Korg MR-1000 or MR-1 Stereo Recorder

[Mal]

We all know that Sound Devices are THE digital recorder to have.
Unfortunately they are quite pricey.
Looking for other options, these ones from Korg look VERY interesting:

Korg MR-1000;
- 2 channel, 1-bit recording
- internal 40GB hard drive
- USB
- XLR balanced inputs (mic or line) with phantom power (unknown voltage)
- runs off 8 x AA batteries (or AC adapter)
- AudioGate™ software for Mac® and PC. AudioGate can convert 1-bit recordings into WAV and AIFF formats at various bit-rates (and vice versa)
- but again, no timecode :(

Pics:

http://hv20.net/mr1000.jpg

http://www.korg.com/MR_Series/lrg_1000BK.jpg

About $1200.00
http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_prod_no=MR1000&category_id=3




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...and there's the MR-1, the MR-1000's little brother (or sister):

Korg MR-1;
- 2 channel, 1-bit recording
- internal 20GB hard drive
- USB
- 2 x Mini Phone Jack (balanced, mic or line) inputs with "mic" power (unknown voltage)
- runs off internal, rechargeable Li-Poly battery (or AC adapter)
- AudioGate™ software for Mac® and PC. AudioGate can convert 1-bit recordings into WAV and AIFF formats at various bit-rates (and vice versa)
- but again, no timecode :(

Pics:

http://www.korg.com/MR_Series/lrg_MR1ACC.jpg

http://www.korg.com/gear/images/products/enlarge/lrg_MR1.jpg

About $700.00
http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_prod_no=MR1&category_id=3

Anyone want to try one, and report back???
:hv20-smilie106:

[ToTo]

While these are probably the superior recorders in actual output... the growing priority for time code pushed me to the Tascam HD-P2 (sub $800 on ebay). My previous recorder was a Marantz pmd-671... I actually liked the 671 a whole lot... but I finally decided the time code feature was a make or break option. True time code abilities usually means the unit can be jammed to and also OUTPUT time code to jam another device. (means "sync" in laymen's terms)...

But since the HD-P2 can run time code you can set up time code on the camera... and also on the HD-P2... then hit the buttons at the same time and keep reasonable time code between the two devices with a small shift. While this isn't perfect time code, it should make editing much easier as the TC for the cam takes and the TC for the audio takes will at least be close... then you can simply use the slate CLAPS to nudge the sound bite into perfect sync.

I am VERY intrigued by the technology behind these units though... and they appear to be very well made... unfortunately I can't say that for the Tascam HD-P2... I think it looks interesting, but a little cheap and plasticy in person.

[Mal]

I did get the small MR-1, and it's pretty neat, at least for what I need (sold the PMD660, and picked up the MR-1 off eBay for something like $560 or so...)

You mentioned that there is a drift, but not much; DANG, I thought that was a thing of the past and was frame-accurate with timecode.

"then hit the buttons at the same time and keep reasonable time code between the two devices with a small shift"

I must admit, I am disappointed to hear that...I was expecting frame-accuracy!

[ToTo]

I would like to think that it has frame-accuracy. I was actually referring to the lack of sync at the moment that you hit "go" on both the cam and the HD-P2. Meaning that true, JAMMED time code means that both units are in perfect sync down to the last number... as in 00:00:00:00 I don't think my reflexes are good enough to guarantee that ;-)

If the HD-P2 is fed a cable... well... then maybe it will be frame accurate? I don't know yet!

BUT... actually I HAVE been TOLD that there is some drift of the time-code within the unit... still... I'll have to report back on this to verify for myself. As you know... there is ALWAYS a little rumor mill surrounding any relatively new gear. If somebody has a 722t then they might feel better telling themselves that there's a time code drift or whatever in the cheap HD-P2.

As the unit was reviewed by Jay Rose and John Garrett over at DV.com they reported no problems of drift.

Who knows... I will say that I would have MUCH rather got a Korg based on looks, reputation, ergonomics, specs, and personal gut feeling! My choice was made ENTIRELY on the time-code option and the basically "automatic notation" of organizing good video takes with good sound takes.

By the end of my last gig in OKC they had a genuine 20+ GIGS of sound from me! Can you IMAGINE what that edit job is going to be like? HOLY SCHMOKES! I certainly don't envy that editor!