Which MD for EVP recordings?

[metalmicky]

Can anyone help?

I'm looking for an MD to take on Paranormal Investigations to try and record EVP. I need a unit that i can put a mic into and also transfer recordings (hopefully good quality recordings without too much interferance)to my PC. Any ideas?

[A440]

Every Hi-MD recorder will make good quality recordings that you can transfer to a PC. Hi-MD recorders have an H in the model number. Other minidisc units are not Hi-MD--they do not transfer to computer.

Cheapest is the MZ-NH700, which also has the advantage of taking a regular AA battery.

http://www.minidiscaccess.com/generic76.html

Fanciest, and also able to upload to Apple computers, is the MZ-RH1, widely available for around $300.

Don't bother with other Hi-MD models unless you can find a super bargain, and ask here first before you buy. The MZ-NH600 and MZ-RH710 do not have microphone inputs, only line inputs that need an amplified source. THe MZ-NH600D and MZ-DH10P have no realtime input at all.

Don't buy them bundled with a Sony mic, which will be noisy. Despite what photos show, you cannot just plug a T-shaped mic into the unit and have it sit directly on the unit because it will pick up the noise of the motor and vibration from the unit. You need a mic on a cord that you can separate from the unit.

Your choice of microphone will be crucial. The Hi-MD unit will give you just about as good a recording as your mic can deliver.

If you are recording very quiet sounds you need a mic with specifications that show high sensitivity and a high S/N (signal-to-noise) ratio. The best way to record very quiet sounds is with a mic and a separate preamp going into Line-in. But the built-in preamp at the Mic-in jack of a Hi-MD unit is surprisingly good.

For very quiet sounds you may also want to look into the Edirol R09. That is a flash recorder that does not have moving parts, so the recorder itself will be quieter than a minidisc unit. It also has built-in stereo microphones.

Have lots and lots of money? Take a look here for some high-end mics and other info.

http://www.sonicstudios.com/tips.htm

Note that they are a bit confused about minidisc and haven't discovered the MZ-RH1 yet. Contrary to what you will see about the MD units they mention, the MZ-RH1 does hold the manual level setting.

[raintheory]

I was under the impression that traditional EVP recordings required magnetic tape recorders... That the phenomenon was caused by fluctuations in the electromagnetic field (of possible paranormal origin), hence magnetic tape recorder...

MiniDisc may work regardless, as it uses magneto technology. Would be interesting to hear your results.

Edited April 22, 2007 by raintheory

[metalmicky]

Thankyou very much for your replies, the NH 700 sounds the one! I will let you know how i get on with the recordings.

Thanks again.