mikio

THANKS ALL FOR YOUR QUICK RESPONSES!!! let me clarify myself. i guess in my heart of hearts i knew there was no SS for mac users. what i should have asked is, is there an app similar to SS for MacOSX? here's what i need it for. but first i must stress that i don't upload nor download music in the general sense of the word. i use my Sony MZ-RH910 strictly to record guitar lines to my HD. from there i convert those tracks into .wav files, then into .mid files, then into .enc files. the latter is a notation extension. the former is a MIDI extension. from there i am able to open these files and print them out as music. my objective (if it's not obvious) is to expedite writing music in the least complicated fashion. for me using a computer is not complicated so all the conversions i have to do is not an issue. what seems to be the issue now is cross platforming my setup. i have my pc working like a charm and now i need to elumate that on my laptop. i haven't begun to figure that out and i need to quickly. i will be on the road soon and i would prefer not to chart music by long hand. does this make more sense? please share or link me to whatever app you feel would aid me best. and of course always your advice is welcomed. kind regards, Mikio

is there such a thing? if so, could someone please link me to a site where i can download it for free and test it before buying it. kind regards, Mikio

No, I just have a zip, floppy, and card reader connected. They're connected but only in use when I need them. (rarely) Yes, but I don't see how those components matter any. They couldn't possibly be, the reader I've only used but once. Only iTunes as far as I know. What is a jukebox?

you should join in.

thanks for the download tip. is there a big difference between the two versions?

what kind of MD do you have? i hope you're learning as much as i am from A440. he/she is a great person to put so much effort into helping a novice.

any startup tips before i go past charging the unit? my knowledge of MDs are basically none to nill. currently A440 and i are troubleshooting a volume/audio issue due to downloading SS-like appz off the net. consequently i decided to purchase a new MD with SS included. it's version 3.0 and i hope it works. it was economical and arrived in a day. any foresight to SonicStage issues would be greatly appreciated. until then it's back to removing cards from my PC. one by one until the problem is solved. not fun. mikio

No, unimodem belongs to my modem. Yes, there are several subfolders. 3.5 Floppy (B:) ... external floppy drive CF1/CF2 (G:) ... external card reader MS (J:) ... ? Removable Disk (K:) ... ? Removable Disk (L:) ... ? SD/MMC (I:) ... ? SMC (H:) ... ? Subfolder choices when I right click. Open Browse with Paint Shop Pro Explore Open with Ulead Photo Explorer I don't have SonicStage, that's why I downloaded Audacity. Mikio

I agree. But I don't know what device is seizing volume. And now there are audio controllers I have never seen before. Here's the list: CD-ROM pioneer ... DVD/CD Rom Drive DVD-ROM pioneer ... DVD/CD Rom Drive Unimodem Half-Duplex Audio Device ... Sound, Video and Game Contollers C-Media Audio Device motherboard ... Sound, Video and Game Contollers E-MU E-DSP soundcard ... Sound, Video and Game Contollers Audio Codecs ... Sound, Video and Game Contollers Legacy Audio Drivers ... Sound, Video and Game Contollers Media Control Devices ... Sound, Video and Game Contollers Legacy Video Capture Devices ... Sound, Video and Game Contollers Video Codecs ... Sound, Video and Game Contollers *Italized = items I can identify. All that's plugged into my motherboard is a modem, graphic card, and soundcard, that's it. All those other Devices listed above under Hardware/Sound and Game Controllers are news to me. I've never had a problem with audio issues until a few days ago, as you know. I'm sure the conflict is due to converter/audio applications I've installed recently to assist in MD transfers. I hope. Either way, I've removed these applications. But you know their folders are still in the Program Files on my HD, shouldn't they be completely removed? I don't get it. Could you explain How To. Mikio

I FOUND THEM! I reinstalled EMU software and all is well in regards to recording from MIDI controller to Mixer to Sonar 4. Playback and visual track activity a-ok. Now, as for the error reading, it's still there. I suspect due to MIDI having nothing to do with Voice & Sound recording. Playback however via mixer/speakers a-ok. This makes NO SENSE to me! Any suggestions to what might be going on? In the meantime I'm going to see what other ways I can record into Sonar 4. MD last! Mikio p.s. After reinstalling EMU software, under Sound & Audio Devices, the volume was shut down automatically. I turned it up and when I restarted again, it was down again. I can't figure out why. Maybe that's part of the problem. Hmm?

I can't find my EMU installation disks. Oh no!

I FOUND THE PROBLEM! Via Control Panels/Sound & Audio Devices/Audio/Sound Recording/Volume an error appeared. It reads: There is a problem with your software hardware. To install mixer devices, go to Control Panel, click Printers & Other Hardware, then click on Add Harware. 1. I don't have a Printer & Other Hardware folder. 2. I do have an Add Hardware folder. 3. I opened Add Hardware folder and followed prompts. 4. It's recommends that I use EMU CD to reinstall it. 5. I can't do that now. I'll get back with you. Until then, can you tell me what this error REALLY means? Sound Playback and Voice Playback volume controls can still be deploded. And yes, EMU is the default. Could this be a glitch? I never understood that term. Maybe I do now? I know I shouldn't be laughing but what else is there to do? We're getting SO close! Mikio p.s. Before MD conflict, I recorded to EMU via MIDI controller. I can still do that but I can't hear playback. Makes sense now.

RE: Simple connection issue Probably. No doubt I've done something stupid! RE: PC and EMU input PC picks up EMU input all the time. Not the problem! RE: Disconnect EMU test I'll do this later. Let's see if it's my connections! RE: Mono-to-Mono thing See pix of MD setup. Y cable has mono-to-mono 1/4"s! RE: MD setup to EMU 3.5-to-3.5 stereo cable: one 3.5 into MD headset stereo out one 3.5 into adapter stereo 3.5 jack --- adapter 3.5-to-1/4": one 1/4" into Y cable stereo 1/4" --- Y cable with mono-to-mono 1/4": one 1/4" mono tip goes to EMU left 1/4" input (white) one 1/4" mono tip goes to EMU right 1/4" input (red) RE: Emu set to record Yes, it's set as system default! RE: Mixer Behringer UB1202 and it works flawlessly with EMU! (That is until I tried to transfer MD tracks.) RE: Built-in Audio It worked great when I used it. EMU and UB1202 replaced it months ago! RE: Recording via Emu Not a problem in the past. Again, problem/conflict only arose due to MD situation! RE: MD out to Mixer It works. Mixer LED activity, yes. Speaker playback, yes. What's wrong?!? That's rhetorical. I'm frustrated. I bet there's some software conflict. I've been installing applications left and right lately. That includes Audacity. Maybe one of them triggered a device shutdown. Or a conflict with one mixer trying to replace another. Who knows. But it does make sense, doesn't it? Off to troubleshoot hardware while waiting on your response(s). Thanks again for hanging in there with me. I'm not giving up. I'm determined. Believe it or not I learn alot from my mistakes. Really! Mikio

here's outcome: 1. connect md to emu, OK! 2. start (open) audacity, OK! 3. click record button, OK! 4. start playing track from md, OK! 4. see if it's recording, NO! mikio p.s. per #1 instructions, connect Y cable mono-to-mono to emu soundcard, not the mixer ... correct? btw, i did troubleshoot by connecting Y cable to mixer but it didn't work either, same process ... hmm? md spec link: http://www.minidisc.org/part_Sharp_MD-MT821.html

Audacity is working properly. I imported an MP3 as you suggested. It opened up immediately. It even did a conversion without prompting. Sweet! BTW Audacity expects files to be imported from my HD. I think that might be the problem. My MD tracks have to be imported from the unit itself. Hmm? p.s. As far as the mixer goes? It works. When I imported the MP3 the wave tracks appeared. I was then able to click on them and gain access to the controls. Naturally that didn't work when I tried to import MD tracks. Duh! I'm learning. Slow but sure. Mikio

I see the mixer but it isn't highlighted so I can't compute the Line-In. Hmm?

A440, My pro soundcard EMU 1040 is already set as my default via Windows. I would prefer not import thru Sonar if at all possible. It seems a bit too complicated at this point. Besides I have Audacity ready to go. I'm just waiting on your OK in regards to my MD to PC setup. Mikio

A440, Believe it or not I have a Y cable and adapter. Here's what I understand thusfar: plug one end of 3.5 stereo cable into the MD headset stereo out plug other end of 3.5 stereo cable into the 3.5-to-1/4" adapter plug the 1/4" side of adapter into the Y 1/4" cable with mono-to-mono plug one end of Y cable mono into the EMU 1040 right input (red) plug other end of Y cable mono into the EMU 1040 left input (white) Mikio

A440, Thanks for a quick response. I've been on the road, sorry to get back with you on an overdue issue. Your kind beyond belief! As for analog, no problem I don't mind it. I just need to get a vocal track into my computer asap. What app do I use to transfer it? I have Sonar 4 but I'm not savvy with its application. If you would care to give me a quick 'how to' that would be just swell. As for a soundcard, I have the EMU 0404 pro card. I don't think I'll have an issue with staticky jacks. I just need to get an adapter. If my MD headphone jack is stereo, does that matter? I assume my EMU inputs are mono, seeing as I have two of them. Hmm? Mikio p.s. I'm grasping the process believe it or not. Thanks so much!

A440, Is there some sort of device that will allow me to convert my Optical/Line In jack so that it is compatible for transferring tracks to my computer? I've decided that I really like my MD, even as old as it is, so if you could figure a solution that would be grand. I have a vocal track I need to transfer asap. Thanks much! Mikio

A440, Care to suggest a NetMD or Hi-MD in particular? If so, could you include your pros and cons on each unit? I'm aware there are online reviews but I don't know who's posting what. And quite frankly you haven't steered me wrong. Mikio

A440, I can say this much with assurance. It is VERY frustrating, sitting around, waiting on a track to end so I can mark it. I don't get it. I'm transferring tracks from a store bought CD. What gives? Will I have to transfer these tracks to my PC? At least then I could place 2 second phases between tracks. But that of course is an added process. I wanted to eliminate that process with an MD. Mikio

You would think, right. Wrong. When I was transferring tracks from my CD to my MD, it only created tracks IF the silence was long enough to allow it to do so. On the CD, tracks 1 and 2 were clearly separate. However, when there were transferred, tracks 1 and 2 were combined. Hence, my need to mark tracks. Mikio

Success at last! Well, lest not get ahead of myself, I'm moving slow but I'm getting there. LOL! I've managed to achieve 1 of 3 tasks on my MD. First, and only thus far, have I mastered how to adjust levels via my CD and MD to transfer files of perfection. At this rate, I may not need a preamp/battery box combo if my CASS can do what my CD did for me. Of course, one is analog and the other is digital, but I think I can manage it if my MD can handle the overload of heavy bass rollovers. Hmm? It'll be interesting to hear the quality between my CD PLYR and my CASS PLYR. The former is top notch and the latter is not. My MD (I supsect) is somewhere in the middle. However, it's holding up pretty darn well. Now, to mark tracks. Ugh! And, of course, my last task will be to record a Big Band via a MIC. I decided to hold off on that until I learned the basics. Hence, tasks 1 and 2. Regardless, I'm getting the swing of things and it's thanks to you all. Much appreciation really! Mikio p.s. I'll post as T2 and T3 become a reality. Ha ha

A440, Quick question. Is the picture under your name a Volume Attenuator? Mikio