I saw a note at minidisc.org that said Sharp's MD-DR77 minidisc
recorder is now available in USA. The DR-77 went on sale in Japan in
May. It's the successor to the DR-7 (or DR-480 in some markets).=20
I found the DR-77 listed at audiocubes.com and outwardsound.com for
$320. Audiocubes is one of very few vendors that still list the DR-7,
price $240.
Fans of using consumer-grade minidisc machines for field recording
will remember that the DR-7 is the first inexpensive recorder to
include a pre-roll record buffer (called "time shift" or "trace back"
recording in some cases). The buffer is active when you set the
machine to record/pause mode, and it continuously captures the last 5
seconds of sound. Release pause, and that 5 seconds will be recorded
to the minidisc before continuing with the live sounds. This is great
when you're waiting for a subject to start vocalizing. It's a feature
found in most pro gear, but in no other recorder at this price point.
The combination of the DR-77 (~$320) and a decent mic like the Sony
ECM-MS957 (~$200) is a combination that a new recordist would not
outgrow for quite a while. Or substiture a pair of lapel mics from
Sound Professionals or Microphone Madness for stealthy urban sound
recording sessions.
--oryoki
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
|