Silly newbie question

[oceanic]

Hi

I'm an old school mix-tapes-off-the-radio person, and very recently I've become interested in minidiscs. I was thinking about buying a device called the VersaCorder (a tape deck which can record from any audio source), but decided to explore the world of MDs for all the obvious reasons of superior sound, more durable format, ease of editing, etc.

I don't currently own any MD stuff, but I would like to purchase a portable MD player/recorder... NOT with Net MD on it, since I'm using a Mac and I also have a problem with NEEDING a separate computer (and special software) just to play and record songs. (Like I said, I'm old school!) The intended use for my MD player would be making analog recordings through the headphone jacks of my radio, portable CD player, and also a computer for recording internet radio stations and (audio from)MP3 files. I understand that I can do all these things with a simple mini plug-to-mini plug connector.

So here's my silly newbie question: How do I LISTEN to what I'm recording, as I'm recording it!? You know, like with a boombox cassette (my usual medium of choice), you can listen what you're recording as you record. I know that I could edit the MD track to remove DJ chit-chat and fragments of songs and the like, but it really bothers me to think about recording "in the dark," since sticking something in the headphone jack of a radio etc. usually cuts the external speakers.

Is there such a thing as a portable MD player/recorder with external speakers to listen to recordings as they're made? Or some kind of three-headed patch cord that would allow me to listen in on the mini-plug-to-mini plug via headphones? I've been looking all over the internet for an answer so I wouldn't have to post a really dumb message like this on someone's MD forum, but so far I haven't found the info that I need.

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies... I'm sure you must field about 5 different versions of this question regularly.

[Christopher]

Actually, I don't recall seeing a question like this in quite a while, silly! Welcome. :happy:

You can listen to the unit recording whilst recording by utilizing the headphone jack - it's as simple as that. As for a recorder recommendation, I suggest you look at the Sharp MD-DR7 Auvi 1-Bit MiniDisc Recorder [click on the link to see where you could buy it]. Reasonably priced at $239, I could see you being very content with this unit.

It's a shame Apple machines don't have better functionality with MD units..

p.s. If you don't like that unit, state your budget and I'll recommend others.

[BJ]

I'm with Kurisu. The Sharp MD-DR7 won't disappoint, and if you get one, I'll be very jealous!

One thing I wouldn't recommend for listening is a Y-cable (that three-headed patch cord), since you run the risk of weakening the signal to the MD (like a party line on a telephone--every time someone picks up their receiver to snoop, the signal gets softer and softer...what? Me, old?). While you record, just plug your headphones into the headphone jack, or use some portable speakers. No problem!

[oceanic]

Ahhh... listen in on the HEADPHONE jack of the MD player! It seems so obvious now... I think in my mind I was picturing the MD player with a single line in/line out jack, for headphones *and* recording. I've never actually handled or closely examined a portable MD player, and sometimes it shows. This really solves my troubling question. The VersaCorder that I mentioned specially notes in its literature that you can listen in while recording (for the stupid tapeheads like myself who need reassurance.) But the MD crowd is obviously much brighter!

Thanks so much for the welcome and prompt answers, Kurisu and BJ. I will definitely check out the Sharp MD-DR7... possibly this was the Sharp model that I read glowing reviews for when I first starting looking up MD information online. I know that a Sharp something or other received overwhelmingly positive reviews on Amazon.com. And $239 sounds very reasonable (if not exactly chump change) for a quality MD player/recorder.