Review: E-MU’s Tracker Pre USB 2.0 |
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May 12th, 2008 | Audio Interfaces |
The E-MU's Tracker Pre USB 2.0 is a new mobile preamp for your computer which retails for under $200 and does a good job adding some punch to your tone. The Tracker gives you 24-bit/192kHz recording and playback, direct monitoring, and an almost endless number of features in a small, USB bus-powered design.
The pre amp does an excellent job of remaining low noise and in my field tests I could not notice much fuzz or extra noise even at high playback volumes (I was recording using Pro Tools setup). (review continued below...)
Live eBay Results:
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E MU Tracker Pre USB Audio Interface Factory Sealed |  |
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US $159.99 | 23d 18h 1m |
If you are looking for a no frills pre amp which will no doubt improve the quality of your recordings and give you more flexibility, I must recommend the E-MU Tracker as a viable solution.
Again, for the amount of pro features which you are getting at a price under $200 bucks, you simply can't argue that this is a nice pre amp.
[sniplet recording]
I/O Configuration:
Two XTC Class-A, ultra-low noise, Mic/Line/Hi-Z preamps. Balanced XLR, 1/4" TRS, and 1/8" Inputs (-127dB EIN) with 60dB of gain
1/8" Stereo Condenser Microphone Input with 5V Power
Two 1/4" Balanced/Unbalanced outputs (112dB SNR)
Two 1/4" Unbalanced Send/Return inserts prior to A/D converters
Stereo headphone output (112dB SNR)
Technical specifications
General
Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz from internal crystal (no sample rate conversion)(Mac operation up to 96KHz currently, check www.emu.com for updates)
Bit depth: 24-bit I/O, 32-bit processing
USB 2.0 hi-speed: Full 24-bit resolution at all sample rates, stereo in, stereo out at all sample rates
Zero-latency direct hardware monitoring (disabled at 176.4-192kHz)
Win drivers: ASIO2 and WDM
Mac driver: Apple CoreAudio
Anti-pop speaker protection minimizes noise during power on/off
Ultra-low jitter clock subsystem: < 100ps RMS
USB Bus or AC powered via optional Universal Power Supply
Combo preamplifiers (2)
Type: E-MU CurrentMorph combo mic preamp and Hi-Z/line input
A/D converter: AK5385
Max level: +6.4dBV bal/unbal (+6.9 dBu), Hi-Z/line balanced input: +6.9dBV bal/unbal (+9.1dBu), Microphone Preamplifier: +6.4dBV bal/unbal (+8.6dBu)
Frequency response (min gain, 20Hz-20kHz): +0.0/-0.03dB
Dynamic range (A-weighted, 1kHz, min gain): 112dB
Signal-to-Noise ratio (A-weighted, min gain): 112dB
THD+N (1kHz at - 1dBFS, min gain): -102dB (.0007%)
EIN (20Hz-20kHz, 150ohm, unweighted): -127dBu
Input impedance: Hi-Z/line balanced input: 1Mohm, microphone preamplifier: 1.5Kohms
Analog line outputs (2)
Type: balanced, AC-coupled, 2-pole low-pass differential filter
D/A converter: CS4392
Max Level: 6.6 dBV (unbalanced)
Frequency response (20Hz - 20kHz): 0.00/-0.08dB
Dynamic range (1kHz, A-weighted): 112dB
Signal-to-Noise ratio (A-weighted): 112dB
THD+N (1kHz at -1dBFS): -99dB (.0011%)
Stereo crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS): <-111dB
Headphone Amplifier
Type: Class-A power amplifier
D/A converter: CS4392 (shared with Line Out)
Gain range: 60dB
Maximum output power: 22mW
Output impedance: 22ohms
Frequency response (20Hz-20kHz): +0.02/-0.07dB
Dynamic range (A-weighted): 112dB
Signal-to-Noise ratio (A-weighted): 112dB
THD+N (1kHz, max gain): 300ohm load: -99dB (.0011%)
Stereo crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS, 300 ohm load): <-90dB
Synchronization
Internal crystal sync at 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz
Minimum system requirements
Windows:
Intel or AMD processor - 1.2 GHz or faster
Intel, AMD, or 100% compatible motherboard & chipset
Microsoft Windows XP (SP 2 or greater), Windows XP x64, Windows Vista, or Windows Vista x64
900 MB of free hard disk space for full installation
OS X:
Apple Macintosh G4 800 MHz G4 compatible or Intel-based processor
Apple Macintosh OS X (10.4.3 or greater)
500 MB of free hard disk space for full installation
Both:
1 available (Hi-Speed) USB 2.0 port
512 MB system RAM
CD-ROM/CD-RW drive required for software installation
DVD-ROM drive required for bundled software installation
XVGA Video (1024 X 768)
E-MU E-MU Tracker Pre USB 2.0 Features:
24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters (A/D and D/A: 112dB measured SNR performance) deliver USB audio fidelity, gold-plated connectors for better audio quality
Preamplified analog signals are available before the A/D converters, allowing the Tracker Pre to be used as a standalone stereo microphone preamp (using optional power supply)
Hardware zero-latency direct monitoring (mono or stereo) with continuously variable level control
Plug-and-play operation with hands-on control of all major functions like direct monitoring level, headphone level, preamplifier gain, and more
Independent ground lift switches for optimal audio fidelity/flexibility
USB bus powered (can also be powered using optional 5V power supply)
Two Class-A ultra-low noise Mic/Line/Hi-Z preamplifiers
Cross-platform support (Mac OS X and Windows XP32/XP64/Vista32/Vista64) and compatibility with most popular audio/sequencer applications (ASIO2, WDM, MME, Apple Core Audio and Core MIDI supported)
Signal Level & Clip indicators
Left/Right Gain controls
Direct Monitor level control
Direct Monitor On/Off & Mono-Stereo Switch
Headphone jack
Headphone Level control
5 VDC Power Adapter (optional)
Phantom Power on/off switch
2 balanced outputs
2 unbalanced TRS insert jacks
Hi-Z/Line/Mic inputs
1/8" Stereo Mic input
E-MU Software/Manual Installation CD-ROM (OS X /Windows)
Windows XP, Windows x64, Windows Vista, Windows Vista x64 Drivers
Mac OS X 10.4, Mac OS X 10.5 Drivers
Owner's Manual and Tutorials
Adobe Acrobat Reader (Windows only)
E-MU Production Tools Software Bundle DVD (OS X /Windows)
Windows Applications:
E-MU Proteus VX (with over 1000 sounds)
Cakewalk Sonar 6 LE
Steinberg Cubase LE4
Celemony Melodyne essential
IK Multimedia AmpliTube Duo
SFX Machine LT
OS X Applications:
Steinberg Cubase LE4
BIAS Peak Express 5
Celemony Melodyne essential
IK Multimedia AmpliTube LE
SFX Machine LT
Other software (for both Win and OS)
Ableton Live Lite 6 E-MU Edition CD-ROM
Waldorf Edition LE CD-ROM
Other:
USB cable (2 meters)
Installation Guide
