Tutorial: Minidisc Audio Recorders
Introduction
A minidisc recorder is a digital audio recording device that saves audio onto a minidisc. Each minidisc holds up to about 80 minutes of recorded audio.
The audio on the minidiscs then can be downloaded onto a computer using a program like Protools.
Setting up the Minidisc Recorder
First insert a battery in the minidisc recorder. This usually is a AA battery that you slide into a cylinder on a side or the back of the minidisc recorder.
Now insert a minidisc into the minidisc recorder. There's a slider/button you press (usually labeled "open") to open the minidisc compartment. Insert the minidisc face up with the arrow on the disc pointing in.
Note: Make sure the small tab on the side of the minidisc is moved to the left to the recordable position (sliding the tab to the right will prevent recording and accidental erasure of what you've recorded). And be sure to label your minidisc so you can keep track of what you've recorded.
Next you need to plug a microphone into the minidisc recorder.
If you're using a professional grade microphone with an XLR connector, you'll need a cable that has an XLR connection on one end for the microphone and a 1/8th inch mini-jack connection on the other end that plugs into the "mic" jack in the minidisc recorder.
Finally you should plug headphones into the headphone jack in the minidisc recorder (which usually is labeled "headphones" or has an icon for a set of headphones).
Most minidiscs come with a pair of cheap headphones, but you might want to get higher quality headphones to ensure better audio recording.
Now put the minidisc recorder in record mode (you're not actually going to be recording yet, just going into record mode so you can select some audio settings before you start recording).
On the Sharp Net MD and MD-MT90 minidisc recorders, you do this by pushing the record button (labeled rec).
Set the recording mode to mono (which is the setting you'll usually use for interviews).
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, to set the recording to mono first make sure a microphone is plugged into the mindisc and then press the record button. You then set recording to mono by pressing the small blue menu-enter button and then pressing the right arrow on the main large button until the words REC MODE are displayed.
Press the small blue menu-enter button again, and then press the right arrow on the main large button to toggle through the settings (SP, LP2, LP4) until the word MONO is displayed. Finally, press the the blue menu-enter button again and wait about 7 seconds for the selection to be set.
On the Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, you set recording to mono by pressing the mode button (labeled mode/chrg), which toggles between mono and stereo (which is not labeled).
Adjusting the Audio Levels
Microphone Recording Level
First adjust the recording sound level for the microphone, usually to a mid-point in the range.
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, you adjust the microphone sound level with the main large button on the recorder.
Press the right arrow on the button to increase the volume, or press on the left arrow to decrease the volume.
The audio level for the microphone is shown at the bottom of the recorder's display window. It's labeled Mic and ranges from 0 - 30.
It's also displayed graphically in the audio level meter indicator - a black bar at the top of the window that fluctuates according to the volume of the sound from the microphone.
On the Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, you adjust the microphone sound level with the main large button on the recorder. Press the top right arrow on the button to increase the volume, or press on the top left arrow to decrease the volume.
The audio level for the microphone is shown at the bottom of the recorder's display window. It's labeled Mic and ranges from 0 - 30.
It's also displayed graphically in the audio level meter indicator - a black bar at the top of the window that fluctuates according to the volume of the sound from the microphone.
Talk into the microphone and adjust the volume by checking the audio level meter indicator to get a recording level that is clearly audible but free of distortion.
You generally should set the peak volume - when you're interviewing someone or recording your own voice this would be the point at which their/your voice is the loudest in a normal conversation - to hit at betweeen 12 and 4 on the meter.
On the Sharp Net MD and MD-MT90 minidisc recorders, the meter numbers are just above the audio level meter indicator and range from 40 on the left to 0 on the right.
Note: On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorders, the mic level should be set to manual on the recorder's menu to be able to manually adjust the recording volume. To verify you're in manual mode, with a microphone plugged into the minidisc recorder and in record mode, press the small blue menu-enter button and then press the right arrow on the main large button until the words Mic Level are displayed.
Press the small blue menu-enter button again, and then press the right arrow on the main large button to toggle through the settings until the word MANUAL is displayed. Finally, press the the blue menu-enter button again and wait about 7 seconds for the selection to be set.
Headphones Listening Level
Next adjust the volume level of the headphones so you can clearly hear what you're recording. This is just the volume level of what you'll be hearing, not the audio recording level that you set above.
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, you adjust the headphones sound level with the oval buttons (labeled VOL) at the top and to the right of the display screen. Press the button with the + sign to increase the volume, or press the button with the - sign to decrease the volume.
The audio level for the headphones is shown at the bottom of the recorder's display window. It's labeled Vol and ranges from 0 - 30.
On the Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, you adjust the headphones sound level with the main large button on the recorder. Press the bottom right + arrow on the button to increase the volume, or press on the bottom left - arrow to decrease the volume.
The audio level for the headphones is shown at the bottom of the recorder's display window. It's labeled Vol and ranges from 0 - 30.
Recording Audio
Now you can begin recording by pressing a play/record button on the minidisc recorder.
The minidisc recorder will record to a track on the minidisc.
The track number will be shown in the recorder's display window.
With a new minidisc, this will be track no. 1. With a minidisc on which you're already recorded some audio, the recorder should skip to a new track, numbered one higher than your last recorded track.
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, you start recording by pressing the top arrow (just below the words Menu/Enter) on the main large button.
You can tell you're recording because two tiny black bars will disappear from the left of the word Rec on the display screen and the current track number displayed to the right will stop blinking.
The time duration of the recording also will start displaying in the lower right corner of the screen.
On the Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, you start recording by pressing the play/pause button.
You can tell you're recording because the circular icon next to the word Track will start spinning slowly on the display screen and the current track number displayed to the right will stop blinking.
The time duration of the recording also will start displaying in the lower right corner of the screen.
Note: On the Sharp Net MD and MD-MT90 minidisc recorders, after 5 minutes of continuous recording a new track automatically will be created (this is the default setting for the recorders).
This will not interrupt your audio - you'll be able to download the audio onto a computer later as one continuous stream using a program like ProTools. Breaking the audio into separate tracks just makes it easier during playback to find particular segments of your audio.
Pausing Recording
You can pause the recording at any point.
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, you do this by pressing the top middle arrow (just below the words Menu/Enter)on the main large button.
On the Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, you do this by pressing the play/pause button.
Resuming Recording
You then can resume recording, and the new audio will automatically be placed on a new track on the minidisc (and thus will not overwrite any previous audio you have recorded).
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, you do this by pressing the top middle arrow (just below the words Menu/Enter) on the main large button.
On the Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, you resume recording by pressing again on the play/pause button.
Recording on a Minidisc That Has Existing Audio
When you record on a minidisc that has existing audio tracks on it, the recorder will automatically go to the end of the existing tracks and create a new track for your new recording. Thus it will not overwrite any previous audio you have recorded.
If you want to record over an existing track or tracks, go into playback mode, go to the track you want to record over, and then begin recording.
Stopping Recording and Writing to Disc
When you're done recording, you need to finish storing the audio you've recorded onto the disc.
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, you store the audio by pressing the off/hold button at the bottom of the main large button (but quickly release the button, or you'll go into hold mode). You can press the off/hold button either while you're still recording or while you've paused the recording.
After a moment the words "TOC Edit" will appear on the recorder display screen (TOC stands for Table of Contents). You'll be in this "TOC Edit" mode for several moments, until the minidisc recorder displays a "No Name" message that means it has finished storing the recorded audio. Push the off/hold button again and the minidisc recorder will display a "Good Bye" message and shut down.
On the Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, you store the audio by pressing the off/hold button (but quickly release the button, or you'll go into hold mode). You can press the off/hold button either while you're still recording or while you've paused the recording.
Wait a moment for the words "No Name" to appear on the recorder display screen, and then push the off/hold button again. You'll go into "TOC Edit" mode for several moments (TOC stands for Table of Contents). The minidisc recorder then will finish storing the recorded audio, display a "Good Bye" message and shut down.
You now can push the open/eject button to eject the minidisc.
Be sure you go through the entire procedure for properly shutting down the minidisc recorder. If you don't, you may not be able to eject the minidisc from the recorder and you may lose what you've recorded.
Playback
First make sure a battery is in the minidisc recorder, a minidisc with your recorded audio is inserted into the minidisc recorder, and headphones are plugged into the recorder (see the set-up instructions).
Now push the play button to begin playing back the minidisc.
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, the play button is the top middle arrow (just below the words Menu/Enter) on the main large button.
On the Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, the play button is the one labeled Play/Pause.
The recorder will begin playing the recorded audio. The number of the minidisc track the recorder plays will be shown in the display window. When a track has been played to the end, the minidisc recorder then will start playing the next track you recorded.
Adjusting the Volume
During playback you can adjust the volume level of the headphones.
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, you adjust the headphones sound level with the oval buttons (labeled VOL) to the right of the display screen. Press the button with the + sign to increase the volume, or press the button with the - sign to decrease the volume.
On the Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, you adjust the headphones sound level with the main large button on the recorder. Press the bottom right arrow on the button to increase the volume, or press on the bottom left arrow to decrease the volume.
Selecting a Track
You can skip to other tracks on the minidisc for playback.
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, use the main large button on the recorder to move to another track.
Press and quickly release the right arrow to move forward one track at a time, or press and quickly release the left arrow to move back one track at a time. The number of the track you're on will be shown in the recorder's display window.
On the Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, first pause the playback of the minidisc by pressing the Play/Pause button, and then use the main large button on the recorder to move to another track.
Press the top right arrow to move forward one track at a time, and press the top left arrow to move back one track at a time. The number of the track you're on will be shown in the recorder's display window.
Moving Through a Track
You can use fast forward and reverse to move back and forth within a longer track.
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, you do this with the main large button on the minidisc recorder. Press and hold down the right arrow to fast forward, or press and hold down the left arrow to fast reverse.
On the Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, you do this with the main large button on the minidisc recorder. While a track is playing, press and hold down the top right arrow to fast forward, or press and hold down the top left arrow to fast reverse.
Note: if you use fast forward or reverse on a very short track, the recorder will skip to the next track when it reaches the end of the current short track.
Pausing Playback
At any point you can pause the playback of the minidisc, and then resume it later.
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, do this by pressing the top middle arrow (just below the words Menu/Enter) on the main large button. Then to resume playback, simply press the top middle arrow button again.
On the Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, do this by pressing the button labeled Play/Pause. Then to resume playback, simply press the Play/Pause button again.
Stopping Playback
Finally, you can stop playback when you're done and shut down your minidisc recorder
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, to stop playback press the off/hold button at the bottom of the main large button (but quickly release the button, or you'll go into hold mode). You can press the off/hold button either while you're in playback or while you've paused the playback.
Wait a moment for the words "No Name" to appear on the recorder display screen, and then push the off/hold button again. The minidisc recorder then will display a "Good Bye" message and shut down.
On the Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, to stop playback press the off/hold button (but quickly release the button, or you'll go into hold mode). You can press the off/hold button either while you're in playback or while you've paused the playback.
Wait a moment for the words "No Name" to appear on the recorder display screen, and then push the off/hold button again. The minidisc recorder then will display a "Good Bye" message and shut down.
You now can push the open/eject button to eject the minidisc.
Be sure you go through the entire procedure for properly shutting down the minidisc recorder. If you don't, you may not be able to eject the minidisc from the recorder.
Hold Mode
Many minidisc recorders have a "hold" mode that temporarily suspends operation of most of the buttons on the recorder. You might use this when you've selected a number of settings in preparation for a recording and you don't want to accidentally press a button and change any of the settings you've selected.
But sometimes you'll accidentally go into hold mode (by accidentally pushing the hold button), and then will not be able to change any of the settings or get the recorder to function as you want.
On the Sharp Net MD and MD-MT90 minidisc recorders, you'll know you're in hold mode if the recorder screen displays the word "hold" or "hold on" when you push any of the buttons.
To get out of hold mode, you need to press down on the off/hold button for several seconds until the words "hold off" are displayed on the recorder screen.
Similarly, if you do want to go into hold mode, press down on the tiny off/hold button for several seconds until the word "hold" or "hold on" is displayed on the recorder screen.
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, the off/hold button is at the bottom of the main large button.
On the Sharp MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, the off/hold button is a separate button on the top of the recorder.
Default Settings
Here are some of the default settings we recommend for the minidisc recorders, in particular the Sharp recorders.
Before you go out to record audio you should check to make sure the recorder has these settings.
Do the same after you return from a recording session, especially if you're sharing the recorder with others.
| MODE | SETTING | EXPLANATION |
| REC MODE | MONO | To record in mono rather than stereo |
| MIC LEVEL | MANUAL | To manually adjust recording levels |
| MARK | 5Min MARK | To separate a continuous recording into new tracks at 5 minute intervals |
| SYNC ON | Don't Select | Don't select/activate this unless you want to start recording automatically when the minidisc detects a sound/voice. If you select this, then MIC SYNC L is the setting for auto recording only if the voice is relatively loud , whlle MIC SYNC H is the setting for auto recording of a softer voice. |
On the Sharp Net MD minidisc recorder, to make these settings plug a microphone into the recorder, put a minidisc in the recorder, press the record button and then take these steps:
Press the blue menu-enter button.
Press the right arrow on the button to scroll to one of the modes listed above.
Press the blue menu-enter button to select that mode to edit.
Press the right arrow on the button to scroll to the setting for that mode listed above.
Press the blue menu-enter button to select that mode setting (then wait 7 seconds).
Repeat the process for the other mode settings.
On the Sharp _MD-MT90 minidisc recorder, to make these settings plug a microphone into the recorder, put a minidisc in the recorder, press the record button and then take these steps:
For REC MODE, press the MODE/CHRG button until MONO is displayed.
For MIC LEVEL, no change is needed as there is only MANUAL recording.
For MARK, press the EDIT button until 5Min MARK is displayed.
For SYNC ON, press the ENTER/SYNC button to toggle between MIC SYNC L, the setting for auto recording only if the voice is relatively loud , and MIC SYNC H, the setting for auto recording of a softer voice. But only press this button if you want to activate the auto sound detection recording feature, which we don't recommend for most recording sessions.
About this Tutorial
This tutorial was written by Paul Grabowicz and based in part on lectures Robin Wise gave in multimedia skills classes at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.
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