UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum - View Single Post

AD360 Rob · 29th Dec 2017, 3:58 pm

I too am a dedicated minidisc user. I use them for backing tracks for theatre shows I do sound and light for. Theatre techies laugh when I drag the MDS-JB930 out and set it up in front of the lighting desk and I'm often asked why don't I use a computer. Well my answer is this: A. laptop has too large a footprint. B. doesn't load the next track ready for playing after the previous one has finished and C. does not display a large enough time clock to use for to the second lighting changes required by most of the shows I'm involved in. Yes, we could probably automate a lot of the lighting but that relies on the cast doing things exactly the same way every time and there is no "feel" with automation. I like the on the fly editability you get with M.D. I also use it for Panto sound effect playback too. Now, I'm sure software does exist that will do what I need (big time display, auto track advance etc) but at what cost? so as far as I'm concerned, Minidisc is here to stay.

29th Dec 2017, 3:58 pm	#15
AD360 Rob Hexode Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Chester, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 421	Re: Sony MDS JE480. Hum. I too am a dedicated minidisc user. I use them for backing tracks for theatre shows I do sound and light for. Theatre techies laugh when I drag the MDS-JB930 out and set it up in front of the lighting desk and I'm often asked why don't I use a computer. Well my answer is this: A. laptop has too large a footprint. B. doesn't load the next track ready for playing after the previous one has finished and C. does not display a large enough time clock to use for to the second lighting changes required by most of the shows I'm involved in. Yes, we could probably automate a lot of the lighting but that relies on the cast doing things exactly the same way every time and there is no "feel" with automation. I like the on the fly editability you get with M.D. I also use it for Panto sound effect playback too. Now, I'm sure software does exist that will do what I need (big time display, auto track advance etc) but at what cost? so as far as I'm concerned, Minidisc is here to stay.