Best MD recorder for film use

Post by **David M. Leugers** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 5:47 am

Ok, I've saved enough money that I think I am ready to buy a mini disk recorder to capture sound for double system along with my film cameras. What are the best units available for this purpose? I don't need all the fancy gizmos, but a way to connect a decent microphone and a headset for monitoring is a must. What would make a great basic recorder for us to use with our film making endeavors? Any thoughts guys?

Scot McPhie · Post by **Scot McPhie** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 7:48 am

Hi David - it is ABSOLUTLEY ESSENTIAL that you get one with manual gain control - one which only has automatic gain will give you really crappy unuseable sound - when ever someone isn't talking all the background sounds (bugs, cars etc) will all be pumped up to the level of the talking - we had this problem in one scene where we didn't set the manual control - left it on auto - and despite all the compressing and limiting and parametric equalising I did in post most of that audio we had to chuck out and ADR it (actually the scene with that photo I posted) - so that's the only thing I'd reccomend! Also watch the battery meter - when it's low it may still display enough power when in play mode - but this may not be enough to record with!

Scot M
http://www.mango-a-gogo.com

Post by **S8 Booster** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 9:15 am

I use this one:

Sony MZ R700 (Probably replaced by a new model now - check with Sony)

This unit has:
1) Manual recording level with manual level meter bar and Auto Gain
2) Mike input
3) Line input
4) Optical digital input
5) Optional LP and ELP recording - max 320 minutes recording time on one MD with reduced mono sound.
6) Sound monitoring
7) optional text titling of each track
8) a remote control that can possibly be modified to be operated by autostart with some cameras. 8) should have been an 8 ) but this computer seem to like 8) better.

And a lot more.

R

Post by **mathis** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 1:59 pm

generally all models by sharp are recomended since they offer manual recording level control.

http://www.sonicstudios.com/mdms722.htm

i just bought a sharp 701 off ebay and it looks and functions decent. but still no experience.

anybody has some recommendations for a microphone?
iÃ‚Â´m particularly curious about the new beyerdynamic mce72 stereo mic.

bests,
- m

Post by **Pedro** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 3:20 pm

DonÃ‚Â´t know a specific model, but for me, an absolute must would be, that the most important control buttons and knobs, like the manual gain control is, is very easyly accessable, without having to look at the device. The VU-meter should be easyly readable, as digital distortions can trash the complete recording.
For double system sound, a prof. tape recorder (Sony WM-D6C w/crystal speed control or Sony TC-5) would be a good choice, too. ItÃ‚Â´s already new available from Sony, can be upgraded to a real AV device with separate track for recording any syncing signal in parallel to the stereo audio, and the possiblity of external speed control for sync play-back. The sound quality with Dolby C is equal to any digital device, as the bottleneck is always the mike and the overall recording conditions and not if itÃ‚Â´s digital or not.
Pedro

Post by **Ultrazero** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 4:49 pm

First Post!!!
Glad to be here.

For S8 Booster:

My best friend has this model (Sony MZ R700), I'm wondering if you are able to record synch sound with it? If so, how are you doing it? Can you bus a sync signal to one track from the line in, and a bus your mic signal to the other track from mic in?

Thanks

Post by **Lucas Lightfeat** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 5:58 pm

If you want the best MD available:

http://www.coffeysound.com/Coffey_files ... isc500.htm

And if you want a really rock solid reliable alternative, try this PC card reader from Marantz: (look in products, portable recorders, digital stereo)

http://www.marantz.com/pro/europe/index.html

Happy dreaming

Lucas

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 15, 2003 8:56 pm

Pedro wrote:like the manual gain control is, is very easyly accessable [...] The VU-meter should be easyly readable

the problem with most cheap md's are that they don't have knobs for this but just up and down buttons. in my opinion the sharp i'm using (mt-190) has great buttons that you can actually find and operate easily without looking, and it has a vu-meter (or digital average -- i never fully understood the difference) that uses the full width of the display so it's very easy to read and it works even for very soft sounds.

as digital distortions can trash the complete recording.

the sharp actually has some kind of simple analog limiter. my brother who's a sound engineer and music producer was might impressed. you still get some distortion, but it's never that static sounding digital crap.

/matt

Post by **S8 Booster** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 11:24 am

Ultrazero wrote:First Post!!!

Glad to be here.

For S8 Booster:

My best friend has this model (Sony MZ R700), I'm wondering if you are able to record synch sound with it? If so, how are you doing it? Can you bus a sync signal to one track from the line in, and a bus your mic signal to the other track from mic in?

Thanks

No, I think you have to use both signals into one port, that is either MIC or LINE input beause the unit use an auto detect port system. Pretty sure it can not use a dual port input.

R

Post by **Ultrazero** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 4:56 pm

I apologize for any dumb questions, I'm really a newbie with S8.

The Sony MZ R700 is a consumer model MD player/recorder. So it really doesn't have a lot of options. If I were to record BOTH sync signal and mic signal in one input how would that work? Is the sync signal inaudible? Or would I have to attach an external mixer(giving me the XLR option) to the MD to put the mic signal on the far left and the sync on the far right? And then I have to resolve the audio?? Not quite sure what this intails yet. Are there any software resolvers out there that I can download? I understand most of what I need to know about shooting and making a film, but sync sound is what gets me lost.

I must apologize again. If anyone has any good links for me to look at, i'd be ever greatful.

thanks

Post by **S8 Booster** » Fri Jan 17, 2003 5:17 pm

The channel separation is good enough to avoid crosstalk if the pulse signal elevel is set at low level.

Also it is possible to buy this "Gizmo" that is a HQ XLR preamp/AD converter with a optical digital output that fots to the MD700 or any MDs with a digital input.

Posted this earlier.

This is a Microphone Preamp / AD converter designed to reject noise for high quality sound recording and it fits MD/DAT/PC recorders with optical or coaxial digital inputs.

Unit/converter is designed for XLR microphone inputs but there are several items that interconnects between standard JACK unbalanced and XLR balanced systems.

More info: http://www.posthorn.com/Denecke_5.html
http://www.denecke.com/prod04.htm#AD20
http://www.denecke.com/products.htm (lot of film related products)

R

Post by **David M. Leugers** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 6:08 pm

Thanks for the great info guys! Not being familiar with individual MD recorders, this helps a lot. Scot I was going to add in my requirements the need for manual settings, but I kinda was under the impression that there was no VU meter or such to set the volume properly. This lack of VU meter in all the S-8mm sound cameras I ever owned liked to drive me crazy. I never used the manual setting much because I wanted to be sure to capture the sounds I was after. A reliable MD recorder with a good sized display with VU meter (so I can see it!) for setting the mic volume manually and the Demenke mic preamp would make an awesome combination. It would cost less than $600 and would allow you to use professional mics (with XLR connections), manual settings, low noise and high quality recordings for use in film making. I think I would build a little box to hold both the preamp and recorder to make it like a small self contained unit. Again thanks for the info. 8)

Post by **S8 Booster** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 6:25 pm

Here is another alternative though but I assume the price is very high.

http://users.aol.com/fmgp/pmd.htm

R

Post by **S8 Booster** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 10:20 pm

Just add that the Sony MZ R700 also has digital (|----- -|) level VU meter with a peak hold/delay function as well.
Common for both channels though.

Might check one channel at the time.

Works great but a headset monitoring check it my favourite still.

R

Post by **Lucas Lightfeat** » Tue Jan 21, 2003 12:53 am

Hi Super 8 Booster,

I think that the great Marantz MD has been discontinued in favour of their PC card recorders, which do the same thing, but are more stable. There is no longer any evidence of this product on their website.

I think the only Pro portable MD left is the HHB, which is over Ã¢â€šÂ¬1000. I'm interrested in the PC card recorder though, as Marantz really know their stuff when it comes to portable recorders. Don't know the price though, but I guess it's silly, and DAT could be a better option.

Is DAT stable and reliable?

Another option is a second hand reel to reel - lots of good cheap ones on ebay!

Lucas

Filmshooting

Best MD recorder for film use

Best MD recorder for film use

Please forgive me.