Sony MDS-E52 User Manual

2-346-702-12(1)

MiniDisc Recorder

Operating Instructions

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MDS-E52

 1998 by Sony Sound Tec Corporation

WARNING

Notice for the Customers in the United Kingdom

IMPORTANT

The wires in this mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code:

Blue : Neutral

Brown : Live As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this apparatus may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows: The wire which is coloured blue must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter N or coloured black. The wire which is coloured brown must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter L or coloured red. Do not connect either wire to the earth terminal in the plug which is marked by the letter E or by the safety earth symbol Y or coloured green or green-and-yellow.

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.

Precautions

On safety (Rifer to the supplied “WARNING”.)

Should any solid object or liquid fall into the cabinet, unplug the recorder and have it checked by qualified personnel before operating it any further.

On power sources

• Before operating the recorder, check that the operating voltage of the recorder is identical with your local power supply. The operating voltage is indicated on the nameplate at the rear of the recorder.

• If you are not going to use the recorder for a long time, be sure to disconnect the recorder from the wall outlet. To disconnect the AC power cord, grasp the plug itself; never pull the cord.

• AC power cord must be changed only at the qualified service shop.

On operation

If the recorder is brought directly from a cold to a warm location, or is placed in a very damp room, moisture may condense on the lenses inside the recorder. Should this occur, the recorder may not operate properly. In this case, remove the MD and leave the recorder turned on for about an hour until the moisture evaporates.

On the MiniDisc cartridge

• Do not open the shutter to expose the MD.

• Do not place the cartridge where it will be subject to extremes of sunlight, temperature, moisture or dust.

On cleaning

Clean the cabinet, panel and controls with a soft cloth slightly moistened with a mild detergent solution. Do not use any type of abrasive pad, scouring powder or solvent such as alcohol or benzine.

If you have any questions or problems concerning your recorder, please consult your nearest Sony dealer.

Welcome!

Thank you for purchasing the Sony MiniDisc Recorder. Before operating the recorder, please read this manual thoroughly and retain it for future reference.

About This Manual

Conventions

• Controls in the instructions are those

on the recorder; these may, however, be substituted by controls on the remote that are similarly named or, when different, appear in the instructions within brackets.

• The following icons are used in this

manual:

Indicates a procedure that requires use of the remote.

Indicates tips for making the task easier and hints.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

* The location of the marking is at the rear of

the enclosure.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Getting Started

Unpacking ........................................................................................................................... 4

Connection .......................................................................................................................... 4

Basic Operations

Recording on an MD ......................................................................................................... 6

Playing an MD.................................................................................................................... 8

Recording on MDs

Notes on Recording ........................................................................................................... 9

Useful Tips for Recording ................................................................................................ 9

Recording Over Existing Tracks..................................................................................... 11

Adjusting the Recording Level.......................................................................................11

Marking Track Numbers While Recording (Track Marking) ................................... 12

Starting Recording With 6 Seconds of Prestored Audio Data

(Time Machine Recording) ..............................................................................................12

Synchro-Recording With Audio Equipment of Your Choice.................................... 13

Synchro-Recording With a Sony CD Player................................................................. 14

Playing MDs

Using the Display ............................................................................................................. 15

Locating a Specific Track ................................................................................................. 16

Locating a Particular Point in a Track ........................................................................... 17

Playing Tracks Repeatedly .............................................................................................. 17

Playing Tracks in Random Order (Shuffle Play).........................................................18

Creating Your Own Program (Program Play) ............................................................. 19

Useful Tips When Recording From MDs to Tape ....................................................... 20

Editing Recorded MDs

Notes on Editing ............................................................................................................... 20

Erasing Recordings (Erase Function) ............................................................................ 20

Dividing Recorded Tracks (Divide Function).............................................................. 22

Combining Recorded Tracks (Combine Function) ..................................................... 23

Moving Recorded Tracks (Move Function).................................................................. 24

Labeling Recordings (Title Function) ............................................................................ 24

Undoing the Last Edit (Undo Function) ....................................................................... 27

Additional Information

Function of Control Terminal ......................................................................................... 27

Dimensions ........................................................................................................................ 28

Display Messages.............................................................................................................. 29

System Limitations ........................................................................................................... 29

Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................ 30

Specifications ..................................................................................................................... 31

Index of Parts and Controls ............................................................................................ 32

Guide to the Serial Copy Management System ........................................................... 33

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Getting Started

Unpacking

Check that you received the following items:

• Remote commander (remote) RM-D7M (1)

• R6 (size AA) batteries (2)

Inserting batteries into the remote

You can control the recorder using the supplied remote. Insert two R6 (size AA) batteries by matching the + and – on the batteries. When using the remote, point it at the remote sensor on the recorder.

When to replace batteries

With normal use, the batteries should last for about six months. When the remote no longer operates the recorder, replace all the batteries with new ones.

Connection

Overview

This section describes how to hook up the MD recorder to other components such as a mixer, CD player or DAT recorder. Be sure to turn off the power of each component before connection.

Control

equipment

LINE(ANALOG

ç

OUT

)

OUT

COAXIAL

OUT

ç

Mixer

CTRL-S

DIGITAL

COAXIAL

OUTIN

REMOTE

RS-232C

ANALOG INPUT

SELECTOR

UNBAL BAL -10dBu +4dBu

ç

Control

equipment

ANALOG (BAL) OUTPUT LEVEL

ç

Ç

ANALOG (BAL)

R IN L R OUT L

ç

OUT

Mixer

ç

to a wall outlet

Notes

• Do not leave the remote near an extremely hot or humid

place.

• Do not drop any foreign object into the remote casing,

particularly when replacing the batteries.

• Do not expose the remote sensor to direct sunlight or

lighting apparatuses. Doing so may cause a malfunction.

• If you don’t use the remote for an extended period of time,

remove the batteries to avoid possible damage from battery leakage and corrosion.

: Signal flow

ç

DIGITAL

OPTICAL OUT

CD player, DAT recorder, or MD recorder, etc.

DIGITAL

OPTICAL IN

DIGITAL

COAXIAL OUT

CD player, DAT recorder, or MD recorder, etc.

DIGITAL

COAXIAL IN

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Getting Started

What cords will I need?

• Audio connecting cords (pin type)

White

(L)

Red

(R)

White

(L)

Red (R)

• Optical cable

• Coaxial digital connecting cable

• Control-S cord (mini jack type)

Connection

Connecting the recorder to an analog component such as a mixer, etc.

ANALOG INPUT SELECTOR Switch

)

CTRL-S

DIGITAL

LINE(ANALOG

OUT

COAXIAL

OUTIN

OUT

ANALOG (UNBAL) IN/OUT Jack

Two kinds of connection as follows are possible by switching the ANALOG INPUT SELECTOR switch.

• When the SELECTOR switch is set to BAL The signals are input or output from the ANALOG (BAL) IN/OUT connector (XLR-3-31, XLR-3-32 equivalent).

XLR connector XLR-3-31 equivalent

Press here to disconnect.

1: GND

Align

2: HOT 3: COLD

The OUTPUT LEVEL can be selected -10dBu or +4dBu by the ANALOG (BAL) OUTPUT LEVEL switch.

• When the SELECTOR switch is set to UNBAL The signals are input or output from the ANALOG (UNBAL) IN/OUT jack. Be sure to match the color-coded cords to the appropriate jacks on the components: red (right) to red and white (left) to white. Be sure to make connections firmly to prevent hum and noise.

MD recorder

)

LINE(ANALOG

OUT

ANALOG (BAL) OUTPUT LEVEL Switch

REMOTE

ANALOG INPUT

ANALOG (BAL)

SELECTOR

OUTPUT LEVEL

RS-232C

UNBAL BAL -10dBu +4dBu

R IN L R OUT L

ANALOG (BAL) IN/OUT Connector

XLR connector XLR-3-32 equivalent

Align

ANALOG (BAL)

Press here to disconnect.

Mixer

2TR

1: GND 2: HOT 3: COLD

INOUT

Connecting the recorder to a digital component such as a CD player, DAT recorder, another MD recorder, or mixer

Connect the component through the DIGITAL IN/OUT connectors with two optical cables or coaxial digital connecting cables.

• Using the optical cables Take the caps off the connectors before plugging in the cables.

MD recorder Digital component

OPTICAL

DIGITAL

OUT

COAXIAL

OUTIN

DIGITAL

OPTICAL

OUTIN

çç

ç: Signal flow

çç

• Using the coaxial digital connecting cables

MD recorder Digital component

OPTICAL

DIGITAL

OUT

COAXIAL

OUTIN

DIGITAL

COAXIAL

OUTIN

çç

ç: Signal flow

çç

z Automatic conversion of digital sampling rates

during recording

A built-in sampling rate converter automatically converts the sampling frequency of various digital sources to the 44.1 kHz sampling rate of your MD recorder. This allows you to record sources such as 32 and 48 kHz DAT or satellite broadcasts, as well as compact discs and other MDs.

Connecting the AC power cord

Connect the AC power cord to a wall outlet.

çç

ç: Signal flow

çç

Regardless of the setting of the ANALOG INPUT switch, signals are transferred to both the UNBAL and BAL output terminals.

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Basic Operations

Recording on an MD

23 7

STANDBY

ON OFF

AMS(PUSH ENTER

DISPLAY/CHAR

A.SPACE/A.PAUSE

INPUT

EJECT

DIGITAL COAXOPT ANALOG

PLAY MODE

REC MODE

REPEAT

MONO STEREO

Turn on the mixer and program source.

Press U.

Insert a recordable MD.

)

EDIT

REC LEVEL

YES

PHONE

LEVEL

MIN MAX

PHONES

6854

With the arrow pointing this way

With the label side up

If the MD has a recorded material on it, the recorder will automatically start recording from the end of the last recorded track.

About LINE (ANALOG) IN

Set the ANALOG INPUT SELECTOR SWITCH to the terminal you use (BAL or UNBAL).

Monitor audio during recording

Even if you set REC MODE to MONO, the monitor signal does not become monaural.

Set INPUT to the corresponding input connector.

To record through Set INPUT to

DIGITAL IN

COAXIAL

DIGITAL COAX DIGITAL OPTOPTICAL

LINE (ANALOG) IN

ANALOG

Set REC MODE to the mode you want to record in.

To record in Set REC MODE to

Stereo sound Monaural sound*

* In the monaural recording, you can record about two times longer than in

the stereo recording.

STEREO MONO

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Basic Operations

Press r.

The recorder stands by for record.

When recording the analog input signal, adjust the recording

level with REC LEVEL. The fourth dot is satisfactory for most purposes. For details, refer to “Adjusting the Recording Level” on page 11.

Press · or P.

Recording starts.

Start playing the program source.

When ”TOC“ flashes in the display

The recorder is currently updating the Table Of Contents (TOC). Do not turn off the power, move the recorder, or pull out the AC power cord, while “TOC” is flashing. Changes to an MD made through recording are saved only when you update the TOC by ejecting the MD.

Do not turn off the power or disconnect the recorder from the power source immediately after recording.

If you do, recorded material may not be saved to the MD. To save the material, after recording, press § EJECT to take out the MD. “TOC” will flash in the display at this time. After “TOC” stops flashing and is unlit, you can turn off the power or pull out the AC power cord.

Stop recording Pause recording* P. Press the button again or press · to

Take out the MD

* Whenever you pause recording, the track number increases by one. For example, if

you paused recording while recording on track 4, the track number increases by one and recording continues on the new track when restarted.

To protect an MD against accidental erasure

To make it impossible to record on an MD, slide the tab in the direction of arrow, opening the slot. To allow recording, close the slot.

Rear of the disc

Press

resume recording.

§ EJECT after stopping recording

Record-protect tab

Basic Operations

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Slide the tab in the direction of arrow

Note

If you switch REC MODE during recording or recording pause, recording stops.

Basic Operations

Playing an MD

Adjust the headphone volume

STANDBY

ON OFF

)

AMS(PUSH ENTER

DISPLAY/CHAR

A.SPACE/A.PAUSE

INPUT

EJECT

DIGITAL COAXOPT ANALOG

PLAY MODE

REC MODE

REPEAT

MONO STEREO

REC LEVEL

YES

EDIT

PHONE

LEVEL

MIN MAX

PHONES

Connect the headphones

Turn on the mixer and adjust the fader or level control of the

corresponding channel.

Press U.

Insert an MD.

You can locate and play back a track while the recorder is stopped

1 Turn AMS (or press =

or + on the remote) until the number of the desired track appears.

2 Press AMS or ·.

To use headphones

Connect them to PHONES jack. Use PHONE LEVEL to adjust the volume.

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With the arrow pointing this way

Press ·.

The recorder starts playing.

Stop playing Pause playing

Go to the next track

Go to the preceding track

Take out the MD

With the label side up

Do the following:

Press p. Press P. Press the button again or press

· to resume playing. Turn AMS clockwise (or press + on

the remote).

Turn AMS counterclockwise (or press = on the remote).

Press § EJECT.

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Recording on MDs

Notes on Recording

If “Protected” appears in the display

The MD is record-protected. Close the slot to record on the disc (see “To protect an MD against accidental erasure” on page 7).

If “Din Unlock” flashes in the display

• The digital program source which you set with INPUT in Step 4 on page 6, is not connected. To continue, connect the program source properly.

• The program source is not on. Turn on the program source.

Depending on the source being recorded, track numbers are marked in the following ways:

• When recording from a CD or MD with INPUT set to DIGITAL and the source connected through DIGITAL IN: The recorder automatically marks track numbers in the same sequence as the original. If, however, a track is repeated two or more times (e.g. by single-track repeat play) or two or more tracks with the same track number (e.g. from different MDs or CDs) are played, the track or tracks are recorded as a single, continuous track with a single track number. If the source is an MD, track numbers may not be marked for tracks of less than 4 seconds.

• When recording from a source connected through LINE (ANALOG) IN with INPUT set to ANALOG, and “LEVEL- SYNC” does not light up (see “Marking Track Numbers While Recording” on page 12) or when recording from DAT or satellite broadcasts connected through DIGITAL IN with INPUT set to DIGITAL: The source will be recorded as a single track. You can divide the track afterwards using the Divide Function (see “Dividing Recorded Tracks” on page 22) or mark track numbers during recording by using the Track Marking Function on page 12. If “LEVEL-SYNC” appears in the display, the recorder automatically marks track numbers when recording analog source or digital recording of DAT or satellite broadcasts (see “Marking track numbers automatically” on page 12).

• When recording from DAT or satellite broadcasts with INPUT set to DIGITAL, the recorder automatically marks a track number whenever the sampling frequency of the input signal changes.

Recording on MDs

If “Cannot Copy” appears in the display

The recorder uses the SCMS (Serial Copy Management System). MDs recorded through digital input connector cannot be copied onto other MDs or DAT tapes through the digital output connector (see page 33).

When recording digital signals that have been emphasized (in the higher frequencies)

The signal is automatically de-emphasized (with attenuation proportional to the degree of emphasis) and the level of the de-emphasized signal is indicated on the peak level meters.

When the recorder is recording or in recording pause, digital signals input through DIGITAL IN are output to DIGITAL OUT with the same sampling rate.

To change the digital input signal to another sampling rate for output (without recording it to an MD), use Input Monitor Function (see page 10).

Useful Tips for Recording

DISPLAY/CHAR

Checking the remaining recordable time on the MD

• When you press DISPLAY/CHAR repeatedly while recording, the display changes as follows: elapsed recording time, remaining recordable time on the MD, track name.

• When you press DISPLAY/CHAR repeatedly while the recorder is stopped, the display changes as follows: total recorded time, remaining recordable time on the MD, disc name (see page 15).

Basic Operations

When “TOC” flashes in the display

The recorder is currently updating the Table Of Contents (TOC). Do not turn off the power, move the recorder, or pull out the AC power cord. Changes to an MD made through recording are saved when you update the TOC by ejecting the MD.

When the PLAY MODE is PROGRAM or SHUFFLE

The PLAY MODE is switched to CONTINUE automatically.

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(Continued)

Recording on MDs

Monitoring the input signal (Input Monitor)

Before starting recording, you can monitor the selected input signal through the recorder’s output connectors.

1 Press §EJECT to remove the MD. 2 Set INPUT according to the input signal you want

to monitor.

When INPUT is set to ANALOG

The analog signal input through LINE (ANALOG) IN is output to DIGITAL OUT after A/D conversion, and then to the LINE (ANALOG) OUT connectors and PHONES jack after D/A conversion.

When INPUT is set to DIGITAL

The digital signal input through DIGITAL IN is output to DIGITAL OUT, and then to the LINE (ANALOG) OUT connectors and PHONES jack after D/A conversion.

Note

Even if you set REC MODE to MONO, the monitor signal does not become monaural.

3 Press r.

If INPUT is set to ANALOG, “AD-DA” appears in the display. If INPUT is set to DIGITAL, “-DA”appears in the display.

To turn off the Smart Space Function and Auto Cut Function

1 While the recorder is stopped, press EDIT/NO twice to

display “Setup Menu”.

2 Turn AMS until “S. Space” menu appears in the display,

then press AMS.

3 Turn AMS until “S. Space Off” appears in the display,

then press AMS.

4 Press EDIT/NO.

To turn on the Smart Space Function and Auto Cut Function again

1 Carry out Steps 1 and 2 in “To turn off the Smart Space

Function and Auto Cut Function” above.

2 Turn AMS until “S. Space On” appears in the display, then

press AMS.

3 Press EDIT/NO.

Notes

• When you turn off the Smart Space Function, the Auto Cut Function is also turned off automatically.

• The Smart Space Function and Auto Cut Function are factory set to on.

• The Smart Space Function does not affect the order of the track numbers being recorded, even if the blank space occurs in the middle of a track.

• If you turn off the recorder or disconnect the AC power cord, the recorder will recall the last setting (on or off) of the Smart Space and Auto Cut Functions the next time you turn on the recorder.

If “Auto Cut” appears in the display (Auto Cut)

There has been no sound input for 30 seconds while INPUT is set to DIGITAL and the source is connected through DIGITAL IN. The 30 seconds of silence are replaced by a blank of about 3 seconds and the recorder changes to recording pause.

You can turn off the Auto Cut Function

For details, see “If “Smart Space” appears in the display” below.

If “Smart Space” appears in the display (Smart Space)

When there has been an extended silence of up to 30 seconds in length, and the signal is input again, the silence is replaced by a blank of about 3 seconds and the recorder continues recording.

Note

However, if you begin recording during such an extended silent portion, the smart space function will not be activated.

Playing back tracks just recorded

Follow this procedure to play back tracks that have just been recorded.

Press · immediately after stopping recording. Playback starts from the first track of the material just recorded.

To play from the first track of the MD after recording

1 Press p again after stopping recording. 2 Press ·.

Playback starts from the first track of the MD.

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Recording on MDs

Recording Over Existing Tracks

Follow the procedure below to record over existing material just as you would on an analog cassette tape.

≠ AMS ±

=/+

1 Carry out Steps 1 to 5 in “Recording on an MD”

on page 6.

2 Turn AMS (or press = or +) until the

number of the track to be recorded over appears.

3 To record from the start of the track, continue

from Step 6 in “Recording on an MD” on page 7.

While “TRACK” flashes in the display

The recorder is recording over an existing track, and stops flashing when it reaches the end of the recorded portion.

pP·

Adjusting the Recording Level

When recording with INPUT set to ANALOG and the signal input through LINE (ANALOG) IN jacks, use REC LEVEL to adjust the recording level before starting recording. You cannot adjust the recording level during digital recording.

REC LEVEL

1 Carry out Steps 1 to 6 in “Recording on an MD”

on pages 6 and 7.

2 Play the portion of the program source with the

strongest signal level.

3 While monitoring the sound, turn REC LEVEL to

adjust the recording level so that the peak level meters reach their highest point without turning on the OVER indication. Occasional lighting of “OVER” is acceptable.

To record from the middle of the track

1 After Step 2 above, press · to start playback. 2 Press P where you want to start recording. 3 Continue from Step 6 in “Recording on an MD” on

page 7.

Note

You cannot record from the middle of an existing track when “PROGRAM” or “SHUFFLE” is displayed/lit.

4 Stop playing the program source. 5 To start recording, follow the procedure starting

from Step 8 in “Recording on an MD” on page 7.

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+ 25 hidden pages