baturjan

Where did you buy them?

I'm not sure what MDMonitor does. All I know is that it doesn't have to be running for the MD to mount in the Finder or in Music Transfer. To adequately answer this, you would need to see all that is going on during the instillation of Music Transfer. That I don't know because I installed the software before trying to connect the unit to the Mac. You have to decide what's important to you, or at least compare the pros and cons of an MD and another device. For me my M200's recording quality, recording features, and being able to split those recordings on the MD are necessary for what I do. The stunning sound quality of Hi-MD PCM music over my iPod is great too. However, the form factor of my iPod Nano for listening while working out beats the MD. Furthermore, I don't even try listening to audiobooks on my MD (and I do a lot of audiobook listening). That is exclusively done on my Nano. The iPod's features for audiobook listening, and the MD's lack of them, make it a no brainer for me.

I would like to post things that I have learned about using the RH1/M200 on a Mac. This isn't meant to be exhaustive by any means, but simply some things that were not in the Manauls, or not clearly written in the Manuals, or things that I am constantly needing to remind myself every time I use the minidisc and the Mac. My Setup - MacBook - OS 10.5.5 - Hi-MD Music Transfer version 2.0 for Mac - Parallels (virtualization software) running Windows XP with Sonic Stage 4.2 and Simple Burner - Sony MZ-M200 minidisc recorder Terms in this post: MT = Sony’s Hi-MD Music Transfer version 2.0 MD = the RH1 or M200 unit MDMonitor MDMonitor is a program that is automatically installed, when installing MT. However, MDMonitor does not have to be running on my setup in order for me to use MT. I removed MDMonitor from the Startup Items under Accounts in System Preferences, so MDMonitor never launches when I start the computer. How/When the MD mounts in the Finder and loads into MT The MD does not mount in the Finder and appear in MT at the same time. It only appears in one or the other. If MT is not running, then the MD will mount in the Finder. If MT is running, then the MD appears in MT and not in the Finder. I prefer ejecting the disc from the MD (or disconnecting the USB from the Mac), while MT is running because the ejection procedure is simpler. The procedure for ejecting the disc from the MD or disconnecting the USB cable from the Mac Procedure #1: If MT is running - Press Stop on the MD. - When “Eject OK” appears on the MD, eject the disc from the MD or unplug the USB cable from the Mac not from the MD unit. Procedure #2: If MT is not running (the MD is mounted in the Finder) - Press Stop on the MD - When the MD says “Eject OK”, eject the mounted MD from within OS X’s Finder - Once the flashing red light on the MD disappears, press Stop on the MD again - When “Eject OK” appears on the MD, eject the disc from the MD or disconnect the USB cable from the Mac not the MD If you want to continue to edit recorded tracks on the MD after you’ve “edited” the tracks in MT, then know this: If you use MT to rename MD recorded tracks, or download tracks to the Mac and upload back to MD, then you can no longer edit those tracks on the MD (i.e., add a track). In MT you can, however, re-order tracks, move tracks into a different group, rename groups, and still be able to edit those tracks on the MD. Sonic Stage, on the other hand, allows you to continue to edit recorded tracks on the MD even after you have renamed them in Sonic Stage. Uploading from the MD to the Mac You can upload PCM, Hi-SP, and Hi-LP recordings to the Mac, which are automatically converted to WAV files. I used Parallels with Windows XP and Sonic Stage to upload all my legacy recording to my Mac. Downloading from the Mac to the MD You can download WAV and MP3 files. The manual states, "The type of MP3 supported by this recorder is MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3, transferred by the SonicStage software, with a sampling frequency of 32, 44.1 or 48 kHz." Parallels, Windows XP, Sonic Stage, Simple Burner (works exactly like it does on a PC, completely bypassing the Mac) I have set up Parallels to not automatically have Windows connect to the MD. After connecting the MD to the Mac and launching Windows, I manually tell Parallels to connect to the MD. I click on “Hi-MD” which is under the Parallels top menu bar item Devices->USB->Hi-MD. Once I do this, Windows takes over the MD, and the MD disappears from either OS X’s Finder or MT. Manuals RH1/M200: http://www.minidisc.org/manuals/sony/Sony_...user_manual.pdf Hi-MD Music Transfer 2.0: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-doc...amp;region_id=1

You mentioned high quality and cheap. If you want a high quality you have to pay more. I have a couple low visibility but they are not hi quality quality. This one might suit your needs http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-PEN-1 You can also look at microphones here. They're are small good quality ones: http://core-sound.com

I don't know much at all about equalizers, other than devices with presets such as rock, jazz, spoken word, etc. Reading through my M200 manual, I came across these three sound effects (V-SUR, 6-BAND EQUALIZER, DYNAMIC NORMALIZER). I understand the 6-BAND EQUALIZER with it's 6 different sound qualities (Heavy, Pops, Jazz, Unique, Custom 1, Custom 2). However, my questions are: 1) When using the Custom setting on the 6-BAND EQUALIZER, how do you know what is best for the type of music you are listening to? I don't have a "musician's ear" to know, and it's hard for me to figure out what sounds good by moving the 6 bands around. For example, if I'm listening to classical, is there a 6-band pattern that is generally good to use? What about other types of music beyond the Heavy, Pops, Jazz presets on the RH1/M200? 2) I understand the DYNAMIC NORMALIZER to level out the sound, but when would you use the V-SUR?

Don't know what RH1 units have gone for in the past. I have been looking at M200 prices when I saw this RH1 at minidisc-canada.com, which is $43.50 cheaper than the cheapest M200 I have found online: http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?om...mp;sku=SNMZM200 Of course the M200 comes with the microphone, but many of us don't need the microphone.

USA

I don't think that notice refers to Yahoo Japan because as you mentioned they don't say Japan. Furthermore, Yahoo Auction Japan sit seems to be going strong. Regarding mailorderjapan, I sent them an email asking about certain units and how I'm supposed to even use them. It's not that clear on the site. The site's description of the services is very clear, and perfect for my situation. I emailed them a few days ago, but haven't heard back. I'll give it 5 business days and then write them again.

I was searching online for NH1, and came across Yahoo Auction Japan. I used Google's translator to view the items. There are NH1, NH3D, and even EH1 units on there. Since I saw this site a couple weeks ago, there is a constant supply of these units. I wish such units were on eBay here, but far more rare. Is there any service out there that helps non-Japanese speakers auction for those items?

I in the market for another HiMD. I want an NH3D.

I heard a woman interviewed on the radio when the interviewer said she could speak 7 languages. She corrected him by saying, "I've studied 7 languages." I've studied 3 beyond English.

I'm going to. But I saw an R55 ("lightly" used) on eBay going for $10 and got it for $18. I wanted this for two reasons. First, I wanted a very inexpensive backup for playing language class recordings should a primary unit break down. Second, I wanted the remote that came with it. The remote that comes with the R55 has a track mark button, and those remotes are selling new on eBay for $28. I believe that remote can be used on a number of other units, and the track mark button on the remote is very handy when reviewing language learning material. The R55 was my first MD and I used it for 6 years, most of that time I was having to learn other languages. The R55 was a tank, enduring the harsh climate of the remote Taklamakan desert in China. Right now I only have the M200, but I don't want to use it for anything beyond my desk attached to the computer. I got this idea from people here, and it makes a lot of sense in light of its unique feature set. My wife and I are going to start studying Arabic soon. I'm planning on buying three recorders to do that. At this point my hope is to get ahold of these three if I can: MZ-B10 for recording sessions with our teacher; NH900 and N707 for me and my wife to review class recordings. My wife doesn't use MDs, and only needs a recorder that has group functionality and track marking, hence the N707. The N707 units on eBay are going for $80-$130. I would love to get the NH1 for myself, but it's rare and more expensive than the NH900. As far as I can tell the only differences between these two are battery type, date stamp (NH1), external AA battery (NH900), and better physical design (NH1). Other than that, the functionality is identical. This is the reason why I would like the NH900. Though I've used MDs since 1999, I never put music on it. I used them exclusively and extensively for language learning. About two month ago, I put a CD onto my M200 in PCM format. I was shocked at the quality and stoked to hear backup vocals and instruments that I never heard before. Now I understand what people here mean when they say how poorly iPods sound.

thanks!

I have a B100 (MDLP unit) and I want to a get a cheap player to carry around instead of the B100. If I get a non-MDLP player (called legacy?), will it only play SP recordings from the B100? Am I right that it will only play silence for LP2, LP4, and monaural recordings?

Did you buy this somewhere other than the States? When I search online it's all UK and Europe.

Thanks for your help. I'm sure I do need a nicer mic. Right now I'm recording in two situations. One is lectures in small classrooms (2-3 meters) from speaker. The other one is recording my language tutor, sitting at a table either having a conversation or just him. I only own the M200.

So the question is will using a battery box or preamp into the Line-in for recording lectures (or table conversations) at or close to –12 dB result in less noise than the Mic-in? In either case (Line-in or Mic-in) the two variables I'm experimenting/adjusting are recording level and low/hi mic sensitivity to achieve the best volume to noise ratio.

I know nothing about this sort of thing. My motivation for a battery box is based on recording outcomes, and an AA battery for form factor. The reason for the stereo is to use it with my camcorder (using earphone microphones from Sound Professionals). I have the M200 with the Sony ECM-DS70P microphone for recording conversation and lectures. Sometimes I have to turn up the recording level, and there's more white noise. I've read here and elsewhere that having a battery box and running the mic into the Line-in port can produce in cleaner sound.

When I previously said "art", I was thinking of the album of songs, not the artwork or album cover. You are right that it's easy to listen to an entire album with an MP3 player, and the player itself doesn't necessitate otherwise. However, in light of the comments that "less is more", taking a few minidiscs (one or two albums per disc) lends itself to listening to the entire album, and hence appreciating the albums theme and progression of songs. I don't really care how people listen to music. I'm just saying that having an album with you versus a hundred albums is not the same for less obvious reasons.

theblueraja, I'm 38 years old, and you could not have said it better. You wrote my cultural core, when it comes to the minidisc! One thing to add about taking a couple "MD-albums", is that artists usually have a message or theme to their album and the order of the songs. It may be strong or weak, but it's there. You don't get that when shuffling through hundreds of songs. I'm not against shuffling, or making compilations of different stuff, but if that's all you do, then you miss one of the main reasons the art was created for in the first place. Having said that, I understand that there is a rigidity to the format of an album with regard to the number of songs and length, which could lead to "making something up" to finish the album... I digress.

I'm looking for a battery box that is a tube design with a AA battery. The only types I can find online and in the forum are made with 9V batteries.

www.xskn.com may have some.

What about HHB discs? I saw online a review by a guy in 2003 comparing MD2000 and TDK, and said that the HHB MD80 were better (cheaper and sounding the same). Personally, I have not tried any of these. I just ordered some HHBs because I can't find any (in the USA) of the other good ones suggested in this forum. The HHB specifications look good, though they are not even mentioned in this forum (doing a search for "HHB"). http://www.minidisct.com/cgi-bin/rms/equip...do=email-friend

Are these the "best" quality discs? Is there a thread in the forum that rates the quality of discs?

I don't recall every trying it on a PowerPC. That may be the issue. Anyone else using it on a PowerPC?