RE: [Harp-L] Ipod v Minidisc Recording

["Steve Shaw" <moorcot@xxxxxxx>]

I think Jazmaan is right here.  It's odd that minidisc hasn't caught on as 
much as it might have, though it's true that Sony haven't helped the cause 
with their various copy-protect obsessions.  However, minidisc is definitely 
the cheapest way to get very good quality recordings of your playing.  Just 
forget cassettes.  With minidisc you get: (1) no hiss (2) no wow or flutter 
(3) no rewinding/fast-forwarding (4) total editability of your recordings 
(5) re-usability of your discs an infinite number of times with no 
deterioration.  In the UK a standard 80min. disc costs about a pound.  BUT: 
if you use the most up-to-date format, "HI-MD," you get the following:  (1) 
you can use HI-MD discs (in the UK about £5 each) which have a 1 GB capacity 
and which can hold about 8 CDs-worth of music at high quality (much better 
than mp3) or about 45 CDs at a quality comparable to mp3. (2) you can upload 
your mic recordings to your computer very quickly.  If you want to, you can 
then convert your minidisc files to WAV files and burn them to CD.  In the 
past the Sony software (SonicStage) that you need for HI-MD has, deservedly, 
had a bad press, not least because it would only allow you to upload your 
mic recordings ONCE to your computer.  However, if you download the latest 
version of SonicStage (version 3.2) you'll be able to upload your mic 
recordings as many times as you like! (3)You can also transfer CDs to 
minidiscs very quickly on your PC.  I have about 50 of my favourite CDs 
copied at very high quality on to five HI-MD discs, and you just wouldn't 
know the difference berween those recordings and the CD originals.
Finally, if anyone is considering minidisc recording, you should be aware 
that: (1) the recorder you buy must have a mic input socket.  Not all MD 
"recorders" have a MIC socket!  (2) "Net-MD" is not the same as "HI-MD."

Steve

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/trad_irish_harmonica
HEAR my CD clips: http://www.gjk2.com/steveshaw/cd.htm
READ review of my CD: http://www.irishmusicreview.com/sshaw.htm