topojijo

I went to microphonemadness.com and purchased this t-mic. I've used it to record lectures and even our marching band using my sony n707. Generally I'm pleased with its performance and its cost isn't too bad. Plus you get a lifetime warranty! And stereo sound!

S.S.: Hang in there. Yes, MD is daunting at first. Yes, it's a hard product to find at even the biggest retailers out there, especially if you want to compare non-sony products and desktop systems. But I don't think you'll have a problem finding media. I went to Tower Records the other day and had no problem finding TDK blanks. The local Best Buy and Circuit City carry them as well. I know you're exhausted, but have you gone to etronics? For your needs it seems to be the best bet since I've been able to find over 10 pages of minidisc hardware, ranging from portables to desktop systems to professional recording equipment. And best of all, they offer a 30 day money back guarantee. (Yeah, it sounds like I'm pitching but I bought my stuff from them after all). They're out there, S.S. MD's been around for eleven years now! You just have to know where to look. Just make sure that if you buy an MDLP portable, then you also buy an MDLP desktop system, too. But wait a minute. If you're looking that far ahead into the future, you're gonna end up paying a lot more than $200-$300! I think you want to start with a walkman-type unit before you invest in a more permanent desktop system. Remember, any pair of speakers will connect to your MD portable so long as it has the standard stereo miniplug! About the radio issue: It looks like you have your heart set on a portable with a radio tuner. I'm pretty sure you can listen to the radio and record at the same time, but don't quote me on that just yet. As for the timer thingabob, why bother? If you record too much, then simply hit the edit button and delete the extra stuff! And finally, as for carrying the unit around with you--check this one out. I think that's all you need. Looks like all you really want is some more reassurance. :wink: I hope that I answered your questions, S.S. The best of luck to you, from a poor college student. - topo.

Heh. Now you tell me, BJ. I bought my n707 about two weeks ago and look what happens--the day after I buy it sony posts the 2003 lineup and the suggested MSRP drops. :oops: Oh well. My n707 rocks. Anyway S.S., I'd say ditch the newfangled "radio-tuner" and highly recommend the n707. For my purposes the remote works just fine. My walk to campus takes awhile and I like not having to bother fishing around my bag for adjusting the volume or changing tracks. Ever see people walking around with CD players or (gasp!) ipods in hand? It looks ridiculous. Frankly I'd like the free use of my hand to hold coffee or while the other holds a donut. Or breakfast burrito. Or whatever. But I'll be honest with you. That's about the only thing the remote's good for. I have no problem with my n707 and it's one of the smarter purchases I've made in a long time. I also bought a t-mic and am pleased with the mic jack. No problems so far; my school lectures sound great even in LP4 and can even handle recording from our marching band. And I've recorded "This American Life" from the radio successfully. Net MD is also fantastic provided you use real one player. It's even got a US warranty--another reason to stay away from imports unless you've got the money and patience to send it back to the Land of the Rising Sun. Or if you're lucky, find a good MD repairman. (Do those still exist?) I dunno if you'd be able to use it in the gym without it skipping, but in my daily marathon to catch our elusive morning "transit" it's never skipped a beat. I don't exercise while listening to music anymore, however. Apparently your chances for inflicting permanent aural damage doubles whenever you exercise, according to this creepy article. In short: I'd say get the n707. I got at etronics.com, list $164. With shipping and five 80min sony blanks the grand total came up to $194. Still a bargain, if you ask me. And of course, you don't have to deal with voltage transformers and you've got yourself a US warranty. Plus it comes with all those cables, a car kit, and a faux leather case which is actually useful. Now, back to listening..... -topo

So net MD transfers are just as good as optical out transfers on my sound card?

I've had my n707 for about two weeks now and I'm glad to say it's been one of my smarter purchases for years. *cough Iomega hipzip . Ahem. :roll: There are issues that still puzzle me, however. USB tranfers via net MD are analogue transfers, so I've gleaned. Whereas USB tranfers through my old no-name mp3 player were what, perfect digital copies? Are there ever cases of quality degradation with mp3 players? And also: What is cd quality anyway? 128kps, 256, whatever? Thanks for clearing these up.

Just discovered the joys of MD and am now looking to record. Eyeing those nice t-mics, however, I'm left to wonder if they're spaced far enough to pic up decent stereo sound, or if all I really need is a nice monoaural mic. I split my time in lecture halls and marching band, so in either case I don't have much time to set up any other microphone larger than a direct plug in mono or stereo t-mic. Sound quality doesn't need to be perfect, but it would be nice for me to hear questions from the other side of the room or the sound of faraway clarinets. And don't tell me to build my own, either. Can't solder worth a damn. :oops: Thanks for any help at all. PS -- Though this is my first post, much of my MD had been conducted through these forums...Thanks for all the advice so far...I'm a solid-state defector myself!