Smaller Portable Recording Looking Great: M-Audio MicroTrack II

After all the neat audio gear M-Audio have constantly been using us to, here comes a truly rocking piece of technology in the body of the MicroTrack II, a pocket-sized recorder that looks great and works even better.

The M-Audio MicroTrack II has been designed with functionality and portability in mind and as far as anyone can see without any special efforts, these goals have been marvelously reached.

First of all, what's the point of a portable recording device that's really a pain in the back for its owner due to its bulky and unfriendly design?

Secondly, if you're set on spending some serious money on portable recording gear that performs well, who says it should look like a piece of crap? Actually, I guess that the M-Audio MicroTrack II is more of a looker than most other similar equipment available in stores...and this means a serious plus!

Technically speaking, the M-Audio MicroTrack II kicks a*s as it comes equipped with pretty much anything one could ever need for field recording, songwriting, training and why not, some worship purposes. You can even use condenser mics with the M-Audio MicroTrack II because it offers 48V phantom power in case you are in need for such a thing; you get a lot of input options, including an input limiter with bypassing option.

You can record in the 24-bit/96kHz format in WAV and MP3 and you can even monitor the recording by means of RCA or minijack plugs. As for inputs, TRS and even S/PDIF are welcome, so it really does not matter whether you are recording a guitar riff or a whole set via a digital mixing console. Add in a large LDC dimming screen and a whole set of dedicated buttons for quick, easy and intuitive navigation and operation and there you go, your mini-studio in case you're planning to do a rehearsal demo of your band.

The M-Audio MicroTrack II can do recordings of WAV files larger than 2GB which really rocks and a fast-transfer USB port. It will work for 4-5 hours (3 hours with phantom power on) and sells for a MSRP of a nickel under $400, which is totally acceptable, especially as the street price will be lower and thus make the M-Audio MicroTrack II one perfect Christmas gift for the sound enthusiast.

I am a sound enthusiast, you know...













Full specs, courtesy of M-Audio:

2-channel WAV (BWF) and MP3 recording and playback for pro recording, capturing live shows, songwriting, training, education, worship and more;

New features and enhancements including:

* extended input gain range
* analog input limiter with bypass
* 48V phantom power
* faster data transfer rate via USB 2.0
* easily add markers to BWF files
* monitor S/PDIF input via headphones while recording
* seamless recording of files greater than 2GB
* customizable folders for organizing files
* built-in CompactFlash speed test
* backlight dimmer
* hibernation mode

-storage via convenient CompactFlash or Microdrives (sold separately)
-immediate drag-and-drop file transfer to PC and Mac via high-speed USB 2.0 mini-connector
-powered via USB, built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery or included power supply
-separate left and right input level controls with signal and peak indicators
-professional balanced �" TRS inputs capable of mic or line-level signals
-dual microphone preamps with 48V 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
-output level control
-dedicated buttons for navigation, record, hold, pause, delete, menu, and power
-large LCD screen
-includes electret t-shaped microphone, software for editing and file format conversion, carrying pouch, 1/8" stereo, extension cable with lapel clip, power supply, and USB cable

-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: approximately four to five hours (three hours with phantom power)

System requirements:

-Windows XP (SP2) or Windows Vista
-USB 1.1 or 2.0 port on the computer for connection and power charging
-Mac OS X 10.3.9 or greater
-USB 1.1 or 2.0 port on the computer for connection and power charging

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