Topic: M-audio Microtrac vs R-1?

[smat]

Can someone give a pro/con comparison between the two?
Is there a comperable option I havnt considered?
.....Thanks:)

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Really depends on what you want to do with it.

[pfife]

an alternative to consider:  http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=57815.0

search a bit too - there's a lot of info about this.  biggest difference - the mt has a digital input, where the r-1 doesn't.

[smat]

I'm upgrading from a minidisc.  I wanna go straight in w core sound cardiods+batt box and not have to worry about changing media or batteries........and recored to wav and be able to usb it to my pc(no real time transfers).

[pfife]

I'm upgrading from a minidisc.  I wanna go straight in w core sound cardiods+batt box and not have to worry about changing media or batteries........and recored to wav and be able to usb it to my pc(no real time transfers).

I'd go with one of the edirol units then.  many like the a/ds - I really like the r-1.   Hopefully someone from Team MT24/96 will give another opinion.

[blackmikito]

For someone who has minimal gear, who is coming from minidisc who wants something to go with his csc as an all-in-one, it's the R-1 all the way.  I don't think one could possibly angle the MT as being a "better" choice given the simplicity and budget involved here.

If you go Microtrack,you end up needing the usb battery pack, an adapter for the dual-trs input, and you would also have to deal with the issues that the unit has had quirk-wise, as has been discussed in numerous threads here already. Sure, most have workarounds, but we're talking user and budget friendly. 
Just an R-1, an $80 Sandisk 2GB CF card, and a set of 2 AA batteries and you're good to go.  No taper tricks needed.

For hobbyists, non-Lunatec or digi-compatible pre users (a la Sonosax, MP-2, or similar), or just low-budget types who don't have $2000 mics and similar equipment, the R-1 is the way to go.  Manual functionality, intuitive design, great sound. Huge step up in sound from minidisc, and a huge step up in convenience from minidisc or dat.

The R-09 doesn't even seem to have it beat. 

[junkbondking]

so does the r-1 not work with a V3 ?  im not quite sure what u were inferring from the non-lunatec comment...

[nickgregory]

so does the r-1 not work with a V3 ?  im not quite sure what u were inferring from the non-lunatec comment...

R1 doesnt take a digital signal, only analog

[pfife]

The R-09 doesn't even seem to have it beat. 

personally, I'm pretty excited about the R-09.   It's quite a bit smaller, records at 48khz, has stereo level meters... those things make it much better, imo.   I love the R-1, but I'm strongly considering jumping to the R-09.  ymmv though.

[junkbondking]

so does the r-1 not work with a V3 ?  im not quite sure what u were inferring from the non-lunatec comment...

R1 doesnt take a digital signal, only analog

ohhh. 

[smat]

the spec sheet on this thing says it has an approx 2.5 hr rec time.  One of the things that attracted me to the jb3 was the ability to have 5 or 6 hrs of battery life.  One of the things that plagued me in the land of minidisc was having to change batteries in the middle of a set. 

[pfife]

the spec sheet on this thing says it has an approx 2.5 hr rec time.  One of the things that attracted me to the jb3 was the ability to have 5 or 6 hrs of battery life.  One of the things that plagued me in the land of minidisc was having to change batteries in the middle of a set. 

the mt also has a short battery life - to extend the battery life, you have to get an external battery pack.   With the r-1, I just carry another set of AA's in my pocket.... change batteries right before the headliners go on, and go... I've never had a problem.

[smat]

lithium or alkaline?
Can you get through a 2 set (3 hour) show?

[blackmikito]

The R-09 doesn't even seem to have it beat. 

personally, I'm pretty excited about the R-09.   It's quite a bit smaller, records at 48khz, has stereo level meters... those things make it much better, imo.   I love the R-1, but I'm strongly considering jumping to the R-09.  ymmv though.

I was looking forward to the R-09 as well, but they gave up the manual level control dial of the R-1 in favor of digital level "buttons" (a la the MT) on the R-09.
So, no taping down of levels, no smooth level adjustment, not as easy to synch with an external pre level-wise, etc.
That's why I think I'll be sticking with the R-1.  Since the R-09 and the R-1 aren't "bit buckets" the analog input and how the levels are controlled is important. And I remember Oade having thoughts about not being able to mod the signal path in the MT because of the fact that it used digital level buttons.
Whereas he could (and does) mod the R-1.

   

[WiFiJeff]

lithium or alkaline?
Can you get through a 2 set (3 hour) show?

With Energizer lithium AAs the R1 will run (at 24 bits 44.1 kH PCM) for over 8.5 hours, pretty reliably.  With cheaper knock-off branded lithium AAs it will run about 8 hours, but not quite so reliably.

Jef