Need Insights From Experts

[edsphu]

Hi all,

New to this forum. After tons of readings and researchings between the MP3 players and Minidisc players, I had decided to order the MZ-NH800. I'd like to be able to record music (I am trying to compose songs, playing guitar and piano), listen to FM and music at work, be able to save some work files. So, it seems logical to get the HI-MD minidisc than the IPOD.

I have just a few questions hopefully some experts out there can help me to clear the cloud:

1. Do I need to have a good microphone for line-in recording? I'd like to be able to play guitar or piano to test my song. Does the unit have a built-in mic that will be good enough for recording?

2. Can I hook up an external small speaker (maybe PC speaker) to listen to my recording? I hate if the only way to listen is through the headphone?

Appreciate some help.

Thanks in advance!

[A440]

There is no built-in microphone. There is a mic-in jack, which means there is a pre-amp inside the unit that will allow you to use a regular microphone. You can get a microphone that's fine for home recordings for under $40: the Sound Professionals BMC-2, sometimes on Ebay for just $29. Those are two separate (left and right) microphones on cords.

Even cheaper, and still usable, is an item that's regularly on Ebay as "Stereo Lapel Microphone for Minidisc."

Don't be tempted by the cute little T-shaped mics that plug directly into the unit--they provide nice hi-fi recordings of the machine whirring and vibrating next to them.

A line-in jack is for an amplified signal, like the output of a CD player, not a microphone.

You can listen to your minidisc through your computer and its speakers by hooking up the provided USB cable and playing it back through SonicStage. Or, like the Ipod, you can hook it up to a powered speaker. It won't drive a speaker by itself.

[edsphu]

There is no built-in microphone.  There is a mic-in jack, which means there is a pre-amp inside the unit  that will allow you to use a regular microphone. You can get a microphone that's fine for home recordings for under $40: the Sound Professionals BMC-2, sometimes on Ebay for just  $29.  Those are two separate (left and right) microphones on cords.

Even cheaper, and still usable,  is an item that's regularly on Ebay as "Stereo Lapel Microphone for Minidisc."

Don't be tempted by the cute little T-shaped mics that plug directly into the unit--they provide nice hi-fi recordings of the machine whirring and vibrating  next to them.

A line-in jack is for an amplified signal, like the output of a CD player, not a microphone.

You can listen to your minidisc through your computer and its speakers  by hooking up the provided USB cable and playing it back through SonicStage. Or, like the Ipod, you can hook it up to a powered speaker. It won't drive a speaker by itself.

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Thanks!

[LowMD]

You can also go from the headphone out to your stereo system if it has an AUX input. You'll have to see what the connectors are and get a cable: probably stereo minijack (out of the headphone jack) to right and left (red and white) RCA plugs (little circular connectors).

[edsphu]

You can also go from the headphone out to your stereo system if it has an AUX input. You'll have to see what the connectors are and get a cable: probably stereo minijack (out of the headphone jack) to right and left (red and white)  RCA plugs (little circular connectors).

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Thanks both A440 and LowMD. Learning new stuff everyday. Now i have two more questions hopefully you guys can shed some light for me:

1. Are there any minidisc players/recorders like the old Cassette BOOM BOX? That would be nice for recording singing and guitar/piano playing and ready to play back, and easy to carry everywhere, just like the old Cassette Boom Box but with all the nice features of the Minidisc. If those really exist, where can i buy?

2. How's about the minidisc recording deck? Something that can i replace the old cassette dech hooking up with my stereo system, so i can either record from my CD player, record with the microphones, or from the karaoke?

Again thanks in advance!