The Low Volta

or get Totalrecorder and do a digital realtime upload Volta *edit: sorry I was in a bit of a hurry and forgot to link you to the TR-method thanks A440 for putting it right

there is nothing stopping you I guess, but there also is no reason for doing it either (unless you have a very crappy soundcard) so you know you have to introduce an analogue step so why not go directly from old MD/HiMD (whichever sounds clearer) headphone (or if possible line) out into PC and record with audacity... won't sound better or worse but it takes one step less greetings, Volta

an attenuator (at least when referred to in regards to live recording) is some sort of a resistor that lowers the signal from mic to MD so that the internal pre-amp(lifyer) doesn't clip (distort) with loud noises... mostly they use some sort of a headphone volume control cable for that (just look at A440's avatar picture) and Soundpros offer the same thing but actually named attenuator (for a slightly higher price $7) always try to use manual levels, and what levels are concerned (as I do not have the same equipment) I can't really give decent advice on that, I would say, test it first with some concerts or something that do not really matter... greetings, Volta

- Sony mics often are limited in frequency range and this one is no exception (100-15000HZ) while the SP one is 20-20000HZ... - the Sony one is unidirectional which could be handy, but more meant for - the Sony is fixed... I mean you can't separate the two mic elements for a better stereo picture - the Sony plugs in directly to the recorder so als records the machine's noises unless you get a extension cord -... (and many many more similar things...) So my opinion: get the SP-BCM-2 mics, you can't really get better stuff for that kind of money greetings, Volta

I have quite some friends, family and correspondents working in that area and I myself have only very recently passed through most of the affected stations and squares when I went to a London based conference about the Beeb...just makes the whole thing even more gruesome... my hart goes out to the victims... but I was a bit irritated by Blair saying it was clearly meant to disturb the Scottish based G8-summit... I think that is of very poor taste towards the innocent ppl that got hurt almost at the opposite side of the country! Almost makes me want to say: "if only they had blown up the G8-meeting itself, at least a lot less innocent ppl - intended to be read in both possible ways - would have been hurt..." but to be extra clear: this is only my emotional reaction and absolutely no promotion of terrorist attacks against politicians whatsoever it's a mad world we live in... Volta

close...actually in the communication sciences (with a focus on PSB and cultural broadcasting in the digital era).... but Minidisc would probably been more interesting I've already passed that one I have about 17 different vintage models among which a porche-design foldable one... I'm not really a collector-type person, but I just can't pass by a cheap genuine old one

actually...I'm writing my masters thesis right now...and I mostly succeed in staying away from MDCF... but not always

if you are having troubles...I would say upgrading is the best option Volta

exactly what I wood have said Bobt...you really nailed that one

perhaps your car MD is pre-MDLP (and it will only play SP)... what format did you use on the discs: LP2, LP4? Try recording one in SP and see if that works if not, let us know...greetings, Volta

I believe that all HiMDs only use USB1.1, so the USB port on your PC doesn't really matter greetings, Volta PS: @ stuffsnsuch: for more info on HiMD-models, use the equipment browser @ minidisc.org and the product reviews/pictorials here on MDCF or/and have a look around in the "find your minidisc" subsection of these forums... if you still have questions about the models please open a thread in that subsection...that way this thread stays focussed on the MP3-quality and such

1. if you mean "will these HiMD machines play unconverted MP3's?" the answer is: yes 2. about as long as transferring an atrac file (without conversion) I would guess, but I'm not really sure, as I do not own such a machine 3. either drag-n-drop as data (you can't play the file on the recorder) or as a music file but only through SS (so actually just like atrac files) 4. if you have the money, go for a RH10 Japanese import (beautiful OLED display and LCD-remote and charging stand), if not go for a RH10 non-imported (same OLED but non-LCD remote and no stand), if that is still over budget, get a RH910, which is still a very decent machine just my quick answers though, others might disagree greetings, Volta

you're doing absolutely nothing wrong...it's a fault and I had it too when I first got my NH900 (back in December) as I described in this thread and there were a few others with the same problems... only option (IMHO): send it in for repairs... it was fixed (under warranty) by Sony and has worked correct ever since (the gaps I mentioned in the thread actually came from a bad file ) just get them to fix it, as it is such a fun machine and you should be able to enjoy it as it was meant to be! greetings, Volta PS: ok, two options, you can always have it replaced by another (fully functioning) machine... forgot about that for a moment, but the shop I got mine from didn't want to do that and would only send it back to Sony

you have already discovered both ways to put MP3's (and atrac files) on the disc I'm afraid... you can: - either drag-n-drop 'em on the device as a removable drive... this way you can even copy them to another machine and this will work under Mac and Linux but won't allow you to play them with the HiMD - or transfer them (and the DRM-copy protection) to disc with SS so you can play them but then you can't use any other software but SS and there is no drag-n-drop option at all (so it won't work under mac or linux) and you can't copy the musicfiles to another computer as an MP3-player HiMD devices are actually really limited (and just crippled) but their real strenght is high quality recording...if you do not need that last thing (recording) it could be wise to look for another format... greetings, Volta

the main advantages of SS3.1 (or better any version >2.3) are the improved stability for uploading your own recordings to PC and the internal wav-converter (since 3.0 I believe)... other things have changed, but unless you need to upload recordings using SS, I do not think you have to upgrade... that said, I run SS3.1 on winXP/intel pentium4/3MHz and haven't had any problems yet, so if your machine is up to it and you have no essential stuff to lose...go for the upgrade just my 2/100's... Volta

hi gwel, I sure hope you find a solution, but I very much doubt it... I think only Sony knows how to do the stuff you need and as you say, they probably won't give that knowledge away...so in stead of trying to anger them with any accusations (yet ), it could perhaps be an option to offer to send the disc to them so they can try and recover the data without anyone external ever getting any inside knowledge... but that is still a very long shot as they clearly don't want anyone to think it is possible at all... or perhaps it just isn't possible, sounds unlikely, but who knows...it's Sony as far as I understood the explanations on the websites of both these products, I believe that TR will allow you to record the unmodified digital signal before it reaches your soundcard, while A can only record what has been processed by your soundcard...so that would make TR a $12 way to obtain a realtime bit-by-bit digital copy, while A gives a free but not bit-by-bit copy... greetings, Volta

Andy hang on to your seat, but they were going at £69 a piece... but just to make you feel better: I got my NH900 (in December) for €250 (about £170) so you have got a bargain my friend

I would love to help... but here in Brussels there isn't a lot to find! (no 2nd gen Hi-MD, no real nice electronics stores etc...) and I haven't really gone on a shopping spree in those cities you mention We get a lot of our electronics from Germany though or from overseas (which is N-Am in our case ) sorry, Volta

try the suggestions in this post and also read the links provided in there...that should solve the problem greetings, Volta

welcome to MDCF mark24173, (as both questions relate to SS I expect this thread to be moved to the "Software discussions/faq's"-section) if you use it on a basic level and do not try to use it as a real audio-player/library manager I think it is actually ok (not good, but good enough for me) but you could always see for yourself, as you can download SS3.1 from here and learn to use it befor you invest money in a Hi-MD SB (latest version available in the MDCF-downloads section) requires SS to be installed though, but for downloading music, I personally only use SB. (I use SS only for uploading MD->PC my own recordings). But for a library of MP3's I do not know whether this is the fastest/easiest route... I think that I have used SB for 'homebrew'-CDR's as well, only thing not working is the CDDB cd-info retrieval hope this helps, Volta

the main problem with all SS versions <2.3 has actually nothing to do at all with VBR MP3's and I believe is not even being inferior (in every way), but mainly because these early versions all are known to ruin uploads (which IMHO is very problematic as you can only upload once and sometimes even the original discs were corrupted so unreplacable recordings were lost). Since 3.0 SS comes with a built in wav converter, which is also quite handy for recordists If you want to use an older version of SS and you make recordings of your own, I really wouldn't "downgrade" to anything before 2.3 Volta

there are many 'cheap' tips in this thread and you can also check the Sennheiser MX350 and MX450 links in my signature (I think the MX450's are well worth the $15 they cost ) greetings, Volta

if you have a Hi-MD recorder, you can upload analogue and digital (by optical in) recordings made in Hi-LP, Hi-SP or PCM to PC... nothing else these threads explain all there is to know about uploading (well almost ): - Hi-MD uploading - non-Hi-MD uploading (or better recording to PC) hope this helps, Volta

the Hi-MD's come with a 'mic in' and 'line in', both for 3.5mm minijacks-ports the 'mic in' works quite well for speech/interviews and will support mics requiring plug in power (+/- 1.5V I believe) the internal pre-amp (used when going mic in) isn't that bad, and for interviews/speech even the AGC (auto gain control) is quite useful (that is to say, it won't kick in a lot so you probably wouldn't really notice it) but manual settings are recommended if you like to keep control over recording levels (but require more preparation effort and getting used to with Hi-MD) line in leads to very quiet recordings mostly and needs an external power source for plug-in powered mics... but if you use an external pre-amp you could definitely use the line in as well and the features of the pre-amp (type of connections allowed) could give you more options for mics I myself only need to record interviews/lectures and stuff for my own use, so I bought a very cheap Sony mono-mic... (I reserve my bigger budget to get me some binaural mics for recording music) so I can't really help you with conrete tips for mics, sorry... Greetings, Volta

then it is very simple: stealthly record him being cocky (with your Hi-MD of course) and burn it to CD...later just run up to him and say: "hey listen to what I got...you should download this to your i-reallywantedtobelikeanyoneelse sorry, ipod" Volta