MicroTrack 24/96 Professional 2-Channel Mobile Digital Recorder User Guide MicroTrack 24/96 User Guide English 1 - Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96. The MicroTrack 24/96 is a portable recorder that can record stereo audio signals directly to CompactFlash media in either WAV or MP3 format. The MicroTrack 24/96 can be connected to a computer via the USB connection to transfer audio files. The USB port is also used to recharge the internal battery of the MicroTrack 24/96. Typically, a computer's USB port will supply enough power to recharge the MicroTrack 24/96's battery, though a USB power supply is also provided for charging without a computer. The MicroTrack 24/96 has an 1/8" microphone port which supplies 5V for electret microphones like the included stereo "T" microphone. Two 1/4" TRS inputs accommodate mic or line level inputs, and can supply phantom power for condenser microphones. A coaxial SPDIF input is available for recording from a digital source; the MicroTrack 24/96 automatically sets the sample rate to match the incoming stream. An 1/8" headphone port and RCA line outs can be used for monitoring recordings and playback. While the MicroTrack 24/96 is simple to use, we still suggest that you read through this entire manual to familiarize yourself with all the functions contained within this portable unit. What's in the Box You should have received the following items in your MicroTrack 24/96 box: < MicroTrack 24/96 unit < USB cable < Stereo "T" microphone < Earbuds < Protective bag < USB power supply < CompactFlash card < Printed Quick Start Guide < CD-ROM containing this User Manual and Audacity editing software Product Features < Records stereo WAV and MP3 files < 16- or 24-bit recording and playback < Supports common sample rates from 44.1kHz to 96kHz < Built-in rechargeable battery* < Back-lit LCD display < 2 x 1/4" TRS mic/line inputs with phantom power < 1 x 1/8" stereo electret mic input with 5V power < 1 x 1/8" headphone output < 2 x RCA line outputs < 1 x S/PDIF input < 1 x USB connector < Uses CompactFlash or Microdrives of any size (64MB minimum) * Battery life is dependent on the usage scenario. For example, a stereo recording from two condenser mics with phantom power switched on will deplete the battery quicker than just listening to audio playback. Minimum System Requirements PC: < Windows 2000 (SP4) or Windows XP (SP1) < Available USB port Mac: < Mac OS X 10.2.8, Mac OS X 10.3.7, or Mac OS X 10.4 < Available USB port Manual Conventions There are a few conventions used in this manual to differentiate buttons, actions, and displays from one another. Names of buttons on the MicroTrack 24/96 are shown in brackets, such as [MENU]. Actions performed by the user are shown in italics, such as press in and hold the [NAV] wheel. Finally, text shown on the LCD screen of the MicroTrack 24/96 is shown in quotes, such as "Battery Charged." 1 English 1 - Introduction 2 - Installation Procedure 2 - Installation Procedure No Drivers Required The MicroTrack 24/96 is a self-contained portable recorder that is ready to use right out of the box. The MicroTrack 24/96 is classcompliant, meaning that you do not need to install any special drivers when connecting the MicroTrack 24/96 to your computer. English Charging the Battery with the USB Power Supply Before you begin using your new recorder, it is essential that you fully charge the MicroTrack 24/96 battery. Failure to fully charge the battery before first use can limit the capacity of the battery, lowering the total recording time of the MicroTrack 24/96. Connect the MicroTrack 24/96 to the USB power supply using the included USB cable to begin charging the MicroTrack 24/96. When done, "Charging Complete" will be displayed on the MicroTrack 24/96 screen. You will have to recharge the battery from time to time as you use the device. There is a battery meter icon in the upper-left corner of the MicroTrack 24/96's playback screen that shows the estimated battery power remaining. When the battery power is nearly depleted, "MicroTrack 24/96 battery very low" will be shown on the LCD display. When this message appears, you should recharge the MicroTrack 24/96 immediately. If you continue to run the MicroTrack 24/96 on battery, the unit will eventually turn off. You will then have to recharge the battery before the MicroTrack 24/96 can be turned on again. If you recharge the battery before the unit becomes inoperable, the charge time will be approximately 2.5 hours. If you drain the battery to a point where the MicroTrack 24/96 will no longer turn on, a full charge can take approximately 6.5 hours. Formatting the Recording Media The MicroTrack 24/96 records directly to CompactFlash cards or Microdrives. In both cases, these mediums must be formatted before they can be used. The MicroTrack 24/96 can format the media with the following procedure: NOTE: Formatting a CompactFlash card or Microdrive will erase all of its data. Thus, formatting can be used as a method for deleting the entire contents of a card or drive. 1. Insert your media, either a CompactFlash card or Microdrive, into the MicroTrack 24/96. The unit will reboot. 2. After the MicroTrack 24/96 has rebooted, press down on the [NAV] wheel until "System" is selected and press in on the [NAV] wheel. 3. Press down on the [NAV] wheel until "Format Media" is selected, then press in on the [NAV] wheel. 4. The screen will show "Format Media." Press in on the [NAV] wheel to continue. 5. When the process is finished, "Format complete!" will be shown on the display. Press the [MENU] key twice to return to the main menu. 2 MicroTrack 24/96 User Guide 3 - Hardware Controls and Indicators Front 1. Power Button: Press and hold this button for approximately one second to turn the MicroTrack 24/96 on and off. 2. LCD Display: Shows the current status of the MicroTrack 24/96. 3. Clip Indicators: Will light when an input signal exceeds the headroom of the MicroTrack 24/96. 4. Input Levels Adjust: These control the individual record levels of the MicroTrack 24/96's left and right inputs. The current input level is represented by triangles in the L/R level meters on the main screen. 5. Signal Indicators: Will light when a signal is detected at the associated input. 6. Delete Button: In normal player/recorder operation, the delete button deletes the current (or selected) audio file. The delete button is also used to stop the MicroTrack 24/96 USB drive mode (known as "host mode") and return to normal player/recorder functionality. 7. Output Level Adjust: Controls the output volume of the MicroTrack 24/96. 8. Record Button: Used to start recording new files. 3 English 3 - Hardware Controls and Indicators 3 - Hardware Controls and Indicators Top English 9. Stereo Mic Input Jack: This 1/8" stereo mini-jack is used for connecting a mono or stereo electret microphone. 10. Mic/Line Input Jacks: These 1/4" TRS jacks accept microphone and line-level signals. 11. Headphone Jack: Connect a pair of headphones with an 1/8" plug for monitoring the MicroTrack 24/96. Bottom 12. RCA Outputs: Line-level outputs from the MicroTrack 24/96. 13. S/PDIF Input: Allows a S/PDIF format digital signal to be recorded by the MicroTrack 24/96. 14. USB Input: Connect the MicroTrack 24/96 to a host computer with this input. Will also charge the MicroTrack 24/96 battery when connected. 4 MicroTrack 24/96 User Guide 3 - Hardware Controls and Indicators Left English 15. Menu Button: Toggles between the Main Menu and record screen, or acts as an exit button when in a sub menu. 16. Hold Switch: When active, all buttons on the MicroTrack 24/96 will be disabled. If you attempt to operate the MicroTrack 24/96 while the Hold switch is on, "HOLD switch on" will be shown on the LCD display. 17. L/M/H Switch: Sets the operating mode of the 1/4" TRS and 1/8" inputs. Use the `L' position for line-level devices. The `M' position should be used when recording from microphones. The `H' position uses a higher gain stage on the 1/4" TRS inputs, which can help when recording quiet signals or using microphones with low output levels. The `H' position does not boost the input gain of the 1/8" input. 18. Ph Pwr Switch: Switches on the phantom power for the 1/4" TRS inputs. When active, a "Ph" icon will be shown on the LCD display. Phantom power should only be used with condenser microphones. IMPORTANT: Phantom power should be disengaged when connecting or disconnecting microphones to prevent possible damage to the microphone's internal electronics. 5 3 - Hardware Controls and Indicators Right English 19. Nav Wheel: This is a multi-function control that is dependent on the current screen you are in. a. In a menu, moving up or down navigates the selections on the screen, and pressing in selects the current function b. In the main playback screen, pressing in toggles between play and pause, while moving up and down acts as fast forward and rewind. Pressing in and moving up or down acts as next or previous song. 20. Memory Slot: Insert CompactFlash cards or Microdrives here. 21. Eject Button: This button folds flat into the housing of the MicroTrack 24/96 to prevent it from breaking or being pressed accidentally. (The hinge is on the Memory Slot side.) Flip this button out and press it to remove the CompactFlash card and/or Microdrive. Main Menu Pressing the [MENU] button will display a list of menu categories (the Main menu) on the MicroTrack 24/96's display. You can then push up and down on the [NAV] wheel to move through the selections (the selected menu item will be shown in bold print). Pressing in on the [NAV] wheel will activate the current selection or enter a sub-menu. The [MENU] button is used to exit a sub-menu. When first entering the Settings menu, you will be presented with the following options, each explained in detail in the following sections: 1. Files: Will present a list of all the files and folders contained in memory. You can choose a file to play or delete from this list. 2. Record Setting: Used to set the recording parameters for the MicroTrack 24/96. 3. Back Light: Contains timing options for the backlight. 4. System: Provides access to advanced features and settings of the MicroTrack 24/96. 6 MicroTrack 24/96 User Guide Files Menu 3 - Hardware Controls and Indicators This menu displays a list of all the folders and files contained on the current CompactFlash card or Microdrive. < Press up and down on the [NAV] wheel to move the selection up and down through this list. < To open a folder, select it and press in on the [NAV] wheel. < To exit a folder, press the [MENU] button. < To play a file, select it and press in on the [NAV] wheel. < To delete a file, select it and press the [DEL] button. Record Settings Menu This menu lets you determine the recording input, format, and resolution for subsequent audio recordings; changing these settings will have no effect on any of the files currently stored in memory. This menu will show a list of parameters with their values after them. To change the values, first select the parameter by pressing up or down on the [NAV] wheel then press in on the [NAV] wheel to select the parameter. Once selected, pressing up or down on the [NAV] wheel will change the value of the parameter. Once the desired value is shown, press in on the [NAV] wheel to confirm your selection and return to the previous menu. The options in this menu are as follows: 1. Input Source: This is where you select which input of the MicroTrack 24/96 to use for recording. 1/8" . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chooses the 1/8" mic input as the recording source. 1/4" TRS . . . . . . . . . . . .Chooses the 1/4" TRS jacks as the recording source. You will also need to use the [L/M/H] switch to set the operating mode for these inputs. S/PDIF . . . . . . . . . . . .Selects the S/PDIF digital input as the recording source. When S/PDIF is selected, the [LEVELS] buttons will have no effect. 2. Input Monitoring: . . . . . . . Input Monitoring is the ability to listen to the incoming audio signal while recording is in progress. This signal will be heard at the headphone and RCA outputs. On. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Turns Input Monitoring on. Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Turns Input Monitoring off. 3. 27dB TRS Input Boost: . . . . .When this option is set to on, incoming microphone signals will be digitally boosted 27dB before being recorded. This is helpful when recording quiet sound sources or when using mics with low output levels. Tip: For best results, make sure you've exhausted the L/M/H switch range before engaging this digital boost. 4. Encoder: WAV . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chooses WAV as the recording format. This format is uncompressed and will yield the highest quality recordings. Be aware that the files created in this format can be quite large. MP3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Selects MP3 as the recording ...