Topic: Newbie question - Sony ECM-717 > Sharp MT-877?

[redseed]

Hey, would love some advice from the experienced people! I've got a great QOTSA disc made from this setup (Sony ECM-717 > Sharp MT-877) and I think I'd like to go with it. I want a stealth setup 'cause many of the bands I want to tape aren't cool with it. I can grab the sharp md on ebay for probably $100 and it's looking good to me because you can record almost lossless ('cause of ATRAC3), that's right, right? And the Sony mic I can probably get for around $70. Just want to see what you guys think of this for a cheap stealth rig and if you think I should maybe go another route, keep in mind though that I don't want to spend more than those amounts. Any advice or help would be appreciated! Thanks!

[zowie]

I don't know what "almost lossless" is supposed to mean, but I have that MD and think its great.

[Sean Gallemore]

the ecm-ms907 is also a good option in that price range

You can probably save a few bucks on the MD, check out a MT180

[zhianosatch]

907 is better than the 717.

[sexymexi]

go for it. u gotta start somewhere...

[redseed]

...but the 717 will just clip on whereas the 907 I'd have to hold right? Also, is it true that any Sharp MD will record in the same quality @ 74 min/disc regardless of ATRAC3?

[sexymexi]

i think but i might be confused, are you talking about recording in LP mode.  Any LP mode other than recording in mono will degrade the quality i beleive.. but i might be wrong, and maybe mono degrades the quality as well.. anyone else?

[redseed]

No, I'd never record in lp mode, only best quality (SP) mode. I'm just wondering if a Sharp md recorder will record in better quality @ 74 min/disc (SP) if it has ATRAC3?

[Sean Gallemore]

compared to what?

[busknuckle]

have you looked here for a possible answer?

http://www.minidisc.org/

[redseed]

compared to if it doesn't have atrac3

[Sean Gallemore]

do MDs record in anything other than ATRAC3

[redseed]

well, they recorded in plain atrac before atrac3 came along. I guess I'm wondering if the atrac3 is effective in sp mode or just the lp modes. or is sp standard atrac and lp atrac3?

[redseed]

Hey! My question is regarding newer Sharp players/recorders. Is the atrac3 codec used only in the lp modes or is it used to achieve better quality than older models in sp mode as well? Basically, will a newer sharp record in better sp quality than an older sharp will? Does anybody know? Thanks!

[Sean Gallemore]

yes, the newer one's have better ATRAC compression, allowing for better sounding recordings.