Yamaha Pocketrak CX, miniature recording

This “all-in-one” recorder, weighing only 92 grams, allows you to record or play back 50 hours with a single AA battery, offering sound quality that could well be used in professional post-production sessions.

After the good reception of the Pocketrak 2G, presented last year, Yamaha returns to the fray with the CX, a new recorder weighing less than one hundred grams capable of recording up to fifty hours with a single AA battery. The Pocketrak CX has an internal X-Y stereo microphone of excellent quality, offering a detailed spatial image without generating phase problems.

Delivering world-class sound quality and minimal power consumption, advanced LSI technology delivers superior recording and playback performance in a compact device weighing just 92 grams including battery. Using the high-precision linear PCM recording mode, up to 22 hours of continuous recording could be recorded on a single battery charge. If you want to record with MP3 quality, you could record up to 50 hours, although keep in mind that the maximum size for a single audio file is 2 GB. The uninterrupted playback times are 22 and 54 hours, respectively, and it incorporates an environmentally friendly eneloop rechargeable battery, which charges automatically every time it is connected to the computer using the USB cable included with the recorder.

Micro SD Cards

The recorder stores audio data on a microSD memory card which provides large storage capacity, while helping to maintain the unit's compact and ultra-lightweight form. The recorder includes a 2 GB microSD card with which you can record up to three hours of maximum quality audio in 44.1 kHz linear PCM format, or up to 35 hours of MP3 stereo audio at 128 kbps. It is compatible with standard microSD card specifications, so it is possible to use compatible higher capacity cards to meet additional audio demands.

The Pocketrak CX allows recording in the uncompressed linear PCM (WAV) format, as well as in the compressed MP3 format. Includes two linear PCM recording modes, with CD and DVD audio sound quality. MP3 recordings are the best option for extending recording time, however the optimal sound setting of 44.1 kHz at 320 kbps offers extraordinary sound quality with a total frequency response of up to 20,000 Hz.

X-Y stereo microphone

The internal X-Y stereo microphone system includes two directional microphones forming a 90º angle. In addition to offering extremely wide coverage, this system offers a natural stereo sound image and smooth end-to-end response without the level variations and phase anomalies characteristic of typical stereo microphones. The microphones themselves are built with carefully selected parts and materials to provide maximum recording precision and unparalleled clarity. To maximize microphone performance, it is built outside the equipment housing in a solid, impact-resistant cast aluminum structure. The recorder also has a five-band equalizer.

USB connection and functions

By connecting the recorder to a computer using the included USB cable, the Pocketrak CX is recognized by the system as an external USB drive, allowing you to easily transfer audio files. You can also transfer audio files from a computer to the recorder to play them on it: it is an excellent music player compatible with MP3 and WMA. Additionally, the included Cubase AI4 audio software offers advanced editing and re-recording functions.

As for the main functions of this recorder, the Wolfson stereo CODEC chip allows you to work with low power consumption and excellent audio quality, you can adjust the manual recording input level in 80 increments; The hi-pass filter automatically reduces wind and low-frequency noises, it has an automatic level control function for optimal spoken voice recording quality, its peak limiter prevents overload and distortion in sudden high-level oscillations and the VARS function automatically starts recording when a specified input signal level is detected. In terms of editing, it divides the recorded audio files at a specified point, applies “fade-in” and “fade-out” effects to the files recorded in linear PCM, and can recover deleted files (Recycle Bin folder). In addition, the high-performance internal speaker allows you to listen to recorded material instantly and the playback speed of MP3 files can be modified without changing the tuning (70%, 100% and 150%). Finally, note that the “one-touch” phrase playback function allows you to rewind and repeat the playback of a passage with a duration of a certain number of seconds.