Features: "Backtrack" recording feature allows unit to play an MD track and record a new (separate) track simultaneously. If the machine's output is run through a mixer, new material can be mixed with existing material and recorded.
From the Sony announcement: "The BackTracking feature effectively makes the unit two machines in one. In conjunction with the MDS-DRE1's digital I/Os, BackTracking allows the DJ to record and synchronize tracks on the fly from any source, while a song is being played. These sources can be mixed (with an external DJ mixer) along with material on the same disc. This provides the DJ the flexibility to create customized mixes and audio transitions in real time. Additional planned features of the ergonomically designed, portable, tabletop unit include seamless looping; turntable-style scrubbing and trick play; digital archiving; digital disc and random access capability; "hot start" buttons, allowing up to eight tracks to be assigned simultaneously for continuous instantaneous play; slider faders to control pitch and tempo; and full song-based editing function (1/86 sec accurate) including the capability to divide, combine, move, erase or copy a track."
Unit features independent speed and pitch controls (+/- 12% each).

Optional accessories: Footswitch (FS-A8).

Problems: A user reports: Only one small problem is evident in the unit and it relates to changing speed of playback. Whenever you do, relatively large amounts of 'wow and flutter' develop. It sounds like a reverb and delay has been put on the sound. I suspect, after speaking with SONY, that a software upgrade will hopefully be available soon to correct this problem plus any other 'bugs' in the unit. -Jeremy Koch ([email protected]) Followup: Jeremy reports that Sony Japan (via Sony Australia) has acknowleged that there is a fault with the units due to the processing chips they have used. There is no fix for the problem and it will be rectified in the next model (if there is another model).

Links: Harmony Central's page for the unit. A Sony (UK) sales person for this unit can be contacted at [email protected]. Sony's announcement for the unit. A Studio Sound article on the Sony MDS-DRE1. Kim S. Andreasen provides an interesting review of Sony's MDS-DRE1, discussing its application to square-dance calling.

Specs: Freq. resp.: 5-20kHz +/- 0.5dB, SNR: >96dB (playback)

Reviews:

User Manual: MDS-DRE1

Service Manual: MDS-DRE1