M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96 Portable Handheld Recorder

Feature:
I like the T bar mic but for more important things I use my Rode NT-4. Very convenient to just plug it in and go. Liked having the spdif I/O which came which I used once. Wished it was coaxial but I have a converter in my kit. Great to have ability to use my condenser mics with phantom but pain to wire up special cables.

Quality:
All plastic so have to work on not dropping it. Have dropped it twice and it still worked fine but trying not to tempt fate. Had problems with batteries when I first bought it but after several firmware updates things settled down. I get about 3-4 hours of recording time which is far more than I need. I know most would rather have AA's but I like just plugging it in to my USB port and going to the job and I hate adding more to our landfills.

Value:
Does everything I ever wanted at less than I've paid for in the past.

Desirability:
I've had a number of ooohs and aaahs and several students have gone out to buy it. But its a rather plain looking device.

Sound:
If comparing to other small portable devices I've had it would be a 10. I use it all the time to record students, informal concerts and recitals and stuff. For formal concerts I use a C-414, going to a DBX mic preamp and then daisy chain to a Alesis hard drive recorder and DAT recorder as backup. Compared to that there is a bit more hiss and there is a bit of loss of detail. Mic doesn't compare but the AKG is a studio mic. But I wouldn't take all that stuff to record my group out doors at a shopping mall (noisier than the hiss) or record my students. My DAT recorder died at one of my concerts and I was able to send a spdif over to the Microtrak! What a convenience. Comparing the sound it was close but of course the Alesis sounded like the last bit of veil was removed. Difficult to hear but it was there on the Microtrak. I tried comparing it to my friends R9 and it seems the electronics on the analog side is quite a bit quieter and I like the sound a bit better.

Ease of Use:
Wished setting levels was easier. Somehow the pause switch never worked. Tried my friends R9 and its much easier - hit the record button, set levels and hit it again. Menus on the Microtrak were easy to get used to. Some of the buttons do different functions and sometimes forgot how they are used. But over all they are easy. For some of my students who are less technically inclined I recommend the R9 because it seems simpler to operate otherwise I recommend the Microtrak because it has more features and it sounds a bit better.

Support:
Never had to deal with it except for updating the firmware which was pretty simple.

Overall:
Love it and would recommend it to the more technically savvy shoppers.

Feature:
Weak stereo mic that stayed in the box right after the first test. Sure recording your babys first words its great, but recording a live concert your going to be less than pleased. USB power is a great feature, I think every small device should charge in the same manner.

Quality:
BATTERY IS NOT USER REPLACEABLE!!!! Mine died about 8 months into it. Go check out M-Audio's site the warranty only covers the mechanics, not the battery. The battery has a 90 day warranty. So if your battery dies on the 4th month, you have to replace it for almost 1/3 of the total cost of the unit. M-Audio leaves you feeling like you got scammed. Thank god for their competitors picking up where they left off.

Value:
I would reconsider my purchase at this point, unless M-Audio does something about the battery issue I would not purchase this device unless you are ok paying $75 every year to maintain the unit...

Desirability:
Great to use, when it works.

Sound:
Sound quality is strong. Very clear for such a small device. Of course your don't have ProTool Quality preamps and inputs, but if your on the go and you need it now, you got it.

Ease of Use:
The menus are easy to get through and leave you feeling like you could master it in a day.

Support:
I used to love M-Audio till I bought this device... The Battery dies with in a one year period, and then I am charged $75 and chipping cost to send it in. THE WARRANTY ON THE BATTERY IS 90 days... M-Audio needs to get their act together and should have replaced the batteries with either user replaceable ones or one that they don't have to make a special warranty for... Buyer be ware.

Overall:
I would purchase this unit without a question if it had a replaceable battery. Are you seeing a theme here?