Help Please.. I can't transfer my MD's into the Computer!

[glopezsant@hotmail.com]

Hi. I am currently transferring all my vynil lp's, 45 rpm's and 12" into mini disc records. I have a Sony Mini Disc Deck MXD-D400 in which i do the "dirty job" of transferring my collection from vynil to MD usually in the LP2 Stereo Mode. I also own a 60 GB IPOD in which i am also transferring my CD collection too (as you can imagine I am a huge Music fan). Some time ago I purchased a portable Sony MD Walkman (Hi-MD Audio) Model MZ-NH1 with PC compatibility and USB Port with the intention to transfer my current vynil collection recorded into Mini Discs (about 80 pieces so far) to I tunes and eventually my IPOD. Now my nightmare... After trying several times I finally got a way to do the work: installing the Sonic Stage V. 4.2. I installed the software (My computer is a Sony VAIO, as you can imagine I am a Sony product fan also) and finally got a way to see the tracks recorded on my Mini Discs into the installed software. My problems is that when I try to transfer the tracks from the Net MD screen to My Library into the PC it gives me the following error: "Unable to transfer the following tracks to My Library because they are recorded by Net MD or another computer". I looked into the Help Index of the Software and found the following explanation: "Tracks recorded on a conventional MD device can be imported only with an MD-importing compatible device". I don't get it. Shall i quit on my intention? What seems to be the problem? Is there a way I can solve this situation to finally get my vynil records into the PC? Please, anybody knows what I can do to solve this problem? I am frankly desperate to the point of throwing away the portable MD (Just kidding!!)

[raintheory]

The only recorder available at this time that will upload those legacy recordings is the MZ-RH1. Do a quick search in the forums for more info.

In short, you would either need the RH1 (fastest method, digital quality), a deck with optical out>soundcard with optical in (slower method, digital quality), or analogue line from headphone jack>line-in on soundcard (slower method, analogue recording).

EDIT: Here is a good starting point for info: http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=7070 (includes a good explanation of the analogue method).

Edited February 14, 2007 by raintheory

[glopezsant@hotmail.com]

The only recorder available at this time that will upload those legacy recordings is the MZ-RH1. Do a quick search in the forums for more info.

In short, you would either need the RH1 (fastest method, digital quality), a deck with optical out>soundcard with optical in (slower method, digital quality), analogue line from headphone jack>line-in on soundcard (slower method, analogue recording).

Thanks man. Im not well familiar with all your recommendations about my computer but I looked into EBAY and I think Im gonna buy the model you recommended. It is that way, or forever stay with my vynil collection into the Mini Discs. I wish I would have known this fact before I purchased the MZ-NH1. In fact I currently own 3 MD models: The Sony MZ-R37 and the MZ-E3 (Player Only) and the MZ-NH1. I didn't know the last one wasnt fit for uploading ( I thought that USB port connection was enough to upload my well protected records). Thanks a lot for your help!!

[A440]

I don't know if you are still in the process of recording your vinyl to minidiscs, but if you are, you could also just record them directly into your computer--headphone out of your amplifier to line-in (preferably) or mic-in (if there's no line-in) to your computer, in realtime with Audacity.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/windows

LP2 does not give you very good sound quality. You would be much better off recording into the computer directly.

[raintheory]

For reference, you can upload recordings that you make using the NH1 in Hi-MD mode, just not the older recordings.