Wendy Posted December 20, 2004 Report Share Posted December 20, 2004 Hi all - just wondering if there's anyone who can help as I'm at my wits' end. My objective was simply to buy a device that could tape my band practices as a wav file, get it into the computer and edit out the chatter so that I could practice along with the music bits. Also to record the kids' concerts for keepsakes. Numerous devices, utilities and hours of time and effort later, I'm still no closer. Am currently trying a Sony minidisc. The recording quality is okay, although every so often there is some static. That would be okay for my purposes, but it's a bit frustrating as it seems this device should be capable of crystal clear. I thought the minidisc might be worth keeping if it can double as an mp3 player - well sorta. The most frustrating though has been the software - it is VERY hard to use, and I'm good at this type of thing. I have upgraded and have the conversion tool. HiMDRenderer created files with skips and blips in them. Some of my files are in omg format as that was what the old SonicStage software created. I can't get the files back on the disk to recreate them in oma format so can't use the wave converter. At this point, I'm ready to pack up the whole works and take it back. Anybody have similar experience that I could learn from? I guess specifically I would like to know if anyone does anything like this easily - record your practice (or concert) in its entirety, create a wave file, edit it, save it. Bang, bang, bang - that's all I want to do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted December 20, 2004 Report Share Posted December 20, 2004 Welcome to the forums. :welcome: We will try to help, but we cannot promise anything. First off, what unit are you using? Second, what version of HiMDrenderer are you using? Additionally, isn't there a converting utility within Sonicstage that will turn omg's into oma's? I swear I saw it the other day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy Posted December 20, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2004 Hi - thanks so much for listening! I have the Sony MZ-NH700 which seems adequate for the job, although as I mentioned, I do get some static in the recordings occasionally and would expect crystal clear. By updating the SonicStage software, I am able to get my files to import in an OMA format, which I can then put through the wav converter tool. I did manage to find the omg to oma converter and use that for my older files that were in omg format. It seems like a lot of work though and takes a long time. And the wave converter creates two wav files for one source oma file, if it's over a certain size. I tried using the HI-MDRenderer for Windows version 0.21, and it created stutters and skips in the files. I haven't listened to the ones from the converter tool yet to see if it does the same. The source files do not have this problem. I also haven't tried the Hi-MDRenderer with the oma files, as opposed to the omg files. So in short, it's looking like I can do what I want, but all this importing and conversion and pasting back together seems to be a lot of work compared to how other devices (such as mp3 players or cameras) work. I was hoping for drag and drop functionality and files saved in wav format natively. I would then drop the wav file into an editor, delete the chatty bits and voila! The Sony software certainly leaves a lot to be desired - and I hope there aren't more unpleasant surprises waiting for me as I try to do more. I did try a voice recorder before the minidisc, but the sound quality was horrible. It had other problems too (like some wav format that wasn't compatible with my software, which also required a conversion). I don't need cd recording quality, but I do need to be able to hear it enough to play along. Should I be trying some other device? Is the minidisc the wrong thing? I just want something I can throw into my rehearsal bag without a lot of setup and mikes and tracks and things. Is there a better way to edit oma/omg files? I just feel like it shouldn't be this much work! Thanks again, Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted December 20, 2004 Report Share Posted December 20, 2004 I don't think it is the wrong thing, but there are nuances that you will have to adhere to until things even out. I don't think it's that terrible of a process, but I haven't even tried it yet - it seems like alot of people are happy and successful with Hi-MD, however. You need to upgrade to HiMDrenderer .31, and not employ an old version. http://marcnetsystem.co.uk/cgi-bin/mn2.pl?...02?drs=,83,39,2, Concerning the static, please explain your microphone setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy Posted December 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 Thanks - I've downloaded the newer renderer and will try that. I noticed that the web page said 'gui only' so I assumed that was a skin that you could download and not the app. Now I realize he means "windows only". Anyhow, regarding the mic - I bought a sony one. Don't have it with me, but it's just a little mic on a peg (no cord) and it's T-shaped - one side pointing left and the other right. Apart from the fact that it picks up the motor noise from the md device while it's recording, I also get a few bits of static every so often. I taped one of my sons' strings concerts last week and sometimes, in the middle of a song it kind of sounds like someone crinkles a candy wrapper or something. It's not something that was recorded from the room, anyway. It's not a big deal, however it IS annoying and since everyone's been ranting about the quality of md recording and I don't believe most serious amateurs would be satisfied with it. Thanks again for your kind concern and assistance, Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted December 21, 2004 Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 I believe it's the microphone [poor quality] that's causing the issue, and it might be the automatic gain control you're using. Have you tried setting the record level manually? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atrain Posted December 21, 2004 Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 also get a reasonable quality 3.5mm to 3.5mm female to male cable so one end that the mike can plug into & one end with the 'spike' keep the mike a foot or so away from the make sure that all the sounds you hear are not from the motor noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raintheory Posted December 23, 2004 Report Share Posted December 23, 2004 I agree with getting a small cord to keep the mic at least somewhat away from the unit. The vibration and motor noise from the MD writing could cause the static you are hearing. Also, just wondering, when I got my NH900 it came with some clamp filter things for supposedly filtering electromagnetic stuff, plus there were about 5 attached to my usb cable and headphones, etc . Would something like that help for this kind of situation once an extension is attached to the mic? Could it be some kind of electromagnetic interference that the mic is picking up, or generating itself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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