Although the effect here is not 100% transparent, the MR-1 is one of the few recorders on which I would consider using this feature. Perhaps it would have saved my bagpipe recording from distorting.

That is not correct. Due to the excessively loud bagpipe and sax, the distortion occured at the input itself; padding the input by switching from "mic" to "line" was the solution.

Auto Gain shows up further down the signal chain. You would use it to ride levels after you've correctly set the mic/line switch. Which, as I said, functions as a pad, even though it doesn't say "PAD."

Sorry for any confusion.

While I'm on the subject of level setting, here's my two cents:

I wish Korg's engineers had included a hardware slider or small knob on the unit itself. (I love the simple push buttons to raise and lower the headphone level; perhaps something like that could be added in the future?)

And how about a way to gang the left and right software sliders to facilitate quick set-up when using stereo mics?

Cheers,

Mark