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MZ-RH1 - errors in my recordings?

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floz23

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Hi,

So, I have been incredibly pleased with my new setup. Currently I have a external preamp running into my RH1 via Line-In. Damn the recordings sound good. But, when I listen carefully, I often hear VERY VERY tiny "blips" and "clicks", or sometimes it sounds like the sound disappears for just a tiny fraction of a second.

This is apparent after I upload the tracks to my computer, via usb. I think the error correction circuitry is kicking in more often than I would like. Is this normal? I have to listen very very closely with my IEM's (Shure E4's)... Most people really wouldnt be able to hear these slight errors.

If this isnt normal, is there some settings I could play with in the service mode? Should I send it back to sony for repair? I really dont want to be without my MD recorder for a whole 10 days, especially if they say there is nothing wrong and send back the unit unrepaired.

-Adam

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Can you upload something with the errors you hear, and point out where they are in the timing?

Do you hear them in playback from the disc as well as on the computer?

Do you hear them by playing back the disc through SonicStage when connected to the computer by USB?

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Hi,

So, I have been incredibly pleased with my new setup. Currently I have a external preamp running into my RH1 via Line-In. Damn the recordings sound good. But, when I listen carefully, I often hear VERY VERY tiny "blips" and "clicks", or sometimes it sounds like the sound disappears for just a tiny fraction of a second.

This is apparent after I upload the tracks to my computer, via usb. I think the error correction circuitry is kicking in more often than I would like. Is this normal? I have to listen very very closely with my IEM's (Shure E4's)... Most people really wouldnt be able to hear these slight errors.

If this isnt normal, is there some settings I could play with in the service mode? Should I send it back to sony for repair? I really dont want to be without my MD recorder for a whole 10 days, especially if they say there is nothing wrong and send back the unit unrepaired.

-Adam

Is the external pre phantom powering the mics? might be voltage spikes in the preamp , it happens , just enough but not really noticable. with a new mic pre , it takes a little breaking in period before they actually sound good. especially tube pres. If your running the Preamp Hot ( high Levels ) you might be just at the edge of clipping , Adjusting levels is a finesse thing not an all or nothing thing . The output of the Preamp might also be +4 db which is very hot on the line in of the MD which is setup for 0db or -10 consumer gear , a pro mic pre will have a +4 out . If you have a switch on the mic pre that says -10

db or +4 db out , then select the -10 , That will make the MD happy

Edited by Guitarfxr
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I doubt it's the error correction... you wouldn't be able to hear it if it were correcting errors. :)

Did you happen to have the remote plugged in, and using it, while recording? The backlight on the remotes have been known to introduce exactly the kind of audible glitches you're describing...

Additionally, having the AC adapter plugged in while recording MAY cause similar issue if your power is glitchy...

Edited by Justin42
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OK everyone, just so you don't think I'm totally crazy.

Here is a sample as promised a while ago.

listen carefully on the right channel between SECOND 1.9 and 2.0

You will hear, if you still have good hearing, and a decent pair of monitors or IEM's, a tiny little blip/click. These are peppered all throughout my recordings :~(

Please someone advise, they drive me crazy.

-Adam

error.wav

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Wow, I hear absolutely nothing unusual, but I'm just using my (fairly decent but not reference quality) PC speakers, but even normalizing the volume up I heard nothing and saw nothing in the waveform (if anything, the left channel had a higher level at the area you described) looking at it in a sound editor.

How are you listening back to these? Have you tried burning a CD and seeing if you still hear it?

I am not doubting you're hearing something (as I noticed a strange 'ticking' noise listening to my RH1 over the weekend that I haven't gone through the hassle of diagnosing yet [new cables, PC download, etc] so your posts re-caught my eye) but I wonder if it's being introduced by something else in your workflow...

do you hear it listening back on the RH1 itself? What about if you plug the RH1 into different headphones, or put it in Line Out mode to a stereo?

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Justin,

Thanks for your input, I haven't tried to play back the MD to see if I can identify the error on the machine itself. Quite frankly, even if the error in question isnt heard over the md player itself, its still a problem of the workflow, and therefore final work-product output.

I mentioned the error correction circuitry, because the error described reminds me VERY much of the type of dropouts you get on MiniDV tape, little tiny audio "blips". Thats a bitch too, because when you play a corrupted tape back via analog out, it may look almost normal, but when you try to dump the tape via firewire, the errors on the tape become magically exposed. Anyone who has dealt with minidv cameras a lot should know exactly what I'm talking about.

Anyway, I'm sorry to report that I am currently auctioning off all of my Minidisc equipment. It wasnt an easy decision, but I simply need a more trouble free recording workflow. My decision was to get an Edirol R-09 with an 8GB SDHC card, and to continue to use my external mic preamp.

Everyone, thanks for your help, I really did try to give the format one last try!

-Adam S.

ps- Justin, you may not be able to hear the tiny little "bllip" I was describing, you really really need some good IEM's or headphones to hear it.

Wow, I hear absolutely nothing unusual, but I'm just using my (fairly decent but not reference quality) PC speakers, but even normalizing the volume up I heard nothing and saw nothing in the waveform (if anything, the left channel had a higher level at the area you described) looking at it in a sound editor.

How are you listening back to these? Have you tried burning a CD and seeing if you still hear it?

I am not doubting you're hearing something (as I noticed a strange 'ticking' noise listening to my RH1 over the weekend that I haven't gone through the hassle of diagnosing yet [new cables, PC download, etc] so your posts re-caught my eye) but I wonder if it's being introduced by something else in your workflow...

do you hear it listening back on the RH1 itself? What about if you plug the RH1 into different headphones, or put it in Line Out mode to a stereo?

Edited by floz23
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