Microtrack mods?

[udovdh]

Does anybody here have some more info on the audio paths from the 1/4 & 1/8" inputs up until the ADC chip?
What parts are in between? Caps, resistors, opamps, etc?

[headroom]

I would like to listen my recordings from the Microtrack direct digital out.
Somebody know how to install an SPDIF OUT Option for this device. Maybe tapping  it  before the DA Stage in Coaxial wire mode. Needs then a little transformer.
Any Ideas around?

[guysonic]

I would like to listen my recordings from the Microtrack direct digital out.
Somebody know how to install an SPDIF OUT Option for this device. Maybe tapping  it  before the DA Stage in Coaxial wire mode. Needs then a little transformer.
Any Ideas around?

Even if practical to kludge in a digital output, this deck has really lousy controls/response for advancing or reversing the recorded file playback positions.  Seems easier to just use a computer card reader and maybe a low cost external USB soundcard (M-Audio Transit) with digital output to get a SPDIF audio to your choice of audio playback system?

[yousef]

I never noticed this thread before...

Looking at a couple of the older posts which suggest some changes to the MT's components over time, I wonder if this could account for the fact that on guysonic's review, the 1/4" inputs are said to be able to cope with a +3.2dB level while mine (and those of several other people who have posted here) can't even cope with a domestic line level (?-10dB)?

[guysonic]

I never noticed this thread before...

Looking at a couple of the older posts which suggest some changes to the MT's components over time, I wonder if this could account for the fact that on guysonic's review, the 1/4" inputs are said to be able to cope with a +3.2dB level while mine (and those of several other people who have posted here) can't even cope with a domestic line level (?-10dB)?

1/8" ministereo input has NO line level ability.  Only the dual 1/4" input has the higher +3.2 dB line level acceptance without clipping.

Refer to chart of input characteristics at: www.sonicstudios.com/mt2496rv.htm#inputs

[yousef]

1/8" ministereo input has NO line level ability.  Only the dual 1/4" input has the higher +3.2 dB line level acceptance without clipping.

Refer to chart of input characteristics at: www.sonicstudios.com/mt2496rv.htm#inputs

I am referring to the 1/4" inputs only. I and several other people have posted on TS about the 1/4" line inputs being unable to take a domestic line level signal (with v1.4.5 firmware, 27dB boost off, L/M/H set to 'L' and recording levels set to minimum).

Edit:

just done some "tests".

i) cd player line-out directly into MT's 1/4" inputs - red clip lights constantly lit
ii) same cd but via hifi amp line-out into MT's 1/4" inputs - red clip lights constantly lit
iii) same cd via hifi amp line-outs>-18db passive attenuator box set to full attenuation - unclipped signal peaking at the "-12dB" mark on the MT as per http://www.sonicstudios.com/mt2496rv.htm#vu

At all times with v1.4.5 firmware, 27dB boost off, L/M/H set to 'L' and recording levels set to minimum. As a comparison, my D8's line-in will take these signals happily but cannot take a +4dB without attenuation.

[guysonic]

1/8" ministereo input has NO line level ability.  Only the dual 1/4" input has the higher +3.2 dB line level acceptance without clipping.

Refer to chart of input characteristics at: www.sonicstudios.com/mt2496rv.htm#inputs

I am referring to the 1/4" inputs only. I and several other people have posted on TS about the 1/4" line inputs being unable to take a domestic line level signal (with v1.4.5 firmware, 27dB boost off, L/M/H set to 'L' and recording levels set to minimum).

Edit:

just done some "tests".

i) cd player line-out directly into MT's 1/4" inputs - red clip lights constantly lit
ii) same cd but via hifi amp line-out into MT's 1/4" inputs - red clip lights constantly lit
iii) same cd via hifi amp line-outs>-18db passive attenuator box set to full attenuation - unclipped signal peaking at the "-12dB" mark on the MT as per http://www.sonicstudios.com/mt2496rv.htm#vu

At all times with v1.4.5 firmware, 27dB boost off, L/M/H set to 'L' and recording levels set to minimum. As a comparison, my D8's line-in will take these signals happily but cannot take a +4dB without attenuation.

Likely there's something WRONG with your MT deck as you seem to have properly inputted an unbalanced but acceptable (grounding the TRS Ring -minus input?) TR signal that should allow unclipped indication and clean recording. 

And you are saying this same CD player's output (without -18 dB attenuator) is OK without distortion into D8's line input?

If so, it may be time to contact M-audio customer service to get this faulty MT deck repaired and the problem resolved.

[yousef]

And you are saying this same CD player's output (without -18 dB attenuator) is OK without distortion into D8's line input?

Yep - no problems there.

Likely there's something WRONG with your MT deck as you seem to have properly inputted an unbalanced but acceptable (grounding the TRS Ring -minus input?) TR signal

Well, I'm not so certain about that - it seems that other people have experienced this and metioned it here from time to time:

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,52968.15.html
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,53678.msg704471/topicseen.html#msg704471
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,66447.msg891930/topicseen.html#msg891930

I'm not sure if it's mentioned explicitly in these threads but I'm sure that I've repeatedly read about the MT adding 14dB of gain to the TRS inputs and that this can't be turned off.

Which brings me back to my original wonderings - with the differences in components mentioned earlier in this thread, would it be possible that there are effectively two different versions of the MT out there: one that can take line levels and one that can't? Perhaps we could have a straw poll with comparison of serial numbers?

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

Perhaps we could have a straw poll with comparison of serial numbers?

You can start a poll thread.

[yousef]

You can start a poll thread.

Another new skill acquired:

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,81722.0.html