At the 129th AES Convention Korg displayed its MR-2000S Studio Recorder which featured O.S. Version 1.5 and AudioGate software.
An expansion of Korg’s MR Series of digital recorders, the MR-2000S rack-mountable 1-bit recorder delivers high sound quality and improved connectivity and features for studios and mastering facilities.
The MR-2000S’s predecessor, the MR-1000, was created as a portable capture, archive and mastering solution, delivering 5.6 MHz/1-bit DSD high-quality recording capability, exceeding DVD audio. The MR-2000S is enhanced by additional functionality and studio-ready connectivity.
The MR-2000S is a single-rack-height digital stereo 1-bit recorder, offering 5.6 MHz or 2.8 MHz 1-bit recording, or up to 24-bit 192 kHz PCM recording and playback. 1-bit file formats DSDIFF (used in SACD production), WSD and DSF are all supported, as well as PCM support for standard WAV, BWF (Broadcast WAV) and MP3 playback.
Sampling frequencies for PCM formats range from 44.1 kHz through 192 kHz. Analog connectors include XLR balanced input/output jacks and RCA unbalanced input/output jacks. Digital connectors include S/PDIF coaxial jacks, as well as word clock jacks for synchronization with other devices or a second MR-2000S unit when using a multi-bit PCM format.
The MR Series’ AudioGate file management/conversion software allows users to manage, edit and convert DSD recordings into other formats.
Version 2.03 includes many new features. New file editing tools include “Normalize,” which allows files to be exported at their highest level without clipping. The software also includes standard TPDF dithering, plus Korg’s “AQUA” dithering, which closely follows human hearing characteristics for much more musical and natural sounding results.
Additionally, AudioGate 2.03 can be used to create DSD audio discs that preserve the superior audio fidelity of 1-bit recording made on all Korg MR-Series recorders; these enhanced discs can be played in a variety of devices, including Sony PlayStations, VAIO computers and certain stand-alone DSD players.
Traditional audio CDs can also be created directly within AudioGate. Finally, in addition to existing single-bit DSD/DSF and multi-bit Broadcast WAV formats, AudioGate 2.03 now includes the ability to import and export FLAC files.
Using O.S. Version 1.5, multiple MR-2000S recorders can be synched together for multi-track DSD recording. This is ideal for capturing high-quality field recordings and Foley work in 5.1 or 7.1 surround-ready multitrack, or for creating live multi-channel recordings that can be remixed later in the studio.
By designating one MR-2000S as the master, the transport controls, recording mode and setting of marker points will be shared with the additional units.
A “dual-mono” mode has also been added, keeping each recording channel independent for ease when importing tracks into DAW software. Previously recorded stereo files can be played back as two mono files as well.
To enhance the workflow process, the Setting File function allows task specific settings – input level, clock source, recording mode, etc. – to be memorized and saved as one of 400 setups.
These setups save time when a single MR-2000S is being used by multiple users for different projects, or when switching between sessions. Audio can now be monitored while fast-forwarding or rewinding to assist in locating the start of a song or when setting marker points.
In addition to multi-unit sync, dual-mono mode and enhanced workflow, the MR-2000S Version 1.5 features include AIFF file playback and support for professional S/PDIF protocol.
