Topic: M-Audio MicroTrack 2496 - *actual* real-life experiences thread

[F.O.Bean]

I mentioned before that SPDIF is a consumer interface and the specs do not go to 24/96

You are plain wrong.

Just got an email from M-audio and they told me all issues would be resolved in the next firmware to be released next week. He said there are instructions in the box relating to these issues...backwards switches, battery, etc. Didn't go into much more detail than that, so we shall see.

once again, why not just wait the extra week and release it w/ the GOOD firmware!

[JasonSobel]

once again, why not just wait the extra week and release it w/ the GOOD firmware!

I agree with you completely Bean, but I understand why they did it.  From M-Audio's point of view, they can ship it, and work on the firmware while the unit's are in transit.  IF they actually do release a working firmware next week, it will still be before the vast majority of people actually get their units.

Let's just cross our fingers and hope it gets resolved shortly.

[F.O.Bean]

once again, why not just wait the extra week and release it w/ the GOOD firmware!

I agree with you completely Bean, but I understand why they did it.  From M-Audio's point of view, they can ship it, and work on the firmware while the unit's are in transit.  IF they actually do release a working firmware next week, it will still be before the vast majority of people actually get their units.

Let's just cross our fingers and hope it gets resolved shortly.

great point jason! +T

[nickgregory]

once again, why not just wait the extra week and release it w/ the GOOD firmware!

I agree with you completely Bean, but I understand why they did it.  From M-Audio's point of view, they can ship it, and work on the firmware while the unit's are in transit.  IF they actually do release a working firmware next week, it will still be before the vast majority of people actually get their units.

Let's just cross our fingers and hope it gets resolved shortly.

add to it the point that I made when the 722 came out...this is how most SW is introduced to the world...a stable load goes out and the first group of customers use it and prove it in...while also in the process identifying bugs that would have taken much longer in a lab environment to create.  This being said, keep in mind the first load is usually the most stable, until a few additional "fix" loads go out to fix errors, and the new errors that the new load creates.  The SW will get back to being stable after that.

Bottom line, be happy that the manufacturer is willing to admit its a problem and fix it....in consumer devices (and this is not a knock on the MT, just a general statement) you are lucky if a manuf will even take your call after it is released.  Hopefully they can get the issues resolved and stable...but I would think it is good news they recognize and admit the problem...

[WiFiJeff]

Battery report: with the 4 lithium AA cells in the USB battery box I've been running the MT over 8 hours at this point, and I'm beginning to see a drop in the MT battery meter when I unplug the USB connection, it looks like I'll be getting something over ten hours with this.  I am going to try alkalines tomorrow, with the idea of using either rechargeable alkalines or the device that recharges ordinary alkalines.  Still, it would be nice to get 7-8 hours without the box, wouldn't it?  I don't see how they can address this with a firmware revision, though.

Jeff

[F.O.Bean]

+T jeff, now if we can only get the spdif coax working right

[greenone]

Once you've done a few cycles, with any luck, the internal battery will be conditioned and you'll start seeing better run times, maybe?

[F.O.Bean]

Once you've done a few cycles, with any luck, the internal battery will be conditioned and you'll start seeing better run times, maybe?

my battery lifes were VERYT unpredictable in my latest 7.2v NIMH battery packs powering the v3/jb3 combo

i had to cycle them quite a few times before i thought they were ready for moedown

they would die at the 3hr mark, when i KNEW they could get 6 hrs easily

so maybe the runtime WILL double, ya never know

how many cycles have you put on them jeff

[wboswell]

I mentioned before that SPDIF is a consumer interface and the specs do not go to 24/96

You are plain wrong.

Just got an email from M-audio and they told me all issues would be resolved in the next firmware to be released next week. He said there are instructions in the box relating to these issues...backwards switches, battery, etc. Didn't go into much more detail than that, so we shall see.

Is it the same guy that told you this:

I just called. GOOD NEWS!!! Spoke with Robert and they started shipping out from M-Audio to vendors TODAY! He has held one in his hands...so no vaporware! He stated that recording 24/96 was capable on ALL inputs He also stated that microdrives will be able to handle 24/96. The only thing he wasn't sure of was the 2GB file size limit and splits. He also said Guitar Center was getting ALOT of them as well.

Not trying to burst any bubbles around here, but this was a known issue back in July.  So was the phantom power thing.  I'm not hating on the box.  I want it to work just as bad as the next guy, but with all this commotion, I think a collective deep breath would do some good.

[rdvdijk]

Len posted this to the PDAudio list, pretty interesting:

First thing I did was measure the phantom power voltage.  That was the first
surprise: 30 Volts instead of the usual 48 Volts.  That will improve the
MicroTrack's battery operating times when using phantom power but may not be
sufficient for some microphones.  I haven't yet checked how much current the
phantom power circuit can provide -- I'll run those tests later this week.

Now that is really weird..

Roel

[John Kelly]

Len posted this to the PDAudio list, pretty interesting:

First thing I did was measure the phantom power voltage.  That was the first
surprise: 30 Volts instead of the usual 48 Volts.  That will improve the
MicroTrack's battery operating times when using phantom power but may not be
sufficient for some microphones.  I haven't yet checked how much current the
phantom power circuit can provide -- I'll run those tests later this week.

Now that is really weird..

Roel

Strange indeed.   

[jason]

Just wondering, I know it locks up at 24/96, but how about 24/48?

[kskreider]

Sorry if this is a re-post but I see on M-audio's site that they have posted a new manual with more "in depth" instructions for set-up.

http://www.m-audio.com/images/global/manuals/050906_MicroTrack_UG_EN01.pdf

[mmedley.]

I mentioned before that SPDIF is a consumer interface and the specs do not go to 24/96

You are plain wrong.

Just got an email from M-audio and they told me all issues would be resolved in the next firmware to be released next week. He said there are instructions in the box relating to these issues...backwards switches, battery, etc. Didn't go into much more detail than that, so we shall see.

Is it the same guy that told you this:

I just called. GOOD NEWS!!! Spoke with Robert and they started shipping out from M-Audio to vendors TODAY! He has held one in his hands...so no vaporware! He stated that recording 24/96 was capable on ALL inputs He also stated that microdrives will be able to handle 24/96. The only thing he wasn't sure of was the 2GB file size limit and splits. He also said Guitar Center was getting ALOT of them as well.

Not trying to burst any bubbles around here, but this was a known issue back in July.  So was the phantom power thing.  I'm not hating on the box.  I want it to work just as bad as the next guy, but with all this commotion, I think a collective deep breath would do some good.

Not the same person (one was sales, the other tech support), but I'm pretty sure they are aware of MOST of the issues that people are already reporting and the latest firmware will address them I am sure. I was going to cancel my order and wait it out a month or so longer, but I'm gonna stick with it. I know it will be fixed soon. Just gotta have faith...didn't you learn that with the 722? I am in no rush. I can still tape without this. The phantom issue doesn't really bother me as I (and most others I suspect) won't be using this anyways.

[jboyzh]

...
Bottom line, be happy that the manufacturer is willing to admit its a problem and fix it....in consumer devices (and this is not a knock on the MT, just a general statement) you are lucky if a manuf will even take your call after it is released.  Hopefully they can get the issues resolved and stable...but I would think it is good news they recognize and admit the problem...

Am happy for this - and don't regret having bought MT even with the few issues at least for now.
on the other hand, the things that I wanted from MT are already here: good mic and line-in recording, solid > 4 hours from internal bat, and > 8 hours with external usb power. i can also plug and unplug usb power while recording (...if not yet mentioned). Hope they get the few freezes (spdif, file management stuff) away with the next *initial* firmware release too...