In the world of digital recorders, Korg MR-1 stands out. Not just is it small enough to fit into almost any palm, but it is sleek yet has a rugged metallic finish that makes it one of the most polished-looking digital recorders on the market. Don’t be fooled however, there is much more to the MR-1 than meets the eye. Under the hood of this deceivingly diminutive digital recorder, lies a new era of digital audio recording technology.

One Small Step for Audio Quality

Essentially, when you boil it down, the Korg MR-1 offers the best quality audio recordings ever. Sounds simple enough, but it really isn’t. Up till now the height of audio experience has pretty much been of CD-quality, and instead of matching it, the MR-1 takes a small step past that technology, and into the future.

For a layman, bigger is better in terms of bits. For example, the CD has 16 bits, compared to the normal 12 bits or so of most digital recorders. Bottom line, this means that the CD has greater audio depth, or rather; it has the capacity to capture audio in far greater detail than something with less bits.

Due to this there is some confusion about Korg’s 1-bit technology, as they call it, which has been incorporated into the MR-1. Simply put, this technology allows the recording of more realistic sound, due to the absence of filters that would normally cause distortion. Coupled with a sampling rate that is 64 times that of a CD, it is sound, made pure.

Other Features: The Good and Bad

Apart from the sound quality, the Korg MR-1 does pretty much what anyone could expect from a digital recorder, and does most things well. With USB ports, a port for a 3V microphone, and a wheel that makes navigation between various functions and menus both easy and intuitive, the MR-1 proves to be as functional as it looks good.

Instead of the 1-bit audio files being a pain to play on PC due to the lack of an encoder, Korg packages in Audiogate, a 1-bit audio file player, along with the MR-1. Truth is, on the Korg MR-1 itself there are functions that allow for recording into other file formats, such as MP3, and likewise Audiogate allows for transfer between file formats as well.

Possibly the only slight downside of the Korg MR-1 is its battery. Unfortunately, the internal battery can only last 2.5 hours before requiring recharging, which is distinctly dissatisfactory. Solution for this takes the form of external battery pack compatibility, but even that is not appealing to most.

End of the day, if it is the highest quality of audio recordings that are so detailed and amazing that it is even possible to hear the ‘pops’ of bubbles bursting in fizzy drinks, then the Korg MR-1 is definitely an option that should be considered. However for long, heavy duty usage, it might not last as long as would be ideal. Tough call, but it is definitely a very well put together piece of equipment.