digital upload from MD-PC: a sound quality improvement too?

[atlas]

I use a Sharp IM-DR420 for recording band rehearsals/gigs etc and upload what I record onto a laptop. I bypass the lap top's crummy soundcrad by using an M-Audio Duo USB interface. Its done real time with the transfer of analog-digital happening in the Duo. Now today I have started to hear all the fuss about the WAV converter software that is available for uploading from Hi-MD units - but not for NetMD units... I am wondering if it would be worth it to make the change to Hi-MD not only for the time savings but: Can I expect an increase in sound quality using the WAV converter method? or is there hope that WAV converting will be available for NetMD too?

[dex Otaku]

Do not expect Sony to ever make upload possible with MD. If they didn't enable it with the HiMD units, they're not likely to ever do so.

In terms of time savings, due to the track-trashing bug in SonicStage [which randomly trashes the occasional track during upload] the only safe way to upload is to make a full backup of your tracks [a realtime process but also fully digital if you use software like Total Recorder] before using the SS upload method. Time savings = 0.

As far as an increase in sound quality goes.. If you have a unit with a true line-out on it and a good sound card with quality ADCs, the difference is likely to be extremely minimal, actually.

The main difference is in fact a comfort factor for those of us who are anal-retentive enough about our signal chain to feel that any DA/AD cycles are anathema.

Seriously, though - whether there's a noticeable improvement in quality is highly debatable. The vast majority of recordings made on MD / HiMD are of insufficient fidelity in various ways [noise floor, dynamic range, frequency response limited by mic, &c.] for the vast majority of people [including golden-eared engineers] to tell the differences if there are indeed any to notice.

The biggest improvement comes with HiMD's ability to record linear PCM. Otherwise the main advantages are not really in terms of overall recording quality; rather they are to do with improved track organisation and longer recording times [i.e. a HiMD-formatted MD80 holds 2:20 @ HiSP; a 1GB HiMD holds 94 mins @ PCM and 7:55 @ HiSP].

[atlas]

Thanks for the reply. I suppose common sense already told me to sit tight and keep on with what works rather than run out and "upgrade" - your post helps me to feel good about it. I am not too picky about the signal chain and if the advertsied time savings is not real, then I'm just fine as I am. Cheers!

[old md phile]

SONY sure know how to allienate their customers.

Particlarly here in the UK where no one has ever even heard of MD, they need to make it practicle and usefull, for various would be users.

But sonic stage never fails to displease, EVERYBODY.

The quallity of the software is psss poor. I could write better myself.

I am in the market for a new recorder, so I found this forum, im glad to hear about, the new HIMD, but figured there wouldnt be any change in the system while SONY is pulling the strings, whats wrong with those people anyhow, they were the best, but now I would rather have a samsung, REALLY.