M-Audio is shipping the MicroTrack 24/96 (Mac/Win; $499.95), a mobile 2-channel digital recorder that records WAV and MP3 files to CompactFlash media or microdrives. The MicroTrack 24/96 supports 24-bit, 96 kHz PCM audio recording and includes balanced 1/4-inch analog line inputs and a S/PDIF digital input. You can monitor using the 1/8-inch stereo headphone jack or RCA line outputs.

Recording capacity is based on the format selected and the size of the currently inserted media. A 1 GB CompactFlash card or microdrive will hold approximately 100 minutes of uncompressed 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo WAV files. That same 1 GB media will store 1,500 minutes of stereo speech-quality MP3 audio at 96 kbps.

When connected to a computer (Mac/Win), the MicroTrack 24/96 appears as a USB mass storage device showing the unique identification number of each file. Just drag and drop the files to the computer''s hard drive and the audio files are ready to edit. Software is included for editing and format conversion.

MicroTrack 24/96 is powered by lithium-ion batteries that provide approximately eight hours on a single charge (or about three hours with phantom power engaged). The battery recharges by connecting MicroTrack 24/96 to a computer via USB, or using an optional power supply. For more information, visit M-Audio.com.