Mobile Digital Recorder

Not every business meeting or educational seminar demands a high-quality professional recording, but when it does, the M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96 two-channel digital recorder stands ready to contribute. The rugged, high-fidelity device measures a mere 2.4 by 4.3 by 1.12 inches (W x H x D), helping it fit conveniently in the palm of your hand like a personal voice recorder. At the same time, the unit features professional balanced 1/4-inch TRS inputs with a mic/line switch for high-end mics, along with built-in high-fidelity microphone pre-amps with phantom power--a necessary feature for many studio mics. As a result, the recording quality exceeds that of DAT recorders, making the MicroTrack an ideal unit for everything from professional field recordings to sermons to corporate speeches.

The MicroTrack records audio files in WAV or MP3 format and saves them on compatible CompactFlash cards and microdrives, including cards produced by Hitachi, Seagate, Corsair, Lexar, Kodak, Toshiba, SanDisk, and Kingston. When one card or drive fills up, users can either erase the files, transfer them to a Mac or PC via drag and drop, or insert a new card for a fresh start. It's remarkably easy and convenient, especially given the MicroTrack's compact size. Should you not have a professional mic, you can use the included stereo electret microphone, which connects to the MicroTrack's 1/8-inch TRS input.

Power derives from a lithium-ion battery, which you can recharge via the computer's USB 2.0 connection or with a USB power adapter. And file management is simple thanks to the easy-to-read LCD display and the included software, which handles editing and file format conversion. Additional features include RCA line outputs and a 1/8-inch stereo headphone output for monitoring, an S/PDIF coaxial input for digital transfers, separate left and right input level controls with signal and peak indicators, and dedicated buttons for navigation, record, hold, pause, delete, menu, and power. The MicroTrack 24/96 comes with a 64 MB CompactFlash card and is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.