Product Description

The MicroTrack 24/96 is a rugged high-fidelity mobile 2-channel digital recorder that records WAV and MP3 files to CompactFlash or microdrives, perfect for everything from professional field recording to corporate meetings, training, education and worship. Record via balanced line inputs or built-in high-fidelity microphone preamps complete with phantom power for studio-quality microphones. Connect MicroTrack 24/96 to a PC or Mac via USB and simply drag and drop recordings to your computer for immediate editing or Web posting. Power derives from a lithium-ion battery, and the unit can recharge via the computer’s USB connection or included USB power adapter. The MicroTrack 24/96 combines quality beyond that of DAT recording with the convenience and cost-effectiveness of personal digital recorders for the ultimate solution in mobile recording.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5801 in Musical Instruments
• Brand: M-Audio
• Model: 9900-40773-00
• Dimensions: 2.00 pounds

Features

• Compact 2-channel digital recorder with balanced 1/4-inch TRS inputs and mic/line switch
• Saves audio files in WAV or MP3 format on compatible CompactFlash cards and microdrives
• Immediate drag-and-drop file transfer to PC or Mac via USB 2.0; easy-to-read LCD display
• Separate left and right input level controls with signal and peak indicators; coaxial digital input
• Includes 64 MB CompactFlash card; measures 2.4 x 4.3 x 1.12 inches (W x H x D): 1-year warranty

Amazon.com Product Description
Not every business meeting or educational seminar demands a high-quality professional recording, but when it does, the M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96 two-channel digital recorder stands ready to contribute. The rugged, high-fidelity device measures a mere 2.4 by 4.3 by 1.12 inches (W x H x D), helping it fit conveniently in the palm of your hand like a personal voice recorder. At the same time, the unit features professional balanced 1/4-inch TRS inputs with a mic/line switch for high-end mics, along with built-in high-fidelity microphone pre-amps with phantom power--a necessary feature for many studio mics. As a result, the recording quality exceeds that of DAT recorders, making the MicroTrack an ideal unit for everything from professional field recordings to sermons to corporate speeches.

The MicroTrack records audio files in WAV or MP3 format and saves them on compatible CompactFlash cards and microdrives, including cards produced by Hitachi, Seagate, Corsair, Lexar, Kodak, Toshiba, SanDisk, and Kingston. When one card or drive fills up, users can either erase the files, transfer them to a Mac or PC via drag and drop, or insert a new card for a fresh start. It's remarkably easy and convenient, especially given the MicroTrack's compact size. Should you not have a professional mic, you can use the included stereo electret microphone, which connects to the MicroTrack's 1/8-inch TRS input.

Power derives from a lithium-ion battery, which you can recharge via the computer's USB 2.0 connection or with a USB power adapter. And file management is simple thanks to the easy-to-read LCD display and the included software, which handles editing and file format conversion. Additional features include RCA line outputs and a 1/8-inch stereo headphone output for monitoring, an S/PDIF coaxial input for digital transfers, separate left and right input level controls with signal and peak indicators, and dedicated buttons for navigation, record, hold, pause, delete, menu, and power. The MicroTrack 24/96 comes with a 64 MB CompactFlash card and is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the Box
MicroTrack 24/96, USB cable, power supply, electret microphone, ear buds, 64 MB CompactFlash card, user's manual.

From the Manufacturer
The MicroTrack is a rugged high-fidelity mobile 2-channel digital recorder that records WAV and MP3 files to CompactFlash or microdrives—perfect for everything from professional field recording to corporate meetings, training, education and worship. Record via balanced line inputs or built-in high-fidelity microphone preamps complete with phantom power for studio-quality microphones. Connect MicroTrack to a PC or Mac via USB and simply drag and drop recordings to your computer for immediate editing or Web posting. Power derives from a lithium-ion battery, and the unit can recharge via the computer’s USB connection or USB power adapter. The MicroTrack combines quality beyond that of DAT recording with the convenience and cost-effectiveness of personal digital recorders for the ultimate solution in mobile recording.

Post MP3s to the Web-Instantly
MicroTrack’s ability to record directly to MP3 files and transfer them instantly to the computer means that you can e-mail or post high-quality recordings to the Web immediately. Musicians can e-mail demos to writing/production partners and record companies when the inspiration strikes. Business users can easily upload meetings and presentations for review and wider dissemination immediately. Educators can post classes, lectures and seminars without delay. Faith-based organizations can quickly broadcast worship services and speakers. Professional presenters can create and sell back-end collateral content almost instantly—and the list goes on.

Flexible Recording
One of the secrets to the MicroTrack’s compact size is that, like many of today’s digital cameras, it records to CompactFlash or microdrives. Recording capacity is based on the recording format selected and the size of the currently inserted media. An affordable upgrade to a 1GB CompactFlash card or microdrive, for example, will hold approximately 100 minutes of uncompressed CD-quality 16-bit stereo 44.1kHz WAV files. That same 1GB media will store 1500 minutes of stereo speech-quality MP3 audio at 96kbps. Of course, you can use and swap out whatever capacity media suits your needs.

Simple Transfers
You can record as many unique files as the capacity of your available storage allows. Then just connect MicroTrack to your PC or Mac via USB, and it appears as a USB mass storage device showing the unique identification number of each file. Just drag and drop the files to your computer’s hard drive and your audio is ready to edit and/or post to the Web. The included Audacity software even gives you the power to easily edit your files and convert between file formats.

Power to Go
MicroTrack is powered via long-life lithium-ion batteries. You can record for approximately four to five hours on a single charge (or about three hours with phantom power engaged). Recharge the battery by simply connecting MicroTrack to a PC or Mac via USB, or using an optional power supply.

Professional Recording—Anytime, Anywhere
At about the size and weight of a deck of cards, MicroTrack will go anywhere you need to record—but don’t let its small size fool you. Thanks to leaps in miniaturization, this rugged device is in the same class as our critically acclaimed audio interfaces. Pro-quality preamps complete with phantom power will work with your favorite condenser microphones virtually anywhere you need to capture audio—all the way up to 24-bit/96kHz.

Take MicroTrack with you wherever you go as a songwriter’s notebook
MicroTrack's mobility and mic preamps also make it ideal for recording practice sessions and gigs, not to mention capturing film-quality sound effects in the field. Balanced ¼" TRS line ins also make it easy to take a feed directly from a studio or club mixer. S/PDIF input means that you can even record the output of digital mixers and do transfers from other digital recording/storage devices. And regardless of how you choose to record, you can monitor via the 1/8" stereo headphone jack or RCA line outs.

Beyond DAT
The MicroTrack represents a far better way to acquire audio than DAT, especially in the field. For starters, MicroTrack's media and electronics are all solid state, making them significantly more compact, reliable and resilient. Where delicate DAT tapes are comparatively hard to find, CompactFlash and microdrives are readily available, and the price per megabyte keeps plummeting. Perhaps even more compelling, audio data transfers from MicroTrack to your computer almost instantly—no more waiting around for real-time DAT transfers. And MicroTrack's media can even double as storage for other devices such as digital cameras.

Full Feature Set

• 2-channel WAV and MP3 recording and playback for pro recording, meetings, training, education and worship
• storage via convenient CompactFlash or microdrives*
• immediate drag-and-drop file transfer to PC and Mac via USB 2.0 mini- connector
• powered via USB, rechargeable lithium-ion battery or power supply (both included)
• separate left and right input level controls with signal and peak indicators
• professional balanced 1/4" TRS inputs with mic/line switch
• dual microphone preamps with phantom power for studio microphones
• 1/8" TRS input with 5V power for use with stereo electret microphone (microphone included)
• S/PDIF coaxial input for digital transfers
• monitoring via RCA line outputs or 1/8" stereo headphone output
• stereo output level control
• large LCD for navigation and statistics
• dedicated buttons for navigation, record, hold, pause, delete, menu, and power
• includes software for editing and file format conversion
• 64MB CompactFlash card included

Customer Reviews

Great idea, less than perfect implementation
First I should say that I do field/mobile recordings of jazz and classical groups, lugging heavy road cases, cables and stands to various venues in order to do CD recordings of the concerts. I am also a professional musician, and frequently wish to record rehearsals and informal performances for self-evaluation later on. I formerly used a small Sony DAT-Man recorder for this with a Radio Shack battery powered stereo mic, but both died and it was time for a replacement using the latest technology. Enter the M-Audio Microtrack 24/96...

In concept this unit is fantastic, and the layout and feature set are just about all I can ask for, to do what I need to do. And, the unit works. Here are my thoughts on the unit, using the latest firmware as of mid-January 2006:

Good:
-Acceptable LCD display, although level meters are too slow to use, making it hard to see what the signal is doing. This leads to surprises when the red CLIPPING LEDs suddenly light up; I can't see these hot levels coming until it is too late. At least M-Audio thought to put these LEDs there instead of relying on the LCD alone.
-Excellent controls layout and simple control scheme.
-Basic audio quality is comparable to CDs, although this depends greatly on how I bring the signal into the unit. The only way to get a really clean signal is via the digital S/PDIF connector, and I have nothing small and light enough to take to sessions that will provide S/PDIF from a microphone.
-Firmware is very easy to upgrade.
-USB interface to computer works seamlessly and easily, although to upload longer audio files from the unit to the computer I choose to use a USB Compact Flash card reader...it is much faster.

Bad:
-Unit feels flimsy; lightweight is good, but jeez!
-I need some way to see where the levels really are during the time when I have to set volume levels for recording. The meters just don't do the job, and by the time the red CLIPPING LEDs light up, the recording is already flawed. I know that LCD level meters can work well (it's not an LCD problem), since I have other equipment that use LCD meters that work perfectly.
-Microphone preamplifier is just plain noisy (hiss). I have not been able to get a clean and quiet audio signal in via either the 1/8" or 1/4" mic inputs. Using an external mic preamp, I can get a good signal via the 1/4" line inputs, but needing to do this limits the portability.
-Recording volume controls work well but are GAIN ONLY...no attenuation. This means the unit can not reduce the level of the incoming signal if that signal is too loud/hot, it can only boost it. When the volume controls are fully down, the inputs are at 'unity gain'. For line level inputs, I have been forced to use in-line attenuators. This is significant, because it is impossible to record even the output of a CD player, for example, without clipping if in-line attenuators are NOT used.
-Using the included tiny "T" mic with the 1/8" input, the LOW/LINE sensitivity setting always seems too quiet, and the next setting is the MEDIUM/MIC which always seems to be too loud (and remember that I can not reduce the level). So, I have made all field recordings using the LOW/LINE setting with the volume all the way up, and have had to live with recorded levels that only use about half of the available headroom.
-Using balanced professional mics into the 1/4" inputs, with XLR to TRS adapters wired according to the M-Audio FAQs webpage, the noise is very noticable and the left channel has a faint motorboating sound. This happens whether I use battery powered mics or phantom powered, and is apparently a fault in the unit. I have waited on hold for hours with M-Audio and never been able to get through to tech support about this, and they have not responded to any emails either. This is my biggest gripe.
-The included earbuds work well enough, but are for low fidelity listening only, and have poor frequency response and low listening level even at full playback volume. Using normal headphones, including both dynamic types and nice Sennheisers, the phones output levels are too low to be useful.
-RCA type line outputs work well enough, but the unit surrounds the jacks with close fitting plastic, making it impossible to plug in most RCA cables; I need to find old ones that have the ground/shield tabs extending far out of the plastic shells, since most new ones have the tabs mostly surrounded by plastic. This is fine for almost all other equipment, but is a problem with this unit.
-The NAVIGATION thumbwheel/button is over-sensitive, making it a bit tricky to select things from the menus; I skid past the desired options about half the time and have to go back.

Many of these issues can be fixed in firmware, and I hope M-Audio comes out with more updates to solve them. However, I am pretty certain that the problems with gain-only input levels, insufficient headphone levels, and noisy inputs are all hardware related and would require a redesign, or at least repairs at the factory, to remedy.

It is my sincere hope that M-Audio (and competitors) learn from the mistakes made on this unit, and that the new models that are sure to come out will bee much improved.

Not great but a good compromise of size, cost, and features
I wonder a bit about some of the comments in the earlier reviews. The little "T" stereo microphone should be able to handle very loud levels if you remember to SLIDE THE LEVEL TO "L" on left side of the unit. I would also recommend that you make absolutely certain that you have downloaded and installed the latest firmware from the M-Audio web site. Regarding file dupes, it never happened to me but I don't do MacIntosh.

I bought this unit mostly for Podcasting for my future vegasmusictalk web site. It is great for that purpose - SIMPLE, SELF-CONTAINED, and UNOBTRUSIVE for close-distance interviewing using the included stereo "T" mic.

The AMAZON description is incorrect about the 48V phantom power. M-Audio made a design decision (voltage versus battery consumption) and used 30V phantom instead. For some phantom-powered microphones this is okay. For others, especially more pricey professional ones, it will compromise microphone performance.

The M-Audio's biggest annoyance for me is how easy it is to mistakenly have the PHANTOM POWER switch set to "ON" which could damage certain microphones or connected equipment and even if it doesn't will surely introduce added noise at the 1/4" inputs. A big disappointment for me is that you CANNOT MIX the 1/4" inputs and stereo 1/8" input at the same time. For interviewing it would have been very convenient to use the stereo "T" mic to pick up the main interview table conversation while also mixing in voices from two more remote Shure SM57 mics. Maybe next revision ... ?

This unit will record to either WAV or MP3 files. Even though I replaced the included smallish FLASH memory card with an under $100 Corsair 2GB FLASH memory card, recording to WAV really uses up memory very quickly. For superior PC editing, I wish they included lossless WMA (much smaller than WAV) but, instead, M-Audio included only MP3 (I use 192kbps.)

The unit is not truly audiophile level - the background noise level, while good, is less than stellar, particularly with the powered "T" mic. The two balanced 1/4" inputs are somewhat quieter than the 1/8" stereo input. I've tested these with a Shure SM57, a Studio Projects C-1 condensor, an Audio-Technica lavalier, and a Crown PZM mic. These were all successful once you got the appropriate left L/M/H switch level set and also adjust the software levels. It is important that you don't use PHANTOM POWER on this unit with ANY non-phantom microphone.

Setting the mic level is a bit of trial and error, much easier with Podcasting interviews than with music recording. I hope M-Audio improves this in their next revision of this product.

Transferring MP3 files from the M-Audio to a PC for editing is simple drag-n-drop stuff. Battery charging is via PC USB port or a small included AC-to-USB voltage adaptor. For mobile use, a $1 automobile cigarette lighter to USB adaptor will do the trick.

Yes, this product is a little rough around the edges but it is currently the only product of its kind in such a small and convenient format capable of producing near-CD level stereo recordings. Many Podcasters have made it their "portable tool of choice".

It depends on your needs and expectations
People's reactions to this seem to vary widely depending on how they plan to use it, and their expectations. I'd note that their expectations aren't that realistic, in some cases. Do you expect it to be perfect, or just a significant step forward? Some people are surprised the included mic doesn't work well for every possible audio application (!); others - like me - are surprised it includes a mic at all!

Google on these words to see some very detailed reviews, they may be helpful in knowing what to expect, given how you plan to use it:
m-audio microtrack review

It's far from perfect, but I'm not sure why people expect it to be, as the alternatives are all far from perfect. It's well worth considering if you're looking for a reasonably priced recorder.

Some might want to look into the recording capabilities of the latest generation of iPods (the video iPod).