How do I voice record with a Sony MZ-R501 MD recorder?

[terrapin]

I picked up the above minidisc player/recorder secondhand, with the intention of using it to record interviews in my capacity as a freelance writer. I also bought a Sony ECM-DS70P microphone for use with the machine, but I seem completely unable to get the pair to work together. The manual for the MD doesn't seem to offer much in the way of help either.
Could it be, as I fear, that the MD is only able to 'line' record from hi-fi and not work at all with a microphone? Please help!

[pug100]

Seems like it can only record from line in or optical souces. It has no mic amplifier.
From a quick Google

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/morein fo.cfm/Product_ID/1014

Input sockets 3.5mm minijack switchable between stereo line in and optical in

[dabees]

Any mic with a 3.5mm jack will work with your minidisc, just plug into the line in port and check the recording volumes ok.

Here's a selection of suitable ones.

http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?sof ocus=bs&sbrftog=1&dfsp=32&from=R40&_trksid=m37 &satitle=mini+mic&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn =-1%26saslc%3D3&sadis=200&fpos=Postcode&sabfmt s=1&saobfmts=insif&ga10244=10425&ftrt=1&ftrv=1 &saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=32%26fsoo%3D2

[rojash]

As pug100 says, unless you can get a mic with a built-in preamp, you are unlikely to have any luck. An ordinary mic will not have sufficient output to drive the line input.

I hope you didn't pay much for it. for around 35-40 quid you could buy a brand new sony MP3 player with a built-in mic and the ability to record 26 hours of voice.

[rojash]

http://www.askdirect.co.uk/uview?call=ask.prod uctSearch&id=10721