Sony MZ-R55 User Manual

3-864-987-21 (1)

Portable MiniDisc Recorder

Operating instructions

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MZ-R55

WARIMIIMG

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

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

The built-in battery should be replaced by qualified personnel only.

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

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, uses 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 or more of the following measures; — Reorient or relocate the receiving

antenna.

— Increase the separation between the

equipment and receiver.

— Connect the equipment into an outlet

on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

— Consult the dealer or an experienced

radio/TV technician for help.

For Customers in Australia

If the supply cord of the AC power adaptor is damaged, the AC power adaptor must be returned to the manufacturer or his agent for the cord to be replaced.

For the customers in the USA

DISPOSAL OF NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE BATTERY

NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE BATTERY. DISPOSE OF PROPERLY.

You can return your unwanted nickel metal hydride batteries to your nearest Sony Service Center.

Note: In some areas the disposal of nickel

metal hydride batteries in household or business trash may be prohibited. For the Sony Service Center nearest you call 1-800-222-SONY (United States only)

Caution: Do not handle damaged or

leaking nickel metal hydride battery.

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.

Owner's Record

The serial number is located at the rear of the disc compartment lid and the model

number is located at the top and 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-R55

Serial No

_____________________________

"MD WALKMAN" is a trademark of Sony

Corporation.

Welcome!

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

• Recording MD Walkman in an ultra compact body — Almost as small as a playback-only MD Walkman; easy to carry in your pocket or bag.

• Low power consumption design — Runs on a single ’’chewing gum” type rechargeable battery.

• Simultaneous labeling feature — No more waiting for the recording to end; you can label tracks and discs while the MD is being recorded.

• 9-letter, backlit LCD remote control with editing capabilities — You can now label tracks and discs, change track sequence, etc., with the easy-tooperate stick remote control.

• Shock-resistant memory — Offsets up to 40 seconds of optical read errors.

• High-fidelity recording — Low-noise, low-distortion, high-fidelity recording through the optical digital input jack.

• Digital synchro-recording — When recording from a digital equipment with optical output, the recorder automatically starts and pauses recording in sync with operation on the

digital source.

• Sampling rate converter — This unit

enables you to record programs from digital equipment using other

sampling rates, such as a BS tuner or

DAT deck.

• Digital AGC (Auto Gain Gontrol) — Automatic recording level adjustment without sacrificing superb digital

sound.

• Long-time recording with monaural

sound — You can record up to 148 minutes on a disc using monaural recording.

• Date and time stamp function — The

built-in clock automatically records 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/recording an MD.

Table of contents

Recording an MD right away!

Playing all MD right away!

Various ways of recording

Two ways af connecting to a sound source......................................................10

Recording with digital input (optical cable required)

To start/stop recording in sync with the source player

(Synchro-recording).................................................................................11

Recording from a microphone.........................................................................12

Recording in monaural for double the normal recording time Adjusting the recording level manually (Manual recording)

Checking the remaining time or the recording position...................................14

On the recorder.........................................................................................14

On the remote control...............................................................................15

Setting the clock to stamp the recorded time

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Various ways of playback...........................................17

Playing tracks repeatedly.................................................................................17

Emphasizing bass (DIGITAL MEGA BASS)

Protecting your hearing (AVLS).....................................................................18

■ Checking the remaining time or the playing position

On the recorder.........................................................................................19

On the remote control...............................................................................19

Locking the controls (HOLD)

Connecting to a stereo system.........................................................................20

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................................................

...................................

13 13

Editing recorded tracks

..............................................

Erasing tracks

To erase a track

To erase the whole disc. Adding a track mark Erasing a track mark Moving recorded tracks

On the recorder On the remote control...

Labeling recordings

On the recorder On the remote control...

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.24

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

Charging the nickel metal hydride rechargeable battery

Using dry batteries..........................................................................

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

Precautions Troubleshooting System limitations

Messages....................

Specifications

What is an MD?..................

Looking at the controls

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.......

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,37

22 22

23 23 23 24

27 28

29 31

33 34 36

Recording an MD right away!

The sound will be sent from the connected equipment as analog signal but will be recorded digitally on the disc. To record from a digital source, see “Recording with digital input” (page 11).

Make connections. (Connect securely.)

R (red)

CD player, cassette recorder, etc. (source)

to LINE OUT

L (white)

to LINE IN (OPTICAL)

Line cable

(RK-G129, notsupplied)=<‘

Insert a recordable MD.

to a wall outlet

AC power adaptor (supplied)

* Use the connecting cords

without an attenuator. To

connect to a portable CD player having a stereo mini-jack, use the RK-G136 connecting cord

(not supplied).

facing up, and press the lid down to close.

K'l

To Press

Pause II')

Record an MD.

record.

To stop recording, press ■.

“Data Save” or “Toe Edit” flashes while data of the recording (the track’s start and end points, etc.) is being recorded. Do not move or jog the recorder or disconnect the power source while the indication is flashing in the display.

Press II again to resume recording.

“REC” lights up and recording starts.

Record from the end of the previous recording

Record partway through the previous recoMing.

Remove the MD.

A track mark is added at the point where you press II; thus the remainder of the track will be counted as a new track. Once you open the lid, the point to start recording will change to the beginning of the first track. Check the point to start recording on the display.

If the recording does not start

• Make sure the recorder is not locked (page

20).

• Make sure the MD is not record-protected (page 30).

• Premastered MDs cannot be recorded over.

Note

If the power supply is disrupted (i.e. the battery is removed or becomes exhausted or the AC power adaptor is disconnected) when the recorder is operating, the lid will not open until the power is restored.

END SEARCH and slide REC.

►, or to find the start point of recording and press ■ to stop. Then slide REC.

■ and open the lid.^’

•The level of the recorded sound is adjusted automatically.

•You can monitor the sound during

recording. Connect the supplied headphones with remote control to D/

REMOTE and adjust the volume by pressing VOLUME +/- (VOL +/- on the

remote control). This does not affect the recording level.

Playing an MD right away!

To use the recorder on ct rechargeable battery or dry batteries, see

“Power Sources” (pages 27, 28).

li MskG COnnGCtionS. (Connect securely.)

marked ® in your right ear and the one marked ® in your left ear.

Insert an MD.

0 Press OPEN and open the lid.

up, and press the lid down to close.

& Play an MD.

OLUME +/-

VOL +/-

Pause

Find the beginning of the current track

Find the beginning of the next track

0 Press ► (Turn the control to

►■►W on the remote control).

A short beep sounds in the headphones when you operate on the remote control.

® Press VOLUME (VOL on the remote

control) +1- to adjust the volume.

The volume will be shown in the display.

To stop play, press ■.

A long beep sounds in the headphones when you operate on the remote control.

Press (Beeps in the headphones)

11 (Gontinuous short beeps) Press II again to resume play.

once (Turn the control to on the

remote control)

(Three short beeps) ►W once (Turn the control to on

the remote control)

(Two short beeps)

Go backwards while playing’'

Go forward while playing"

Remove the MD

To go backward or forward quickly without listening, press II and keep pressing Once you open the lid, the point to start play will change to the beginning of the first track.

If the play does not start

Make sure the recorder is not locked (page

20).

When using optional headphones

Use only headphones with stereo mini plugs. You cannot use headphones with micro plugs.

Playback will switch automatically between stereo and monaural according to the sound source.

keep pressing (Turn and hold the control to on the remote control)

keep pressing ►M (Turn and hold the control to on the remote control)

■ and open the lid.^'

Notes

•The sound may skip during playback when

the recorder is exposed to continuous vibration, such as while jogging.

•If the power supply is disrupted (i.e. the battery is removed or becomes exhausted or the AC power adaptor is disconnected) when the recorder is operating, the lid may not open until the power is restored.

Various ways of recording

Two ways of connecting to a sound source

The input jack of this recorder works as both digital and analog input jacks. Connect the recorder to a CD player or a cassette recorder using either digital input or analog input. To record, see “Recording with digital input” (page 11) to record using digital input, and

“Recording an MD right away!”Jpage 6) to record using analog input.

Difference between digital and analog inputs

D i ffer e n n p u t Digital input

Connectable source

Usable cord

Signal from the source

Recorded track numbers

Equipment with an optical digital output jack

Digital cable (with an optical or an optical-mini plug)

Digital

Marked (copied) automatically

• at the same positions as the source.

• when the recorder is paused while recording.

You can erase unnecessary marks after recording

(“Erasing a track mark”,

page 22).

Analog (line) input

Equipment with an analog

(line) output jack

Line cable (with 2 phono plugs or a stereo-mini plug)

Analog Even when a digital source

(such as a CD) is connected, the signal sent to the recorder is analog.

Marked automatically

• after more than 2 seconds of blank or low-level segment.

• when the recorder is paused

while recording. You can erase unnecessary marks after recording

(“Erasing a track mark”, page

22).

Recorded sound level

Note

Track marks may be copied incorrectly:

•when you record from some CD players or multi disc players using digital input.

•when the source is in shuffle or program play mode while recording using digital input. In this case, play the source in normal play mode.

•when recording BS or CS programs through digital input.

Same as the source Adjusted automatically. Can

also be adjusted manually

(“Adjusting the recording

level manually”, page 13).

Recording with digital input (optical cable

required)

Connect to a digital source using an optical cable (POC-5B or POC-SAB, not supplied) to make digital recordings. Digital recording is possible even from digital equipment with different sampling rates, such as a DAT deck or a BS tuner, using the built-in sampling rate converter.

Notes

•You can make a digital recording only from an opticcd type output.

•When recording from a portable CD player,

play it on AC power and disable the anti-skip function (such as ESP*).

• Digital output may be disabled on some

portable CD players when the player is not run

on AC power.

* Electronic Shock Protection

To start/stop recording in sync with the source player

(Sy nchro-record i ng)

CD player, MD

player, digital amplifier, etc.

Optical plug

to LINE IN

(OPTICAL)

Portable CD

player, etc.

POC-5Betc. (not supplied)

POC-5AB etc. (not supplied)

Optical mini plug

You can easily make digital recordings of a digital source on an MD. Before synchro-recording, make connections to the digital source with a digital cable, and insert a recordable MD.

‘SYNC” appears in the display.

I Insert a recordable MD and start

recording. For recording operations, see

“Recording an MD right away !”

(page 6). To record from a portable CD player, set the CD player to pause and then start recording.

LINE IN (OPTICAL) jack is for both digital and analog input

The recorder automatically recognizes the type of line cable and switches to digital or

analog input.

End 007

,jS3«iitTSYNC

2 Press and slide RFC to the right.

The recorder stands by for recording.

3 Play the source sound.

The recorder starts recording when it receives the playing sound.

n I

u t

continued

To stop recording, press ■.

•You cannot pause manually during synchro-recording.

• When there is no sound from the player for more than 3 seconds during synchro recording, the recorder goes into’the standby mode automatically. When the sound comes from the player again, the recorder resumes synchro-recording. If the recorder is kept in the standby mode for 5 minutes or longer, the recorder stops automatically.

Notes

• Do not switch SYNCHRO REC after step 2.

Recording may not be done properly.

•When recording in monaural, follow steps

1 and 2 of “Recording in monaural for

double the normal recording time” (page

13) before synchro-recording.

• Even when there is no recorded sound on the sound source, there may be cases when recording does not pause automatically during synchro-recording due to the noise level emitted from the sound source.

Recording from a microphone

Connect a stereo microphone (ECM-717, ECM-MS907, ECM-MS957, etc.; not supplied) to the MIC (PLUG IN POWER)

jack.

I Select the sensitivity with MIC SENS

(at the bottom of the recorder). Usually, set it to HIGH. When recording loud sounds such as a live concert, set it to LOW.

2 Insert a recordable MD and start

recording. Press and slide REC to the right.

“REC” lights up and recording starts. For other operations, see “Recording an MD right away! (page 6).

Notes

•You cannot record through the microphone while an optical cable is connected to the

LINE IN (OPTICAL) jack. The recorder automatically switches input in the

following order; optical input, microphone

input, and analog input.

•The microphone may pickup the operating sound of the recorder itself. Use the

microphone away from the recorder in such cases.

Recording in monaural

Adjusting the recording

for double the normal recording time

For longer recordings, choose to record in

monaural. The recording time Secomes double the normal.

MODE

While pressing II, press and slide RFC to the right. The recorder stands by for recording.

Press MODE.

’’Mono REC” appears in the display, and the recorder switches to monaural recording. Press MODE agaiij to record in stereo.

Press 11 again to start recording.

level manually (Manual recording)

When you record with an analog input, the sound level is adjusted automatically.

If necessary, you can set the level manually.

REC

While holding down II, press and hold REC to the right for more than 2 seconds.

“ManualREG” appears and the recorder stands by for recording. To return to the automatic control, while the recorder is in standby mode, press and hold REC to the right again for more than 2 seconds.

- Play the sound source.

To stop recording, press M.

The recorder switches back to stereo recording when you record the next time.

Notes

•If you record a stereo source in monaural, the sounds from left and right will be mixed.

•You cannot record in monaural if SYNCHRO REC is slid to ON.

•The MDs recorded in monaural can be played back only with an MD player/ recorder that has the monaural playing function.

• Sound recorded through digital input can be monitored in stereo through headphones, etc.

M-anualREC

n / ■ M i

Play the source.

continued

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