UPDATE, 2007-08-02: Our in-depth MR-1 review is now online. We also have a new discussion area at the end of the review, so please feel free to continue this conversation over there.
Breezing through the AES show press room last Friday, I saw something that made me want to rush down to the exhibit floor: a palm-size recorder with 1-bit, 2.8 megahertz resolution. Yep — Super Audio CD recording in your sweaty little hand.
Unlike conventional recorders, which quantize audio into 16 or 24 bits of amplitude at 44.1 or 96kHz sampling rates, the Korg MR-1 samples the change in amplitude at an ultra-fast rate. This is the so-called Direct Stream Digital (DSD) technology used in SACDs, the audiophile standard.
After fondling the prototype on the show floor, I asked Korg's Malcolm Doak how recordists could edit the MR-1's high-res files. (The only DSD editor I know of is the Sony Sonoma system, which costs over $20,000.) Interestingly, Doak said the MR-1 recordings are intended to be master files. Korg supplies a free program that plays them back on a computer and allows you to convert them to conventional PCM files in standard sampling rates. (Cleverly, the DSD sampling rate is 2.8224 MHz, exactly 64 times the 44.1kHz CD rate.) In that sense, it's similar to camera RAW format.
The MR-1 also has a beefier sibling called the MR-1000 that records at double the rate. You can read more about them at the Korg site. Korg also offers a PDF white paper on the 1-bit audio format, which it optimistically calls "Future Proof Recording."
The MR-1 includes an external stereo mic (not shown), a 20GB internal hard drive, and USB 2.0 connectivity .
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Audio
Comments (9)
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@Patrick:
I am in the market for a low cost device to record live acoustic music.
We've compiled links to numerous reviews and background articles in our new forums.
I am in the market for a low cost device to record live acoustic music. I am considering one of Sony's minidisc recorders. The two models I am considering are the MZR-700 and the MZ-R55. Is one better than the other? I can get one of these for around ~$50 used and it will come with 4 or more minidiscs, an AC adapter, PC link cable, and manuals. Will I be disappointed in the audio quality? What other devices are out there that I should consider? I need them to be compatible with my I-Mac. I currently have a Sony ECM-MS907 stereo condenser mic. I've never used this before. Will this be adequate?
Any advice will be appreciated.
@Jessica:
I want to be sure that I get the max audio quality for the smallest file size.
The idea of this recorder is to capture everything in the highest possible quality and then spin off smaller, lower-quality dubs for distribution. In the future, you’ll probably be glad you saved the original master recording in a high-def format.
Its one thing to have a great recording device, but we record Podcasts and do our Podcast Hosting on CyberEars.com and I want to be sure that I get the max audio quality for the smallest file size.
Jess
Does anyone know if it is possible to stream 1-bit DSD files stored on the pc trough the MR-1? I ask this because I think most pc's don't have DSD compatible DACs, so streaming to the MR-1 is perhaps the only way to play back recordings stored on hard disk using real DSD converters.
@Zizach: Yep, the inputs are stereo. But stereo inputs can still record surround in a matrixed format with devices such as the Core Sound TetraMic and 4Mic.
Are the inputs stereo?
Sean: As far as I know, only the Sonoma system (www.superaudiocenter.com/Products.htm) offers true 1-bit processing.
Is anyone doing signal processing directly on the 1-bit signal?
i.e. without downsampling / filter / upsample?