raintheory

Audacity works great for this. You can download it (I believe) from the downloads section of the forums here. EDIT: Here is the link to the actual download site: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

To answer the remote question... yes you should be able to use any HiMD remote with the NH600(D)

Don't transfer "as-is" then, specify a bitrate in transfer settings (i.e. 256k or 192k etc.), if you transfer a .wav file as-is it will take up plenty of room alright... And it kind of defeats the purpose if the original file was .mp3 anyway.

good timing volta! At least we were both basically saying the same thing.

You need to download and install SonicStage (can be found in the d/l section here in the forums) in order to transfer your music from PC>HiMD. Currently no HiMD recorders have drag & drop functionality. Also note that the NH600 is a 1st gen unit and thus will not play back mp3 files directly (2nd gen units such as the RH910 or RH10 can play back mp3, but still need to use Sony's SonicStage software to transfer to the unit). The NH600 will however, using SonicStage, convert the mp3 files to Atrac3+ which is the compatible format for all 1st gen units. I assume this is what is called Mp3 compatibility, although in my mind it is a bit of misdirection. Hope this helps, and welcome to the forums!

No contrast setting on my RH10 anyway.

This issue has been previously discussed to an extent here in the forums. But yes, it can be quite a pain. For me though, being able to clearly see the unit in a dark venue without having a light source is a plus. I tried searching for the previous posts regarding this but couldn't find them oddly enough.

Any built-in mic would pick up motor noise of the unit itself and wouldn't be too terribly useful for high-quality recordings anyway.

Yeah. KVM switch.

If there is I am sure we will find it. If there is I am sure we will find it.

that black NH900 is very tempting... too bad it doesnt look like shipping to the states is an option. oh well, saving up for RH1 is probably better anyway/

I was going to mention the BIOS. I also think making sure the jumpers on the drives are set corretly is a good starting point.

Traded a broken N707 (for transplanting parts) with aethyrmaster for an older Casio MD player and some blank MDs. Great trade and quick receipt of items! A+!

Yep, that is correct.

The Mac WAV importer software doesn't work on any other HiMD recorders. This has been discussed in detail here in the forums.

I wonder if the Ssaad.exe that SonicStage throws in startup has anything to do with this. It is "SonicStage Atrac Hard Disk Monitor" after all. EDIT: also---I'm not sure why this wouldn't happen prior to installing SonicStage but anyway--- are you sure the jumpers on your hard drives are set correctly?

, yep... when all else fails... Orange Soda,

Listening to Last.fm similar artist radio, Artists similar to... Myself actually - Aaron Lennox

That's strange... for as much as my RH10 has been through, mine doesn't do this. Maybe try spilling some orange soda on it, or catching your leg on the USB cable, launching it across the room a few times ( kidding of course )

I can also state that my (Hi)MD units and numerous discs have passed through Airport Security scanners and have always emerged in perfect order.

Yep that's what I was thinking too.

Definitely HiMD. So you can upload the recordings to PC. Any HiMD witha mic-in... I would recommend possibly one of the first-gen units, you should be able to find a few on eBay. Maybe look into the MZ-NH700 ( http://www.minidisc.org/part_Sony_MZ-NH700.html ). You should be able to find one decently priced. If you have an adapter to go from 1/4in to 1/8in you can plug your acoustic/electric into the unit via line-in. I have done this many times.

I've been lucky with my MZ1 which is now about... 13 years old. It has had extended use over the years, and has had it's fair share of spills but still functions perfectly. Then again, it was the first MD recorder, so perhaps it was one that was built to last.

The E-MU 1616m is great actually. It connects via PCMCIA so I think it is actually faster than any Firewire/USB2 options. And although it is smaller, it still has 16 inputs/16 outputs plus MIDI I/O. The only thing is that it's not entirely portable, you still need a power supply. But it is great for live shows and definitely more portable than a PCI soundcard on a desktop computer . Also the 48v phantom power switch turns on phantom power to both front Mic inputs. We also have a MOTU 828mkII up on the Mac. The MOTU is pretty portable as well, and rack-mountable (I had to make a rack shelf for the E-MU). Another plus side of the E-MU 1616m is that it has mastering grade 24-bit/192kHz converters and 120db signal-to-noise ratio. The Motu only has 24-bit/96kHz I think. Although E-MU does sell a slightly downgraded 1616 with similar 24-bit/192kHz converters, but only 112db signal-to noise ratio. -raintheory

Thats the TASCAM Portastudio 564 MD recorder. Works great but can only record on the MD-Data discs (unlike the other 4-track MD recorders). Also it has a digital out which is awesome. Below the laptop out of sight is the E-MU 1616m.