Zoom MicTrak M2 User manual

Operation Manual
You must read the Usage and Safety Precautions before use.
©2022 ZOOM CORPORATION
Copying or reprinting this manual in part or in whole without permission is prohibited.
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Notes about this Operation Manual
You might need this manual in the future. Always keep it in a place where you can access it easily.
The contents of this document and the specifications of the product could be changed without notice.
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copyrights.
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Contents
Notes about this Operation Manual........................................................................................................................ 2
M2 overview................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Realizing high audio quality throughout recording and editing.......................................................................... 5
Functions of parts........................................................................................................................................................9
Overview of main screens....................................................................................................................................... 13
Recording process..................................................................................................................................................... 21
Making preparations.................................................................................................................................................22
Inserting microSD cards........................................................................................................................................... 22
Supplying power........................................................................................................................................................ 23
Using the mic holder................................................................................................................................................ 26
Turning the power on/off........................................................................................................................................ 27
Setting the language shown (first time starting up)............................................................................................ 28
Setting the date format (first time starting up)....................................................................................................29
Setting the date and time (first time starting up)................................................................................................30
Setting the type of batteries used (first time starting up).................................................................................. 31
Preventing misoperation (hold function)...............................................................................................................32
Making input settings...............................................................................................................................................33
Changing the stereo/mono setting.........................................................................................................................33
Reducing noise (low-frequency cut)....................................................................................................................... 34
Recording.................................................................................................................................................................... 35
Adjusting the volume display size to make checking easier.............................................................................. 35
Monitoring input and playback sounds.................................................................................................................36
Making recording settings........................................................................................................................................37
Recording.................................................................................................................................................................... 41
Adding marks during recording.............................................................................................................................. 42
Playing recordings..................................................................................................................................................... 43
Playing recordings..................................................................................................................................................... 43
Adding/deleting marks during playback................................................................................................................46
Using automatic playback volume adjustment.................................................................................................... 47
Managing files............................................................................................................................................................48
M2 folder and file structure.................................................................................................................................... 48
Checking files (FILE LIST Screen).............................................................................................................................51
Deleting files...............................................................................................................................................................53
Optimizing file volume (normalization)..................................................................................................................55
Changing bit depth and exporting files (Export)..................................................................................................56
Checking file information......................................................................................................................................... 58
Using as a USB mic...................................................................................................................................................59
Installing drivers........................................................................................................................................................ 59
Connecting computers, smartphones and tablets.............................................................................................. 60
USB mic muting......................................................................................................................................................... 62
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Disconnecting from computers, smartphones and tablets................................................................................63
Making USB mic settings..........................................................................................................................................64
Transferring files to computers and other devices............................................................................................. 68
Connecting computers, smartphones and tablets.............................................................................................. 68
Disconnecting from computers, smartphones and tablets................................................................................70
Making various settings........................................................................................................................................... 71
Setting the language shown.................................................................................................................................... 71
Setting the date and time........................................................................................................................................72
Setting the date format............................................................................................................................................74
Setting the display backlight....................................................................................................................................76
Setting the display contrast.....................................................................................................................................78
Setting the type of batteries used..........................................................................................................................79
Setting the time until the power turns off automatically (Auto Power Off)..................................................... 81
Managing microSD cards......................................................................................................................................... 83
Formatting microSD cards....................................................................................................................................... 83
Testing microSD cards..............................................................................................................................................84
Restoring factory default settings.......................................................................................................................... 88
Managing the firmware............................................................................................................................................89
Checking the firmware versions............................................................................................................................. 89
Updating the firmware............................................................................................................................................. 89
Appendix..................................................................................................................................................................... 90
Troubleshooting.........................................................................................................................................................90
Specifications..............................................................................................................................................................92
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M2 overview
Realizing high audio quality throughout recording and
editing
With dual A/D converter circuits and support for 32-bit float WAV files, the M2 can maintain the highest
audio quality from recording to post-production.
Recording
Dual AD converter circuits enable recording from quiet to loud volumes without any need to make gain
adjustments.
Post-production
Recording with 32-bit float WAV file format allows the recording audio quality to be retained when editing.
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Dual A/D converter circuit overview
For each input circuit, the M2 has two A/D converters with different input gains. This design enables
high-quality audio recording without the need to adjust gain settings, a step that normally had been
indispensable.
Providing amazing dynamic range
By combining two A/D converters, a wide dynamic range not possible with a single A/D converter has been
realized.
High-gain
AD converter
Low-gain
AD converter
AD converter
switches in
response to
input level
・Airplane
・Nearby thunder
・Train passing on tracks overhead
・Inside train
・Shouting
・Grand piano
・Noisy street
・Chimes
・Ordinary conversation
・Whispering
・Quiet library
・Late night in suburb
Wide dynamic range covered
by two AD converters
Input gain adjusted to
desired recording volume
Dual AD converters
Conventional equipment
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Switching between two A/D converters
The M2 constantly monitors data from the two A/D converters and automatically selects the one that
provides the best recording results.
Low noise
because high-gain
AD converter selected
Low noise
because high-gain
AD converter selected
No clipping
because low-gain
AD converter selected
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32-bit float WAV file overview
32-bit float WAV files have the following advantages over conventional 16/24-bit WAV files.
These features enable the quality of the sound during recording to be maintained even during post-
production.
Resolution advantage
32-bit float WAV files have the advantage of being able to maintain high resolution even at low volumes. As
a result, quiet sounds can be made louder when editing after recording without degrading their quality.
■ 16/24-bit WAV
Volume raised
Resolution low
■ 32-bit float WAV
Volume raised
Resolution high
Clipping advantage
If a waveform sounds clipped when output from the M2 or in a DAW, it can be edited after recording to
lower its volume and restore an unclipped waveform because the data in the 32-bit float WAV file itself is
not clipped.
■ 16/24-bit WAV
Clipped recording
Volume lowered
Still clipped
■ 32-bit float WAV
Clipped recording
Volume lowered
Not clipped
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Functions of parts
Front/back
■ Front ■ Back
❶Built-in XY mic
This stereo mic has two crossing directional mics. This mic can record three-dimensional sound with
natural depth and width.
❷Display
This shows various types of information.
❸STEREO/MONO/operation button
Home Screen: Switch the recording audio format between stereo and mono.
Other screens: Use operation shown by icon at bottom of screen. (→Operation button overview)
❹/ /Operation buttons
Home Screen: Change volume amplification on the display
Other screens: Use operation shown by icon at bottom of screen. (→Operation button overview)
❺LO CUT/operation button
Home Screen: Change LO CUT setting
Other screens: Use operation shown by icon at bottom of screen. (→Operation button overview)
❻STOP button
This stops recording and playback.
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Press this when playing or paused to close the Playback Screen and open the Home Screen.
❼PLAY/PAUSE button
This starts and pauses playback.
When used as a USB mic, this mutes/unmutes it.
❽REW button
When playing or paused, this will move to the file before the current one, the beginning of the current
file, or the mark before the current position.
Press and hold to search backward.
❾FF button
When playing or paused, this will move to the file or mark after the current one.
Press and hold to search forward.
❿REC button/indicator
This starts recording. The REC indicator lights during recording.
Press when recording or playing to add a mark at that point.
⓫Speaker
Sound is output here during file playback.
If headphones, for example, are connected to the PHONE/LINE OUT jack, audio will not be output from
the speaker.
⓬Battery compartment locking screw
Use this when installing and removing the battery compartment. (→Installing batteries)
⓭Battery compartment
Install batteries here.
To remove the battery compartment, loosen the battery compartment locking screw. (→Installing
batteries)
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