Topic: Mix Pre / Microtrack II or Upgrade to an Edirol R-44??

[cavernut]

Hi i haven't posted here in about a month but you all helped me get stated.

I have a Microtrack II and was considering getting a Mix Pre for Phantom power and more Microphone Control.

I haven't bought my own mics yet, but i have been using a pair of Rode M-3's (Self Powered mics)
I also have been using a pair of Rode NT1 -A's.
If you haven't guessed yet one of my buddies used to be a Rode Dealer.

I also have a (and please don't laugh too hard) a Behringer Ultra Tube Gain Pre. I actually replaced the stock tubes with a pair of Sables and it actually sounds pretty good, No Hiss. But it wont help me out in a live situation.

What I was pondering was Should I buy next; a Mix Pre to use with my Microtrack II or should i upgrade my recorder to the Edirol R-44?
I was thinking the 4 tracks may come in handy in the future. However are the built in Phantom's in the R-44 good enough to power mics without an additional Pre?

Also can you split the tracks and record 2 tracks at a time?

Thanks Michael Foy

[digifish_music]

Hi i haven't posted here in about a month but you all helped me get stated.

I have a Microtrack II and was considering getting a Mix Pre for Phantom power and more Microphone Control.

I haven't bought my own mics yet, but i have been using a pair of Rode M-3's (Self Powered mics)
I also have been using a pair of Rode NT1 -A's.
If you haven't guessed yet one of my buddies used to be a Rode Dealer.

I also have a (and please don't laugh too hard) a Behringer Ultra Tube Gain Pre. I actually replaced the stock tubes with a pair of Sables and it actually sounds pretty good, No Hiss. But it wont help me out in a live situation.

What I was pondering was Should I buy next; a Mix Pre to use with my Microtrack II or should i upgrade my recorder to the Edirol R-44?
I was thinking the 4 tracks may come in handy in the future. However are the built in Phantom's in the R-44 good enough to power mics without an additional Pre?

Also can you split the tracks and record 2 tracks at a time?

Thanks Michael Foy

I have both a MixPre and R44. I also have quite a few Rode mics (NT1A, NT4, NT5) and also own some Behringer gear (Ultravoice 2496 mic preamp, Xenyx 802 mini-mixer & a pair of C-2 mics, so I am definitely not laughing at them).

About the R44, you mean record 2 pairs of stereo tracks? Yes.

Now MixPre + Microtrack II vs R44.

While I haven't heard the line-in on the Microtrack II I will assume it's at least as good as an R09, I had an R09 and now R09HR that I use in combination with the MixPre. The simple answer it all depends on what you want to record.

The R44 has a great set of stock mic preamps and is clean and quiet at all but the highest gain settings. So if you want to record rock/bands/orchestral etc then the R44 is a steal. However if you need to crank up the gain over 48+ dB, then the R44 can't hold a candle to the MixPre.

I do a lot of field recording (ambiances) and in these situations I will go for the MixPre -> R09HR OR MixPre -> R44 every time.  If it's thunder or jets I'll be happy to use the R44 stock. It it's a bit delicate or very quiet then I use the MixPre because I love the inky-black silence it has.

digifish


 

[cavernut]

I really appreciate your input, and i think that made my decision.

I am going for the Mix Pre and i will add on a 4 track recorder down the road.
What i think is most important at this time is a quality Pre.
I am going to have an opportunity to record a totally acoustic set (Not even an guitar Amplifier) of some Heavy Metal Bands.
I am not totally into Heavy Metal but i think them playing totally acoustic may just be something very cool to hear.
I'll let you know......

Thanks Again,
Michael Foy

BTW is it possible to do multitracking with the R-44?
I was thinking Play back 2 tracks and record 2 tracks simultaneously?
I don't think it can but just thought i would ask anyway?
Do you know of any 4 trackers that can do that?

[Will_S]

While I haven't heard the line-in on the Microtrack II I will assume it's at least as good as an R09

I don't think that's a safe assumption - certainly wasn't the case for the original Microtrack, but maybe it's improved.

[Ozpeter]

The R-44 cannot record and play back at the same time.

[digifish_music]

The R-44 cannot record and play back at the same time.

Hey Ozpeter, I was looking for your classical recording sample, but couldn't find it...got a link?

digifish

[su6oxone]

If it's a bit delicate or very quiet then I use the MixPre because I love the inky-black silence it has.

digifish

Yeah, I love that!  It's during those quiet moments inbetween songs at nearly empty venues that you can really appreciate that 'inky black silence' so well.

[Ozpeter]

Hey Ozpeter, I was looking for your classical recording sample, but couldn't find it...got a link?

I don't think I've put one up relating to the R-44 - were you thinking of the Naiant mic sample?  That was probably recorded on something else.

[digifish_music]

Hey Ozpeter, I was looking for your classical recording sample, but couldn't find it...got a link?

I don't think I've put one up relating to the R-44 - were you thinking of the Naiant mic sample?  That was probably recorded on something else.

I am sure you put up a recording made with an R44. It was for a radio program you were working on and if I remember correctly it was about the suitability of the R44 preamps from a noise perspective.

in fact...

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,107743.0.html

digifish

[Ozpeter]

Just as well one of us knows what I've done... I'd forgotten about that one!

[digifish_music]

Just as well one of us knows what I've done... I'd forgotten about that one!

...well it was the H2 recording that was most memorable, sounded good to me. All about performance, venue and mic placement

digifish

[Ozpeter]

I'll be recording a classical concert with the R-44 tonight, but the signal path will be sufficiently bizarre that the result won't be worth posting as any kind of typical example, though it will be good!   

Multiple DPA mics into madi network, into DigiCo big desk, out of the 8 channel outs of that as analog line level into a D888, then stereo mix from D888 into ch 1 & 2 of the R-44 at line level, also main pair from D888 into ch 3 & 4 of the R-44.  The R-44 thus being used to back up the mix from D888, and to back up the key audio from the main pair separately, just in case the D888 throws a tantrum, and just in case the main mix is badly wrong at the same moment. 

But the R-44 is dead handy for chucking into the kit bag almost unnoticed and fulfilling backup roles very simply, as well as being dead handy as the main recorder when only 4 channels are involved.

Venue - http://www.melbournerecital.com.au/main.taf?p=5,4,1,1

[digifish_music]

But the R-44 is dead handy for chucking into the kit bag almost unnoticed and fulfilling backup roles very simply, as well as being dead handy as the main recorder when only 4 channels are involved.

Venue - http://www.melbournerecital.com.au/main.taf?p=5,4,1,1

Oooo, that's what we like to see an obviously acoustically influenced venue design

[Justinasia]

I really appreciate your input, and i think that made my decision.

I am going for the Mix Pre and i will add on a 4 track recorder down the road.
What i think is most important at this time is a quality Pre.

Hi Michael
The mixpre has only 2 inputs doesn't it? I don't have any experience to offer you, but I have been doing a lot of research into the different devices available as I need some now. Many people have helped me to understand, so I'm happy to try to offer some help back. I thought I would mention the Fostex fr-2le to you. Seems like it has really professional sound quality. And you would not need any additional recorder with it, as it is itself a recorder. And is cheaper than the mixpre alone. I have been paying special attention to the EIN noise ratings, from this chart:
http://www.avisoft.com/recordertests.htm
The Fostex does really well. And Doug Oade can make it even better. He has told me that his "FR2LE Super MOD" has an EIN of about 130dBu post MOD.

This was all exciting news to me, so I'm passing it along.
Justin

[cavernut]

Thanks Again to all the great Replies.

Today I ordered the Mix Pre. I also ordered the additional AC to DC power supply so as to use it in the Studio as well.

I will be micing a group of girls doing a recital next week, plus i will be doing a lot of solo work with those same girls.
It was for this reason mainly that i decided to go with an outstanding pre. ( I especially like the "Inky Black Silence" comment).
I passed that one along to John Grove at Full Compass, he said hes going to remember that one.

Right now i really don't need a four track recorder as much as i need a Multi tracking recorder. I absolutely need to be able to play back tracks and record simultaneously. It was for this reason i decided not to purchase the R-44 at this time. However it seems like it has a lot of great applications, but i don't have any need for those at this time. I may get one in the future though.

As for the fostex piece with the Oade Mods. That sounds like a great way to go as well, but i don't need another 2 track recorder at this time.

Another thing I am going to look for is some custom cables, I wish there was a way to get a 90 degree mini USB for the bottom of the Microtrack II. Hmm Maybe I can cobble something......

Thanks Again,
Michael Foy