drop-out on minidiscs

[snsik]

Hello everyone,

first of all it's great to find so great source for minidisc as this forum is.

A year ago I bought my first minidisc and except some SS transfer problems (which I fixed all already) I never complain about them. I recorded with it nearly 50 shows.

Unfortunately I have a problem now and I hope someone in here can help me.

I have Sony MZ-NH700. On January I recorded a show, outside the venue was 20 minus degree, inside venue was about 25 plus. I recorded 2 minidiscs, first came with no problems, 2nd has about 30 drop outs at the last 20 minutes of 70mins recording. They are just a 0,5-2 secs drop outs, unfortunately it's unable to transfer disc via SS. Of course I found I can cut the big track on MD using T-Mark button. So I did, i cut all drop outs, and transfered the rest. Thought it might be because of faulty disc.

From that time I recorded about 20 shows and none problems came. On 3rd July I recorded a show and there's only one drop-out on 1st disc, no problem at all. But then I recorded 2 shows on 6 and 7th July.

Here's what I recorded:

1. 6th july support band - 1st disc, no drop outs. 45mins

2. 6th july main band - 2nd disc, two 1sec drop outs, 2mins before the end of disc (94mins)

3. 6th july main band encores - 3rd disc, no problem (20mins)

3. 7th july support band - using 3rd disc, recorded 45mins, first 5 mins are full of drop outs, every 5secs I would say.

4. 7th july main band - using 4th disc, recorded 74 mins (55min from 1set, then cut and 20min for encore), no problem

5. 7th july main band - using 5disc, no problems.

Discs 1,3,4,5 might be used 4-5 times previously, but disc 2 was bought few hrs before recording.

What it could be? Damaged discs, dirty lens (never cleaned them since i bought it - 1year ago), laser unit damage or maybe a mic problem? Anyone got the same problem?

If anyone can help me, I would be thankful.

cheers

Peter aka snsik

[greenmachine]

Did you move the unit during recording? MD is a mechanical medium. In vertical position the mechanism is particularly susceptible to shock.

[bratt]

Has the disc got dust or hairs on it? (probably not as it's new)

I've experienced a few problems because of this. Easily fixed by carefully opening the disk shutter and turning the disc until you see the dirt/hair/whatever and removing it by by one of those air duster thingies.