mrock

I have been using the MZ-M100 for about a month, and am very happy with the purchase. I paid about CAD$500. I had never owned a minidisc before, and purchased this one for doing interviews in qualitative academic research. (I opted to go with a minidisc on the advice of a journalist friend. I began recording digitally about 2 years ago, and did not even look at a minidisc then.) So while my needs and priorities do differ from many members, I found the forum very helpful when I was making this purchasing decision. The features of this 'pro-line' machine are just what a qualitative researcher would want: cheap high-volume removable storage media, excellent recording quality with included external microphone, USB-uploading, AC-adapter, small, lightweight, solid protective case, etc. I am glad that I took some time to try it out at home, etc., before using in field situations. The buttons that need to be pushed for recording to begin are not that intuitive, for example. The unit has now been used to record in public places (worst case: fountain as background 'white' noise), in focus group situations (about 15 participants), and private homes. Very, very good results. The microphone suppied with the MZ100 records in stereo, not mono like my Crown PMZ, and is at least as good at picking up and evening out people's voices. I REALLY like not having to ask people to cosy up to the microphone or sit directly across from me at their kitchen table because I am worried about not being able to hear what was said later on. I should say that, unlike radio journalists, I just need to be able to understand what was said; I will never need to use the original audio in a professional capacity. More to the point, I want students, etc. hired as transcriptionists to be able to pick out what was said. So it's more important to me that people feel as comfortable as possible than to have perfect recording quality. Nevertheless, I made this purchase because the recording quality of the dictation-oriented digital recorder that I already own (a Sony ICD-P17) did not pass muster. On the basis of my experience so far, I plan to recommend that my institution buy a few units for students to use when doing interviews for research projects. USB-uploading capacity makes a big difference here, so students could share the units. I already have a scratch on the front cover. If I get around to it (and the resident toddler permits), I might try some tips posted on the forum to remove the scratch. If not, well, it's a travelling machine, and I value the internal features and durable casing more than a pristine appearance. I have begun using a disused camera case to lug it around, since I do want to plug in the AC-adapter when recording, whenever possible. Before starting to the use this camera case, the MZ100 was pratcially being strangled by the wires from itsw peripherals. I use my old Clié stuffsack (don't even ask) and the stuffsack supplied with the MZ100 to transport the microphone and the headphones, and put the MZ100 itself in a zipped compartment on the front (which was probably intended to store extra or drained batteries for a camera user). So far, so good, so long.