If you have just tried to use sonic stage for the first time, then you have probably less hair than before you started, this is to be expected. Unfortunately, no its not a joke, this really is what Sony call software, and no it doesnt get any better all by itself, and you did "get it right" they DO NOT want you to freely record between pc and MD, and this is not a nightmare, its really happening to you right now................. Oh did it just crash your computer, what a surprise, it only does that to everyones PC, those that are who can ever get it to install, you will find your registry compleatly rewritten, so dont even dream of uninstalling it without everything else on your PC...............................What no.................did it just crash your system again? Some of the software you can download for free on the net, contains viruses, sometimes mail ware spyware, sometimes its mickymouseware, other times it just plain doesnt work. But if I had downloaded this from even the worst site I would still be angry, but no I PAID MONEY FOR IT. Im taking mine back to the shop for a refund. I have always loved MDs and tell everyone to buy them, but this sonic stage thing is a bad joke.