Recommendation

[cla337]

I'm completely new to (or will be) to the format. I'm looking for the works here. I basically want to be able to record analog, (plug to mixer or receiver, record vinyl), USB to a PC, mess with the mix (ie tag track marks, edit levels) put back to MD, and/or burn to CD. Also, use as voice recorder for lectures, noises, memos etc. Load up MP3s, wav, aac (if possible) at a fast rate (non actual time recording) Good quality sound, EQ. Sturdy, portable, convenient accessories (what do they usually come with, what do I need to buy separate).

I'm in the <$300 USD, but hoping around $200.

What's out there?

[Bananatree]

I'm pretty sure there is a way to do all of these things with MD, some will take more steps, but you can do them all.

AAC is pretty much an iPod only deal, the new Moto phones will use it, but unless you can convert the AAC file to WAV or some other compatible format, then it won't work.

A RH910 will play MP3s, record analog, upload, and let you convert your uploads to WAV for editing. I'm not sure about the sound quality or price ATM, but every Hi-MD recorder in this generation (2nd) can do this.

[A440]

Every Hi-MD except the NH-600 and NH-600D, which are essentially portable players for downloading music from the computer (Minidisc as iPod), will do all the things you specify, though you'll probably have to convert your .aac files to something else.

Take a look at the Browser on the main page for detailed comparisons of features among models.

Sturdy depends on you. You can't use them as hockey pucks. Most of the Hi-MD units are plastic, not metal. The NH1, which is metal, runs on an unusual rechargeable battery and doesn't take an outboard battery pack, so it can have battery-life problems.

The only accessory you'll need is a microphone for live recording, and (depending on the mic and your needs) a battery box, attenuator or preamp. For simple voice recording all you need is a mic. You'll also need a connector to a stereo or optical minijack from whatever you're recording out of, though you do get an mini-to-mini optical connector with the unit.

My basic concert setup is NHF-800, Sound Professionals BMC-2 mics ($29 if you find SoundPro's occasional sales on Ebay), Radio Shack Headphone Volume Control ($6.59) as attenuator.

You probably get one Hi-MD disc with a new unit, so you'll have to get some discs too.

[The Low Volta]

as promised in your doubled and hopefully removed thread...

I am completely new (well I don't have one so really I'm not even that). I don't even know what the standard features are and most retailers ie. Frys, Goodguys only carry netMDs that dont do any analogue recording. So thus I'm here, in serious need for a recommendation.

Criteria

1) Record analogue from a mixer or receiver.

2) Live recording- voice memos (close up), lecture or concert recording.

3) Good quality sound (are there any cons to HiMD vs MD...)(EQ's? or not really necessary?)

4) Upload these recordings to a PC in order to convert to CD.

5) Decent upload/download speed

6) Sturdy, good battery life, lit display?

7) USB

What accesories usually come with this product you suggest? What accesories should I get (ie what's a good small mic? Good adaptors/connections? Replacement batteries? Charger? Remote?)

I'll pay serious money for a good all around product (maybe $300ish USD). What's the diff with the mzrh10/910/710 series with the mznh1...is one series an update of the other...are there some features that got better or worse? From what I read, the nh1 software is stubborn about ripping live recordings to PC to CD...and bugs in which data is lost...is this fixed in the rh10? I'm just not sure...too much to compare over the internet.

my recommendations:

1. as clearly answered already: ALL hi-md except for models with "D" (like NH-600D) can record through analog

2. AND through a (external) mic (none have an intenal for memos!)

3. sound quality

a) for recording: all hi-md produce quite the same quality recordings (depends on mics used!!)

b ) for playback: there seems to be a little difference depending on the AMP used (HD or digital or something...) but I really dunno anything about that (maybe anyone else here?)

4. again as stated above ALL hi-md do this, no other type (net-md or anything else) does so hi-md it is!

5. depends more on the SonicStage software (which is the same for all hi-md models) than on anything else, but since all hi-md use USB1, this will always be reletively low (but certainly much faster than realtime!!)

6.

a) sturdy -> nh1 wins (all magnesium), followed by nh900 (half mag/half plastic) and all the rest (all plastic) but remember that polymeres have upgraded a lot, so the all plastic models won't crack unless you intend to throw 'em around and stuff

b ) batt life: lower end models of the 1st gen (nh600-800) take AA's only. they will run for a long time and are easily replaceable; nh900 and the 2nd gen models (I think) run on a gumstick batt (upgradeable to a very good one) and have an external AA-addon (for those extended use moments); only the nh1 has the gumstick as the only possibility (so if batt life is THE issue, don't get the nh1)

c) lit display: on the recorder, only the rh10 has a very nice OLED which lights up even the dullest party, all the rest feature unlit lcds; on the remote: here there are a lot more factors playing... (lie which country/region you're buying from and stuff; and whether you want to invest in a supplementary remote) but I can attest tha the nh900 one is well lit and the nh1's too (search the forum for more info on this... there are a lot of topics about remotes!!)

7. again ALL hi-mds (even the D-models) have USB1

accessories depend on the region you're buying from i.e. japan gets more than euope and n-am and stuff, where and what to buy for improving your machine? just browse and search these forums... there are topics concerning 'phones, batteries, cargers/adapters, soft/hard carrying cases, anything you can dream of... but you have to do a lttle effort and search!

mzrh710/910/10 are 2nd generation models (ordered by increasing features) and as their biggest difference with the 1st gen, they support native MP3 playback (no conversion needed)

mznh600D/600/700/800/900/1 are the 1st gen models (again by increasing features) and can only play MP3s after conversion to an attrac-type

all of these models use SonicStage (SS) and/or SimpleBurner (SB). important (no mather which model you use) is to use the latest version of both (available here on MDCF for free ) which will cure a lot of the problems you read about...

hope this was a little bit helpfull, but for future uses of these forums (MDCF) please don't start a new thread on the same topic if you still have a question and browse a bit and/or use the search function (it is there for a reason and it works just fine) 'cause A LOT of the info given here was already provided (multiple times) in other threads

Edited May 10, 2005 by The Low Volta

[cla337]

Sorry about the double. I wrote it in the wrong sub forum initially, so that's why I reposted it. Also I was just trying to clarify a previous post cuz it didn't seem I was getting a clear response. Just got impatient. Thanks for the info though. I'm thinking I'm going to go with an rh10 or 910. Any other bugs I need to look out for? Thanks.

And I wont double post again...apologies again.

[The Low Volta]

And I wont double post again...apologies again.

←

no problem... just three threads on the same subject within that little time freaked me out a bit... and about impatience... remember this is a forum and not a chatroom: therefore some of the wisest and most interesting commentators (no not me ) who happen to live on the other side of the globe won't always respond within e few minutes (or even hours)

there is some issue with the rh10 not displaying all letters in the edit title menu (which is not really crippling I guess), but you'd be better of wih the comments of an owner (as I'm only a poor 1st gen nh900 owner, and a very happy one for that I must say).

and just check some of the threads on these machines, 'cause there are some things to keep in mind especially connected to the region you're buying from... but again as a 1st gen'er, I know very little of that.

good luck with hi-md and WELCOME TO MDCF!!

[mrtunes]

The only accessory you'll need is a microphone for live recording, and (depending on the mic and your needs) a battery box, attenuator or preamp. For simple voice recording all you need is a mic.  You'll also need a connector to a stereo or optical minijack from whatever you're recording out of, though you do get an mini-to-mini optical connector with the unit.

My basic concert setup is NHF-800, Sound Professionals BMC-2 mics ($29 if you find SoundPro's occasional sales on Ebay), Radio Shack Headphone Volume Control ($6.59) as attenuator.

if i want a pair of sound professionals in ear binaurals (TFB2 i think is the model), and you are using them with the MZRH910 - which sensitivity would you get(high or low)?

and can anyone clarify for me: this model of minidisc will record in PCM Wave, and upload that Wave through a USB cable(thus eliminating lineout/headphone problems) AND retain all of its quality in that process?

[A440]

If you're going to be recording music, try the low sensitivity--maybe you can do without an attenuator. If you're also going to be using them for speech and quiet sounds, get the high, and then use the attenuator when needed.

PCM recording and uploading via USB with no loss: yes, with all Hi-MD recorders. It will take a while to upload because it's a slow USB 1.1 connection, and when it's uploaded you have to "convert to .wav" to get it out of SonicStage's encryption. But this is one promise Hi-MD actually does live up to.

When you get the unit, install the latest version of SonicStage (3.1) rather than the one on the disc that comes with it.

[mrtunes]

If you're going to be recording music, try the low sensitivity--maybe you can do without an attenuator. If you're also going to be using them for speech and quiet sounds, get the high, and then use the attenuator when needed.

PCM recording and uploading via USB with no loss: yes, with all Hi-MD recorders. It will take a while to upload because it's a slow USB 1.0 connection, and when it's uploaded you have to "convert to .wav" to get it out of SonicStage's encryption. But this is one promise Hi-MD actually does live up to.

When you get the unit, install the latest version of SonicStage (3.1)  rather than the one on the disc that comes with it.

←

thank you!

are you talking about the attenuator on the sony minidisc(it can set recording levels during record right?) or with a 6 dollar volume slider from radio shack or something - with the in-ear binaurals you cant moniter the signal while they are in your ears so this must be a tricky thing to do.

EDIT: looking to record city ambiences with this - so traffic, street crowds, nature in the park, etc... a wide range of noises

i dont mind that it takes a while to upload as i value the digital transfer over analog where you have to set the levels.

have you used these mics with this recorder? or just another hi-md one?

Edited May 13, 2005 by mrtunes

[A440]

I mean the $6 volume control from Radio Shack, but for the kinds of sounds you mention you might be able to do without it. You'll just have to try and see.

True, you can't monitor with in-ear binaurals, but basically you just want to make sure the level isn t peaking by watching the meter.

To anyone's knowledge, the recorders all work the same. No, I haven't used those mics with that recorder, but I'm confident you'd get the same results. The BMC-2's I use, and a lot of other microphones, all seem to use the same basic Panasonic capsules--WM61--or something with identical specs. The in-ear binaurals have the same specs too.

Take a look in the Gallery (link at the top center of this page) There are a lot of ambient recordings, with information on what mics and settings were used.

[mrtunes]

PCM recording and uploading via USB with no loss: yes, with all Hi-MD recorders. It will take a while to upload because it's a slow USB 1.1 connection, and when it's uploaded you have to "convert to .wav" to get it out of SonicStage's encryption. But this is one promise Hi-MD actually does live up to.

so this is one promise Hi-MD lives up to, but what have they lied about otherwise?

thanks for the info on the mics!

[IguanaRide]

6.

a) sturdy -> nh1 wins (all magnesium), followed by nh900 (half mag/half plastic) and all the rest (all plastic) but remember that polymeres have upgraded a lot, so the all plastic models won't crack unless you intend to throw 'em around and stuff

I know this is a minor detail; but I believe the NH900 is half Aluminum/half plastic.

As far as i know, Sony only used magnesium for the NH1 (which has mixed reviews among users).

IR