Sony MDM-X4

The connection is analog (jack / XLR / RCA) + midi
The frquence of chantillonage is 44.1 kHz
It supports formats MiniDisc MD Mini Disc Audio and Data
Synchronization noon MMC, MTC, MIDI Clock
4-track recording and playback 2 tracks mlangeur

UTILIZATION

The configuration is simple
The usual functions are easily accessible
The manual is clear and sufficient
One can only regret the absence of I / O numriques

SOUNDS

The dynamic is that complies with the compression technology used is the ATRAC

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 7 years

Its strong points:

-Transportable and available any time.
Sa-mixer with direct outputs
His two-inserts for effects processors
-The intuitive
-Records all give before extraction of the MD

Before the acqurir, Submitted to the other models, but taient too expensive to buy and use "of Roland VS840" (recording medium), or not mature enough "Yamaha MD-4"

She has a good qualitprix
I do it again with no exprience hsiter choice.

CHARACTERISTICS any fact sufficient (the era of its release, and still today) to make small models pr-in audio. MD Support is sometimes a bit flaky (can not edit portions of less than 4 seconds, the precision of a second 30me only) for models of music or electro ncessitant great precision, but should trs good acoustics.
There is an undo function and a rehearsal on most edits, but the machine rcrit disk, which can take time, and ncssite have enough room in rab disk. Especially knowing that the MD data are only 37 minutes of capacity, but by buying 2 or 3 ® data and safeguarding the mix ends with an external support, we're not caught short.
Single large default of the machine: no input and output numrique.

UTILIZATION

Simple to use and intuitive trs.
The screen is readable trs (except with a pointed top projo!) And prompts the abrviations said do not disturb the beginners.
Manual manipulated adj dispensable for whom this type of recorder, and clear to the novice.

I used the console for some qq years to mix my keyboards and a small band to play in bar (4 mono tracks + 1 Stereo - 2 shipments of Fx, can act as a circuit return) .

SOUNDS

All converters is honest (again, for this type of hardware and for use of maqutage).
No internal Fx, we can regret it. But the console allows two circuits for shipments outside of Fx.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 7 years, 5 of which extensively as a model and recorder for small mixing console. The first signs of weakness just appeared just this year: 1 x Stereo somewhat tired and 2 buttons that support evil. Everything else is ok: the connection is impccable, faders still rolling, the knobs have all been normal wear.

In the era of its release, c'tait the top in this price range. The MDM-X4 (Mk2 for me) was a better design than its competitor the Yamaha MD-4, silent and less expensive than the Tascam. I do it again this choice without hsiter.

I pass the IT solution since, but I still use my MDM-X4 trs often quick to back the Ides of composed on my keyboard.

Multitrack digital 4 track to MD with embedded analog mixer.
The model in the photo above is the Sony MDM-X4 Mk2 has 2 XLR combo inputs - for the first two jack inputs, the Sony MDM-X4 that did everything short of the jack as input.
Well, for the connection, I do not remember by heart, for it was the camera I had before buying the Fostex VF-16. This is the device that made me make the transition from audiocassette technology and hard drive. Everything I remember is that it has 6 inputs without conpter two stereo effects returns and two effects sends.
Warning: There are no entries - digital outputs, but damage at the time, I had no need.

UTILIZATION

The configuration is simple and user manual ample, editing functions Ultra-complete, there is just something that is stupid: there are two effects sends, but we can send her as one of two per channel. Indeed, if you turn the AUX left, sending the sound on the FX 1, right on the FX 2 and the center, you do not send her.
There is no LCD screen, but a LED: it is easier to read ^ ^
Some editing operations are rejected by the device and I do not know why.
This is the Sony ATRAC compression algorithm that is used here is not uncompressed WAV. Conscéquence: it lacks a bit of precision but ... Advantage: 37 minutes of audio in 4 tracks for a single MD ^ ^

SOUNDS

Good sound clear and precise: nothing to say.

OVERALL OPINION

At the time of purchase, there were 3 brands: Yamaha, Tascam and Sony who manufactured. If I chose this model (compared to the model Tascam example), it is mostly for its editing features hyper-complete, in a context where computers were not powerful enough at that time to make audio edits with. For that, no problem: impeccable. on the other hand, you can not do 4-track minidisc with normal (2 tracks Max reading and writing): it takes mini PC DATA - magneto-optical disks of 140 MB 2.5 "- and there are these mini- very expensive and difficult to find - they had to special order. And to run properly, it takes at least a dozen mini DATA. This is what killed the multitrack minidisc, in my opinion. Only Yamaha has designed 8-track multitrack minidisc: Yamaha MD8 MD8S and Yamaha.

I found just a shame that Sony has not developed more for home studio recording: This unit is the only Sony in this category to date (February 2009).