djtennis Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Hello. I need suggestions, I want to buy a NET-MD for quality microphone recordings and line recordings (from mixers / live shows) and then I need to transfer everythin to my laptop (apple powerbook G$ / toshiba satellite) thanx for helping me djtennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Otaku Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 I'd recommend a Hi-MD if only for these reasons: * Longer record length per disc, regardless of whether you're using standard MD or Hi-MD media * Backward-compatibility with standard MD media [you can record in standard MD mode if you wish] * Linear PCM recording option * Full-digital transfers via USB with your PC [not Mac though] - there are caveats with this, but if you're looking for the best transfer possible [i.e. lossless] it's either Hi-MD or buying a home MD deck to do transfers [both are realtime] I, personally, like having the options of ..7 hours 55 minutes recording with 256kbps atrac3plus on Hi-MD discs, or 2 hours 20 minutes on MDs [formatted in Hi-MD mode].. ..and 94 minutes of straight PCM recording on Hi-MD media, 28 minutes on MDs. The "lowest" model available in the Hi-MD line with mic and line inputs [what I bought due to budget constraints] is the MZ-NH700 - see here. I also did a review of it which you can find on this board here. I have tested the NH700 and it has thus far exceeded my expectations in every way. If your budget isn't as restricted as mine was, I'd suggest the NH900 as it uses both a NiMH battery and includes a AA adapter as well, and has an aluminum and plastic case compared to the NH700 / NHF800's all-plastic case. The biggest caveat to the Hi-MD line is that SonicStage is rather buggy software and requires a certain vigilance in its use [for uploading recordings you've made on the recorder] lest corruption of your tracks occur - caused specifically by bugs in SS, not a problem with the recorders themselves, from what we can tell. See Jadeclaw's thread here. If you're wary of Hi-MD I'd suggest looking at Sharp's MD recorders, many of which have slightly better features for location recording than Sony's offerings. Unfortunately, I'm not a reference on the Sharp line, but I imagine that Kurisu could give some advice on them if that is what you wish to look at. What is your budget? Feel free to ask more questions, of course. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djtennis Posted August 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 Thanx the budget I have ranges from 250 to 400 dollars. Of course ifa I can have a good quality producet for less that's good. I never had a MD before, just little dat player, but now I need something more portable and stronger... djtennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 I'd go for the NH900 or the NH1 in that pricerange, then..[preferbly a NH900 and then spending the rest of the $ on a good mic] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Otaku Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 I concur with kurisu here, but I'd recommend the 900 over the NH1 strictly because of the battery issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mactra Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 i need a new MD portable for similar purposes as djtennis, but it's got to be a rugged unit as i'll be taking it in a backpack to do field recordings in s.e. asia. i try to be careful, but i've already killed a sharp 722, though it served me for several years and several roadtrips so i'm not really complaining. in fact, i would like something similar to that unit. it was a little weighty, but survived more than a few falls and it made great recordings with my AT 822 mic. speaking of sound, the new HI-MD format is a must (though the software issue is very disconcerting). one side question--i don't suppose the AM/FM remote will work on the two models you mention? why are the top two units uglier and lacking this nifty feature? thanks for any and all advice! mack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Otaku Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 AFAIK the tuner remote works only on the NHF800. In terms of durability the NH900 has a metal front and plastic back; the NH1 is magnesium all around. I can't attest to whether that would make either as durable as some of the older units I've seen/used though. What's your budget, mactra? Perhaps a solid-state recorder might be better for you in terms of long-term durability during travel. The Marantz PMD-670 is one such unit and is made for actual broadcast use. Power tends to be a problem when travelling, though. The NH900 uses both NiMH batteries and AA with an outboard adapter - AAs being cheap and available just about everywhere, this would be my choice in terms of that criteria alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mactra Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 haha! dex, did you catch me drooling over that Marantz in the Markertek catalog? unfortunately, that's a bit out of my price range (ok, A LOT). also, i'd like to still be able to play my old MDs. the AA ability of the Sharp 722 was a big help when traveling, so i think you may be right about the 900 being my best bet. i'm really excited about the ability to keep my mic recordings in the digital domain and not have to use the analog outs to get audio into my PC for editing. however, what is that bit about losing recordings due to a soundstage software/digital rights management glitch? is it possible i could lose access to something on the disc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Otaku Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 See here: http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?t=5721 Then here: http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?t=5836 And finally, here: http://forums.minidisc.org/viewtopic.php?t=5858 Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mactra Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 i am unable to find any info distinguishing the mic pre's and A-D converters on the different HI-MD models. are these aspects all the same from unit to unit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dex Otaku Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 I don't actually know the answer to this question, mactra. The only specified differences in the current model line are for output amps: the 900 and NH1 use digital amps, models below those have traditional analogue [op-amps, I'm assuming] on their output. My NH700 performs quite admirably for a 'bottom end' machine. The mic pre gets a bit hissy when used in high sensitivity mode, but otherwise the only portable equipment I've ever used that was better than this was a $4k DAT recorder [and that was in 1991]. If havnig a quality pre is a priority for you, I'd suggest an outboard mic pre/batt box such as Sound Professionals sell. Eventually I will be getting one of those myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mactra Posted August 26, 2004 Report Share Posted August 26, 2004 thanks for the excellent advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djtennis Posted August 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 thanx. what is a good microphone (stereo) for good quality recordings then? djtennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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