Which minidisc?
Short answer:
If you need a cheap minidisc machine right away, buy the Sony MZ-R707
(~$180) or the Sharp MD-DR7 (~$290). If you can wait two or three
weeks for an EBay transaction, then consider the Sony MZ-R50,
(~$125).
No inexpensive minidisc machine has optical out. You'll need a
minidisc deck, or a pro-level field machine for this feature.
Long answer:
Sony is the consumer-grade minidisc manufacturers most readily
available in the US. Sony offers a US warranty and has US repair
facilities, although the cost of repair outside the warranty period
argues for a new machine instead. Sharp seems to have withdrawn from
US distribution of minidisc recorders, so their best new equipment is
available only from a couple of mail order outfits.
Sharp machines are preferred over Sony by the live concert tapers who
use minidisc. These folks report the Sharp pre-amp is superior, and
that the Sharp is easier to use. When you push the "record" button,
Sharp machines enter a record/pause state so you can check levels
before the recording begins. Once the recording is underway, Sharp
machines permit adjustment of levels without pausing. Sharp machines
automatically start recording at the end of the disc, rather than at
the cut you just finished listening to. And the record/pause/stop
cycle can be controlled via the remote on several Sharp machines, so
the recorder can stay in your pocket or protective case.
Older Sony machines have problems in these areas. Recording levels
used to be set only when in record/pause mode, which requires an
awkward pressing of both record and pause when starting a new
recording. And recordists were required to press the End/Search
button to place the new recording at the end of the disc, instead of
recording over the current material. Many tears have been shed over
this "feature."
Owners of Sony machines will report that they have learned to adapt
to these limitations. The Sharp machines don't require you to adapt.
Sony has closed the gap in their recent models (any model newer than
the MZ-R900, now three years old). It's now possible to adjust
levels during recording if you enter the menu and choose "manual" as
the "recvolume" setting. Unfortunately, "recvolume" reverts
to "auto" whenever the minidisc is powered off. And there's a menu
setting that starts all recordings "from end" rather than "from here"
to avoid any end/search tragedies.
In recent years, improvements in Sony's minidisc line have been
driven by competition from solid-state MP3 players. So Sony has
squeezed their top recorders into an incredibly small form factor,
and added a new version of ATRAC that permit more music to be
squeezed onto a minidisc. Unfortunately, neither trend is helpful to
the nature recordist. The small size makes the controls more
difficult to use if your fingers are larger than a Japanese
teenager's. And ATRAC3 reduces sound quality.
In the current Sony lineup, I think a good choice is the MZ-N707. It
costs $160 to $180, and is available from many music and computer
stores as well as online. The N707 is not quite as small as the
newest models, and all its control buttons are on the face of the
recorder, so it's easy to see what you're doing. The N707 uses a
rechargeable AA cell rather than an expensive custom battery. The
N707 has a plastic case so it doesn't instill a great pride of
ownership, but its internals seem durable. The N707 has mic and
analog line in, as well as an optical digital input. Ouput is
limited to analog via the headphone jack.
The top-of-the-line Sony model MZ-N1 is attractive, but its
ergonomics are sacrificed to its diminutive size. Sony has just
introduced the MZ-N10, which has better ergonomics. However, the N10
uses a non-replacable rechargeable battery, so I'd worry about
running out of power at an inoportune moment.
Recordists who like Sony usually swear by the Sony MZ-R50, a
workhorse machine that is out of production. The R50 is considerably
larger than the current minidisc models, but by no means
uncomfortable to carry. Its controls are easy to use. Most
important, the R50's construction is very durable. Why look at new
minidisc machines when your R50 just keeps on working? The R50 is
regularly available on Ebay, which is where I found the two that I
own.
The top-of-the-line Sharp model is also worth considering. The MD-
DR7 costs $290 (www.minidisco.com). Its most compelling feature is
the "trace back" memory buffer, a first in a consumer-grade minidisc
recorder. Just like a Portadisc, in record/pause mode the DR7 keeps a
five second buffer filled with the most recent input from the mic.
Release pause and you record the buffer contents. This is a great
feature when you're waiting for a bird to start singing!
The DR7 is physically a little larger than the Sony models (though
not as large as the R50), so it's easier to manipulate the controls.
The DR7 has mic, analog line and digital optical inputs, and
headphone/analog line out. The DR7 has a metal (or metal coated
plastic?) case, so it looks very attractive. This is the consumer-
grade model I'd buy if I were replacing one of my R50s.
(But my next purchase will be a recorder with solid state memory,
maybe the Marantz whose announcement is expected next week at the
European AES conference.)
--oryoki
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