About SonicStage 4.3

[Shinji Ikeda]

About SonicStage 4.3

Quick Introduction:

SonicStage 4.3 is a media manager for audio files on a computer's harddrives and ATRAC audio device. It can store CD audio files on a computer's hard drive by transcoding them into ATRAC, MP3 and other audio formats. SonicStage uses a library to keep reference to the location of the various files on the hard drive. During installation of the software, if allowed by the user, SonicStage can automatically search for audio files on a computer's hard drive to construct its library. After installation new files can be added to the library by various methods, which include dragging and dropping files into to the application.

Included below is an overview, review and a users opinion of SonicStage 4.3. Older versions of may have these some of these features. Version 4.2 is basically the same as 4.3, but 4.3 has additional support of Windows Vista. Care must be take when upgrading to 4.2/4.3 since the library structure is different. Backup your music library on your ATRAC Audio Device (Sony branded DAP) and SonicStage library before performing any upgrade.

Overview:

SonicStage uses the ID3v2 tag information to organize the tracks in its library and on the ATRAC audio device. This application does not use folders to determine how the files are organized. To some using folders to organize audio files has great advantages, but is a waste of the ID3v2 tags. This may infringe on organizing files later, but this may be incorrect. SonicStage can be used to update the ID3v2 tag information, and add it if missing. This program uses Artist, Title, Album, and Genre, but unfortunately does not use composer. Release Year is only used with the ATRAC audio device's that support this feature.

When Artist, Title, Album, Release Year and other ID3v2 tag information is change, the application updates this information in the corresponding file. The ID3v2 tag structure can be added to audio files that have none, and missing information can also be added. The integration of GraceNotes CD Data Base (formerly CDDB) into the program also allow provides another method of updating the ID3v2 tag information. SonicStage can also rename files so that the title and the file name are identical. If the title of a song is changed to "My favourite song", the file will be renamed to "My favourite song.mp3". This adds additional flexibility when managing audio files.

With the NW-S700/S600/E010/A800 series and other network Walkman that support Album art the images can be in JPG, PNG or GIF format. Images can be imported either by searching for the file or by dragging and dropping the image into SonicStage. If a track does not have album art in the ID3v2 tag this will be update the file accordingly.

The highest learning curve on SonicStage is understanding how tracks and albums work. Most software does exactly what the user tell it to do, and some times unfortunately is unforgiving if a mistake is made. The previous statement is half true. Care must be taken when updating albums in SonicStage. Changes to the album will case the corresponding information to be changed for all tracks. This includes Album art, but SonicStage prompts the user if this is what they would like. However, a track and album can have multiple album art.

SonicStage supports a feature call compilation, which allow greater freedom but more work in managing audio files. Tracks are based and organizes on an Artist/Album pair, where artist is identical for all song in that album. By making an album a compilation allows different arts on be on the same album. Compilation also allow each track to have different album art.

SonicStage addressing not organizing audio files using folders, by allow the creation of playlist. These playlist are similar to album, but does not require that the playlist be tags as a compilation. This allow some additional flexibility, but requires the user to manually organize the tracks in SonicStage.

Impression:

SonicStage uses the ID3v2 information from audio files to help them. This program is a good resource for adding and updating ID3v2 tags. Additionally, SonicStage will add album art to audio files. It is possible to use SonicStage to rename files to the name of the title of a track. This is a excellent feature for those that want to manage their libraries outside of SonicStage.

SonicStage also supports drag-and-drop into the application. Both audio files and album art can be dragged-and-dropped. Also, it is possible to drop folders. However, SonicStage will not import image files using this method, and will only import audio files. As stated above SonicStage will not use the name of the folder as an album, but will use the ID3v2 tags instead.

When renaming a the title of a track SonicStage can rename the file. The track number is also appended to the front of the file. This feature by default is disenabled. This is my favourite feature, which by default is turned off. The current versions of Windows support long file names, so it is recommended that this be selected on.

If arrangement of songs based on Song Title, album, artist, genre or release year is not need then stay away from SonicStage. This is what SonicStage is designed for. Many may prefer drop-and-drop, but unfortunately this is not what consumers really want. Consumer really want quick transferring to there media players, with not copyright restrictions.

A criticism SonicStage is slow, there is a reason for this. The speed of SonicStage is determined by the operation that the software is doing, and what other programs are running. The speed of can be influence if it is converting files, search the Internet, or other functions. Sony has decided that giving users additional features with their Network Walkman is worth sacrificing speed. These some of features can be turned off, others can not.

The default setting in SonicStage is to convert imported CD files and transferred audio files ATRAC. It is good that SonicStage now natively supports MP3, AAC, and WMA files. Transcoding always takes times. However when converted these files will be copied to the Network Walkman in less time.

It is very important to continue to manage files within SonicStage after they have been imported. It is even more important to manage your files before importing then by using folders. This program uses single letter directory names for moving folders. If older are moved without SonicStage, then errors will occur. The only method to correct this is to replace the missing folder, or use SonicStage move the files. This is an obvious pain because of the reason stated above. Unless space is limited on the hard drive do not delete files.

It would be great if SonicStage transfers songs based on the order in My Library or track number. SonicStage seems to transfer files based on the date the file was created, which can be quite annoying. There is a work around, but requires the files to be transferred individually or in chunks.

Conclusion:

Unfortunately, SonicStage CP 4.3 does exactly what the user tells it to do like all software. One feature of SonicStage is that it is an ID3 tag editor. Care must be taken when renaming any ID3 tag information. I am unaware of other software, but SonicStage uses the ID3 tag Information to organize tracks. Albums in SonicStage are really groups/containers. Thus, changing ID3 tag information for an Album will change the same information for a track or reset that information. A warning SonicStage is case sensitive and considers extra spaces as significant characters. SonicStage is the only way to get some features on the current batch of Network Walkmans to work.

One feature of SonicStage is that it is an ID3 tag editor. This is what SonicStage CP 4.3 is designed to be. Care must be taken when renaming any of the properties in albums or for tracks, since SonicStage will edit the corresponding ID3 tag information. I am unaware of other software, but SonicStage uses the ID3 tag information to organize tracks. Albums in SonicStage are really groups/containers. Thus, changing ID3 tag information for an Album will change the same information for a track or reset that information. A warning SonicStage is case sensitive and considers extra spaces as significant characters. Understanding this will greatly improve your experience and allow you to get used to this software.

It is hard to understand some complaints about SonicStage, when it is obvious that the reviewers have not tried the more recent versions of the software. SonicStage does have some problems, as is found with all software, but these issues are never mentioned by the reviews.

The Goods:

Updating ID3v2 information in Files, and renaming files.

Support drag and drop of audio files and album/cover art.

Imports AAC and HE-AAC, PCM(WAV), WMA and MP3 files (this includes from CDs).

Changes need/Wish list:

Unicode Interface Support of many Languages

Inclusion of an RSS reader/manager

Better management of files on ATRAC Audio Device and in library.

A feature to remove original files from library when converted to ATRAC formats

Undo/roll back feature

Import ATRAC CD

[kerfuffle]

This program uses Artist, Title, Album, and Genre, but unfortunately does not use composer. Release Year is only used with the ATRAC audio device's that support this feature.

O_O SonicStage does use Composer; in All Tracks view, you can search by Composer. Or did you mean that you can't look at your tracks according to the Composer on your Walkman? Edited May 27, 2007 by kerfuffle

[ledorky]

Sorry first post from a n00b to Sonicstage here but I have both a PSP and NW-s705 device (using latest sonicstage).

I want ATRAC3+ but I can't find that option in the transfer settings which is confusing to me. I currently have it fixed to transcode to 64kbps and not the ATRAC3 66kbps. Any help/tips appreciated.

[Shinji Ikeda]

O_O SonicStage does use Composer; in All Tracks view, you can search by Composer. Or did you mean that you can't look at your tracks according to the Composer on your Walkman?

Yes, it is possible to sort tracks and then search using Composer in All Tracks view. Kerfuffle, thank you pointing this out.

What is trying to be explained is how ID3v2 tag information used to manage tracks. A further clarification will be coming soon.

Sorry first post from a n00b to Sonicstage here but I have both a PSP and NW-s705 device (using latest sonicstage).

I want ATRAC3+ but I can't find that option in the transfer settings which is confusing to me. I currently have it fixed to transcode to 64kbps and not the ATRAC3 66kbps. Any help/tips appreciated.

There is no consistency between the audio formats that Network Walkman and Memory Stick can play. This is something that confuses me, and wish that Sony makes it the playable audio formats across all there devices that support ATRAC.

You need to use Standard transfer mode and Convert to the specified format and transfer. Then select the bit rate that is require. On the PSP the I suggest using latest firmware, version 3.4. For those interested in homebrew application, you will have to decide which is more important. However, your setting seem correct.

[Zizone_]

Sorry first post from a n00b to Sonicstage here but I have both a PSP and NW-s705 device (using latest sonicstage).

I want ATRAC3+ but I can't find that option in the transfer settings which is confusing to me. I currently have it fixed to transcode to 64kbps and not the ATRAC3 66kbps. Any help/tips appreciated.

I believe files above 132kbps are ATRAC3plus (where as files with 132kbps and below are ATRAC3). The regular ATRAC was used in old MD players later replaced by ATRAC3 with 132kbps.

If you want to listen ATRAC Lossless on your NW-S705, set the transfer setting to "transfer as is." Then the songs (in ATRAC Lossless in your computer) will be transferred to NW-S705 as ATRAC Lossless; when you view that song property, the player will show ATRAC Lossless.

[ledorky]

I believe files above 132kbps are ATRAC3plus (where as files with 132kbps and below are ATRAC3). The regular ATRAC was used in old MD players later replaced by ATRAC3 with 132kbps.

If you want to listen ATRAC Lossless on your NW-S705, set the transfer setting to "transfer as is." Then the songs (in ATRAC Lossless in your computer) will be transferred to NW-S705 as ATRAC Lossless; when you view that song property, the player will show ATRAC Lossless.

Thanks for the answers. I just want I guess a good amount of music in my player without sacrificing too much sound-quality wise. Currently it doesn't sound so bad, I just want to maximize the space I have in my player since I only have 2GB to work with .

What bitrates for ATRAC are acceptable for you sound veterans?

[kerfuffle]

I believe files above 132kbps are ATRAC3plus (where as files with 132kbps and below are ATRAC3). The regular ATRAC was used in old MD players later replaced by ATRAC3 with 132kbps.

If you want to listen ATRAC Lossless on your NW-S705, set the transfer setting to "transfer as is." Then the songs (in ATRAC Lossless in your computer) will be transferred to NW-S705 as ATRAC Lossless; when you view that song property, the player will show ATRAC Lossless.

O_O You can get ATRAC3plus bitrates under 132 kbps. ATRAC3 bitrates are 66kbps, 105kbps and 132 kbps, whereas ATRAC3plus bitrates are 48kbps, 64kbps, 96kbps, 128kbps, 160kbps, 192kbps, 256kbps, 320 kbps and 352kbps.

Thanks for the answers. I just want I guess a good amount of music in my player without sacrificing too much sound-quality wise. Currently it doesn't sound so bad, I just want to maximize the space I have in my player since I only have 2GB to work with .

What bitrates for ATRAC are acceptable for you sound veterans?

I use ATRAC3plus at 64kbps. I don't mind the sound quality; it sounds pretty good when you rip the songs straight from the CD. Edited May 28, 2007 by kerfuffle

[Zizone_]

Thanks for the answers. I just want I guess a good amount of music in my player without sacrificing too much sound-quality wise. Currently it doesn't sound so bad, I just want to maximize the space I have in my player since I only have 2GB to work with .

What bitrates for ATRAC are acceptable for you sound veterans?

No problem. Personally, I use ATRAC Lossless for my favorite songs and ATRAC3plus 352kbps for other songs.

O_O You can get ATRAC3plus bitrates under 132 kbps. ATRAC3 bitrates are 66kbps, 105kbps and 132 kbps, whereas ATRAC3plus bitrates are 48kbps, 64kbps, 96kbps, 128kbps, 160kbps, 192kbps, 256kbps, 320 kbps and 352kbps.

Oh, ok thanks for the info

Edited May 28, 2007 by Zizone

[pata2001]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but although ID3 is the standard tagging used for MP3 (and Sonicstage obviously support it), I have to pressume that tagging of Atrac files is whatever propietary method Sony uses. Also I don't understand why the fact that Sonicstage can edit ID3 tags is being overly stated while a software like winamp (and pretty much most audio playing software) have been able to do this for ages. Even winamp can read unicode tags.

[Shinji Ikeda]

Let me apologize. The information that was posted was for those who would want more information about SonicStage 4.3 that I felt was lacking on other sites. Additional, this was designed to assist people in understanding how to manage their audio files.

SonicStage uses tags instead of folders to orginize audio files. This is information that is required to get a clear understand of the application. Leaving this information would be unfair to those who found SonicStage include when they purchased their Network Walkman. Another people may also find this information useful. This is why I spent time testing and research how SonicStage works.