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Re:sharp MD models

Subject: Re:sharp MD models
From: "oryoki2000 <>" <>
Date: Wed, 08 Jan 2003 20:54:52 -0000
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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