Re: [microsound] md field rec

[Andrew Shires <andrew.shires@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joshua Maremont writes:
> At 10:47 AM -0400 8/1/02, MRCarp107@xxxxxxx wrote:
> >consider any Sharp MiniDisc recorders... I've used the 831 model
> >and have found it to be much more user-friendly in the field
> >(compared to the fiddly Sony's). Also, I've read that the Sony mic
> >inputs are 'pretty close to crap'
> 
> In the past (and perhaps the present) Sony MD portables have been
> unable to change mic recording levels while recording and required
> pausing before adjusting;

This is no longer true -- a friend of mine just bought an MZ-R909 and
it has adjustable level during recording.


> I cannot think of too much worse for field recording than this,

Agreed.  I would check for this feature before considering any Sony
model.

Another thing they've done with the MZ-R909 is reduce the motor noise,
which on my MZ-R91 is an extra pain for quiet recording.


> The Sony models also historically have started to record in exactly
> the place where playing has last been stopped and so can accidently
> erase what has been already recorded unless the End Search button -
> easily forgotten in the rush to capture a new sonic phenomenon in
> the field - is pressed before the Record button; the Sharps always
> begin recording at a new track and will not record over existing
> data without one's deliberately deleting it.  I notice that Chris
> Watson has a Sony MD recording on one of his CDs, and indeed the
> sound quality on the Sonys is quite high, as it is on the Sharps;
> the issue for me is that the design of the Sharps make them better
> for field work than the Sonys.

It's a failing, I agree, but in practice you learn very quickly that
you need to do this and it becomes second nature.  The non-adjustable
recording level is (well, was) the real problem with Sonys.

There was a time also when the mic builders like Core Sound were
saying that the mic ins on the Sonys were "differently sensitive" and
they had to start selling mods of their mics to get them to work
properly.  I don't know much about this or whether it is still true.