Topic: Microtrack 24/96 1.3.3

[nardo]

I had emailed M-Audio about the 2GB split function, asking about whether they would be working to fix the WAV function:

[A R -- 03/09/2006 03:00]
No, there will never be the ability to record more than 2 gigs at a time.
This is a limitation of the file format used (Fat 32 ) and not the microtrack.


Don't remember whether this had been posted.

I think they just misunderstood your inquiry there, you weren't asking for the abiilty to record files larger than 2 GB, rather you wanted them to have the MT start a new file after the 2 GB file size limit (of FAT32) has been reached. I would send them another e-mail/bug report.

[svenkid]

I had emailed M-Audio about the 2GB split function, asking about whether they would be working to fix the WAV function:

[A R -- 03/09/2006 03:00]
No, there will never be the ability to record more than 2 gigs at a time.
This is a limitation of the file format used (Fat 32 ) and not the microtrack.


Don't remember whether this had been posted.

I think they just misunderstood your inquiry there, you weren't asking for the abiilty to record files larger than 2 GB, rather you wanted them to have the MT start a new file after the 2 GB file size limit (of FAT32) has been reached. I would send them another e-mail/bug report.

yeah, its really ab00t the seemless split b/w the two

[lazysean]

I formatted the CF before the concert. Now I cannot even format the card becauase the card is not even recognizable in my MT or in the card reader connected to my PC. Luckily I ran my M1 as a back up during the concert. I think in the future I will always use my M1 as the back up because I cannot trust my MT. I will try see if it is possible to return the dead Lexar card. Now I plan to run the MT with a Kingston Elite...hopefully Kingston is more reliable with this new firmware...Thanks.

I had this trouble when I first got mine, using the included 64mb card.  No errors when formatting the card.  Sometimes it would give me a "no media present" error message when I would then try to record on it, and sometimes it waited until I tried to play the files back (like you're describing).  The PC wouldn't do anything with the card either.  I was able to salvage the card, though, by formatting it in my digital camera.  After that, it seemed to work fine, though I've really didn't use that card much after that (I just hadn't had time to buy a bigger card yet.)  Ever since that, though, I've been completely paranoid about the Microtrack's formatting abilities, and have instead just been deleting the files off the new card without reformatting.  I also usually do a quick record/reboot and see if the file is really there before I leave the house, to double check.  Seems to work.

[MarkyMark]

Could someone send me the updated firmware? I can't download it in any browser (Opera, IE, Firefox) or provide me with an alternate link? I'm getting the 0B error as well.

[blindowl]

Don't you think that if they COULD have managed a seamless split, they WOULD have?   

Has anyone tried mono wav recording yet?   Does it double the time available for wav files as compared to stereo wav? 

[jtessier]

Don't you think that if they COULD have managed a seamless split, they WOULD have?   

Has anyone tried mono wav recording yet?   Does it double the time available for wav files as compared to stereo wav? 

Yes it doubles the time since it's creating mono wav files. I think when I checked the 'rec time avialable' screen also reflected the increased time then starting recordings. And the countdown timer when actually recording also shows the increased time.

J.T.

[coloartist]

Firmware 1.3.3 blows in my opinion. 

Crashed the lst two times I used it, at Zero. First set was fine. Second set died at about 1:30. 24/48

It said 1:55 time left when I started it.

Auto split didn't work, but I think it shut down before that time.

I'm glad I run a backup.

[Vismars]

Additional Problems still existing:

-Browsing the files via "Files" in the menu, you can't start playback of files which are in a subdirectory, pressing the Nav button just kicks you back to the main folder as pressing menu does instead of starting playback.
-Reports wrong length with some MP3 files and even stops playing in the middle of the track sometimes with imported mp3s. I have MP3 files which are correctly read by applications such as Winamp, MS Media Player, Audition etc which don't play completely on the MT - Example : MT reports 3 hours length instead of the true 45 minutes and then stops playback afer about 16 minutes. When i fast forward, i can hear snippets of the file, but whenever i stop fast forwarding, the playback stops - timer continues but no sound.
-Doesn't remember the playback position during power off, there is no possibility to pause the playback of a large file and then continue later other then keeping the MT  "on".
-Left channel noise higher than the claimed 100dB(A). Even when input is short circuited and gain is set to min -> -79dB Noise.

[udovdh]

Reason for a hardware fix? (return to M-Audio, etc)
How did you measure SNR?

[Vismars]

I asked M-Audio whether my MT is defect, but they say they would measure the same  so the MT is not defect - in their opinion -  lol.

SNR = 20 log (Full Scale Signal Energy / RMS non-harmonic noise energy)

Since we are measuring a recorder, we have Full Scale Signal Energy = -0dB max.
The best-case szenario for a recorder or fwiw a preamplifier are shortcircuited inputs. Normally you would measure with a resistor like 200 Ohms to mimic your microphone, but that will only worsen the measured SNR, so I just short circuit the TRS input.
Gain is set to minimum (L / recording level indicators full left).
Then just record some seconds of silence.
Load in Audition, select the whole file do an "amplitude statistic". This will show you the average RMS Energy. The A-Weighted Value will be higher, but since the noise is nearly equally distributed over the audio frequency band, i fear that the A-weighting will not change -79dB to -100dB (A).

I'll write another email to m-audio, as i told you before, their reaction was "it's not defect, we measure the same". I would then imply that the whole series has the same problem.

If you want to do me a favor, short circuit your MTs inputs (TRS, of course w/o Phantom Power) and record some seconds, i'm pretty sure the outcome will be the same as with mine. IMHO the unit should exhibit the performance m-audio advertises. Here in the EU, the manufacturer is liable for defects of the unit for 2 years afaik.

I'll return it sooner or later. Just don't want to wait for 2 or more weeks to get another one with the same problems.

Tom

[udovdh]

If you want to do me a favor, short circuit your MTs inputs (TRS, of course w/o Phantom Power) and record some seconds, i'm pretty sure the outcome will be the same as with mine. IMHO the unit should exhibit the performance m-audio advertises. Here in the EU, the manufacturer is liable for defects of the unit for 2 years afaik.

I'll return it sooner or later. Just don't want to wait for 2 or more weeks to get another one with the same problems.

I can do that tomorrow, I think.
The noise performance in both channels should be equal and be at least at the levels advertised? (near -100 dB(A))?
Maybe they will claim the measurement method was not right, then ask them the right method so you can reproduce the problem correctly.

[jtessier]

SNR = 20 log (Full Scale Signal Energy / RMS non-harmonic noise energy)

Since we are measuring a recorder, we have Full Scale Signal Energy = -0dB max.

I don't quite understand your formula. Since Full Scale Signal Energy = 0, isn't Full Scale Signal Energy / RMS non-harmonic noise energy = 0 and log (0) = 1 (I never really took calculus so please be gentle)?

But I did put a 150 ohm load on my 1/4" inputs and recorded silence and ran it thru Audition like you said.  Audition reports that the Avg. RMS Energy is -98.6 dB left and -98.64 dB right (this was with the RMS Setting item at the bottom of the window set to "0dB = FS Square Wave", changing it to "0dB = FS Sine Wave" changed the readings to -95.59 dB Left and -95.63 dB right) .  What values do you get out of Audition for left and right with a shorted TRS (are you shorting T, R, and S together?)?

This might sound weird but I hope you just have a defective unit.  I'd believe that before what support said in this instance.

J.T.

[Vismars]

Thanks a lot!

Seems like I really have a defective unit.
With T,R and S shorted (+min gain) I get:

   Left   Right
Min Sample Value:   -14.21   -2.33
Max Sample Value:   14.39   2.56
Peak Amplitude:   -67.15 dB   -82.15 dB
Possibly Clipped:   0   0
DC Offset:   0    0
Minimum RMS Power:   -79.2 dB   -99.7 dB
Maximum RMS Power:   -76.8 dB   -87.06 dB
Average RMS Power:   -77.77 dB   -96.73 dB
Total RMS Power:   -77.76 dB   -96.15 dB
Actual Bit Depth:   24 Bits   24 Bits

Using RMS Window of 50 ms

[guysonic]

Thanks a lot!

Seems like I really have a defective unit.
With T,R and S shorted (+min gain) I get:

   Left   Right
Min Sample Value:   -14.21   -2.33
Max Sample Value:   14.39   2.56
Peak Amplitude:   -67.15 dB   -82.15 dB
Possibly Clipped:   0   0
DC Offset:   0    0
Minimum RMS Power:   -79.2 dB   -99.7 dB
Maximum RMS Power:   -76.8 dB   -87.06 dB
Average RMS Power:   -77.77 dB   -96.73 dB
Total RMS Power:   -77.76 dB   -96.15 dB
Actual Bit Depth:   24 Bits   24 Bits

Using RMS Window of 50 ms

Looks like CEP or Adobe Audition statistics.  If I didn't know better, I'd assume you had the +27 dB boost turned on?  If so, then this may not be as bad as it appears.

[Vismars]

min gain = no boost, setting L, min level

statistic done with audition 2.0