Topic: $500 Budget need Bit Bucket!

[nedstruzz]

Any suggestions?

Preferably looking for something that I could patch with as well.  Coax!

[nedstruzz]

But isn't this considered a question??? 

Appologies for the misplaced posts. 

[dgodwin]

patience is key.  You posted your reply 15 minutes after your original post.  There's plenty of info out there.  If you want coax digital, then it seems like the microtracker might be what you're looking for.

[nedstruzz]

I was trying to figure out what section to post this question and I decided on Ask the Tapers but alas it was move to recording equipment.  I never seem to get it right. 

So the MicroTrack has a coax input but doesn't it also not cut files seemlessly at 2gigs? 

I appreciate your response. 

[Brian Skalinder]

But isn't this considered a question???

Sure, but it's specific to recording gear, hence the move.

Appologies for the misplaced posts. 

No biggie, happens all the time.

So the MicroTrack has a coax input but doesn't it also not cut files seemlessly at 2gigs?

Correct.  At 24/48, the MT gets about 1h 55m before needing to start a new file.  I rarely record any sets > 1h 55m, so I used one for a while with great enjoyment.

Do you care whether 16- or 24-bit?

24-bit, <= $500
MicroTrack 24/96

24-bit, > $500
Tascam HD-P2
Marantz PMD-671

16-bit
JB3 (under budget, optical input, requires digital format converter)
iRiver iHP-1xx (under budget, optical input, requires digital format converter)
Marantz PMD-670 (dunno what they sell for these days)
Various DAT recorders

You might also consider selling your preamp / ADC and putting the money towards an all-in-one solution like the HD-P2, PMD-671, Korg MR-1, etc.

[nedstruzz]

Thanks Brian!  Its actually for a buddy of mine who has been running Nak 701's>Battery box>D8 that wants to go to files instead of tape.  He really wanted the R-09 until I told him that he can't patch digitally.  I guess the MicroTrack is a good way to go as I don't think he will be effected by the 2gig limit. 

I appreciate all that you do here for us!

[nedstruzz]

So it looks like an R-09 or the MicroTrack.  Between these two options what are the pro's and cons? 

[JoeKiller]

So it looks like an R-09 or the MicroTrack.  Between these two options what are the pro's and cons? 

This is probably the most common question.  Doing a quick search in this section for R-09 yields:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,77741.0.html
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,86482.0.html
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,87872.0.html

I run a MT and love it.  Besides, it is the only sub-$500 that has SPDIF.  Sold.

[nedstruzz]

Thanks Joe, good info.  Seems to be an even split between the two untis though. 

Seems the R-09 has a better, pre amp and battery situation but the 24/96 has the coax input.  Anyone know other options to power the 24/96 as appose to the internal battery? 

[firebaugh]

The MT can be used with battery packs that have USB plugs.  I'd imagine the R-09 could too but you'd have to open the battery door on the bottom to get to it.

[Rick]

I'd wait till the MicroTrack version 2 is announced. I'd image its more stable and I would hope they would address the split issue.

Rick

[JoeKiller]

I'd wait till the MicroTrack version 2 is announced. I'd image its more stable and I would hope they would address the split issue.

Rick

I think Rick is correct, it should be coming out in the next month or so.  I would wait also.

[jerryfreak]

pdaudio cf + a used pda off ebay (like a dell axim x50v) is the only reliable bit bucket under $500 for 24/96 recording

end of thread

[goodcooker]

I bought my Marantz PMD670 off ebay for less than 350. Looked brand new.
+s - reliable, runs forever off rechargable AAs, decent meters, spdif I/O
-s - huge, worthless mic pres, did I say huge?, 16bit/48kHz

I use mine solely as a bucket behind a preamp

[macdaddy]

pdaudio cf + a used pda off ebay (like a dell axim x50v) is the only reliable bit bucket under $500 for 24/96 recording

end of thread

have you confirmed that this pda will record @ 24/96 for extended periods of time (say 3 hours)..? my pda (h2210) will NOT, though it is terrific @ 16/48.

i was thinking of ditching the pda setup for hi-rez work, and going up to the new fostex machine...

[jerryfreak]

well, the biggest card the axim and most pdas can accept is 4gb, which is about 2 hrs at 24/96 (as two seamless 1-hr files). I have yet to cross two hours at any show, and if i feel a band will play an uninterrrupted 2 hr+ set i'll roll at 2448 and get 4 hours.

gordon is currently rewriting the flac coding for live2496, the previous flac code didnt work so hot for 24-bit. flac works fine in 16 bit and will let you get like 14 hrs of 16/44 on a 4gb card

once the new flac code is out, 4 hrs of flac'd 24/96 on a 4gb card is in order.

also there are some peeps working on a hack to enable sdhc cards on the axim, which would allow for 8gb cards.

either way, its viable now, and soon to get better once the 2hr per card limit at 2496 is broken

in any case, aside from storage limitations, the pdaudiocf is the most relaible interface ive used since the vx pocket. live 2496 has never failed me when the pda is set up correctly (I've tested 100's of hours at home and am probably coming up on 100 hrs of field use)

your 2210 is a pretty old model, prob. doesnt have the cpu to keep up with 24-bit. the axim x50v runs at 624 mhz, and i get 6+ hours of recording off a charge at 24/96, with very low buffer/cpu usage. those axims are only like $225 on ebay, and have a nice vga screen. I bought a 16gb CF card, and am using it as my primary dap/video player as well.

have you confirmed that this pda will record @ 24/96 for extended periods of time (say 3 hours)..? my pda (h2210) will NOT, though it is terrific @ 16/48.

i was thinking of ditching the pda setup for hi-rez work, and going up to the new fostex machine...

[macdaddy]

so you are writing to the sd card, and the pdaudio card fits in the cf slot..?

and you get two hours no problem with 24/96 using this axim model..? does your buffer increase over time, or does it stay relatively constant..? how much buffer is used..?

also, are there any of those axims thatr run @ 520 - i see a few on ebay that list 520 mhz as the preocessor speed, yet it is the same processor that you say runs at 624 mhz. i just dont want to buy the wrong one...

+t for the input.

[Gizby]

jerry: What A/D are you using in front of your PDAudio?

[jerryfreak]

yes, buffer stays pretty constant with good media
with the large battery i get 6 hours of recording time
I have an x50 as well. based on my initial testing its not nearly as bulletproof imo. get an x50v. its worth it for the screen alone, and works out-of-the-box with little to no tinkering. I'm not sure its the processor speed alone, as my x50v can run at 520mhz and below when i set the processor low. theres something else about it.

do you already have a pdaudio card? i will probably have an extra pda+card for sale after next weekend at red rocks. fully configured, bench and field tested.

so you are writing to the sd card, and the pdaudio card fits in the cf slot..?

and you get two hours no problem with 24/96 using this axim model..? does your buffer increase over time, or does it stay relatively constant..? how much buffer is used..?

also, are there any of those axims thatr run @ 520 - i see a few on ebay that list 520 mhz as the preocessor speed, yet it is the same processor that you say runs at 624 mhz. i just dont want to buy the wrong one...

+t for the input.

[jerryfreak]

usually v3 or ad2k, but it also plays nice with any other spdif ive tested

jerry: What A/D are you using in front of your PDAudio?

[macdaddy]

i bought a x51v from ebay. bigger memory, which should hopefully come in handy...

thanks for all of the input.

i have the pdaudio card (three of them, actually). i have been running a pda setup with my hebs for years. i really wanted (and now should have) a unit to record 24/96 so i could have it to capture a soundboard feed at the same time as i run my c422 > p2 setup.