Sony MZ-B100 MiniDisc Business Recorder Review
Every positive comment I've read about this machine is true. I liked mine so much I ended up buying three (when they were available.) I use one in my studio, take one with me to classes to record lectures (I'm 62 and have gone back to university.) I gave the third to a dear friend who is a fellow retired broadcaster living in Amsterdam who does a show on the internet DFM network Sunday afternoons and frequently includes stuff she has recorded into her mix. (Thunderstorms are great with mega bass turned on.) What nobody seems to mention is that there is a port on the top of the machine for one of Sony's transformer power supplies, which saves a lot on batteries. The transformers are good with 115-220 V at 60 50 Hz respectively, which means you can take the MZ-B100 just about anywhere in Europe or North America and not waste batteries except on remote locations. Sony's transformer has fold-in U.S. flat blade connectors to mains, but Magellan or AAA can fix you up with a converter plug for a nominal charge. Electronic editing is a cinch as you define edit points using the "mark" button. that assigns the track a number, which can then be moved to almost any other place also so marked. The first time I saw one of these machines was a photograph of Terry Anderson's workspace in Iraq on assignment from the BBC. I am told that when these MZ-B100's were released they cost in excess of 0. They are a bargain at more than that IF YOU CAN FIND ONE. I have Uher and Studer equipment that can't come close to quality per ounce that the MZ-B100 can deliver. The blank discs can be used "one million times" says Sony, without any noticeble loss of quality. I am a 40 year broadcast veteran, both "talent" and engineer, and if you told someone you could pack all of these features (read the manual, there's a link elsewhere in this product listing) in 1965 I'd have laughed at you while seriously questioning your sanity. If you can find one listed here or elsewhere BUY IT ! IPOD SCHMIPOD, this is the genuine breakthrough. There is also an optical digital input, which means you can virtually clone CD's if your CD machine has an optical output.(It's usually locatable by the little squareish plug in the back which protects the port when not in use.) I found the connecting digital cable and transformer on eBay. Good as the built in stereo mikes are, an expensive mike with a fabricated stereo mini plug to XLR connector does a fantastic job. The mic input also feeds phantom power to condenser mikes. All in all a little miracle of design and practicality.
Sony MZ-B100 MiniDisc Business Recorder Feature
- Records separate left and right channels in stereo with built-in flat microphone
- Up to 320 minutes recording time allows extended recording times ? records more than 5 hours in MD-LP mode using standard MiniDiscs
- Voice Operated Recording ( VOR ) conserves disc space, eliminating soundless passages
- Up to 12 hours playback (43 hours monaural) with 1 AA battery (not included)
- Playback speed control (+30% / -15%) allows easier review of recordings
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Customer Reviews
Sony MZ B100 MiniDisc Recorder - La Morenita - Boca Raton, FL
This recorder has been the best investment I have made. It is user friendly, has easy to read and understand displays, and makes great recordings using an external mic or its own internal mic. I have recommended it to several of my friends and our university radio station owns several. Students prefer this model over those recorders like the MZ N10 that are both difficult and confusing to use.
May 16, 2010 02:58:16
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