I got a chance to finally get out and test this thing on Friday. I recorded a great local band here in MN, The Transfusers
http://www.transfusers.com/.
Aside from having my main rig, I set up the Trek Stor Vibez as follows: Church Audio Mics>SP-SPSB-1(Battery Box)>Vibez. Since it was a wide open affair, I also used external power, so I cannot comment on battery time.
My observations:
I used the voice option and recorded at -2db. I liked the meters they were pretty easy to read, and seemed to let me know when I was going to clip. The recording has no audible distortion even if I clipped here and there.
I could not get a signal using line in. Not sure why and was not comfortable enough to delve into it on the spot without the manual.
I used the "Lock Buttons" feature, as it seemed pretty easy to hit a button by mistake. There is a firmware glitch in that that shuts off the backlight in this mode, even if it is set to stay on. If it is unlocked, the light did stay on as set. If you touched any button while it was locked, it would light up briefly, but you still could not see the meters as they were behind the locked message.
The screen was great, easy to see and read, and the recorder looks more like a phone than a recorder which is nice when needed. I'd like to find some mics that would work well with out a battery box if possible.
The recording was clean and clear, and this was a noisy bar. I had the mics up high, and I was really pleased with the results. I am not sure where or when I'd use the device, but it was super easy to handle. If I can find a way to run good quality mics without the battery box or with a much smaller one, this device is really portable and easy to use.
I tried the file split just as an experiment, but I have not listened to see it it is seamless. It appeared to be. I also don't know what would happen by itself it it hit 2gb, but I am pretty sure it would start another file.
I had an issue at the first set, where the recorder shut off by itself. I think it was my power management settings, but I am not sure. I changed the power management settings for power to to stay on always, and that solved the problem, but there may be another firmware glitch there as it should not shut off while running if it is set on some kind of auto power off. That type of auto shut off should be if nothing is happening.
Bottom line is I liked the machine. It is easy to use. I do hope they will upgrade the firmware and improve some of the handling issues that are minor but still need to be fixed. I also need to find out more about the line in issues.
For 12gb and the tiny nano like size, it has potential, but there is more testing and experimenting that needs to be done.
Topic: New Stealthable Recorder? (Read 12795 times)