Roamer

Currently, you can't. But dex otaku has put the idea of being able to normalize files in SonicStage in the pinned thread about improvements. For now, you have to normalize the extracted wav file with a third party tool.

Both NH900 and NH1 have the rehearsal mode, and I think they are the only HiMDs to have it.

* Firmware : If I remember correctly, there is still a firmware bug with moving/deleting tracks (after setting trackmarks) that could comprise recordings. Should be fixed if not done already. * Firmware : Vu-meter while playing. Same as recording, but during playback. Usefull to check what you have just recorded. * Remote : Only the RM-MC40EL has vu-meter. Please keep this. * Remote : Recording button on the remote if technically possible ? * Hardware : Optical out. It was actually in place originally. Sony could eventually design some models dedicated to recordists.

No, that's the point of the DRM. There is nothing actually that can upload even self-recorded SP tracks, so don't expect any software for copyrighted materials. EDIT : Greenmachine has been quicker. You can try analog as he suggested.

The MZ-S1 has a line-in / optical-in input. You will likely need a preamp unless you record very loud shows (like i do). You will also need some way to convert if you want to use optical (which is not required, you can also go analog from the line-in). At the same time, a preamp will had some bulk and some cost, so you might also considerer a unit with built-in mic entry. And I use a PII 400Mhz (but only for uploading HiMD, i don't have any mp3s in SonicStage's library).

I tried with an AD20 in the past, but it's more a question of properly ajusting the level on your specific preamp (and i don't have the MP2, maybe others can help. Plus mine actually outputs optical, so it's not the same type). Regarding the Mac compatible units, there is nothing like SonicStage for Mac, there is just an uploading tool for PCM only. So the only thing you can do on the Mac is uploading PCM recorded tracks with one of these two units. For the rest, you still must use Windows ...

This mic is not designed for phantom power, so i guess you would end up with a fried mic ... The technical specification should tell you when a mic support phantom power (and not many support both phantom and 9V). EDIT : Read also this thread http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=14188

You can't upload tracks from NetMD. This has always been the case and SonicStage 3.4 has not changed this. http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=14120 (Bottom line : That's likely more an hardware issue than software) So you're best options are optical if you have a deck , or analog otherwise.

Yes, you no longer need to erase the tracks to be able to combine them (That was the case with previous release). The best option now is actually to transfer the content as it is (without deleting / moving any tracks), leaving all tracks intact on the HiMD and then do all the editing on the PC. You can upload again if you need. When you're happy with your master, you might then reformat the HiMD for reuse.

If your charger is working properly, use it, you will avoid heating the minidisc and the heat should be easier to dissipate from the charger.

You should try to update the outdated (and buggy) SonicStage 2.0 (3.4 is now out). Don't try to move/replace the hidden files, they contain DRMs and replacing them will not work. Try formatting in HiMD (even 80mn MD), if you can't, there's maybe a fault in the unit.

Look in the Market place / Classified section of the forum. This would be more relevant.

Then the best is probably to go optical out to an external sound card with optical in, and record in real time with audacity or similar tools. Check the pinned thread for more detailled 'how to'.

No, as also pointed by others, it's as good as the 700, but you will pay extra just for the radio. I mean save your cash for the 700, or get extra features like partial metal cover, or pitch control with the 900.

This might depend where you live. There's some bargain currently with 1st gen unit in Canada and Australia. Have a look at the market place in the forum for some places to buy. I wouldn't recommend the NH800 unless you actually want the radio.

Welcome to the forum ! Yes, this could just be a defective disc. Make sure also that you don't 'bump' into the unit while recording. If trying several discs doesn't help, you might eventually consider a repair ...

The NH family is the first generation of HiMD, the RH is the 2nd gen. (Plus there are also 2 semi-pro units for Mac users). The 2nd gen. support native mp3, but that doesn't matter much for recording purpose. The NH700 is likely to be the cheapest (with mic-in) you can find if you can get a deal. NH800 is almost like the NH700 with radio. NH900 has more options and partial metal cover. In the RH family, you have the RH910 and RH10, the latest having a nice OLED screen (and is more expensive).

It's on the pinned topic : http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=9752 If you want to try, beware to follow the instructions carefully, as changing the wrong value could render the unit useless. You do so at your own risk.

The european version has volume output and EQ restricted, but this can be hacked if you want.

Why people can't read the threads ? http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=14120 Do you believe that Sony is a non-profit organisation that will spend millions in research for no return ?

There is only 2 MZ units among the HiMDs : the MZ-M10 and MZ-M100 . They are like the RH10 and RH910 (so 2nd gen. units), but with support for PCM upload on the Mac (and so the only units with some limited support for the Mac). They are also more expensive than the RH10 and RH910, so they are mainly interesting for Mac users.

Appropriate ranting toping is here : http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=14120

Yes, it still there in Simple Burner (for how long ?). And that's the only way you can get LP4 with 2nd gen. unit and the latest SonicStage. But IMO there are better encoding options anyway ...

There is only LP2 @132k available as ATRAC3 in SonicStage. And when the 2nd gen. appeared with mp3 support, the possibility to record in legacy Atrac3 (via mic-in/line-in) has gone. My theory : * There was not enough space in the firmware to fit both legacy recording Atrac3 and mp3 * Sony wants to push customers to Atrac3+ (same as 4th point in dex's comment) I'm not sure if they could technically make netMD recording uploadable, but i'm pretty sure from a financial and marketing point of view that they don't want to make big investment in legacy format and i also think that MD/netMD are considered as deprecated. And even if it could be done, Sony has never written the SP codec for SonicStage.

Yes, that should work. But if those are important files, you should better have another backup for safety ...