Topic: MD transfer to PC

[mmadd29]

Hello all,

I have started taping shows again for the first time in over 10 years.  I have purchased an AIWA FM-70 MD player and have a Sony ECM-907 mic.  I have recorded a few shows, that came out far better than I expected.  Eventually I will upgrade to a better mic setup, but I would still like to use the MD player.  

Is there anyway I can do a digital transfer from my MD to my PC.  I hoping there was a solution using optical.

Thanks for everyones input in advance.

Michael Hager

[blu666z]

I have a home deck to do digital transfers.  Be glad to do your MDs for ya.  I can just send them back to you as one big SHN file and you can still do the tracking.  Drop me a PM if you need help.

-Kevin

[firmdragon]

not enough people transfer their minidiscs digitally, especailly tapers that are just getting started.  far too many people transfer via analog, which makes me hesitant to get shows taped with md - think sharing the groove.  

[Scuba Jeremy]

I transfer digitally, but most of the time I just dump the MD to a CDR with two standalone decks, then EAC the CDRs. That's technically a digi transfer, right? As long as EAC is reading the discs at 100%, which I've never had a problem with.

I'm a big fan of the MD as well. I just used my SP-CMC-4 > batt box > Sharp MD-SR60 rig last night, partly for kicks, partly because it's a hell of a lot smaller than my M1 in my pocket. I forgot how good that thing sounded for my first setup. I was expecting much worse.

[Brian Skalinder]

dump the MD to a CDR with two standalone decks, then EAC the CDRs. That's technically a digi transfer, right?

Assuming you're running MD digi out > CD digi in, yes.  Some folks don't care for EAC in the lineage, but if it's done (EAC is configured) properly you should be fine.

[mmadd29]

If I understand Jerermy, I would need a stand alone MD player, and stand alone CD burner.  Then take the burnt CD and use that to transfer to PC.  

Is this possible?

Get a MD player with a digital out, then get a sound card with a digital in.  Optical would be my perference.  I don't believe the out on my AM-F70 is a digi out, I know the in put is a digi though.

I agree that I like the MD player because of the size and ease of use.  I will be attempting to stealth some shows, so size would be of importance.

Thanks to everyone for the great replies!

[zhianosatch]

If I understand Jerermy, I would need a stand alone MD player, and stand alone CD burner.  Then take the burnt CD and use that to transfer to PC.  

Is this possible?

yup, with a CD rom drive.

Get a MD player with a digital out, then get a sound card with a digital in.  Optical would be my perference.

right on. either optical or coax will float your kayak.

[firmdragon]

and try not to tape in LP

[Karl]

The reason not more people transfer MD digitally is because they can't afford the extra MD deck.  But, for analog transfers the iMic is the way to go.

[mmadd29]

Any recommendations and what type of MD player, and sound card?

This is route I'm going to go, I want digital MD transfers.

Thanks,

Michael Hager

[John Kelly]

The reason not more people transfer MD digitally is because they can't afford the extra MD deck.  But, for analog transfers the iMic is the way to go.

If you want noise all over your recordings, I'd agree.  I used to use an iMic...it's definitely not the best way to transfer shows.

[mmadd29]

I've been doing research on standalone MD players.  I noticed that some have USB outs, is this and acceptable way to do digital transfers to a PC.

Michael Hager

[zhianosatch]

Which have USB out?

[John Kelly]

The latest sony NetMD players have USB ports, but they will not transfer from the MD to the PC, only from the PC to the MD.  It's their form of copy protection I guess...

[joemango]

right now, if you want to buy a portable MD recorder with digi-outs,  YOU CAN'T.  They don't make any.  The ones with USB (NET-MD) will only transfer from PC->MD.  

The new Hi-MD's coming out in April will do the transfer from MD->PC, but only certain modes which haven't been tested yet, 'cause they aren't out yet.  Word has it that they will have a capacity of 1.5 hours of 16/44.1 (WAV) per disc, or you can use compressed rates from 60 kbits/sec up to 256 kbits/sec.  They'll start at about $300 apiece, with discs about $7 to start.

So...  If you want MD for stealth, and still want to transfer digitally to your PC, you will have to buy a portable MD and a home deck with Digi-outs.  Period.

Or you can wait for Hi-MD in April and take the chance that they will only allow uploads of compressed audio.

(get a JB3)

[joemango]

Oh, and the Hi-MD players will reportedly NOT allow you to do transfers of your old MD recordings via USB.  So I will be buying a home deck and packing all my MD stuff away after I've transferred all my old shows (in three years, when I'm done)