Korg MR2000S 1-Bit Studio Recorder

KORG MR2000S Details ^top

Un-beatable Audio Performance Comes Home to Roost

Korg captured the world's attention with their MR series of 1-Bit mobile recorders. After consulting with top recording and mastering professionals, Korg has now created the MR-2000S Studio Recorder; designed from the ground up to bring that same 1-Bit sonic performance home for use in any studio environment.

Born to Run

In keeping with the MR Series' heritage of portability, the MR-2000S adds a number of new features to meet the requirements of the most demanding studio, yet retains a sleek, single rack-space profile. This compact format is also ideal for any live recording rig; or for grabbing that "off-the-board" live recording night after night as well as shuttling your recordings from venue to studio and back again. So whether you want to capture that once-in-a-lifetime performance with impeccable detail, or need to transfer those priceless recordings from session to session, the MR-2000S is ready to roll.

Master. Class.

All of Korgs MR Series recorders feature the 1-Bit/2.8224 MHz format used in creating the SACD (Super Audio Compact Disc). The MR-2000S goes above and beyond this industry standard to provide 1-Bit/5.6448 MHz recording. At such accelerated sampling rates, the entire sound stage is faithfully captured, even during the softest passages. The clarity, ambience and true dynamic range of the original sound source are preserved with unprecedented accuracy.

By mastering in this superior format, the recorded material can always be re-created natively in whatever format you require, providing a true future-proof archive. In supporting these recording requirements, the MR-2000S uses the highest-quality components available - the CS4398 Digital to Analog Converter from Cirrus Logic and the Burr-Brown PCM4202 Analog to Digital Converter from Texas Instruments Corporation - minimizing any possible degradation of the audio signal.

Format Fiesta

In addition to the aforementioned 2.8 MHz and 5.6 MHz 1-Bit formats (DSDIFF, WSD and DSF formats are supported), the MR2000S is ready to record in any of the current 16-Bit and 24-Bit formats (from 44.1 kHz up to 192 kHz) directly, in BWF (Broadcast WAV) format.

Easy on the Ears, Easy on the Eyes

Sure, the fidelity of the MR-2000S is a feast for the ears. But the multi-stage LED metering is a treat for the eyes as well. Accurate and responsive, each channel employs 24 bright, color-coded LEDs to provide detailed level information that is highly visible from nearly any vantage point, whether in the studio or in a remote live capture environment.

Got the Hook-up?

Versatility is the key when creating a recorder with a wide range of applications, and thats where the MR-2000S shines. The XLR analog inputs feature a selectable -12dB, -14dB -16 dB, -18dB or -20 dB reference level, insuring the proper level match with nearly any audio source. XLR analog outputs are also provided. In addition, the MR-2000S is equipped with analog RCA style inputs and outputs for maximum flexibility.

On the digital side, coaxial S/P DIF digital I/O provides smooth integration into any 16-Bit or 24-Bit digital studio environment from the music workshop to the broadcast studio. The MR-2000S also provides word clock I/O for reliable digital synchronization between various digital audio equipment or even between two MR-2000S Studio Recorders.

Save it for Later

The MR-2000S delivers up a whopping stereo record time of nearly 120 hours (16-Bit/44.1 kHz). Even at the highest resolution (1-Bit/5.6 MHz), the 80 GB internal hard drive provides a generous 14 hours of stereo recording time. In fact, the entire file structure of the MR-2000S has been designed to provide ample versatility and ease of use.

When you begin recording, the MR-2000S creates a date folder for that day (just as digital cameras can date each picture). Up to 400 Date folders can be created on the hard drive, and each can contain up to 400 Projects. Each MR-2000S recording creates two types of files: one containing the audio data and a second containing any marker data or protect settings. Collectively, these two files are called a Project, and the MR-2000S handles them as a single audio file.

To keep the internal drive ready and available, a convenient hi-speed USB 2.0 port allows files to be quickly saved and stored via PC. In fact the MR2000S internal hard drive can be used as a FAT32 USB external drive to carry source material and other files when needed.

Journey thru the AudioGate

AudioGate is Korgs exclusive file format conversion software, and is indispensible for working with your MR Series recordings. By saving your MR-2000S 1-Bit recordings as the high resolution archival master, you can then use the AudioGate software to transform the data into multiple format masters. For example the same source material can be used to create a CD master (16-bit/44.1 kHz); as the soundtrack in a DVD (DVD Audio = 24-bit/96 kHz), or imported into the latest DAW Session (at 24-bit/192 kHz).

This latest version of AudioGate Version 1.5 uses newly refined conversion algorithms that deliver exceptional results. In addition, AudioGate provides useful tools for treating and working with files. Individual songs may be spliced into one, or a single concert recording can be broken out into individual songs. Gain control, fades (in or out, linear or exponential) and DC offset correction are provided.

With Version 1.5 you can also adjust the left/right balance, enter locate points numerically from the keyboard, and link individual mono files into a single stereo song. Support for importing new file formats - AAC, Apple Lossless, WMA and even MP3 has been added as well.

Going for the One

It has never been easier to add the benefits of 1-Bit recording and future-proof archiving to your musical or commercial recording world, thanks to the new MR-2000S Studio Recorder. But dont let that name fool you. The one-rackspace MR-2000S is also a welcome addition to any live sound/recording rig, for bringing home that rare performance in legendary 1-Bit clarity.

Future Proof Recording Explained

For a complete overview of current PCM digital audio techniques and some of the principals and advantages that 1-bit recording provides both in terms of fidelity and archiving for future use, read Future Proof Recording Explained.

Included items
AC power cable
Install CD ("AudioGate" audio file conversion application

KORG MR2000S Specs ^top

Recorder section

Number of tracks : 2 tracks, 2 tracks simultaneous playback/2 tracks simultaneous recording

Recording formats

-PCM audio format: BWF (extension .wav) 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

-1-bit audio format: 2.8 MHz @ 1-bit, 5.6 MHz @ 1-bit,
DSDIFF format (extension .dff), DSF (extension .dsf),
WSD (extension .wsd)

Recording

Maximum approximately: 120 hours at 44.1 kHz/16 bit, 14.5 hours at 5.6 MHz/1- bit (for 80 Gbyte hard disk),
Maximum continuous recording 6 hours

Number: Recognizes a maximum of projects four hundred projects of each format

Mark points: 100 points per project *No mark names

USB functionality: Connect to computer via USB 2.0, usable as FAT32 USB external drive

Project editing: Rename, Delete, Protect

General

Display: 160 x 104 pixel, LCD with backlight

Level meter: 54 dB...+ 3 dB, L and R each provide,
23-step LED + peak LED

Power supply: AC100... 240 V

Power consumption: 7 W

Dimensions/Weight:
18.91"(W) x 8.66"(D) x 1.77"(H):Including protrusions/6.17 Lbs

Main Specifications

Frequency response: 10 Hz ... 20 kHz 1 dB@ Fs 44.1 kHz / 48 kHz, 10 Hz ... 40 kHz 1 dB@ Fs 88.2 kHz/96 kHz/176.4 kHz/ 192 kHz, 10 Hz ... 100 kHz (1-bit)

S/N: 103 dB (typical) @ IHF-A

THD+N: 0.005% (typical), 20 Hz ... 20 kHz

A/D conversion: 2.8224 MHz/5.6448 MHz(1-bit), 24bit (PCM)

D/A conversion: 2.8224 MHz/5.6448 MHz(1-bit), 24bit (PCM)
LINE IN L/R

XLR
-Connector: XLR-3-31 type (balanced)
-Input impedance: 22 kΩ
-Nominal level: + 4 dBu (REC LEVEL=0dB)
-Maximum level: + 24 dBu

RCA
-Connector: RCA (Unbalanced)
-Input impedance: 50kΩ
-Nominal level ( 12 dBFS 12 dB-SACD):
6 dBV (REC LEVEL = 0 dB)
-Maximum level: + 10 dBV
LINE OUT L/R

XLR
-Connector: XLR-3-32 type (balanced)
-Load impedance: 600 Ω or greater
-Nominal level: 4dBu
-Maximum level (0dBFS 0dB-SACD):
16 dBu (Nominal level= 12dBFS),
18 dBu (Nominal level= 14dBFS),
20 dBu (Nominal level= 16dBFS),
22 dBu (Nominal level= 18dBFS),
24 dBu (Nominal level= 20dBFS)

RCA
-Connector: RCA (Unbalanced)
-Load impedance: 47 kΩ or greater/
-Nominal level ( 12 dBFS 12 dB-SACD):
6 dBV (REC LEVEL=0dB)
-Maximum level (0 dBFS 0 dB-SACD): + 6dBV

PHONES
-Connector: 1/4" stereo phone jack
-Load impedance: 16 Ω or greater
-Maximum level: 170 mW + 170 mW @ 32 Ω

S/P DIF IN/OUT (coaxial)
-Connector: RCA pin
-Format: IEC60958

WORD CLOCK IN/OUT
-Connector: BNC receptacle, 75 Ω

USB
-Connector: Type B
-Format: USB 2.0 compliant,
-USB mass storage class
-Supported operating systems: Windows 2000,
or later Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later
Included Items
AC power cable, Install CD ("AudioGate" audio file conversion application)
AudioGate ver,1.5 Operating Requirements

Windows
-Supported operating systems: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition/Professional Edition Service Pack 1 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista
-Supported computers:
CPU: Intel Pentium III /1 GHz or better
RAM: 256 MB or more
A USB port that meets the operating requirements of
Microsoft Windows XP/Vista

Macintosh
-Supported operating system: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later
-Supported computers:
CPU: Apple G4/800 MHz or better, Intel Mac is supported
RAM: 256 MB or more
A USB port that meets the operating requirements of Mac OS X