MZ-R30 Portable MiniDisc Recorder

Operating instructions

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.

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

For the customers in Canada
CAUTION:
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.

Information

"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.

• High-fidelity recording - High-fidelity sound with little noise and distortion is recorded though the optical digital input jack on the recorder.
• Vertical jog dial - You can select your desired tracks directly by simply rotating a dial.
• Synchro-recording - You can easily dub a digital source such as a CD on an MD.
• Sampling rate converter - This unit enables you to record programs from digital equipment using other sampling rates, such as BS tuner or DAT deck.
• Long-time recording with monaural sound - You can record up to 148 minutes on a disc using monaural recording.
• "Kana" characters available - This unit can display Japanese "Katakana" characters for a title of the disc or the track.
• Position pointer - The display shows you the current location on the disc.
• 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/recoding an MD.

Table of contents

Recording an MD right away!

Playing an MD right away!

Various ways of recording

Various ways of playback

Editing recorded tracks

Power sources

Additional information

Recording an MD right away!

The source sound of CDs or tapes will be sent as an analog signal and recorded digitally. The recorded sound will be stereo. When you record from a digital source, see Recording with digital input.

* Use the connecting cord without an attenuator. To connect to a portable CD player having a stereo mini-jack, use the RK-G136 connecting cord (not supplied).

2. Insert a recordable MD

3. Record an MD

1. Slide REC to the right while pressing its button "REC" lights up and recording starts. 2. Play the CD or tape you want to record

1) A new track is added at the point where you pressed pause, and the recording will be marked with the new track number when you resume recording.
2) 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.

Playing an MD right away!

You can also use the rechargeable battery or dry batteries (Using on a lithium ion rechargeable battery, Using on dry batteries).

1. Make connections.

2. Insert MD.

3. Play an MD.

Press . A short beep sound in the headphones Press VOLUME +/- adjust the volume. You can check the volume in the display To stop play, press A long beep sounds in the headphones

Various ways of recording

Two ways of connection to a sound source

The input jack of this recorder works as both digital and analog input jack. 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 to record using digital input, and Recording an MD right away! to record using analog input.

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.

Recording with digital input

This unit has a built-in sampling rate converter so that you can record programs from digital equipment using other sampling rates, such as a BS tuner or a DAT deck.

Insert a recordable MD and start recording.
To record, see Recording an MD right away!. 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 line cable and switches to digital or analog input.

Notes

• You can make a digital recording only from an optical type output.
• Some portable CD players with the ESP* system cannot send out digital signals when it is activated. In this case, release the ESP system.
  *Electronic Shock Protection

To start/stop recording with the player (Synchro-recording)

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 the power source, and insert a recordable MD.

1. Slide SYNCHRO REC to ON. "SYNC" appears in the display.
2. Slide REC to the right while pressing its button. The recorder stands by for recording. Play the source sound. The recorder starts recording when it receives the playing sound.

To stop recording, press.

When there is no sound from the layer more than 3 seconds during synchro-recording, the recorder stands by for recording automatically. When the sound comes from the player again, the recorder starts synchro-recording again.

Notes

• Do not switch SYNCHRO REC after step 2. Recording may not be made properly.
• If you record in monaural, do steps 1 and 2 in Recording in monaural for double the normal recording time of an MD before doing the synchro-recording steps.

Recording from a microphone

Connect a stereo microphone ECM-909A, ECM-MS907, ECM-717, etc., (not supplied) to the MIC(PLUG IN POWER) jack.

Select the input level with MIC SENS (on the bottom of the recorder). Usually, set it to HIGH. When you record loud sound such as a live concert, set it to LOW. Insert a recordable MD and start recording. Slide REC to the right while pressing its button. "REC" lights up and recording starts. For details, see Recording an MD right away!. Note To record from a microphone, you must first disconnect any digital source. If connected, the recorder will not switch to microphone input.

Recording in monaural for double the normal recording time of an MD

For longer recordings, choose to record in monaural sound. The recording time becomes double the normal.

While pressing , slide REC 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 again to record in stereo sound. Press again to start recording. Play the sound source.

To stop recording, press .
The recorder switches back to stereo recording when you record the next time.

Notes

• If you record in monaural sound from a stereo source, 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 sound can be played back only with an MD player/recorder that has the monaural playing function.

Adjusting the recording level (Manual recording)

When you record with an analog input, the sound level is adjusted automatically. If necessary, you can set the level manually.

2. .

While holding down, hold REC to the right for more than 2 seconds. "ManualREC" appears and the recorder stands by for recording. To return to the automatic control, while the recorder is in record pause mode, hold REC to the right for more than 2 seconds.

3. Play the source.
4. .

While observing the level meter in the display, adjust the recording level by pressing (+) or (-). Set the level so that it hits the second indicator from the top when the recorder receives the maximum sound. Note The recording level should be adjusted while the recorder is in standby mode. You cannot adjust it while recording.

5. Press again to start recording.

To stop recording, press .
The recording level control is switched back to automatic control.

When you record with microphone input, select the input level with MIC SENS .

Checking the remaining time or the recording position

1. Press DISPLAY while recording or in stop mode. Each time you press the button, the display changes as follows.

To know the recording conditions
The record indicator lights up or flashes according to the recording condition.

If you want to check the playing position or track name while playing, see Checking the remaining time or the playing position.

Setting the clock to stamp the recorded time

To stamp the date and time on the MD when you record, you first need to set the clock. When you use the recorder for the first time or after a long period of disuse, charge the built-in battery for the clock after setting the clock.

1. Connect the power source. Use the supplied AC power adaptor.

Press CLOCK SET at the bottom of the recorder. Use a pointed object. The digits of the year flash.

2. Enter the current year by pressing or . To change the digits rapidly, keep pressing or .
3. Press . The digit of the month flashes.
4. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to enter the current month, date, hour and minute. When you press to set the minute, the clock starts operating.

If you make a mistake while setting the clock
Press , and set the clock again from step 2. You can skip a set by pressing .

To display the current time
When the recorder is not operation or while recording, press DISPLAY repeatedly until the current time appears in the display.

To display the time in the 24-hour system
While setting the clock, press DISPLAY. To display the time in the 12-hour system, press DISPLAY again.

Charging the built-in battery for the clock
After setting the clock, leave the recorder connected to the AC power for about 2 hours to charge the built-in battery for the clock. Once charged, the built-in battery should last about a month without connecting to any of the power sources. The recorder will automatically charge the built-in battery while connected to AC power, dry batteries or a rechargeable battery.

Various ways of playback

Selecting the track number or track name directly

You can select the desired track directly by using the vertical jog dial.

1. .

Rotate the jog dial to select a track, and press it to play the selected track. When you rotate the jog dial, the track name* appears in the display. To play the selected track, press the jog dial. * If the track has no name, only the track number appears in the display.

If you select a track in shuffle play mode, shuffle play starts from the selected track.

Playing tracks repeatedly

You can play tracks repeatedly in three ways - all repeat, single repeat and shuffle repeat.

1. Press MODE while the recorder is playing an MD.
   Each time you press MODE, the play mode indication changes as follows.

Indication	Play mode
none (normal play)	All the tracks are played once.
"" (all repeat)	All the tracks are played repeatedly.
"1" (single repeat)	A single track is played repeatedly.
"SHUF" (shuffle repeat)	All the tracks are played repeatedly in random order

Emphasizing bass (DIGITAL MEGA BASS)

Mega Bass function intensifies low frequency sound for richer quality audio reproduction. It affects only with the headphones.

1. Press DIGITAL MEGA BASS.
   Each time you press DIGITAL MEGA BASS, the Mega Bass indication changes as follows.

Indication	Play mode
none	Normal play
"BASS "	Mega Bass (slight effect)
"BASS "	Mega Bass (strong effect)

Notes

• If the sound is distorted when emphasizing bass, turn down the volume.
• Mega Bass function does not affect the sound being recorded.
• Mega Bass does not function when LINE OUT jack on the recorder is connected with a line cable.

Protecting your hearing (AVLS)

The AVLS (Automatic Volume Limiter System) function keeps down the maximum volume to protect your ears.

1. Set AVLS at the bottom of the recorder to LIMIT.
   When you try to turn the volume, "AVLS" appears in the display. The volume is kept at a moderate level.

Checking the remaining time or the playing position

1. Press DISPLAY while playing.
   Each time you press DISPLAY, the display changes as follows.

If you want to check the remaining time or the recording position while recording or in stop mode, see Checking the remaining time or the recording position.

Locking the controls

To prevent the buttons from being accidentally operated when you carry the recorder, use this function.

1. Slide HOLD in the direction of the .
   ON the recorder, slide HOLD to lock the controls of the recorder. On the remote controller, slide HOLD to lock the controls of the remote controller.

Slide HOLD in the opposite direction of the arrow to unlock the controls.

Connecting to a stereo system

Connect the LINE OUT jack of the recorder to the LINE IN jacks of an amplifier or a tape player with a line cable (RK-G129 or RK-G136, not supplied). The output is analog. The recorder plays the MD digitally and sends analog signals to the connected equipment.

Note
The Mega Bass does not function or will be cancelled when the LINE OUT jack is connected with a line cable.

Editing recorded tracks

You can edit your recordings by adding/erasing track marks or labeling tracks and MDs. Premastered MDs cannot be edited.

Notes on editing

• Do not move or jog the recorder while "Toc Edit" is flashing in the display.
• You cannot edit tracks on an MD that is record-protected. Before editing tracks, close the tab on the side of the MD.

Erasing tracks

To erase a track

Note that once a recording has been erased, you cannot retrieve it. Check the track number before erasing.

1. Press ERASE while playing the track you want to erase.
   "Erase OK?" and "Push Erase" appear in the display alternately, and the recorder plays the selected track repeatedly. Top cancel erasing, press .
2. Check the track number in the display and press ERASE again. The track is erased from the MD and the remaining tracks are renumbered.

To erase a part of a track
Add track marks at the beginning and the end of the part you want to erase, then erase the part.

To erase the whole disc

You can quickly erase all the tracks and data of the MD at the same time.
Note that once a recording has been erased, you cannot retrieve it. Be sure to check the contents of the disc you want to erase.

1. In stop mode, keep pressing ERASE and slide REC to the right.
   "All Erase?" and " Push Erase" appear in the display alternately. To cancel erasing, press .
2. Press ERASE again.
   "Toc Edit" flashes in the display. When erasing finishes, "BLANK DISC" appears.

Adding a track mark

You can add track marks so that the separated part after the track mark is as a new track.
The track numbers will increase as follows.

1. While playing or pausing an MD, press TRACK MARK on the recorder at the point you want to mark.
   "MARK ON" appears in the display, and a track mark is added. The track number will increase by one.

To add track marks while recording
Press TRACK MARK on the recorder or the remote commander.

Note
TRACK MARK on the remote controller does not function during playback.

Erasing a track mark

When you record with analog (line) input, unnecessary track marks may be recorded. You can erase a track mark to combine the tracks before and after the track mark. The track numbers will change as follows.

• While playing the track with the track mark you want to erase, press to pause.
• Find the track mark by pressing slightly.
  For example, to erase the third track mark, find the beginning of the third track. "00:00" appears in the display.
• Press TRACK MARK to erase the mark.
  "MARK OFF" appears in the display. The track mark is erased and the two tracks are combined.

The combined track whose mark has been erased is recorded with the date and time of the beginning of the first of the two combined tracks.

Moving recorded tracks

You can change the order of the recorded tracks.

1. While playing, keep pressing and press TITLE/ENTER.
   The recorder plays the selected track repeatedly.
   For example above, "MV003->003" appears in the display.
2. Rotate the vertical jog dial to select the new track position.
   For example above, rotate the jog dial until "MV003->002" appears in the display.
   To cancel moving, press .
3. Press TITLE/ENTER again.
   Moving is completed and the recorder plays the moved track.

You can also move the track by pressing the jog dial in step 3.

Labeling recordings

You can label the MDs and tracks you recorded with letters, numbers, and marks. Each label can be made up of up to 200 characters, and each MD can hold up to 1700 characters.

1. To label a track, play the track you want to label.
   To label an MD, insert the recordable MD you want to label.
   If an MD is already inserted, press to stop.
2. Press TITLE/ENTER.
   If you have selected a track in step 1 above, the recorder will play that track repeatedly.
   A cursor flashes in the display.
3. Use the vertical jog dial to select and enter a character.

Rotate the jog dial to select a character, and press the jog dial to enter the selected character. The cursor shifts rightward and stands by for the input of the next character.

Press	To
	Select the first of capital letters, small letters, and numbers quickly.
/	Move the cursor to the left or right.
END SEARCH	Insert a space.
ERASE	Delete a character.
	Cancel labeling.

4. Repeat step 3 until you have entered all the characters for the label.
5. Press TITLE/ENTER.
   Labeling is completed.

To cancel labeling, press .

Available characters

• Capital and small letters of the English alphabet
• Numbers 0 to 9
• ! " # $ % & ( ) * + - . ; < = > ? @ _ ` ' , / : _ (space)

To relabel recordings
Do steps 1 and 2 to display the label of the track or MD. Enter a new character over the on you want to change, then press TITLE/ENTER.

Notes

• You cannot relabel premastered MDs or label MDs that have not been recorded.
• The recorder is able to display Japanese "Katakana" characters. But you cannot label with them on this recorder.

Power sources

You can use the recorder on house current or as follows.
In the recorder ...
- a lithium ion rechargeable battery (supplied)
With supplied battery case ...
- dry batteries (not supplied)

It is preferable to use the recorder on house current when recording for a long time.

Using on a lithium ion rechargeable battery

Before using the supplied LIP-12(H) for the first time, charge it in the recorder.

1. Connect the supplied AC power adaptor.

2. Insert the LIP-12(H) into the recorder and close the lid.

Battery indication appears in the display and charging starts. When charging is completed, battery indicator disappears.

Charging time

To charge a competely discharged battery, it takes the following time

You can use the recorder while charging.

Notes

• Be sure to use the supplied AC adaptor.
• Charging time may vary depending on the battery condition.
  

Using on dry batteries

1. Attach the supplied battery case.

2. Insert two LR6 (size AA) dry batteries (not supplied).

Battery life 1)

When to replace the batteries
When the dry batteries or rechargeable battery are weak, flashing battery symbol or "LOW BATT" appear in the display. Replace the dry batteries or charge the rechargeable battery.

Additional information

Precautions

On safety
Do not put any foreign objects in the DC IN 6V jack.

On power sources

• Use house current, lithium ion rechargeable battery, two LR6 (size AA) batteries, or car battery.
• For use in your house: Use the AC power adaptor supplied with this recorder. Do not use any other AC power Adaptor since it may cause the recorder to malfunction.
• The recorder is not disconnected from the AC power source (mains) as long as it is connected to the wall outlet, even if the recorder itself has been turned off.
• If your are not going to use this recorder for a long time, be sure to disconnect the power supply (AC power adaptor, dry batteries, rechargeable battery, or car battery cord). To remove the AC power adaptor from the wall outlet, grasp the adaptor plug itself; never pull the cord.
• For use in the car: Use the CPA-9 car connecting pack and the DCC-E260 car battery cord (not supplied).

On heat build-up
Heat may build up in the recorder if it is used for an extended period of time. In this case, leave the recorder turned off until it cools down.

On installation

• Never use the recorder where it will be subjected to extremes of light, temperature, moisture or vibration.
• Never wrap the recorder in anything when it is being used with the AC power adaptor. Heat built-up in the recorder may cause malfunction or damage.

On the headphones
Road safety
Do not use headphones while driving, cycling, or operating any motorized vehicle. It may create a traffic hazard and is illegal in many areas. It can also be potentially dangerous to play your recorder at high volume while walking, especially at pedestrian crossings. You should exercise extreme caution or discontinue use in potentially hazardous situations.

Preventing hearing damage
Avoid using headphones at high volume. Hearing experts advise agains continuous, loud and extended play. If you experience a ringing in your ears, reduce the volume or discontinue use.

Caring for others
Keep the volume at at moderate level. This will allow you to hear outside sounds and to be considerate of the people around you.

On the MiniDisc cartridge

• Do not break open the shutter
• Do not place the cartridge where it will be subject to light, extreme temperatures, moisture or dust.

On cleaning

• Clean the recorder casing with a soft cloth slightly moistened with water or a mild detergent solution. Do not use any type of abrasive pad, scouring powder or solvent such as alcohol or benzene as it may mar the finish of the casing.
• Wipe the disc cartridge with a dry cloth to remove dirt.
• Dust on the lens may prevent the unit from operating properly. Be sure to close the disc compartment lid after inserting and ejecting an MD.

Notes on batteries
Incorrect battery usage may lead to leakage of battery fluid or bursting batteries. To prevent such accidents, observe the following precautions:

• Install the + and - poles of the batteries correctly
• Do not install new and used batteries or different kinds o batteries together.
• Do not try to recharge dry batteries.
• When the recorder is not to be used for a long time, be sure to remove the batteries.
• If a battery leak should develop, carefully and thoroughly wipe away battery fluid from the battery compartment before inserting new ones.

For the customers in Canada

Note on mechanical noise
The recorder produces out mechanical noise while operating, which is caused by the power-saving system of the recorder and it is not a problem.

To protect a recorded MD

To record-protect an MD, slide open the tab at the side of the MD. In this position, the MD cannot be recorded. To record again, slide the tab back so the tab is visible.

Note on digital recording

This recorder uses the Serial Copy Mangement System which allows only first-generation digital copies to be made of premastered software. You can only make copies from a home-recorded MD by using the analog (line out) connections.

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

Troubleshooting

Should any problem persists after you have made these checks, consult you nearest Sony dealer.

System limitations

The recording system in your MiniDisc recorder is radically different from those used in cassette and DAT decks and is characterized by the limitations described below. Note, however, that these limitations are due to the inherent nature of the MD recording system itself and not to mechanical causes.

Error messages

If the following error messages flash in the display window, check the chart below.

Specifications

What is MD?

Looking at the controls

The recorder

The display window

The headphones with a remote control

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