Topic: sony MZ-M100, MicroTrack or R1???

[djrobin]

I want to capture "found sounds" and tape some live small group performances - all in uncompressed format (.wav).  I'll be using either a Rode NT4 or 2 AKG C1000S mics.  The question is which of the three recorders is best right now (meaning with their current firmware versions since there's no guarantee that firmware for the m-audio or Edirol devices will ever be updated).  Any recommendations, suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated.  I need to purchase a recorder by Tuesday next week.

Thanks very much.

Best regards,
David Robin

[Pokey1]

Personally. I have not used the Sony or the R1. But speaking for the Micro Track. I'm very pleased with the quality,portability and ease of use. At this point I have used it for live recording at band rehearsals blues,and rock music live an loud and on the spot interviews and it works flawlessly with the exception that it needs to be rebooted to play your files back. I have not downloaded the firmware that is offered as of yet. That they say does the fixes. Mine was bought in late November and have had no trouble as of yet.I recieved it on Christmas. Maybe it has been upgraded already. I can also remove the sound card that comes with it and put it in the card slots of my dvd player and play it right through my stero as soon as I get home. Recordings are great, even in MP3 lowest grade recording. I haven't down loaded to my computer yet but I have read in the post that it is no problem. I don't like that you can't bookmark your recording. Have to play the file from start to finish. You have to stop recording and start recording to make seperate files. Stop recording at the end of each song and start recording at the start of next song to creat new file. Hope the is helpful. I was scared before I got mine on Christmas because of all the negative reviews but I'm quite happy with my gift. No complaints as of yet. No problems with peaking and I'm a drummer. The mike that comes with it picks up highs and lows very well. Hope this help you with your decision.

[dallman]

I use a NJB3 and the MicroTrack, and I really enjoy the MicroTrack. The recordings have been great. I tend to record live music in clubs or arenas or wherever it need be. I have done all the firmware upgrades, they have made the machine perform noticably better, The unit is now very stable. I have an issue still with the fact that you cannot fade the tracks out, and in a very loud environment, that means clipping even at the lowest recordable level. The good news is that even when clipping is visible, the sound is clear and undistorted. I can only assume that the ability to go lower will be dealt with in a later firmware, as it makes no sense that you cannot fade to silence.

That said, I really am enjoying the MicroTrack, the recordings seem to sound cleaner than the NJB3. If you look at the negative comments closely, most of them are by people who have not yet even purchased the unit, or by people who have specific problems with their set up, and understandably they want those issues dealt with.

It is safe to say there will be other firmware updates; M-Tek has made it clear that they want to keep improving the hardware which is easily done by upgrades to the firmware. Each fix has been worthwhile, and the installation is simple.