One Mo' Time - Best Value in SONY MiniDisk Recorder/Players?

Tom Dowling · Post by **Tom Dowling** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:01 pm

Greetings!!

I have heard some tunes recorded in a small studio using a SONY Mini Disk recorder/Player. The quality was very good. I would like to purchase one and was wondering, of those available now, which one(s) offer best value. They appear to run from $99.00 to well into the $300 range. (The one I saw in use was hooked up to a SONY condensor mike.) I was wondering if anyone on the Board would recommend a currently available model that strikes a good balance of price and performance. I don't want to acquire one with features I don't need, such as FM Radio. By the same token, I do not want to 'frugal' my way out of valuable or useful features either. The ones on display at, for example, J & R, run from $236 up, though their own catalog has one or more in the $99.00 to $149.00 range.

Thanks,

Tom D.

Lorenzo · Post by **Lorenzo** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 12:48 am

I wish I knew, Tom. There was a recent thread on the pipe forum about moving on to the Edirol R1 recorder...the next best thing out, apparently. Also, it can be so confusing with the ever-changing digital formats. I read an article in the Miami Herald the other day about DVD formats and how what you bought for Christmas this year won't work next year because of HD DVD and Blue Ray coming out this summer.

It's a good thing to ask around first I guess.

Tak_the_whistler · Post by **Tak_the_whistler** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 2:23 am

I can suggest two leading models recommended by Sony...

MZ-N920/S

●Net MD compatible. Using the software "SonicStage2.0" you can transfer the music in your PC directly to the MD (Max speed X64)
●Using "MD simple burner", transfer the data from CD to MD
●Digital Amplifier
●ATRAC/ATRAC3 DSP TYPE-S
●Virtual Phone Technology Acoustic Engine
●6-band equaliser
●Stick controller

MZ-B100

●MDLP compatible. Can record upt to 320 minutes
●Flat Microphone (stereo) and Speaker (Mono)
●Jog dial, big buttons
●Small and thin
●runs on one AAA battery

I hope this helps.

lixnaw · Post by **lixnaw** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 2:42 am

i agree with lorenzo, they don't come any better in that size and price than the Edirol R1
whistle and drum sells them.

bradhurley · Post by **bradhurley** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 6:12 am

There's a very useful comparison chart here for Sony (and other) minidisc models:

http://lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/lib ... Chart.html

The first key thing to look for here is that the unit has a microphone input -- most of the cheaper ones don't. You need a mic input and a mic to do live recordings. The cheapest standard minidisc model on this chart that has the mic input is the Sony MZN10

http://www.minidisco.com/mz-n10.html ($239)

The other big consideration is whether to go for standard minidisc or the new Hi-MD format, which stores a lot more music on one minidisc and, more importantly, allows you to digitally upload music from your minidisc recorder to your computer. Standard minidisc players don't let you do that, you can only transfer the music to your computer in real time, analog fashion.

In my view, Hi-MD is the way to go. You can get one of these Sony units, with a mic input, for $280:

http://www.minidisco.com/mz-nh900.html

If I were buying a new minidisc recorder myself, this is probably the one I'd get. There's a cheaper Hi-MD recorder on the chart, the NHF800, but it doesn't look like it will let you to transfer files from the minidisc recorder to your computer.

(Note, however, that this minidisc-computer transfer software only works on PC, not Mac. That is why, in fact, I won't be buying another minidisc recorder when mine finally bites the dust, but instead will probably get something like the Edirol R-1)

Sony has just come out with new software that allows you to convert your live recordings to WAV files, no restrictions attached, so you can edit them, convert to MP3, burn CDs, etc....this is great news for people who were previously hesitant to go the Hi-MD route due to Sony's proprietary software and digital rights management restrictions:

http://www.minidisco.com/digital-upload-note.html

For microphones, assuming you're going to be doing mostly field recordings in sessions etc., I really like the little Sound Professionals t-mic:

http://www.minidisco.com/sp-spsm1.html

The other intriguing arrangement is buying a waterproof Otterbox for your minidisc recorder that has SoundProfessionals mics built right in, so you can keep the recorder in the box while you're recording and have good stereo separation:

http://www.minidisco.com/sp-otter1.html

These are small microphones, but I've gotten very good sound quality from them.

If you don't mind a larger mic, I've seen this Sony at a lot at sessions:

http://www.minidisco.com/ecm-ms907.html

Too big for my tastes, but probably provides better sound than the little T-mic from SoundProfessionals.

Finally, check out this excellent little gooseneck mic from SoundProfessionals, which may provide the best sound of the lot:

http://www.minidisco.com/sp-spsm4.html

Hope all this info helps.

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 8:34 am

bradhurley wrote:The cheapest standard minidisc model on this chart that has the mic input is the Sony MZN10

http://www.minidisco.com/mz-n10.html ($239)

I just got an MZ-N10 off of ebay, which should be arriving today. I had previously had a cheaper model with only a line-in that required an unweildy array of preamps, mic batteries and the like to record live. The pre-amp stuff I had was Radio shack...to get a pre-amp that was more weildy was going to cost me around $150.00, so I figured I'd just get a new minidisc recorder with a mic-in instead. Looked on ebay for a week before I found one ending in the middle of the night on a school night--that's always been my best bet in getting a good price. Got it for $100; I'll let you know how it works out.

Greg

avanutria · Post by **avanutria** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 9:36 am

bradhurley wrote:The other intriguing arrangement is buying a waterproof Otterbox for your minidisc recorder that has SoundProfessionals mics built right in, so you can keep the recorder in the box while you're recording and have good stereo separation:

http://www.minidisco.com/sp-otter1.html

These are small microphones, but I've gotten very good sound quality from them.

Just pointing out that while the Otterboxes are fantastic, the one with mics in is NOT waterproof, as there are holes for the mics. Still pretty darn crushproof, though.

My MD device is probably not sold new anymore, I think it's the R900, but I love it and it's been great for my uses. I paired it with a Sony condenser mic, I think it was ECM 907 or something. Sorry for the vagueness of the numbers; I actually haven't had cause to record anything since last summer and haven't had the gear out.

Tom Dowling · Post by **Tom Dowling** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 8:40 pm

My thanks to everyone who contributed suggestions. I got a really good deal on the SONY High-MD MZ-NHF800 with, you guessed it, AM & FM Radio and something called "TV & Weather". I also got a decent deal on the ECM-MS907 condenser mike.

I will now be 'off-loading' my ICD ST-10 hand held tune grabber, which I was never happy with. I am putting together a 'garage sale' of items (whistles and equipment) that I no longer use.

Thanks Again,

Tom D.

BillChin · Post by **BillChin** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 9:01 pm

Tom Dowling wrote:

I will now be 'off-loading' my ICD ST-10 hand held tune grabber, which I was never happy with. I am putting together a 'garage sale' of items (whistles and equipment) that I no longer use.

Thanks Again,

Tom D.

I love my Sony ICD ST-10 voice recorder. I pair it with a Sony ECM mike.

Pros: always on, tiny size, unobtrusive recording, USB file transfer, small file size, low entry price.
Cons: relatively low bit rate, controls take some getting used to, limited storage with no expansion

For my use, recording live music, and recording my own song ideas the tiny size, always on, USB transfer, and low cost (vs. other options) are winning features. YMMV
+ Bill

Azalin · Post by **Azalin** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:08 pm

avanutria wrote: Just pointing out that while the Otterboxes are fantastic, the one with mics in is NOT waterproof, as there are holes for the mics. Still pretty darn crushproof, though.

If that means they won't stand beer and/or pepsi, I'd better stay away from those

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:26 pm

I've been paying with my MZN-10 today, which I'm liking quite a bit. Other than the cool features (lapel clipped remote with backlit display, for instance), it works just like a minidisc recorder. I plopped it in my lap, put an unpowered mic into the mic port, and played a couple of tunes (Burke Al-Pro).

http://www.tinwhistler.com/music/mp3/otters_holt.mp3
http://www.tinwhistler.com/music/mp3/da ... _slide.mp3

The recording quality sounds good to me...I think this is gonna suit me just fine for session recording. I hope you're as happy with yours Tony!