KJ_Palmer

It would sound fine, I do plenty of digital MD-MD dubs and they sound great. But in absolutely terms a CD-MD dub will always produce a more faithful recording because the level of compression is single, not double.

These cases are worth having, I hate those slip cases you always get now. Various places sell them (in the UK), eg. HMV records and MVC for about 50p each, which works out roughly the same as your 20 pack, so it might be worth checking your local high street shops.

Sorry, but sadly the MD-MT170 doesn't have a microphone input. You could buy a microphone pre-amp or battery box, but of course this means more expense and more fiddly wires. You might be better off trading it in (if you can) for the MT190 which can use a microphone directly.

Can anyone explain why only Sony units seem to be affected by this "legislation", or are we soon going to see 2mw Sharps, iPods... :?

Yes, non NetMD machines can read NetMD recorded discs, it's all encoded to ATRAC in the unit. The only proviso is that if you use an MDLP (long play) mode for recording, a non MDLP unit (ie. an older unit made before about 2002) won't be able to play it. And you can get around this by using "SP" (normal stereo) mode when recording.

I've used both the Sony ECM717 and the ECM-MS907 in fairly quiet-ish conditions (theatre, classical concert) and am pleased with the results. I generally use auto-gain level to avoid fiddling with recording levels and that seems fine. Not sure how they'd cope wth loud rock music though.

You need a microphone pre-amp, eg. these: http://minidisc.amulation.com/part_Microph...ne_Preamps.html. This plugs into your line in and the microphone into the pre-amp. Or you could use a battery box for recording at very loud concerts. There are also some self powered microphones, but I'm not sure where to get these.

Only if you get a microphone pre-amplifier, a battery box or a self-powered microphone to plug into the line input. People like sound professionals have suitable equipment, though it might e cheaper (and better) in the long run to buy an MD with a built in mic jack. http://minidisc.amulation.com/part_The_Sou...one_preamp.html

You can also do 4x recording (in SP mode) with some decks (eg. MXD-D40) and shelf units .

Both the JB980 and the JE780 have an external timer facility for recording (the 480 does not). You need to buy a timer (from any electrical store) for about £10 or whatever. They typically have 4-8 program settings. Some mini systems have a built in timer, but they only usually let you record one program, so the external timer thing is better in my opinion.

Hi, I've got this deck and it's great. Really makes the whole CD-MD dubbing thing very easy. Sounds good too, so I tend to use it as my main playback deck for both CD and MD. You can do high speed recording at 4x or 2x, though I generally do real time to monitor the recording. It's got most of the standard and advanced deck features: MDLP, Scale factor edit (SF Edit), analogue and digital synch recording, fade in and out, CD text, etc... Could do with a keyboard input, doesn't play CD-RW, and lacks digital output, but I can live without these. A fine machine if you've got a lot of CD's to copy to MD, or general purpose use.

The cheapest current model with radio remote is the NF610 http://www.minidisc.org/part_Sony_MZ-NF610.html @ $185. Looks like a nice unit, so if you could beg, borrow or ... cadge that extra $35 you'd be doing well. Only thing is it doesn't have a microphone input, so not much good for live recording. The only other radio models are the discontinued MZ-G750 and G755, which may be available if you shop around.

Ah, but the NF610 is a Net MD recorder. See here: http://www.minidisc.org/part_Sony_MZ-NF610.html. The size of an MP3 file is irrelevant when copying to MD. It's the recording mode that matters and that affects the time available for recording, ie. 'SP' gives 80 minutes, LP2 = 160 mins and LP4 = 320 mins on an 80 min MD.

I have the B100, and it works fine. First of all, is the cable plugged into the line in jack? What happens when you try to record? Is the volume of your CD player high enough?

No, the 810 is fairly 'high' end, you don't need NetMD for your stated purpose, or the other bells and whistles. I'd recommend a basic Sharp recorder, like the new MD-MT290 (£120 over here), but they might be hard to find where you are. Sharps are more suited to live recordings than Sonys, by the way, you may find one of these cheap somewhere. An old Sony MZ-R700 might suit you, though, or at a pinch, the N707 or N710. The ECM-MS907 mike is good and I love it, but maybe a tad overpriced like most Sony gear.

Portable recorders wouldn't really be suitable for timed recordings, a deck would be better. Most Sony full-size MD decks can use an external timer, except the lowest end decks (beginning with 4 or lower eg. MDS-JE480). I use the MDS-JB980 for timed radio recordings. It beats tape any day for sound, editing and durability. I suggest the MDS-JE780 would be a good mid-range deck for your needs, or the 980 if you can afford it. There are also a number of mini and micro systems which can do timed recordings from their built in radios, which is handy, but usually only allow one program a time.

The N1 is the better machine, in every sense. You could live without the cradle as you can charge the battery directly from an adaptor. You might be able to get the accesories though, by browsing the net.

No, they should be safe (from the magnetism). Magneto-optical recording can only take place at the Curie point (180 degrees C) directed at specific spots on the disk. At lower temperatures the data is completely unaffected by magnetism.

Use either of these methods. 1. Try a lens cleaning disk. Available wherever you get your MD acessories. 2. Use some isopropyl alcohol (from the pharmacist). Dip a cotton bud in it, let any excess drip off and wipe the lens with it. Try not to get the alcohol anywhere else but the lens. Let it dry for a couple of hours. 3. Use compressed air to blow away any dust or debris on the lens. 1. Is probably the safist method, 2. probably the most effective (though I haven't tried it). Don't know about 3, though others have used it. By the way, don't bother cleaning your lens unless you have any problems with skipping. The best way to avoid dust etc. is to keep it away from your disks and player, by keeping them cased, not leaving lids open etc.

No, the Sony 5** series or lower don't have plug in power (or a microphone jack). You could use a mic, but would need to buy an extra box to amplify it. Start at the 7** series, ie. N707, N710 and higher for units that can use a microphone directly.

SCMS can apply to all digital media, including CDs. I think the MP3s must be copy protected and that gets transferred to your CD.

That will be the copy protection (SCMS) that does this. You can get around that by recording (to MD) with an analogue cable, but you'll have to split into tracks manually.

You didn't mention which unit you've got, but you can hunt here http://minidisc.amulation.com/part_Manuals.html for some service manuals. You need to scroll about half way down the page. Oops sorry, I just noticed the thread heading. Couldn't find the EX77MD here.

I use LP4 mostly for spoken radio shows or other voice applications (language tapes etc). I really can't find fault with it for that. I have 3 or 4 LP4 music mixes too, and while they're a bit on the rough side, they're fine for long trips. Otherwise SP and LP2 are the main modes I use.

I've seen earpads of various sizes on sale in quite a few hi-fi shops. Perhaps if you ask in your friendly local audio retailer they'll be able to help you.