Yamaha MCX-2000 setup guide Selecting Recording Options, 1Select Top Menu Setup Recording

Selecting Recording Options

Regardless of its type, such as music CD, radio or external input, the MCX-2000 records or imports an audio source using common manners and formats. For optimum archiving, the MCX-2000 provides two recording options.

nPCM is an uncompressed, raw audio format while MP3 is a compressed audio format. The MCX-2000 uses a CD-quality, 16-bit/ 44.1 kHz stereo PCM format, which creates digital audio data of about 10 megabytes per minute (1411.2 kbps data rate). Converting this raw audio into MP3 format, you can dramatically reduce the amount of data (approximately 1/5 to 1/10) maintaining the sound quality to some degrees.

1Select Top Menu > Setup > Recording.

2Change each parameter value as needed.

1Type of data stored in Music Archive

Select PCM & MP3 to keep the recorded audio data in both formats (factory setting), or MP3 Only to keep compressed audio data only. The former setting keeps two different files per song, which virtually reduces the number of song you can keep on the MCX-2000 internal hard drive. The latter setting automatically deletes the PCM audio data after converting it into MP3 format, which saves the internal hard drive space. The MCX-2000 lets you make your original CD that compiles archived songs, which requires original PCM audio data. So, you’re advised to select the former setting if you intend to create your own CD.

nWhen you select to keep MP3 audio data only, it doesn’t delete PCM data for existing archived songs. You can check which song has PCM data using the Information command from a song list screen’s Submenu (audio format is PCM & MP3). To delete unnecessary PCM data for an archived song, use the Delete PCM Data command from the Submenu.

2MP3 Encode Quality

Select the data rate used for MP3 conversion from 160, 256 or 320 kbps (factory setting: 160 kbps). Theoretically, the larger data rate is used, the higher sound quality is obtained. In reality, you should consider type and quality of the original PCM sound. If you select 320 kbps data rate for, say, a full-volume rock tune or a pop song with trebly notes and boom bass sounds, resulting sounds may be heard nearly the same with their 160 kbps versions, or may become noisier than original PCM versions. Higher data rates are rather suitable for, say, classical tunes with a wider dynamic range (volume difference between loudest and quietest sounds) or with ambience or subtle nuances.

nA higher data rate produces more data per song, which virtually reduces the number of song you can keep on the MCX-2000 internal hard drive. (A 320 kbps MP3 song occupies twice as large space on the hard drive as a 160 kbps version of the same song.) In the System Information screen, you can confirm ‘remaining recording time’ based on the above two parameter settings (page 102). So, you may want to set temporary values here, confirm available recording time in the System Information screen, and finally determine suitable values here again. Otherwise, you can often change the above parameter values according to audio sources you’re going to record.

3When you select OK, the “Saving...” message is shown. The MCX-2000 afterward records audio sources as specified here.

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MCX-2000 Owner’s Manual