Topic: Microtrack 24/96 1.3.3

[mmedley.]

Gordon - I've always just formatted my CF cards directly in the MicroTrack.  if I format in windows (with the card in a card reader), how do I specify cluster size?.   also, once I do that, if I then re-format in the MicroTrack, will the cluster size go back to the default size, or will it remain as what I set it when I formatted in Windows?  and when you say "large" cluster size, how big?

I understand that the Microtracker will reformat the media for it's own use and that this will undo any changes made. However, if it can be determined that cluster size has an effect, then maybe M-audio could be convinced to adjust their firmware.

I'm not a Microtracker user, but just thought I would put this idea out there as a possibility.

Can the media be formatted elsewhere and then used in the Microtracker as is?
I think that in windows management console you can right click and specify the cluster size if I'm not mistaken.
From a cmd prompt it's "format <drive:> /A:64K"  (for 64kb clusters). Do "format /?" for help

Try it if you have time to experiment. It might help you get some additional speed out of the card.

If nothing else, it might be useful to know what formatting the microtracker uses.

I was able to change the cluster size when I owned one and had no issues at all. Of course, it seems every single MT has a mind of its own. 

[balou2]

.

[udovdh]

W.r.t. clustersize one has the idea to ask the M-Audio support why the chosen formatting parameters are best for the Microtrack.
What would be the reply, if any?

[udovdh]

And what about the limiter in the ADC chip of the MT? Did anyone ask?





[edit: spelling]

[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.

I take this all back. I think it had to do with me rearranging my recording bag. My MT was getting a bunch of my V3 heat, and just was overheating. I moved everything  around, and all seems well.

I ran NMAS last night. Had to start a new file since the set ran 2:40minutes, but missed nothing.
DDBB 2 nights before and ran 2 sets 55 minutes and 1:10 minutes.

[BWolf]

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.

I take this all back. I think it had to do with me rearranging my recording bag. My MT was getting a bunch of my V3 heat, and just was overheating. I moved everything  around, and all seems well.

I ran NMAS last night. Had to start a new file since the set ran 2:40minutes, but missed nothing.
DDBB 2 nights before and ran 2 sets 55 minutes and 1:10 minutes.

when you say you started a new file, did you do it on the fly?  was it seamless?  or did you stop between songs?

[coloartist]

I did it between songs.

I couldn't let it do it randomly, and miss 5-10 seconds.

The split came at a good time.

I can do it myself in 3-5 seconds. 

[BWolf]

I did it between songs.

I couldn't let it do it randomly, and miss 5-10 seconds.

The split came at a good time.

I can do it myself in 3-5 seconds. 

do you mean you just pressed the rec button to stop it and then press it again as soon as the "saving" screen goes away?  i'm going to tape two sam bush shows this weekend and i'll upgrade the firmware sometime this week, but i just wanted to make sure i was understanding correctly.  so does that mean if you let it hit the 2 gig limit it will restart once it saves, or it won't?  i usually check my gear once every few minutes or so, so i don't see this being a problem, but it would be nice if it did the autosplit and started again on its own....

[Chris K]

do you mean you just pressed the rec button to stop it and then press it again as soon as the "saving" screen goes away? 

that would be correct... the "writing file" screen comes on after pushing the record button to stop the file. when the "writing file" dialog box goes away, quickly press the record button to start a new file. you should miss only 3-6 seconds.

note it will take a second or two for the counter to start after pushing record to start a new file.

[coloartist]

do you mean you just pressed the rec button to stop it and then press it again as soon as the "saving" screen goes away? 

that would be correct... the "writing file" screen comes on after pushing the record button to stop the file. when the "writing file" dialog box goes away, quickly press the record button to start a new file. you should miss only 3-6 seconds.

note it will take a second or two for the counter to start after pushing record to start a new file.

This is correct. I did it at about 1:40 minutes. I know I have 1:55minutes in a file at 24/48, but when a good break comes, I go for it. I knew they weren't going to play 3:20 minutes.

A file is suppose to start now at the 2 gig limit with the new firmware, but I would do it myself since it is not seamless at this time.

[jtessier]

so that's the good news.  the bad news came earlier in the night.  For the first time since using the MicroTrack, I lost a recording.  for the opening act, I was running a 1 gig regular Sandisk CF card (not Ultra II or III or whatever, just a plain Sandisk).  I've used this card many times for opening acts, but in the past, I've always run at 16 bit from the V3 (via S/PDIF) for the opener, giving me an hour and a half of recording time.  well these opening acts for Club d'Elf usually only run 45 minutes or so, so I thought I'd give 24/48 a whirl for the opener as well.  Also, Scott and Rob were both recording as well, so I knew that if anything went wrong, I could just get a copy from them.  this recording mysteriously stopped at 29:24. 

That sounds suspiciously like the S/PDIF cable came loose or some other problem on whatever is sending into the S/PDIF in.  If this happens, the MicroTrack's counter will stop and the recorder will just sit there waiting for the signal again (try pulling the cable during a recording to see what I mean).

[JasonSobel]

so that's the good news.  the bad news came earlier in the night.  For the first time since using the MicroTrack, I lost a recording.  for the opening act, I was running a 1 gig regular Sandisk CF card (not Ultra II or III or whatever, just a plain Sandisk).  I've used this card many times for opening acts, but in the past, I've always run at 16 bit from the V3 (via S/PDIF) for the opener, giving me an hour and a half of recording time.  well these opening acts for Club d'Elf usually only run 45 minutes or so, so I thought I'd give 24/48 a whirl for the opener as well.  Also, Scott and Rob were both recording as well, so I knew that if anything went wrong, I could just get a copy from them.  this recording mysteriously stopped at 29:24. 

That sounds suspiciously like the S/PDIF cable came loose or some other problem on whatever is sending into the S/PDIF in.  If this happens, the MicroTrack's counter will stop and the recorder will just sit there waiting for the signal again (try pulling the cable during a recording to see what I mean).

definitely not.  the cable was nice and snug the whole time, and the bag definitely didn't get jostled around or anything.   and I really doubt that it's a problem from the V3 actually, at the end of the set, I pressed the "rec" button to stop and save, not realizing that it had stopped at 29 minutes.  so then, it started a new file.  so instead of the "saving file" screen that I was expecting, I saw a second file being recorded.  (which I then stopped a few seconds later).

I didn't have any time this past weekend to do any tests, so I still haven't really figured it out...

[cmoorevt]

do you mean you just pressed the rec button to stop it and then press it again as soon as the "saving" screen goes away?

that would be correct... the "writing file" screen comes on after pushing the record button to stop the file. when the "writing file" dialog box goes away, quickly press the record button to start a new file. you should miss only 3-6 seconds.

note it will take a second or two for the counter to start after pushing record to start a new file.

I've found that I don't even have to wait until the "saving" screen goes away to push the REC button the second time.  Just hit it twice real quick and the unit stops, saves and resumes recording the second file. 

[anhisr]

I just hit record twice, the unit does it as fast as it can.  Keeps the operator error low

[it-goes-to-eleven]

I just hit record twice, the unit does it as fast as it can.  Keeps the operator error low

That feature was added in 1.2.3 and it is what I do.

But there's a bug with it.  If you turn off the HOLD switch, hit rec twice, turn on HOLD, it will fail to start the new recording.  It saves the rec just fine but then it apparently checks the state of the hold switch before starting the new rec and throws a 'hold switch is on error'.   So you really have to wait to throw the HOLD back on.. Definitely a chance for error in the dark or when you aren't even pulling it out of your pocket to do it.