Specific Hi-md Recording Info Wanted

[robin726]

I am trying to determine the exact differences between the NH700, NH800, and NH900 as far as recording goes. I have read everything here but the most important info is missing.

1. Are the microphone preamps the same on these models? Which is the best?

2. Is power consumption essentially the same as far as its effect on recording goes? (More power that gets to the preamp the better I'd think.)

3. Is there any point using the preamp or should I immediately consider an external unit?

4. Does the so-called "line out" on the NH900 make a real difference over the "headphone out" of the others?

So you know, I am trained as a recording engineer and care about small differences! I will be copying to a computer through audio connection (to avoid lost recordings) even though I realise there will be some degradation this way. When a Hi-MD deck with optical out comes along I may buy that for transfers. Or maybe the software will be fixed to become more robust so we can use USB. :-)

I have an RME audio card so I am sure the limiting factor will be the MD unit itself.

I will mostly be doing location recordings but also live music and spoken word.

Thanks in advance.

[dex Otaku]

  robin726 said:

1. Are the microphone preamps the same on these models? Which is the best?

To my knowledge, they all have the same preamps.

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2. Is power consumption essentially the same as far as its effect on recording goes? (More power that gets to the preamp the better I'd think.)

I understand the relevance of the question re: power to the preamp, but not how you've asked about it. Can you be more clear on what you mean by this?

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3. Is there any point using the preamp or should I immediately consider an external unit?

This depends on what you're using it to record. For most applications, the built-in preamp is more than just adequate. The noise floor of the room where you're recording will always be higher than the noise floor of the preamp in normal or low sensitivity mode. The only two sounds I've recorded [with mics rated at max SPL 105dB with the bias voltage the HiMD puts out] that ended up distorted by either mic or preamp overload were a thunder strike and the horn of a train [probably about 115-120dB at 4 meters distance; more than enough to make my actual hearing distort].

If you're recording very quiet sounds, an external preamp is a good idea. Once put into "high sensitivity" mode, the preamp generates audible hiss. For voice recording it's not enough to be annoying, but if you're trying to record nature sounds or any kind of low-level ambience, it starts to interfere with the usability of the recording [iMO].

Likewise, if you're recording very loud sounds it's worth using an external preamp. There are two reasons for this: first, that if you're using a "plug-in power" mic, an external preamp usually also acts as a battery box, providing higher bias voltage and thereby higher maximum SPL sans distortion. Second, since an external preamp will usually be running with a 9V battery, it has loads more headroom than the built-ins. Most external preamps also have lower self-noise.

For portable mics made for MD et al, I'd suggest this from Reactive Sounds or this from Sound Professionals.

If you're using P12, P24, or P48 microphones you might consider a portable preamp with proper balanced XLR inputs that can plug directly into the MD via standard unbalanced outputs.

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4. Does the so-called "line out" on the NH900 make a real difference over the "headphone out" of the others?

I can't attest to this from experience, but from listening to others it sounds as though the output is provided with slightly more power this way.

Otherwise, the line-out function of the NH1 and NH900 is mainly a convenience switch to disable all processing such as the built-in EQ in a single, simple step.

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So you know, I am trained as a recording engineer and care about small differences! I will be copying to a computer through audio connection (to avoid lost recordings) even though I realise there will be some degradation this way. When a Hi-MD deck with optical out comes along I may buy that for transfers. Or maybe the software will be fixed to become more robust so we can use USB. :-)

It's worth using the USB upload feature, actually. If you're going to copy it via analogue anyway, consider the analogue recording a backup. If anything goes wrong during uploads, you don't lose anything this way.

Aside from which - assuming, of course, that you're using a PC with Windows, Total Recorder [$11.95USD] works to digitally copy HiMD in realtime. This is how I make my backups, as TR does not alter anything on your original disc, thereby eliminating the risk of losing tracks via an SS crash.

I have yet to lose a single uploaded track with SonicStage 2.3, incidentally. Only one user that I know of has reported the problem experienced with previous versions so far.

Cheers.

[robin726]

Thanks for the thorough answer.

  dex Otaku said:

I understand the relevance of the question re: power to the preamp, but not how you've asked about it.  Can you be more clear on what you mean by this?

I am sure it's a trivial thing, but I was thinking that on some units in order to get greater battery life Sony may have compromised by putting less bias voltage to the mic thus not getting optimal performance from it.

  dex Otaku said:

If you're recording very quiet sounds, an external preamp is a good idea.

OK, I will definitely look into this once I have a MD unit. I am aware of a number of manufacturers of same.

  dex Otaku said:

Otherwise, the line-out function of the NH1 and NH900 is mainly a convenience switch to disable all processing such as the built-in EQ in a single, simple step.

Good news.

  dex Otaku said:

Total Recorder [$11.95USD] works to digitally copy HiMD in realtime.

I'll do this and put my mind at ease regarding potential lost tracks and output quality.

Looks like the MZ-NH700 is the way to go: cheaper and with no deficiencies as far as recording goes, with the ability to use standard AA batteries without an add-on pack. It looks about the same size as the two models up, and I presume the interfaces are identical on them as well.

I'll save up the extra cash for a good preamp/mic combo for ambient recordings.