My Sony MXD-D3 CD Player & MiniDisc Recorder
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- Here is a video of a rare CD player/MiniDIsc recorder combination I bought about ten years ago. MiniDisc (MD) didn't catch on in the high end home audio market but they are very popular with professionals. You'll find them in radio stations and recording studios and many serious audio archivists use MD for long term storage. I used to have several of these machines but now I only have this one and a small portable Walkman type which is still packed away in storage. :) JC
Picked one of these up from a thrift store today for $20. It was priced at $25 but I offered a manager $20 and he accepted. Was a little dirty but she cleaned up nicely. And she works like a charm. Just copied a CD to MD at 4x. Sweet. Very nice unit. I believe it sold for around $400 when it came out. MiniDisc is one of the coolest audio formats ever created. Too bad it never took off.
This is great. I still have the MXD-D1 unit i bought in 1998. Really expensive unit back then, but I needed the CD/MD combo as my existing cd player had no optical/digital out.
Still works 100 %. And it's funny as that knob you describe at 6:40 (same knob on the D1) is one of my favorite features on the unit, as it allows you to quickly whip back or forward through the track listings accurately without pushing silly little buttons continuously.
Thank for all the nice comments! MD is still popular in radio stations. It's not as readily available to the consumer as it once was but you can order the machines and discs on the web... :) JC
You can order MD's in bulk from professional audio supply houses. I don't use MD much anymore other than to retrieve something I recorded when I was using them all the time. :) JC
I just got a MDS-JE510, great deck. I got it because last week, I got a free MDS-S707 that could only play, it wouldn't record. So I just needed something to record MDs with. Really cool format. After cassette, reel to reel, CD, vinyl, VHS, and even LaserDisc, I just needed MiniDisc too :)
@yawroc This machine does not record CD's... The other record button puts it in a dedicated dubbing mode where you can copy CD to MD at high speed. :) JC
Thanks! I'm not sure why it didn't catch on in America but it took off overseas. There was no real push to get pre-recorded MD material out to the consumer in America. The record companies were pushing CD's for $20 bucks a pop when MD hit the market. Also, the machines can be a bit daunting for the average person to learn how to use. All the editing is done through menus and there are lots of different options to wade through. It takes a bit of practice. :) JC
Thanks! MD's are very tough but the weakest link in the system are the machines. The lasers burn up quick if you do a lot of recording and the Sony machines have those wonky switches on them. Tascam makes a true professional machine that is a bit more rugged than the Sony models. I don't know the life expectancy for MD's but I would imagine that it would outlast a standard CD-R simply because of the recording method. No one really knows. All the existing media is only 15 years old. :) JC
Makes sense... The limit for tracks is 255 so you'd have to blast the TOC out and start fresh. We always did a full erase before using the disc again so that's why I never ran into the problem. :) JC
Thanks!... I have stuff all over the place but I'm slowly moving it to hard drive storage with a mirrored backup. :) JC
@Swordsage You're welcome! MD was quite the thing for a while before CD writers became more affordable. I am down to one machine now because I only use it for playback. :) JC
Thanks! The long play MD's were just coming in as I was moving away from the format. I've never heard what they sounded like. MD was not cheap in the US, either... I used to have a nice Sony CD recorder with a 5 CD changer in it... That and the CD burner in the computer have pretty much taken over from everything else. I get Maxell archive quality CD's. We'll see how long they last.! :) JC
@DvdXploitr I never had a machine with the LP mode but I was told that it didn't sound too bad. It's all about what you're willing to tolerate as far as quality goes. :) JC
Got one today at my local goodwill store for $2.99. Thanks for this video for the quick overview. I have two portables and two decks now. Am looking forward to scoping out the editing functions.
Thanks for the video. I have the same unit and I still use it. I use it to record my vinly records and make mixed MD. I have a few portables as well. They're fun and not many people here in the US are familiar with it.
@cosmojay They didn't catch on here in the consumer market but radio stations loved them :) JC
@xxXCalculatorXxx "High" allows you to dump audio from CD at 4x. It's good if you want to rip a whole CD onto MD however it can produce more errors than dubbing at "normal" speed. I only ever used it with pristine CD's. Other than the high speed dub from CD, everything else is at 1 x. :) JC
Thanks! I have found that the ATRAC 4.5 compression used in the MXD-D3 is mostly inviable on most types of audio... It all depends on what your recording and at what level it is being recorded. Some things show the artifacts more readily than others... :) JC
I go to thinking about and I believe your right. Those last two songs were spliced together for a dramatic effect and I guess they were just lumped together in one track. :) JC
@aceyacem As far as I know, you have to have a machine with that feature on it. Otherwise, the speed is fixed at the standard 75 frames per second. :) JC
Nice vide, thanks. By any chance, would you know how to put it in service mode? stop + clear on both sides didn't work.
Thanks! A quick search came up with one machine currently available. It's a Tascam professional machine that's going for just under $500...Too bad. This is a great format for recording and editing audio. :) JC
@gdh75 I just keep one around for playback now... If you really wanted a new one they still make them for professionals but they are very expensive. :) JC
@SlimeAmTheBest Yeah, that record is good ear candy. The band on it is the Hooters and it has a live feel to it. :) JC
I bought mine around '99 or 2000 as well and have had it ever since and it works like a champ. I still think MDs are cool and I have a portable "Walkman" recorder as well from Sony. I still love these things, and ironically my portable is in storage too. I want to find some original recorded MDs to add to my collection as well.
I still have this Sony MXD-D3 CD and switches still work as new...
(2016)
This was fun to watch. I'm a minidisc fan myself, and I love researching all the older machines and seeing how well they work. Right now I own three portables (NH1, NH3D, Rh1), and an old deck (MDS-JE520), and all three have been put to work with no complaints from me whatsoever. I do hope to one day get a better deck though.
Anyways, thanks for sharing. :)
I love these things! I been using a Portable Minidisc NetMD that connects to the USB port of the computer and copies music (up to 5 hours of music per 80 minute disk!) sure it compresses the audio, but its good for travel, but if i used the 80 minute disk in "standard" play mode, it would sound just like a CD (like yours)…but 54 hours on a single AA disk and 5 hours of music per disk….i RARELY would switch disk when traveling :)
@lildnycecity You'll need stereo RCA jack to a single stereo 1/8 inch phone jack to send the audio into line in. Some Sony PC's have TOSLink fiber optic but they are rare.:) JC
@vafbsgb The volume has nothing to do with record level. They are two separate controls. :) JC
@wendileona Yep, it's amazing what you can do with MD's. :) JC
@chadergeist Yep... The MD is from that CD master but the audio great :) JC
Question, does anyone know why my Sony mini disk/cd mxd-d3 player will only play certain cd'd, our church player which is the same type does it as well ?
Huh.... Does that apply to overwriting existing tracks or erasing the TOC completely? . We used to use the discs over and over in radio stations and we never had a problem. I gotta check that out. I can hear ATRAC version 3.x and lower but this machine is version 4.5 and I can't here it at all on the first generation. It performs on the same level as mp2 full stereo at 256 kbps and that is quite transparent, as well. mp2/256 is the standard HD storage format for radio these days. :) JC
@wendileona Thanks! :) JC
Very nice system and nice demo too. It is real difficult trying to decide how to archive, I guess it will always be a moving target.
Nice vid. I have 7 MD decks (4 of which will do CD>MD). All have LP ability. It's a great format and I wish it hadn't hit a dead end.
awesome review. I'm on the hunt for this model on eBay :)
With other MiniDisc decks, you can actually edit down to the nano-second... I exaggerate, but you can do very, very precise edits. I would record radio shows and edit down perfectly the commercials out. Stuff like that but you can only do that in higher end MD decks from Japan and ES models.
Minidisc are like dinosaurs
so im watching a 11 yo video about audio, and there is a 10 yo audio player in the video
dunno man it's 4 am here
@Paul68595 Your machine probably needed a good head cleaning. They get dirty after a while. Unlike CD, the magnetic head actually touches the disc when it is recording. :) JC
Can it record from an external source to a blank cd?
No, these only record onto MD.
I have mine for quiet sometime. I am having a hard time connecting the deck to the back because there is no sound. the md is playing but no sound. I replaced the wires, but still no sound
Sony used to put MD drives in their computers but I don't know whether they are being made at all today. :)
Hi Joe a great vid. I have been a fan of Minidiscs for years plus we use them in the studio. Sony should have made the licence to make them free to all.They were always expensive to buy here in the UK.What killed MD was MP3! I have several MD recorders. Did the MDLP 2 and LP4 catch on over there? Incidentally there was a MD deck that had a 3 disc CD platter as part of it.
Jim
Not anymore. Radio stations use computers now. Minidisc's have been out of the radio industry here for awhile now but this is 2015 too. I have two of these and I don't even use my CD recorder anymore. It just sits here gathering dust. I've had problems with the AMS function as well on one of mine. Luckily I sold it that way with no problem. Wouldn't use anything else to edit and record, tho as you stated these did have flaws in the cheaper models. There are also "Industrial Type" ones radio stations used.
Must be a later version with a bonus track on it. The LP and original CD had just 9 tracks on it... :) JC
Just bought this unit today from Goodwill. CD player side is skipping, so ordered a new laser assembly for it. Hopefully the MD side works well. Ordered some blank discs.
We still use two of them at our radio station in California! Mostly for ABC sports. :)
You say this is a CD Player MIni Disc combination. Where as the CD sid eof this machine also has record beneath it in RED.. Now something you demonstrated was that this machine will record perfectly from CD to MD but what about the otherway? Will this machine record from MD to CD. Thankyou
@MinistryOfSoundOldsk Same here... :) JC
Question...I've always wondered this: I still deejay with duel m.d players & love them. Is there a way to open them up & tweek the playback speed up just a tiny bit, like upping the pitch? I've seen a Denon duel m.d player for d.j use that has pitch control so I know it can be done. Thanks!!!
@Airboy15 Pre-recorded MD's can be found on eBay. But I don't know why or WHO has decided in pricing them so high. ATRAC is compressed music, I don't think a Michael Bolton MiniDisc should be $30... cmon. But a Pink Floyd title, any and all plus Michael Jackson MD's, do command higher because of the artist name and collectibility. I can understand even a Rolling Stone MD costing $30 or the rare Doors MD but normally, used MDs should be around 10 - 15, but the market determines the value...
@manicindhouse SOn y made some really nice players... This one is definitely pro quality. :) JC
I HAVE A QUESTION,I HAVE A MINIDISC MXD-D3 LIKE NEW,BUT IN THE SCREEN WHEN I INSERT A ORIGINAL CD NO APPEARS THE WORD CDTEXT,CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO ME WHY? THANKS.
Some CD's have text encoded on them for track names. The CD you're putting in does not. That's all. :)
@jrcb72008 I have no clue... :) JC
Lovely machine!!!
Thanks Joe for replying.. can I ask you another question?
Is there such thing as a MD that can be plugged into your computer (that has mp3 music) and download the music into the MD player instead of recording it real time or at 4X?
@SlimeAmTheBest I've got it on LP now... No, I never did get a CD of this. :) JC
@BadEditPro
Oh that is a shame i thought i had it cracked to transfer staright from mini disc to CD. I saw one of these machines on Ebay but nope don't think i will bother now. Thanks for the reply
Hey Joe. Are you planning on you selling that cd player / mini disc recorder combo unit? :) If so, I'd like to buy it from you please. :) Thank you! :)
Nope. It' in storage should I need to play an MD.
@civilbeing So did mine... I use it for playback of MDs only at the point in time. :)( JC
does anyone know does the mxd-d3 in the video have auto pause function?
@BadEditPro you could also look around for a Hi-MD player that lets you do that.
@BadEditPro I had cheap (Dollar General) headphones at the time, so the quality didn't sound any better on non-LP mode than on LP mode, now with my more expensive headphones, I could probably tell a difference…I have started getting music in FLAC format here recently because it makes a MAJOR difference….but, I have always wanted one of those home stereo MiniDisc players but they were just too expensive and not enough "support" artist-wise
Got the same device @ my HT setup. Still using as main CD player, works perfectly from 97 or 98' ,dont remember
Thanks! I wonder whatever happened to the SCT-3100? LOL :) JC
@BadEditPro Hi there JC, just discovered you vids, cool stuff, I subscribed!
I use my MiniDisc recorders to record my drum practices where I play electronic drums as practice along with favorite songs, they I take and go and enjoy the music in a new way and at the same time study what I need to improve, great ideas, develop skills and so on.
And of course, just to listen to record LP's, rare tapes, etc. in another format which is another excuse to enjoy even more music!
;o)
what formats does the cd and mini reads?
Remember this is before recordable CD's & not many people had computers yet! CD is .WAV and MiniDisc is Sony's ATRAC audio format. Sony owns the ATRAC format, but leased it out to around 100 Audio manufacturers that made the MiniDisc Players/Recorders. And yes there are that many brands that made MiniDisc Players/Recorders!
it only records in real time, right?
Cuanto dinero quieres por tu equipo y como esta
No, it will rip at 4x, too.
minidiscs are pretty cool, too bad they didn't catch on...
i need one
with my sony minidisc in my opinion it wa 80 audio quality as per cd..
80 % quality that is..but great for editing
another copyright big weapon.................