Article:		Review: Korg MR-1 Hi-Def Portable Recorder
Subject:		MIR Wave files
Date:		2007-08-05 16:03:16
From:		frisrael
There's something I don't understand here. You say you hear a clear difference between files converted to wav and the original 1-bit files you recorded. Since the current real world of mass media audio deals with wav files , the real question is: Do the mr1 1-bit files converted as wav files sound noticeably better than wav files recorded as original format on other portable devices such as the other 3 you reviewed. If not, then the korg m1r is , as you point out, a great archiving tool but not so special in presenting audio in today's popular formats, which ultimately is the only way to present any audio recorded on that machine. If the 1-bit-to-wav conversions, in fact, do sound better than most wav files you can record on the other machines, than I think it's a no brainer winner. Hope you can comment on these comparisons.

Showing messages 1 through 3 of 3.

• MIR Wave files
  2007-08-10 10:09:01  richardlawler [View]
  
  
  But there are admittedly few playback options for 1-bit DSD audio.
  
  You can, of course, listen to 1-bit files played directly from the MR-1. I wouldn't underestimate this. I hook mine up to my stereo, and the results are incredible.
  
  It helps to think of 1-bit DSD for audio as analogous to camera RAW for digital photography. As with camera RAW photography, the software may evolve to a place where we are reaping the benefits of the format. Look how camera RAW was first just translated into JPEGs using proprietary conversion software from Nikon et al. Then Photoshop gained the ability to directly import camera RAW, but it was tedious. Finally software optimized for the camera RAW workflow such as Adobe Lightroom, Apple Aperture and Adobe Bridge have emerged to really make the formats worth the added cost in storage and inconvenience. But similar development in audio processing software will take time. We are still at the first phase.
  
  The other thing is that some DSD delivery formats are being rolled out. Whether any of these will gain any traction and stick around is anyone's guess. Unfortunately the most promising SACD is pretty much dead as a format. And even if it weren't, I don't know of any way to burn your own SACDs. There are a few Sony VAIO computers that have direct 1-bit-DSD-compatible DACs and software. (I think they call this feature "Reality Engine".) I think Blu-ray includes some ability to handle DSD audio. And the HDMI specification now includes the ability to transmit DSD audio streams, and some audio hardware is already available that can decode these streams.
  
  One advantage of 1-bit files that Mark Nelson doesn't go into is that 1-bit files are resolution independent. So, for example, I can convert the same 1-bit recording into either a 44.1 kHz PCM WAV file for CD mastering, or 48 kHz PCM for use as an audio track for DV digital video, or into 96 kHz/24 for studio mixing. If I had recorded as a 48 kHz WAV and resampled to 44.1 kHz I would have gotten aliasing artifacts the severity of which only being mitigated by the quality of the resampling software.
  
  But the bottom line is that the MR-1 is very easy to use (so it's less likely you will mess up a recording because you didn't set something right) and the recordings just sound great. But I've drunk the Kool-aide. I've been using mine for about 4 or 5 months, and I'm still happily amazed with the results I've been consistently getting.

• MIR Wave files
  2007-08-06 16:21:17  mark-o [View]
  
  
  I think you misunderstood me. I made tests where I recorded my guitar and hummel in both formats - WAVs at various resolutions and 1-bit files. In each case, I took pains not to move and to play as consistantly as I could.
  
  The "clear difference" I heard was between the tests I originally recorded as WAVs and the 1-bit files.
  
  I then took the 1-bit files and converted them to WAVs using the AudioGate software. Comparing them to the files I'd just recorded as WAVs was revealing:
  
  In fact, I thought the files converted from 1-bit to WAVs sounded subtly smoother than similar WAV recordings I'd made as a control.
  
  Of course, a 1-bit file converted down to 44.1/16 cannot possibly have as much detail as the original. But there is an advantage in capturing as much information as possible before making the conversion.
  
  I'm afraid I did not make any direct comparisons between the Mr-1 and any other digital recorder, though that would be an interesting idea. Anyone out there want to try?
  
  cheers,
  
  Mark
• Review of M-Audio MicroTrack II
  2008-09-10 23:21:05  Symbols [View]
  
  
  
  Mark, great review of the M-Audio MicroTrack. I have the first one and think I'll hold off on the new one, thanks to your great review.
  
  John Fraim
  
  PS ... see our website for our music ...
  http://web.mac.com/johnfraim/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html