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

[soundpro]

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

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

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

Thanks!!

Chris Carfagno
The Sound Professionals, Inc.

[Sanjay]

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

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

[mmedley.]

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

[kskreider]

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

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

[neutrino]

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

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

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

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

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

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

Thanks for all the good work.

MIKE B

[goose]

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

[mmedley.]

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

I can see it now:

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

Just having a lil' (drunk) fun.

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

[kskreider]

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

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

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

 

[Simp-Dawg]

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

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

[soundpro]

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

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

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

OK....thanks.

Chris

[soundpro]

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

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

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

Chris

[bconnolly]

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

[soundpro]

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

Oops....sorry.

Chris

[kskreider]

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

Oops....sorry.

Chris

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

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