I'm about to purchase an MD-DR7, but...

[Guest Anonymous]

I want to make sure this is a good decision. I'm new to MD (obviously), and I've spent many hours reading about different recorders, etc. and now I have a headache. So I guess I'm just going to go with the DR7, but want to make sure it will cater to my needs:

I want to record live rock shows, mostly in small venues (but sometimes they will be big concerts), and transfer them to my computer and burn them on CD-R. Sound quality is important to me. This is probably all I will ever use my MD for.

So is the DR7 the right one to get?

Also, what mic should I buy for the best quality?

And one other question: Is there any difference between the DR470, DR480, and DR7? What places are cheap to buy from? Audiocubes has it for $239

Thanks!

Kenny

[Skagen]

I want to record live rock shows, mostly in small venues (but sometimes they will be big concerts), and transfer them to my computer and burn them on CD-R.  Sound quality is important to me.  This is probably all I will ever use my MD for.  

So is the DR7 the right one to get?  

Of the recorders out there the DR7 is porbbaly the best sound quality. Someone who knows about mics also claims that it has the best quality mic-preamp (aka "mic-in"). The DR7 works equally well with unpowered mics (into the mic-in) and powered mics (plug into the line-in) On that basis, the DR7 is a great choice for you. I have one myself and I love it.

Regarding transfer to you computer, NO portable mindisc recorder can do this digitally. They all require you to play back the sound in real time naalog and re-record it onto your comuter (Yes, I think its retarded too, but that's what the facts are). So the best way to get your recordings from your MD to you computer is to buy the I-mic from Griffin Technologies, which is a usb connector with input and ouput jacks that you can plug into. It'll give you the cleanest analog line into your computer.

 

Also, what mic should I buy for the best quality?  

I'm not too knowledgeale in that territory, so hopefully someone else can help you there

And one other question: Is there any difference between the DR470, DR480, and DR7?  What places are cheap to buy from?  Audiocubes has it for $239

The unit is exactly the same for all three, except for the name and some minor labelling differences on the minidisc unit itself. The DR7 is the Japanese version. The other two are the Singapore and European names for it. They have minor additonal accessories. The singapoer version has a world charger and the euro version has a European charger None make a difference.

I think the Malaysian version is the cheapest in US $ terms and it comes with a the most accessories. Also the world charger it has is key since the other will run on Japanese or European current - ie they require you to buy a poer adapter. Some say the Jpanese current (100 Volts) is close enough to US (120 volts) and you canjust use it. I've done it before, but I don't know if that might shorten the life of the charger. It definiely wont hurt the unit though.

www.teamdigital.net carries the Singapore version, and might be lower than audiocubes.

[Guest Anonymous]

Thanks very much for your input. I think I'm gonna go with the DR7 and Core Sound Low Cost Binaural or Stealth Cardoid Microphones. (Not sure which one of these to get). The guy at Core Sound said I don't need a battery box with these. Is this a good choice?

Also, is there anything else I need to buy? Or do I just need the DR7 and the Core Sound mics, and I'm set to go?

thanks!

[Guest Anonymous]

Oops, that last post was from me. Not "guest."