What is MiniDisc?
The MiniDisc™ was invented by Sony™ in the early 1990's as an answer to the bulky, out-dated, analog cassette format after the listening public had become accustomed to the pure, digital Compact Disc sound. MiniDisc uses a technology similar to the Compact Disc, but is re-recordable, using a hybrid of magnetically transferred and optically read digital information - also known as Opto-Magnetic or Magneto-Optical technology. MiniDisc has split-second cueing capability and recorders have editing features that made the Reel-to-Reel look and perform like a dinosaur in comparison. MiniDisc is now quickly becoming the choice of Disc Jockeys worldwide over cassette, computer hard disks and even recordable CD's. It's affordable, incredibly compact and extremely durable. The Opto-Magnetic disc is contained in a variety of different styles of casings similar to the computer 3.5" floppy disc, but much more sturdy and durable as well as a third smaller in size. Most are transparent enough to see the actual disc inside the case and come in a variety of colors and are fitted with a protective thin hard plastic holding sleeve. Most MiniDiscs have a recording capacity of 74min. 59 sec., while some are 80min. 59 sec. and can double if recorded using the mono recording feature. The true benefits of MiniDisc are that you can subdivide and combine tracks with built-in editing features of up to 1/100 sec., rearrange tracks instantaneously in any order you prefer and on-screen title your tracks or disc even with just the push of a few buttons.
The MiniDisc is virtually a word processor for music.
Why MiniDisc?
For DJ's this technology is invaluable:
a) no more cueing up your tracks through intro's
b) you can easily relocate, add, subtract or divide track sectors anywhere on a disc,
which is especially good for indexing the post of a song
c) no more guessing as to the correct track number correlating to the song being played
with the on-screen customized titling features
d) you can visually search through a disc on-screen without a liner card or track listing,
although they aid you in making choices more efficiently
e) with its digital high fidelity and compact size you can replace most of your CD library
in up to five percent of the space and about a third of the weight of a CD,
saving a great deal of liability from damage, loss or theft
f) MiniDiscs are incredibly resistant to skipping
caused by vibrations from thumping bass or clumsy guests
Shown Above in Actual Size • 3/16" (5 mm) thick
(monitor resolution should be set at 800 x 600 for actual size view)
