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I recently acquired a Sony CD player to record live piano. I have been using a cassette deck for this purpose, so I have microphones and a mixer already in place. But I cannot get the CD recorder to record from analog sources. I have the unit hooked up with the correct analog inputsm and have the input on the deck set to analog. But when I push the record button, nothing happens. I don't know whether the unit is defective or whether I am simply overlooking something simple that needs to be done. I have read the manual carefully. Is there possibly something I have overlooked? Thanks for any help or advice.
Follow Ups:
NewStevo is partially correct. Many "pro-sumer" decks from Marantz, Tascam, HHB and others will record on to data-CD-R/RWs or music-CD-R/RWs. Also, these machines usually have a "monitor" function, which will feed the input signal to it's headphone jack, and allow record level adjustments. This function operates when there is no disc in the drawer. In this mode, the level meters are active. As Dave Pogue and I mentioned above, many of these recorders enter the Record-Pause mode when the Record button is pressed and there is a CD-R/RW in the drawer. Pressing Play afterwards will begin recording.Oh, and NEVER believe ANYTHING a Best Buy employee tell you!!!!!
A few ideas:First, make sure the signal to be recorded is reaching the Sony recorder. If it has a "monitor" function and headphone jack, see if there is any signal. If the analog record level is adjustable, turn it up. I have some source gear with low outputs, and my CD recorder has to have the record volume pot all the way open for a decent signal level. Check the output level of your mixer, too. It may not output the proper signal voltage for your recorder. Test this by feeding the recorder a different analog source (e.g., another CD player, using its analog outputs and the CD recorder's anaolg inputs).
If you have a signal coming in to the recorder, I would check your blank media. Your recorder probably requires CD-Rs labelled "Music" or "Audio" CD-R. "Data" CD-Rs and unspecified CD-Rs may not work in your machine. Also, you may have a bad batch of media - more common with generic or store brands. To be sure, try a Sony Music CD-R. I would expect the best compatibility of Sony CD-Rs with Sony recorders.
Both recorders I have used (Pioneer and Marantz) both enter the Record/Pause mode when the Record button is pressed. To begin recording, I must then press the Play button. Your machine may be similar.
Lastly, check your default setup. Perhaps the record volume is fixed at too low a level, and you need to set it to manual record level for the level control to work.
Lastly, try different cables. I have had cables go silent on me before.
After all this, if it still won't record, it may require service. My Pioneer stopped reading discs. Apparently, its laser assembly is easily knocked out of whack, and then it requires repair (I had two Pioneer CD-recorders do this to me - it's a known issue at Pioneer).
Thanks for the detailed response. I have a cassette deck hooked to same amp, fed by the same mixer and it is getting the signal, so I am pretty sure that the CD recorder is too. I am curious about the blank discs though. I was concerned when I bought the recorder about the difference between CDRs for computers and CD recorders and was told at Best Buy that they now use the same discs. I was aware of a difference a few years ago when the discs for CD recorders were had some sort of copy right protection. Is there still a difference between the discs used for the two kinds of machine?
I have a Sony CD recorder at home, that my wife originally purchased for her business (voice-overs and narrations) and which I have used to copy vinyl records.I have fed the recorder's analog inputs with the outputs of a small mixing board in my wife's home studio. Generally speaking, the procedure is to insert the blank disc into the machine and press the "record" button. This does not start the recording, but activates the chosen input and allows you to set levels, using the machine's VU meters. So, I would start with that step. Use the input selector switch to select the analog inputs and then, with a signal coming in, adjust the level controls for readings on the VU meters. If you're not getting a reading, either there is a problem with your cables (unlikely to affect both at the same time), your source is not producing an ouput or there is a problem with the Sony's analog input (have you used this machine successfully before, from the analog inputs?). IIRC, the selector switch on my wife's machine selects from two different analog inputs (balanced or unbalanced) and then selects whether you want to use Sony's "super bit mapping" feature or the adjustable peak limiter in making the recording.
The machine should work equally with CD-Rs or CD-RWs; I've used both. However, if you want the resulting CD that you make to be playable on a music CD player (as opposed to a computer) I think you have to use "music" CD-Rs. The only difference between them and regular CD-Rs is that the sale price to you of them includes a small copyright royalty payment that goes to a pool that is distributed to recording artists and they include a code that music CD players look for before they will play the disc. The idea is that copyright holder get some compensation from people who duplicate their music with these devices instead of buying a new recording. (In the US, The Home Recording Act allows duplication of sound recordings for personal use.) I don't know what the situation is outside of the U.S.
But none of this should affect the ability of your CD recorder to receive a signal at the inputs. The Sony also has a headphone jack. If you have a pair of inexpensive phones, you might plug them in. You should hear what's been fed into the input.
Thanks, that is very helpful. This is the first time I have tried to record analog. After I press record, with input set to analog, the level meter does not register anything coming in. Since the tape deck hooked to the other tape out of the same amp is getting the signal, I am inclined to think the deck is defective. That is what I wanted to find out before I haul it off to Best Buy.
#1) You HAVE to use MUSIC CDRs. Comnercial home audio CD recorders (as opposed to computers) ALL have to use MUSIC CDRs, which are a little more expensive than data CDRs, since the extra money goes to the RIAA for copyright royalties.#2) As opposed to your typical tape deck, you won't see anything on the VU meters unless there is a CDR ready to record in the recording tray. Put in a MUSIC CDR, it will then optimize itself, and then when you push RECORD you should see a response on the VU meters to set the level. The just push PLAY to record...you don't have to hold the RECORD button. Since the CD has nothing on it to PLAY yet, it knows you want to record.
Thank you very very much for that information. I will get some music CD's and go from there. But I am annoyed that the folks at Best Buy did now know this.
My Tascam CD recorder requires you to push "record," then wait a bit, then push "play" to actually begin the recording process. And are you using the right kind of CDRs or CDS-RWs? Some recorders (like mine) can use any kind of blank disc; others require special discs.
Thanks, I'll try that.
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