Re: Sharp minidisc recorders
1. Sound-activated recording
...Also called "Syncro" recording, this feature is available on the
digital line, analog mic and analog line inputs on recent Sharp
recorders. Sony offers this feature only on the digital optical line
input. Could be useful in unattended recording situations.
2. Adjusting the levels while recording
...Sony now offers this feature, but only if you remember to change
to the "manual record volume" setting each time you start recording.
Without this setting, you have to pause the Sony to make changes in
record volume. Sharp has always offered manual control of input
level during recording. I think this is important primarily to rock
concert-recordists, since the volume of the music changes so
dramatically from song to song. For nature recording, you usually
don't need to adjust the levels from the settings you choose when you
first start recording. Some recordists even make perfectly fine
recordings using Sony's automatic gain control, where the minidisc
automatically varies the levels. I think what this means is that the
levels don't vary much from the original setting.
3. Input issues
...A few inexpensive minidisc recorders (Sony MZ-N505 and Sharp MD-
MT180) lack mic-level analog audio input. All other minidisc
recorders offer mic-level analog inputs as well as analog and digital
optical line inputs.
...If you want to use higher quality mics there are two issues. The
consumer-grade minidisc doesn't provide the 48 volt phantom power
than many mics require. You'll need an external power supply of some
sort. And the impedence level of the pro mic (typically 150 to 600
ohms) is quite different than the impedence of the mic input on the
minidisc (around 2000 ohms). This difference results in recording
levels that are very low (that is, very quiet). You can solve this
by using an impedence-matching cable like the Shure A96F ($35).
4. Ergonomics
...Sony and Sharp have both fallen victim to the "smaller is better"
disease in the last two years. They're trying to make the minidisc
player as small as possible to compete with the tiny MP3 players.
The result is that you need to have the fingers of a Tokyo teenager
to manipulate the controls of most players. There -- I feel much
better now!
5. digital transfer to Mac
...No portable consumer minidisc has digital output. Since you're
using a Mac desktop computer, which has a poor quallity analog audio
input, your best bet is convert minidisc analog output to USB input.
The Griffin iMic ($35) and the Edirol UA-3D ($200) have software that
works with the Mac. The Edirol adds volume controls and a port for
headphones so you can easily listen to what's happening during the
digital transfer.
6. Sharp advantages compared to Sony
...The Sharp pre-amp for mic input in current models is reported to
be superior to the Sony pre-amp (that is, the Sharp makes better-
sounding recordings than the Sony when using a mic) by many people
who post to Internet newsgroups. It's unlikely you will be able to
test this yourself without buying two units and recording with the
mics you want to use. Maybe Minidisco will let you buy two and
return the one you don't like.
...The new $290 Sharp MD-DR7 has "time shift" recording. This means
that when the unit is in record/pause mode, the last 5 seconds of
input from the mic is stored in a solid state memory buffer. Release
the pause, and this 5 seconds will be recorded to disc. This is the
first time this feature found in consumer-level (read: reasonably
priced) gear. It's a big advantage when recording intermittant
sounds like bird song. No longer will you have to guess when the
bird is about to start singing!
...Recent Sharp models can start, pause, resume and stop recording
using the remote control only. The minidisc unit can stay safely in
your pocket. Unfortunately you still have to look at the unit to
check recording levels. For recording in extreme conditions, you
could put the minidisc unit in a Pelican 1020 micro-case with clear
top ($16) to keep it dry and dust-free, and run the mic and remote
control cables out through a hole sealed with a rubber grommet and
silicone.
7. Sony advantages
...US authorized sales, factory repair service. Many of the most
desirable Sharp models are not imported to the US, and the
Sharp "factory authorized" repair services in this country are a
couple of independent repair shops that mainly know about Sharp TVs.
...Sony portable minidisc units are ready to record considerably
faster than Sharp when you change a minidisc. The Sharp units take 8
to 10 seconds to read the table of contents of the disc before you
can start recording.
...Sony automatically adds a time and date stamp to your recordings.
This is very convenient.
8. Pro-quality recorder
...Having read the above, you can see why many recordists who want to
use minidisc spend the extra money for a professional model. The
current favorite is the HHB Portadisc (usually about $1400, but a
reader of this group reported seeing one for $995 recently). The
Portadisc is large and heavy compared to the consumer minidisc units,
but it's portable enough to carry around for field recording, and it
solves all the problems described above. Sometimes you do get more
when you pay more.
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