Sony MZ-R90/R91 User manual

3-867-571-12(1)
Portable
MiniDisc Recorder
Operating Instructions ________________________
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Manual de instrucciones
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Manual de instruções ________________________
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Bruksanvisning
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Käyttöohjeet
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GB
ES
PT
SE
FI
RU
©1999 Sony Corporation
MZ-R90
MZ-R91
Portable MiniDisc Recorder MZ-R90
/
MZ-R91

2-GB
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.
Information
“MD WALKMAN” is a trademark of
Sony Corporation.
This mark is valid for Russia only.
Welcome!
Welcome to the world of the MiniDisc!
Here are some of the capabilities and
features you’ll discover with the new
MiniDisc Recorder.
•Recording MD Walkman in an ultra-
compact body — Almost as small as a
playback-only MD Walkman; easy to
carry in your pocket or bag.
•Ultra-light body (MZ-R90) —
Magnesium lid for extra lightness.
•Ultra-compact body (MZ-R91) —
Fashionable design and colors.
•Low power consumption design — Less
drain and the longer service life for the
rechargeable battery.
•9-letter, backlit LCD remote control
with editing capabilities — You can now
label tracks and discs, change track
sequence, etc., with the easy-to-operate
stick remote control.
•Simultaneous labeling feature — No
more waiting for the recording to end;
you can label tracks and discs while the
MD is being recorded.
•Phrase bank function — Phrases that
you often use in track or disc names can
be stored in the recorder’s memory and
retrieved whenever you need them.
•Copying CD text — If you use a CD text
connecting cord (not supplied) to
connect a Joint Text-compatible
portable CD player to the recorder, CD
text data (such as track and disc names)
on the CD that is compatible to CD-
TEXT display will be recorded
automatically during recording.
•Shock-resistant memory — Offsets up
to 40 seconds of optical read errors.
•High-fidelity recording — Low-noise,
low-distortion, high-fidelity recording
through the optical digital input jack.
IN NO EVENT SHALL SELLER BE
LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT,
INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF
ANY NATURE, OR LOSSES OR
EXPENSES RESULTING FROM
ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT OR
THE USE OF ANY PRODUCT.
WARNING

3-GB
•Digital synchro-recording — When
recording from a digital equipment with
optical output, the recorder
automatically starts and pauses
recording in sync with operation on the
digital source.
•Digital REC level control — Allows
manual adjustment of recording level
even during digital recording.
•Long-time recording with monaural
sound — You can record up to 160
minutes (when using 80 minutes
recordable MD) on a disc using
monaural recording.
•Date and time stamp function — The
built-in clock automatically records the
date and time whenever you make a
recording.
•Digital AGC (Auto Gain Control) —
Automatic recording level adjustment
without sacrificing superb digital sound.
This manual is for models MZ-
R90 and MZ-R91.
The MZ-R90 appears in the instructions
for illustration purposes. Though they
differ in appearance, the models share the
same functions and are operated in the
same way.
For detailed specifications, see page 49.
How to use the jog lever.
The jog lever can be used to perform
various operations during playback,
recording, and editing, as well as when
the recorder is stopped. Flip the jog lever
to select an item in the display. Then press
the jog lever to enter your selection.
About the i/LINE OUT jack on
the recorder.
The parameter (“AUDIO OUT”) for the
i/LINE OUT jack must be set to
“HeadPhone” if you want to connect
headphones other than the supplied set, or
to “LINE OUT” if you want to connect
another component to the recorder
through a line cable. There is no need to
make this when using the supplied
headphones with remote control since it is
done automatically.
To set the “AUDIO OUT” parameter for
the i/LINE OUT jack, do the following
procedure:
1Press the jog lever, flip until “AUDIO
OUT” flashes in the display, and then press
the lever again.
2Flip the jog lever until “HeadPhone” or
“LINE OUT” flashes in the display.
3Press the jog lever when the item you want
to select is flashing.
Notes
•When the “AUDIO OUT” parameter is set to
“LINE OUT”, the VOL +/– buttons and the
Mega Bass function become inoperative. To
make them operative, set the “AUDIO OUT”
parameter to “HeadPhone”.
•The “AUDIO OUT” parameter is
automatically set to “HeadPhone” when you
turn off the power.
MZ-R90
MZ-R91
Flip to select Push to enter
GB

4-GB
Table of contents
Recording an MD right away! ...........................6
Playing an MD right away! ................................9
Various ways of recording ..............................12
Two ways of connecting to a sound source ..........................................12
Recording with digital (optical) input (optical cable required) ............13
To start/stop recording in sync with the source player
(Synchro-recording) ........................................................................14
Recording from a microphone ..............................................................15
Recording in monaural for double the normal recording time .............15
Adjusting the recording level manually (Manual recording) ................16
Checking the remaining time or the recording position .......................17
On the recorder ...............................................................................17
On the remote control .....................................................................19
Setting the clock to stamp the recorded time ........................................20
Copying CD text information while recording (Joint Text) ................21
Various ways of playback ..............................23
Selecting a track directly .......................................................................23
Playing tracks repeatedly ......................................................................23
On the recorder ...............................................................................23
On the remote control .....................................................................24
Emphasizing bass (DIGITAL MEGA BASS) ......................................25
Protecting your hearing (AVLS) ...........................................................25
Checking the remaining time or the playing position ...........................26
On the recorder ...............................................................................26
On the remote control .....................................................................27
Locking the controls (HOLD) ...............................................................27
Connecting to a stereo system (LINE OUT) ........................................28

5-GB
Editing recorded tracks .................................. 29
Erasing tracks ....................................................................................... 29
To erase a track .............................................................................. 29
To erase the whole disc .................................................................. 29
Adding a track mark ............................................................................. 30
Erasing a track mark ............................................................................ 31
Moving recorded tracks ....................................................................... 31
On the recorder .............................................................................. 31
On the remote control .................................................................... 32
Labeling recordings .............................................................................. 32
On the recorder .............................................................................. 32
On the remote control .................................................................... 34
Storing phrases frequently used in labeling (Phrase Bank) ................. 35
On the recorder ............................................................................. 35
On the remote control .................................................................... 37
Power sources ................................................ 39
Charging the nickel metal hydride rechargeable battery ..................... 39
Using on a nickel metal hydride rechargeable battery ......................... 40
Using dry battery .................................................................................. 40
Additional information .................................... 41
Precautions ........................................................................................... 41
Troubleshooting ................................................................................... 43
System limitations ................................................................................ 45
Messages .............................................................................................. 46
Specifications ....................................................................................... 49
What is an MD? ................................................................................... 50
Looking at the controls ........................................................................ 52

6-GB
Recording an MD right away!
The sound will be sent from the connected equipment as analog signal
but will be recorded digitally on the disc. To record from a digital
source, see “Recording with digital (optical) input (optical cable
required)” (page 13). To record from an MD, see “Note on digital
recording” (page 42).
1 Make connections. (Insert the cables
firmly and completely into the appropriate jacks.)
∗Use the connecting cords
without an attenuator. To
connect to a portable CD player
having a stereo mini-jack, use
the RK-G136 connecting cord
(not supplied).
CD player,
cassette recorder,
etc. (source)
to LINE OUT
R (red)
L (white)
Line cable
(RK-G129, not supplied)* to a wall outlet
AC power adaptor
(supplied)
to LINE IN (OPTICAL)
to
DC IN 3V

7-GB
2 Insert a recordable MD.
1Slide OPEN to open the lid. 2Insert a recordable MD with the label
side facing up, and press the lid down
to close.
3 Record an MD.
1Slide REC to the right.
“REC” lights up and recording starts.
2Play the CD or tape you want to record.
To stop recording, press x.
After you press x, the recorder will
automatically turn off in about 10 seconds
(when using batteries) or about 5 minutes
(when using AC power adaptor).
Notes
•“Data Save” or “TOC Edit” flashes while data
of the recording (the track’s start and end
points, etc.) is being recorded. Do not move or
jog the recorder or disconnect the power
source while the indication is flashing in the
display.
•The lid does not open until “TOC Edit”
disappears in the display.
REC
CD player, cassette
recorder, etc.
(source)
x

8-GB
If the recording does not start
•Make sure the recorder is not locked
(page 27).
•Make sure the MD is not record-protected
(page 42).
•Premastered MDs cannot be recorded over.
For models supplied with the AC plug
adaptor
If the AC power adaptor does not fit the wall
outlet, use the AC plug adaptor.
Note
If the power supply is disrupted (i.e. the battery
is removed or becomes exhausted or the AC
power adaptor is disconnected) during a
recording or editing operation, or while “TOC
Edit” appears in the display, then it will not be
possible to open the lid until power is restored.
z
•The level of the recorded sound is adjusted
automatically.
•You can monitor the sound during recording.
Connect the supplied headphones with remote
control to i/LINE OUT and adjust the
volume by pressing VOL +/–. This does not
affect the recording level.
To Press
Record from the end of the previous
recording END SEARCH and slide REC.
Record partway through the previous
recording
N, >or .to find the start point of
recording and press xto stop. Then slide
REC.
Pause X1)
Press Xagain to resume recording.
1) A track mark is added at the point where you press Xagain to resume recording while pausing; thus
the remainder of the track will be counted as a new track.
Remove the MD xand open the lid.2) (The lid does not open
while “TOC Edit” flashing in the display.)
2) Once you open the lid, the point to start recording will change to the beginning of the first track. Check
the point to start recording on the display.

9-GB
Playing an MD right away!
To use the recorder on a rechargeable battery or dry batteries, see
“Power sources” (page 39).
1 Make connections. (Insert the cables
firmly and completely into the appropriate jacks.)
2 Insert an MD.
1Slide OPEN to open the lid. 2Insert an MD with the label side facing
up, and press the lid down to close.
Headphones with
a remote control
(supplied)
to i/LINE OUT
to DC IN 3V
to a wall outlet
AC power adaptor
(supplied)

10-GB
3 Play an MD.
1Press N(Press the control towards
N•>on the remote control).
A short beep sounds in the headphones
when you operate on the remote control.
2Press VOL +/– to adjust the volume.
The volume will be shown in the
display.
To stop play, press x.
A long beep sounds in the headphones when
you operate on the remote control.
Playback starts from the point you last stopped
playing.
After you press x, the recorder will
automatically turn off in about 10 seconds
(when using batteries) or about 5 minutes
(when using AC power adaptor).
If the play does not start
Make sure the recorder is not locked (page 27).
When using optional headphones
•Use only headphones with stereo mini plugs.
You cannot use headphones with micro plugs.
VOL +/–
VOL +/–
x
x
N
To Press (Beeps in the headphones)
Find the beginning of the
current track
.once (Press the control towards .on the remote
control). (Three short beeps)
Find the beginning of the
next track
>once (Press the control towards N•>on the
remote control). (Two short beeps)
Pause X(Continuous short beeps)
Press Xagain to resume play.
Go backwards while
playing1) keep pressing .(Press and hold the control towards .on the remote control)
Go forward while playing1) keep pressing >(Press and hold the control towards
N•>on the remote control)
Remove the MD xand open the lid.2)
1) To go backward or forward quickly without listening, press Xand keep pressing .or >(press
and hold the control towards .or N•>on the remote control).
2) Once you open the lid, the point to start play will change to the beginning of the first track.
Stereo mini plug Micro plug

11-GB
•The VOL +/– buttons and the Mega Bass
function may become inoperative. In this case,
do the procedure below.
1Press the jog lever, flip the jog lever until
“AUDIO OUT” flashes in the display, and
then press the lever again.
“LINE OUT” flashes in the display.
2Flip the jog lever until “HeadPhone”
appears in the display.
3Press the jog lever again.
z
Playback will switch automatically between
stereo and monaural according to the sound
source.
Notes
•The sound may skip during playback when the
recorder is exposed to continuous vibration,
such as while jogging.
•If the power supply is disrupted (i.e. the
battery is removed or becomes exhausted or
the AC power adaptor is disconnected) when
the recorder is operating, the lid may not open
until the power is restored.

12-GB
Various ways of recording
Two ways of connecting to a sound source
The input jack of this recorder works as both digital and analog input jacks. Connect the
recorder to a CD player or a cassette recorder using either digital (optical) input or analog
(line) input. To record, see “Recording with digital (optical) input (optical cable required)”
(page 13) to record using digital (optical) input, and “Recording an MD right away!”
(page 6) to record using analog (line) input.
Difference between digital (optical) and analog (line) inputs
Note
Track marks may be copied incorrectly:
•when you record from some CD players or multi disc players using digital (optical) input.
•when the source is in shuffle or program play mode while recording using digital (optical) input. In
this case, play the source in normal play mode.
•when recording BS or CS programs through digital (optical) input.
Difference Digital (optical) input Analog (line) input
Connectable
source Equipment with an digital (optical) output jack Equipment with an analog (line) output jack
Usable cord Optical cable (with an optical or an
optical-mini plug)(page 13) Line cable (with 2 phono plugs or a stereo-mini plug)(page 6)
Signal from the
source Digital Analog
Even when a digital source (such
as a CD) is connected, the signal
sent to the recorder is analog.
Recorded track
numbers Marked (copied) automatically
• at the same positions as the
source.
• after more than 2 seconds of
blank or low-level segment1).
• when the recorder is paused
while recording.
You can erase unnecessary marks
after recording. (“Erasing a track
mark”, page 31).
1) When recording a CD or an MD, track numbers are automatically marked in the order of the original
disc.
Marked automatically
• after more than 2 seconds of
blank or low-level segment.
• when the recorder is paused
while recording.
You can erase unnecessary marks
after recording (“Erasing a track
mark”, page 31).
Recorded
sound level Same as the source.
Can also be adjusted manually
(Digital REC level control)
(“Adjusting the recording level
manually (Manual recording)”,
page 16).
Adjusted automatically. Can also
be adjusted manually (“Adjusting
the recording level manually
(Manual recording)”, page 16).

13-GB
Recording with digital
(optical) input (optical
cable required)
Connect to a digital source using an
optical cable (POC-5B or POC-5AB, not
supplied) to make digital recordings.
Digital recording is possible even from
digital equipment with different sampling
rates, such as a DAT deck or a BS tuner,
using the built-in sampling rate converter.
1Insert a recordable MD and start
recording.
For recording operations, see
“Recording an MD right away!”
(page 6). 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 type
of line cable and switches to digital or analog
input.
Notes
•You can make a digital recording only from an
optical type output.
•When recording from a portable CD player,
play it on AC power and disable the anti-skip
function (such as ESP*).
•Digital output may be disabled on some
portable CD players when the player is not run
on AC power.
∗Electronic Shock Protection
POC-5B etc.
(not supplied)
POC-5AB etc.
(not supplied)
to LINE IN
(OPTICAL)
Optical
plug Optical
mini-
plug
CD player, MD
player, digital
amplifier, etc.
Portable CD
player, etc.

14-GB
To start/stop recording
in sync with the source
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 insert a recordable MD.
1Slide SYNCHRO REC to ON.
“SYNC”appears in the display.
“SYNC”doesn’t appear if optical
cable is not connected to the recorder.
2Slide REC to the right.
The recorder stands by for recording.
3Play the source sound.
The recorder starts recording when it
receives the playing sound.
To stop recording, press x.
z
•You cannot pause manually during synchro-
recording.
•When there is no sound from the player for
more than 3 seconds during synchro-
recording, the recorder goes into the standby
mode automatically. When the sound comes
from the player again, the recorder resumes
synchro-recording. If the recorder is kept in
the standby mode for 5 minutes or longer, the
recorder stops automatically.
Notes
•Do not switch SYNCHRO REC after step 3.
Recording may not be done properly.
•When recording in monaural, follow steps 1 to
3 of “Recording in monaural for double the
normal recording time”(page 15), and then do
steps 1 and 3 of synchro-recording.
•Even when there is no recorded sound on the
sound source, there may be cases when
recording does not pause automatically during
synchro-recording due to the noise level
emitted from the sound source.
•If a silent portion is encountered for 2 seconds
or more during synchro-recording, a new track
mark is automatically added at the point
where the silent portion ends.
•Synchro-recording cannot be done if the
connecting cord is not an optical cable, or if
the cable is connected to the MIC (PLUG IN
POWER) jack.
CD players,
etc.
SYNCHRO REC
x
End ¢¢7

15-GB
Recording from a
microphone
Connect a stereo microphone (ECM-717,
ECM-MS907, ECM-MS957, etc.; not
supplied) to the MIC (PLUG IN POWER)
jack.
1Insert a recordable MD and start
recording.
Slide REC to the right.
For other operations, see “Recording
an MD right away!”(page 6).
Notes
•You cannot record through the microphone
while an optical cable is connected to the
LINE IN (OPTICAL) jack. The recorder
automatically switches input in the following
order; optical input, microphone input, and
analog input.
•The microphone may pick up the operating
sound of the recorder itself. Use the
microphone away from the recorder in such
cases.
Recording in monaural
for double the normal
recording time
For longer recordings, choose to record in
monaural. The recording time becomes
double the normal.
1While pressing X, slide REC to the
right.
The recorder stands by for recording.
2Press the jog lever, flip until “REC
MODE”flashes in the display, and
then press the lever again.
3Flip the jog lever until “Mono REC”
flashes in the display, and then press
the lever.
To switch back to stereo recording,
press the lever while “Stereo REC”
flashes in the display.
4Press Xagain to start recording.
5Play the sound source.
To stop recording, press x.
The recorder switches back to stereo recording
when you record the next time.
Notes
•If you record a stereo source in monaural, the
sounds from left and right will be mixed.
•You cannot record in monaural if SYNCHRO
REC is slid to ON. If you are recording digital
input, make sure to slide SYNCHRO REC to
OFF before you begin recording.
•The MDs recorded in monaural can be played
back only with an MD player/recorder that has
the monaural playing function.
to MIC (PLUG IN POWER)
Stereo microphone
Jog lever
X
REC

16-GB
•Sound recorded through digital (optical) input
can be monitored in stereo through
headphones, etc. Adjusting the recording
level manually
(Manual recording)
When you record, the sound level is
adjusted automatically. If necessary, you
can set the level manually.
Note
Adjust the recording level while the recorder is
in standby mode. You cannot adjust it while
recording.
1While holding down X, slide REC to
the right.
The recorder stands by for recording.
2Press the jog lever, flip until
“RecVolume”flashes in the display,
and then press the lever again.
3Flip the jog lever until “ManualREC”
flashes in the display, and then press
the lever.
To switch back to the automatic
control, flip the jog lever until “Auto
REC”flashes in the display, and then
press the lever.
4Play the source.
./>
REC
X
Jog lever
ManualREC

17-GB
5While observing the level meter in the
display, adjust the recording level by
flipping the jog lever or pressing >
(+) or .(–).
Set the level so that the level meter
reaches around (–12 dB) mark
beneath the display window.
If the sound is too high, lower the
recording level until the level meter
just barely reaches the (OVER)
mark beneath the display window.
Recording doesn’t start in this step.
If your source is an externally
connected component, be sure to cue
the source to the beginning of the
material to be recorded before you
start playback.
6Press Xagain to start recording.
To stop recording, press x.
The recording level control is switched back to
automatic control when you record the next
time.
Note
The recording level cannot be adjusted while
recording is in progress. If you want to adjust
the recording level after you have started the
recording, press Xto pause the recorder. Then
do the procedure from step 5.
Checking the remaining
time or the recording
position
You can check the remaining time, track
number, etc. when recording or during
stop.
On the recorder
1While the recorder is recording or
stopped, press the jog lever, flip until
“DISPLAY”flashes in the display,
and then press the lever again.
2Flip the jog lever until the
information you want flashes in the
display.
Each time you flip the lever, the
display changes as follows.
Display window on the recorder
While recording
REC +
<,
Volume decreases increases
–12 dB OVER
AB
1)
LapTime 1/3
RecRemain 2/3
Clock 3/3
Jog lever
REC indicator
A
B
continued

18-GB
In stop mode
3Press the jog lever.
The display changes as follows.
Display window on the recorder
While recording
In stop mode
z
The display that appears on the remote control
is different from the ones on the recorder. See
“On the remote control”(page 19) to check the
display that appears on the remote control.
To know the recording
condition
The indicator lights up or flashes
according to the recording condition.
Whether you use the controls on the
recorder or the remote control, the REC
indicator lights up or flashes in the same
way.
1) Of the figures in column B, the second
indicates the number of displayable items and
the first indicates the order of the selected
item.
For example, when “1/3”is indicated for
“LapTime”, it means the first of three
selectable items is being displayed.
AB
1)
1) Of the figures in column B, the second
indicates the number of displayable items and
the first indicates the order of the selected
item.
For example, when “1/4”is indicated for
“LapTime”, it means the first of 4 selectable
items is being displayed.
LapTime 1/4
RecRemain 2/4
AllRemain 3/4
Clock 4/4
AB
Track number Elapsed time
Track number Remaining time for
recording
Current date1)
1) Appears only when the clock is set.
Current time1)
A
B
AB
Track number Elapsed time
Track name1)
1) Appears only if the track has been labeled.
Remaining time for
recording
Disc name1) Remaining time after
the current location
Current date2)
2) Appears only when the clock is set.
Current time2)
Recording
condition REC indicator
While recording lights up
flashes according
to the loudness of
the source while
recording with a
microphone (voice
mirror)
Recording standby flashes
Less than 3
minutes’
recording time
available
flashes slowly
A track mark has
been added (when
controlling by the
recorder only)
goes off
momentarily

19-GB
z
If you want to check the playing position or
track name while playing, see page 26.
On the remote control
1Press DISPLAY while recording or in
stop mode.
Each time you press the button, the
display changes as follows.
Display window on the remote control
While recording
In stop mode
z
•If you want to check the playing position or
track name while playing, see page 27.
•The display that appears on the recorder is
different from the ones on the remote control.
See “On the recorder”(page 17) to check the
display that appears on the recorder.
CD
Track number Elapsed time
Track number Remaining time
for recording
—Current time1)
1) Appears only when the clock is set.
CD
Track number Elapsed time
Track number Track name1)
1) Appears only if the track has been labeled.
Number of tracks
in the disc Disc name1)
—Current time2)
2) Appears only when the clock is set.
DISPLAY
DC

20-GB
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.
Once you set the clock, the recorder will
include a time stamp each you record
something. If you don’t want to include a
time stamp on the track, skip this
operation.
1Connect the power source.
Use the supplied AC power adaptor.
2Press the jog lever while no disc is
inserted or the recorder is stopped.
3Flip the jog lever until “CLOCK
SET”flashes in the display, and then
press the lever.
The digits of the year flash.
4Change the current year by flipping
the jog lever, and then press the lever.
The digit of the month flashes.
5Repeat step 4 to enter the current
month, date, hour, and minute.
When you press the jog lever to enter
the minute, the clock starts operating.
If you make a mistake while
setting the clock
Press x, and set the clock again from step
2. You can skip a step by pressing the jog
lever.
To display the current time
When the recorder is not operating or
while recording, press the jog lever, flip
until “DISPLAY”appears in the display,
and then press the lever again.
Flip the jog lever until “CLOCK”flashes
in the display, and then press the lever
again. The current time appears in the
display.
To display the time in the 24-
hour system
While setting the clock, press X. To
display the time in the 12-hour system,
press Xagain.
Charging the built-in battery for the
clock
When you use the recorder for the first time or
after a long period of disuse, charge the built-in
battery. After setting the clock, leave the
recorder connected to the AC power for about 2
hours to charge the built-in battery. 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 battery or a rechargeable battery.
Jog lever
x
X
¢¢y 1m 1d