Topic: Sony MZ-R91 mini disc recorder

[DaveH]

Hi all,
I just purchased the above mentioned recorder and then found out a review stating it overloads on live performances.  :(Is this true and if so any way I could eliminate that problem? Thanks for the help.

[Arni99]

you need to go LINE-IN and use a battery-box between the mics and the recorder.
If the recording still distorts, you either use too much gain OR your mics can´t handle the high soundpressure levels.

[nameloc01]

Always set your levels manually. and like already mentioned run line in, only use mic in when you are recording very soft music. The mic in jack is quite  easy to overpower. This isnt a himd is it? If so record in pcm.

[DaveH]

I'm a bit new here, what is a battery box and what do I hook up to the line in? Thanks!

[faninor]

I used this very model minidisc for several years. I had 3 minidiscs (the MZ-R91, MZ-R909, and MZ-S1) and for me, this one was the most reliable. Here's an old sample from a show I used it at, if I remember correctly: http://www.bringbackthesun.com/trade/sample/tmbg_1.mp3

A battery box is a small box with a battery in it that provides power to a microphone. Microphones that have them will cost you a bit more, but it is a very good idea to invest a bit and get one. If you look around this site a bit you should be able to find a lot of good information about choosing a microphone.

You'll want to hook the microphone into the "line in." There are two inputs on the MZ-R91. One has a red ring around it, and that's the "mic in." Despite the name, that's not the one you'll want to use. You want one with the white ring that is labelled "line in" or "line/optical in." This may sound strange, but the reason for this is: 1. if you use the "mic in" plug, the recording will be amplified quite a bit (which is why you may want to use it when recording very soft music, but even then you'll probably be okay with the line in)  2. the "mic in" provides a little bit of power that microphones need to run, but the "line in" doesn't. You'll want to use a microphone with its own power supply, so this power coming from the minidisc's "mic in" isn't necessary and will only make your batteries run out sooner.

[DaveH]

Thank you for the info, I have 2 microphones and the 3rd one which is coming with the unit. I think the best one I have is the ATR35s by Audio-Technica. The cord is a bit longer than I'd prefer but it does run on it's own battery. I'm just glad someone else out there has this same model as I thought I made a huge mistake by the review I read.

[danzz1234]

You probably won't have problems if you go line-in + battery box as said above.

I don't think there's something like the recorder - itself - overloading at all "live performances", it really depends on the adjustments, mics, bbox/preamp etc.

[melontracks]

I regularly use a Sony MZ-NH900 MD player to record very loud live shows and use the line-in with a battery box from Microphone Madness.  It is very small, offers a number of bass-rolloff settings (nice if you're using omnis at a bass-heavy show or in a boomy hall) and I just velcro it to the back of my MD player.  here's a link:  http://www.microphonemadness.com/products/mmmimbobafim.htm

I also built my own battery box, which is easy enough to do, but it only provides one level of bass rolloff (the amount of which depends on the capcitor you use).  building your own lets you use better capacitors than most commercial boxes use.  here's a link: http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=11254&st=0

good luck!

melon

[melontracks]

Here's some pics of the battery box I got from Microphone madness and of the one I built, for comparison.  If you can hold a soldering iron and live near an electronics/radio repair shop, you can get the parts for and build your own for about $10.



(above) both battery boxes closed



(above) Both boxes open.  the rocker switches in the microphone madness BB are used to set different levels of bass rolloff



(above) another shot of the same, different angles.



(above) a better look at the innards of the MM BB...



(above) and the insides of the home made BB.  really easy to make.  Hope these are helpful.

Either will make recording line-in on a MD a joy.

Melon

[DaveH]

The microphone I have is battery operated (Audio Technica ATR-35). Does this eliminate the need for the battery box or is this a completely different thing? Also I haven't gotten the recorder yet, is the line-in the same size plug as the mic-in?

[danzz1234]

The microphone I have is battery operated (Audio Technica ATR-35). Does this eliminate the need for the battery box or is this a completely different thing?

It's good to have a battery box even if you're mics are self-powered ones.
This might help:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,90152.0.html
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,84500.0.html

Also I haven't gotten the recorder yet, is the line-in the same size plug as the mic-in?

Yeah, same size.

[nameloc01]

awesome. the mint cans are the cats ass.

[melontracks]

awesome. the mint cans are the cats ass.

Indeed.  I think it's funny that MM sells the mint-tin BB as a "stealth" device.  I assume that they put it in a mint tin so you can play it off as a can of mints.  I just used the altoids box because it was convenient and free.  I'm not sure how you would explain to security the fact that your tin of mints has a cable coming out one end and a 3.5mm female jack on the other, but hey, details, details, right?   

[nameloc01]

I was going into the h.o.b once and had a security guard feel my sp-6 bb in my pocket. He made me pull it out, (it looks like some kind of detonating device) hes like "what the hell is this? " i say ..." oh, thats just my multimeter to check secondary voltage on high current luminous tube transformers, i just came from work and must have left it in my pocket"  he gives me about the stupidest look you could imagine and says " oh yeah,..okay well haue a nice show"   lol

[dennisrtyler]

I was going into the h.o.b once and had a security guard feel my sp-6 bb in my pocket. He made me pull it out, (it looks like some kind of detonating device) hes like "what the hell is this? " i say ..." oh, thats just my multimeter to check secondary voltage on high current luminous tube transformers, i just came from work and must have left it in my pocket"  he gives me about the stupidest look you could imagine and says " oh yeah,..okay well haue a nice show"   lol

classic!! +T