Sony Hi MD field recorder, MZ-M200

B

briones1

Active member
Anybody have any experience/reviews for the above product for use in the field? A friend of mine is offering to sell it to me for $250 but I was looking at the M-Audio Micro Track 2 as an option.
 
I wouldn't buy a MiniDisk for $250. You need a really decent preamp to make them sound any good and at $250 your in the range of the flash recorders. They have better electronics can record WAV files and are easy to transfer. Some of the new MD recorders can record wav but you still have a somewhat funky route to get the files into the computer and your still dealing with a dying format. I'm not anti MD, I have one but I wouldn't buy one today unless it was very cheap. Now if it was the HHB MD for $250, maybe. Micro track is a better option but it still has only the built in battery as a powering option so it's still not high on my list. I would also look at Zoom, marantz, Sony, Fostex, Tascam, and Olympus (they have a new recorder that I'm hearing some good things about).
 
thanks for the response. What I need is a unit that I can use for field recording for both interviews and general sound effects capturing. Quality (high), size (small) and simplicity are key requirements. I think sound design also came up with a field recorder that also serves as a pre-amp but that might be too much for my immediate needs.
 
MD wouldn't be my first choice for recording. In general, data compression should be avoided.

For my own effects library, 24-bit 48kHz WAV files are a minimum. Increasingly, my clients have been requiring 96kHz, so its probably a good idea to overshoot your current needs a little bit when building your library.

The Zoom H4 will give you plenty of bang for your buck. The biggest drawbacks with it are the built-in mics and preamps, which can be easily bypassed with external gear. Add a Sound Devices mixpre and a good mic (eg. Sennheiser MKH416), and you'll have a very solid effects setup.
 
that Zoom H4 looks like a good unit - I like the size and simplicity of it + sounds like it can extend well. thanks for the tips. I think I'll pass on the MD based on feedback here.
 
The Marantz PMD620 may be just what you are looking for. You can pick them up for around USD$399 including a 4Gig SD card. They are small, light, and if you feed them a line input from a mixer they sound great. In built mics and mic pres are average, as with all portable semi-pro recorders.
 
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