can i use a minidisc for mixdown??

  • Thread starter Thread starter LUTH
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LUTH

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if so, what kind of minidisc, can it be any kind? what would the requirments have to be?


thanx
 
Of course, you *can*... but the question really is - do you *want* to????

MD is a lossy-storage format, so a good portion of your sound is being thrown away (as dictated by the ATRAC compression) algorithms. This means it is not ideal as a mixdown format since the idea is to maintain the audio quality throughout the production process.

But for messing about with your own stuff, or non-release material, it will be fine...

Bruce
 
Check your mixes with them. when you get it right put it on a cd, If you still like what you hear, you havent made a bunch of coasters.
 
Also, from what I understand, Minidisc is not CD quality audio. Isn't the sample rate 32 Khz or something like that? It won't fully capture frequencys above, like, 12K if I remember right.

I think you'd probably be better off to mix down to your soundblaster sound card or whatever's in your computer.
 
Yes, minidisc's lossy but, unless you're gonna a/b it with DAT then it's unlikely you'd notice - especially with the latest versions of ATRAC. The sample rate is 44.1, so no worries there.

As BBS says, it's not a "pro" format, but it still sounds good. The trick, if you're really concerned, is to monitor the output of the MD deck while mixing, as opposed to the ouput of your DAW or whatever. That way, what you hear is what you'll get.

It's so easy to get hung up on pristine sounds - I've had stuff released that's been recorded (not very carefully) on stereo cassette (the only versions which had the right "vibe", oddly enough...). MD isn't DAT, but it's a great format and easy to work with. Just be sure to make some backup mixes.
 
LUTH, I have a Sony mindisc recorder with the latest ATRAC coding system, a model
JE440 and it was reviewed in an audiophile magazine as to its recording quality.
It took the reviewer about 9 or 10 times to tell the difference between the original
source CD and the recorded minidisc. It helps that it uses 24 bits instead of 16.
There is also a "model up' from this made for the European market where it's more
popular. Even with my fussy ears the difference between a source CD and the mindiscs
I've recorded is so slight that in my mind someone could use it even for a commercial
release! (assuming it was given a truly professional mastering job after)
 
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