I need the REAL Pros to help answer this... r.e. MicroTrack.

I don't know? Maybe it takes a more complex OS to handle it? I sat on hold trying to get the answers to this from M-Audio... and I finally hung up and sent an email... I'll let you know what they say.

Even if the thing can only do 2 gb that's still cool... but 4 gb would be a crazy level of luxury for only $225. Imagine if batteries were the only concern about lasting through the day... with that much storage you could just hit record as soon as you show up and wait for the batteries to run down. Okay maybe you shouldn't get that comfortable... but just what can you store?

At 24/96 WAV you get 2 hours of stereo recording and it would be NICE if it could do mono... since dialog is mono anyway... then you'd get 4. If you set the unit for 24/48 WAV then you get 4 hours even with stereo recording. Dropping your recording rate to 16/48... which will still most likely blow away the internal DVX quality and any wireless... means you get 12 HOURS of stereo recording on a 4 gb card.

And just to be rediculous... if you're doing basic dialog and want to do an mp3 at 256kbps... which is DOUBLE the data rate that I usually post my mic samples at... then you get a comfortable 35 1/2 hours out of 4 gb.

*All this info is based on page 57 out of the Marantz 671 manual for storage... and I can tell you that on any shoot where we used the Marantz we didn't even set it for 24/96 ANYWAY just for the storage issue! I think we ran it 24/48 or something 'cause we only had a 1 gb card and we had to periodically dump the audio to a laptop throughout the day.
 
Here's the latest... fortunately M-Audio DID plan for obscene capacities of flash storage:

The MicroTrack formats media 512MB and under FAT 16.
Everything above that it formats FAT 32.
You can use the largest media you can find.
The longest "file" you can record is 2GB.
But you can record as many 2GB files as your media will support.
Jace Nuzback
Product Manager
M-Audio


Me again... So in another words... feel free to get a 4 GB or even 8 GB compact flash card. Well I think $670 is a little much for an 8 GB card... but $225 sounds okay for a 4 GB card. One continuous file of 2 GB is plenty anyway... can you imagine transferring 2 GB files into your computer?
 
Don't knock it! Have you ever played with a computer running a bare-bones Win 98 OS? Did you know they can get a Win 98 OS down to something like just a few mb?

Lean is mean... If the MicroTrack files songs perfectly on FAT32 then it's probably super fast in handling file structure... plus it's not like the thing has to do anything BUT manage some audio files.

I'm just glad that it DOES do FAT32... there are brand new digital cameras that don't! Like my Canon G6... so how 'bout that?


Also... for those eagerly anticipating... it looks like some questions will be answered sooner then later:

Units have been shipped out.
They should be getting in to dealers within the next two weeks.
Jace
 
"As for changing the levels, you don't let the actors set their own levels with your wireless do you? Man I hope not! So in that respect it's the same setup... monitor, set, and leave it alone."

No I don't let talent fool with levels, but there's several places to adjust levels with a typical system. At the TX, at the RX and at the mixer, all before the recorder. Most adjustments are made at the mixer to accomodate variations in level.
Can't count the number of times I've had a mic check at one level and the speaker then totally changes their level of speaking once the action or interview starts. So now it's "excuse me while I fiddle with the pack in your pocket again".
Not a method of operation I'd choose.
 
phd said:
are there really someone who use Fat 16/32 today :shocked:
Click to expand...

Almost everybody, in one way or another. Most digital cameras format flash cards this way, most video capture drives (FireStore, etc.) use this format, MP3 players, etc... It's a much simpler filesystem to implement than NTFS.
 
Okay you definitely got my attention there... I was hoping that wouldn't be a Zaxcom link!

The cheapest transmitter w/o IFB or remote operation is $1650... and if you want that internal 1.5 hours of recording it's $1950... This is for JUST ONE transmitter... NO receiver. If you want to be able to control the levels of that transmitter via remote... add $1000. So we're at $2950 and we still don't have a receiver to collect the transmission... and that's where I hit a dead-end. This system is so new that I can't find any street pricing on the receivers. My guess is that receiver 'aint gonna' be any cheaper then the transmitter... so we're at typical Zaxcom prices AND UP... Yikes. $3500-$5000 for a wireless set is truly "the ultimate wireless".

Hmm... the MicroTrack is $349 at guygraphics.com

... and it isn't the ultimate anything, no doubt... but did I mention that it's $349?
 
Dude... I PAID FOR IT when I said I was going to... I've been waiting for M-Audio to get the units to guygraphics and then THEY will send it to me!

When you see how I'm gonna' have this thing set up you're gonna' want to follow suit. I hate to predict a rousing victory ahead of time, but here's the plan:

Boom mic is phantom powered by Sound Devices MM-1 and MM-1 works as -126 SN mic-pre ahead of the MicroTrack ( I may split the line-out of the MM-1 and feed BOTH channels of the MicroTrack... with one set a little lower then the other... just in case... but the MM-1 is basically unclippable... so I might not... more on that later)... Okay so if I don't split the line-out to both channels of the MicroTrack I'll split a tail to my G2 plug-on... and I'll connect the MicroTrack back to the MM-1 monitor in.

So all this will have an effectively wireless boom op with a nice guide track sent directly to the DVX and then I can easily line up 16/48 -100db SN audio to my WIRELESS audio... and then dump the wireless audio... leaving only PRISTINE soundtrack.

I won't go to this much trouble EVERY time... that's for sure, but once I set this up in a little gear bag it'll just be it's own self-contained taper rig.

I think that's simple enough to follow... the general idea I mean... basically Dave Fisk's link gave me the idea to just create that "ultimate wireless" rig to operate a good condenser off a boom... rather then a lav.

With it set up like this there's no direct connection between the cam and sound and yet BOTH the cameraman and soundguy can monitor the audio that's coming in! (Obviously the soundguy is gonna' hear a WAY better version of the same audio... but this at least allows everybody to know what's going on.) That Zaxcom link is basically the same thing... it's an ultimate wireless with an option for onboard recording... 'cause even the ultimate wireless isn't guaranteed... and a hard connection always is.

For anybody else contemplating this stuff the MM-1 was $349 anywhere... and that's the same price as the MicroTrack... and then a 4 GB CF card is only $188-$200 shipped from Dell.

I got all the StarQuad/Neutrik cables and adapter cables from Trew...

Once that damn MicroTrack gets here I expect to have some very revealing posts! I'll show you guys through video clips EXACTLY how I set this up and we'll get to listen to just how much it's worth it! The beauty of this is you will be able to hear the SAME exact passages via a wireless versus through the MicroTrack. I'm sure they won't even be close... but it'll be fun to hear just how good field audio can get on a budget (relatively speaking).
 
Man this is what I 've been waiting for as well. I just wished the preamps were clean on the microtrak too so we wouldnt need to buy an additional pre amp.
 
don't expect to work it without good preamp or mixer , the way microtrack is build going to be pain in the ass for boom operator if he intend to keep leveling during the shot , the way Matt did suggested is the way to go
 
Some days I feel torn between the MM-1 and the MixPre... but when I made the choice 3 weeks ago I liked some of the features the MM-1 included that the MixPre doesn't... such as the seperate knob for monitoring an IFB at the same time or independent of the headphone out... plus the MM-1 is the same quality as the MixPre and 302... just one channel of it.

Well this morning I decided that maybe I'd rather have the extra channel... even if the price doubles... so I just put my MM-1 in the marketplace.

$700 is plenty for a field mixer... and probably 3 weeks after that I'll want the 302... but I think I can hang with the MixPre. If my MM-1 (which is only 1 week past exchangeable... doesn't sell then I guess I'll just use it and forget the MixPre.:) )

If you can afford the MixPre then I'd suggest you do that... just for the extra channel.
 
actually the mm1 have benefit for real booman work , the mix pre is build for small mix or more then one channel amplifying
i prefer the mm1 as booman tool its quitter then the mix pre , has t power ( that good for these who still running a-b -mikes), smaller , for the booman ( not stand allon , one who work for soundmixer)
matt if you wont reed of from that one , go to ramps , i think it will fly very fast
 
Has the M-Audio Microtrack now bin officially buried or is it still alive and an alternative for considerably better than direct to DVX sound?
 
Jon I guarantee the MicroTrack will positively CRUSH the DVX audio... I expect the MicroTrack to sound just as good (or maybe even better) then the Marantz 671 that I got and it costs over twice as much. The things that made me change my mind about that unit had nothing to do with sound quality... even if the new firmware doesn't get it stable at 24/96 it's still gonna' sound amazing at 16/48... or even 24/44.1

Also since you now have the FP-24, it won't be a problem if the unit doesn't supply a full 48v of phantom power. The units are only giving 30v... which is enough for many mics... but the battery life in the MicroTrack is maybe HALF what they said it would be... at best. So if you enable phantom you'll be looking at a 2 hour life (or less) so even if you COULD run a particular mic with 30v I'd use the FP-24 to phantom the mic, control it, optimum limiter, super-clean pre-amp, watch levels... and then once you have all that going for you with the FP-24 just use the MicroTrack line-in and leave it alone... no headphone (have headphone output turned all the way down)... no display on... to save battery... and no phantom on... to save battery.

I'd say a MicroTrack combined with the FP-24 would be an amazing sounding rig with decent battery life.

To me the extra cost of the 671 wasn't that bad since the MicroTrack was so cheap to begin with... but the MicroTrack still has some INCREDIBLE specs going for it. I know one guy who benched his and while there was a constant difference in the left and right channels... either one was amazing. At 16/48 he was getting 100db SN in the left channel and 116db (!) SN in the right channel. That's probably a better SN then most people's EARS!:shocked:
 
MattinSTL

Thank you for your always elaborate and insightful answers, im grateful you take the time. This is hard to beat. :thumbsup:
 
The thing that blew me away about the MicroTrack was that it does not have replaceable batteries. That pretty much precludes it from being used in any professional environment. What a stupid move on M-Audio's part (IMHO).

Cheers
 
MattinSTL said:
Jon I guarantee the MicroTrack will positively CRUSH the DVX audio... I expect the MicroTrack to sound just as good (or maybe even better) then the Marantz 671 that I got and it costs over twice as much. The things that made me change my mind about that unit had nothing to do with sound quality... even if the new firmware doesn't get it stable at 24/96 it's still gonna' sound amazing at 16/48... or even 24/44.1

Also since you now have the FP-24, it won't be a problem if the unit doesn't supply a full 48v of phantom power. The units are only giving 30v... which is enough for many mics... but the battery life in the MicroTrack is maybe HALF what they said it would be... at best. So if you enable phantom you'll be looking at a 2 hour life (or less) so even if you COULD run a particular mic with 30v I'd use the FP-24 to phantom the mic, control it, optimum limiter, super-clean pre-amp, watch levels... and then once you have all that going for you with the FP-24 just use the MicroTrack line-in and leave it alone... no headphone (have headphone output turned all the way down)... no display on... to save battery... and no phantom on... to save battery.

I'd say a MicroTrack combined with the FP-24 would be an amazing sounding rig with decent battery life.

To me the extra cost of the 671 wasn't that bad since the MicroTrack was so cheap to begin with... but the MicroTrack still has some INCREDIBLE specs going for it. I know one guy who benched his and while there was a constant difference in the left and right channels... either one was amazing. At 16/48 he was getting 100db SN in the left channel and 116db (!) SN in the right channel. That's probably a better SN then most people's EARS!:shocked:
Click to expand...

Boy, MattinSTL, you sure have a lot of enthusiasm for this non-existant, problematic product!

I do indeed hope it works out well, and suits your needs, but the phantom power issues and aspecially the big variation that "one guy" is seeing between the channels make me very leery of this product. And the battery issues... well, lets just say that voltage affects sound of audio circuitry, and I don't have confidence (Based on other problems with the device) that M-Audio have enough experience with battery-powered devices to properly compensate for this. So stretching the battery to it's limit will probably be a bit problematic.

Anyway, this "one guy" - what was his test setup? I tend not to put much confidence in "one guy" doing "something unspecified" and getting wowing results.

-Barry
 
well, ...actually the product does exist. I have mine in my hand right now. the 24/96 recording works flawlessly as far as any usage ive had until now.. ive let it fill my entire card a couple times and then playabck the file a few times since ive had it. ive tried to make short files and long files and such to shake it up but its worked without hitch. so no problems there. The signal is very very clean. m-audio rates it at 100db s/n which is concurrent to reports so far... and id say its about what im getting. the stereo is balanced nicely as far as i can tell from my own usage. each channel has its own preamp/gain so you could AMP/gain one up more if you wanted or could do it on accident i guess, but it seems to be picking up equal signals from each channel. theres certainly nothing noticeable or tell tale "hotter " about one over the other. there is also an option to link the right and left gain channel controls. the battery is a Li Ion and comes with a warranty on the battery itself. it can be replaced . only you would want to have this one done at a service center if you actually ever needed it. but reallistically its the same as a firestore, laptop, cell phone, or other devices as such with an integrated battery. its not a real issue to worry about. as far as recharging the battery. its pretty much in line with what m-audio says.. "If you recharge the battery before the unit becomes inoperable, the charge time will be approximately 2.5 hours. If you drain the battery to a point where the MicroTrack 24/96 will no longer turn on, a full charge can take approximately 6.5 hours. " its basically like charging a cell phone. the charge time is about the same per how far the battery is drained. once the warning that says "low" comes on in the battery indicator. youve got some more time to play with, but if you quit when your ahead it doesnt take too long to recharge. you can also leave the unit on and use it when charging .. just like a cell phone. although i found that if you shut it off and then start to charge, you cant turn it on to use it. but you can turn it on or leave it on, and plug in the charger, and it will charge/suck power and run at the same time.. it just abbreviates "charge" in the battery indicator area. so thats cool for longer power times. it also charges off the USB port on your computer while you are using it as a drive.. you can put files of any kind on the flash card and store them there which is to be expected i guess.
the unit is about the size of a thick and slightly taller cell phone, and fits into a pant or shirt jacket pocket nicely . it also comes with a little carrying pouch.. simlar to a pouch you get with nice sunglasses. all in all im very happy with the purchase, and just thought id drop my thoughts here for anyone whos considering buying one. If i do happen to run into any issues in the future ill post them here as well. but so far the sailing looks to be pretty smooth. :)
 
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