Taperssection.com

Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: Swampy on April 12, 2003, 11:03:27 PM

Title: SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: Swampy on April 12, 2003, 11:03:27 PM
I've been looking at a Sharp MD-180 and (go figure) I have questions.  First of all, can you set levels on the fly on this? And secondly, does it remember your recording levels and such after you take out a disc? So in the middle of a show am I going to have to reset my levels? Does anyone use this? THANKS!!!
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: zhianosatch on April 12, 2003, 11:18:37 PM
First of all, can you set levels on the fly on this?

Yes.

And secondly, does it remember your recording levels and such after you take out a disc? So in the middle of a show am I going to have to reset my levels? Does anyone use this? THANKS!!!

I'm almost positive that it will remember, but even if it doesn't, it takes less than three seconds to reset them - the levels are denoted by numbers. Just remember which number you had your levels set to and take 2-3 seconds to press the button and readjust them - if you need to. Every Sharp I've heard of is like this.

Just remember, this unit has no MIC IN. Otherwise, you're good to go. Try to get one as far under $100 as you can! What a deal!
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: Swampy on April 12, 2003, 11:20:56 PM
So what kind of input does it have, what can you plug into it? What will this mean as far as taping shows???? THANKS for the quick reply!
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: busknuckle on April 15, 2003, 11:22:18 PM
it probably only has a LINE IN. this means you would need to use mics that were powered. (battery box) or many mics use what's called Phantom Power. This is usually 48v and is a seperate item from the mics. Or you could buy mics which can run off standard batteries....usually placed inside of the mic itself (AKG C1000 for example)
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: Sean Gallemore on April 17, 2003, 10:43:53 PM
yes and yes
it has on the fly digital recording adjustment, and it will remember your levels.  Also, it only has line in (no mic in) which would be fine for me.  It's the newest MD for the cheapest price out there.
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: taperkat on April 30, 2003, 01:59:45 PM
Sharps are better units than sony's (i have 2 MD-MS722 's that have easily recorded almost 1500 between the 2, and sonys i have an mzr30 and one of those new black ones that's installed in my car). The Mic In on MDs isn't very good, btw, so you just want line in anyway.

If you find the 9.24.02 bruce springsteen kc show I taped it's done w/a sharp MD - most of my shows are, actually... But yeah. I like sharp the best. The on the fly level is remembered from disc to disc. Also make sure that your volume is turned down to about 20 when you record, because then if it seems quiet you can turn it up while listening. If you leave it at 30 you have no way of turning it up. :) and the 2 second gap in the beginning of the disc will make your disc flip time drop from 35-42 sec down to 13-22 sec.

or you could just get 2 decks. :)
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: Swampy on April 30, 2003, 03:36:27 PM
Cool, I ended up getting the sharp, from playing around with it I like it. What is this 2 second gap? do you just record 2 seconds of nothing???
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: taperkat on April 30, 2003, 04:59:20 PM
yesssssssssssssss

take all your new discs, record a track with 2 seconds of nothing on it. It will drastically improve your load and unload times (as stated above).
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: Swampy on April 30, 2003, 08:53:12 PM
Sounds good, thanks!
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: blu666z on May 04, 2003, 01:14:01 PM
yesssssssssssssss

take all your new discs, record a track with 2 seconds of nothing on it. It will drastically improve your load and unload times (as stated above).

Can you explain this to me?  Does this work because it has already started the index and doesn't have to write it during your tape flip?  What I do is do an erase of all my discs before I use them.  Wonder if that is accomplishing the same thing?  

-Kevin
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: blu666z on May 04, 2003, 01:15:15 PM
This is a good example of why you need to read all threads.  Never know what little tidbits will be burid down in them!

-Kevin
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: zhianosatch on May 04, 2003, 06:12:10 PM
That's actually a pretty shrewd and ingenous idea, taperkat. Nice. +T
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: taperkat on May 04, 2003, 07:19:47 PM
someone else told me that.

Basically it creates the index so it just reads it the 2nd time through, which is a helluva lot faster :D
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: blu666z on May 04, 2003, 07:23:15 PM
So I wonder whether when I do a complete erase on a new disc if it does the same thing.  Gonna do some testing....

-Kevin
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: blu666z on May 04, 2003, 07:37:51 PM
Ok.  Done testing.  Both methods, recording 2 seconds or erasing disc, seem to give the same results.

Time to write 30 seconds of music to disc ->

Brand new disc: 15 seconds
Erased disc: 10 seconds
Disc with 5 seconds of nothing pre-recorded: 10 seconds


-Kevin
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: Swampy on May 04, 2003, 08:12:47 PM
So, if you take a new disc and do 'erase all' on it, it will do the same thing?
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: blu666z on May 05, 2003, 12:33:33 AM
Do your own testing to make sure but that is what I found.  Recording several seconds of nothing or doing an erase all will force the deck to write/start the TOC and save time on the flip.

-Kevin
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: blu666z on May 05, 2003, 12:37:08 AM
I was actually already in the habit of doing an 'erase all' but not for the good reason we have here.  The first few shows I did, it seemed like there were a lot of little pops/dropouts.  Figured it couldn't hurt to clear the disc beforehand and I haven't had a problem like that since.

-Kevin
Title: Re:SHARP MD-MT180
Post by: F.O.Bean on May 05, 2003, 01:26:26 AM
go jb3 or dat....phuck phlips.... 8)

bean