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Topic: M-Audio MicroTrack II (Read 9247 times) previous topic - next topic
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M-Audio MicroTrack II

Does anyone know what the maximum card size this device supports?  According to the Core Sound site, M-Audio have claimed that there is no maximum size, and it is compatible with all CF cards.  If anyone has one, or has used one, can you recommend a known to be compatible card?  Ideally 8GB+.

M-Audio MicroTrack II

Reply #2 –
Thanks, I saw that, but I also read that some people were having problems when using 32GB cards.  Does anyone have any first-hand knoweldge with this device?  I've also read that the max file size is 2GB (regardless of card size).  The recorder is supposed to continue recording into a new file once max file size has been reached.  However, does anyone know if this transition is 100% seamless in the recording?

M-Audio MicroTrack II

Reply #3 –
Quote from: bcass on
Thanks, I saw that, but I also read that some people were having problems when using 32GB cards.


Miget be for other reasons than size. The original MT was critical of cards that were slow. An early firmware upgrade made it more accepting of the general run of cards.

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Does anyone have any first-hand knoweldge with this device?


I am still very happy with my original MT. ;-)

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I've also read that the max file size is 2GB (regardless of card size).  The recorder is supposed to continue recording into a new file once max file size has been reached.  However, does anyone know if this transition is 100% seamless in the recording?


If memory serves even the origional MT chopped files at 2 GB and the chopping was seamless.

BTW, the 2 GB file size limit is due to the wav file format and the fact that CF cards are formatted FAT32.

It is not an unusual limit that is peculiar to the MT.

In actual use, none of this has been an issue for me.

What you planning to do that would make this an issue?

M-Audio MicroTrack II

Reply #4 –
I want to record a 3 hour concert at 96kHz/24-bit.

M-Audio MicroTrack II

Reply #5 –
Quote from: bcass on
I want to record a 3 hour concert at 96kHz/24-bit.


Uncompressed 44/16/2 audio is recorded at 176 KB/sec  (44100 * 16 bits * 2 / 8 bits per byte).

To record 96/24/2, you will need to record at 576 KB/sec  (96000 * 24 bits * 2 / 8 bits per byte)


3 Hours * 3600 seconds / hour = 10800 seconds

10800 seconds * 576 KB/second = 6,220,800 KB or ~5.93 GB.

You should have about 3 WAV files each about 2 GB in file size.

In fact, a single 2 GB WAV file would contain about 1 hour of uncompressed music recorded at 96 KHz, 24-bit, 2-channel stereo.


For memory cards like SD and CF format, the speed rating (i.e. 40x or 80x) is based on CD-ROM data transfer rates.
1x = 150 KB/sec.  Thus, a 40x card can transfer at speeds of 40*150KB/sec or 6 MB/sec.

M-Audio MicroTrack II

Reply #6 –
So, right there an 8 GB CF card would suffice.

Furthermore, musical performances that run 3 hours without a break are exceedingly rare. IME, swapping flash cards during a break takes less than a minute.  Basically, you close the existing segement which takes a few seconds. Power down the MT, slide the old card out and new card in, and turn it back on. The reboot at power on is the only step that would take significant amounts of time.

My biggest complaint is that the MT does not have 4 channels. On balance I've made 100's of hours of recordings with mine and it has preformed flawlessly. I've done some technical work at 24/96, but most of the musical work has been done at 192 or 320 Kb.  My largest CF is 4 GB, and I have a couple of 1 GB.

M-Audio MicroTrack II

Reply #7 –
Thanks for the details WonderSlug, much appreciated.

Arnold: do you have the MicroTrack II?  If so, how well is the gap between files handled?  Is it perfectly seemless?  If not, when you press Stop (recording), then start recording again, I assume a new file is created?  If so, how long does it take to resume recording once you stop recording (all on the same card)?

M-Audio MicroTrack II

Reply #8 –
Quote from: bcass on
Arnold: do you have the MicroTrack II?


No, an origional MT.

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If so, how well is the gap between files handled?


If memory serves, the original MT also broke up files @ 2GB. It happened to me once. 

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Is it perfectly seemless?


That's my recollection for the origional MT. I don't know why it would be worse for the MT II. No reason why it shouldn't be perfect.

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If not, when you press Stop (recording), then start recording again, I assume a new file is created?


Yes.

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If so, how long does it take to resume recording once you stop recording (all on the same card)?


Less than 6 seconds. There's a 4-5 second delay for closing the active file regardless of size. Starting a new one is as about close to instantaneous as it can be.

The *big* delay is for changing media or anything else that requires rebooting. That is still under 15 seconds.  Powering off takes about 4 seconds. 

Changing media is about 4 seconds to close the file that is recording, 4 seconds to shut the machine down, whatever time it takes to change the media, 15 seconds to boot, and negligable time to start the next recording. Under 30 seconds.

The buttons take about 2 seconds to recognize that you've pushed any of them, to make the device safe when you carry it in your pocket.

M-Audio MicroTrack II

Reply #9 –
Thanks for the info.  One last question: when recording at 96kHz/24-bit, does the battery run down faster than if recording at 16-bit?

M-Audio MicroTrack II

Reply #10 –
Quote from: bcass on
Thanks for the info.  One last question: when recording at 96kHz/24-bit, does the battery run down faster than if recording at 16-bit?


IME, not noticably.

But, I'd never try to record for 3 hours straight on just the internal battery.  It is possible to run the Microtrack with external batteries or other power sources via its USB port. I've done that for 8-12 hour festival days.

M-Audio MicroTrack II

Reply #11 –
Battery life for the MicroTrack II is advertised as 4 hours on a full charge.

M-Audio MicroTrack II

Reply #12 –
Quote from: bcass on
Battery life for the MicroTrack II is advertised as 4 hours on a full charge.


I wouldn't stake a gig on it.

And I'm sure that 4 hour figure is truth-challenged if you are running mics that need lots of phantom power.

Eveready makes a USB cell phone charger that is widely sold for about $20. That an a small box of AAs would make me a happy camper, if I couldn't plug my MT into some wall socket someplace.

M-Audio MicroTrack II

Reply #13 –
OK, thanks for the info, I'll see if I can get hold of an attachable battery backup.  Are there any specific ones you could recommend?

I will be using a pair of Core Sound binaural mics with the MT2.  I used to use these mics with an old Sony MZ-R55 (with mic battery box with optional bass roll-off filter and a 20dB attenuator cable).  Even with the filter, attenuator cable and the minidisc recorders mic sensitivity set to low, I would get the occasional hint of distored bass (bass distoring other frequencies - a sort of 'bass-boom' which would sometimes cause other frequencies to drop-out slightly).  Will I need to use the bass roll-off filter battery box and the attenuator cable with the MT2?  I will be using the MT2 to record a concert being held in a large velodrome.  The band is Kraftwerk.  Not the loudest live band on the planet, but definitely louder than you would expect if you haven't heard them live before.

M-Audio MicroTrack II

Reply #14 –
Quote from: bcass on
OK, thanks for the info, I'll see if I can get hold of an attachable battery backup.  Are there any specific ones you could recommend?


I have a Eveready charger for USB phones. It runs off of 2-AA betteries.


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I will be using a pair of Core Sound binaural mics with the MT2.  I used to use these mics with an old Sony MZ-R55 (with mic battery box with optional bass roll-off filter and a 20dB attenuator cable).  Even with the filter, attenuator cable and the minidisc recorders mic sensitivity set to low, I would get the occasional hint of distored bass (bass distoring other frequencies - a sort of 'bass-boom' which would sometimes cause other frequencies to drop-out slightly).  Will I need to use the bass roll-off filter battery box and the attenuator cable with the MT2?


I don't know about your mics, but I've never had any problems getting levels right while running the mics directly into the MT. The MT2 is supposed to have an even wider range of attenuation then the origional MT. OTOH, I carry mic attenuators around wherever I go. I have both Audio-Technica's variable 10-30 dB attenuator and also some 10 and 20 dB fixed XLR attenuators.

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I will be using the MT2 to record a concert being held in a large velodrome.  The band is Kraftwerk.  Not the loudest live band on the planet, but definitely louder than you would expect if you haven't heard them live before.


I generally record bands and choirs in contexts where I can plant my mics and stands out in the open 'cause the organizers hired me to do so.