Newbies? Getting Started With MiniDisc Software

[apples]

Hello,

I recently purchased a HiMD Walkman MZ-NH900. The seller said not to install the disc in the box but to go online and download the latest software.

I have spent 2 hours on your site and am utterly frustrated (yes, there were tears). Do I need Goconnect or something burner, installer, renderer or just 3.3 (JEB3.3 or Asica-Pacific SonicStage)? Yes I have read the FAQ page but didn't find the answer. I have never used a minidisc. I think there needs to be a novice page for the 3.3. ( searched newby, newbie and novice).

Please, may I ask you a favour? Would you please tell me what to install?

I am in Austrtalia. I have a HiMD Walkman MZ-NH900. I wish to do voice recordings with the best quality possible, transfer to PC (WIndows XP Professional 2002, Pentium 3, 224 MB RAM, USB interface unknown), edit out mistakes, burn onto CD, then play in a regular CD player (CD-RW).

VirusScan, C-Media mixer, OpenOffice quickstarter and Windows Messaging are always running - I do not know how to shut them down as the Startup menu says empty.

Many thanks. I know you have fought long and hard to get the bugs out of the software and I will be reaping all the benefits without having made any contribution myself, so I am very grateful.

Oranges

[A440]

OK, take a deep breath. Welcome to the Sony software World of Confusion.

Actually, it's not that bad.

You need SonicStage. This is necessary for uploading from minidisc to computer. If you have a fast and reliable internet connection, then download an installer for SonicStage 3.3: probably Asia-Pacific version if you're in Australia, but it's up to you.

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=9586

It's a little file that will then connect to Sony and download the rest of SonicStage 3.3 .

If you are on a dialup connection or it's unreliable, then instead download the standalone offline installer for 3.2

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=11889

or the exciting new 3.3 offline installer.

http://forums.minidisc.org/downloads/download.php?file=21

The recording is done in the unit. Use PCM (and good mics) for highest quality. More on that here:

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showt...993entry49993

You'll record on the unit, connect via the included USB cord (don't worry about your USB port, SonicStage uses the older slower universally compatible USB 1.1) and use Sonic Stage to upload to your hard drive. (Click Transfer to see what's on the disc.) You can then play back the files you've uploaded with SonicStage only. When you decide which tracks you want to burn or edit, SonicStage will convert them to .wav, which is unencrypted and ready to edit/copy/burn etc. Highlight the track and under Tools, Save to .wav.

To edit, get Audacity from Downloads.

http://forums.minidisc.org/downloads/details.php?file=11

You'll upload from the disc, use SonicStage to convert to .wav, and then edit the .wav file with Audacity. Edited or not, .wav files can be burned to CD with any burning program: Windows Media Player, iTunes, RealPlayer, Nero, even....SonicStage.

Simple Burner does something you don't mention among your needs: downloading CDs onto minidisc so you can use the NH900 as a portable player like an iPod. Download it from here if you want to do that:

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=5552

For the moment, you can live without HiMDRenderer. Once you have uploaded with SonicStage, HiMDRenderer can convert the uploaded files into other formats: mp3, etc. It's more flexible than SonicStage, and marcnet is a hero. But that's for later, after you're up and running.

Edited November 19, 2005 by A440

[apples]

Many, many thanks small mics, big city.

[Christopher]

Excellent, pinned. Welcome to the forums and the format, as well.

Edited November 14, 2005 by kurisu

[allegate]

You need SonicStage. This is necessary for uploading from minidisc to computer. If you have a fast and reliable internet connection, then download an installer for SonicStage 3.3: probably Asia-Pacific version if you're in Australia, but it's up to you.

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=9586

It's a little file that will then connect to Sony and download the rest of SonicStage 3.3 .

I have a question and maybe it's been answered but I can't seem to find the answer: why is it that Sony doesn't just offer the full download from their website? Is it easier from a server standpoint to make you download the small file first? I just don't understand it at all.

[Christopher]

I think that the online installer prioritizes and downloads only what you need out of the installation.

[allegate]

makes sense. thanks.

[dionysos_dithyrainben]

HI, i´m a newbie in this minidisk thing, from mexico. I recently recived a sony Hi-MD Walkman MZ-NH600D, USA version, from a friend. I tested it with his disk, and it worked just fine. Then i bought my own 1gb sony minidisk, and Installed the CD-Rom on my computer, but, when i tried to import music from my Pc to my Hi-md, the sofware keeps telling me that an error ocurrs with "omgjbox.exe". I can't even use the MD simple burner, because an error also ocurrs. I tried to drag and drop some MP3 songs directly from the windows explorer, but the player tells me that there is "no track", do i have to convert the songs first?... Also, now that i'm in mexico, it could be a little problem to go to the store in the USA for help, so HELP PLEASE!!

[jonmarcus]

OK, take a deep breath. Welcome to the Sony software World of Confusion.

Actually, it's not that bad.

You need SonicStage. This is necessary for uploading from minidisc to computer. If you have a fast and reliable internet connection, then download an installer for SonicStage 3.3: probably Asia-Pacific version if you're in Australia, but it's up to you.

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=9586

It's a little file that will then connect to Sony and download the rest of SonicStage 3.3 .

If you are on a dialup connection or it's unreliable, then instead download the standalone offline installer for 3.2

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=11889

or the exciting new 3.3 offline installer.

http://forums.minidisc.org/downloads/download.php?file=21

The recording is done in the unit. Use PCM (and good mics) for highest quality. More on that here:

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showt...993entry49993

You'll record on the unit, connect via the included USB cord (don't worry about your USB port, SonicStage uses the older slower universally compatible USB 1.1) and use Sonic Stage to upload to your hard drive. (Click Transfer to see what's on the disc.) You can then play back the files you've uploaded with SonicStage only. When you decide which tracks you want to burn or edit, SonicStage will convert them to .wav, which is unencrypted and ready to edit/copy/burn etc. Highlight the track and under Tools, Save to .wav.

To edit, get Audacity from Downloads.

http://forums.minidisc.org/downloads/details.php?file=11

You'll upload from the disc, use SonicStage to convert to .wav, and then edit the .wav file with Audacity. Edited or not, .wav files can be burned to CD with any burning program: Windows Media Player, iTunes, RealPlayer, Nero, even....SonicStage.

Simple Burner does something you don't mention among your needs: downloading CDs onto minidisc so you can use the NH900 as a portable player like an iPod. Download it from here if you want to do that:

http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=5552

For the moment, you can live without HiMDRenderer. Once you have uploaded with SonicStage, HiMDRenderer can convert the uploaded files into other formats: mp3, etc. It's more flexible than SonicStage, and marcnet is a hero. But that's for later, after you're up and running.

Hi there.

I love this format and really want to get more use out of it. Like oranges, I have the MZ NH-900 which I bought about a year ago, and it came with Sonicstage v 2.0. However, as yet for various reasons I have not been able to get the use out of it that I bought it for. My needs are similar to those of oranges in that I will want to make live recordings (mainly of my band and for recording song ideas)and then upload to sonicstage to then either convert to WAV for burning to CD, or create MP3's to share on web etc.... I also have a large cd collection and will use MD burner or sonicstage to transfer CD's onto disc for listening on the go.

However, having read various horror stories about version 3.3 and noting various other discussions on this forum, it appears that version 3.0 or 3.2 would be the more sensible option.

I was wondering what your thoughts are on this. Are there any reasons why I should go for 3.3 given its problems? Where can I download official versions of 3.0 or 3.2 as I could not see either of them on the downloads section? I am currently on temporary dial up connection for another 10 days or so and then hopefully get broadband. Presumably it is best to wait until then? Thanks.

Edited December 28, 2005 by atrain

[akijikan]

The horror stories are the exceptions, not the rule. I use 3.3 and haven't had any hiccups.

Edited December 28, 2005 by akijikan

[gazza49]

If you are too confused use the sonic stage you got with the unit, connect to the internet, and download the latest ss from the prompts.

[gattschardo]

HI, i´m a newbie in this minidisk thing, from mexico. I recently recived a sony Hi-MD Walkman MZ-NH600D, USA version, from a friend. I tested it with his disk, and it worked just fine. Then i bought my own 1gb sony minidisk, and Installed the CD-Rom on my computer, but, when i tried to import music from my Pc to my Hi-md, the sofware keeps telling me that an error ocurrs with "omgjbox.exe". I can't even use the MD simple burner, because an error also ocurrs. I tried to drag and drop some MP3 songs directly from the windows explorer, but the player tells me that there is "no track", do i have to convert the songs first?... Also, now that i'm in mexico, it could be a little problem to go to the store in the USA for help, so HELP PLEASE!!

there's another thread that contains some answers to this, but there is no final solution yet: http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=13637

[ui9]

Newcomer here. Got a Aiwa AM-NX9 back in '04 and love it. But there's a couple of things I need to know:

How do I convert from LP2 to LP4 on my MD player?

How do I upload a MP3 from my MD player to my comp? I tried SonicStage (got 1.5U) and it says that the file is copy-protected

Any tips would be appreciated.

[jonny mac]

I'm afraid you can't convert LP2 to LP4 on the player. You can record in one or the other and that's it. If you have an LP2 file on your PC you can convert it to LP4 before transferring but once it's on the disc there's nothing you can do with the file except listen to it.

You can't upload a track from MD to a computer unless you have HiMD, the newer, more versatile and higher-capacity version of MD. HiMD is very useful but if you love the player you have now then stick with it, true love is hard to find...

[candyman]

I'm a newbie as well... in the past, i've recorded music from my net-md to my computer (wav) using wavelab. Might sound like a silly question, but is that bad? lol. I mean, does this affect the sound quality that much? If so, I should use sonic stage, convert to wav and then edit with wavelab?

[A440]

With a NetMD, you can't use SonicStage to upload. You can only upload to SonicStage with Hi-MD units. So stick to Wavelab.

[platypus]

With a NetMD, you can't use SonicStage to upload. You can only upload to SonicStage with Hi-MD units. So stick to Wavelab.

With a NetMD, you can't use SonicStage to upload. You can only upload to SonicStage with Hi-MD units. So stick to Wavelab.

Hi everyone!

From reading your excellent earlier posts I understand that my stone-age MZN707 can’t use Sonicstage, though I still can’t quite believe it. Is it really so hard to transfer a digital file over a digital connection to a USB? Sorry, rant over.

Anyway, I only have about 10 discs of precious recordings which I’d like to transfer to my PC. I have several friends who have minidisc players (models unknown), so if I asked around and could borrow a HiMD player, does anyone know if it would be able to read my discs and transfer the data digitally? I don’t want to bother people (or install software I'll never use) if there’s no chance of it working.

I’d be grateful for any thoughts on the matter, though I have to say you’ve already been more help than Sony…

[The Low Volta]

the only (Hi)MD that will be able to digitally upload your NetMD recordings is the RH1. It is the one and only MD able to upload pre-HiMD recordings through USB

so it's very simple, if you have a friend with the RH1, you are in luck... if not, just use the realtime line/headphone out on MD -> line in on PC/Mac tehcnique and learn to live with the slight SQ loss

[Tathraman]

Wish I'd known that before I tried to use the CD that came with my MX NH600. I had huge problems, my computer frozw, I kept getting HD simple burner error messages etc etc so I decided I just wouldn't use it at all. Glad I saw your post and the excellent and helpful response.

David

Hello,

I recently purchased a HiMD Walkman MZ-NH900. The seller said not to install the disc in the box but to go online and download the latest software.

I have spent 2 hours on your site and am utterly frustrated (yes, there were tears). Do I need Goconnect or something burner, installer, renderer or just 3.3 (JEB3.3 or Asica-Pacific SonicStage)? Yes I have read the FAQ page but didn't find the answer. I have never used a minidisc. I think there needs to be a novice page for the 3.3. ( searched newby, newbie and novice).

Please, may I ask you a favour? Would you please tell me what to install?

I am in Austrtalia. I have a HiMD Walkman MZ-NH900. I wish to do voice recordings with the best quality possible, transfer to PC (WIndows XP Professional 2002, Pentium 3, 224 MB RAM, USB interface unknown), edit out mistakes, burn onto CD, then play in a regular CD player (CD-RW).

VirusScan, C-Media mixer, OpenOffice quickstarter and Windows Messaging are always running - I do not know how to shut them down as the Startup menu says empty.

Many thanks. I know you have fought long and hard to get the bugs out of the software and I will be reaping all the benefits without having made any contribution myself, so I am very grateful.

Oranges

[lsprad]

I have an AMD K7 system running Windows XP Pro. I loaded the Sonic Stage 3.4 software package linked to from this page, first reply. The instructions are excellent, though I think my problem is unique. Maybe I have a conflict somewhere. The only way to get Sonic Stage to load is by running it in Windows 98 compatibility mode. Why? I am still unsure. Anyway, if you are having similar troubles, try this before freaking out.

Levon

[Maudy]

Hi.

I've just got myself a Hi-Md unit, Sony MZ NH-700. This was a 2nd hand purchase, with no instructions or software. I used it for the first time last week, recording PLACEBO at Wembley Arena.

I downloaded the software from the Sony site, and transfered the recorded file to my pc with no problems. The problems started when trying to convert the file to wav. The option in 'Tools' to convert the file to wav in SonicStage is a greyed out 'dead' option. After much strife, I downloaded the Sony Wave Conversion software, but this wont work, a message 'You must have SonicStage 2.1 or higher' appears, even though I have the SonicStage from the sony site installed on my pc. Will installing the SonicStage from the links in this thread solve my problem? Or is there a different solution.

So, to sum up.....I just need to be able to convert the OMG file to wave, so I can edit my recording in 'Goldwave', it should be simple, but this is Sony we are dealing with.....or is it me being a numpty? :-)

Thanks

Lee

[raintheory]

you can try MarC's HiMDRenderer program ( http://www.marcnetsystem.co.uk/ )

what version of sonicstage are you using?

[A440]

Maybe you already tried this, but....

Did you highlight the file once it was in My Library? Usually once you highlight the files you want to convert, the Convert to .wav option becomes usable.

Probably the .wav converter isn't compatible because it was necessary for early versions of SonicStage but not current ones. The capability has been built in for some time. And the old standalone program predates the current SonicStage, so it may not recognize the later software.

Edited December 15, 2006 by A440

[Maudy]

Thanks for your help people. I've now converted the file using MarC's HiMDRenderer program ( http://www.marcnetsystem.co.uk/ ). A very useful program.

Thanks again.

Lee

[wojtku]

I'm a newbie as well... in the past, i've recorded music from my net-md to my computer (wav) using wavelab. Might sound like a silly question, but is that bad? lol. I mean, does this affect the sound quality that much? If so, I should use sonic stage, convert to wav and then edit with wavelab?

Converting via SonicStage is a better way, as you do not convert sound twice: digital-to-analog on the MD output and back to digital on PC input (if you transferred sound via analog connection).

I have another problem: SonicStyage (3.0 nad 4.0) works fine on one computer, but on the other I got "Internal error" messages, and "Access error" messages on the MD. When transferring from MD to PC I get "Right information (ICV) is incorrect" -???

[A440]

I have another problem: SonicStyage (3.0 nad 4.0) works fine on one computer, but on the other I got "Internal error" messages, and "Access error" messages on the MD. When transferring from MD to PC I get "Right information (ICV) is incorrect" -???

That's a Digital Rights Management problem. SonicStage thinks, correctly or incorrectly, that there are limitations on transfers for those tracks. Were they bought from an online store, or transferred to the disc using NetMD on another computer?

[cochra1]

Newcomer here. Got a Aiwa AM-NX9 back in '04 and love it. But there's a couple of things I need to know:

How do I convert from LP2 to LP4 on my MD player?

How do I upload a MP3 from my MD player to my comp? I tried SonicStage (got 1.5U) and it says that the file is copy-protected

Any tips would be appreciated.

Really wouldn't recommend using the LP4 format anyway, my friend. It gives a really harsh sound which takes it's toll over long listens. Even LP2 is pretty nasty. If you need more capacity I couldn't recommend Hi-MD enough, with 1 GIG discs.

[The Low Volta]

...

hi KanakoAndTheNumbSkulls, welcome to the forums... hope you enjoy MDCF as much as I (and a lot of other pll) do!

just as a helpful hand... you are replying to a post stemming from April 2006... not to criticize you at all, but unless you've got really something remarkable to add (and saying LP4 and even LP2 do not really sound very good isn't considered as 'new' ) it really isn't necessary to reply to posts that old... especially if all the questions in the post you rplied to can easily be answered by 1) reading the user manual/SonicStage help or 2) do a simple search on these forums

hope we'll see lots of posts from you further on!

Best wishes,

Volta

[unruuli]

Some people have mentioned Wavelab with regards to uploading from a NetMD. Is that using the realtime method or does the software actually allow you to do it?

Edited March 21, 2007 by unruuli

[A440]

You can't upload from a Net MD. Ever. In any way. With any software. In any universe.

WaveLab, like everything else proposed for "uploading" from NetMD, is for realtime recording. You can automate the process a bit with Hi-MD Renderer and its MD Recorder functions, but you cannot upload faster than realtime from a NetMD unit.

To upload NetMD recordings--and only those that weren't first sent from PC to disc via SonicStage--you need the MZ-RH1.

[garg1]

Hello,

I have a couple of Mac / RH1 questions, and I promise I *have* read all the posts on this annoying subject on this forum! I'm just trying to decide whether or not to send back my new RH1 after being misled by this sentence from Sony UK's website: 'What’s more, Apple Mac users can now upload material to the MZ-RH1 just as easily thanks to newly-developed Hi-MD Music Transfer for Mac ver.1.0 software supplied with each unit. This allows you to upload recorded content to a Mac PC in Linear PCM/Hi-SP/Hi-LP mode as WAV files.'

I'm an English professor, so I know the meaning of 'just as easily' I think. Not being able to upload legacy MDs (the main reason I got the thing) *at all* is not just as easy as using the RH1 with a PC. No way no how. And all the forums for discussing the Mac problem are locked, probably because so many doofus newbies keep asking the same dumb questions. Anyway, grouse over.

So my totally different dumb questions are:

1. Does anyone know whether the SS / Mac incompatibility (leaving aside Windows shells) is likely to be permanent?

2. If I load SS onto my girlfriend's PC and then upload my legacy MDs onto it, will I then be able to burn them for transfer by CD to my Mac (laborious but liveable)? Or will Sony DRM step in with a big truncheon?

Thanks,

Greg

[A440]

'What’s more, Apple Mac users can now upload material to the MZ-RH1 just as easily thanks to newly-developed Hi-MD Music Transfer for Mac ver.1.0 software supplied with each unit. This allows you to upload recorded content to a Mac PC in Linear PCM/Hi-SP/Hi-LP mode as WAV files.'

1. Does anyone know whether the SS / Mac incompatibility (leaving aside Windows shells) is likely to be permanent?

2. If I load SS onto my girlfriend's PC and then upload my legacy MDs onto it, will I then be able to burn them for transfer by CD to my Mac (laborious but liveable)? Or will Sony DRM step in with a big truncheon?

You were misled by a sneaky little preposition: TO, not from. That is, you can use the RH1 as a portable music player.

And the next sentence specifies Hi-MD formats only. Doesn't Sony have just excellent lawyer/copywriters?

1) I wouldn't count on SonicStage for a Mac in this lifetime. But like the rest of this board, I have no inside information.

2) You can upload the legacy MDs and burn them without a problem. Once they are converted to .wav (or .mp3 or any of the other formats in Hi-MD Renderer) they are completely free of DRM. You might have to buy your girlfriend a bigger hard drive, though: .wav files are about 4x as large as SP files.

You can also (using the File Conversion Tool in SonicStage) remove DRM from the uploaded ATRAC (.oma) files--you uncheck a check box for DRM--so they are portable and will play in any SonicStage. I don't have a Mac, but don't see why, once the DRM is removed, they wouldn't also play in the Mac playback software for ATRAC.

[garg1]

Grr, see what happens when you try to get snotty with a multinational? They kill you with subtle use of prepositions! My gf's hard drive filled up instantly as you suggested, and then her Cd burner committed harikiri. So now I'm wondering about connecting my MD deck to my Macbook with the optical toslink to see if I can upload that way. I *will* beat it somehow! Even if I have to do it in real time in Garageband and then divide the tracks and then import them to iTunes... Oh ok, maybe not.

[A440]

Another way to do it:

Upload compressed files to the GF's computer with SonicStage but do not convert to .wav.

Use Marcnet's Hi-MD Renderer--

which you can get from his site via here:

http://www.marcnetsystem.co.uk/himdrenderer054.zip --

to convert the files to .mp3 . Be nice to yourself and use a bitrate of 192 or over. The uploaded .oma files are probably in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users/SonicStage/Packages . Or search for Packages, which is where SonicStage generally puts My Library.

Copy the .mp3 files onto a USB thumb drive and then play with them on your Mac. Give the GF much affection and respect for letting you colonize her computer.

How many hours of SP do you have? You might consider getting an el cheapo Windows computer and just using it as a SonicStage station. With all the newer models switching over to Vista, you could probably find an XP computer for a few hundred dollars and save yourself many hours of realtime recording.

Edited April 6, 2007 by A440

[spenree]

Hello I have a MZ-N505 and would like to convert the files stored on my mini-disks to mp3's on my PC. Later I would like to take these MP3s and convert them to an Audio CD. Would someone please tell me how I might do this? I am absolutely confused. Also is there any way to upload the mini disk files without the USB cable provided by Sony?... I lost mine! So far, I have downloaded MusicMatch Jukebox and Sonic Stage 4.3... Can these convert my files into MP3 format? PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

[raintheory]

Hello I have a MZ-N505 and would like to convert the files stored on my mini-disks to mp3's on my PC. Later I would like to take these MP3s and convert them to an Audio CD. Would someone please tell me how I might do this? I am absolutely confused. Also is there any way to upload the mini disk files without the USB cable provided by Sony?... I lost mine! So far, I have downloaded MusicMatch Jukebox and Sonic Stage 4.3... Can these convert my files into MP3 format? PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

See here: http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=7070

Edited May 12, 2007 by raintheory

[thereal]

i wonder why i only can record in sp format on sonicstage cp 4.3,

[engellenkatu]

Hello,

I recently purchased a HiMD Walkman MZ-NH900. The seller said not to install the disc in the box but to go online and download the latest software.

I have spent 2 hours on your site and am utterly frustrated (yes, there were tears). Do I need Goconnect or something burner, installer, renderer or just 3.3 (JEB3.3 or Asica-Pacific SonicStage)? Yes I have read the FAQ page but didn't find the answer. I have never used a minidisc. I think there needs to be a novice page for the 3.3. ( searched newby, newbie and novice).

Please, may I ask you a favour? Would you please tell me what to install?

I am in Austrtalia. I have a HiMD Walkman MZ-NH900. I wish to do voice recordings with the best quality possible, transfer to PC (WIndows XP Professional 2002, Pentium 3, 224 MB RAM, USB interface unknown), edit out mistakes, burn onto CD, then play in a regular CD player (CD-RW).

VirusScan, C-Media mixer, OpenOffice quickstarter and Windows Messaging are always running - I do not know how to shut them down as the Startup menu says empty.

Many thanks. I know you have fought long and hard to get the bugs out of the software and I will be reaping all the benefits without having made any contribution myself, so I am very grateful.

Oranges

[engellenkatu]

Rather than bothering with SonicStage, or Simple Burner to transfer your music files to your Minidisc player/recorder, just Get a Creative

Blaster Audigy Se Sound card. It has software that included transfer to sony minidisc players..individually, or as playlists.

It also lets you record Lps, or tapes, anything you can connect to the line in, and clean them up..tape hiss, or record clicks.

It also lets you monitor real time, and if you select it...limit volume to prevent clipping. Real time metering is also supported.

If you have windows xp or older..the legacy version of RealPlayer 10 and earlier had support for sony mindisc..but you still had to have sonicstage or simple burner, etc installed to use. Just for the drivers. Realplayer did a better job than sony ever did.

RealPlayer also lets you record from line in, but no cleanup.

Audacity 1.3 beta and Nero Soundtrax also let you record and cleanup, mix, cut and paste etc. But don't transfer to minidisc.

You could just hook headphone output of your minidisc player to the line in of your computer, and use the record feature of

realplayer, audacity, or soundtrax to copy on a 1:1 basis.

Another solution..is buy a Sony MX-D3 home CD player and minidisc player/record. You put your cd in one tray, put your blank minidisc in the minidisc player side, and hit record, You can record at 4x, no titling supported, or 1:1 with great titling using one knob. No keyboard needed.

It supports SP, LP, and mono. Plus you can also record into the mindisc directly from the line in...your cassette player, minidisc portable, record player..1:1 only of course.

So just burn a cd like you would normally and use home deck. Or use The creative player software suite, or realplayer.

If you run VISTA your basically limited to the Creative software as a option..or forced to buy a MXD-D3. Which has great sound and controls incidentally. Sony should have made the choice to import music onto minidisc using hardware, not software.

Hope this helps.

I wonder why people are so reluctant not to just play the music into the line in of the minidisc player, hit record, and hook up speakers to the headphone out jack of the minidisc player. Then you can listen to the music as it records onto the minidisc. Whats the hurry"

If your in a hurry USE the Creative Sound Blaster software..it was meant for Creative/Zune players..but thanks to the sony plug in does fine with any minidisc player just about.

Feistykitty..minidisc freak..portable, home deck, and car deck!

[A440]

Feisty, don't know why you revived this ancient post, but the original poster wanted to UPLOAD voice, not download music. And uploading (as a file transfer) from legacy MD units is not possible.

For realtime recordings, an outboard sound card is unnecessary if there's a line-in jack on the computer. Audacity (free) will record that input. Even a clean mic-in jack will work.

A Griffin iMic is a cheaper line-in substitute than a soundcard, and can also be used with Audacity. And Creative software, at least back when I used it, was very intrusive and made itself the default for everything audio, which greatly annoyed me.