Topic: some MT questions

[Nick's Picks]

since all the MT threads are in double digit pages, i was figuring i'd "wuss out" and just ask my questions and see if someone can answer in less time than it would take me to find out myself.
 

1.  how long can I expect to record (to CF and MicroDrive) on the internal battery?
2.  is anyone having any issues w/microdrives at 24/96 ?
3.  whats the best USB battery box solution?  I remember seeing some that were $20 or so.  that would be handy for me.

[Nick Graham]

1. I've gotten about 2 hours and 45 minutes on a Microdrive at 24/48, and just under 4 hours using a CF card.

2. The only time I ran 24/96 with a microdrive (4 GB Hitachi) I had several skips and pops randomly throughout the show.

3. You can get them for less than $20. https://compactimpact.com/shopping/product_info.php?products_id=63&osCsid=0d93ef88c1dbf64676dac60f90a9a6ab

I ordered 2 of these. Got 'em in less than a week, and each will run the MT for about 9 hours when using a CF card @ 24/48.

[Nick's Picks]

big T Nick

[scoper]

1. I've gotten about 2 hours and 45 minutes on a Microdrive at 24/48, and just under 4 hours using a CF card.

2. The only time I ran 24/96 with a microdrive (4 GB Hitachi) I had several skips and pops randomly throughout the show.

3. You can get them for less than $20. https://compactimpact.com/shopping/product_info.php?products_id=63&osCsid=0d93ef88c1dbf64676dac60f90a9a6ab

I ordered 2 of these. Got 'em in less than a week, and each will run the MT for about 9 hours when using a CF card @ 24/48.

I also ordered one from compact impact - ordered this past Friday, got it today. Great service.

Now, do I need to use the Lithiums in there or can I go with standard alkalines?

Scott

[Jamos]

Another battery option is one of the "thumb" sized li-ion USB batteries designed for iPods...

Like this one:

http://tinyurl.com/j6yfb

I got mine for under $19 shipped. 

I haven't run it all the way down yet to see how long it will last, but between it and the internal MT battery, it should be good for atleast 10 hours.

I attached a pic...hopefully it worked.

And if the tinyurl.com doesn't work, search ebay for Item # 5876777614

Product Specs:

    * Type: Li-ion
    * Voltage: DC 5V
    * Current: 650mAh
    * Dimensions: 72x18x21 mm
    * Weight: 45 g
    * Output Capacity:2200mAH

I like it better than the AA battery boxes because then I don't have to buy additional AA's, and it's still rechargable.

[Jamos]

can an rca plug fit into the mt when this is plugged in also?  I bet a little bit of the plastic could be shaved off. 

hell, if an rca does fit, it would be a lot lighter than the toddr juicebox > walmart battery I'm using right now in open situations.

You still need to use the mini-USB to male USB cable that came with the MT...
The battery has a female USB connector on the end of it's cable.

Using the RCA plug and the mini USB plug at the same time on the MT is tight...the best solution is to shave a little plastic off of the mini USB.

It figures that M-Audio wouldn't take this into consideration when they designed this thing...

Edit:
Oh, and since updating to 1.3.3 firmware, I've made several 24/96 recordings using my 6GB Hitachi Microdrive that have come out great!

[dointhatrag]

I have finished my testing so far this is what I have found.

The unit works flawlessly with a PNY 2gig card.  I made 10 recordings at 24/96  (about 55 minutes of music) untill the card filled up, each time the recordings were perfect.

My theory is this:

Since there is a 2 gig file limit,  just use 2 gig cards.  recording at 24 bit 44.1  ( engineer told me thats all you really need)  you can do 2:05  on each 2 gig CF.

But if your doing a band like The Allmans  who do one 2:45 set,   your stuck at recording 16/44.1.  (3:05)

I have not been able to find a larger CF to work in my MT.  I have tried a 4gig Sandisc  and a 6 gig hitachi micro drive.

the MT blows D-8's away,  and  M-1's away.

[dointhatrag]

forgot to mention all the recordings were made via SPDIF  with a APOGEE front end.

[jbraveman]

It takes longer to switch out a card than it does to hit stop an start.  The unit boots every time a card is put in.

[BC]

Wow, this looks really cool! Thanks for sharing, +t.

Another battery option is one of the "thumb" sized li-ion USB batteries designed for iPods...

Like this one:

http://tinyurl.com/j6yfb

I got mine for under $19 shipped. 

I haven't run it all the way down yet to see how long it will last, but between it and the internal MT battery, it should be good for atleast 10 hours.

I attached a pic...hopefully it worked.

And if the tinyurl.com doesn't work, search ebay for Item # 5876777614

Product Specs:

    * Type: Li-ion
    * Voltage: DC 5V
    * Current: 650mAh
    * Dimensions: 72x18x21 mm
    * Weight: 45 g
    * Output Capacity:2200mAH

I like it better than the AA battery boxes because then I don't have to buy additional AA's, and it's still rechargable.

[dointhatrag]

changing a CF on a MT is still much faster than any DAT or MD machine....  I feel this unit is completely solid running 2 gig cards, and it is now my primary field deck.

[batchain]

I've been using one of these battrey packs for a couple of moinths now and they've worked great. The flashlight feature is handy too.
http://pdaden.com/shop/catalog/product_16686_USB_Battery_Box_with_LED_light_Emergency_Charger_cat_284.html

[gmm6797]

I've been using one of these battrey packs for a couple of moinths now and they've worked great. The flashlight feature is handy too.
http://pdaden.com/shop/catalog/product_16686_USB_Battery_Box_with_LED_light_Emergency_Charger_cat_284.html

How do you recharge this battery pack?

Also, it is hard to move around?  The USB>Power plug looks kind of tough to move around since it is "fixed" and not a fleible cable.

Thanks

[Nick's Picks]

you dont use the plug as the MTs power is supplied via USB (right?)
and it says it runs on 4xAA, so that is how you charge it (by giving it fresh batteries).

[batchain]

I've been using one of these battrey packs for a couple of moinths now and they've worked great. The flashlight feature is handy too.
http://pdaden.com/shop/catalog/product_16686_USB_Battery_Box_with_LED_light_Emergency_Charger_cat_284.html

How do you recharge this battery pack?

Also, it is hard to move around?  The USB>Power plug looks kind of tough to move around since it is "fixed" and not a fleible cable.

Thanks

The standard USB plug on the USB-charger is connected to the battery pack via a short wire that willl pull out a couple of inches if needed. You still will need one of those USB-to-miniUSB adapters to connect it to the MI. The device charges the MT through the miniUSB port. Any AA batteries will work in the USB-charger. I bought some rechargeable AA's and a AA recharger to save batteries. The USB-charger incorporates an LED flashlight into the unit which is handy hooking things up at a show. No need to bring an extra flashlight.

You must remember to unplug the USB-charger if you need to swap CF cards though, because the MT will not reboot to the new card if it's still connected at the USB port. After rebooting the new card you can then re-plug the USB-charger.