Korg MR1000 1-Bit 5.6MHz Mobile Recorder

Manufacturer's Description for Korg MR1000 1-Bit 5.6MHz Mobile Recorder

Korg's new, super-portable MR Professional Mobile Recorders break new ground by providing high fidelity 1-bit recording technology at unheard of low prices. The mobile/tabletop MR-1000 delivers an astonishing 1-bit/5.6 MHz, doubling industry DSD recording quality standards. This new super-rate spec delivers a "true to what you heard" fidelity that will amaze even the most jaded audio enthusiast.

The MR-1000 is the perfect tool for the professional who wants to record and archive their final mixes in the studio, while its compact size and portability make it ideal for location recording, podcasting, live music performances - even for rehearsals and song-writing sessions.

After recording and editing all your tracks in the DAW/hardware system of your choice, you can mix directly, or via an analog summing mixer, to the MR-1000. This gives you the superb fidelity of high-rate 1-bit technology, which preserves all the transients, nuances, and "air" from the original recording.

Powerful new software bundled with the MR-1000 enables the conversion of your 1-bit recordings and mixes into all of today's audio formats without degradation. Best of all, by archiving your data/mix in this new double-speed 1-bit format you're ready for the future, as playback systems and standards change.

Features:

- Supports multiple recording formats including DSDIFF, DSF, and WSD 1-bit formats*, as well as multi-bit PCM format (BWF) with resolutions up to 24-bit/192 kHz.

- 40 Gbyte internal hard drive, offering up to six hours of recording at the highest audio quality (1-bit 5.6448 MHz stereo), or approximately sixty hours at CD quality (16-bit 44.1 kHz).

- Combination XLR/ 1/4" input connectors with top quality microphone preamps, phantom power and built-in limiting. Both XLR and RCA outputs are provided for maximum flexibility.

- High-speed USB 2.0 connectivity provides for fast and easy transfer of files between the recorder and your computer.

- Accommodates a total of 800 projects internally, and you can easily perform file management operations such as Rename, Delete, and Protect for individual songs. You can also register one hundred mark points in each song.

Designed for High Audio Quality

In order to deliver an unprecedented level of audio quality, careful attention was paid not only to the digital signal domain but also to the hardware design. The input/output circuitry of the MR-1000 features ultra-high quality mic preamps. Power is supplied independently to the MR-1000's digital circuitry and analog circuitry, thus holding interference due to electrical current to an extremely low level. Every component of the MR-1000 has been carefully selected to maximize performance. The respected Cirrus Logic CS4398 is used as the DAC (Digital/Analog Converter), and the Burr-Brown PCM4202 from Texas Instruments is used as the ADC (Analog/Digital Converter). By paying close attention to every component, the design has minimized any possible degradation of the audio signal.

Quality and Portability

The MR-1000 allows two-way operation; it can be powered by the included AC adaptor or by eight AA batteries, delivering 1-bit audio in a portable package that's equally at home in the studio or in the field. It comes with a specially-made carrying case that lets you record without removing the MR-1000 from the case, making it a great choice for field recording. The large backlit LCD display guarantees excellent visibility, ensuring smooth workflow. The Almite-coated aluminum body provides strong impact resistance and stable operation in any situation.

1-bit Technology

1-bit recording is the latest advancement in audio, and has been adopted for use in the critically acclaimed SACD recording format. It offers a frequency response of DC to 100 kHz and dynamic range of 120 dB. This uncompromising fidelity, low noise floor, extended dynamic range, lifelike imaging and analog quality depth has been praised by top experts. But there are other important advantages to the format that are of benefit to all recording professionals, regardless of their tracking platform.

Future Proof Flexibility

Today's state-of-the-art 24-bit converters use high-speed 1-bit conversion to capture audio, using real-time decimation and other processes to present the data in the desired bit depth/sample rate format. The beauty of the MR's bitstream format is that it uses the original 1-bit data, without the need for the other processes. What comes in comes out, with no manipulation needed.

As files are converted and reconverted between various bit depths and sampling rates, there are possibly degrading effects, depending on the sample rate conversion algorithms. The critical issue is that files mixed and mastered in today's state of the art resolution may be insufficient for tomorrow's formats. Archiving your final mixes and masters in a 1-bit system allows you to bypass these issues, and preserve your music with both the highest fidelity and in a more "universal" format. That data then can more easily be converted at a later date to the bit depth/sample rate format of your choice without compromising the integrity or fidelity of the data. You can even convert to newer formats that will be adopted in the future, be they multi-bit or a further migration to the 1-bit format.

Free Integrated Software Solution

The MR-1000 comes with Korg's innovative and powerful AudioGate software for Mac and PC. AudioGate can convert 1-bit recordings into WAV and AIFF formats at various bit-rates (and vice versa) and offers real-time conversion and playback of 1-bit files using your computer's audio hardware.

It also does essential functions like DC offset removal, gain control, and fade in/out. The combination of these recorders and this exclusive software makes the perfect system for both capturing and preserving your critical projects and source recordings. This archiving capability that had only been the domain of the major record companies and top studios is now available for everyone!

AudioGate Version 2.0 enhancements include:

* Support for reading and creating DSD Discs
* Support for reading and creating audio CDs
* A new "Normalize" function and advanced dithering options
* Support for FLAC, WMA, AAC and Apple Lossless formats zZounds is an authorized dealer of Korg products.

Recorder Section:
Number of Tracks:
2 tracks, 2-track recording/playback simultaneously

Recording Formats:
1-bit audio formats - DSDIFF, DSF, WSD: 2.8224 MHz @ 1-bit
5.6448 MHz @ 1-bit

PCM audio formats - WAV, BWF: 44.1 kHz @ 16/24-bit, 48 kHz @ 16/24-bit, 88.2 kHz @ 24-bit, 96 kHz @ 24-bit, 176.4 kHz @ 24-bit, 192 kHz @ 24-bit

MP3 format - playback only 44.1kHz/32kbps-320kbps
(MP3 format support will be added in an upcoming free update. This system updater is expected be available in the middle of 2007 via KORG distributor's websites)

Internal Hard Disk Drive:
40 GB

Recording Time:
Max Approx. 31 Hours (44.1 kHz @ 16-bit, 2-track)

Number of Projects:
Recognizes a maximum of 200 for each format, max 1,000 projects

Mark Points:
100 points per a song (no mark name)

USB Functions:
USB 2.0 supported, ability to use as FAT32 external USB drive

Song Editing:
Rename, Delete, Protect

General:
Display:
160 x 104 dots LCD with backlight

Dimensions:
192(W) x 170(D) x 56(H) mm/7.56"(W) x 6.69"(D) x 2.20"(H)

Weight:
1.0 kg/2.20 lbs. (without batteries)

Power Supply:
AC Adapter, or eight AA batteries (sold separately), Oxyride batteries, or charged nickel metal-hydride batteries

Current Consumption:
7 W

Accessories:
AC Adapter; Carrying Bag; CD-ROM ("AudioGate" Audio File Conversion Software)

Principal Specifications:
Frequency Response:
10Hz ~ 20kHz +/-1dB @ Fs44.1kHz, 10Hz ~ 40kHz +/-1dB @ Fs88.2kHz/96kHz/176.4kHz/192kHz, 10Hz ~ 100kHz (1 bit)

S/N:
96 dB (typical) @ IHF-A INPUT-OUTPUT

THD+N:
0.008% (typical) 20 kHz-LP

A/D Conversion:
2.8224 MHz/5.6448 MHz (1-bit), 24-bit (PCM)

D/A Conversion:
2.8224 MHz/5.6448 MHz (1-bit), 24-bit (PCM)

INPUT L-R:
Connectors:
XLR-3-31 type / 1/4" TRS phone jack (balanced)

Input Impedance:
4.5 k Ohm (XLR-3-31), 68 k Ohm (TRS phone, Line)

Nominal Level:
- 60 dBu - - 28 dBu, XLR (balanced), - 26 dBu - + 4 dBu, 1/4" TRS phone (balanced), - 26 dBV - - 6 dBV, 1/4" TRS phone (Unbalanced)

Maximum Level:
16 dBu, XLR (balanced), + 16 dBu, 1/4" TRS phone (balanced), + 6 dBV, 1/4" TRS phone (Unbalanced)

OUTPUT L-R (Unbalanced/Balanced):
Connector:
RCA (Unbalanced)/XLR-3-32 type (balanced)

Nominal Level:
6 dBV/+ 4 dBu

Maximum Level:
+ 6 dBV/+ 16 dBu

Load Impedance:
47 k Ohm or greater/600 k Ohm or greater

PHONES:
Connector:
1/4" stereo phone jack

Load Impedance:
16 k Ohm or greater

Maximum Level:
50 mW + 50 mW @ 32 k Ohm

USB:
Connector:
Type B

Format:
USB 2.0 High-Speed device, USB mass storage class

Supported OS:
Windows Me, 2000 or later, Mac OS 9.0.4 or later

Included Items:
AC adaptor (also operates as charger), carry bag, CD-ROM ("AudioGate" audio file conversion application)

System Requirements to Connect to PC:
AudioGate:
Supported OS: Windows XP Home Edition/Professional Edition Service Pack 1 or later, Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later (Intel-based Mac supported)

Supported Computers: [Windows] Intel Pentium III 1 GHz or faster [Macintosh] Apple G4 800 MHz or faster (Intel-based Mac supported)

Memory: 256 MB or larger (512 MB or larger recommended)

Specifications subject to change without notice