M-Audio MicroTrack II User Manual 2
User Guide
User Guide 1MicroTrack II
Table of Contents
1 – Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
What’s in the Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Product Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Minimum System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 - Setup and Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Connecting to a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Charging the Battery with the USB Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Power Saving (Hibernation Mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Formatting the Recording Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Formatting Using MicroTrack II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3 - Hardware Controls and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Files Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Record Settings Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Options Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Backlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Contrast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Playback EQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Scrub Audio Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Rec Time Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Record Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Verify Delete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
User Guide 2MicroTrack II
System Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Connect to PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Format Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Test Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Firmware Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Factory Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Date and Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Korean and simplified Chinese language options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4 - Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Loop Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5 - Using MicroTrack II with a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Charging MicroTrack II from the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Transferring Audio Files to a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Using MicroTrack II as a Portable Data Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Formatting CompactFlash cards or Microdrives using a Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Disconnecting MicroTrack II from Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Disconnecting from Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Disconnecting from Mac OS X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Swapping CompactFlash or Microdrive Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6 - Warranty Terms and Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Warranty Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Warranty Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
7 - Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Recording Time vs. Media Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
User Guide 3MicroTrack II
1 – Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of M-Audio MicroTrack II.
The redesigned MicroTrack II brings even more professional features to the original high-fidelity mobile digital recorder
that’s been embraced by audio and film professionals worldwide. With an extended input gain range, analog input limiter,
48V phantom power, faster file transfer rate and other enhancements, MicroTrack II delivers the highest quality mobile
recording experience available today. Record WAV files, WAV files with embedded Broadcast Wave Format data and
MP3 files to CompactFlash (CF) cards or Microdrives through balanced line inputs or built-in microphone preamps. Then
drag and drop recordings to your computer via high-speed USB 2.0 for immediate editing or Web posting. MicroTrack
II is perfect for a wide variety of applications including field recording, capturing live shows, songwriting, education and
more.
MicroTrack II takes your mobile recording experience to the next stage. Drop in markers* while recording WAV files and
easily find your place when editing your content. Organize and locate your files in the field with a user-created folder
structure. Overcome the limitations of the FAT32 file system and create virtually seamless recordings beyond 2GB in
size. Dim the backlight to save battery life and be discreet in a dark room. Add a USB-compatible battery pack (sold
separately) and capture extra-long sessions. Let the recorder hibernate, then wake it up to record on a moment’s notice.
With MicroTrack II, you’re always ready to go.
Even with its long list of features, MicroTrack II remains simple to use. However, we still suggest that you read through this
entire User Guide to familiarize yourself with all the functions contained within this portable unit.
*Markers follow the Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) standard. BWF files are files stored in WAV format, containing
additional embedded data beyond basic WAV audio information, such as position markers. The audio software you are
using on your computer must be capable of reading BWF information to take advantage of this feature. If your software
does not recognize BWF data, the file will be treated as a standard WAV file and the markers will be ignored.
What’s in the Box
< MicroTrack II unit
< USB cable
< stereo “T” microphone
< 1/8” female to 1/8” male extension cable with plastic lapel clip
< earbuds
< protective bag
< USB power supply
< printed Quick Start Guide
< CD-ROM containing this User Guide, test tones, and Audacity editing software
Product Features
< records stereo WAV, BWF, and MP3 files
< 16-bit or 24-bit recording and playback
< analog input limiter
< 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 48V phantom power
< 1 x 1/8” stereo mic input capable of providing 5V power for electret microphones
< 1 x 1/8” headphone output
< 2 x RCA line outputs
User Guide 4MicroTrack II
< 1 x S/PDIF input
< 1 x USB connector
< uses CompactFlash cards or Microdrives (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 XP (SP2)☨ or Windows Vista
< Available USB port
< CompactFlash card or Microdrive
☨Home and Professional Edition only. Windows Media Center Edition is not currently
supported.
Mac:
< Mac OS X 10.2.8
< Available USB port
< CompactFlash card or Microdrive
User Guide 5MicroTrack II
2 - Setup and Charging
Connecting to a Computer
No drivers are required. MicroTrack II is class compliant, meaning you do not need to install any special drivers when
connecting MicroTrack II to your computer.
Charging the Battery with the USB Power Supply
The MicroTrack II built-in battery ships with only a minimal charge and you must charge it from a power source (your
computer’s USB connection or the included power supply) before you can use it.
It is essential that you fully charge the MicroTrack II battery before using your new recorder. Failure to fully charge the
battery before first use can limit the capacity of the battery, lowering the total recording time of MicroTrack II.
To charge the battery, follow the steps below:
< Plug the smaller end of the supplied USB cable into the USB connector on the bottom of MicroTrack II.
< Plug the large end of the USB cable into the supplied USB power supply.
< Plug the USB power supply into a power outlet.
< An animated battery symbol will be displayed in the right upper corner of the LCD on MicroTrack II to indicate
that the device is being charged.
< When the battery is fully charged, the animation will stop, the battery symbol will appear solid, and a check
mark will be displayed next to the battery symbol, indicating that the charging process has finished.
< You can now disconnect MicroTrack II from the USB cable.
You will have to recharge the battery from time to time as you use the device. There is a battery meter icon in the upperleft corner of the MicroTrack II screen that shows the estimated battery power remaining. When the battery power is
nearly depleted, “battery low” will be shown on the LCD display. When this message appears, you should recharge
MicroTrack II immediately. If you continue to run MicroTrack II on battery power after seeing this message, the unit will
eventually turn off. You will then have to recharge the battery before MicroTrack II 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 MicroTrack II will no longer turn on, a full charge can take approximately 6.5 hours.
Power Saving (Hibernation Mode)
When MicroTrack II is on, not plugged into a power source, and has been inactive for 10 minutes, it will enter hibernation
mode. This feature will turn off all non-essential components to minimize power consumption and maintain battery life. A
brief press of the power key will instantly return the device to the last state it was in before hibernation, allowing you to
start a new recording immediately. If the battery drains completely while in hibernation mode, MicroTrack II will save its
preferences before powering itself off.
User Guide 6MicroTrack II
Formatting the Recording Media
MicroTrack II records directly to CF cards or Microdrives. In both cases, these mediums must be formatted before they
can be used. MicroTrack II can format media with the following procedure:
► NOTE: Formatting a CF 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.
Formatting Using MicroTrack II
1. Turn on MicroTrack II.
2. Insert your media, either a CF card or Microdrive, into MicroTrack II. The unit will reboot.
3. After MicroTrack II has rebooted, press down on the [NAV] wheel until “System” is selected, then 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. When the process is finished, “Format complete.” will be shown on the display. Press the [MENU] button twice
to return to the Main Menu.
You can also use your computer to format your MicroTrack II CF card or Microdrive. See Chapter 5, “Using
MicroTrack II with a Computer” for more information.
3 - Hardware Controls and Indicators
Front
1. Power Button ( ): Press and hold this button for
approximately one second to turn MicroTrack II on
and off.
2. LCD Display: This shows the current status of
MicroTrack II.
3. Clip Indicators: These LEDs will light when an input
signal exceeds -1dB.
4. Input Levels Adjust (LEVELS): These control the
individual recording levels of the MicroTrack II 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: These LEDs will light when a
signal greater than -40dB is detected at the selected
input.
User Guide 7MicroTrack II
6. Delete Button (DEL): 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 II USB drive mode (known as
“host mode”) and return to normal player/recorder
functionality.
7. Output Level Adjust (VOLUME): This controls the output volume of MicroTrack II.
8. Record Button (REC): This button is used to start and stop recordings.
Top
9. Stereo Mic Input Jack (MIC): This 1/8” stereo jack is used for connecting a mono or stereo microphone.
This input is capable of providing 5V power for electret microphones.
10. Mic/Line Input Jacks (MIC/LINE): 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.
Bottom
12. RCA Outputs (L-LINE-R OUTS): These are line-level
outputs from MicroTrack II.
13. S/PDIF Input (S/PDIF): This allows digital signals
in S/PDIF format to be recorded by MicroTrack II.
14. USB Input: Connect MicroTrack II to a host computer
or to the included USB power supply using this input.
This will also charge the MicroTrack II battery when
connected.
User Guide 8MicroTrack II
Left
15. Menu Button (MENU): This button toggles between the Main Menu and record screen, or acts as an exit
button when in a sub menu. Pressing this button while recording a WAV fi le will write a location Marker in
Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) at the current position.
16. Hold Switch (HOLD): When active, all buttons on MicroTrack II will be disabled. If you attempt to operate
MicroTrack II while the Hold switch is on, “HOLD switch is on” will be shown on the LCD display.
17. Dimmer Switch (
LCD backlight and the LED indicators on the front panel. The three positions are Full, Dim, and Off.
► NOTE: If the backlight has been turned off in the Options menu, this switch will only
control the brightness of the front-panel LEDs.
18. Phantom Power Switch (+48V): This 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.
): This is a three-position slide switch that controls the brightness of both the
Right
19. [NAV] Wheel: This is a multi-function control that is dependent on the current screen you are viewing.
a. In a menu, pushing 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. Pushing up or down will skip
ahead or backwards through the songs in the current folder. Holding up or down will fast-forward or
rewind the current song.
20. Memory Slot: Insert a CF card or Microdrive here.
21. Eject Button: This button folds fl at into the housing of MicroTrack II 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 CF
card and/or Microdrive.
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