Topic: Microtrack Question

[natas43]

I just upgraded from a 2 gb SanDisk Extreme III CF card to a 4 gb SanDisk Ultra II.  I formatted the card in the MT.  I have a good amount of shows coming up and wanted to test the strength of my battery while recording at 16/44 vs. 24/48.  When I hit the record button, I get a message on the screen that says "Media full", even though there is nothing on the card and it was just formatted in the MT.  With another push or 2 of the record button, it records without issue.

I let it record until the battery died, then re-charged it overnight.  I re-formatted the card, hit record, and got the same error message.  Has anyone come across this before?  Should I be concerned?

For those that are interested, I was able to record for a whopping 2:46:51 @ 24/48 (with no phantom power) and a stunning 3:24:54 @ 16/44, again without phantom power.   Kind of takes away the stealthiness of the unit when you need to carry around a backup USB battery pack....

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Not sure about that issue.. But you might try formatting in your PC to see if the problem still occurs.  And I'd probably try testing with a bunch of files to make sure it doesn't happen in other situations.

[busterr]

Make sure you've got the latest firmware(V-1.4.6), as I believe that issue was solved with the most recent update. If you are upgrading your firmware be sure to use the CF card that originally came with the MT, as some units were killed by using different cards for the update.
Just follow the instructions exactly and you should be ok.
It's not a huge deal so you may want to decide if you want to risk killing it(if you don't have original card) versus having the media full message(just hit record twice).
The updates can be found on M-audio's website.

[coloartist]

It sounds like an old firmware issue as busterr said. As far as a battery, all you need is a 4 AA sled with a usb cord. That really doesn't take that much space.

Here are directions to build one out of an Altoids box. Can't get much more stealth.



http://www.instructables.com/id/E1QBI60DAJEQZJHW8Y/

but I'm sure Radio Shack has them already made.

[natas43]

Yeah...that is half the problem.  No idea where that little 64 mb card got to.  I lived in Europe when I bought the MT, then moved back to the US.  So, somewhere in the stuff that is still packed (even though I have been back in the US for 14 months!) is that stupid little card!  Anyone want to loan me one?  Sell me one for what it is worth ($0.000000005)?

[willndmb]

use the 2gb card to upgrade if you don't know where the 64 is
i have always used my 4gb microdrive without issue for upgrades, but when people use some cards, usually ones that give them some sort of trouble they end up with big trouble

[guysonic]

It sounds like an old firmware issue as busterr said. As far as a battery, all you need is a 4 AA sled with a usb cord. That really doesn't take that much space.

Here are directions to build one out of an Altoids box. Can't get much more stealth.



http://www.instructables.com/id/E1QBI60DAJEQZJHW8Y/

but I'm sure Radio Shack has them already made.

Engergizer 'Energi-to-Go' USB model seems the one to beat for small size and is ready to go for powering MT decks ~$20 at many local retailers.  See thread http://taperssection.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=dc5cb19c3eae03a2a98a47d2a8b6b290&topic=85254.msg1154218#msg1154218

[Hman]

I just upgraded from a 2 gb SanDisk Extreme III CF card to a 4 gb SanDisk Ultra II.  I formatted the card in the MT.  I have a good amount of shows coming up and wanted to test the strength of my battery while recording at 16/44 vs. 24/48.  When I hit the record button, I get a message on the screen that says "Media full", even though there is nothing on the card and it was just formatted in the MT.  With another push or 2 of the record button, it records without issue.

I let it record until the battery died, then re-charged it overnight.  I re-formatted the card, hit record, and got the same error message.  Has anyone come across this before?  Should I be concerned?

For those that are interested, I was able to record for a whopping 2:46:51 @ 24/48 (with no phantom power) and a stunning 3:24:54 @ 16/44, again without phantom power.   Kind of takes away the stealthiness of the unit when you need to carry around a backup USB battery pack....

I don't know something about this issue. I myself also got several CF-cards (4GB&8GB SanDisk Ultra II) and formatted these also, but never I got that message.

I have another question though.. you say you can record 2:46:51 @ 24/48 & 3:24:54 @ 16/44 without the phantom power. I checked my MT this morning and found this:

@ 24/48: 1:55
@ 24/44: 2:06
@ 16/44: 3:08

HOWCOME the DIFFERENCE?? I always like to record in 24/44 or 24/48, and most of the times I visit longduring concerts, so with the given rec.time (1h55m & 2h06m) I'm forced to rec. in 16/44 (I don't want to stop the recording).. 

Maybe I left the Phantom Power-button on (I can't remember, sorry), but could this be the reason for the difference?? If not, what is causing these differences??

[Roving Sign]

I just upgraded from a 2 gb SanDisk Extreme III CF card to a 4 gb SanDisk Ultra II.  I formatted the card in the MT.  I have a good amount of shows coming up and wanted to test the strength of my battery while recording at 16/44 vs. 24/48.  When I hit the record button, I get a message on the screen that says "Media full", even though there is nothing on the card and it was just formatted in the MT.  With another push or 2 of the record button, it records without issue.

I let it record until the battery died, then re-charged it overnight.  I re-formatted the card, hit record, and got the same error message.  Has anyone come across this before?  Should I be concerned?

For those that are interested, I was able to record for a whopping 2:46:51 @ 24/48 (with no phantom power) and a stunning 3:24:54 @ 16/44, again without phantom power.   Kind of takes away the stealthiness of the unit when you need to carry around a backup USB battery pack....

I have another question though.. you say you can record 2:46:51 @ 24/48 & 3:24:54 @ 16/44 without the phantom power. I checked my MT this morning and found this:

@ 24/48: 1:55
@ 24/44: 2:06
@ 16/44: 3:08

Higher sample and bit rates require more data - and use more memory...the Microtrack has 2 GB file size limit - so you reach that 2GB limit a lot faster at 24/48 than at 16/44...

[Hman]

I just upgraded from a 2 gb SanDisk Extreme III CF card to a 4 gb SanDisk Ultra II.  I formatted the card in the MT.  I have a good amount of shows coming up and wanted to test the strength of my battery while recording at 16/44 vs. 24/48.  When I hit the record button, I get a message on the screen that says "Media full", even though there is nothing on the card and it was just formatted in the MT.  With another push or 2 of the record button, it records without issue.

I let it record until the battery died, then re-charged it overnight.  I re-formatted the card, hit record, and got the same error message.  Has anyone come across this before?  Should I be concerned?

For those that are interested, I was able to record for a whopping 2:46:51 @ 24/48 (with no phantom power) and a stunning 3:24:54 @ 16/44, again without phantom power.   Kind of takes away the stealthiness of the unit when you need to carry around a backup USB battery pack....

I have another question though.. you say you can record 2:46:51 @ 24/48 & 3:24:54 @ 16/44 without the phantom power. I checked my MT this morning and found this:

@ 24/48: 1:55
@ 24/44: 2:06
@ 16/44: 3:08

Higher sample and bit rates require more data - and use more memory...the Microtrack has 2 GB file size limit - so you reach that 2GB limit a lot faster at 24/48 than at 16/44...

Ok, well I understand that.. but the thing is... shouldn't this be for every Microtrack the same???
There are differences in these recording-times. How is that possible??

[willndmb]

your 24/48 time is correct 1:55 is the same i get

[Roving Sign]

Is the original poster commenting on his battery box run times vs. internal battery? The last sentence seems to indicate that...

not sure you are comparing the same thing...

[willndmb]

Is the original poster commenting on his battery box run times vs. internal battery? The last sentence seems to indicate that...

not sure you are comparing the same thing...

ahh yes upon rereading you are correct, and thats sweet battery time imo
i don't get anywhere near that

[jtessier]

If you haven't yet updated the firmware, I wold recommend NOT using that card where you are getting the media full message the first time to try to record to it to perform  the update. That symptom appears related to a failure when flashing the firmware (rendering the unit dead and requiring it be sent back to M-Audio for repair). Use any other card where you do not see that problem to do the update (providing you still can't find the original 64MB card which for sure does not have that issue).

Good luck,

J.T.

[natas43]

Is the original poster commenting on his battery box run times vs. internal battery? The last sentence seems to indicate that...

not sure you are comparing the same thing...

No, that is with the internal battery only....no external sources.  I use a battery box on my mics (thus no phantom power).  I haven't had the chance to test the MT using an external battery yet.