Yahoo Tuning Groups Ultimate Backup metatuning minidisk recorder

Well, I have the little minidisk player Sharp MD-DR7 or MD-DR480H (I
can't figure out why they can't decide which model number it is!)

It works just great so far, and there is no problem getting it into
my computer, although the output plug is a little "funky" with *four*
sections, and hence needs an adaptor (which they supply) to three.

I was also impressed that it could run with so many different power
sources: an internal, chargeable battery, a direct AC-DC 5 volt
converter and even a little battery pack for one AA battery which
will power it.

Jon, I have one question about the battery. Is it OK to leave the
chargeable battery in the unit? I suppose it's like most devices and
maybe it should be taken out if the unit is not used for a long
period of time, but otherwise it's OK to leave it in... Correct? (I
couldn't find the answer to that question anywhere in the manual).

They seem quite obsessed with recording in "groups" of tracks. I
haven't tried to get that to work, yet, but it seems somewhat
superfluous, inless one really wanted to number tracks of various
pilfered CD albums... I haven't done that yet.

I also had a question about the *REMOTE.* It seems one cannot start
recording or set recording levels from that, yes? It seems more like
a convenience unit for playback, say if the main unit is in a
backpack or such like, and you want to adjust the order and volume of
playback tracks. However, I don't believe you can set it to start
recording or set recording levels. Correct?

In that case, I don't think there is much point in using the remote.
Is that right, Jon?

It sure sounds Sharp... (couldn't resist), but I haven't tried it
extensively on music yet, although with some rehearsals coming up, it
won't be too long...

Thanks!

Joe P.

🔗Jon Szanto <JSZANTO@...>

Joe,

Sorry for the delay - I'm not having much time for lists, and it is going to get even less for the forseeable future.

--- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "Joseph Pehrson" <jpehrson@r...> wrote:
> Well, I have the little minidisk player Sharp MD-DR7 or MD-DR480H (I
> can't figure out why they can't decide which model number it is!)

Try and think a little more globally: the DR7 model is what is sold in the Asian market, the DR480 is for the European market; there are some very minor differences in packaging and contents.

> It works just great so far, and there is no problem getting it into
> my computer, although the output plug is a little "funky" with *four*
> sections, and hence needs an adaptor (which they supply) to three.

If you read about it, it isn't funky: there are four lines to enable the newer generation of headphone output/input, to more discretely separate the 2 channels of audio.

> Jon, I have one question about the battery. Is it OK to leave the
> chargeable battery in the unit? I suppose it's like most devices and
> maybe it should be taken out if the unit is not used for a long
> period of time, but otherwise it's OK to leave it in... Correct?

OK, to leave in, as the rechargeables don't disintegrate the way standard lead-acid batteries do.

> They seem quite obsessed with recording in "groups" of tracks. I
> haven't tried to get that to work, yet, but it seems somewhat
> superfluous, inless one really wanted to number tracks of various
> pilfered CD albums... I haven't done that yet.

It is a feature, you do not need to group things.

> I also had a question about the *REMOTE.* It seems one cannot start
> recording or set recording levels from that, yes?

Correct, and most remotes are mainly for playback functions, and most of them suck very badly in terms of ergonomics. There is one reason I might use one: if you keep the remote plugged into the output jack, you avoid plugging and unplugging the headphones/line-out mini-plug into that jack, and one of the most common things is to have those jacks go bad. I usually use either a line like that remote, or even an angled adaptor that *stays* plugged in, and you plug your line/phones into *that*. That way the wear and tear is on the remote/adaptor, and not the plug that is built into the unit.

> It sure sounds Sharp... (couldn't resist), but I haven't tried it
> extensively on music yet, although with some rehearsals coming up, it
> won't be too long...

Try it with your mic and see how you like it. I think you'll be pleased, and if you got the DR7 you've got lots of recording time on that internal battery and one very small and elegant recorder to record with. I bought one of those little LED 'flashlights' that they sell for a couple of bucks to hang on a key chain so you can see your door lock (I got a red colored one to reduced it's "visibility") and I use that, with a quick pinch to turn it on, to see the bar graph levels if I am going to record in a place where there is little or no visible light. Naturally, that is one of the nice features of the red LED lights on the old Walkman Pro cassette...

Cheers,
Jon

🔗Joseph Pehrson <jpehrson@...>

--- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "Jon Szanto" <JSZANTO@A...> wrote:

/metatuning/topicId_6052.html#6057

> Joe,
>
> Sorry for the delay - I'm not having much time for lists, and it is
going to get even less for the forseeable future.
>

***Thanks, Jon, for the response. I'm not expecting "instant
service..." The post was only yesterday... :)

> > Jon, I have one question about the battery. Is it OK to leave
the
> > chargeable battery in the unit? I suppose it's like most devices
and
> > maybe it should be taken out if the unit is not used for a long
> > period of time, but otherwise it's OK to leave it in...
Correct?
>
> OK, to leave in, as the rechargeables don't disintegrate the way
standard lead-acid batteries do.
>

***OK... thanks Jon! That's important for me to know. For some
reason there was nothing in any of the instructions about that!

> > I also had a question about the *REMOTE.* It seems one cannot
start
> > recording or set recording levels from that, yes?
>
> Correct, and most remotes are mainly for playback functions,

***Thanks. I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

and most of them suck very badly in terms of ergonomics. There is one
reason I might use one: if you keep the remote plugged into the
output jack, you avoid plugging and unplugging the headphones/line-
out mini-plug into that jack, and one of the most common things is to
have those jacks go bad. I usually use either a line like that
remote, or even an angled adaptor that *stays* plugged in, and you
plug your line/phones into *that*. That way the wear and tear is on
the remote/adaptor, and not the plug that is built into the unit.
>

***Got it. Thanks, Jon. I'll consider it for that.

> > It sure sounds Sharp... (couldn't resist), but I haven't tried it
> > extensively on music yet, although with some rehearsals coming
up, it
> > won't be too long...
>
> Try it with your mic and see how you like it. I think you'll be
pleased, and if you got the DR7 you've got lots of recording time on
that internal battery and one very small and elegant recorder to
record with.

***It's really neat so far. I still need to try some *live* music on
it...

I bought one of those little LED 'flashlights' that they sell for a
couple of bucks to hang on a key chain so you can see your door lock
(I got a red colored one to reduced it's "visibility") and I use
that, with a quick pinch to turn it on, to see the bar graph levels
if I am going to record in a place where there is little or no
visible light.

***That's a good idea, and I have one of those lights. In fact, it's
the only way I got back up to my apartment during the "big blackout!"

Thanks so much, Jon!!!