M-Audio MicroTrack

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 for studio-quality mics. 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 outs 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.

Features

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
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
Battery Replacement Policy
Specifications

MP3 recording: 96 to 320kbps at 44.1 or 48kHz
PCM recording: 16 or 24-bit at 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96kHz
storage capacity: variable based on data rate and storage medium
battery life before recharge:
7 hours playback
4-5 hours recording via line in or dynamic microphone
3 hours recording with phantom power engaged
*using CompactFlash card at 16-bit/44.1kHzk. Battery life varies with different media and microphones
Width: 61mm or 2.4”
Height: 109.5mm or 4.3”
Thickness: 28.5mm or 1.12” over the LCD.
Weight: 4.9oz or 138.9 grams without CF card; 5.2oz or 147.4 grams with CF card
1/8" Mic Input
Input Level: -14dBV
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: -98dB, A-weighted
Dynamic Range: 98dB, A-weighted
THD+N: 0.003% (-90dB) @ -1dBFS, 1kHz
Channel-to-Channel Crosstalk (Bal): < -82dB
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz, +/- 0.5dB
Preamp Gain: >34dB
stereo electret condenser power: electret condenser power enable
1/4" Mic/Line Inputs
Maximum Input Level: +4.3dBu, balanced; +2.1dBV, unbalanced
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: -100dB, A-weighted
Dynamic Range: 100dB, A-weighted
THD+N: 0.003% (-90dB) @ -1dBFS, 1kHz
Channel-to-Channel Crosstalk (Bal): < -100dB
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz, +/- 0.3dB @ 48kHz sample rate
Pre-amp Gain: > 55dB
Phantom Power: switchable phantom power
Line Outputs
Maximum Output Level: +2dBV, unbalanced
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: -102dB, A-weighted
Dynamic Range: 102dB, A-weighted
THD+N: 0.00265% (-91.5dB) @ -1dBFS, 1kHz
Channel-to-Channel Crosstalk (Bal): < -100dB
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz, +/- 0.3dB @ 48kHz sample rate
Headphone Output
Maximum Output: -2.0dBV at THD < 0.02% into 32 ohms
Working Range: 16 ohms to 600 ohms
Compatibility

WAV
MP3
Minimum System Requirements

PC
Windows 2000, XP (SP2 Home or Professional Edition only)
USB 1.1 or 2.0 port on the computer for connection and power charging
Mac
Mac OS X 10.3.9 or greater
USB 1.1 or 2.0 port on the computer for connection and power charging