SONY MZ-B3 User Manual

3-798-610-22 (1)

Portable MiniDisc Recorder

Operating instructions

MZ-B3

1995 by Sony Corporation

SONY MZ-B3 (E) 3-798-610-22(1)

WARNING

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.

•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.

IN NO EVENT SHALL SELLER BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY NATURE, OR LOSSES OR EXPENSES RESULTING FROM ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT OR THE USE OF ANY PRODUCT.

Caution

The use of optical instruments with this product will increase eye hazard.

Information

For Customers in the USA

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, used, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one more of the following measures:

•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

•Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.

•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

Owner’s Record

The serial number is located inside the battery compartment and the model number is located at the bottom. Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to them whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product. Model No. MZ-B3 Serial No.__________________________

SONY MZ-B3 (E) 3-798-610-22(1)

Welcome!

Welcome to the world of the MiniDisc! Here are some of the capabilities and features you'll discover with the new MiniDisc (MD) Recorder.

• Long-time recording in monaural

sound – You can record for up to 148 minutes on a 74-minute MD by using monaural recording. You can record in stereo sound for up to 74 minutes.

• A microphone and a speaker built in

the recorder – You can record and play back an MD anywhere you go.

• Digital VOR (Voice Operated

Recording) function – The recorder starts and stops recording automatically in response to the sound. The recorder's memory makes precise starting of recording possible. With this function, you can dictate easily.

• Fast playback function – You can

reduce the listening time. You can play an MD either 1.6 or 2.2 times as fast as the normal playback speed.

• Two kinds of track marks – You can

record two different kinds of track marks: regular track marks and special track marks. You can locate the special track marks independently of the regular ones.

• Position indicator – The display

shows you the current location on the MD.

• Date and time stamp function – The

built-in clock allows you to record the date and time whenever you make a recording.

• Title function – You can see disc and

track titles in the display while you are playing an MD that has been electronically labeled.

SONY MZ-B3 (E) 3-798-610-22(1)

Table of contents

Recording an MD right away! .................................6

Playing an MD right away! ......................................8

Various ways of recording .....................................10

Dictating (Digital VOR function) .........................................................10

Recording in stereo with an external microphone ............................11

Recording from other equipment.........................................................12

Track marking while recording............................................................13

Tips on recording....................................................................................15

To monitor the sound being recorded..........................................15

To know the recording condition..................................................15

To protect a recorded MD ..............................................................15

To know the remaining time, etc. .................................................16

Setting the clock to stamp the recorded time .....................................17

Various ways of playback ......................................19

Listening at a fast speed ........................................................................19

Playing tracks repeatedly ......................................................................19

Tips on playback.....................................................................................20

To know the time and track name ................................................20

To lock the controls (Hold function).............................................21

Listening with other equipment...........................................................22

Editing recorded tracks ..........................................23

Track marking a recording....................................................................23

Erasing a track mark ..............................................................................24

Erasing a track.........................................................................................25

Erasing a whole disc ..............................................................................26

SONY MZ-B3 (E) 3-798-610-22(1)

Power sources .........................................................27

Using on house current .........................................................................27

Using on a lithium ion rechargeable battery ......................................27

Additional information ..........................................29

Precautions ..............................................................................................29

Troubleshooting......................................................................................32

System limitations ..................................................................................34

Error messages ........................................................................................35

Specifications...........................................................................................37

What is the MD? .....................................................................................38

Looking at the controls ..........................................................................40

SONY MZ-B3 (E) 3-798-610-22(1)

Recording an MD right away!

Record an MD through the built-in microphone. The recorded sound is monaural, and you can record for up to 148 minutes on a 74-minute MD or up to 120 minutes on a 60-minute MD.

Install three alkaline batteries.

(bottom)

Insert a recordable MD.

1 Slide OPEN and open

the lid.

Three size AA (LR6) alkaline batteries

2 Insert a recordable MD with

the label side facing up, and press the lid down to close.

SONY MZ-B3 (E) 3-798-610-22(1)

Record an MD.

Microphone

Recording an MD right away!

Sound source

Press rREC.

"REC" and "MONO" appear in the display, and recording starts from the beginning of the disc. The level of the recorded sound is adjusted automatically.

Pause

Press

Press P again to resume recording.

Record from the end of the previous recording

Record over partway through the previous recording

END SEARCH, then press

rREC.

(, + or =

to find point to start recording, and press p to stop. Then press rREC.

Remove the MD

p and open the lid.*

To stop recording, press p (stop).

"Toc Edit" flashes to store data of the recording (the track’s start and end points, etc.). Do not move or jog the recorder or disconnect the power source while the indication is flashing in the display. When the recorder completes storing the data, the r REC button will be released.

If the recording does not start

•Make sure the recorder is not locked

(page 21).

•Make sure the MD is not record-

protected (page 15).

The alkaline batteries' life

You can record an MD with new alkaline batteries for 3 hours.

Display window while recording

Elapsed time of the track being recordedTrack number

REC

MONO

* Once you open the lid, the point to

start recording will change to the beginning of the first track. When recording on a recorded MD, check the point to start recording on the display.

Position indicator (shows the current location on the MD)

SONY MZ-B3 (E) 3-798-610-22(1)

Playing an MD right away!

Play an MD you recorded on or a premastered MD. You can hear the playback sound in monaural through the built-in speaker. For stereo sound, play an MD recorded in stereo, and use stereo headphones (not supplied).

Install three alkaline batteries.

(bottom)

Insert an MD.

1 Slide OPEN and open

the lid.

SONY MZ-B3 (E) 3-798-610-22(1)

Three size AA (LR6) alkaline batteries

2 Insert an MD with the label

side facing up, and press the lid down to close.

Play an MD.

Speaker (monaural)

Playing an MD right away!

2 (headphones)

(

(play)

1 Press (.

The recorder starts to play the first track. The recorder automatically switches to play in stereo or monaural according to the recorded sound.

Pause

Find the beginning of the current track

Find the beginning of the next track

Go backwards while playing*

Go forward while playing*

Remove the MD

Press

Press P again to resume play.

= once

+ once

keep pressing

+ p and open the

lid**

VOL (volume)

2 Turn VOL to adjust the

volume.

To stop play, press p(stop).

To listen in stereo sound

Connect stereo headphones (not supplied) to the 2 jack.

If the play does not start

Make sure the recorder is not locked (page 21).

The alkaline batteries' life

You can play an MD with new alkaline batteries for 6 hours.

Display window while playing back

Track number or track name*

MONO

Elapsed time of the track being played

* To go backward or forward quickly

without listening, press P and keep pressing = or +.

** Once you open the lid, the point to

start play will change to the beginning of the first track.

Position indicator (shows the current location on the MD)

* Appears only with MDs that have been

electronically labeled.

SONY MZ-B3 (E) 3-798-610-22(1)

zVarious ways of recording

Dictating

(Digital VOR function)

You can dictate easily using the digital VOR (Voice Operated Recording) function. You do not have to press any buttons to suspend recording while dictating.

VOR indicator

Microphone

VOR ON/OFF

p (stop)

1 Insert a recordable MD and start

recording. To record, see "Recording an MD right away!" (page 6).

To stop dictating

Press p. The recorder will switch back to normal recording when you record next time.

Notes

•You cannot record with the built-in

microphone while an external microphone is connected to the MIC PLUG IN POWER jack.

•This recorder's VOR function is

designed for dictation, not for recording interviews or conferences.

•As long as VOR is on, the batteries are

used even while nothing is being recorded (the VOR indicator flashes).

2 Press VOR ON/OFF.

The VOR indicator lights up.

3 Speak into the microphone.

Hold the recorder and keep it close to your mouth – around 4 inches (10 cm) from your mouth. The VOR indicator lights up while your voice is recorded, and flashes while nothing is recorded.

To release the digital VOR function

Press VOR ON/OFF. The VOR indicator goes off, and the recorder switches to normal recording.

SONY MZ-B3 (E) 3-798-610-22(1)

Recording in stereo with an external microphone

You can record in stereo sound using ECM-909A, ECM-727P, etc. (not supplied). You can record for up to 74 minutes on 74-minute MD or 60 minutes on 60minute MD.

Stereo microphone

to MIC PLUG IN POWER

MONO (monaural)/ STEREO

To record in monaural for double the normal recording time of an MD

Set MONO/STEREO to MONO. The recording time will be double the normal.

To record with an external monaural microphone

Use a monaural microphone ECM-T140, ECM-T110, etc. (not supplied), and set MONO/STEREO to MONO.

Notes

•The MONO/STEREO switch functions

only when an external microphone is connected to the MIC PLUG IN POWER jack.

•If you connect a stereo microphone and

set MONO/STEREO to MONO, the mixed sound from both the right and left channels will be recorded.

•If you connect a monaural microphone

and set MONO/STEREO to STEREO, only the left channel sound of the source will be recorded.

•The MDs recorded in monaural sound

can be played back only with an MD player/recorder that has the monaural playing function.

Various ways of recording

1 Connect the microphone to the

MIC PLUG IN POWER jack.

2 Set MONO/STEREO to STEREO. 3 Insert a recordable MD and start

recording. To record, see "Recording an MD right away!" (page 6). While recording, "STEREO" appears in the display.

To stop recording

Press p.

SONY MZ-B3 (E) 3-798-610-22(1)

Recording from other equipment

Use a line cable (RK-G134 or RK-G128, not supplied) to connect the recorder to the source equipment.

Portable CD player, portable MD player, etc.

to 2 or PHONES

Stereo-mini plug

RK-G134 (not supplied)

Cassette-corder, CD player, MD player, etc.

2 phono plugs

RK-G128 (not supplied)

to MIC PLUG IN POWER

MONO (monaural)/ STEREO

to LINE OUT or REC OUT

L (white)R (red)

to MIC PLUG IN POWER

1 Connect the MIC PLUG IN

POWER jack of the recorder to the source equipment with a line cable.

2 Set MONO/STEREO to STEREO. 3 Insert a recordable MD and start

recording. To record, see "Recording an MD right away!" (page 6). While recording, "STEREO" appears in the display.

4 Play the sound source.

To stop recording

Press p.

To record in monaural for double the normal recording time of an MD

Set MONO/STEREO to MONO. The recording time will be double the normal.

To record from a monaural player

Connect the RK-G135, RK-G64, etc. (not supplied) to the earphone jack of the source equipment, and set MONO/ STEREO to MONO.

Notes

•If you connect a monaural equipment

and set MONO/STEREO to STEREO, only the left channel sound of the source will be recorded.

•The MDs recorded in monaural sound

can be played back only with an MD player/recorder that has the monaural playing function.

MONO (monaural)/ STEREO

SONY MZ-B3 (E) 3-798-610-22(1)

Track marking while recording

Track marking to divide a recording

Track marking essentially adds tracks while recording and enables you to quickly find and play from the marked position. The track marking feature is useful particularly when recording a discussion, an interview, etc. You can add track marks with the recorder or the remote controller. To use the remote controller, connect it to the TRACK MARK (REC)/PAUSE jack.

Speaker A n B n A n C……………

While recording, press TRACK MARK on the recorder or the remote controller. A track mark is added and the track number will increase by one. The record indicator flashes and "MARK ON" appears in the display.

Elapsed time of the track being playedTrack number

MONO

Various ways of recording

1234

444

Add track marks when the speaker changes.

TRACK MARK

to TRACK MARK (REC)/PAUSE

TRACK MARK

To add track marks after recording

See “Track marking a recording” (page

23).

To erase track marks

See “Erasing a track mark” (page 24).

To find track marks

While playing, press = or + slightly.

Continue to next page m

SONY MZ-B3 (E) 3-798-610-22(1)

Track marking important points

While you record a discussion or an interview, you can add not only regular track marks but special track marks. Special track marks can be found independently of the regular track marks during playback. You can add special track marks only with the remote controller while recording.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

444

¢¢¢

Special track marks cannot be added after recording

You can add special track marks only while recording.

To erase special track marks

See "Erasing a track mark" (page 24).

To find special track marks while playing

While pressing VOR ON/OFF, press = or + slightly. The special track mark indication "TT" appears following the track number. Each time you press =, you can find the previous special track mark. Each time you press +, you can find the succeeding track mark.

Regular track marks

Special track marks

While recording, press TRACK MARK on the remote controller twice. A special track mark is added and the track number will increase by one. The record indicator flashes and "!MARK ON!" appears in the display.

Elapsed time of the track

Track number

MONO

being played

Note

To add a special track mark, press TRACK MARK twice within one second. If you press the button secondly after more than one second passes, two regular track marks will be recorded.

Tips on track marks

Total number of track marks

You can record up to 254 track marks in total of the two kinds – regular track marks to divide a recording and special track marks – on an MD.

Regular and special track marks are recorded in the same way as the track marks on music discs.

The two kinds of track marks recorded with this recorder can be used for playback operation in the same way as the track marks recorded on the beginning of each music track on a music disc.

SONY MZ-B3 (E) 3-798-610-22(1)

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