Klarinet Archive - Posting 000401.txt from 2001/11

From: "Robert Moody" <LetsReason@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Random bits (long reply)
Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2001 22:50:54 -0500

> In short...get the cheaper one and get to work. Or..get the "I've got the
> latest and greatest one..nnnnnanaananaaaaa" and figure out a way
> to do what
> you are wanting. :-)

<<Nope.... I'd say get the more expensive one. If you want to plug a
microphone in and record, you'll need the mic input jack. Sorry to be the
bearer of bad news. If it is a Sharp, though, drop and run. Get the Sony
and when you record, make sure there isn't any "level control" on it.>>

If I understood him correctly, the more expensive one did NOT have a mic
input and his interest WAS to record on-the-fly. The optical-input only
option would negate his ability to record on-the-fly (and I'm not even sure
if this equipment is made to record on-the-fly with the optical input).

I appreciate your explaining the other issues though. Helps to get a
clearer picture.

I did happen to find myself in Circuit City here in Winchester, Virginia and
I think I saw the MD players that he was talking about. There is another
model that is significantly more expensive that DOES have BOTH the Mic &
Optical inputs. Maybe this is a possible solution.

<<The first I'll hit is the optical input. This is for inputting a digital
signal from another digital device. This usually (in the world of MD) means
a CD player with a Toslink digital output. The digital signal is converted
to light impulses that are carried down a piece of fiber-optic cable. This
is actually a pretty common thing
in professional circles.>>

Of course, this is all very true. I just want our person inquiring to
understand that Optical is not the only means of transferring digitally.
There are other methods that do not require the "inbetween" piece of
equipment that this device is selling with it. In my pathetic search for a
home system, I did not see one tuner/processor that had optical but not have
coaxial, for example. Of course, the connections they offered for the coax
are standard RCA connectors and a little big for this device. The point I
was trying to make, though, is that for the record at home or at the
rehearsal situation, the line-in or mic inputs are probably plenty
sufficient.

<<While you *may* be able to make one of these cheap microphones work with a
line input, I certainly wouldn't recommend it.>>

I wouldn't either. If the devices he is speaking of are the same ones I
saw, the line-in mentioned IS the optical and the mic input is just labeled
"Mic".

<<I'm not sure what you are trying to say here, but the inputs have NOTHING
to do with speeds of recording.>>

I was trying to refer to on-the-fly recording (like at a rehearsal) where
even if you could input with the Optical converter they package with the MD,
it would not really offer anything to substantiate paying more for it.
You'd have more of an issue with the quality of the microphone than the
difference between finished product transfered via Optical vs. Analog in
that situation. In MY opinion, the optical for that situation is really
over-kill. You can get a pretty damn good sound from analog inputs on these
things.

Also, the fiber optics offer a much greater bandwidth with which to transfer
information and it's application potential lies mainly there is many uses
(that and the ability to transfer digital information). In this scenario,
that I though we were speaking of, to purchase a device (and the extra
equipment) for this extra band-width would be "over-kill". This device
could not take advantage of that aspect of the benefits. That's all I was
saying.

I've enjoyed what you've explained for us (all). Thanks again.

Robert

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