Topic: Which device would you suggest MT II, Edirol r09, Korg MR1

[jbell]

I am looking for a device with a Coax digital input?  You can get Korg MR1 brand new on ebay for $199 or should I invest in a MTI or II?  Does Korg MR1 have a Coax dig. input?  I want to start with something that I could get a digital patch out of.  I am still skeptical about Microtrack due to some many complaints, but the price isn't bad.  Any advice or suggestions would help and thanks to everyone for their input!!

[TaperBryan]

i myself am between the r-09HR and the korg mr-1

i know both have pros/cons.  not sure i'm much help, but i'm in the same boat you're in....haha

[bgalizio]

The only one of those devices with a digital coax input is the Microtrack I or II.

[Belexes]

Sony D50 has digi-in, but it's $400 - $500 new and may not be in your price range.

[fmaderjr]

The MT II is a great bit bucket.

If you need to make line in recordings with it, it is possible to make excellent ones with it if you know how to use it (may require a preamp like the ST-9100).

I don't normally use my MT I, but I've made a few great recordings with the MT I/ST-9100 combo and never had a failure. The MT II is supposed to be better (but for line in, you must know the steps to take to avoid the "sprinkler noise").

If you didn't care about digital in, I'd recommend the Korg, however. The R-09 is good too if you use it with an ST-9100. If you send it to Chris Church and turn it into a Micsketeer (Chris replaces the built in mics) it's an incredibly versatile machine.

[TaperBryan]

i wonder how the following combo/rig would sound:

480s>V3>Edirol R-09HR
480s>V3>Korg MR-1

I also have a psp2 to throw in the mix, too.

I was reading the specs on the Edirol.  It records 27mins/GB in 24/96.  It will record on (up to) a 8GB SDHC card.  So, if I my math is right, that would be 216 mins (or 3.6 hrs) of 24-bit recording on a 8GB SDHC card, right?

[jbell]

So I am still not getting a strong direction on which device works well!!!  I would like to patch into other gear, but plan on building a rig in the near future.  I am just trying to justify the expense to my wife.  In other words what would be a GREAT recorder that would back a good rig in the next year or year and a half?  Thanks this forum has been extremely helpful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rjp]

It's a bit bit more costly, but the Marantz PMD 661 has a coax digital input.

[jbell]

fmaderjr, Why would you recomend the Korg?  Some feed back would be great!

[fmaderjr]

Some people have had problems with it but others, including me, love it. I've never made a bad recording with it, but I've always used it with a ST-9100 preamp. I highly recommend it if you are going to combine it with the ST-9100 (not the UGLY-too hard to do on the fly gain changes).

If you get this combo:
1) You must use the 4 AA battery pack which is free with a new unit to get much over 2 hours recording time. I use 2000 mA envelope rechargeables and get at least 6 hours.
2) Set the MR-1's levels to -6 (unity gain) and get the first 20 dB gain from the ST-9100. Get any attenuation you may need at a loud show from the ST-9100. You can set the Korg as low as -10 dB if necessary, but if you need to set it below that point to keep the meters from hitting 0 dB your recording will distort (thanks guysonic) so I just leave it as -6.

Because you need a battery pack and a preamp for the best results, I don't particularly recommend it for stealth situations. I use an MZ-RH1 mini-disc for that.

I get great results recording this way at 24/44.1 so you should be able to do even better with one of the DSD formats, but frankly I can't hear the difference.

But remember-the Korg has no digital in.

[jbell]

Thanks fmaderjr I appreciate the info.

[taperwheeler]

i am super happy with my mt2...especially 480's>v3>mt2

[manitouman]

i am super happy with my mt2...especially 480's>v3>mt2

I've had a few problems with my MTII but it has been operator error and not the recorder. I've used it in several different combinations and have only had a few bad recording experiences, but it has been my own error.

Core Sound Binaurals>batt box>MTI
Church Audio ST-11>CA 9100>MTII
Mics>UA-5>(digital out)>MTII
Mics>V3>(digital out)>MTII
Mics>Aerco MP-2>MTII

The only problems I've had is:

Used a 1/8" to 1/8" cable and used the MTII to set some of the gain....recording had some hissing noise during low spots in the recording. SOLUTION, allow the preamp to control gain levels.
Ran out of battery power, unit locked up when plugging in external battery power.....SOLUTION, updated firmware to newest version.

Other than that it is a good piece of equipment. Especially if you are just going to patch for starters. Once you have mics and a preamp, all the MTII will serve is just as a bit bucket anyways. 

[jbell]

I bought an MTII the price was great and everyone that owns one seems to support the device!!  I am stoked.