On Fri, 10 Dec 2010 11:56:44 -0500, hank alrich wrote
(in article ):
Have you looked at the Sony PCM-M10? If I didn't already
have a Zoom H2, I'd probably choose the Sony as my first
handheld recorder today. Though the new round of $100 ones
are probably as good as the H2.
Thanks, Mike. I'll kook at the Sony.
Sony MZ-M200 MiniDisc Recorder
Lilliputian Lifesaver
Ty Ford
When do my singer/songwriter, wedding and event video shooters, radio news
interviewers, concert tapers and podcaster friends ask me about inexpensive,
high-quality (as in, at least 16/44.1) recording thingees? Always, always and
then mostly....always. Itıs like the search for the Holy Grail. How much
money do they want to spend? Sorry, thatıs how LITTLE do they want to spend?
What do they want to do with the audio? How fussy, how fragile, how much does
the media cost?
For all of my assorted friends, the answer today, at this very moment,
especially when a small, inconspicuous device capable of 16-bit/44.1 is
needed, is the Sony MZ-M200 Hi-MD recorder. At just over four ounces with a 1
GB Hi-MD disc inserted and with 3.25 inch x 3.25 inch x .5 inch dimensions,
this $439.00 quarter pounder is not cheesy. I am a little concerned by the
fragility of the drive slot that open to receive the MD or Hi-MD discs.
Overly rushed or inexperienced hands could bend those more delicate parts
that shouldnıt be bent. Gentle and gingerly operation will insure longevity
with many happy recordings.
UPGRADED FEATURES
There are several significant features that differentiate the earlier MZ-M100
from the MZ-M200. In addition to linear PCM, the MZ-M200 supports ATRAC,
ATRACC3 and ACTRAC C3Plus formats an will playback MPEG-1 Layer 3 (MP3) files
from 32 kbps to 320 kbps, fixed or VBR.
You can use your existing MD disc supply for Hi-MD or regular MD recording,
although, obviously, youıll use them up a lot faster. You can charge the
3.7V, 370 mAh Lithium Ion battery either by using the external power supply
or by simply connecting the MZ-M200 via its USB cable to a powered USB port
on a computer. Although you can use the included power cube for full
operation under AC power, using only the USB cable as charger incapacitates
the MZ-M200 for anything other than charging and offloading files to your
computer.
The MZ-M200 records digitally via a mini-optical S/PDIF port, or via separate
mini TRS mic or line level analog inputs. When you insert a mini-TRS mic plug
into the MIC jack, the display indicates the recorder senses the change and
automatically shifts from LINE to MIC. Levels can be automatically or
manually adjusted. Using MANUAL RECORD which allows manual control of the
input level, was a problem with the older MZ-M100 because the system reverted
back to AGC mode every time recording was stopped. Once MANUAL is selected,
the MZ-M200 stays in MANUAL record.
It takes about two seconds for the MZ-M200 to go from dead OFF into RECORD.
Hit the RECORD toggle button and then PAUSE. Check and adjust the record
level and hit PAUSE again and you are recording. While recording you can also
toggle the MANUAL record level up or down; a very important feature. Like
many disc recorders, when you hit the STOP button after recording, the system
needs to close that file and prepare for another. This takes a number of
seconds. If your job entails recording files in quick succession, itıs
probably best to hit PAUSE rather than STOP. Each time you hit RECORD, you
can configure the MZ-M200 to create a new numbered GROUP of recordings. Each
time you hit PAUSE while in RECORD, you increment a new index number within
that GROUP number. Thatıs a very handy and logical way to organize your files
and you can also turn that feature off if you donıt like it.
Although the Hi-MD Music Transfer software for Mac users shows cut number,
duration, file size, codec, bit rate and YYYY/MO/DD, Group numbering isnıt
indicated. It may be on PCs, but Iım a Mac shop. Another Mac Limitation; Mac
users can only transfer audio from the MZ-M200, not to it. You can use the
MZ-M200 as a storage device for any sort of file, but you canıt play audio
files transferred to it from a Mac. PC users can take advantage of the
supplied Sonic Stage software to achieve bi-directional transfer of audio
from computer to the MZ-M200. Simple Burner also ³comes with² and allows
audio from a CD operating in one of your PC CD drives to pass directly
through your PC to the MZ-M200.
The MZ-M200 has an extremely valuable HOLD button, I call the ³nervous groom
disaster preventer² for wedding videographers. During any operation,
including RECORD, engaging the HOLD button locks out all of the buttons from
functioning. So when the groom fumbles around in his pocket for the wedding
ring during the ceremony, he doesnıt turn off the recorder. The hardwired
remote control still functions even if the HOLD button on the MZ-M200 is set.
If the HOLD button on the remote control and MZ-M200 are both set, all
switches are locked out.
Playback pitch and +100/-50 speed control are supported as are sync recording
from a digital source. You can Move and/or Erase individual tracks, parts of
tracks or groups of tracks. Tracks or parts of tracks can be played back
repeatedly. Several ambience programs, a six-band equalizer and a level
normalizer are also included.
In addition to acting as a headphone extension, with playback volume control
the hardwired remote control has its own small LCD display and hides a few
extra features not accessible from the MZ-M200 itself. Its black-on-black
control legends are very difficult to read. Not having a RECORD button on the
remote control isnıt a deal killer, but it would be nice for surreptitious
recording. However, If you toggle the RECORD button on the MZ-M200 first to
begin recording, you can use the PLAY/PAUSE/ENT nub on the remote control to
toggle from RECORD to RECORD PAUSE, as long as you hold the nub down for
about half a second or more. Quick closures are ignored.
IN USE
The MZ-M200 is a great bed side tool for singer/songwriters and busy
executives, either of which may wake up in the middle of the night with
thoughts that should be recorded before they are forgotten. The little stereo
clip-on mic that comes with the MZ-M200 may not be of the best quality, but
it plugs directly into the MZ-M200 or via a three-foot, RF suppressed, albeit
vibration conducting, extension cord. You donıt even have to turn the lights
on. Just grab the recorder, toggle the RECORD button, wait two seconds and
then spill your guts. Do so at a modest distance, the mic is very pop
sensitive.
For higher quality recordings, simply use a better mic. I really like the
Sony ECM 88 lav, which can be powered by a AA cell in its power supply. With
a Female XLR to mini TRS cable with pin 2 wired to both tip and ring, I was
able to get much better recordings with much less noise. To hear MP3 versions
of the .wav files I recorded, go to and look in the Sony MZ-M200 folder in my
Online Archive at
www.tyford.com. The Sony ECM 88 with power supply, of
course, costs more than the MZ-M200. You may already have other solutions in
your audio bag if you need better quality recordings. Through my laptop
speakers, the selfnoise of the little stereo mic was inaudible and its
brightness did make it punch though better, but I still prefer the quieter,
smoother ECM 88.
You could also attache the MZ-M200 to the unbalanced stereo output of any
mixer and use it as a primary or backup audio recorder. For more pristine
recordings, you could record with high-end studio gear and A/D converters and
port that audio via the optical S/PDIF port on the MZ-M200.
IN CONCLUSION
Having experienced the MZ-M100, the MZ-M200 brings some fun features to the
party. The menus arenıt very deep. No, it doesnıt have phantom power or even
XLR inputs, but where inconspicuous size and 16-bit/44.1 stereo audio are
appreciated or needed, the MZ-M200 delivers. Choose the pocket you put it in
carefully. Sitting on it would definitely crush this dwarf.
Ty Ford has been reviewing gear for Pro Audio Review since the first issue.
He may be reached at
www.tyford.com.
EDITOR: I have taken pictures of the MZ-M200. They are in a folder called
Sony MZ-M200 in my Online Archive at
www.tyford.com. If you use one, a photo
credit would be appreciated.
AT A GLANCE:
Applications: Anywhere 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo recordings are needed.
Key Features: Small, light-weight, transferrable files, USB battery charging,
digital sync recording,
Price: $439.00
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