Minidisc for DJ : MDS-DRE1

[PhilippeC]

I borrowed it from phamcu to try it during the vietnamese new year period (Têt).

This is a huge machine. I am sorry it is not a sampler... The unit like any MD player is only able to listen to one track at a time. But it work faster than any deck and as you can understand faster than any portable unit to change track and to go to any cue point you want, make a loop, etc. I am so sorry it is not possible to mix an external source with a MD track directly. Ok, I need an external mixer to do that. You can change speed, pitch and use the scrub dial. Compare to a recent machine you miss many features but it is the ONLY MD unit for DL guys ! Kind of collector.

For what it could be useful for me ? I have a Korg Kaossilator and a miniKP.

The Korg Kaossilator is a "Dynamic Phrase Synthetizer". You can have a good idea of what to do with it here (Yellow Album) : http://www.reverbnat.../theyellowalbum . The Korg miniKP is "Dynamic Effect Processor". There are plenty of videos on Youtube.

I also have Fruity Loops Studio 9 on my computer but that is gas factory.

It is not difficult to RECORD any music I create with

the Kaossilor

+/- FL Studio 9

with a MD deck or portable MD

+/- Korg miniKP ---> amplifier or headphone

but the use all these tracks after all in a DJ session to be able to make a long track, that it quite a challenge.

The MDS-DRE1 is perhaps a good tool to take in charge the "long track" work, not forgetting to write on a block note what settings did I used for each track with both the Kaossilator, both FL Studio 9 (to be able to do it again !). I will be able to record dozen of short tracks based on close settings. Then I will keep only good ones jointly with a choice of effects applied by the Korg miniKP. There is a feature nammed BrackTracking that allowed to record an external source during a MD track playback. But there no way to mix that new track during or after the recording. Just apply one pad to this new track.

The MDS-DRE1 is not like a sampler. A sampler allow to apply tracks to pads and then play selected tracks at the same time. For that the MDS-DRE1 is not the machine I am searching for as you cannot play more than one track at the same time. Look like more a recorder for me but it is a good one as editing is more easy on the MDS-DRE1 than on my JB980. Still need a mixer to do what I want.

What do you think ?

[netmduser]

Nice equipment it would be nice to hear a few samples.

[PhilippeC]

Nothing special about the DRE1 sound, this is a MD recorder & player with the same features than all MD decks. Just gave access to a more sensible editing and above all a fast access to tracks, variable pitch and speed, fast forward and rewind, etc.

I don't think I will keep it after all. I am not that crazy to buy this deck just ONLY because it is a collector.

[Jimma]

I have been DJing for many years using vinyl and my trusty Technics SL-1210s but I am also obviously a huge fan of MiniDisc so these types of decks that are orientated towards DJ use have always been of interest to me.

Sadly I've never had the opportunity to try out either the DRE1 or one of Denon's DJ setups such as the DN-M2300R.

I think that as the Sony decks are individual I would favour these over the combined Denon units and I would assume both are similar to cd decks as far as DJing is concerned.

Having used cd decks such as the Pioneer CDJ-1000 on several occasions with great success, I still find myself sticking to vinyl as it is a much more physical, hands on affair and I feel like I'm putting on much more of a performance.

Saying that though, I would still one day like to acquire a pair of MDS-DRE1s as I think it would be fun and very unusual to be able to play a set from MiniDiscs for a change rather than recording my live sets onto them.

[PhilippeC]

Thanks Jimma

[PhilippeC]

I have already gave it back to Pham Cu. Like you say TWO of this unit are necessary to practice as a MDJ .

[jonathanpotato]

I have found this video yesterday :

Nice unit.

[PhilippeC]

Je ne la trouve pas très utile pour mon usage perso en tout cas.

Not very useful for me, not a sampler machine.

[nrand]

I have been DJing for many years using vinyl and my trusty Technics SL-1210s but I am also obviously a huge fan of MiniDisc so these types of decks that are orientated towards DJ use have always been of interest to me.

Sadly I've never had the opportunity to try out either the DRE1 or one of Denon's DJ setups such as the DN-M2300R.

I have/had similar needs for a new community radio programme, and after a couple of months of trawling the internet, I managed to find a new DN-M2300R from a Tech warehouse in Austria. It has not arrived yet, so I cannot verify the claims, but the seller does major AV projects and used ebay only it appears to sell off NOS. The auction did not generate a lot of interest so I managed to get it for 336 EUR. This plus postage put me $0.65 over my AU $500 budget - whew!

Anyway I figured for the price it was worth the risk. It has very similar specs to the DN 991R/990 and I was considering a couple of these ex-BBC until the 2300 popped up. I like the features a lot.

I'll use my MD ES12, wired into my home studio to record the discs, then carry the Denon back and forth to the radio station. It should be fun.. and I'll post a follow-up comment once the unit arrives.