MD Newbie Needs MDLP Help

[NoVaSpY]

Just got a Sony MZ-N505 Type R player. I figured out how to put the player into LP2 mode, to get 160 minutes on a disk. But in SonicStage, it appears I only get the usual 74 minutes. So, my questions are, 1, do I need to make sure the tracks I want to put on a disk are in Sony's format, 2, do I need special disks (mine are just basic MD kind). I don't want to start loading in my CDs from scratch if I don't have to. I can't figure it out. I have the settings in Sonic Stage set to use LP2 but in the transfer window it says 74 Minutes.?? Am I doing something wrong? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[akijikan]

Regular MDs should work. LP2 on a 74 minute disc would net you about 148 minutes. Use an 80 minute disc to get 160.

Try converting your files before you transfer. For Regular legnth (SP) select ATRAC3 (not plus) and 292 kbps. LP2 is ATRAC3 132 kbps. LP4 is ATRAC3 66 kbps.

[A440]

You'll get better sound by loading the original CDs with Simple Burner. (It's in Downloads here or on your software disc.)

The reason is that mp3 files on your computer have already been compressed and information has been lost. When you turn them into LP2 you are compressing them again, losing more information.

With Simple Burner you'll be going direct from CD to MD: You insert the CD, it gets track and title info online from CDDB, and it transfers to the disc. Click on CONFIG on the upper right to make the recording format LP2. And click OPEN on the bottom to see all the CD info and what's on your disc.