M-Audio 24/96 Digital Recorder

M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96 — It's What's Inside that Counts

The MicroTrack is, for lack of a better word, fugly. Twice the size of any other recorder we tested and marred by a hideous design, the device is ungainly to transport and borderline embarrassing to use in public. But man can it record audio. The 2-channel WAV and MP3 recording/playback catches everything from a single note plucked on a bass guitar to the high treble of a child's yelp without reverberation or distortion. Along with the included Audacity editing software, a pristinely sensitive stereo electric microphone, and advanced options like level balancing and bass/treble boosts, the MicroTrack is practically pitch perfect.

WIRED Amazing audio clarity. Minimal scratching and distortion in audio recordings. Simple interface and bright display make PC file transfers a cinch. Voice modulations are defined and smooth. CompactFlash memory format is cheap and easy to swap out when full.

TIRED Battery life is a scant 4 hours. Worse, the battery itself cannot be removed; you can only plug it into a PC or an AC outlet to juice it back up. Expensive.

• Style: Audio
• Storage: Flash
• Manufacturer: M-Audio
• Price: $500
Release Date: 2006