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New MicroTrack Mobile Digital Recorder from M-Audio
M-Audio has announced shipment of the new MicroTrack 24/96 digital
recorder. Only about the size and weight of a deck of cards, the
MicroTrack 24/96 digital recorder is a mobile 2-channel digital recorder
that records WAV and MP3 files to CompactFlash media or microdrives.
While the unit is designed primarily as a professional field recorder
and songwriter's notebook, it will also be embraced by other markets
including business, education and worship.
Despite its small size, leaps in miniaturization technology allow the
MicroTrack 24/96 to deliver the same quality as M-Audio's audio
interfaces--up to 24-bit/96kHz PCM. The unit can record via balanced
1/4" line inputs or built-in microphone preamps complete with 48V
phantom power for studio-quality microphones. Balanced 1/4" TRS line
inputs also make it easy to take a feed directly from a studio or club
mixer. S/PDIF input provides for recording the output of digital mixers
and doing transfers from other digital recording/storage devices.
Monitoring is provided via the 1/8" stereo headphone jack or RCA line
outs.
One of the secrets to the MicroTrack 24/96 digital recorder's compact
size is that, like many of today's digital cameras, it records to
CompactFlash or microdrives. Recording capacity is based on the format
selected and the size of the currently inserted media. 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. Users can deploy and swap out whatever capacity media
suits their needs.
The MicroTrack 24/96 can record as many unique files as the capacity of
the available storage allows. When connected to a PC or Mac computer,
the MicroTrack 24/96 appears as a USB mass storage device showing the
unique identification number of each file. Just drag and drop the files
to the computer's hard drive and the audio files are ready to edit
and/or post to the Web. The included Audacity software provides easy
editing and format conversion of files if desired.
While MicroTrack 24/96 features WAV fidelity suitable for professional
use, the unit's ability to record directly to MP3 files and transfer
them instantly to computer means that users 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, for example.
This same capability makes the unit invaluable in other markets as well.
Business users can easily upload meetings and presentations for review
and wider dissemination. 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.
MicroTrack 24/96 is powered via long-life lithium-ion batteries that
provide for approximately eight hours on a single charge (or about three
hours with phantom power engaged). The battery recharges by simply
connecting MicroTrack 24/96 to a PC or Mac via USB, or using an optional
power supply.
The MicroTrack 24/96 is expected to ship this month and carries an MSRP
of $499.95.
For more information see http://www.m-audio.com
'What's Hot' from Doctor Audio is presented by Doc Dosco, Professional
Audio Consultant from Los Angeles, California. The Doctor Audio website
is a dealer for most Mac and PC Midi/audio products, and is located at
http://www.doctoraudio.com |
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