worth it?

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xxmetalinbloodx

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I was wondering how mini-discs compare to hard-disk recording, I like the fact that its removable media, would you think mini discs are hard drives would be better in quality? Oh, and about compatibily. Do more consoles support mini-discs, or hard disks?
 
MiniDisc uses ATRAC which is a compressed audio format... not only that, the compression is a lossy type - meaning a portion of your signal gets thrown away...

It is not even up to 16-bit/44.1KHz in terms of sound quality, and is not comparable to any recording format that doesn't use lossy compression........

Apples and oranges..........

Bruce
 
Yo Whateverthehellyourhandle is:

Bruce is right. I should say, "older" Bruce is right. I have the MD8 and I have the DAW Yamaha 2816 = there is no comparison. The headroom of the 2816 is amazing. The sound is amazing. And, there is no compression and that is a fact, not amazing.

Sooooooo, I'd look into either PC or DAW or both, depends on your bolsa.

Hey Bruce, I'm getting into the 2816 and it's fun.


Green Hornet
 
The Green Hornet said:
Hey Bruce, I'm getting into the 2816 and it's fun.
Click to expand...
Cool! Glad to hear it, GH!!

Now what the HELL did you mean by "older Bruce"!??? :(

:D :D
 
How come I only see your speach on altrac compression in this forum, Have you ever posted anything here that didnt include the compression speal.
 
Probably not.... and I keep having to repeat it because it seems many do not understand or even know that minidisc is NOT the same as DAT or CD in terms of sound quality........

If people would use the search function, then I wouldn't have to keep repeating myself... but they DON'T, so I DO!

:rolleyes:


In any case, ATRAC only comes up as part of MiniDisc technology, so why WOULD I have to post about it in any other forum???
 
It's not speal, it's very true. And it's ATRAC not ALTRAC. The artifacts from the comression are very audible.
 
I have to ask this question.
What is the purpose of the recording you want to do?

Im an old analog guy, and the MD8 had a analog mixer section for me to touch. I personally like knobs to turn, I took a chance with going with MiniDisk Multi Track recording. The artifacts TR and Bruce talk about are less noticeable as long as you don't ping pong, and using analog processors can relieve some of the problems. Its nice for writing and composing new ideas, but as far as quality is concerned its limited to Pro-Consumer enthusiast. Its will truncate and delete quite a bit of the frequencies that contribute to the harmonic ambience of things like cymbals. You can actually hear where the decay clips off prematurely.
I would focus more on hard disk recorders that have at least 24/96 ability, PC based systems offer tremendous growth opportunity in a changing world. Alot of the DAW's advertise 24/96 but your advertised track count drops when using the 24 bit mode. These DAW's truncate the data when making CD's, which you may not care about. After careful analysis my recommendations would be the Yamaha AW2816 for a DAW, but also a 24/96 sound card in a PC for doing 2 track editing and burning, there are PC based systems to do dithering down to the 16/44.1 for you and when 24 bit CD players come down you will have less shuffling to do. You could also for less than 5 grand go with a Mackie Hardisk recorder with a used 8 buss console, lots of growth there too.
Im dissappointed in my MD8, don't make the same mistakes by limiting your current situation or by cutting off the future.
Just my opinion as usual. Get what you can afford to fill the purpose of today.

Peace,
Dennis
 
Yo Bruce or Dennis:

Since I'm working with the DAW2816 now, I have a question.

Can I record in 24 bit and run that out of the back of the 2816 into regular cassette tape?

I think I can. I know I can't burn a CD from 24 bit.

Many features on the 2816 are the same or similar to the Yam MD8; however, the sound on the 2816 is just wonderful.

Thanks for you answer. I just haven't had time to try it yet since I'm working on a project and using 16 bit.


Green Hornet
 
I'm assuming you mean analog outputs to the inputs of your cassette deck... if so, yes...

The signal will pass to a D/A converter then out to the analog outputs............

Bruce
 
Everytime I make an assumption its wrong....I collect wrong assumtions and re-use them occasionally. SO...


Peace,
Dennis
 
Yo Bruce:

Thanks for the info. I thought it could be done. I just haven't given it a try yet.

I'm guessin the sound will be pretty good. I ran some stuff from a CD into the hard drive of the 2816 and it is SOOOOOO clear.

As to "old?" Naww, not you. But you sure remember a lot of trivia that I remember. You must be well educated.

Thanks again,
Green Hornet:D :D :p
 
Yeah I only come in here anymore when I see you had the last post. Ive been mastering to a 40gb maxtor 7200 hd. but for listening to stuff at work you can hardly beat the convienince of MD.

I agree the md8 design would be sweet on a hard disc without compression Ive always liked the analog controls over digital ones.
 
-that's "hybrid".

The Tascam 564, Yamaha MD8, etc, are analog/digital hybrid designs, and this is also my favorite design concept,... as my taste for digital goes.

The Fostex FD4 and FD8 were also hybrids, based on hard disc technology, but pardon me if I'm wrong, but the specs on the FD4 and FD8 might be a bit obsolete, by now. I think those machines were 16-bit, uncompressed format. Someone correct me, if I'm wrong.

-Anyway, point being, I agree with Darrin on digital design: hybrids are the best design.

Even though most units are LCD-menu driven machines, maybe another good hybrid will hit the market,... you know,... it's not impossible.

Fact is, that I'd like to see Tascam come up with another hybrid design,... based on a hard disc, with no compression, etc, and otherwise an analog mixer section, and analog style controls.

I know, it may never happen. Wait & see.
 
As usual Bruce is right, HOWEVER, for someone without a
computer, or a computerphobe (as I was!), minidisc is a great
format for convenience and for rehearsing for a "real studio".
(putting on flame retardent suit now) I'd go as far to say that
MD sound quality is roughly equal to a 4 track 1/4" @ 7 1/2 ips,
with dbx noise reduction. If we did a demo on the analog unit,
and compared it with minidisc I doubt most anyone could tell the
difference other than audiophiles and pro engineers.
Any concerns after that point would be "release level" for those
of us that want to get a "real" multi-track like adat or the
Yamaha. Of course if only pro knowledge could be bought
"off the shelf"! I think most enthusiasts like myself are better
off using someone like Bruce for anything really important,
unless you can gain experience firsthand from another expert.
 
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