Korg MR1000 DSD Professional Mobile Recorder

With the pristine fidelity and ultimate flexibility of 1-bit technology, the surprisingly affordable Korg MR1000 DSD Professional Mobile Recorder ensures that your location recordings and final masters are never obsolete.

Korg’s super-portable MR Professional Mobile Recorders break new ground by providing high fidelity DSD recording technology at unheard of low prices. The mobile/tabletop Korg MR1000 DSD Professional Mobile Recorder delivers an astonishing 1-bit/5.6 MHz, doubling industry DSD recording quality standards. This new super-rate spec delivers a “true to what you heard” fidelity that will amaze even the most jaded audio enthusiast.

The MR1000 is the perfect tool for the professional who wants to record and archive their final mixes in the studio, while its compact size and portability make it ideal for location recording, podcasting, live music performances – even for rehearsals and song-writing sessions.

After recording and editing all your tracks in the DAW/hardware system of your choice, you can mix directly, or via an analog summing mixer, to the Korg MR1000 DSD Professional Mobile Recorder. This gives you the superb fidelity of high-rate DSD technology, which preserves all the transients, nuances, and “air” from the original recording.

Powerful software bundled with the MR1000 enables the conversion of your DSD recordings and mixes into all of today’s audio formats without degradation. Best of all, by archiving your data/mix in this new double-speed 1-bit format you’re ready for the future, as playback systems and standards change.

The Korg MR1000 DSD Professional Mobile Recorder can record to multiple formats, allowing you to choose the type that matches your needs. There are three ultra pristine, high definition 1-bit recording formats at your fingertips; DSDIFF, DSF, and WSD* (2.8224 MHz @ 1-bit or 5.6448 MHz @ 1-bit). In addition to the 1-bit recording options, multi-bit PCM formats (BWF or WAV) with resolutions up to 24-bit/192 kHz are also available. The MR1000 can play back all of these file types and more, with the newly added MP3 playback feature.

Various resolutions can be played back, including bit rates from 32 - 320 kbps, with a sampling frequency of either 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz. This gives you the added ability to store and listen to web ready MP3 files right on your MR1000. All of these functions make the MR1000 a truly future proof tool that will be useful for recording all your endeavors in the years to come. It features a 40 Gbyte internal hard drive, offering up to six hours of recording at the highest audio quality (1-bit 5.6448 MHz stereo), or approximately sixty hours at CD quality (16-bit 44.1 kHz).

The table-top Korg MR1000 DSD Professional Mobile Recorder includes combination XLR/ 1/4" input connectors with top quality microphone preamps, phantom power and built-in limiting. Both XLR and RCA outputs are provided for maximum flexibility.  High-speed USB 2.0 connectivity provides for fast and easy transfer of files between the recorder and your computer.

The MR1000 can accommodate a total of 800 projects internally, and you can easily perform file management operations such as Rename, Delete, and Protect for individual songs. You can also register one hundred mark points in each song.

In order to deliver an unprecedented level of audio quality, careful attention was paid not only to the digital signal domain but also to the hardware design. The input/output circuitry of the Korg MR1000 DSD Professional Mobile Recorder features ultra-high quality mic preamps. Power is supplied independently to the MR1000’s digital circuitry and analog circuitry, thus holding interference due to electrical current to an extremely low level.

Every component of the MR1000 has been carefully selected to maximize performance. The respected Cirrus Logic CS4398 is used as the DAC (Digital/Analog Converter), and the Burr-Brown PCM4202 from Texas Instruments is used as the ADC (Analog/Digital Converter). By paying close attention to every component, the design has minimized any possible degradation of the audio signal.

The Korg MR1000 DSD Professional Mobile Recorder allows two-way operation; it can be powered by the included AC adaptor or by eight AA batteries, delivering 1-bit audio in a portable package that’s equally at home in the studio or in the field. It comes with a specially-made carrying case that lets you record without removing the MR1000 from the case, making it a great choice for field recording. The large backlit LCD display guarantees excellent visibility, ensuring smooth workflow. The Almite-coated aluminum body provides strong impact resistance and stable operation in any situation.

1-bit recording is the latest advancement in audio, and has been adopted for use in the critically acclaimed SACD recording format. It offers a frequency response of DC to 100 kHz and dynamic range of 120 dB. This uncompromising fidelity, low noise floor, extended dynamic range, lifelike imaging and analog quality depth has been praised by top experts. But there are other important advantages to the format that are of benefit to all recording professionals, regardless of their tracking platform.

Today’s state-of-the-art 24-bit converters use high-speed 1-bit conversion to capture audio, using real-time decimation and other processes to present the data in the desired bit depth/sample rate format. The beauty of the MR’s bitstream format is that it uses the original 1-bit data, without the need for the other processes. What comes in comes out, with no manipulation needed.

As files are converted and reconverted between various bit depths and sampling rates, there are possibly degrading effects, depending on the sample rate conversion algorithms. The critical issue is that files mixed and mastered in today’s state of the art resolution may be insufficient for tomorrow’s formats.

Archiving your final mixes and masters in a 1-bit system allows you to bypass these issues, and preserve your music with both the highest fidelity and in a more "universal" format. That data then can more easily be converted at a later date to the bit depth/sample rate format of your choice without compromising the integrity or fidelity of the data. You can even convert to newer formats that will be adopted in the future, be they multi-bit or a further migration to the 1-bit format.

The Korg MR1000 DSD Professional Mobile Recorder comes with Korg’s innovative and powerful AudioGate™ software for Mac® and PC. AudioGate can convert 1-bit recordings into WAV and AIFF formats at various bit-rates (and vice versa) and offers real-time conversion and playback of 1-bit files using your computer’s audio hardware.

It also does essential functions like DC offset removal, gain control, and fade in/out. The combination of these recorders and this exclusive software makes the perfect system for both capturing and preserving your critical projects and source recordings. This archiving capability that had only been the domain of the major record companies and top studios is now available for everyone.

Korg MR1000 DSD Professional Mobile Recorder Recording Formats:
-DSF (DSD Stream File)
  This is a DSD file format supported by some Sony "VAIO" personal computers (models with the "Sound Reality" engine) sold since
  September, 2005. This format is already supported by software such as "SonicStage Mastering StudioVer.2.0" and "DSD Direct," and it is 
  expected that increasing numbers of software titles will support it in the future, including shareware and freeware.
-WSD (Wideband Single-bit Data)
  This is a 1-bit audio file format created by the "One-bit Audio Consortium." It accommodates all formats of one-bit audio data without
  limitation of channel number or sample rate. The "One-bit Audio Consortium" was established in 2001 with the goal of contributing to the
  advance of audio through research, development, and popularization of 1-bit audio technology, and its work is currently supported by
  more than sixty members.

Korg MR1000 DSD Professional Mobile Recorder Specifications:
-Recorder Section:
  -Number of Tracks:  2 tracks, 2-track recording/playback simultaneously
  -Recording Formats:
    -1-bit audio formats - DSDIFF, DSF, WSD: 2.8224 MHz @ 1-bit, 5.6448 MHz @ 1-bit
    -PCM audio formats - WAV, BWF: 44.1 kHz @ 16/24-bit, 48 kHz @ 16/24-bit, 88.2 kHz @ 24-bit, 96 kHz @ 24-bit, 176.4 kHz @ 24-bit,
      192 kHz @ 24-bit
    -MP3 format - playback only 44.1kHz or 48kHz/32kbps-320kbps
  -Internal Hard Disk Drive: 40 GB
  -Recording Time:  Max Approx. 60 Hours (44.1 kHz @ 16-bit, 2-track)
  -Number of Projects:  Recognizes a maximum of 200 for each format, max 1,000 projects
  -Mark Points:  100 points per a song (no mark name)
  -USB Functions:  USB 2.0 supported, ability to use as FAT32 external USB drive
  -Song Editing: Rename, Delete, Protect
-General:
  -Display:  160 x 104 dots LCD with backlight
  -Dimensions:  7.56"(W) x 6.69"(D) x 2.20"(H)
  -Weight:  2.20 lbs. (without batteries)
  -Power Supply:  Eight AA batteries (sold separately), Oxyride batteries, charged nickel metal-hydride batteries, or AC Adapter
  -Current Consumption:  7 W
-Principal Specifications:
  -Frequency Response:  10Hz ~ 20kHz ±1dB @ Fs44.1kHz, 10Hz ~ 40kHz ±1dB @ Fs88.2kHz/96kHz/176.4kHz/192kHz, 10Hz ~ 100kHz
    (1 bit)
  -S/N:  96 dB (typical) @ IHF-A INPUT-OUTPUT
  -THD+N:  0.008% (typical) 20 kHz-LP
  -A/D Conversion: 2.8224 MHz/5.6448 MHz (1-bit), 24-bit (PCM)
  -D/A Conversion: 2.8224 MHz/5.6448 MHz (1-bit), 24-bit (PCM)
  -INPUT L-R:
    -Connectors:
      -XLR-3-31 type / 1/4" TRS phone jack (balanced)
      -Phantom power: 48V/10mA per channel, on/off switch
    -Input Impedance: 4.5 k Ohm (XLR-3-31), 68 k Ohm (TRS phone, Line)
    -Nominal Level:  - 60 dBu - - 28 dBu, XLR (balanced), - 26 dBu - + 4 dBu, 1/4" TRS phone (balanced), - 26 dBV - - 6 dBV, 1/4" TRS
      phone (Unbalanced)
    -Maximum:16 dBu, XLR (balanced), + 16 dBu, 1/4" TRS phone (balanced), + 6 dBV, 1/4" TRS phone (Unbalanced)
  -OUTPUT L-R (Unbalanced/Balanced):
    -Connectors: RCA (Unbalanced)/XLR-3-32 type (balanced)
    -Nominal Level: 6 dBV/+ 4 dBu
    -Maximum Level: + 6 dBV/+ 16 dBu
    -Load Impedance: 47 k Ohm or greater/600 k Ohm or greater
  -PHONES:
    -Connector: 1/4" stereo phone jack
    -Load Impedance: 16 k Ohm or greater
    -Maximum Level: 50 mW + 50 mW @ 32 k Ohm
  -USB:
    -Connector: Type B
    -Format: USB 2.0 High-Speed device, USB mass storage class
-Supported OS:  Windows Me, 2000 or later, Mac OS 9.0.4 or later (With Intel based Macs, you must turn on the unit after making USB
  connection)
-Included Items:
  -AC adaptor (also operates as charger)
  -Carry bag
  -CD-ROM (“AudioGate” audio file conversion application)

AudioGate System Requirements:
-Windows
  -XP Home Edition/Professional Edition (Service Pack 1 or later)
  -Intel Pentium III/1 GHz or faster
  -256 MB or larger (512 MB or larger recommended)
-Mac
  -OS X 10.3.9 or later
  -Apple G4/800 MHz or faster (Intel-based Mac supported)
  -256 MB or larger (512 MB or larger recommended)

*"DSD" is a registered trademark

*Logos, product names and company names are their tradmarks or registered trademarks

Specifications subject to change without notice