smkranz

RE: cutting and splicing headphone leads. I earlier had tried doing that on a measly $20 pair of Yamaha phones that I bought for the kiddies' use with a Clavinova piano. But they were comfy while sitting playing the piano. The wires going into the 1/4 inch phono plug had apparentlly broken from abuse, and I figgered I could fix it with a simple $2 replacement plug from Radio Shack...hah. Those wires are thinner than human hair...there were like four different colors, and some of them were color-coated, not just insulated wires. It would have cost me no less than 5 years' worth of emotional wherewithal to try to fix those puppies, and I consider myself fairly game at trying to fix stuff.

Took my gear (NH900, Sound Pros in-ear binaurals) to an outdoor bluegrass festival to test and play with. The music was amplified by two large arrays of speakers on either side of the stage, and my happy self was seated next to my cooler of brewskies right about in the middle of the stage, and maybe 150 feet away. No battery box, no volume attenuator. Tested peak levels, and set them manually to 9/30 which resulted in peaks barely exceeding the mid-point on the rec level meter. As youse who have done this more than I have can probably surmise, virtually all songs with any bass have a real ugly thunk where there should be bass. Next step is either a RS volume attenuator, or maybe the Reactive Boost Box down the road a ways. If I really cared about these particular recordings, there are a few that are potentially salvagable, if the bass overload was the only problem... But here I was out in the sun , listening to some of my favorite bands, enjoying some cold ones with a few buddies. Then I opened up a bag of Terra Chips and started munching away. These are damn tasty snacks, but they are also way crunchy. Guess what the predominant sound in my recordings is? The crunchy sound comes through my in-ear mics so loud and clear, it prompts a Pavlovian salivation response when I listen to it again.

The NY Attorney General's Office seems fairly activitst on consumer issues. Consider filing an online complaint with them at: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/ Before you do, please consider what you *really* want out of it. Assuming Etronics made an innocent mistake in the listing, their only obligation to you is probably to offer you a refund...and what good does that do you since you probably got an OK deal on the device and it sounds like you want to keep it? But if you are convinced that Etronics intentionally left the erroneous listing on its web site for the purpose of enticing consumers to buy it only to receive less than what was advertised, then have at it. I would paper myself first with emails and regular correspondence. Don't threaten them, but be stern and give them a reasonable time frame to reply...be specific about what you want (i.e. a credit or for them to actually deliver the accessories they advertised), and be specific about why you think you are entitled to it, i.e. that it seems to you that their advertising is intentionally misleading to consumers. BTW, I did a quicky search of the BBB and a listing for "Etronics Outlet" in New York came up clean...no complaints in the past 36 months.

This thread got me thinking, what about the possibility of using the backlight from my nice, big RM-MC40ELK instead of a small flashlight to shine onto the NH900's display in the dark, so I could enter the REC Settings menu to set the record volume to manual? Nice thought...but no. The backlight's glow doesn't put enough light on the screen to make the display visible. I also hadn't previously noticed whether you could "monitor" the menu settings from the remote, as you navigated through the NH900's menu. That would have been a nice "second best." I tried it at a concert last evening...again, no dice. The remote's display does not reflect what is on the NH900's display, as you navigate the menus (though I did notice that when you change recording level on the remote, you can also see it change on the MD's display). Rats, drats, and darn-its.

Ahhh, yes, I see ...out of curiosity I did some snooping around, and you are indeed hosed! To order the Quantaray medium hard-sided case ( http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs/store...1018%3Bc1001635 ) directly from Ritz Camera here in the U.S. would cost you about (AUD) $123 shipped to Australia. You might have a few more viable options, however. Perhaps you could buy just the foam inserts, then get yourself an inexpensive briefcase and make your own custom minidisc case. The foam would be similar to this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1 or this... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ssPageName=WDVW I feel your pain!

I hate these new modern translations

Just bluegrass on the disc in there now, including many old LPs x-ferred to MD. Some obscure, regional bands, some better known but-never-released-to-CD such as Bill Harrell & The Virginians L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore. Or Critton Hollow Stringband's excellent recordings Great Dreams, By & By, and Sweet Home. This little machine has helped me bring life back to these old vinyl recordings. Filled with joy here...

As one who is easily amused, I too have been following this thread with interest and curiosity. Yes, using the backlit 3-line remote does help. But not all menu functions are accessible via remote. For my purposes, that primarily means getting into the record menu to set it to Manual. I suppose I could memorize the sequence...and risk fubar-ing the concert. Me, I'm safer just setting it up outside or in the head, and keeping it on pause until the action starts. BTW, it has been my experience that you can keep the MD in REC/PAUSE indefinitely, i.e. it won't shut off after x minutes in REC/PAUSE (though it would consume battery power). Does anyone know or experience otherwise?

That's a negative...at least on the NH900. Setting track marks by pressing the P-Mode button only works while Recording, not while Playing.

These responses are specific to the NH900: 1. NO...you cannot enter the REC SET menu to set Rec Volume to Manual from the remote. This must be done on the NH900. 2. YES, you can view the recording level on the backlit remote. 3. YES, you can change recording level on the remote by simply rolling the wheel up or down. 4. YES, as previously answered, simply pressing the P Mode button once enters a Track Mark.

As stated in the description which accompanies the pictures on my web link, these cases come with "pick & pluck" foam. The Quantaray case has two layers of it. That is, the foam is scored (pre-cut) partly through into little half-inch squares, and to customize the shape you carefully pull them out (by separating them the rest of the way) to create the cavities you want.

Sure thing, kurisu...hope you're going where the winters are a bit warmer than Md. I know I will eventually upgrade my SS installation, but I get paranoid when reading so many other woes here, and when what I have seems to do the trick for me. Just downloaded & installed Mozilla T-bird for a test run...pretty nice-looking so far, imported my Outlook info cleanly... seems *mostly* as full-featured and versatile as MS Outlook. Finally figgered out how to add a sig. to emails (small victories like that almost make the past 2 hours seem worthwhile ).

Running XP with all Windows updates installed, and I am still nervous about updating to SonicStage 3.1 (I am still using SS 2.? whatever # was last before 3.0). I have never had SS 2.x crash, torpedo my files, etc. Sure, it could be faster...could be more intuitive...could be a better overall music library manager. But it does what I need it to do, i.e. x-fers my recordings from my NH900 to my 'puter, and x-fers tunes from my music library to the MD. Because of that, because running the separate Sony .wav converter is really pretty simple, because I haven't seen or read about any killer functionality improvements in SS 3.x, and because I hate spending hours undoing a botched "upgrade", I haven't done it. Maybe I should...I have my library backed up...(but the water still feels kinda chilly...) BTW, I also have basically abandoned IE for Firefox...but can't seem to shake the MS Outlook habit. Any experiences with Mozilla's Thunderbird email?

...or maybe this? http://members.aol.com/smkranz/minidisc/minidisc.htm

I agree it probably wasn't the receiver, though this particular turntable did not have a ground wire that I recall (can't do better than that, since it's in the landfill by now). Below is a short clip from an LP recorded onto MD... (Self-edit: btw, this particular LP was brand new, and sounded very quiet, i.e. very little background noise, pops, scratches, etc., so I did not have to apply any noise filtering, etc.) Critton_Hollow_Clip.wav

That is correct, just press it once while recording and it'll add a track mark. As Doug McKenzie (of Great White North) would say, "Beauty, eh?"

My new RM-MC40ELK from eBay ($58 + $7.50 shipping from California) arrived today. Must time these Theraputic Acquisitions to arrive while the Spousal Unit is away. Same seller seems to have plenty, they've been selling for $58 - $70 from what I've seen, so I seem to have lucked out at the low end. His next auction to end is here, I think. Shipping was prompt, so he's OK in my book. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ssPageName=WDVW Definitely an improvement in overall functionality over the stick remote for my NH900, though as others have said, you still have to set recording mode from MD unit first. But if you're going for stealth, you can set recording mode in the head...then you can just put the MD safely in a pocket and carry on from there with just the remote, including setting record level, pausing, and adding track marks during concerts (with the p-mode button...took me a bit to figger that out)...and see what the heck you're doing with the nice blue back-lit remote.

I am also recording LPs to minidisc (and putting them onto CDs, etc.). I first dug out my old turntable, went Phono-in on my receiver, and all I got was an incessant buzz with barely audible music in the background. Simple diagnostics (i.e. replacing wires, whapping it once or twice for good measure - and in that order) to no avail. The turntable probably had a multitude of problems, starting with a stylus that was shot...and I was afraid to even try to find out if it was my receiver (which performs fine otherwise) for fear of what I might learn. Rather than head down an unknown path of frustration trying to fix an old turntable, I plunked down $99 for a new Audio-Technica turntable that has a built-in phono-line switch. Also came with a stereo "Y" adapter (L/R RCA jacks, to stereo mini-jack) for use directly with portables, speakers, etc. Set the switch to Line, and connected it directly to my NH900 using the "Y" adapter, with a mini-to-mini stereo cord I already had. Setting manual recording level to 18 on the MD seems to be just right. Recordings thus far are great.

Based on info from this forum, I bought Sound Pros SP-TFB-2 and went with the hi-sensitivity model, as someone had suggested they'd offer more flexibility since I can adjust the mic sensitivity on the MZ-NH900. I have been thoroughly pleased with them...the concerts I record sound terrific, like you're right there. Although audience noise (coughing, seat squeaks, etc.) isn't what I necessarily want to hear, those things are part of recording a live concert and these mics do pick up everything, even with the mic sensitivity set to low. However, I'll also say that it brings a smile to my face every time when I'm listening to one of these recordings in my living room, and when I hear someone behind me cough, I actually turn around only to realize (again) that it's in the recording. I am the first to admit that I am easily amused, but the spatial orientation of the recordings I get with these is nothing less than amazing to me. I cannot say I have noticed any "weirdness" with the stereo imaging coming through home loudspeakers as Dex has described. They have been very comfortable for me to wear. They just rest in my ear without putting any pressure anywhere in the ear structure which would quickly become uncomfortable. Once you get the orientation down (I used a mirror the first time), they just pop in and out. I have yet to use the windscreens...I tried them on a couple of times, but it felt kinda bulky in there and I felt as though I had to wedge them in a little to keep them from falling out.

Since it was already bought and paid for, I use Nero 6 Ultra Edition. Though I use it primarily to edit video, and author and burn DVDs, it has also become my program of choice to burn CDs. One of the Nero suite's apps is Nero Wav Editor. I have not fully explored all that it can do, and I suspect it doesn't approach the features of the other programs recommended above. But I have used it for basic audio editing including cutting dead space from live recordings, adjusting volume levels, fades in & out, and reducing background clicks and hiss from old vinyl & tape recordings before burning them to CDs. It seems to have numerous other effects features which I just haven't played around with yet.

Caution...have since found two similar items at Sony's online site: http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/web/viewI...ortable%20Audio and http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/web/viewI...ortable%20Audio The dry battery box from my MZ-NH900 has the same item number stamped inside except for the last two digits of these two...(either 11 or 21)...so a call to Sony would clarify which one you need before buying on eBay.

Ya mean like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ssPageName=WDVW

Sounds like a broken wire, if it's still under warranty perhaps Sony will replace. Replacements are available on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ssPageName=WDVW Or, there's another one that's a little higher priced, that I'm definitely going to try to get past the Spousal Unit's watchful eye...: http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Accesso...-MD_remote.html

Yep, for my purposes, the larger Otterboxes looked nice but are overpriced. As it is, the Spousal Unit would probably have something interesting to say (if asked) about the $40 I paid for the Quantaray case. But seeing no reason to provoke her yet again, I haven't asked. I don't know if the Otterboxes have a second layer of pluckable foam underneath, but this one does. I am guessing that the second layer of pluckable foam is there so you could pluck out sections of both layers to accomodate larger pieces of equipment. The "customizable" interior dimensions of the medium Quantaray case are 8.5" x 11"..."customizable" because the first 1/2" or so of foam bordering the insert is solid (not pluck-able), to create a cushion against the wall of the case. Actual interior dimensions are about an inch longer each way. I haven't tried running a mic cord into the box to see if the metal causes any interference...maybe I'll try it out and post the results. I don't know about closing the case on the cord, because I think there is a little groove where the top and bottom of the case come together and the cord would pinch. This could be solved by filing a little notch just large enough to pass a cord through it, or maybe just leaving the side where the cord comes through unlatched, so it isn't pinched too hard by the case. Re: Maryland...I live in Westminster and work in Hunt Valley, but I do visit the Columbia area occasionally to feed two of my other hobbies, guns and homebrewing. [Even more off-topic, but if you fellow Marylanders are also fellow beer drinkers, Clay Pipe Brewing Co. in Westminster is producing a beer based on one of my homebrew recipes which won a recent competition, to celebrate our club's 10th anniv. It's a Pale Ale brewed with local honey. Brewing day is Jan. 15 and we'll hopefully be on store shelves by early Spring. We're still working on a name for the beer. Sorry for the plug...] Steve

Greetings. I am trying to replace the plug on a pair of 'phones...they're not all that as far as phones go, but they're comfy, and we use them when someone in the household is playing the digital piano, because they are quiet for the rest of us in the room. So I'd just as soon try to return them to service with the $3 plug I came home with from Radio Shack. It's a stereo mini (1/8") plug that has three screw-on (vs. solder) terminals. The phone has two separate leads, with what look like two different colored wires within each...one has copper and red wires, the other has copper and green...and dammit, are they all thin. Would appreciate some insight into where these various wires go (i.e. what terminals, do some get twisted together, etc.). Are the colored wires coated somehow? If so, am I hosed? If trying to fix these is going to bring me to tears, there's enough reason for that around here as it is these days, and they'll be headed for the can. Thanks.