Sony MZ-N10 Net MD MiniDisc Player/Recorder (Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)First of all, let's get this straight: the Sony MZ-N10 is NOT a top-of-the-line recorder. It is mostly a music file transfer, storage and playback device. It does not come with a microphone; therefore, recording sound with it as packaged is not possible. However, you can purchase a mic and use the unit to record, but the limitations are severe, as I'll explain below. You can record from any analog source but again with sever limitations. I will split my review into two parts: (a) hardware, (b) software. The hardware for the MZ-N10 is superb. The unit is unbelievably small and yet has both a feel and look of quality about it. The sound it produces is exceptional. The mechanical function of the unit is a little unorthodox and takes a while at the manual to master, but that's to be expected when packing so many features into such a small unit. The rotating 'Jog Dial' also pushes laterally to navigate many features, and this may confuse you at first if you've not seen that type of mechanism before. It comes with an attachable battery pack (one AA, not included) that should but does not have to be attached when in use. The pack does make it bulkier, heavier and more fragile. It attaches to the USP port, and the cantilevered pack if it should sustain a blow, could damage the unit's USB port. The connection of the unit to its power docking station (also through the USB port) is simple and positive. The computer USB connection is made through a second USB port on the docking station. All this hardware, including the attachable 'remote' is well designed and functional. I'll be honest, I simply love the hardware. It is truly one of the marvels of 21st century technology. The software, called SonicStage, is another story. Why Sony calls many of the functions of the MZ-N10 'recording' is a puzzle until you read the manual on its operation. The process of transferring a music file from your computer into the device is called 'recording,' a rather significant misnomer, in my opinion. In this mode the unit is a MUSIC transfer, storage and playback device. The manual talks exclusive of 'song' transfer, and it calls the transformation process 'recording'. When a song is transferred into the unit it is 'Checked Out'. And when the song is returned to the computer, it is 'Checked In'. While the song (file) is Checked Out it cannot be uploaded to another computer. The software blocks the transfer. The song can be played on the unit any number of times, but it can only be Checked Out three times. Another sever limitation comes if you want to create a CD. Here is the quote from the user's manual: 'In order to create your original audio CDs with SonicStage, you must use a Sony VAIO series computer only. The computer must be pre-installed with Windows XP and come with a recordable optical disc drive.' Now for the recording problem. As I said above, you cannot record sound with the unit as packaged. You must purchase an external microphone to record sound into the unit. I purchased Sony's ECM-MS907 stereo mic. It works great. Another fine piece of Sony hardware. The mic plugs into the 'Line In' port. The operation is then straightforward, and the recorded sound is crystal clear. You can use either a mic or record directly from any audio analog signal. Here's the problem. You cannot upload the recorded sound through the USB computer connection. The software is designed to block transfer (say Check In) of any sound files that have not first been Checked Out from the computer. I record animal sounds, bird calls, night sounds, and create sounds for website buttons, etc. I also import sound from my Yamaha keyboard. You CAN get the recorded sound into your computer by connecting a stereo wire from the unit's 'Line Out' port to your computer's sound card. A very easy operation, but you must also purchase software that can capture the incoming sound. (I use SoundForge.) So the unit has digitized the incoming sound and then regenerates an analog signal to export it to your sound card. Your capture software then must re-digitize it. You have to adjust the sound using the volume control on the MZ-N10. This is an unnecessary lossy process, and you will not get anywhere near as good sound as you would have if the software had permitted you to import the sound directly from the unit into your computer through the USB port. My results are terrible. You could have simply connected the analog device to your sound card and eliminated the two conversions inside the MZ-N10. So the ability to record through an extra-purchase mic is a minor (should I say bogus?) feature of the unit and should not affect your purchase decision one way or the other. In my opinion, the software cripples the function of this unit to the point where it is not worth the money. To call transferring digital sound files 'recording' is simply not correct. All this software slight-of-hand has obviously been caused by the hysteria in the music industry over pirated songs. Hopefully Sony will quickly come to its senses and release another driver for this marvelous and expensive piece of hardware that will allow it to unfold its wings. It along with the Sony mic would be a miniature portable stereo recording studio par excellence in the field.

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The MZ-N10 Net MD Walkman recorder is the ultimate tool for creating great-sounding music mixes as well as live voice or music recordings. It transfers music at up to 64x speed, and the included SonicStage Jukebox software stores and manages digital music files, custom playlists, and music transfers, making it a cinch to transfer music to the device. A stereo minijack mic input accepts a range of microphones and is convenient for a variety of applications, and the unit comes with a built-in rechargeable battery capable of boosting battery life to 58 hours of playback when used in conjunction with a single AA battery.
Taking advantage of high-speed transfers from a PC via a direct USB connection, the MZ-N10 can record more than five hours of music on one 80-minute minidisc (using LP4 mode). It also uses Sony's skip-free G-Protection technology, which eliminates or reduces skipping during many active uses. The MZ-N10 is compatible with the RealOne music player and the pressplay.com online music subscription service. It plays back ATRAC3 files and supports multiple Internet audio formats, including MP3, WMA, and WAV. The unit provides up to 56 hours of continuous playback on one AA battery.
Recording is faster and easier than ever using the long-play LP4 mode and a supplied matching USB cradle with a direct connection to the jukebox. Placing the unit in the connected cradle also ensures that it automatically recharges.
The MZ-N10 also features an editing remote with a backlit LCD and a three-line dot-matrix display that shows nine characters per line for easy song searches and edits. Sony's Jog Dial navigator scrolls through track lists vertically to search for songs and groups--you can access desired points by simply rotating the dial with one finger then pushing it. A handy feature called Personal Disc Memory stores your preferred settings for listening volume and other functions when playing your favorite minidiscs.
The Easy Skip group-folder function helps you organize songs into albums or groups. Once transferred to the MZ-N10, you can easily skip from group to group. Besides the bundled SonicStage software and SonicStage simple burner application, the MZ-N10 also includes software for creatively organizing your music. MoodLogic software goes beyond typical jukebox applications, letting you compile music by mood or tempo rather than simply by artists and song titles.
MoodLogic corrects your file information by identifying and re-titling mislabeled tracks during ID3 tag cleaning. It also has a feature called Music Marker, which lets you "tag" music during playback. Once you reconnect the device to your PC, MoodLogic retrieves the marks, connects you to the Musiclub Web site, and provides you with information about the song and artist as well as with links to download new tracks, purchase CDs, or discover similar artists.
Here's how you can use the included Sonic Stage Software to manage your music files:
What's in the Box MD player/recorder, AC-ES605 AC power adapter, USB cradle (battery-charging stand), RM-MC33EL/S slim-stick backlit LCD remote control, MDR-A34SP headphones, dry-battery case (for 1 AA battery), digital cord, SonicStage version 1.5 CD-ROM (with Net MD Simple Burner software), USB cable, user's manual, warranty information.

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