Questions on MZ N-707 Live Recording

[crem01]

Hi there.

I bought an MZ N-707 brand new the other week after weighing up the options of what machine to buy on the forums. I had previously used a Sony recording Walkman for taping gigs and latterly a Panasonic one with good reults. Having dropped it one too many times (once in front of a security guy coming out of the gig. It being silver he thought it was a digital camera.) I decided to have a go at minidisc recording.

I had a skytronic mic from those early days and had also purchased a Vivanco battery box and mic, but found the hassle of carrying a box, mic, recorder and wires too stressful when trying to get into the gig. I only used this once and didn't think the results were that great. I was in London and was recording a gig and wanted to invest in a new mic so went down Tottenham Court Road, which is full of electronic shops. After a lot of searching I decided upon an Olympus ME51S stereo mic, this is not battery powered. This recorded the show reasonably good so I thought I had made the right choice. This was recorded through the Mic In socket.

I went to another gig in a large hall last week and the results were OK and clear, but the sound seemed to be pulsing in and out, like a radio station that is going in and out of tune. Does anyone know the reason for this? I was stood in front of the mixing desk to the right, close to one of the speakers. Would I have been better in a more central location?

I use an extension cord with a volume control, which I think is the equivalent of a Radio Shack volume control. I plug my mic into this, then the cord into the Mic In socket.

I am thinking of selling the Olympus mic and buying a Sony ECM-719 mic. With this model, seeing as it is battery powered, would I be able to put it through the Line in socket to get a better sound or would I need a battery box?

Also, on another note, last night I was using the player and I was near the end of the disc recording a track and the REC ERR message came up, followed by TOC ERR. I looked in the manual to see what these messages meant and it said to try recording with another disc and try erasing the contents of the disc. Is this just a random error or is my machine dying. I've only had it since the end of January. I am worried about its reliability in case it does this when I'm recording a show.

I am very impressed with the forums and they have helped explain things regarding recording that I would never have known about and I could have ruined the live recordings I've made so far without these tips.

Sorry to have rambled on a bit.

[bobt]

Hi There,

Your recording problem could be the ribbon cable to the recording head starting to fail, don't use the machine any more, it could randomly start erasing discs. You could try a blank disc and see what happens, but the 707 is an old unit.

HTH

Bob

[Strungup]

Have to somewhat agree with Bob here , the 707 even if you believe you got it new , has been sitting for a LONG time , and as that electronics are made from organic compounds , something has failed prematurely . electronics , without use , do not get the energy flowing thru them to keep them active and healthy much like a human .

Your 707 definately has a problem

[crem01]

Have to somewhat agree with Bob here , the 707 even if you believe you got it new , has been sitting for a LONG time , and as that electronics are made from organic compounds , something has failed prematurely . electronics , without use , do not get the energy flowing thru them to keep them active and healthy much like a human .

Your 707 definately has a problem

Thanks for the quick replies. Looks like it is back to the drawing board and looking for another machine. What do you recommend. It will primarily be used for recording live concerts. I thought that the problem with those error messages was just something to do with the disc I was using but it looks like it is on its way out.

[raintheory]

You'll definitely want to look into the newer Hi-MD recorders... Among other things, you can upload your recordings via USB > PC.

[bobt]

Thanks for the quick replies. Looks like it is back to the drawing board and looking for another machine. What do you recommend. It will primarily be used for recording live concerts. I thought that the problem with those error messages was just something to do with the disc I was using but it looks like it is on its way out.

For budget try an NH700 or 800, like raintheory says you have the benefit of digital uploads, as well as the ability to use the 1 gig discs as well as the regular discs.

Bob

[crem01]

For budget try an NH700 or 800, like raintheory says you have the benefit of digital uploads, as well as the ability to use the 1 gig discs as well as the regular discs.

Bob

Thanks guys for the advice. Been looking at the NH700 on Amazon and that is coming out at £94.00. Can I get expect good results recording live concerts using this and a ECM 719 mic?

I have been looking at torrent sites and seeing what recording equipment others use. I notice the RH10 crops up frequently. How do these fare compared to the NH700 & NHF800?

[bobt]

Thanks guys for the advice. Been looking at the NH700 on Amazon and that is coming out at £94.00. Can I get expect good results recording live concerts using this and a ECM 719 mic?

I have been looking at torrent sites and seeing what recording equipment others use. I notice the RH10 crops up frequently. How do these fare compared to the NH700 & NHF800?

The RH10 is the lost big brother,, the OLED looks neat, but may be prone to failure, and the second generation has crippled MP3 playback. The first generation play back MP3's fine, but they are converted, second and third generation allow direct MP3 playback if that's important. Personally I think the 700 or 800 will do all you need to do until you decide you need the RH1 or M200.

JMHO

Bob

[crem01]

The RH10 is the lost big brother,, the OLED looks neat, but may be prone to failure, and the second generation has crippled MP3 playback. The first generation play back MP3's fine, but they are converted, second and third generation allow direct MP3 playback if that's important. Personally I think the 700 or 800 will do all you need to do until you decide you need the RH1 or M200.

JMHO

Bob

Thanks for that Bob, it looks like the 700 then. I'm not that bothered about a radio on the unit as I have one on my mobile phone that I can use. Will also probably invest in the ECM719 mic also. I wish I'd have looked at the forums a bit more before i bought the N-707. Never mind, I can use it when i go away on holiday, assuming it doesn't pack up on me, and keep the 700 for live recordings.

[A440]

The NH700 will record beautifully with a good mic and a battery module. But don't get the ECM 719--it's got no bass and adds a lot of noise.

Greenmachine's mics and battery box are probably your best deal. You will need both for any amplified music. Your current mic doesn't distort because it simply cuts out the bass, but you'll find it's well worth it to carry a battery box.

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=14388

In a (financial or other) pinch, you can always go to Maplins and get a VC-1 headphone volume control, technically an attenuator (about £3) and record Mic-->VC1-->Mic-in withe the VC-1 turned up to at or near its max.

Incidentally, as far as anyone knows the recording aspect of all Hi-MD units is the same. The difference is in other features, none of which are relevant for concert recording.

The other thing you should consider getting the RM-MC40ELK remote, which is expensive but worth it. You can set up recording outside the venue, put the unit on hold in your pocket and use the remote to start it, so security never sees the MD recorder itself. While the remote that comes with the NH700 will allow you to stop and start it in your pocket, the RM-MC40ELK remote also lights up and shows recording levels

Edited March 16, 2008 by A440