RE: [Harp-L] Microtrack vs Sony Minidisc

["Less Paul" <lesspaul58@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

According to M-Audio's site, the fidelity of the Microtrack:
PCM recording:	16 or 24-bit at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96kHz

24-bit at 96khz is pretty good in my book -- better than CD  which is
16-bit, 44.1Khz. 
PCM (Pulse code modulation) WAV is a lossless format and is certainly suited
for professional use. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WAV


Most Minidiscs uses a lossy format; ATRAC. Overall ATRAC/ATRAC3 has quality
roughly the same quality as MP3 at similar compression levels
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiniDisc

However some newer minidisks also support lossless PCM (read: CD-quality
WAV) at 44.1khz 16-bit -- lower quality than the Microtrack.

So the answer is if you thought the Minidisc was great, the Microtrack
should be even better (at least on paper). Given M-Audio's track record, I'd
bet it would meet expectations.

Paul

> -----Original Message-----
> From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx 
> [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bill Hines
> Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 12:12 PM
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [Harp-L] Microtrack vs Sony Minidisc
> 
> The Microtrack is an interesting unit. On the plus side, it 
> records to flash memory so there's no discs and it's solid 
> state, no moving parts like a minidisc unit, so probably more 
> durable and certainly nice to not have to fuss with discs for 
> recording (as long as you have plenty of hard disc space and 
> cd's to burn the stuff to at home!). But my concerns
> are:
> 
> 1. What's the fidelity? It records to WAV or MP3 which have 
> been noted are not high fidelity mediums. Does a live 
> recording, say at a busy bar, sounds as good as when recorded 
> on a high-end minidisc like the one Garry bought?
> 
> 2. How long can you record? The Minidiscs (in their lower fidelity
> setting) can go for 8 hours. Is it possible to record 
> anywhere near that long on the Microtrack (in a similar 
> fidelity setting to the Sony's 8 hour setting)?
> 
> Bill Hines
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx 
> [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Chris Michalek
> Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 11:39 AM
> To: harptime@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Microtrack / M-Audio Recorder
> 
> I have one.  I haven't used it for anything but short 
> rehearsals but I think it's a great little unit.  $299 is a 
> great price.  I paid $369 for mine.
> 
> The mic that comes with the unit is more than adequate though 
> I will be using higher quality large diaphram condensers for 
> recording live shows.
> Still waiting for them to come in the mail....
> 
> 
> 
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