M-Audio MICROTRACK 24 User Manual

Professional 2-Channel Mobile Digital Recorder

Table of Contents

1 - Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

What’s in the Box

Product Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Minimum System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Manual Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2 - Installation Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

No Drivers Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Charging the Battery with the USB Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Formatting the Recording Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

3 - Hardware Controls and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Settings Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4 - Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Loop Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

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5 - Using the MicroTrack 24/96 with a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Charging the MicroTrack 24/96 from the Computer Transferring Audio Files

Portable Data Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Disconnecting the MicroTrack 24/96 from Your Computer

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6 - Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

7 - Warranty Terms and Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Warranty Terms

Warranty Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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8 - Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Table of Contents

MicroTrack 24/96 < User Guide

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 has an internal rechargeable battery. There are connections for 1/8” electret microphones, as well as professional 1/4” TRS inputs for dynamic and condenser microphones. The MicroTrack 24/96 will supply 5V for electret mics and phantom power for condenser mics. You can also connect your MicroTrack 24/96 to a computer via the USB connection. This connection will allow audio ﬁles to be transferred to and from the computer as well as providing power to recharge the MicroTrack 24/96 battery. 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 - Introduction

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. Furthermore, 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.

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-right 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. This can be done with the MicroTrack 24/96 on or off.

2. Make sure the MicroTrack 24/96 is on, then press the [MENU] button to enter the MicroTrack 24/96 Settings menu.

3. Press down on the [NAV] wheel until “System” is selected and press in on the [NAV] wheel.

4. Press down on the [NAV] wheel until “Format Media” is selected, then press in on the [NAV] wheel.

5. The screen will show “Format Media?” Press in on the [NAV] wheel to continue.

6. The screen will now read “Are you sure?” Press in on the [NAV] wheel to begin formatting.

7. When the process is ﬁnished, “Media Formatted” will be shown on the display.

2 - Installation Procedure

3 - Hardware Controls and Indicators

Front

MicroTrack 24/96 < User Guide

1. Power Button: This button turns 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.

5. Signal Indicators: Will light when a signal is detected at the associated input.

6. Delete Button: Will delete ﬁles.

7. Output Level Adjust: Controls the output volume of the MicroTrack 24/96.

8. Record Button: Used to start and stop recording.

3 - Hardware Controls and Indicators

Top

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.

3 - Hardware Controls and Indicators

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