I know this was the topic of a recent post, but, I wanted to ask a few quick questions.
Is it possible to email music recorded on the Mini Disc player using the USB cable?
Is it possible to record slowed music from my PC to a Mini Disc player?
What type of microphone would you use with a Mini Disc player and what would the cost of the microphone be?
Which Mini Disc recorder would you recommend?
These answers are based on my experience with the Sony MZ-R900. If you have different features on yours, it might not work precisely the same way.
Is it possible to email music recorded on the Mini Disc player using the USB cable?
Not directly. Unless you are referring to a setup I am not familiar with, the USB cable is only for transferring infomation from the computer to the MD’s optical In port. This is how I would get music into an email with my MD unit:
get a 1/8" stereo male-male audio cable. This has a plug on each end and both plugs look just like the end of a pair of headphones.
get a free program for saving audio data. I use Goldwave. Some use Cooledit. This has also been discussed recently, I believe.
take your male-male cable and connect one end to the headphone port on your MD and on end to you computer’s Line In port.
3a) test in your software program to make sure your data is coming through. The test can be done just like step 4, the only difference being that you don’t care if you get the whole song, you’re just testing the communication.
Start playing the MD and start recording in the software program. Press stop on each when you are done.
Save the data that you’ve collected as either a wav or an mp3.
email your wav or mp3 file.
Is it possible to record slowed music from my PC to a Mini Disc player?
Depending on how it was slowed, yes. Hypothetically you can record any audio signal into your MD player.
What type of microphone would you use with a Mini Disc player and what would the cost of the microphone be?
Ooh, tough one. Avoid the cheap ones and you can’t go wrong. You can check http://www.minidisco.com for some comments on mics, but they are a store so don’t expect any negative reviews. I got a sony ECM-MS907 mic for $70, I didn’t want to have to buy a replacement in a few years. You will probably want to get a mic that has its own battery power. Mine takes one AA (could be AAA, I haven’t checked recently).
Which Mini Disc recorder would you recommend?
I love my unit (see first paragraph). It costs about $280. Depending on what you need, it may have features you don’t need and don’t want to pay for. See http://www.minidisco.com (highly recommended, and check their open box bargain area) or http://www.planetminidisc.com for shopping.
Whatever you get will be cheaper online if you live in the states. Most real life stores don’t carry much selection, and what they do have is insanely overpriced. At least it was when I was shopping for one last December.
Hope this helps!
–Beth
Beth,
Thank you very much for the informative reply. I’ll check out the sites you mentioned and see how it goes.
BW
Another good place to check out is Soundprofessionals (I dont remember their phone no., but their site is http://www.soundprofessinals.com). The person I spoke with there was very helpful.
I’ve been researching this as well. Im not quite done, but re microphones Im trying to figure out if the Otterbox routine is worth it. The Otterbox is a great plastic case designed to house and protect your MiniDisk, and also is rigged with two binaural mics. A good description of this setup can also be found at http://www.minidisco.com/minispecs/sp-otter1.html. I think the folks at minidisco get their setup from Soundprofessionals. What I cant figure out is that the Otterbox, with microphones, is around $70.00, yet a pair of mics will cost you $70.00 as well. Once I can assure myself that the mics that come with the Otterbox are pretty good, I’ll probably go with the box, since I get the microphones and a Guinness-resistant case too.
I was going to get the Sony, but I hear a new cheaper version of the Sharp is due out soon, so I’m waiting. Unlike the Sony, the Sharp supposedly lets you adjust volume/recording levels while recording, rather than stopping the recording, adjusting, then starting again. There’s also some issue about the Sony microphone setup that the guy at Soundprofessionals explained to me but I didnt quite understand…something about Sony systems and microphones only geared for low impedence…Im butchering this part due to hazy memory and Im gonna call them again and have them explain it before I buy mine. If I can figure it out and find a coherent explanation I’ll let you know. The nice thing about the new Sharp is that its supposed to be a mid-priced model with lots of good features…supposedly somethign in the $170 range. But no news about it yet and nothing is posted on the Sharp corporate website.
Anyway, this was longwinded, but it was news to me that there are recorders other than Sony out there to look at. They people at Soundprofessionals are very helpful and knowledgeable about microphones and will talk to you endlessly about this if you want to listen.
Thanks for the information. Let me know what you learn and decide. It looks like we are after the same capabilities and price is a real consideration.
BW
If anyone wants a short clip of a live recording with my setup, email me.