Topic: mini disc recorder issues

[DaveH]

I have been having nothing but trouble with the Sony mini disc recorder I bought recently. It is a MZ-91 model. The problems are it only records on one speaker/channel and when I stop the machine from recording, it takes almost an hour to update with the TOC edit message.  >:(Did I buy a dud or is there some issues I just have not been able to address properly? Needless to say I am almost to the point of going back to the old cassette-corder. You only needed to push a button and the machine did the rest of the work! Any suggestions?

[ilduclo]

sounds like a bad MD recorder to me.

to check for other potential issues:

Check your mics and preamp or bat box on your old recorder to make sure it's not them. The one channel recording sounds like it could be any of the gear.

try another minidisc blank in the unit.

[DaveH]

Still not sure, I tested the microphones on my other recorders and they work on both speakers. They also work fine through the mic in. The biggest problem is this was a Christmas present and when it was tested initially, it appeared to work fine. Now all I got is a piece of junk that I am afraid to take to record a show with. If I start to record one band and shut off the recorder between bands I will probably miss the majority of the next act. Now I have the problem with it recording on one channel, even my battery operated microphone comes through this way, so I really doubt the BB is at fault. Needless to say, I would never buy a mini disc recorder again!

[flintstone]

The Sony MZ-R91 was introduced in Fall of 1999 and sold for about a year.  So the machine you have is 7 years old.  There's no telling how much it was used (or abused) before it came to you.  It's a shame that the recorder is not working properly, but I see no reason to say "I'll never buy another minidisc."  Sony minidisc machines like this sell on eBay for less than $50, and offer a lot of value for the money for somebody getting started.  You'd spend a lot more for a used iRiver.

Flintstone

[DaveH]

I only wished I paid $50. I think I would be able to take it better than the $125 I put into it. Still, I have resolved the issue of stopping the recorder, it was the mini disc. Now I just have to figure out how to transfer a show from one speaker to bring it in both. Shouldn't be that hard, I would think. I might also look into getting a better microphone, the ones I have either are cheap or the Audio Technica one has an extremely long and annoying cord. But it does appear to produce a great sound.

[nameloc01]

it probably just got damaged somewhere along the line. Compared to alot of other recorders out there, sony mds are among the most dependable (same with their dats) you could probably get it serviced fairly. inexpensively.

[bhakti]

i just saw this in the yard sale...
MD for sale with battery and +/- 20 discs... good deal for $50

taperssection.com/index.php?topic=95883.0

just an idea... MD's are pretty damn reliable I must admit...

[DaveH]

Here I go again! Day of the show and my mini disc recorder is presenting me with the problem of claiming a mini disc is protected. I tried 3 different MDs and the same story. Yes, the tabs are in the right place. Just when I think I had this thing working, it goes back to it's old unreliable self. I guess I will be recording the Supersuckers show tonight on the old Sony TCS-310! The main reason this is irritating me is the money I put into this recorder, I should have just put it into a Zoom H2 and been done with it. UGH!!!

[nameloc01]

Nah dude...you have a fucked up unit. Again..sony mds rarely have issues. Just look at all of the threads in this section about mds with problems..they are far and few..and then compare that with all of the other recorders with serious issues right out of the box. If you ideally want to record with md...get yourself a m100 or rh1. Well worth the money.

[asilver8]

Hello. Just wanted to reiterate what other have already stated; Recording with a Sony Hi-Md recorder, such as the MZM-M100, will produce consistently great recordings. I have the M100, and the PCM-D50, and, to me, the minidisc consistently produces warmer sounding recordings than the D50.