Jump to content

Hi-MD Mic Input and Recording

Rate this topic


jthm

Recommended Posts

Live recording on Hi-MD will work in the same way as for standard MD.

If you're unfamilar with that, then the simplest scenario is:

Plug a mic into the mic-in jack, press record, pause to adjust rec levels and play to begin.

On a 1GB disk, you can record up to 94 minutes uncompressed PCM (the highest quality), about 8 hours at Hi-SP (256kbps) and so on. You can use a standard (re-formatted) minidisc which gives you 305MB or about 1/3 the capacity. You should get a maximum of 7-10 hours recording time depending on the model.

Check the Hi-MD FAQ for more info.

Mics cost anything upwards of $10, though expect to pay around $80-100 for a decent one. Avoid Sony mics, they look nice but have a limited frequency range. Take a look at the

sound professionals for some examples.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's not the understanding I just got from reading the following from a UK BBS ...

(paste from another bbs ...)

I, perhaps with others, had been very interested in getting a Hi-MD recorder for highly portable field recording. I recently contacted Sony UK to check whether the linear PCM uncompressed format can be used through the analogue microphone input or Line in. It appears that the linear PCM mode is only available through the digital in. Therefore this new system will not be as beneficial as I had thought.

Below is the reply I received from Sony UK. I replied asking for details of the highest quality available through the mic in and if Sony beleive this to be an improvement over standard MD.

-----

Dear Mr Gibbings

Thank you for your recent enquiry.

With Linear PCM mode, record and playback in high

Quality sound without compressing the sound source is possible. However, this type of recording can only be made via the digital optical connection and so, will not function with the analogue Microphone input.

I hope this information is of assistance to you, although I apologise for any disappointment caused.

Finally, if you need to reply to this e-mail, please quote reference 118362044 in the subject field of your e-mail.

With Regards

John Donnelly

For and on behalf of

Sony United Kingdom Limited

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No analog to Linear-PCM?

That would be braindead...

And it wouldn't make any sense - except for the fact, that Sony sells DAT-Recorders as well. But DAT is a dying format, almost nowhere available and hopelessly expensive, so I still think, it doesn't makes sense.

Let's hope, it isn't true...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"For true audio purists, you can record from CD, MD, DVD or live in uncompressed PCM audio for true CD quality."

Thats from the Sony. I guess its still a little obscure as to whether "live" = "from mic input". But how could you record "live" from an optical input?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mics cost anything upwards of $10, though expect to pay around $80-100 for a decent one. Avoid Sony mics, they look nice but have a limited frequency range. Take a look at the

sound professionals for some examples.

Just a quick comment on this - I have an ECM-MS907 - a perfectly good mic, but you say about range - so what? MD will just lose the "bits" that it dosn't need anyway and just record what you can hear...whats the point of buying an expensive mic only for the actual recording device to trash have the range?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi

I found this kind of info, i hope its correct...

http://www.sony.net/Products/Hi-MD/quality.html

"Recording with a microphone.

Linear PCM mode is compatible with digital, analog, and microphone recording; you can record and play back in high quality sound, without compressing the original sound source. This function can be used in various ways such as recording a music performance. "

K.V.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for link Focal. In addition to the text you quoted, the link shows a girl with an acoustic guitar recording PCM live into a HI-MD recorder. Hopefully this is the last word on this subject and will serve to squelch any rumors that PCM is disabled for mic input.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...