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9. Re: 192kHz audio interface E-MU Tracker Pre

Subject: 9. Re: 192kHz audio interface E-MU Tracker Pre
From: "Max Catterwell" oatcruncher
Date: Wed Aug 5, 2009 9:09 am ((PDT))
I certainly put the cat among the pigeons here, didn't I! As Rob says; this is 
all very exciting! It has certainly confirmed my intention to purchase, even 
before Raimund does any more experimenting/testing.
Many thanks all!
Max


--- In  Rob Danielson <> wrote:
>
> At 2:16 PM +0000 8/5/09, Raimund Specht wrote:
> >
> >
> >Rob, you wrote:
> >
> >>  So, has anyone confirmed that is possible to power it with a USB
> >>  battery unit and use it as a mic pre and the line output to a
> >>  recorder?
> >
> >Hi Rob,
> >
> >I just tried it out and it works. However, the E-MU tracker does not 
> >accept the power on the USB interface socket (which would make it 
> >much easier).
> >
> >So, one needs to make a special USB power supply cable that 
> >terminates into a 4 mm DC plug, which fits into the 5 VDC input of 
> >the E-MU Tracker. A compatible plug is for instance this one: 
> ><http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/28828.pdf>http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/28828.pdf
> >
> >It is also important to note that the output signals of the 
> >preamplifiers are available at the "Inserts" sockets, not at the 
> >"Outputs".
> >
> >Regards,
> >Raimund
> >
> 
> Thanks Raimund!
> 
> This is looking very promising isn't it? The insert outputs are 
> unbalanced, post-pre gain. Good chance the signals could be hotter 
> than .5 -.7 volt "-10dB"  consumer unbalanced inputs but that could 
> be addressed fairly easily.
> 
> Did you happen to measure the input noise at full gain? I see the 
> their -127dBu figure is unweighted and doesn't specify the gain 
> setting used. Just curious as our RecorderList is using A weighted as 
> the standard.
> 
> DC power through the 4mm coax jack is probably better for recordists 
> who need 12+ hours of use. We need to figure out how much voltage 
> variation its happy with. (The H2, for example, specifies "9 vdc," 
> but the supplied wall wart supplies 15 volts DC. I'm using 9.6 vdc 
> but I suspect it would be happy with anything up to 14.4 vdc)  It 
> would be great if the E-MU tracker pre is compatible with a 5 cell 
> NiMH "sled" at 6 volts DC.  Might not have a DC-DC voltage regulator 
> as computers tend to supply steady, uninterrupted voltage. I don't 
> see any power usage info.
> 
> The line output distortion measurement of THD+N (1kHz at -1dBFS): 
> -99dB (.0011%) might be impressive too. Any comments on this figure 
> engineers?
> 
> If you've tested it at max gain and are happy with the published 
> -127dBu unweighted figure, I don't see why folks (on a budget or not) 
> couldn't go ahead and move on this unit to use with a large 
> assortment of pocket recorders with interfaces and other features 
> that fit their preferences/budgets with no quality loss.
> 
> This gear option lessens the excitement around possibly using new 
> Sony pocket recorder with a portable phantom power unit, but the 
> flexibility of the E-MU Tracker Pre /Pocket combo probably offsets 
> the disadvantages of fitting three "modules" instead of two into the 
> recorder "kit" (4 with external power for the recorder)
> 
> Think of how many times we've run into a "gotcha" trying to make the 
> inexpensive external pre approach work. :-) :-)!!
> 
> Or,.. two E-MU Tracker Pres with the $400USD Samson R-16 (4 channel 
> recorder)!  Rob D.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> 
>








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