Topic: Korg MR-1 and MR-1000 - News DSD Recorders announced at AES

[Nick's Picks]

no, on all accounts at the moment.

the software will convert to PCM though, at any resolution from the looks of it.
so, think of these recorders as mastering devices only.  you can offload the raw data as backup, but I believe it is only playable by these recorders or other DSD DAW type gear.  Burning SACD is not possible currently, and unlikely from what "they" say.  I think there will be a way to play these somehow...eventualy.  Probably just PC based. 
even still, i'm sure the DSD>24bit PCM files will be plenty pleasing.

[CQBert]

I will probably sit on the sidelines on this one then...  wait to see how the first test go and sample some recordings.

It will be interesting to see how the conversions sound from 1bit to 24bit considering where the emphasis on placing the information is in the 1bit versions.

New toys - hopefully this one will become more than a bit bucket that requires extra work to get a viable listening meduim.

Thanks for the info...

I remain curious   

[newblue]

Jerry, glad to see that you looked up the forum!  And we appreciate all you do.



I just got this reply from Jerry K. to some questions regarding the MR Series....

Hi Jack:

OK, just this once.

The MR's top out at 1 Gig per file. A 2.8 mHz stereo recording takes approx. 40 MB per stereo minute, and 5.6 mHz is double that. So you can get around 25 minutes continous with the MR-1.

Regards,

Jerry

P.S. Korg just decided to change the HD in the MR-1000 to 40 GB.


Followed by.....


Hi Jack:

I actually had my info wrong. While the "per file" size is limited to 2 GB, the MR automatically handles this and can keep recording. The maximum recording time for any of the formats is 6 hours! Sorry for the wrong assumption before.

regards,

Jerry

[manamana]

so....

1) who's going to be the first to offer preorders?

2) Jerry/korg - care to comment on the possibility of swapping out the HD in the MR-1 for an adapter and a CF card? How much better battery life would that give?

[Nick's Picks]

CF would be almost useless w/DSD recording...I would guess.
this is due to size limitations...

[CQBert]

CF Cards are now avaialable in 16 Gig and soon up to 32 gig...  also, the vast majority of what we record is in the 2 hour length area - only festivals really generate the need for much more.

I would like to see an option available in the future if not right out of the gate..

CQBert

[newblue]

Size limitations may not even be an issue with a 4GB CF card.  If DSD occupies 40MB per stereo minute then a 4GB card would hold approximately 100 minutes of stereo audio.  That would be half that for DXD.

CF would be a nice option to have.

[MattH]

P.S. Korg just decided to change the HD in the MR-1000 to 40 GB.

This will be key to recording at WSD resolution. I really can't wait to hear something double the resolution of regular DSD.

[robin0112358]

The MR-1 has no phantom power, no digital in, and analog in on 1/8". No matter what the A/D is like, this looks rather poor for location work. On the other hand the Zoom H4 has XLR ins with +48V, is significantly cheaper and available now.

It's not all about bits.

[Ed.]

It's not all about bits.

Actually, I'm guessing thats the reason most of us are interested in it.

[flintstone]

Looks like the MR-1 will have plug-in power available
http://www.korg.com/MR_Series/lrg_MR1ACC.jpg

The big brother MR-1000 does have phantom power and XLR inputs for pro mics.
http://www.korg.com/MR_Series/lrg_1000BK.jpg

Flintstone

[manamana]

The MR-1 also has balanced inputs on TRS minijacks...a plus over the r-09

[robin0112358]

Actually, I'm guessing thats the reason most of us are interested in it.

Fair enough, I'm not trying to diss an interest in an improved sampling method. My point, perhaps poorly made, is that we already have 24-bit portable recorders without anything like 24-bit resolution on the analogue inputs. Soon the MR-1 will offer better-than-that encoding with no-better-than-that inputs. The result will not be improved audio fidelity to the source. As an audio engineer I see a problem here.

I also really dislike interconnects like mini jack. You can never depend on them. A solid locking arrangement like XLR is preferred. Why not a physically smaller but similar stereo plug for mini recorders?

[newblue]

Then get the MR-1000.

[MattH]

Actually, I'm guessing thats the reason most of us are interested in it.

Fair enough, I'm not trying to diss an interest in an improved sampling method. My point, perhaps poorly made, is that we already have 24-bit portable recorders without anything like 24-bit resolution on the analogue inputs. Soon the MR-1 will offer better-than-that encoding with no-better-than-that inputs. The result will not be improved audio fidelity to the source. As an audio engineer I see a problem here.

I also really dislike interconnects like mini jack. You can never depend on them. A solid locking arrangement like XLR is preferred. Why not a physically smaller but similar stereo plug for mini recorders?

DSD is not really about higher SNR or extended frequency response which might be limited by the analog inputs or front end. To me it is just much smoother and natural sounding than PCM, even with a crappy front end.