Topic: Microtrack recording levels...

[Drifter1]

Ok after looking through the forum I found only one thread that lightly touched on this at best ...so here is my question if someone could comment that would be great..

 I have used a TCD d8 for years and recently I decided to purchase a Microtrack 1 to delve into the new flash recorders...I have used it twice in a small club setting getting used to it..Two nights ago I decided to take it out on a warm up gig(Santana)which was not that important for me and to give it a dry run for a few gigs coming up which are ''keepers''...this was my experience...

 I was set up on the hill....set the gain setting to Medium and then fine tuned the recording meters....I taped 3/4 of the show like this without incident until I saw an oportunity to get down into the 100 section in front of Carlos....I normally would never move after setting up but wanted to see what was going to happen and how the device would react....
 Of course when I got down there the recorder was red lining, I expected that but when dropping the recording levels as far as they could go I was still red lining...then I decide to drop the gain to the low setting....after doing that the levels were better but there was no head room left to play with and the red lights were still flashing but minimally......
 My question is>>>I was using CA11 cardioid mics directly into the microtrack and using its phantom power....would it have made a difference if I had used my STC 9000 preamp...would this have helped?
Or do I need to buy  the Maudio 10db pad ....
Any feedback is welcome...thanks for taking a moment..

[StuStu]

I recommend always using the pre with the MT. I quickly ditched this recorder though. So I may not the best person to ask. I am not a fan.

[manitouman]

You probably shouldn't have fed those mics the phantom power. I'm not 100% sure on that but I'm guessing that those mics don't need that much power. Yes, should have used the preamp.

[guysonic]

Did a technical review of the MT1 which seems the model you now have.  There's a chart showing what's happening with analog input levels at: http://www.sonicstudios.com/mt2496rv.htm#inputs   

Suggest NOT using the deck's phantom power (tape over the ON/OFF slide switch) as know to having some serious issues, and I did not test this feature. 

The full tech review is at: http://www.sonicstudios.com/mt2496rv.htm

For me the MT2 was far easier to use, but with so many design flaws I returned for refund years ago.

[Elana]

I wouldn't use the Microtrack for anything but digital in, and I'm looking to get rid of mine for that purpose too.

[fmaderjr]

The MT's mic input is very poor quality. However if you use your STC 9000 and get a stereo 1/8 to dual Mono 1/4 cable to feed the recorder's line in, this combo is capable of making great recordings. I think the 1/4 plugs can be either TS or TRS for this purpose (TRS is required for handling phantom power, but you won't be needing that). Here is one:
http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP153-Stereo-8In-Mono/dp/B0002CZZ0G

The line in is much more versatile as well as quieter and you won't need to worry about overloading the MT. If the minimum MT gain setting is overloading the recorder, you can reduce the signal it is receiving with the the 9000's volume control.

You do have an external battery pack for the MT don't you? The internal battery is only good for about 2 hours when brand new.

Study guysonic's excellent tips on how to best use the machine also:
http://www.sonicstudios.com/mt2496rv.htm#inputs

[Drifter1]

Thanks to everyone who chimed in here so far and dropped a comment....At least I have a few options to try and somer reading to do on the site mentioned...most excellent!!!!............sorry Brian for posting in the wrong forum..I was thinking ''set up'' troubles....great site here!

[dallman]

MT 2496, many of us love it, but lots of people do not. I have an Olympus ls10 and a Tascam DR-07 for portables and like the MT much more and use it. But it takes knowing it's quirks. I have it since it hit the marlket, so it is 2nd nature to me.

Phantom power is fine, but not made for CA11's. That is one reason you ran hot. But that may not even be it. The 1/8 jacks run too hot. I use a 1/8-1/4' battery box on mine developed for the unit. If you ran 1/8 which I suspect you did, then Phantom Power was not the issue as it only works (I'm pretty sure) on the 1/4 "jacks. But the 1/8 jacks are way too hot. All of this was changed on the MT2, but with the one exception of file splits not being seamless, I like the MT1 way better than the MT2. And the seamless issue is usually easy to get around if you use 24/48 and look at the face onec in a while.

Best to use the 1/8 jacks and get a bettery box for your mics. I have made amny great recordings with the deck and while I keep looking at switching to a newer portable, I keep coming back to the MT.

[faninor]

I ran into this same issue when I first got a Microtrack 1. The 1/8" inputs are too hot and there's no way to disable the plug-in power. I quickly got a M-Audio 10db pad, but had many issues the following year with clicks/pops because the pad is so bulky and the 1/8" input so delicate, even slight sideways pressure against the pad ruined my recordings. Then I added a 2nd cable between the pad and the microtrack, which helped some but still sometimes if the connector gets too much sideways pressure there was noise. Plus there were tons of connections between the mics and the recorder, not ideal and I started having more issues of cables becoming unplugged. None of this is really ideal considering a lot of us keep the microtrack in a pocket or bag during use, and random bumps happen all the time.

I finally dumped the pad, and got a cable that was a 1/8" connection on one end and 2x1/4" connections on the other, and always ran into the 1/4" inputs instead, which solved all my problems for the rest of the time I used the recorder.

[fmaderjr]

I was confused by his post at first, but it looks like dallman is going line in with his battery box. That is what I was recommending Drifter 1 do with his STC-9000. The advantage of the Church pre over a battery box is that you have additional clean gain if you need it, plus in very loud situations you can use the 9000's volume control to keep the MT from overloading.

[dallman]

^^
I have a customized batter box that Sound Professionals used to sell that converts 1/8 to 1/4 in and sits right on top of the MT. I like it alot. That said your idea of using the STC-9000 will give more flexibility. There are h/m/l settings that are switchable (High Med Low), and there is 24db trs boost in the menu. I generally use 2 differnt mics in my low pro setup and the AT 853's I generally am at the "L" setting and the Church CA 11's are generally "M" or "H". This of course is depending on the music, and you do get a feel for it. I only iused the 24db trs boost once, and I really cannot remember the why I needed it.

[Drifter1]

another thank u too more posts and info...I tried getting a 1/8 >2x 1/4 mono today so I could run a line in situation at a local club tonight but all the music store had was 6 foot length...Again thanks for the input

[fmaderjr]

^^
I have a customized batter box that Sound Professionals used to sell that converts 1/8 to 1/4 in and sits right on top of the MT. I like it alot.

I have one of those too works great and routes the plug in power from the mic input to your mics so you don't usually need a separate battery box. I tried it with DPA 4060's and it powered them fine. Since I got a ST-9100 I usually used that since it's a bit more flexible.

I seldom use my MT anymore, but as dallman says it is can make great recordings once you learn how to use it. Too bad it needs an external battery to run over 2 hours though. Reading dallman's posts has made me think of bringing out of the moth balls again at least occasionally.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Back when I was still trying to use the microtrack, I made a dongle to solve some of these gotchas.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=51031.msg663650#msg663650

[fmaderjr]

I tried getting a 1/8 >2x 1/4 mono today so I could run a line in situation at a local club tonight but all the music store had was 6 foot length...Again thanks for the input

This one is 3 feet
http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP153-Stereo-8In-Mono/dp/B0002CZZ0G

Should be able to find a shorter one if you keep looking. I got a very short one somewhere (6" or so), but I forget where I ordered it.