Product: Yamaha POCKETRAK 2G
Price Paid: USD 300
Submitted
12/03/2008
at
11:39pm
by
Brandobean
General
:
8
Portable recorder with built in stereo mics. Can accept external stereo mics (powered only) and has a headphone jack and built in speaker. USB 2.0 connectivity provided by plugging the entire unit into your USB port. Records to WAV format and lower quality modes (which I'm assuming are MP3, didn't use those...)
Connectivity
:
9
USB 2.0 connectivity provided by plugging the entire unit into your USB port
I/O
:
6
Sound quality is better than expected for what appears to primarily be a voice recorder. It is not as good as what one gets with the higher grade model (the CX) or with an external mic like an audio technica atm-822. A bit compressed and washed out sounding with loud music with limited high frequency response. Sounded very good with the external mic though.
Power
:
7
Rechargeable battery, (which charges when plugged in to USB port). Can also use AAA battery. No AC adaptor to recharge
Technical specs
:
8
Records to WAV and several other recording speeds. I always used WAV so don't have input on the other modes which I assume are Mp3?
Other
:
8
Has Cubase AI software included (which I didn't use since I already use soundforge for 2trk editing.
Overall
:
7
I auditioned this unit in comparison to the $100 more expensive Yamaha CX which is very similar but with higher quality mics built in. Both function very similarly. I found the sound quality for spoken word to be great, and for acoustic jamming, also quite fine. For recording a live band in a practice space (my intended use) I found the cheaper 2G to be a tad compressed and "washed out" sounding with a not very extended high end. The CX sounded clearer but with a reedy high end and poor bass response. Both models sounded FAR better when using a plug-in external stereo mic like a ATM-822. Lastly, the 2G plugs directly into your USB port without a cord. Convenient, but the design makes the USB port support the device, and it feels like it is putting strain on the port floating out of the side of your laptop 6". The CX uses a micro-USB cable to plug-in.
At $300-ish online, I'm not sure this product is a great deal. I'd expect the mics to be better for the money. You can just use the cheaper 2G model with a external mic and get better sound than the CX.
Product: Yamaha POCKETRAK 2G
Price Paid: USD 299
Submitted
10/09/2008
at
07:40am
by
Element
Email: elementmetal at live<dot>com
General
:
9
I've always found this site useful but couldn't find a review for this product so thought i'd be the first.
I'm from UK but was planning on a trip to New York recently and aimed to pick up a portable digital recorder as things are generally much cheaper over there. In my sites were the Tascam DR-1, the Yamaha Pocketrak 2G and the equivelent model from Olympus. I had done a LOT of research on these pocket recorders including hunting down any soundfiles, visual files on youtube, reviews in magazines/online. Reading these reviews it was clear the Tascam was loaded with features, the Yamaha was great sound and size, the olympus is great alrounder.
When i got to New York i wnadered into Sam Ash store and looked at all the models they had available including Zoom etc. The Yamaha Pocketrak stood out a mile for its size and presentation. Whilst some on offer looked like miniture cattle prods the Yamaha looked sleek and MUCH easier to carry around. Also came with a carry case, cool software etc etc.
The main use for my purchase is to record rehearsals and (occasionally gigs). We rehearse VERY loud (www.myspace.com/elementsound) and i previously use a 12 year old Yamaha MT50 4 track tape recorder (which had never let me down and still works fine). I just thought i'd get something SLIGHTLY more portable and user friendly.
This little Pocketrak sounds great and records in stereo. I honestly dont think you need it to record better quality than what it offers UNLESS your wanting to record a multitracked album or something in which case you should be investing in much more expensive interfaces/mixers.
I've now record every rehearsal and listen back to jams etc in great quality and its a great tool for capturing the moment in great quality.
I'm definately happy with this product
Connectivity
:
10
It connects via built in USB2 (in theory the whole device is a fancy flash drive). Theres also a cable included to act as a go between should you not want the pocketrak hanging off the edge of your computers USB slot.
I/O
:
9
Enough for what i need.
Headphones out
Line in. (you can connect external stereo microphone should you want to - however i find the inbuilt ones ample)
USB connection.
Power
:
9
This come with a rechargable AA battery. This battery can be easily removed and replace with any other AA battery if you wish but i dont see the point as everytime you connectthis device to your computer it recharges it anyway.
Great stuff.
Battery when recording in best quality lasts ABOUT 3 hours there abouts i reckon
Technical specs
:
10
Up to full CD quality (44.1 kHz, 16 bits).
Believe me this is superb!
2 gig memory
Weighs 1.7 ounces.
Has built in stereo tiltable mics.
Rechargable batter
On board speaker for instant playback
Other
:
9
Comes with Cubase AI4 hoever i've not bothered with it as i use Apples Logic Pro
Overall
:
10
Recommended. Would buy another.
Go try one. AND DEFINATELY have a look at all competition at same time. You will see how ugly and over ramed with features the competition has. This just focuses on the main thing. Good quality sound and a lastable product that will remain to be seen as very small for a long time and will no doubt LAST for a long time as my other Yamaha products have
