what player to buy?

[hamboneblivers]

so I have a mz-r50 and it finally died on me...it's old and I bought it off e-bay pretty cheap. I would like to invest in another MD for recording purposes mainly. I like to record through soundboards for smaller bands and such, sometimes I use a mic (I have the ECM-907) and I would like a player with the best recording possibilities, with a good price of course. the mz-r50 has been great, but what I don't like is it doesn't have an LP2 or anything else but mono and the standard. I definately want an MD with LP2 capabilities...line in, line out, mic, LP2...any suggestions. thanks all, peace

[greenmachine]

We have Hi-MD these days with all its benefits. I think this is what you want - if you can / want to afford it. Otherwise, NetMD and a few pre-NetMD devices with MDLP capabilities can be had used for relatively little money. Take a look at the equipment browser for details.

[hamboneblivers]

We have Hi-MD these days with all its benefits. I think this is what you want - if you can / want to afford it. Otherwise, NetMD and a few pre-NetMD devices with MDLP capabilities can be had used for relatively little money. Take a look at the equipment browser for details.

could you recomend some specific models for me please? I'm really not sure what hi-md...pre-netmd...even mean. I'm not much for hanging on the net and researching, I just want a player that will record with the capabilities I listed above, not much else. I use mine for recording only, so any help as far as certain models that some folks are using or their favorite MD's to record with would be great, then I'll look them up from there. thanks yall

Edited March 1, 2006 by hamboneblivers

[bland10000]

You want a recorder, not just a player.

Currently there are two types of recording formats available on recorders; netmd and hi-md.

If you want to go with netmd the only Sony unit that can be bought new is the mz-n920. It has both mic and line-in, can record, using these inputs, in SP292, LP2 132, and LP4 64 or 68 I can't remember which. With the netmd function, you can record music from the computer to your minidisc faster than real-time using either sonicstage or realplayer. With this recorder if you want to transfer the music from your minidisc to the computer you will have to go out of the headphone socket into your computer sound-card and use a program to capture the audio.

There is also a Sharp model recorder, the md-dr77, which will record via line and mic into SP, LP2, and LP4. This model doesn't have netmd functions but there is the md-dr80 which does. The difference between the two is the 80 has netmd but no unit-display; you have to use the remote to see your functions when you are doing field recordings.

The hi-md models that have both mic and line-in are the 2nd generation* of hi-md models mz-rh10 and mz-rh910. They record in PCM 1411, hi-sp 256, and hi-lp 64 or 68 can't remember which is which. This can also function as a netmd style, transfering from computer to minidisc by using Sonicstage; realplayer does not support hi-md. The advantage that hi-md has is you can upload your recordings to the computer and at speeds faster than real-time.

*There are also 1st generation hi-md models that have both mic and line-in but I'm not familiar with that generation so someone will add the info.

A few places to look at to see the recorders is audiocubes.com and minidisco.com.

[A440]

line in, line out, mic, LP2

First, a hearty welcome to the 21st century.

Hi-MD is the new version of minidisc. It will record on and play back your old (MD) discs in SP, LP2 and LP4. It will also record and play on new 1GB discs (and on regular MD) in newer formats that can be uploaded digitally to PCs (not Macs): Hi-SP, Hi-LP and CD-quality PCM (about 90 minutes on a 1GB disc).

Everything mentioned below has line-in and mic-in and plays LP2. There are no line-out jacks--it's all out of the headphone jack.

Look at the Browser tab on http://www.minidisc.org for more details on the following

MZ-NH700

MZ-NHF800 (same as NH700 plus FM radio remote)

Those were 2004 models and are hard to find at retail. You may find some new bargains, bought when Sony closed them out, on Ebay.

Those are my favorites because they run on an AA battery--a small bulge in the back is worth it for the long battery life and easy battery replacement. Other models take a rechargeable gumstick battery and come with an outboard pod for an AA battery--bulky.

Newer versions are the MZ-R910 and MZ-R10--the same unit, though the R10 has a light-up display. Gumstick battery plus AA pod. Try www.jr.com if you're in the USA.

Desperate for line-out? You'll have to find an NH-900. But as far as I know, it's just a menu setting that turns off any EQ (custom sound settings) and maximizes the volume--something you can do manually on the other units.

Don't want to upload those recordings or record in CD quality? Then NetMD suits you: records SP, LP2 and LP4 (four times the length of SP, but lousy quality). Line-out is still hard to find, but look at MZ-R700, MZ-N707 (both AA battery) and MZ-N910 , or consult the Browser with models you see on Ebay. They're all getting pretty old, which may mean they've had a lot of use.

I'm not much for hanging on the net and researching.

That's a good recipe for getting ripped off.

Edited March 1, 2006 by A440

[hamboneblivers]

First, a hearty welcome to the 21st century.

Hi-MD is the new version of minidisc. It will record on and play back your old (MD) discs in SP, LP2 and LP4. It will also record and play on new 1GB discs (and on regular MD) in newer formats that can be uploaded digitally to PCs (not Macs): Hi-SP, Hi-LP and CD-quality PCM (about 90 minutes on a 1GB disc).

Everything mentioned below has line-in and mic-in and plays LP2. There are no line-out jacks--it's all out of the headphone jack.

Look at the Browser tab on http://www.minidisc.org for more details on the following

MZ-NH700

MZ-NHF800 (same as NH700 plus FM radio remote)

Those were 2004 models and are hard to find at retail. You may find some new bargains, bought when Sony closed them out, on Ebay.

Those are my favorites because they run on an AA battery--a small bulge in the back is worth it for the long battery life and easy battery replacement. Other models take a rechargeable gumstick battery and come with an outboard pod for an AA battery--bulky.

Newer versions are the MZ-R910 and MZ-R10--the same unit, though the R10 has a light-up display. Gumstick battery plus AA pod. Try www.jr.com if you're in the USA.

Desperate for line-out? You'll have to find an NH-900. But as far as I know, it's just a menu setting that turns off any EQ (custom sound settings) and maximizes the volume--something you can do manually on the other units.

Don't want to upload those recordings or record in CD quality? Then NetMD suits you: records SP, LP2 and LP4 (four times the length of SP, but lousy quality). Line-out is still hard to find, but look at MZ-R700, MZ-N707 (both AA battery) and MZ-N910 , or consult the Browser with models you see on Ebay. They're all getting pretty old, which may mean they've had a lot of use.

That's a good recipe for getting ripped off.

yea, I know...thats why I came here to ask you fine folks, so I could have a nice start to narrow my research. ya'll have been a big help already! The line out is not that necessary. I record from a soundboard mainly so the line in and mic should be good to go...righteous!!! peace out...anyone else! any other tapers out there?

[Roamer]

I would also suggest HiMd because of the uploading capabilities. And with more than 7 hours in HiSP, I don't see anymore need using LP2 for live recording, even if my NH900 could do it.

[A440]

any other tapers out there?

The only reason to get minidisc is for recording. I suspect a considerable majority of the regulars here are digital "tapers."

[The Low Volta]

I'm one for sure (thanks to greenmachine)... just listening to my latest 'tape' ... the arctic monkeys

...nice... [in a fast show 'jazz-club' kinda way]