vibrations causing upload errors?

[m15a]

i'm interested in recording environmental sounds while walking or on the train. i've tried this twice, and my results have been unsatisfactory, as in both cases, near half of my tracks have errors when uploading. i figure it has something to do with the vibration, but if there's no way around it, that's a real downer. since at this point, this is my main recording use for unit.

the first time i recorded, i recorded in hi-sp and used few track marks, but ended up losing hours of recording. the second time, i used a new disc, pcm recording, and many track marks, but still ended up losing hours (well, maybe an hour) of recording, but just random pieces throughout. i want to record at least a full 20 minutes of sound and i can't see much i can do to cut down on the vibration. i hold the unit in my hand, not my pocket.

so, do any of you have suggestions? is it just a limitation of the device, or do you have experience to the contrary? or maybe there are a few guidelines i am overlooking?

thanks for your help. i'm really hesitant to use the device at all for recording now, since i don't want to be disappointed with wasting all my hard (well, not very hard) work.

[A440]

First, what unit are you using, and how old? Could some connection be loose?

Are you using a current SonicStage, 3.4 or 4.0 ?

There's always a possibility that you have a bad disc, so if you have an alternate one you might try another experiment.

How bad is the vibration? Are you really jerking around or shaking? Trains speeding down bad tracks?

A little vibration hasn't been any problem for me. I've ended up doing a lot of accidental recording walking into concerts, up stairs, etc., and while I don't usually try to upload the stuff, it's very playable on the disc and I don't see any reason it wouldn't upload.

But it really depends on your individual situation--enough vibration and there will definitely be a problem. Maybe your hand isn't the right place for the unit. Maybe you could try recording again with the unit in your pocket, wrapped in bubble wrap.

Edited August 15, 2006 by A440

[m15a]

thanks for the reply. and sorry i left out the details. i'm using a new mz-m100. sonicstage 3.4. i didn't think the vibration was that bad, so i was kind of surprised that there were problems. thinking about it, i actually lost one recording i made with the device kept on a table. there is a chance i banged it once or twice, though. but no repeated shaking. it seems like i have more problems uploading the tracks than playing them. i know i can do real-time recording and i will definitely use that as a last option. i used two different discs with similar problems, but i could have gotten a couple bad discs. both had bounced around in ups-land.

i'll try again some time soon. it is reassuring that this isn't a problem with md recorders in general.

besides avoiding vibration and bad discs, are there other things to look out for?

[A440]

Take a look at this post from fishstyc (it's no. 6 if the link doesn't go right there) on getting the recording off a bad disc. Try it with one of your problematic ones.

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?s=&am...st&p=106278

Since it's a brand new unit you should contact Sony about the problem. It's possible there's a problem with the unit and that you should simply replace it. Or Sony may have other advice.

Does vibration affect playback?

Edited August 16, 2006 by A440

[m15a]

thanks again. i'll try that method if i have problems. and i'll try to make time for another test some time soon. if i get similar results, i'll contact sony.