Most suitable portable MD for vocal recording/podcasting

[michaelmcg]

Hello,

I've been an avid fan of MDs since my Dad got me one in the 90s before they were cool

The company I work with intend to use a portable Sony Mini-Disc recorder to record from a microphone.

I was just looking for advice on what would be the best for this.

The podcasts themselves would be both indoors and outdoors, mostly indoors, and will be either 1-to-1 interviews or a monologue to microphone.

I then intend to take the recording and import it to Audacity on my PC.

Microphone I like : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-FV-220-Uni-Di...6685&sr=8-8

MD I like : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MZ-N510-Porta...0725&sr=1-4

Thanks so much for reading this and any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Edited July 11, 2007 by michael mcg

[A440]

If you use an old-school MD you are going to have to record in realtime. Audacity does not "import"--it just records in realtime.

Since your company is paying for it, get a Hi-MD instead: MZ-NH700 or MZ-RH1. That will let you upload the recording directly to your computer (Windows only for NH700, Windows and Mac for MZ-RH1).

http://www.minidiscaccess.com/item.html?PRID=1553220

The MZ-N510 is not suitable. It does not have a microphone jack, only a line-in jack. A microphone jack has a preamp in the unit to make microphone recordings audible. A line-in would need an external preamp, which would cost as much as the MD recorder.

On the http:/www.minidisc.org page is a Browser tab with all the units listed. Before you buy something, make sure it has a mic jack.

[michaelmcg]

Cool. Thanks for those comments, they were invaluable.

The Sony MZ-NH700 looks like a good road to go down. So I could record it, then import it as an MP3. Then I would cut it up in Audacity ?

Thanks.

[greenmachine]

The Sony MZ-NH700 looks like a good road to go down. So I could record it, then import it as an MP3. Then I would cut it up in Audacity ?

If you care about fidelity, converting to a lossy format like mp3 should always be the last step, when the mastering is done. Use SonicStage to upload and convert to wav -> edit -> convert to final format.

[michaelmcg]

Cool. Thanks a lot guys.

I mind I bought a new MD from Curry's about three years ago and had no luck installing SonicStage 2.0, sure it was just me though.

Will try this - thanks again.

[greenmachine]

Cool. Thanks a lot guys.

I mind I bought a new MD from Curry's about three years ago and had no luck installing SonicStage 2.0, sure it was just me though.

Will try this - thanks again.

Don't use any version older than 3.2. You can download the latest version (4.3) here:

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=9586

[Strungup]

If you use an old-school MD you are going to have to record in realtime. Audacity does not "import"--it just records in realtime.

Actually Audacity is drag and drop , from a file that is already on the computer , Yes it does "Import" just not directly from the MD.

And the new version of Audacity "Imports " a lot more than it use to , will use the new Preview function on the Apple Core effects, the Apple Core effects show up in the effect list , so you get all the Mac goodies inside a FREEE editing program .

[bobt]

With the NH700 your files are uploaded into sonicstage, which is why you need the newest version possible. Audacity is best for reatime recordings, but with Hi-MD you can let SS do all the work.

If your company is doing the buying, go the little extra and get the RH1, that way if you happen to have any old MD's you can upload them, plus it is the best.

Bob

[A440]

Just to clarify:

You make a recording on the MD. Then you open SonicStage and transfer it to the computer. (The version on the disc that comes with the NH700 is probably out of date. 3.4 is the oldest version you should use, and you might as well use 4.3.) Then, with SonicStage, you convert to .wav (which takes a lot of hard disc space, so be prepared). And then you edit the .wav file with Audacity or whatever. Alternately, once the file is on your computer you can use Hi-MD Renderer (free from the Downloads section linked on the right side of this page) to convert to .mp3, but as greenmachine says, converting to mp3 lowers the quality. That may not matter on a voice recording as much as it would in music.

Files in formats Audacity can read can be dragged and dropped into Audacity. But Audacity cannot read files in the form that is on the MD.

If you do get the RH1, the disc that comes with the RH1 has an excellent version of 3.4. Bobt is right: if you're getting the unit with OPM (other people's money) get the MZ-RH1, which is the only unit that can upload files from your old MDs. The NH700 cannot do it--it can only upload its own recordings in Hi-MD formats.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...p;Q=*&bhs=t

[michaelmcg]

Fantastic, thanks for all your help.

Both the Sony MZ-NH700 and MZ-RH1 look like excellent options to go with the Sony FV-220 Uni-Directional Hand Held Microphone.

I will look into it and get back to you all once we've got something.

Thanks again!

[greenmachine]

Both of these recorders can probably record in much higher quality than the mentioned mic can deliver. If you're not satisfied with the resulting quality, look for a mic upgrade first.

[Strungup]

dont ya luv it how the newbies think they can just go go go , and the dont REAALLLLY hear what your trying to say ,

DUDE ,! Hey Ya YOU ! ... Get THE RH1 ,... and THAT MIC THAT YOU WANT ..... IT SUX !!!!! IT WILL NEED A SPECIAL CABLE AS WELL IT WONT WORK WITH THE MD THE WAY YOU WANT IT TOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I wonder if he heard me , I cant yell any louder

XLR to MD Cable instructions :

step 1 : Get a very nice 1/8 " headphone extension cable from Radio Shack , Best Buy , Circuit City etc.

step 2 : Buy a Male XLR nuetrik brand connector from Mars Music , Guitar Center , etc. etc.

step 3 : clip the female end off of the headphone cable so the male end remains to be able to plug into the MD Mic input.

step 4 : strip back the coating without damaging the individual coatings of the wires inside

step 5 : take a multimeter and check which wires go to what part of the male end ( Tip Ring Sleeve) and write it down (ie. Red to tip , yellow,to ring , etc.)

step 6 : Now this is important newbie , pay attention , The Tip and Ring wire go together and get soldered to PIN 2 of the XLR plug ... MAKE SURE OF that

Step 7 : the Ground wire , that goes to the sleeve of the male plug , gets soldered to PIN 1 and also PIN 3 and also to the TAB of the XLR plug .

then screw the cable shield onto the XLR plug , and enjoy a MONO cable that supplies sound to BOTH LEFT and RIGHT channels of the MD

If you do NOT do this , you will only get left channel audio , and there will be Phase cancelation issues that will ruin your recordings.

:rtfm:

Edited July 12, 2007 by Guitarfxr

[michaelmcg]

Loud and clear

Yeesh, looks a lot of work there for what I'm after.

I've done this in the past with no problems just using an analog out lead to my PC, and the sound seemed fine.

Now I'm even more confused.

So getting the MZ-NH700 and FV-220 is not the best solution?

The initial plan was to bypass mini-disc and just get a logitech usb desktop mic straight into Audacity, but we now need it for outdoors and indoors too.

Can anyone suggest the best microphone then to get if I were to get a MZ-NH700 and wanted to import the audio to my pc?

Thanks again.

[Strungup]

Loud and clear

Yeesh, looks a lot of work there for what I'm after.

I've done this in the past with no problems just using an analog out lead to my PC, and the sound seemed fine.

Now I'm even more confused.

So getting the MZ-NH700 and FV-220 is not the best solution?

The initial plan was to bypass mini-disc and just get a logitech usb desktop mic straight into Audacity, but we now need it for outdoors and indoors too.

Can anyone suggest the best microphone then to get if I were to get a MZ-NH700 and wanted to import the audio to my pc?

Thanks again.

Again ... You want the RH1 not the 700 yeesh !!!!!

And the rmc-40elk remote , with it gives you recording level meters (dual) on the remote screen , the Jog dial becomes the Rec level control

Get a stereo mic for it and set the unit to record Mono , or Stereo .

mono Vocal Mic will need a special cable , A number of Stereo mics are plug and play ready , if the Company is buying get the good stuff , I am a Pro sound guy ,

OPM = RH1 + RMC-40ELK remote+ AT 822 Audio Technica Stereo Microphone

If the AT is too much money , then you go for the NADY http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--NDYCM2S

there ,done

[A440]

Guitarfxr, you may be giving Michael more fidelity than he needs.

Michael, how hi-fi does this podcast have to be? Are you talking about commercial radio quality or quick-and-dirty mp3 quality?

if you are just recording speech you can use a mono mic, but unless you want to go through the whole adapter routine as above, it's best if the mic is wired to a stereo miniplug (which will look exactly like your headphone plug).

Take a look at http://www.soundprofessionals.com and http://www.microphonemadness.com for various shapes and sizes of microphones. You do NOT want a microphone (like the Sony DS70P) that just sits on the unit because it will pick up the mechanical noise of the unit. It has to be a mic on a cord. The Sony MS907 might be good for you, too, though Sony mics are said to be a little noisy.

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Pr...ed.SON+ECMMS907

The big advantage of the RH1 is that it uploads old MD recordings. The smaller advantage is that it holds Manual Volume as a setting, instead of having to go through menus to change it from Automatic. However, you'd probably be using Automatic for voice anyway. That, a much cooler design, and faster uploading is what you get for the extra $100 with RH1. And if it's other people's money, why not.

Finally, an alternate method. Look at the $200 Zoom H2, supposed to be released in August. It's got a built-in mic, it seems to be made exactly for quick and easy voice recording, and you won't have to go through the whole SonicStage rigamarole.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4801...al.html/kw/ZOH2

You might even be able to get away with an itty-bitty flash recorder like the Iriver T30, which has a built-in mic (and no moving parts to make noise) and actually sounds decent. Not excellent, like a good mic into a minidisc, but decent.

[michaelmcg]

Guitarfxr, I think it's fantastic you know so much and are sharing it, but at this stage, I really just need quick pointers on what I should do.

I reckon it'll be quick-and-dirty.

I mean we obviously would like it to be high quality, but as far as I know it won't be 'professional'.

It's really just to get good audio quality and easy to import into the computer software.

The dynamic php script itself has been ready for yonks, we just need the file really and we're sorted.

[Strungup]

I would agree with the Zoom H2 , that is a nice looking peice of gear , unsure of durablity issues ( It will be a first run item )

That gives straight drag and drop ,

But yes the advants of the RH1 for the extra money are definately worth it . for the consistency and qualty of the recording .

for just doing interview a lot of peole are still issuing the Handheld Flash recorders ,

It just that the MD will give a buttload of other options once work is done and you take it home with you , The music collection begins to grow.

[bobt]

and the RH1 just looks so cool, and if build quality is anything like the NH1, it just feels so right.

Bob

Ans of course, it uses the "source" Luke!!!

[Strungup]

Does he qualify as a "Luke " ???

hmmmmm think of this I will , the Source , see in him I do not . But Clouded My vision is with this one hmmmmmmm , Says he , that from origins he comes .. yet he does not know the way ??? strange this is , Yoda must seek the counsel for this one . Many years the Source .. known it I have .... hmmmmm ... Luke he is not .

but the way of the Source ,, learn it he may .... hmmm soon ... see we will ,..... the way of this one.

[michaelmcg]

Sorry for the delay.

So with the RH1, you don't need a microphone, you can just connect it to the computer through SonicStage and get the track?

I'm thinking either that, or the MZ-NH700 with MS907 microphone.

Thanks for the help so far.

[bobt]

Sorry for the delay.

So with the RH1, you don't need a microphone, you can just connect it to the computer through SonicStage and get the track?

I'm thinking either that, or the MZ-NH700 with MS907 microphone.

Thanks for the help so far.

With the RH1 as with any of the newer generation MD's you have a few options, if you just want to get a CD onto MD you can use simpleburner to directly put the music to MD without copying the disc to your puter. You can also use sonicstage if you have other music on your puter that you want on MD. As well if your mD has line in/mic you can use line in for real time recording of a mixing board, or a preamp if you want to record a cassette or LP, or use the Mic if you want a live recording

HTH

Bob

[A440]

I think michael mcg is talking about getting the recording from the MD to the computer.

I've gone into detail below, but it looks more complicated than it is. Connect, transfer, convert.

Here's how it goes:

1) Make a recording. Push STOP when done, hold unit steady or leave undisturbed (20-30 seconds max) while it reads Data Save/System File Writing. That's when it writes the recording onto the disc.

2) Open SonicStage on your PC. Plug in the USB cord, connect the Hi-MD.

3) A Transfer window opens in SonicStage. (Choose Hi-MD from the window's dropdown menu if you need to.) Highlight the folders or files you want to transfer. Click the red

[3a) Optional: Run File Conversion Tool (with Add Copy Protection unchecked) to remove digital rights management from the .oma files, so any computer with SonicStage will be able to play them. You don't have to do that immediately, but I've made it a habit, and you should do it sooner or later because digital rights management is a blight on humanity. Seriously, should you have Windows problems and have to do a system overhaul or reinstall, your files will still be usable. Otherwise, they are tied to the system information of your particular Windows installation.]

4) Recordings are now uploaded into the computer in Sony's own .oma format. You can have SonicStage "Save as .wav" (under Tools), which will be about 10 MB per minute of recording, so make sure you've got hard-drive space. You can do whatever you want with the .wav file with any audio editing program, or convert it to .mp3, etc. Or you can use Hi-MD Renderer to convert from .oma directly to .mp3 or other compressed formats. (Get it from Downloads, above, and have your company send Marcnet a donation--he's not a corporation, just a programmer) .

It's a lot faster than realtime copying, and the digital quality is unchanged from disc to computer.

To repeat: the MZ-NH700 only works with a PC and will only upload new Hi-MD recordings (PCM, Hi-SP, Hi-LP). The MZ-RH1 will also upload your old MD recordings onto a PC, and can also upload its own Hi-MD recordings to Mac computer.

Edited July 26, 2007 by A440

[michaelmcg]

Sweet.

Thanks so much for the efforts you made. We were hoping to get one from Amazon Markerplace, but the folks here are a bit wary of doing that, in case there's nothing to fall back on.

We have no old MDs at all, apart from my music collection , so I think the MZ-NH700 would be the most suitable.

I've used SonicStage in the past to import tracks so no worries there, just need everyone to agree on one solution.

Basically we're hoping to get:

Sony MZ-NH700 and Sony MS907 Microphone

Out of interest, would the above Sony MS907 Microphone work with the RH1? I'm pushing my luck on this, but I'm sure one of you very helpful people can assist.

Thanks again.

[A440]

The MS907 mic will work with any MD or Hi-MD unit. All the mic jacks take the same mics--basically, anything with a stereo miniplug.

You also might want to look at this mic, which claims to improve on the MS907 at a similar price.

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-PSM-3

[michaelmcg]

Thanks again for the help folks, we've just bought the RH1 and MS907 through Amazon UK Marketplace.