A simple question PLEASE HELP :)

[crow]

I'm traveling abroad this Summer and want to capture the sounds I hear for fun and language study. I need to buy a MiniDisc recorder that can record from a mic and I know that even if it's called a recorder it might not record that way. (My roommate last year had one that was called a recorder but only recorded from his computer and had to rent a different one.)

Question: What kind of MiniDisc recorders can record from "live" sources? I'm talking no computers or anything, just plugging a mic into the puppy.

I'm looking for a cheap-ish model - something sturdy that is of good quality. Long battery life would be ideal. I'd be happy with a moderately priced unit but the cheaper the better. I already have an idea of which mic I want, the Delta from http://www.reactivesounds.com/

Thanks a ton!

[Christopher]

Welcome to the forums. :happy:

Unfortunately, in this day and age, "cheapish" could mean anything. What's your exact budget?

[crow]

My exact budget is somewhere between $50-150 or 200 at the most.

[A440]

Look at the www.minidisc.org Equipment Browser and check Inputs on each unit. Anything with a Mic-In jack will serve your purposes. But most new units with Mic-In will run you over $200.

I've had excellent, reliable recording success with Sony MZ-R700 and MZ-N707, both discontinued models that are all over Ebay at under $150. Obviously, use your judgment about the seller and condition.

The MZ-R700 is older and doesn't have NetMD for fast downloading, while the MZ-N707 does have NetMD, is slightly newer and has a later version of the ATRAC compression. But if you're only recording via mic, the difference is probably minimal. Don't worry about battery life--one AA provides power for much longer than you'd expect.

Neither unit has a Mic Sensitivity switch for dealing with loud sounds like live rock music. For that you need the MZ-R900, MZ-N1, MZ-N10 or MZ-N9xx. Or you can run the mic through a $5.99 Radio Shack headphone volume control to lower the sensitivity.

Other folks swear by Sharp for live recording, but they're much rarer on Ebay--maybe because people keep them longer.

You might want to think twice about that mic because anything you plug directly into the MD is going to pick up motor noise. At the very least, put that mic on a cord to separate it from the MD.

[Christopher]

Good recommendation, A440. Although I'm not sure about the Sharp units being rare on eBay, as I always see a good bit. I would definitely recommend a newer-generation unit like the Sharp DR7, if you could find one in that price range. I think actorlife actually has one for sale in our MarketPlace section.

There are also other and older Sharp units to recommend, but it'd be a tedious search and probably not worth the effort. Sticking to more-common units like A440 recommend is probably your best bet.

Also, have you heard about the new Hi-MD format, crow? It offers much better functionality than the current MD format. Since you're not travelling till Summer, you may want to wait just a short while and get one of those units. Something like the MZ-NH700 would suit you quite well.

http://minidisc.org/part_Sony_MZ-NH700.html

[BJ]

If you can't wait for Hi-MD (and you might want to if you read the specs), I'd suggest a Sony MZ-R900. It has respectable battery life, and if you find one with its AA battery case included, your battery life is phenomenal. It's a solid unit with an all-aluminum case, decent microphone input and a lot of extra features (and it's an MDLP unit, so you can fit 5 1/2 hours of conversation on one disc). I've recorded a few concerts on mine and they all turn out great.

The Sharp units let you adjust the recording level without stopping the recording, but that's their big advantage. The R900 should be a little cheaper these days on eBay.

It also lets you set it to "Auto" record volume, where it adjusts the recording level by itself, depending on the amount of noise you're picking up. If you're using it for conversation, that's a good press-record-and-forget feature.

To finish my big ol' plug for the R900, I'm gonna mention the unit my brother bought off eBay. It looks like it was used as a hockey puck for a few games. He keeps the battery door shut with a piece of electrical tape. The thing looks totally shot, but it still works beautifully and he uses it all the time. I'd say that's a good travelling unit. :happy:

[A440]

The MZ-R700 and MZ-N707 also have AutoRec.

I've owned an MZ-R900, and it is a tougher build than either MZ-N707 or MZ-R700. But I didn't recommend it for two reasons I've mentioned elsewhere on these boards. One is the battery latch, which comes open too easily in a pocket or bag--I had to tape it shut, too, and my MZ-R900 was in great condition.

The other is the little flat gumstick battery. You have to bring along the adapter to recharge the gumstick, which is one more thing in your bag if you're traveling, plus plug adapter(s). Or you have to bring the external battery pod, which is one more thing to lose and adds bulk and dorkiness to the MZ-R900. Lose it, and you're going to be stuck recharging gumsticks. Of course, you'll have to bring along a spare gumstick, too.

Personally I don't mind the little battery bulge for the AA in the MZ-R700 or MZ-N707. If you're adding track marks in the dark it gives you a grip and an orientation for the unit. And you can find AAs for sale everywhere.

I see Sony has preserved this distinction with the Hi-MDs: the 900 with a flat back, special battery and external AA pod and the 700 with bulge and AA form factor battery. A mistake, in my opinion, and one that's going to mean a tough decision about whether the HD amp in the 900 is worth the battery hassle.