The brand new Zoom MicTrak M2, M3 and M4 are audio recorders with 32-bit float recording functionality and due to this fact lack a achieve knob. They function a headphone jack for monitoring and recording audio to microSD playing cards. The M2 and M4 function X/Y cartridges for 2 tracks of audio recording, and the M4 provides two extra tracks by way of XLR ports. The M3 seems like an on-camera microphone and comes with a built-in directional capsule.
Japanese audio gear producer Zoom lately introduced three new audio recorders with built-in microphones. The cool function is that each one of them include 32-bit floating audio sampling expertise for simple recording. Let’s check out the main points.
New Zoom recorders with 32-bit floating recording
First, let’s concentrate on what 32-bit float is, and why you’d need it in your audio recorder. In brief, this expertise is designed to seize distortion-free sound no matter its depth. There isn’t any want to regulate a achieve knob when recording 32-bit float audio as a result of even very loud sounds will not reduce out. Actually, all three of the brand new MicTrak units do not actually have a achieve knob anymore. In contrast to a standard 24-bit audio recording, you’ll be able to get better noise-free sounds that had been recorded very quietly, whereas very loud sounds weren’t clipped or distorted.
The oldsters at Zoom have summed up the important thing details about 32-bit float audio recording (together with the post-production course of) very nicely on this fascinating article, so test it out if you wish to know extra.
In the present day the expertise is not new and there are lots of different recorders which have had it for some time. Zoom, for instance, included 32-bit float in its subject recorders: Zoom F2 (and F2 BT), Zoom F3 (our article right here), and Zoom F6. Now the 32-but float grew to become the idea for the brand new MicTrak collection. Let’s take a short have a look at these one after the other.
Zoom MicTrak M2
The reasonably priced Zoom MicTrak M2 two-track recorder options an built-in X/Y microphone capsule with stereo condenser microphones. For monitoring functions, the recorder has an LCD display with a waveform show and a 3.5mm headphone output. There are a number of management buttons on the entrance panel. The M2 contains a mono mode for the ENG software, in addition to a built-in normalization perform.
There’s a USB-C port on the facet of the recorder that may flip the M2 right into a USB microphone. That is appropriate with PC, Mac, iOS and Android (48 kHz at 24 or 32 bit Float). Nevertheless, for some motive Android doesn’t help 32-bit float with this system. The excellent news is that the M2 can perform as a USB microphone AND report to an SD card concurrently.
It features a microphone clip for mounting on a microphone stand and is powered by 2 AA batteries, offering as much as 11 hours of battery life. It may also be powered by AC energy when wanted. The physique is comparatively lengthy in comparison with earlier pocket recorders such because the H1, and resembles the form of a handheld microphone with a shiny black plastic physique.
Zoom MicTrak M3
The MicTrak M3 seems a bit completely different than the opposite two recorders. It really seems like a microphone on the digicam. Make no mistake although: that is additionally a 32-bit float audio recorder. Characteristic clever it is extremely much like the MicTrak M2. It additionally options the identical USB-C port that accepts AC energy and may flip the M3 right into a USB microphone for all kinds of units. There is a 3.5mm jack output to ship audio on to the digicam for backup and to assist sync audio later. The M3 will report 32-bit float WAV audio to a MicroSD card.
The largest distinction to the M2 is clearly the shape issue and the built-in microphone. The M3 has a directional stereo capsule mounted on a shock absorbing mount after which on a digicam’s chilly shoe. Whereas there is not any achieve knob due to 32-bit float expertise, just like the M2, the system does have quantity up/down buttons for adjusting the headphone jack monitoring quantity.
There’s a swap that may toggle between mono, 120° stereo, and 90° stereo audio seize. Just like the M2, the M3 can be powered by two AA batteries that present as much as 12 hours of operation.
Zoom MicTrak M4
The M4 at present sits on the high of Zoom’s MicTrak line. It’s a four-track audio recorder with a 32-bit float and a built-in timecode generator. Two tracks are recorded by way of the built-in stereo X/Y microphones and the opposite two tracks by way of two XLR/TRS inputs (with F-series preamps).
The system contains a shade LCD display with a waveform show and built-in normalization perform. The timecode generator has a 3.5mm enter/output jack
There are two 3.5mm outputs: a headphone output and a stereo line output for digicam connection. The USB-C port gives the identical performance because the MicTrak M2: microphone and USB energy. The Zoom MicTrak M4 is powered by 4 AA batteries that present as much as 18 hours of battery life.
Value and availability
All three new audio recorders can be found to buy proper now. Costs vary from $183 to $400 relying on the mannequin:
- Zoom M2 MicTrak retails for $199.99 (about €222 plus VAT in Europe)
- Zoom M3 MicTrak retails for $183.58 (about €221 plus VAT in Europe)
- Zoom M4 MicTrak retails for $399.99 (about €443 plus VAT in Europe)
Do you employ a 32-bit float expertise audio recorder in your work? How do you prefer it in comparison with a “conventional” 24-bit? What do you consider the brand new Zoom MicTrak collection? Tell us your ideas within the feedback part under.
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Zoom MicTrak M2, M3, and M4 Audio Recorders Announced – With 32-bit Float Recording
