jeddeth Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 I just recieved this email from a friend who was debating MD vs JB3 with me...Can anyone here shed some light on why MD would be a better decision?I tossed around the idea of a DAT or an MD, a friendtalked me into buying a Creative Nomad JB3. It is a hard drive basedaudio player which you can also record on. Mine is 20GBs, plenty ofroom to record/store shows (no need to switch tapes). It has a line-infeature, so you can hook up mics and a battery box and record in WAVformat straight to the HD. I have done some testing over the lastcouple of weeks with the JB3 and i'm looking forward to using it Mondaynight in San Diego. I was able to pick mine up from Creative directlyon ebay, here is a similar auction:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...5058&item=576...It will end up being closer to $160 when you throw in shipping, but Ithink it's a step-up from MD. Through e-mails with others who have aJB3, there are ways to upgrade the hard drive (one guy has an 80GBinstalled). The JB3 comes with software where you can transfermusic/files back and forth between the player and recorder. I havelistened to shows that were recorded with a JB3 and they sounded quitenice. If everything works out like i'm hoping, i'll have a nicecollection of masters by the time it's all said and done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tourist Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 If you look at reviews on Cnet and Epinions, most people like it and some people despise it, apparently for the firmware. Its drawbacks compared to MD are size--not exactly able to tuck into a pocket--and, for recording, the lack of a mic-in jack, which means you always need to carry a battery box. No idea if it has editing features like MD, but if it does that would be great. And direct transfer without SonicStage is a definite plus. But if stealth is paramount, MD will be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuba Posted March 26, 2005 Report Share Posted March 26, 2005 I'd say JB3 has mic-in..But I personally vote for MD.+ way smaller size, you can use AA batteries to power the unit, removable media- only 90 min (wav) capacity (which is enough for me, however) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoheadedboy Posted March 28, 2005 Report Share Posted March 28, 2005 MD has far better analog input quality, so unless you have a digital pre-amp, this is very important.JB3 has much more recording capacity (20GB or 40GB vs. 1GB per disc for MD).JB3 does "sorta" have a mic in with the newer firmware...it's just a setting to allow you to add more gain. Sounds terrible.JB3 is easier to transfer, as it has a firewire connection and everything is in .wav or .mp3 format. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reactive Posted April 13, 2005 Report Share Posted April 13, 2005 You won't be able to use it for quiet recordings unless you have an external pre-amp. That's another $199 on top for a quality pre-amp (plug) I still think minidisc with it's mic jack, built in pre-amp, line in, and now bigger disc capacity is the way to go. Plus all your data in one box, naaaa if you loose it or it crashes your toast. I much prefer having a few discs to that I use on a rotation.ThanksGerrywww.reactivesounds.comI just recieved this email from a friend who was debating MD vs JB3 with me...Can anyone here shed some light on why MD would be a better decision?I tossed around the idea of a DAT or an MD, a friendtalked me into buying a Creative Nomad JB3. It is a hard drive basedaudio player which you can also record on. Mine is 20GBs, plenty ofroom to record/store shows (no need to switch tapes). It has a line-infeature, so you can hook up mics and a battery box and record in WAVformat straight to the HD. I have done some testing over the lastcouple of weeks with the JB3 and i'm looking forward to using it Mondaynight in San Diego. I was able to pick mine up from Creative directlyon ebay, here is a similar auction:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...5058&item=576...It will end up being closer to $160 when you throw in shipping, but Ithink it's a step-up from MD. Through e-mails with others who have aJB3, there are ways to upgrade the hard drive (one guy has an 80GBinstalled). The JB3 comes with software where you can transfermusic/files back and forth between the player and recorder. I havelistened to shows that were recorded with a JB3 and they sounded quitenice. If everything works out like i'm hoping, i'll have a nicecollection of masters by the time it's all said and done.← Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin726 Posted April 13, 2005 Report Share Posted April 13, 2005 MDs are still being made and have a full warranty. Not so the CL device.MDs are quiet for recording whereas the Nomad has HD noise. It's fine for concerts but maybe not ambient recordings.MDs have at least a usable mic input, but not the Nomad.MDs have better displays.Both have bad preamps and A/D converters though, for anything pro.I would love it if there was some decent HD DAP for recording, but they all seems to have major limitations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.