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Re: New Equipment: KorgMR1000 v Sound Devices 702

Subject: Re: New Equipment: KorgMR1000 v Sound Devices 702
From: "Gianni Pavan" gianni_pavan
Date: Sun Mar 23, 2008 10:02 am ((PDT))
The Korg MR1000 adopts DSD technology that promises high quality and
frequency extension but with some drawbacks due to the sigma-delta
analog to digital conversion.
The mic preamplifier are hissy and not suitable for field recording.
The second problem, related with DSD, is the background noise that
increases a lot above 20 kHz  when sampling at 2.8MHz  (64xCD) or
above 40 kHz when sampling at 5.6MHz (128xCD). A similar increase is
visible in almost all AD converters based on sigma-delta modulation
when run at 192k; see examples
here  http://www.unipv.it/cibra/res_techtest_uk.html.
Compared with the Korg, the SD 7xx recorders have much quieter
preamplifiers and a low background AD noise up to 50 kHz.

Gianni



At 09.48 23/03/2008, you wrote:

>John,
>I purchased a Korg MR1000 last August and I am regretting it. The
>big problem with the Korg is the very hissy mic preamps that are
>totally unsuitable as a field recorder,especially for low level sounds.
>At the time of my purchase there was very few reviews of the Korg
>except for a lot of pre release hype(Bull****)on the DSD format which
>MAY or may not be the next step in digital recording. Out of character
>I took a punt on the new technology as exciting as it sounded.
>NOT!(definitly no pun intended),something I would not normally do with
>any new technology. I will also add that The Korg MR1000 was being
>endorsed by many respected writers/contributers for many Electronic
>Musician magazines such as Craig Anderton among them.
>To make matters worse I had great difficulty getting any help or
>advice on the problem from Korg or doing a net search. Even the Korg
>forum was no help to me. While there have been vague references to
>problems with the Korgs I did not see much to endorse my own
>experience with the MR1000 so was starting to think it may be just my
>unit. Only recently did I find a Korg contact address in the USA. I
>recently emailed Korg USA expressing my concerns. A rep from the
>company has at least replied to my email in reasonable time. At this
>stage any outcome is hopefully in progress so I may have some recourse
>for assistance as the unit is still under warranty albeit in the USA.
>At the time I was also considering the Fostex Fr2LE which was/is
>cheaper and has received very favorable reviews. As with everything
>given a better financial position I would have gone for a Sound
>Devices. In your case it seems like you have that option. I would
>therefor suggest you go for the Sound Devices 702. Sound devices
>receive high praise and by all accounts the micpreamps are superior.
>Many on this list use these.
>My conclusion is that the DSD technology may yet be something worth
>keeping an eye on so may have future promise, but I do not think the
>Korg MR1000 is IT. This and not to mention a clumsy and unintuitive
>software interface leaves the Korg wanting.
>I suppose I should add that what recordings I did useing line in jacks
>were very clean if thats any consolation.
>PS: BTW, Yes, the connectors on the bottom/rear of the MR1000 I also
>found inconvenient.
>
>cheers regards and goodluck (better luck at least)
>
>clint williams
>
>
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Gianni Pavan
Centro Interdisciplinare di Bioacustica e Ricerche Ambientali
Universita' degli Studi di Pavia, Via Taramelli 24, 27100 PAVIA, ITALIA
Phone       +39-0382-987874    Fax +39-02-700-32921
Email      
Web       http://www.unipv.it/cibra
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