Mz-r50 Not Playing Discs Recorded Elsewhere

[trapezium]

Hello-

First I am somewhat new to the mini-disc world.

I have become the archivist for a band. They record many of their shows using a MD player (Sony MZ-R909).

I purchased a mini-disc player/recorder mainly to play the MDs from the band to get them into my computer. I also wanted to be able to record shows for myself.

I picked up a used Sony MZ-R50. I tried playing the show discs and they would play, all tracks showed up, but there would be no playback level on the level meter in the display, nor is there any sound coming out of the headphones (or line out). I tried three discs given to me by the band. No sound.

Tried different headphones, could hear the audible beep when "play" or "stop" was pushed, but nothing else. Did check the volume. Checked all the different buttons on the unit, nothing set incorrectly as I could see.

Bought blank MDs and tried a basic recording on the unit. Played back recording and it worked fine. So I cannot complain to the seller, as the unit does record and play. It just does not play the MDs I got from the band.

Went to a friend that has an older Sony MD, tried the MDs the band supplied and they worked fine. Put one of her recordings in my R50, and the same problem. Disc plays, but no level or music.

OK- Question, is there a compatibility issue I do not know about? Or do you all think the unit just has a problem? Unless there is something I am missing, I plan to sell the unit and buy another.

2nd question- can you recommend a unit that is compatible with discs recorded on the R909, and also allows me to change levels on the L & R separate while recoding a live show.

Thanks Much!

[atrain]

i'd say they're recording in an LP format. have a look at the equip. browser & faqs on the main page for more info & model comparisons.

www.minidisc.org

[A440]

None of the portable MD recorders has separate Left and Right level controls. You would have to run your inputs through a mixer.

The two-digit MD units like the MZ-R50 only play the original MD format, SP--74 minutes on a 74-minute disc. If all you want is playback of the recordings you have, which as atrain said are probably in LP2 (128 minutes on a 74-minute disc), the most basic unit you can get with mic-in is the MZ-R700.

In the blue Browser tab on the minidisc.org homepage, any recorder manufactured after the R900 (everything on the top line, and everything to the left of the R900) will also do the job.

For the best transfer, you could track down one of the old MD decks--check for optical out and LP compatibility, from the JE640 and to the left in the Browser. With optical out, and optical in on your computer, you can do a digital-domain recording instead of recording analog out of the headphone jack on the little recorders.

Deciphering the model numbers on recorders:

The three-digit R ones (MZ-Rxxx) and all MZ-N, MZ-NH and MZ-RH units will all play SP, LP2 and LP4.

MZ-NH and MZ-RH will play back those MD formats and ALSO play Hi-MD formats (PCM, Hi-SP, Hi-LP). If you're recording shows, the Hi-MD units can do a faster-than-realtime transfer of the Hi-MD formats, but not of SP and LP recordings.

But save your MZ-R50 if it's working. By many accounts, it's one of the most solidly built MDs ever made, and good-sounding if you don't mind the time limitations of SP.