raintheory

Have a read here: http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=15573 I don't know too much about the subject, but I do know that you definiitely want to use low mic sensitivity for almost everything, except perhaps quiet/ambient sounds. Good luck, and I hope the link helps. Welcome to the forums, btw.

How did he compare "True SP" to 352kbps without the RH1 being available? Are you thinking Hi-SP vs 352? EDIT: I'm not @ home currently, but I'll gladly update the thread with True SP vs Atrac3+'s various formats/.

Added a comparison of True SP vs Hi-SP....

If you think about it, it really makes no sense why they have it set up this way... If you import a WAV file into SonicStage, why wouldn't SonicStage simply stream that data to the unit, rather than streaming LP2 data to the unit. Being that the unit itself does the encoding. No point trying to understand SONY's software department I guess.

There has been some debate over what exactly "SP Compatibility Mode" is... The general consensus has been for some time, that it is only LP2 quality (132kbps) wrapped in an SP container. There has also been speculation that the quality is still "True SP" because the encoding/recording is done by the unit, not by SonicStage (which is why it takes longer, and why SP recording can be done with 2nd gen Hi-MD units via a hack). I decide to find out for sure, using the frequency analysis feature of Adobe Audition. I recorded the same track (Aphex Twin - Girl/Boy Song) onto MD in LP2 format, and SP compatibility mode (being sure to delete any temporary files SonicStage may have created). I also recorded the same track in True SP via my Sony MXD-D40. I had to use TOC-Cloning in order to be able to import the files transferred via SonicStage, due to it's restrictions. Seen below are the following: Untouched WAV file extracted from CD LP2 via SonicStage SP Compatibility Mode via SonicStage SP via MXD-D40 As we can see, clearly there is a difference between True SP and SP Compatibility Mode (which in this example looks to be slightly worse than LP2). I cannot stress enough however, let your own ears decide! If you can't hear a difference, numbers don't mean a thing. This experiment was simply for the technically curious. Another experiment I may add to this later is a comparison that includes SP recorded on my RH1 itself, vs compatibility mode. Also perhaps a comparison between SonicStage's LP2, and my MXD-D40's LP2, etc. Hopefully now this beast can rest! EDIT: Below I have compared SP -vs- Hi-SP. Both recordings are the same track recorded optically via my RH1. "True" SP (Atrac3 292kbps) Hi-SP (Atrac3+ 256kbps)

That would work, yes. ...But would involve getting parallels, and an RH1... Just stating with his current setup there's no faster way,

Analog, yes. In realtime. Simply run an 1/8" cable from your headphone out into the line-in of your Mac. Use a sound editing program (for example the freeware program "Audacity") to record the signal. These files can then be converted to Mp3 or your desired format. Sorry there's no faster way to do this currently. -a

Unfortunately only the MZ-RH1/MZ-M200 will upload Legacy (standard MD) formats. http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=7070 EDIT: Yr a quick one, bobt...

Last time I tried with Hi-MD mode, I was unable to insert trackmarks into the tracks... I'll try again just to be sure though.

One workaround is to create an audio cd (or audio cd image) and use SimpleBurner to transfer the files as either LP2 or LP4 (i.e. NetMD mode, which can only be done on a standard Disc). These transferred files are able to be trackmarked. I've done this countless times with my own lengthy recordings. Unfortunately, anything transferred via SonicStage (in any format), or anything transferred in Hi-MD mode cannot be edited.

Simple burner doesn't do SP at all... Should do all the other formats (LP2/LP4/Hi-LP/Hi-SP/PCM) though.

Bear in mind that currently there is no way to upload legacy discs to Mac...

It's highly subjective... In my personal experience, I think LP2 (Atrac3 132kbps) sounds better than Hi-LP (Atrac3+ 64kbps). Let your own ears decide though. As far as battery life, the lower bitrate will probably result in better battery life. Whether or not this would be a noticeable difference is beyond me.

I owned the MD-350 previously, and have regretted selling it on a number of occasions. Great unit.

Do you have a second USB cable that you could try? If the cable is wearing out, the connection could be intermittent which may cause the problems... The cable is a fairly common one, used for some digital cameras and such, so you should be able to pick one up for fairly cheap if need be. Also, check that the write protect tab isn't partially open on the disc. Have you tried different discs as well?

I have that same one, same color and everything. I still use it sometimes for field recordings when I don't want to risk taking my RH1 out on trips.

If yr in the US, shoot me a PM. I can most likely help you out with TOC cloning.

Search the forums for "TOC Cloning". Probably the only method that will recover the audio.

Hey whatever works! Unfortunately there is only one unit made that will upload those older discs, the MZ-RH1. Your unit will upload anything recorded by it using mic/line-in, but only Hi-SP/Hi-LP/PCM recordings, not SP/LP2/LP4/etc.

man! good call! hope it works!

No problem! If you're using 4.3 you may want to uninstall it and install 4.2 instead. A few ppl have had issues with 4.3 Also if you are running any skinning programs like windowblinds that will cause a problem.

You can choose "SP Compatibility Mode" in SonicStage. There is some debate regarding the quality however. Some say it is only LP2 quality because SonicStage Lacks an SP codec. What errors do you get with SonicStage/what version are you using?

MZ-RH1 - You will be able to upload anything you record with the unit in PCM/Hi-SP/Hi-LP formats (all uploads are uploaded as WAV, as there is no Atrac3+ support on Mac). You will also be able to download Mp3/WAV directly to the unit. MZ-RH910 - You will be able to download Mp3/WAV to the unit. No uploads of anything recorded on this unit (though you may be able to upload discs that were recorded on the RH1). MZ-N510 - Nothing. P.S. you won't be able to upload any recordings you made via PC/SonicStage. Only Mic/Line-in. --- Hope this helps some, be sure you get the newest version of the mac transfer software from the downloads section. Oh, and welcome to the forums!

What version of SonicStage are you using?

I upgraded to 4.3 and had problems uploading legacy discs as well. I got errors though, ... I switched back to 4.2 and it works. Oddly enough, as you stated I was also able to upload on a different PC using 4.3 just fine.