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Author
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Topic: Minidisc vs Tape (again)
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SPphoenix
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posted 02-12-2001 08:39 AM
Here's the problem guys :
I have to make a choise between these 2 products : MZ-R70PC Minidisc Rec/player
and WM-D3 stereo tape recorder.here are the specs WM-D3 tape recorder http://www.sonystyle.com/specpopup.spec.5520_x_600.default.html MZ-R70PC Minidisc recorder http://www.sonystyle.com/specpopup.spec.5552_x_6153.default.html Both of them are in the same price range (about 210-260 $us.) Which would you guys choose,and why?
Any other suggestions in the same price range are welcome. thanks in advance... [This message has been edited by SPphoenix (edited 02-12-2001).] |
RapierSFX
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posted 02-12-2001 11:58 AM
Well, the frequency response is better with the minidisc, and it appears to have digital outputs as well. What are you going to be using it for, and what will your editing/mastering unit be? A 4 or 8 track, your computer? If the computer, what kind of sound card do you have?Personally, I would go with the Minidisc. I friend of mine has one of the sound blaster cards which has digital inputs, and he has had great results with using a minidisc to recod his band. The ability to have digital signals not subject to the usual analog degeneration moving from unit to unit is alays a major bonus, and your sound work will reflect it. |
Prism
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posted 02-12-2001 12:33 PM
Yeah. MD is more convenient and more durable. It uses compression, but most normal people can't even tell. At any rate, I'm sure it's still way better than MP3. Cassettes aren't necessarily "bad," but MD is much more hassle-free. MD may have more frequency response, but the fact is, if you don't even have a source that provides much frequency range, it won't even matter. If anything, you'll just wind up with a cleaner sound than cassette, because cassettes are more vulnerable to "the elements" (dampness, heat, cold, etc.)
So you see, there's more to choosing a format than whether it sounds better than another format...knowwhatImean?  Isaiah ------------------
Isaiah Eyre, Sound Guy "I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to." - Elvis Presley <Begin Shameless Self-Plug>
Visit iEyre.com!
</End Shamless Self-Plug> |
SPphoenix
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posted 02-13-2001 06:23 PM
Thanks for the reply guys...
I'm thinking for the minidisc too...
I'm going to be using it for about everything, from recording a class to listening to music, with focus on recording dialogue for a short I was planning (plus my walkman died some time ago and I really need a replacement}.When it comes to recording for the short, all of the editing will be done on my PC and I'm planning in upgrading my old AWE64 Gold sometime in the future...
So minidisc it is... |
ajwatts
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posted 02-14-2001 01:57 PM
You can use a camcorder to record good audio. Because the tape has to run over video heads faster than normal audio requires, and on video tape, the audio and video run together, a camcorder runs the tape over the audio heads faster than on a normal "audio only" recorder. The process is called multiplexing and it gives you much better audio quality than you'd get on the tape deck.Just a low cost idea. -Anthony |
SPphoenix
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posted 02-14-2001 07:28 PM
You're probably right... and I wouldn't have to worry about sync problems.
This idea was for non-tripod shots. I wouldn't want the boom man to be always connected to the camera during a non-tripod shot. Try radio you might say but I think that a minidisk is a better investment at this point (I can use it for other stuff too). So the question that comes up now is this: If, lets say, I connect an external mic to the camera for the tripod shots and I use the minidisk for every other shot will there be a big difference in the resulting soundtracks? (same mic will be used). I will probably have to test it to find out. What do you guys think?
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RapierSFX
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posted 02-14-2001 11:24 PM
I had not even thought of the camera and multiplexing. Good one ajwatts.If you are using the same mic, I dont think there would be that much difference, it would again be a matter of what perfomance of the tape itself, and the camera. You might wanna try cleaning the heads, just to make sure you get it as good as it can be, and maybe even one of those de-magnatizer deals you can get with the cleaner. There are programs out there which will clean up your audio considerably, most notably, Pristine Sounds, and the demo is fully functional except for being limited to 30 seconds editing only, which for video should be more than enough. | |
