Thanks Phil, and everybody else, :)
I was particularly concerned about the software aspect and this helped a lot,
sounds easy and user friendly. I have to spend an evening, crack open some
wine?and read through all this info about MD's :)
Thanks,
~Dave
-----Original Message-----
From: Philip Tyler <>
To:
Sent: Thu, 9 Aug 2007 3:01 am
Subject: Re: [Nature Recordists] Sony MD's
Hi
Oryoki posted the link about this machine, which is
basically the same as the 'revered' MZ-NH900 except it
only has a line-in. So as Oryoki said in his post you
would need a separate microphone pre-amp to use with
it if you wanted to use microphones.
Yes you do need to use separate software to download
the files to your computer, it is called SonicStage
and is free. I am currently using the latest version
of this software with a Sony MZ-NH900 and an MZ-RH1. I
personally have found no problems with the software
myself. It can be set-up so that when you connect the
Hi-MD machine to the computer it launches the program
for you. Then it is just a matter of selecting the
files you wish to download to your computer and
clicking on the transfer arrow. I can even have both
machines connected to my computer and I can select
which one I wish to download from in SonicStage.
Once the file has been downloaded it will then convert
that file to wav format for you and save it were
specified. The MZ-RH1 is USB2 and downloads very fast
while previous models are USB1 and so a bit slower,
but still not bad.
All the original files are saved on the computer in a
propriety format but you can convert them to wav again
at any time, just right click on the file to convert
it again.
The only files it won't allow you to download to your
computer are those made 'digitally'. Although if you
have an MZ-RH1 I think you can download some 'digital'
recordings made on other machines. It is not something
I have investigated fully, as I tend to be mainly
shoving microphones into my machines and recording
analogue.
I have been using SonicStage for almost a year now and
so far, touch wood, have found it to be on the whole
quite good really. The latest version seems a very
grown up application.
The Hi-MD machines with microphone pre-amps actually
have almost 'state-of-the-art' pre-amps capable of
being used with the very best of microphones.
Take a looks here at Rob Danielson's excellent web
site on Hi-MD:
http://www.uwm.edu/~type/audio-reports/HiMD/index.htm
Also check out his main site as there are some very
good comparisons between Hi-MD and other more
expensive recorders:
http://www.uwm.edu/~type/audio-art-tech-gallery/
If you are interested there is an excellent review of
the Sony MZ-RH1 here by the Wildlife Sound Recording
Society:
http://www.wildlife-sound.org/equipment/himd/rh1.html
They also do a review of the MZ-NH900 which is what
the MZ-NH600 is based on minus the microphone
pre-amps.
http://www.wildlife-sound.org/equipment/himd.html
Well I have probably given you far too much info at
one go, but I hope you find it useful. Do take a look
at those sites I have linked to as they are full of
excellent information provided by some knowledgeable
people.
Phil
--- jerkabobber <> wrote:
> Even though I don't own anything yet, I keep an eye
> on topics
> relating to Sony MD's and small digital recorders. I
> guess I have two
> questions:
>
> 1. Someone posted this link for this Sony MD.
> http://www.shewasinc.com/Sharp%20MD-DR480.html It's
> not an MZ-RH1,
> nor do I know what the difference is other than the
> price. Is this
> unit for 99 bucks any good? That's really cheap...
> does anyone turn
> there nose at this model?
>
> 2. And, I am very leary of Sony electronics, we all
> know how Sony is,
> having "non compatible"-"Sony only" componentry. I
> guess I'm
> predicting problems if I buy a Sony MD, even though
> everyone here
> suggests it. My question is, has anyone had any
> problems with them
> for downloading onto your PC? Do they require you to
> but extra
> software for you PC when you transfer files?, does
> it come with
> special Sony software for your PC? Or can you just
> plug it in via USB
> and transfer it without any special Sony software?
>
> ~Dave
>
>
>
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