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This is a side-by-side review of the
ultra-compact Pocketrak W24 and
C24, the latest mobile recorders from
Yamaha. The W24 weighs in at 3.25
ounces (AA battery included), and the
C24 tips the scales at 2 ounces (AAA battery
included). Shared features include a
metronome, a tuner, 2GB of internal
memory (expandable with SD memory
cards), a high-pass filter, a peak limiter, a
speed control (MP3 audio only), a set
timer function (delayed record start for
eliminating hand noise while pushing
the record button), and a hold/lockout
button. Both products come with a DVD-
ROM containing Cubase AI 5 software
for editing recorded audio transferred
to your computer using the supplied
USB cable.
NAVIGATION
The controls on the W24 are clearly
marked and easily accessible. On the lefthand
side are the headphone jack and
ALC (automatic level control) and mic
sensitivity (high-low) switches. The faceplate
has the record/pause, stop/esc, and
play/speed buttons, as well as a round
navigation toggle ring, which is used for
setting record and playback levels. In the
center of the ring there’s a menu/enter
button. The right-hand side of the W24
has an external mic/line jack, a hidden SD
memory card compartment, a USB jack,
and buttons for power, delete, and other
functions. The bottom of the device has
a speaker grill, a hold button, and a 1 / 4 "
threaded socket for attaching the unit
to a tripod or mic stand.
The controls on the C24 are more condensed,
requiring a little more care while
navigating through the various functions.
MODERN DRUMMER • June 2011
E L E C T R O N I C R E V I E W
yamaha
POCKETRAK W24 AND C24
HANDHELD RECORDERS
by Butch Jones
W24 REMOTE
The C24 and
W24, shown
at actual size
The RC-P1 wireless remote control that comes with
the W24 is a drummer’s delight. Once you’ve found the
hot spot for placing the recorder, you can use the remote
to set your levels and start and pause recording from
behind your drums.
The left-hand side has a headphone jack
and SD memory card slot. The faceplate
has a ring for play, stop, and cursor navigation,
with the record/enter button in
the center. The right-hand side of the C24
has an external mic/line jack, an input
level/speed toggle switch, an ALC/delete
button, and a playback toggle control.
The bottom has a speaker grill, on/off/
hold and line/mic switches, a battery
compartment, and a slide switch for
extending the USB connector out of
the recorder. If you purchase the C24,
you might want to get a USB extension
cable so you don’t need to connect
the recorder directly to your computer.
A mounting clip is included to secure the
C24 to a mic stand, music stand, or other
steady surface.
MICROPHONES
The dual microphones on the W24 are
set in a fixed X/Y configuration behind a
protective wraparound rail. The C24’s
stereo omnidirectional microphones
are designed to cover a wide field of
recording, and they’re recessed in the
casing for protection.
After recording drums, percussion, and
acoustic guitars with both units, I found
the W24 to have great stereo imaging
and impressive room clarity. There was
a slight bump in the higher frequencies,
which gave the sound a nice sheen.
Because of the nondirectional omni
pickup of the C24, its recordings had a
monaural sound, without the same highend
shimmer that I got from the W24.
RECORDING SETUPS
Both units record in the PCM WAV format
at 44.1, 48, 88.2, or 96 kHz, with 16- or 24bit
depths, or in the MP3 format at 32, 64,
128, 192, or 320 kbps.