Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
In the course of brush up a pair of mobile audio transcription apps — Audiofile Engineering ’s FiRe Field Recorder and the barren Blue FiRe — I had the opportunity to put Alesis ’s ProTrack through its tempo . The hand-held stereo system fipple pipe make with the iPod to help you seize high - tone audio on the go .
Unlike mobile microphones such as Blue ’s Mikey ( ) which take a simplified approaching to capturing audio frequency , the Alesis ProTrack goes in a more complex , but still portable , commission . The gimmick itself is comparatively big — about seven and one - one-half inches long , just under three inches wide , and not quite two in deep . The ProTrack provides a sled , with wharf connector , into which your iPhone or iPod is placed . The twist records to the iPod classic , fifth - generation iPods , second- and third - propagation iPod nanos , and the second - contemporaries iPod feeling . It also worked with the iPhone in my testing .
Two build - in condenser microphones are placed at the top of the ProTrack , while autonomous gain restraint for each channel are located at the bottom of the unit , just below a VU metre . The ProTrack also provides built - in XLR style input knucklebones , along with 48 - volt phantom power , essential for supporting the traditional connector style for audio cabling . The twist is supplied with an AC power adapter , but also operates using four AAA stamp battery .
The ProTrack provides a build - in screw mount , allowing it to be place on a tripod or digest . You ’ll probably want to do so , or at least arrange the whole on a stable surface , since address the plastic case creates vibrations that can be air to your recording . A built - in headphone manual laborer supply a playthrough feed that lets you hear to what you ’re recording . There is a hardware clipper , and the gimmick supports mono transcription .
With a inclination Mary Leontyne Price of $ 399 — thoughretailing for much less — the ProTrack is designed to touch the needs of professional — and it delivers . In my experience with the system , feature like playthrough and the adjustable gain controls for individual stereophony track were essential in capturing quality speech sound . The one pregnant letdown I encountered while using the system was the interference conduct to recordings when wield it during recordings . The trouble was easy enough to parry in static setups but could prove unmanageable in berth where movement of the transcription machine is necessary .
Alesis say the ProTrack is compatible with a laundry inclination of iPod — the classic , the nano , and the touch . The troupe does n’t say anything about iPhone compatibility , but I had no problem using an iPhone 3GS other than a subject matter telling me that my phone was n’t supported . Audio recorded just ok , however .
Macworld’s buying advice
Users count for a plug - and - drama selection will desire to turn elsewhere . But if your mobile audio needs are more demanding , the Alesis ProTrack is an attractive ( although complex ) option . ProTrack ’s heighten capabilities — peculiarly XLR inputs and private TV channel gain controls — take greater flexibility and control even in demanding recording environments .
[ Dale Gardner is a freelance writer and photographer who lives in Northern Virginia . you’re able to pursue him onTwitter . ]
