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Thank you!

I don't have an MZ-R50 but, assuming that the Line Out functions in the same way on that device as on my Sony MiniDisc portables, then the volume control is bypassed. I don't often use Audacity but a couple of things worth checking: 1. Make sure that you have selected your "recording device" correctly from the Audio Setup drop down menu: I'm using a Focusrite Scarlett interface but you just need to select whatever input method you're using on your PC. 2. Make sure that the recording levels (the top level with the microphone symbol) in Audacity are up: If you then press record in Audacity and play on your MZ-R50 you should see the audio being recorded in the left and right channels. Once you have finished recording, save your Project (File > Save Project > Save As). Audacity saves its Projects as *.aup3 files. If you want to create a more universally playable file then you'll need to Export it (File > Export Audio > Export to Computer) and choose the format you want (.wav, .mp3, .aac etc). That should (hopefully!) give you a file you can play back more easily. Hope some of that might help. Let me know how you get on and, if it's still not working for you, we can try to work out why.

a818: playlist w/o transferring songs? If you mean keeping the playlist structure (like song names and order) without actually moving the audio files themselves, yes, that’s possible! Tools like MusConv can export your playlists into a file (CSV, text, etc.) so you have a backup or reference of what’s in them, even if you don’t transfer the actual songs. Useful if you just want to save or share the list without copying the files.

I found this workflow: https://www.minidisc.wiki/guides/md-to-pc It is a little dated. Maybe there is a more simple way to do it?

Hello, BearBoy, thanks for your message. Yes, the MZ-R50 is my only MD device. I tried a 3.5mm cable and used line out. I'm not sure, if "Volume" had an influence. Ripping my MDs, that's what I tried to do. For some reason, it has worked for 2 or 3 MDs, later I could watch the graphic signals, but I could not copy th erecording. Perhaps you have some recipe of the workflow for a dummie in electronics ... Best wishes from Vienna Vienna snitzel

Hi @Vienna snitzel. Welcome to the forum. The MZ-R50 only had a digital input, not a digital output, so the only way to get sound from it to your PC is via an analogue connection (use the 3.5mm Line Out connection rather than the headphone output for the best quality). How are you connecting it into your PC? Audacity should work fine but some more information regarding how you are connecting the MZ-R50 to your PC would help diagnose your problem. Is the MZ-R50 your only MiniDisc device? Many of the Hi-Fi decks have digital outputs, which would give you better quality. Additionally, it is now possible to rip the actual recordings from a MiniDisc with no loss of quality using the Web MiniDisc Pro software and a NetMD compatible device.

Hi If you are having trouble with SonicStage and your NW-E025F, try reinstalling the software or using an alternative like to the Walkman MP3 File Manager Let me know if you need help,

Hello folks, before upgrading my Windows 10 PC to Windows 11, I thought , it's a good idea to save my recordings from around 2020 to the PC. They are own recording for private use from trips to various Pacific Islands, public shows. So no rights should be infringed, if such an issue matters. . In managed to copy a few records to the PC, but then the audio stream was not recognized anymore. From a listing, I learned, that MZ-R50 - mine is # 1036711 - has ATRAC 4.0, Chip CXD - 2652AR. Plese check, if it is correct. I am still not sure, if it produces analog or digital data. There is no USB socket, just line in optical, line out is a 3,5 mm stereo plug. How can I make the PC fit for recording. My first attempts using Audacity were successful, but the setting looked not particularly reliable. What's the way to do it properly? Is a a/d converter required? I found some discussions about the reliability of Audacity, all quite dated. Hopefully, this community is still alive... Best wishes, Vienna snitzel, Vienna, Austria

As you needed to repair the unit which originally had a bright display I would advise checking the power supplies to the VFD. Onkyo probably don’t do a service manual but as you’ve clearly got the skills to repair the display board I would look on you tube for some tutorials on VFDs. Regarding power supplies to the VFD there will be a dc one around 3V and an ac one around 24-30V.

The display on this one on eBay looks pretty bright too: LINK

There are some photos of an owner's MD-101A on the MiniDisc Wiki here: LINK Always a bit hard to tell with photos on the internet but the display doesn't look dim to me.

No, not all Onkyo MD 101A units have a dim to the display. If yours is very dim, it is likely due to age related wear of the which is common in older units.

Hello! I recently bought a sony walkman and have been transferring music to it. My main problem is that when I transfer my favorite Japanese songs the titles show up as '??????' and ive been trying to fix it by changing the IME and downloading the JE Installer but nothing is working.

Hello forum, I am experimenting with WebMD, which basically uses NetMD USB protocol. When setting track and disc titles however, those are not being read on an old Panasonic MD device. This just shows an info, that there are not titles set. Any advice on how to solve this? Thanks!

The MZ-R70 was released in 1999 and MDLP (ATRAC3) wasn't introduced until the following year. The OP already stated that they had some MDLP discs that don't play back on the MZ-R70. So, yeah, I think that's incorrect.

Sorry but I think Mr Wills is a bot (no offence bud!) To the best of my knowledge this claim is nonsense.

I'd be surprised if that were true (though that would be a great thing). All non MDLP players I've tried just seem to play silence with MDLP tracks. More likely to be mono as in previous responses.

I have two Onkyo MD-101A units. The first one arrived busted - impact on the jog dial during shipment cracked the display board in several places. The display showed random gibberish, but was nice and bright. I got a replacement from the seller and this one had a really dim display. After buying a digital microscope I was able to inspect and repair the display board on the first unit by bridging wires across the broken traces. Powered it back up and it worked.... but it's now just as dim as the other unit. So my question is, are they all like this? If so I'll stop bothering with Onkyo and get a Denon instead. Charlie.

Thank you BearBoy and sfbp , that must be reason. Thanks again all 🙂

Hi, the problem of the non-functioning display lies with the defective tantalum capacitors, and the 5V SMD stabilizer located on the button board. After replacement, the display works properly. Good luck.

Egg-zactly

Hello. Is it possible the recordings are in mono? Mono SP would give you 160 minutes on an 80 minute MiniDisc.

Forgive my ignorance on this but i'm alittle confused as a newbie. I found a disk that has 150 mins of music on it, about 30 tracks. The music plays fine and I can skip through all tracks. The player is a Sony MZ-R70 which is a SP player only. Its not LP2 or LP4. I thought a unit had to be LP2 or LP4 compatible to play a disk that was created on a LP2 or LP4 unit. Google says the unit will play whatever the disc contains but somethings not right. However I do have some discs that will not work on this unit as they where infact made with LP2 audio. So how on earth does this disc have 150 mins of audio on it and work in the MZ-R70??? When i select to show All remaining recording time availble it says 74 mins. How can this be as it has 150 mins of audio on it. Its cool, but weird 🙂 Can someone clear up my confusion please. Much appreciated.

ok, so you have the driver issues sorted, that's great. I think that SS cannot handle variable bit rates (or some variable bit rates). Documentation should be in the extended (and extensive) manual which if you didn't get with a second hand unit, is easily available, either here or at minidisc.org The Tools->options has some things to look at. I couldn't find what I remembered, the "temp" thing is for making CDs which clearly need a large scratch space on HD. Then I remembered, when files are converted, the MP3 files (well, the OMA they get converted to) are put here: <whatever>\sonicstage\importedsound\Optimized Files\ Or it may have simply been the VBR restriction, if that location shows files you created with your successful transfer. A word to the wise - don't START with MP3 unless you have no choice. And even then, use Sound Forge to do the conversion, you will get a lot more options and the sound should be infinitely better. Always choose LP2 as your destination format. Hope this helps