Topic: M-Audio MicroTracker details **PART II**

[F.O.Bean]

Hmm. Ok. The reason I ask is, if this thing gets 3 hours with phantom on, that'll be cutting it close for longer shows. If it's possible to charge and record at the same time, then it's not a problem, but if hooking something up via USB will make the unit wonk out, then that's not good. I forgot the JB3 had the separate wall wart, so it's anybody's guess.

I'd put money on being able to record and have it externally powered at the same time. Maybe not *charge* - but at least draw power over the USB for operation.

You can power the unit via usb while it is recording.

The only issue is that you won't be able to use a beefy connector (ie locking barrel type) for your s/pdif cable. Not really a big deal at all, but my zoalla silverline was not an option, even with the locking sleeve off.

audio magic makes locking rca style coax cables, thats what i'll be investing in

[wboswell]

Hmm. Ok. The reason I ask is, if this thing gets 3 hours with phantom on, that'll be cutting it close for longer shows. If it's possible to charge and record at the same time, then it's not a problem, but if hooking something up via USB will make the unit wonk out, then that's not good. I forgot the JB3 had the separate wall wart, so it's anybody's guess.

I'd put money on being able to record and have it externally powered at the same time. Maybe not *charge* - but at least draw power over the USB for operation.

You can power the unit via usb while it is recording.

The only issue is that you won't be able to use a beefy connector (ie locking barrel type) for your s/pdif cable. Not really a big deal at all, but my zoalla silverline was not an option, even with the locking sleeve off.

audio magic makes locking rca style coax cables, thats what i'll be investing in

Maybe I didn't make myself clear in my previous post... You will NOT be able to use a beefy connector with a locking connector for your s/pdif connection.  There is not enough room, at least on the unit I held.  You'll want to use something like an apogee wyed-eye with a really thin barrel.  We used an generic cable like the one that is provided when you buy a tv or vcr..  you know, the super cheap freebie.

[F.O.Bean]

Hmm. Ok. The reason I ask is, if this thing gets 3 hours with phantom on, that'll be cutting it close for longer shows. If it's possible to charge and record at the same time, then it's not a problem, but if hooking something up via USB will make the unit wonk out, then that's not good. I forgot the JB3 had the separate wall wart, so it's anybody's guess.

I'd put money on being able to record and have it externally powered at the same time. Maybe not *charge* - but at least draw power over the USB for operation.

You can power the unit via usb while it is recording.

The only issue is that you won't be able to use a beefy connector (ie locking barrel type) for your s/pdif cable. Not really a big deal at all, but my zoalla silverline was not an option, even with the locking sleeve off.

audio magic makes locking rca style coax cables, thats what i'll be investing in

Maybe I didn't make myself clear in my previous post... You will NOT be able to use a beefy connector with a locking connector for your s/pdif connection. There is not enough room, at least on the unit I held. You'll want to use something like an apogee wyed-eye with a really thin barrel. We used an generic cable like the one that is provided when you buy a tv or vcr.. you know, the super cheap freebie.

oh ok, thanks bos

+T

[wboswell]

not to say you couldn't hack a nice cable and make it fit, but stock lockers have too much meat on the bone...

[tim in jersey]

I wonder if you could connect the coax to the jack and add a small dot of solder to lock it in place? Then reheat and remove if you ever need to repair/replace the cable.

Just thinking out loud.

[Crumbo]

Hmm. Ok. The reason I ask is, if this thing gets 3 hours with phantom on, that'll be cutting it close for longer shows. If it's possible to charge and record at the same time, then it's not a problem, but if hooking something up via USB will make the unit wonk out, then that's not good. I forgot the JB3 had the separate wall wart, so it's anybody's guess.

I'd put money on being able to record and have it externally powered at the same time. Maybe not *charge* - but at least draw power over the USB for operation.

You can power the unit via usb while it is recording.

The only issue is that you won't be able to use a beefy connector (ie locking barrel type) for your s/pdif cable. Not really a big deal at all, but my zoalla silverline was not an option, even with the locking sleeve off.

audio magic makes locking rca style coax cables, thats what i'll be investing in

Maybe I didn't make myself clear in my previous post... You will NOT be able to use a beefy connector with a locking connector for your s/pdif connection.  There is not enough room, at least on the unit I held.  You'll want to use something like an apogee wyed-eye with a really thin barrel.  We used an generic cable like the one that is provided when you buy a tv or vcr..  you know, the super cheap freebie.

thanks for the info

+T

looks like I need to order a different cable

[Judderbar]

Well it's appeared on the m-audio UK site now (no new info except UK price):

http://www.maudio.co.uk/products/en_gb/MicroTrack2496-main.html

As usual for this sort of stuff over here, it looks like they just changed the $ to a £ sign which nearly doubles the USA price, at £349... I'll try and call a dealer tomorrow and see if that will be the actual street price.  The $399 from US dealers looks good until you add the shipping, and then customs charges - it comes to almost the same, and you end-up with the wrong AC adaptor too.

And thinking aloud, I'll probably answer my own question here but - the info says it has balanced 1/4" inputs - presumably that means it's a 1/4" 'stereo' plug, or is there another type of plug needed to maintain the shielding?  And so for phantom power, you'd still need the phantom power adaptors on your mics, and then an XLR-F to 1/4" stereo plug adaptor?  I've looked around online and it seems you can get exactly this, but I think I'll make up a couple of extension leads so I can have the phantom adaptors stuffed in my back pocket instead of hanging out the front of the unit.

If the Microtrack is the size and shape of a mobile phone then they should make a clip-on cellphone cover for the ultimate in stealthing - it could be made so that the keypad could operate the record and level controls  
 
  

[nic]

each 1/4" is TRS, making it balanced for line inputs.
other than using mics that are not designed for phantom power, why would you need phantom adapters?
the device can provide 48V phantom.

[F.O.Bean]

each 1/4" is TRS, making it balanced for line inputs.
other than using mics that are not designed for phantom power, why would you need phantom adapters?
the device can provide 48V phantom.

to save batt power from the micro tracker!

[nic]

each 1/4" is TRS, making it balanced for line inputs.
other than using mics that are not designed for phantom power, why would you need phantom adapters?
the device can provide 48V phantom.

to save batt power from the micro tracker!

find a battery, regulate it down to 5v, and put a usb connector on it, or, use a outboard pre/ad   

[Judderbar]

other than using mics that are not designed for phantom power, why would you need phantom adapters?
the device can provide 48V phantom.

I have AT853s (Converted back from SP-CMC-4), and at the moment they go AT853>Phantom adaptor>PS-2

So presumably if I take the PS-2 out and replace it with the Microtrack (or some other phantom power supply), the adaptors are still needed?

 
 

[nic]

other than using mics that are not designed for phantom power, why would you need phantom adapters?
the device can provide 48V phantom.

I have AT853s (Converted back from SP-CMC-4), and at the moment they go AT853>Phantom adaptor>PS-2

So presumably if I take the PS-2 out and replace it with the Microtrack (or some other phantom power supply), the adaptors are still needed?

or, keep your existing mics>adapter>ps2 and put 1/4" adaptors coming out of the ps2 into the microtrack
 
 

[John Kelly]

As usual for this sort of stuff over here, it looks like they just changed the $ to a £ sign which nearly doubles the USA price, at £349... I'll try and call a dealer tomorrow and see if that will be the actual street price.  The $399 from US dealers looks good until you add the shipping, and then customs charges - it comes to almost the same, and you end-up with the wrong AC adaptor too.

Actually, if you look at the us site, it lists $499.  So check with EU dealers and see if their actual price is lower than the MSRP over there.

[Judderbar]

Yeah I know - I'm just used to the list price being 'it' alot of the time over here...

Having said that, I called Turnkey today, who do seem to have m-audio gear at less than list price, and... they didn't have it on their system yet - said to try again in a week or 2.  I called m-audio themselves, and they are hoping it will be available in the UK in 4 - 6 weeks.
 
 

[WiFiJeff]

FWIW, someone posted the following to the Oade board on the MicroTrack:

"There are numerous reports of trouble with the S/PDIF input and the mic input when phantom power is used. These same sources say reports from beta testers are why it's ship date is being pushed back from late August to mid September. "

I have no idea what the source of this information is, or where the "betsa testers" might be lurking, but this is not good news.

Jeff