...
So time for a change? I'll check the bug thread...
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Yep, saw that too, sounds like that didn't plan for it. Very unusual to leave out a feature like Rec/Standby. I did a test tonite at my gig just using the external mic that came with it, and actually it was pretty painless to set the levels while recording and then quickly delete the file before I started to play, but still I'd much prefer to be able to just press one button once, than having to press Rec, then Del, then Del again, and then Rec to set a level and start a recording. I sure hope they get enough complaints about it to do something about it. I'd also like to be able to hear/monitor during rec/pause mode.
I also notice some features in the manual that aren't available yet on the MT, so that's a 'nice' clue to know that the firmware update is definitely imminent (I hope!)
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Depending on how much effort M-Audio wants to put into newer firmwares I either want one good update with most of the bugfixes which can wait a week longer or so or a few regular updates with bugfixes and feature requests.
(no one commendted yet on the limiter that is in the ADC; would it be useful enough to be able to limit the few dB's from say -4 to 0 dB with a nice limiting?
Or would it sound like crap? (depending on settings of course, see ADC datasheet; got no experience here))
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for those like me that have an R1 a fastest record start can be done if after the boot start ,by :-* simply hitting twice as quick as you can " record " (like in your pc mouse) it is a waste of time waiting to see the slow record blinking
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Has anyone checked to see if the MT can take a consumer AES signal (such as from AES1 on the V3) yet?
I used both the AES1 (set to consumer) and AES2 (always set pro) from my V3 and it recorded the digital stream without a problem.
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Has anyone checked to see if the MT can take a consumer AES signal (such as from AES1 on the V3) yet?
I used both the AES1 (set to consumer) and AES2 (always set pro) from my V3 and it recorded the digital stream without a problem.
That's great news! I'd +T you if I had enough posts. :-X
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Has anyone recorded with the 6GB apple microdrive? I saw a post that someone had formatted it but not yet recorded to it. I've used the Hitachi 4gb microdrive without a problem for some living room test recordings at 24/96. So far I think the recording quality is excellent with phantom and line in -- despite all the other glitches. 4022 > SXM2 > MT is a nice little package ;)
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Has anyone recorded with the 6GB apple microdrive? I saw a post that someone had formatted it but not yet recorded to it. I've used the Hitachi 4gb microdrive without a problem for some living room test recordings at 24/96. So far I think the recording quality is excellent with phantom and line in -- despite all the other glitches. 4022 > SXM2 > MT is a nice little package ;)
Yes. I recorded Drop Q(Umphrey's McGee/Fareed Haque Group member's) last night to an Hitachi 6gb microdrive I took out of a Ipod mini. No problems on this run.
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Has anyone recorded with the 6GB apple microdrive? I saw a post that someone had formatted it but not yet recorded to it. I've used the Hitachi 4gb microdrive without a problem for some living room test recordings at 24/96. So far I think the recording quality is excellent with phantom and line in -- despite all the other glitches. 4022 > SXM2 > MT is a nice little package ;)
Yes. I recorded Drop Q(Umphrey's McGee/Fareed Haque Group member's) last night to an Hitachi 6gb microdrive I took out of a Ipod mini. No problems on this run.
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How were the battery runtimes? What sort of external battery did you use, if any?
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Yup I am ready for a firmware update on the MT ..gotta be easy enough
Software
I want MONO
I want PAUSE
I want RECORD control
I want playback level control
I want STOP
I want SCRUB on playback
Hardware
I want a stronger case .. metal please
I want faster bootup
I want fast record start
I want passthru input/output -- maybe this works already .. but a deal breaker if not
I want better mikes
I want battery replacement or external battery pack input (yes a 12v > 110AC can be used with a car lighter power converter)
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Yup I am ready for a firmware update on the MT ..gotta be easy enough
Software
I want MONO
I want PAUSE
I want RECORD control
I want playback level control
I want STOP
I want SCRUB on playback
Hardware
I want a stronger case .. metal please
I want faster bootup
I want fast record start
I want passthru input/output -- maybe this works already .. but a deal breaker if not
I want better mikes
I want battery replacement or external battery pack input (yes a 12v > 110AC can be used with a car lighter power converter)
:lol: <----- whether you're joking, or serious (fat chance on that wish list - it's already in production and a few of your wishes simply won't happen)
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Has anyone recorded with the 6GB apple microdrive? I saw a post that someone had formatted it but not yet recorded to it. I've used the Hitachi 4gb microdrive without a problem for some living room test recordings at 24/96. So far I think the recording quality is excellent with phantom and line in -- despite all the other glitches. 4022 > SXM2 > MT is a nice little package ;)
Yes. I recorded Drop Q(Umphrey's McGee/Fareed Haque Group member's) last night to an Hitachi 6gb microdrive I took out of a Ipod mini. No problems on this run.
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How were the battery runtimes? What sort of external battery did you use, if any?
I ran the MT with the interanl battery without phantom power for the duration of the 90minute show. There's plenty of battery life testing being done and posted about in the other thread.
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Yup I am ready for a firmware update on the MT ..gotta be easy enough
Software
I want MONO
I want PAUSE
I want RECORD control
I want playback level control
I want STOP
I want SCRUB on playback
Hardware
I want a stronger case .. metal please
I want faster bootup
I want fast record start
I want passthru input/output -- maybe this works already .. but a deal breaker if not
I want better mikes
I want battery replacement or external battery pack input (yes a 12v > 110AC can be used with a car lighter power converter)
"You'll get nothing, and like it!"
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+t for the Caddyshack reference, musicsherlock. ;D
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Anyone get a "Media Full!" error message when the CF card is blank?
I can't get mine to record anything now, it just says the media is full, which it isn't
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Have you tried formatting it?
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Have you tried formatting it?
I sure have, a few times, still not working! damn thing...
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I've had this happen when I tried to switch out a full media card with an empty one with the power still on. It seems to need to power up with the empty card inside. Try turning it off, putting in the blank CF card, and then powering it back up again.
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BTW, just tested my Audix m1290s with this thing and they work fine off the phantom power supplied.
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Anyone get a "Media Full!" error message when the CF card is blank?
I can't get mine to record anything now, it just says the media is full, which it isn't
The nice design of the MT requires a power down upon insertion of the card. (i.e.: detect a new card but not act appropriately...)
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Sorry for the slight change in topic. But what's the opion on the pre in this thing? I've only heard Brian (freelunch's) Beck recording so far and I'm not sure if it was just him being conservative on the levels or what. But I'm not hearing what I expected to hear (not that I know what that is exactly) Just curious what other have to say.
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Sorry for the slight change in topic. But what's the opion on the pre in this thing? I've only heard Brian (freelunch's) Beck recording so far and I'm not sure if it was just him being conservative on the levels or what. But I'm not hearing what I expected to hear (not that I know what that is exactly) Just curious what other have to say.
I haven't tried the mic in (probably will never use it), but I tested the line-in of the MT compared to a V3 and compared to a ToddR-modSBM1. The comparison/bittorrent is over on COtapers.org. I thought the MT sounded very good line-in.
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I haven't tried the mic in (probably will never use it), but I tested the line-in of the MT compared to a V3 and compared to a ToddR-modSBM1. The comparison/bittorrent is over on COtapers.org. I thought the MT sounded very good line-in.
Cool! I've been hoping for some more comps. What mics and material did you use, Todd? If they were the AKG's, they're powered by the box and not the MT, right?
I'm hoping to get the schoeps connected tonight.. Just need to make another cable.
Edit: I see that these are line-in with no mics.
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I've got it running B&K 4023 > 1/4" TRS > phantom on right now. Seems to be working.
Anyone know anything about the 27db Boost? Other than it "boosts the signal"
EDIT:
Okay I don't think you can run this. My levels are really low, I couldn't get the levels past -20db.
I am guess this is b/c of not having 48 volts?
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Go on over to Oade and check out Doug's samples. There was extreme noise on the full gain sample.
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bling! got my shipping notifier from cascade
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My real life experience: its charging... :)
after playing with it to check out its feel, I really like it. Seems pretty sturdy for such a small box. I think when people say it feels cheap, they get that thought because its light maybe... its unreal how little this thing weighs.
One thing I noticed... the included mic, appears to be Panasonic WM-61a caps (think Core Sound). w/5v powering it from the MT, it might be useful in a pinch...
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bling! got my shipping notifier from cascade
Same here, bling, bling !
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more real life experince - I recorded my second show with the MicroTrack last night.
this time, S/PDIF input from V3, set at 16 bit, 44.1 kHz. I was not plugged into AC power, but again, didn't really have to test the battery life, because the show was only an hour and half. (half hour opening set + 1 hour set of second band). This time, the AES1 output (set to consumer mode) was feeding the MicroTrack, and the coax S/PDIF output went to my D8.
before both sets, the unit froze when I hit record. after powering down, and restarting, the unit recording the 16/44.1 data stream flawlessly. also, this time, based on past experience from last week, and others with the same problem, I was expecting it to freeze. So I gave myself more time to get it going. and thus, despite the freezes, I lost no music (still running the D8 as a backup). I realize that many times, we don't have the luxury to know when the band is going to start, and thus cannot give ourselves an extra minute to get it running.
Hopefully the new firmware will come and this problem of freezing will be resolved.
on a side note, while I'm still lusting after a reliable 24 bit S/PDIF input on the device, it works very well as a 16 bit recorder. it sure beats transferring DATs. man, I should have gotten a jb3 a long time ago :)
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bling! got my shipping notifier from cascade
Same here, bling, bling !
I'm seething w/ jealousy. My real-life experience is an email from Natalia at DJMart saying my MT won't ship until the 5th. :'(
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I just posted pics of a dongle I made to send my 4061's into the TRS inputs while drawing power from the 1/8 5v. No more bbox! ;D
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=51031.0
Great!
So this means the this 5V is always on when recording from 1/4"?
The 5V is of good enough quality for using it to power the mics? (no deteriorated SNR etc?)
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The 5V is of good enough quality for using it to power the mics? (no deteriorated SNR etc?)
I recently learned that the 4060/4061 are designed for 5V, so this should be ideal..
4060 specs (http://www.dpamicrophones.com/module.php?MID=101&itemid=4060-BM&function=pspecification), 4061 specs (http://www.dpamicrophones.com/module.php?MID=101&itemid=4061-BM&function=pspecification)
Roel
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The 5V is of good enough quality for using it to power the mics? (no deteriorated SNR etc?)
I recently learned that the 4060/4061 are designed for 5V, so this should be ideal..
Ok, thanks, but the 5V has no power supply ripple or similar? (from power conevrtors?)
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Well I don't know how I did it, but I fixed whatever it was wrong. It's charging right now. As soon as it's done I'll do some SPDIF tests.
I had the same problem with mine (out of the box) also.
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Does anybody how owns one of these have access to a PreAmp or anything else that might produce a real AES digital signal? I'm really curious to know what happens when you feed it an AES signal.
Wayne
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Does anybody how owns one of these have access to a PreAmp or anything else that might produce a real AES digital signal? I'm really curious to know what happens when you feed it an AES signal.
Wayne
Covered at the top of pg 22 of this thread. No problem for me for either AES pro signal or AES consumer signal, coming from the V3.
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Has anyone tried running AT853Rx's through this guy using phantom?
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I haven't found this info on the forum, but can the MicroTrack stay one "forever" with the adapter plugged in? As in a non-stealth situation with AC power on tap? Or does it still run the battery down eventually... shut down... and need to be internally recharged again?
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Did anyone here do some measurements on the 5V off the 1/8" jack?
It's slightly below 5V (4.5 I read?), but how clean is it? Ripple?
What load could it take?
Etc..
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Maybe I phrased my question wrong... or the typo for "on" being "one" did it.
Can you run the Microtrack on AC power indefiinitely? Or is the little charger/adapter thing ONLY good for charging?
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Did anyone here do some measurements on the 5V off the 1/8" jack?
It's slightly below 5V (4.5 I read?), but how clean is it? Ripple?
What load could it take?
Etc..
Mine reads just under 5volts as well, but I don't have a o-scope fast enough to tell if there is a ripple.
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Maybe I phrased my question wrong... or the typo for "on" being "one" did it.
Can you run the Microtrack on AC power indefiinitely? Or is the little charger/adapter thing ONLY good for charging?
I am not positive but I suspect that the MT runs off batteries full time and the AC adapter charges it. I base this on the fact that out of the box, my MT would not even power up at first until it charged the battery a bit.
That said, I suspect that the charge current is greater than the discharge current so once you have some charge on the battery, the thing can probably stay on and AC powered forever.
Paul
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I formatted a 4gb hitachi microdrive and have the record setting set to accept spdif 16 bit. It says recording time available 1:57???? It stopped at 1 hour during the first run :-\
Anybody see this before?
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Did you check the file on a PC to see what bit and sample rate was actually recorded. If it is accurate to the settings you had on the MT, I would most likely think it was just a spidf lock-up error. Hopefully the new firmware will be released soon to smoothen things about a bit.
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So, do you think this is a better DAT replacement than the JB3? I still have my Apogee AD1K, which I love, and plan to use till it's death. I currently record to a Vaio via a Digigram VX Pocket, but power is an issue. Not to mention that when I'm doing concert reviews that need to be filed that night I can't record. I've been looking at something that I can use at 16 bit till the Apogee dies, then go to 24.
I guess part of it is how are the AD/pre stages on various components compared to the AD1K? Has anyone compared an AD1K to a V3 to a 722? That's sort of my dilema right now.
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Did you check the file on a PC to see what bit and sample rate was actually recorded. If it is accurate to the settings you had on the MT, I would most likely think it was just a spidf lock-up error. Hopefully the new firmware will be released soon to smoothen things about a bit.
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Recorded again and stopped at around the 57:00 mark. File was correct 16 biit 48k. I thought is was a start id on the DAT with some blank space, but that was not the case. As you say most likely an spdif issue.
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Time for a new thread, PT II:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=51241.0