txgitarman

I'm having this problem too. My MD is a Sony MZ-G750. I think the "static" noise occurs because the music is louder than the microphone can accept. The static is the sound of digital distortion. I'm curious about whether it is possible to overdrive the microphone with loud music even though you aren't overdriving the microphone preamp because the recording level is turned down. There is one person on the forums that talks about using a Radio Shack headphone extension cable with a volume control on it. If you are reading this post - Radio Shack suggesting person -- does this work with mics that rely on plug-in power? Will that help this person and me with the distortion issue?

New, the only mic-in model that I've actually seen in stores with a mic in is the Sony NH800 at around $250: http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4193463 On eBay, you should be able to find a used MD recorder with a mic-in for much less. I actually bought a Sharp MT15 for only $36. Unfortunately, it stopped working soon after I bought it. I see a lot of used MD's going between $50-$100. I recently purchased a used Sony G750 model for $50, but I haven't received it yet. What I do is search the ebay listings and then go check out the models on the equipment browser section of this website to verify that they have a mic input. One point of confusion is that some people on this site talk about a cheaper Hi-MD model called the NH600. This model apparently has a mic jack but in the US, the model that you will find is the NH600D which doesn't have a microphone or line-in jack.

Sorry, I tried to reply a couple of days ago but I was having trouble accessing the forums and my post didn't get accepted. As a US user, it is sometimes confusing to read about models that aren't easily found here. For recording, there are only a few models that are being sold currently new. Even buying used on eBay, you need to be careful that that model you buy has recording capability. A lot of the units on the US market today that can be found in the big box retailers are NetMD USB only models. These won't work for analog recordings. Even some of the Hi-MD models don't have line-in or mic jacks. Of the Hi-MD models the Sony NH800 or NH900 would offer the most elegant recording solution. Not only can you record at higher compression for more recording time or with no compression at all (PCM) for highest quality, but there is also software that will allow you to upload your recordings digitally back to the PC over the USB port and convert them to wav files. Net MD allows you to download music to your MD with the USB port but doesn't permit uploading recordings back to the PC that way. You have to record your music back to your PC using the headphone out on the MD and line in on the PC in real time. Most of the new NetMD players I've seen don't have line in or mic jacks. If you can still find the Sony sports model on clearance, the MZ-S1, for about $70, it could be a neat solution because it is so inexpensive, works with NetMD, and it has a line in (no mic jack). If you can record through a mixer or sound board this might work for you. If you don't want to go Hi-MD and you need a mic jack, look for a used Sony or Sharp model on eBay. Research these thoroughly on the equipment browser section of this website to make sure the model has the features you want. Be wary of the older Sharp models that can have UTOC ERROR problems. Hope this helps! Bill

I suggest you try to find one of the Sony sports model NetMD player/recorders. The MZ-S1. It has been discontinued in the US (maybe everywhere) but I managed to find one on clearance at Fry's in the US for $70. It has line in jack too for analog recordings.

There is a lot of good info on choosing a microphone for your MD. Sony has several electronic condenser mics (ECM) that have "plug-in power". The unit sends a small electrical charge through the mic jack to power the mic. I've read this can cause a small amount of interference if you plug in a mic that isn't made for plug-in power but I can't confirm that. You can also use a mic without plug-in power in connection with a small pre-amp. You'd go into the line-in if you went with that. From what I've been able read I think those mic-pres are as big as another MD player, so I'd be inclined to just buy a mic made with plug-in power. I bought the Sony ECM-CS10, which is a small lapel stereo mic that I bought for $49 at Frye's. soundprofessionals.com is a site that I see a lot of references too. I find that the CS-10 tends to emphasize the high-end a lot but that could just be mic placement. I'm the lead singer and rhythm guitar in my band. I attached the stereo mic to my microphone stand at front center stage. It is positioned over my onstage monitor so it picks up sound from the monitor mix. It is also positioned low so that it picks up sound from the guitar amps and the kick drum nearby. At the last practice, I got better results from creating a separate mix on the mixing board using line-in. Unfortunately, my dying Sharp MT15 ate that recording! I suggest you do some searching of the archives and ask questions about specific units once you have narrowed to a few options. Good luck!

Hi Dan. I'm using MD to record my band practices and gigs. I am going to start running a feed off the mixing board into the line in on my new MZ-S1 that I bought. But, I have so far plugged a stereo lapel mic into a Sharp MT15 (don't buy this model) that I bought on eBay. I clipped the mic to my mic stand over a monitor in the front center of the band and set the recording level. I think you'll find that it is way easier to just record everything letting it run and then go back in afterwards and divide the tracks and delete the bits you don't want. Otherwise, I think you'll spend to much time and attention trying to remember to start and stop the thing. Heck, even letting it run, I forgot to record half a set last weekend! If you just want to listen to your MD's on the unit or don't mind recording them onto your computer with an analog line cable with an 1/8" mini jack on each end, any of the original minidiscs or the MDLP or Net MD models will work for you so long as they have a line in or mic in jack. You'll have to do some searching on the equipment browser and read posts to figure out what models to find on eBay. Be careful of older Sharps and the UTOC error! Most of the models you find in stores now in the US don't have either inputs. Only the most expensive Hi-MD models have a microphone input. For a low cost and extra durable option see if you can find one of the sports models MZ-S1 by Sony. They've been discontinued so they are going fast but you can find them Cheap! I Only problem is you can't use a mic without a pre-amp with that model.

So I went to Fry's in Dallas and they had 1 MZ-S1 left and it was marked down to $69. I couldn't resist. It's mine. I just paid a price for keeping this purchase from my wife. I recorded our band practice off the mixing board today and i wanted to listen to it. So I put it in my old unit to play. I put a track divider in it while listening and it gave me the UTOC error when I hit stop. Then it says the disc is blank! I won't be using that MD player for anything anymore! I might keep it to use as a micpre for the MZ-S1. I can put a scratch disc in it. Hit record and pause and plug my mic into the mic jack and then run a line from the headphone out on the MT-15 and into the line-in on the MZ-S1 in a pinch. I'm hoping that my G750 on order will satisfy all my microphone recording needs. Still, I'm glad I got the MZ-S1 because it gives me the ability to move songs onto a disck with NetMD. Thanks for turning me onto this unit! I do find the controls less than intuitive on the S1. I hate that little joystick. Just my 2 cents. Bill

Wouldn't you know it... I've seen those MZ-S1 MD all over town but never realized they had a line in. It's so hard to see through the packaging. Now that I find out that they are a good deal, I can't find one in a store. I guess there's still the Internet. But, it appears to have been dropped from the Sony product line. Too bad! I just purchased a used MZ-G750 from eBay that I'm waiting on or I would go to Sears.com and order one. I sure hope the 750 still works!

No remote unfortunately, but I don't really need another radio anyway. I bought a Sony ECM-CS10 stereo lapel mic when I got the Sharp MT-15. It's a bit bright but overall, it should work fine. I don't mind having to transfer the songs in real time. I really liked the MD and it really bummed me out that the Sharp unit turned out to be a dud. I only paid $36 for it though.

Thanks for your reply. I'm sure the Hi-MD is great and if I have to buy a new unit, I've got my eye on a NH800. But, for now, I decided to take a gamble on another used MD on eBay. I spotted an MZ-G750 that I was able to buy for $50. It says "works perfectly" and no signs of wear. We'll see. I tried to use a lens cleaner on my MT15, I tried the test mode optical adjustment, and I bought some Sony MDs. I still got skipping, so I definitely want to try another unit. The reviews looked good for the G750. Hopefully, it's been loved before it got to me! How does that sound to you?

I bought a Sharp MT-15 on eBay and it has all the features that I need in a MD to record my band practices: It runs on AA batteries and has a mic input. I don't want to compress the audio any so I don't need MDLP or Hi-MD features. I use a Mac so I don't care about downloading songs to it by USB. The only thing I don't like about the Sharp I bought is that it is messing up randomly on recordings. Some come out great and others are totally garbled with tons of skipping. It is probably a dirty or failing optical unit. So, if I must go back to eBay to buy another, what models that are in relatively good supply should I go after. I'd like to buy the least expensive model I can and I don't care if it is used or how old a model it is. I don't want those dreaded TOC errors and I want a reliable recorder. I would appreciate your suggestions. Thanks! Bill