All user reviews for the M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96

use: from 1 month in intensive, broadcast-type.
Type of Work:
<ul> miking of conferences with dynamic microphone + stand
music at the output of mixer
interview style radio with supplied microphone cable or with dynamic +. </ul>

My search:
<ul> alternative to the MD, considrablement reducing the transfer time on station assembly
need a MONO Wave recorder, or other MP3 cases
I was looking for an investment for me, but at the same time I wanted to do a test to find a machine fits my partners:
affordable for the budget of my partners (community radio stations, Communities, associations chrtiennes).
simplicity of use and reliability of the system </ul>

Due to time and budget, I did not test other models. I invest in a tascam hsit HDP2 (http://www.tascam.com/Products/hdp2.html) or a Marantz PMD660 (http://www.d-mpro.com/users/folder . asp? FolderID = 3629 & CatID = 19 & SubCatID = 180), but too expensive for my research. Then I pretty hsit between the Edirol R-09 and M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96. It is this that took my prfrence for the simple reason that I've found an online Euro 300.

For the type of use that I made, this unit has rpondu perfectly.
Benefits from:
I Found trs pro with same:
<ul> ENTERED symtriques its micro,
a large display showing simultanment: the seen and the nitre-peak-meter, the casting time and time remaining on the MDIA, the battery gauge, the name of the current file.
I like the adjuster's manual recording level, changed during recording
the quality of sound recorded trs well encode to MP3, perfectly restored to WAV.
security: it completes the file being saved in case of empty battery before s'teindre
I like that it can be mains power during recording
a simple menu, and in several languages ​​(including franais) and options for mono recording (saving space), the lighting or not, the adjuster auto off time before and a lot of well think of other options
I like his pocket, and the microphone is not Intgr systmatiquement montbr /> t the microphone is pretty good for this type of device, and I was able to ambient sounds and also interviews trs correct. This mic is not more sensitive to handling noise than any handheld microphone.
Self-testing of 3:50 in recording
The simplicity of updating firmware
the reliability of the recording (not been a problem if we respect the procedures in dconnexion usb and deletion of files by itself) </ul>

its least:
<ul> the price, this product is expensive in compar MD, all that must be added the price of an SD Card to be oprationnel.
battery integrates indmontable. The M-Audio website says that to change the battery they must return the unit with a 60 Euro each suite. I espre a Li-Hi will be insensitive to Memoirs of charge and offer a good hard life ... Ds that branch MicroTrack via USB, it will start charging.
The breath of pramplis, that of a comparable MD. (For the price, I esprais better).
He does not like that deletes files from the PC. He does not like dbranchement a USB port without having pralablement ject. But fortunately a button frontage that allows the MicroTrack dconnexion of Manire much more convenient than the procedure ... XP
No possibility of reset (remove power) in case of crash firmware. I had a big sweat when taking his o MicroTrack s'tait fig ... APRS several manipulation he happily reboot but I do not know how!
Really limit the level headphone
The 30-volt phantom power, which does not allow me to use my mixer without MKH40 ... But when I use the MKH40, I want pramplis trs silent, so a lot does not hinder me. </ul>

Overall:
I'm very happy with this device for the use I make of it. My dernire delivery was put online on the internet a vnemnet: 20 confrences over 4 days. Taken with the MicroTrack's in mono wave output mixing, transfer in less than 5 minutes via USB2, treatment on a ProTools LE on my PB in XP, editing, compression and modulation standard, then export to MP3 (64k Mono speech) in iTunes, and RESOLUTION better for music. The posting could be done almost in real time. The rsultat can s'couter on this page (https://www.exultet.net/eshop/index.php?main_page=product_music_info&products_id=476)

If I had to make that choice
Yes, I rachterais a MicroTrack. I'd like to test one day a Edirol R-09 and a Marantz PMD660, to compare. The MicroTrack is for me a good alternative to MiniDisc trs.
While sr, this is not the miracle recorder and cheap that everyone dream ... but probably never will exist!

- How long have you use it?
3 days -> sent back to the store for refund.

- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
plus: height, weight, price, number of connectors, memory cards, the simplicity of use, USB, 96k 24b.
less: supplied microphone mini jack and between ... breath unlikely. For Jack pramps 6.35 with condenser microphone (Rode nt1a) Submitted breath is impossible to make a decision on his own. 30V power supply. Impossible to replace the battery for extended use. No limitation.

- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
MD Marantz PMD 650 - DA-P1.

- How do you report qualitprix?
The product is sduisant but a link in the chain has the t nglig pramplis.
For the sound effects and soundscapes that does not forgive.

- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...
No!

The solution is to buy pramplis battery and return to line level for recording 96k24b.
In the Contents it goes directly into the professional world: shure fp24 - sound devices mm1.

- How long have you use it?
Since its release, ordered from Playback

- What is so special that you like most and least?
Plus: MicroDrive support and ease of registration
The least: lack of preamp for external miking

- Have you tried many other models before buying it?
No.

- How would you rate the quality / price?
Very good, especially since the entries are numerous. With an external amplifier, the sound is very good as a microphone jack on the right 3.5.

- With experience, you do again this choice? ...
Yes, because it is really convenient to use and well built. For my own use, it suits me perfectly.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- How long have you use it?</span>

Since about 1 month.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- What is so special that you like most and least?</span>

More:

- Numerous entries.
- Sound quality.
- The ability to use flash or micro-drives
- The phantom power supplies.

Cons:

- Lack of XLR. (Related to the size of the product)
<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>
- Have you tried many other models before buying it?</span>

Compared with MD I have had it day and night. No breath, really stunning.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- How would you rate the quality / price?</span>

Excellent. These are the same components as those present in the sound card MAUDIO firewire 410.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>- With experience, you do again this choice? ...</span>

Definitely.

5 years later .....

The big problem of this device is its battery fixed it a sealed disposable recorder.
This is something to consider for those considering a purchase occasion.

If at the time it was quite exceptional, there are now more interesting proposals, on the side of Zoom, Tascam, Marantz etc ...

In short it was a pioneer, it's still a great device, but it is now beyond all this about a battery .... grrrr ....
===================== ========================= Original text =========
I've had 15 days

Features I like most
- The size and weight. It is a craft that I can have permanently in my bag, which is not the case with other tools certainly much more efficient but two or three times more expensive and bigger. The MicroTrack is a bit to make a comparison photo, a good compact. Not worth a reflex, but you can have all the time with you and sometimes it is better using a contraption but there is a great thing .. but that is at home.
- The sound quality with the supplied microphone. This is not a Nagra with Schoeps, but for my use is very sufficient. I have not tried seriously with external microphones. rectification microphone bluffing at first, but use it well nttement months, to escape (it's funny because the first impression is quite good, but then it goes bad hairy)
- Input / Output (attention, see below)
- Ease of use
- Includes all options (microphone, headset, charger, small map) and can be used immediately

My least favorite features
- Build quality barely fit a toy
- The display shows anything so it's no real control as possible
- The partial side CF card (it accepts the original Kodak and Sandisk, Ridata, but denies that I use with my camera)
- Made available to some rule of thumb (when USB is plugged into the S / PDIF is inaccessible while, there was the place)

I filled a lot but I have not used others before, just a minidisk (Sony MZ-R30) that made the soul and the MicroTrack a function to replace

In absolute value for money is a disgrace.
M-Audio (like its competitors, Edirol and Marantz) must marger like a pig on this machine. When you see the quality of manufacturing a Minidisk next (my MZ-R30 which is cheaper is all metal with precision engineering inside) that is breathtaking.
This thing but lightweight plastic and made in China, is expected to cost just half.

In practice, since it is the cheapest in the market .. the ratio Q / P is excellent

With the experience I would do without hesitation that choice (unless a competitor is equivalent and cheaper).
After some reports done with it, the MicroTrack if annoying (or scary) at the start is a little thing really well, small, simple and very decent quality.
To record classical concerts or theft of a 300m fly shotgun microphone is perhaps not the ultimate weapon, but to use radio type is very ample, and even very pleasant to use

Beware the number of entries.
I think Jack's 6.35 more than doubtful. so that the MT is manufactured much like a pack of chewing gum weighs less than my mic cable XLR-> Jack which means that it is not the microphone that is attached to the magneto magneto but which is attached to end of the microphone cable. In the long run it smells very strong concern, I suspect that the reliability of Jack will soon be a concern.

Note: the comment above (Hermes) is optimistic .. (if not commercial);

- The phantom power supply is a friendly joke, it delivers 30V instead of 48V regulations, so much so that M-Audio publishes a list of compatible microphones (funny thing, this is not the case of microphones M-Audio):
- Http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.faq&ID=7fb377f3ef962038a26bc5c2291bafc1
That said I use an audio-technica (ATM31a) takes 9-52V phantom and walk in with the impeccable MicroTrack.

- The "there is no breath" is very optimistic. The MicroTrack lays a sound correct, but it is not a Nagra (besides the MT itself is cheaper than a quality preamp, there is no secret)

- Not only all the cards are not recognized (the list is there: http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MicroTrack2496-focus.html) but the recognition of certain cards is a little rock ' n roll (the manipulation is also detailed here by m-audio: http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.faq&ID=8c9df6e8dd4618d117ac56e0cb84a1a3)

I'm using the MicroTrack 24/96 for two months now. Although autonomy is limited, the sound quality is that of indniablement suprieure Edirol R 09, that I have test last night. This regardless of the compression ratio. I think that is li to the fact that the internal microphone of R 09, construction, + strong, is of lower quality than the MicroTrack. The R09 seems made to be used in reporting (of war), and in Microtrack config-ing sound. In fact, the R09 n has only a mini-jack, while the MicroTrack offers in addition two TRS jack inputs with phantom power 6.35 ... It is true that the R 09 + out strong, but the sound seemed to me pluttmtallique. In short, it is best to go and compare them with your ears in a store that would have both in BMD, and make your own opinion. Although it fault out of 400 +, I love using my 2 condenser microphones (TBA 4041) in total autonomy from outside.

I use the MicroTrack for two weeks as a professional recording relief instead of an MD. And lightweight as a recorder when the weight is the enemy n1. And as continuity in parallle recorder with video recorder that does not cut the same time.

WHAT I LIKE:

small cheap (400 euros with 128M CF) TRANSFR directly on the computer as a USB volume (no weird interface), possibility to choose the recording format.

WHAT I DO NOT LIKE:

1) find a card that is compatible.
Note to users: The Transcend 1GB 80x (39 euros at the corner) is not compatible.
Should make a list of cards tested somewhere.
Testing: LEXAR 2GB PRO X133.

2) make a list of microphones that work properly on 30V - 7kilohms. It's not that high voltage output that ESG Resistors. To stay would require a lightweight mic. Stereo XY or MS. The Schoeps WCC-3 work, but if you must SAVE the battery may be it is better prvoir collection outdoor power batteries.

3) provision of the notch. We do not see that the MicroTrack possible on a table. When he strapp on my mixer, you see nothing. Fortunately that is 24 bits RULES once and for all.

4) self-limited, and no pack / battery. There are about USB, but what was used when the machine is small, if we get around a plant?

5) no headphone acceptable. When recording in 24 bits, it is assumed to have a great guard and not rgler level while shooting, with 32 dB of custody remains 19 useful bits and the background noise of microphone is best cod at least 5 bits. The output level "monitor" can not hear anything.

I use it for 7-8 months now.

I used to be a Sony mini-disc enreistreur fairly upscale (for a mini-disc!). I appreciate the fact that finally solves the problems that before MD: Here it is very easy to record in universal formats (wav, mp3), transfer to the computer, and do what 'we want with.

I must be lucky because I never had a problem like a lot of crashes here ... Increasingly, the little annoyances fade gradually, since m-audio offers regular updates on their site, which is a good point.

Preamp
The weak point, it is the preamp. Precisely because they are weak, and there are a lot of breath. However, it should not expect to find at this price nagra recorder style ... For a basic application: recordings of speech, to repeat, that is all that does not necessarily mean pro, it is very good.
The supplied microphone is perfect for recording the spoken voice, to take testimony on the spot ... not to make a model of CD (one would have doubted it).

When I want to record concerts in a little cleaner, I would add one more pro preamp (M-Audio Audio Buddy), with a microphone a little bit worthy of the name. So, this gives me a set not too heavy, very correct, breathless.

storage
The card is delivered with an amiable joke business. To be fair, consider adding the price of a compact flash card (I have a price of 1 GB and I had again had no problem recognizing the device)

Autonomy
I find just sufficient for my use: to record from time to time. When used without phantom power supply, it takes about 2 hours. Yes, a little more autonomy was welcome, but when I need longer, I find a spot taken. So it's not really a portable recorder pro: the battery can not be changed: very bad thing!

boot time
The boot is relatively long (the device does not start instantly, it takes 20sec loan. To be operational, which is long enough I should). Having said that, when lit, the Micro-track recording can start very quickly.

Strength:
It's plastic, but ultimately it's pretty solid (if not to sit on it). Paint deteriorates quite easily, but nothing serious (it's not a luxury which, no paint galvanized here.)
Connectors scared me at first, as the dial, as the menu button ... but it is clear with hindsight, everything is still ... So is that it should not be so fragile (attention, I am not a nag anyway ...)
For cons, I added small rubber pads underneath the story does not slip Micotrack a table (which happened very quickly given the weight and the material). At least now he is stable and slip resistant.

Price / quality:
However, I find it quite expensive for what it is. I think the cost is well below the sales price (which has also dropped quite a bit), given by the manufacture of small hand in Asia ... Large margins for the manufacturer!

So do not expect to have the "perfect tool" for registration of land, with everything you need in sound quality, independently and with a shell of hardened steel ... why put a lot of euros more.
I still do it again this election I think ... but the market is laying eggs in small animals that would be it would be nice to test. At the time, at this price, the MicroTrack was one of the few.

-I was robbed of an Edirol R09, I use the Micro Track for 3 days.
-The more the S / PDIF input, the less the reste.Je explain the rest: very noisy preamp, phantom power anemic edition only embryonic delivered at the microphones preamps (dismal), put into operation very slow (about 20s), batteries included unknown and changeable by the user, the bandwidth of the preamp which, regardless of the microphone (supplied or exterior), is a succession of hollows and bumps by the unmanageable Subsequently, the monitoring aterrant.L line input seems more correct although slightly upward from 5 to 6 dB from one end of the tape to another.
-Not just the Edirol.
The price-quality ratio seems sad or ashamed, you feel very quickly that this machine has been on the market before being developed and it was out to fill this niche in fashion.
-With experience, I can remake that choice if there were no other competitors with a S / PDIF in this price zone.

Overall, the Edirol R09 machine seems a lot more mature though still imperfect, and especially lacks S / PDIF.

In short, big disappointment. This is significantly more expensive than a recent MD without any justification.

After two weeks of use behind a digital Mix 2000 AETA results are honorable and that I justify the overall score back to 5. Digital acquisition works perfectly.

I use it for two months. What I like most is its compactness and the ability to save 24-bit, 96 khz everywhere. What I like least is that recording with supplied microphone handling noise is Submitted. This is the first such device I use. The price, though frankly I think trs tudi EXAGRES to the quality of manufacture. Still, I do not regret this purchase ...
APRS over a year of use, I would add a few remarks supplmentaires ...
It is impractical Tlcharger the update 1.4.5 on the website of M-Audio adds new features and is more stable and effective than Premire version of firmware.
I've never had a problem SETTING THE volume of reading, if other users have a means that they have fallen on dfectueux MODELS, so management SAV . It is true that the amount of memory supplied with the camera purchase is ridiculous, but we're good consumers we should be Aviss long ago! Who has not bought a camera dj numrique? The memory provided is systmatiquement riquiqui payers and pigs we are not even discuss it: buying a digital camera must we pass by the radius of memory cards without even more rflchir. .. Why M-Audio diffrent would he?
I use the MicroTrack to record sounds of nature, city and sometimes I incorporate into my ralisations. I also used to record conversations, to register the guitar (I believe your exact stunning considering the size pickups) for such uses the microphone t seems to me enough, I never tried to use micro capacitor that would feed the 48 V device. I told her assistant to a memory card GO: 24/96 made in 30 minutes, one hour in 24/44.1. Although Sr to record a concert, it is not enough ...

Hi all ....
A notice about this device.
I personally have used it for at least six months, in a purely professional. ing its happened to me (but do not say), to hide in a box fy the rear of a DX 38 on a concert. issue a souvenir ... unique.
Otherwise mostly I use it for recording various conferences and other meetings, or local councils .... short, hard gnralement long recording times.
Wma mode is a quick REAR 4 hours recording ... 2 GB. On the card, o interest to record in mp3 320kb / s.
we spend nearly 14 hours of recording .. hard drive for stakeholders. an important point about this type s'appareil, NEVER FORGET YOUR FILES OF THE 2GB !!!!!, because a lot of editing software Grente does not file a capacity suprieure. you can also switch to 256 or 128 or 64 kb / s in the latter case we obtain the hard record to kill any speaker ...
I usually hard to reach non-stop recording allgrement five hours. and the MicroTrack does not flinch. never crash, never a false brief contact the top. I used before, a portable, efficient, too, but little more light (but more difficult to hide derrire a digital filter). For my part, I use almost always with a level of 4 dB (rarely between micro), note the choice between different formats taken, and levels.
Apprciable also hold the key, just in case ...
Also note that it also supports 4 GB cards ..
Finally note the simplicity of use of menus and easy to erase files, APRS confirmation.

Once you have registered you can do your editing and your burn with any editing software sound forge, for example ... home ... or not ... well that's good, both in quality than price.
to the headphone jack, some regret the position that a small detail that is not teacher, ... he had to find a place to put it, especially since it does not impede at all .

in this price range, I highly recommend ... aissi can find better, but also more expensive ..... n

I've had about a year.

Most: its size and the inter lgret numrique, recording 24 bits, clear information on the display (although it works just the blind ).

Minimum: Startup trs long, dplacement in large files a little laborious, the autononie a fair bit, management gain a little weird.

I also possde Nagra Ares PII + (which I am madly) and I find that the MicroTrack does not at all ashamed of his report quality price.

When I put the gain of the Nagra up, even with the Schoeps, I also mean breath, the opposite would inquitant trs.

I am always tonn long discussions about whether it is pro or not, as if the limit clearly Dfine silent, when we know well at the bottom we're all amateurs.

I would do without this choice hsiter, less the equivalent of finding even smaller.

This remains the Achilles heel of this very good recorder: its battery.

After a year and a half, its autonomy was recording with reduced far less than an hour then about 30 minutes after 2 years. Now, no more than 6mn with required reboot to add records for 2mn 30s max.
Battery replacement cost $ 75 USD must be in m-long audio dlai and perspective that has again within a year.

Solution: a USB external battery. I found this the least expensive 23 USD book:
https://usb.brando.com/prod_detail.php?prod_id=00279
But I take the risk of those dollars because I did not test. I will fix it for the magnto reports.
Too bad because this is very good if not magnto ...