Re: [microsound] Mini-disc

[Joshua Maremont <thermal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 05:28 PM 6/7/01 +0100, multipara wrote:
> statik_:
> > Does anyone have any model # suggestions for someone looking to purchase 
> > a hand held mini-disc player/recorder to be used for field recordings and 
> > digital transfer from mini disc to PC?
> > Required Specs:
> > rca ins/outs
> > digital ins/outs
> > walkman sized
> > microphone in?
> i doubt there are any with usb slots, but there are some that have optical 
> out (such as the Sony MZ-R5ST, which is a portable plus docking 
> station)... if that helps. check http://www.minidisc.org/

Note, however, that for location recording the Sony walkman MD recorders 
have a major problem:  the recording level cannot be changed while the 
recording is in progress; the machine must first be paused.  Of course if a 
pro setup is used, with mic mixer and so on, the levels can be altered 
elsewhere, but I go out with just a mic and my MD walkman and need to be 
able to change recording levels in case my sonic subject gives me some 
unexpected transient episodes.  For this reason I use the Sharp MD 
recorders - the 701 and now the 831 - which allow levels to be changed 
during a recording and are in general quite lovely; Sharp even has a 
recorder down below US$200 now according to the list at 
http://www.minidisco.com/ .  The specs above - the RCA connectors and the 
digital output - are unknown to me on walkman-sized recorders, but 
mini-phono-to-RCA splitters are cheap, and digital outputs can be had out 
of a home unit.  Because MD is a "consumer" format, the digital I/O is 
nearly always optical (TOS-Link), and in order to get this signal in or out 
of a computer a card with optical I/O (M Audio has one in its Delta series 
I believe) is needed.  I find the MD ideal for location recording and many 
other portable applications, especially given the in-unit editing 
capabilities, and a visit to the website mentioned by Multipara is very 
much recommended as a first step.

np - Popol Vuh "Coeur de Verre"

Joshua Maremont / Thermal - mailto:thermal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Boxman Studies Label - http://www.boxmanstudies.com/