Does anyone know if optical input to MD undergoes
resampling? I've always wondered this.... I suppose
it wouldn't ncecssarily be specific to MD, but any
portable recorder (?).
Regards,
Jeff
--- Rich Peet <> wrote:
> Thanks for the review.
>
> Now for another test of md I could try recording
> both to hard drive
> and to my md via optical input at the same time.
> That will give a
> recording using the same mics, mic pre, and a/d to
> compare. only the
> atrac translation part of the md would be the
> difference, if I didn't
> miss something. But then, maybe I really can't stop
> a consumer md
> from resampling an optical input internally, I guess
> I don't know.
>
> Rich
>=20
> --- In Rob
> Danielson <>
> wrote:
> > Waiting for the 744T recorder to roll out, I've
> recorded many hours
> > this Summer using several consumer grade SHARP
> MT-90 MD decks (and
> > all my DATS resting in peace). I've experienced
> 100% technical
> > reliability, MD is an amazing, _little_ medium.
> >
> > I've noticed two qualities/differences comparing
> them to recordings
> > made with the Sony D7-D8/M-1 DAT recorders I've
> used for years.=20
> All
> > recordings were made with the same low noise mics
> and MP-2 preamps
> > and all transfers were made digitally.
> >
> > 1) The analog to digital processing circuits in
> the Sharp MD's is
> > understandably not as transparent. This results in
> a "harmonic"
> > structure in the sound that can be heard as a
> subtle chord of
> tones.
> > It creates a more "musical" sounding recording
> with broadband
> > original material (like location "air") but it
> also makes such
> > sources sound more similar than they are. The a-d
> quality in the
> > MT-90 is better than I thought it would be, but
> limited if one
> hopes
> > to do things like make subtle contrasts in post.
> Using the optical
> > digital input could get around the a-d lI assume.
> >
> > 2) Frequency nodes/artifacts. There are often some
> very narrow
> > frequencies that are not reproduced correctly or
> as accurately as
> > with non compressed 16bit. These narrow
> bandwidths are either
> > significantly attenuated or, instead of one tone,
> there's a blend
> of
> > two tones fighting for the same location on the
> frequency spectrum.
> > I've heard this at times with 16 bit recordings--
> but its much more
> > pronounced with the MD recordings I've been
> working with. The dip
> in
> > response or discordant tone seem to create false
> tones that one has
> a
> > hard time balancing with EQ. I've encountered
> enough of
> these "spots"
> > now that I'm confident that they are somehow
> produced by the Sharp
> MD
> > recorders/MD media.
> >
> > I'm happy with the recordings and its likely that
> one could not
> hear
> > these quality differences when making analog MD
> transfers because
> of
> > the additional noise, distortion and a->d step. Of
> course, consumer
> > MD's use different a->d circuits than the
> Portadisc recorders and
> > this is important to remember.
> >
> > Is it likely these traits occur with other or all
> consumer-grade MD
> > recorders? I really couldn't say as my use of
> other MD recorders is
> > limited. Best, Rob D.
> >
> >
> > --
> > Rob Danielson
> > Film Department
> > University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
>
>
=09
=09=09
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