MD transfer options

[machinelf]

Hi,

I can burn my MD masters to CD via an optical cable at home, and then bring them to work and use EAC to extract the audio for editing and seeding.

However, I'd prefer not have EAC in the chain, if I can avoid it. But I've seen comments elsewhere that seem to suggest that EAC is "bit perfect" enough not to make a difference, but what do you guys think? Should I go the EAC route or find some kind soul to help me with the transfer?

Many thanks,
Alan

[larrysellers]

There is a company in Europe that developed software to extract MDs from the old Sony 5.25 MD computer drives (they sell drives & firmware/softeware packages). Other than that (which, last I heard, will cost a few thousand dollars), you can: 1. get a home unit with a digital output or 2. get the hhb portable with the digi out built in. The only other option really is an analog (line/headphone output) transfer. If you have a bunch of masters, get the standalone. If its just a couple, find someone here who is already equiped and willing. Hope this helps...LS

[jpschust]

Hi,

I can burn my MD masters to CD via an optical cable at home, and then bring them to work and use EAC to extract the audio for editing and seeding.

However, I'd prefer not have EAC in the chain, if I can avoid it. But I've seen comments elsewhere that seem to suggest that EAC is "bit perfect" enough not to make a difference, but what do you guys think? Should I go the EAC route or find some kind soul to help me with the transfer?

Many thanks,
Alan

if you properly set the offsets for EAC it really isnt a problem.

[larrysellers]

if you properly set the offsets for EAC it really isnt a problem.

Agreed. With a valid configuration, EAC can produce an accepteble backup.

[machinelf]

There is a company in Europe that developed software to extract MDs from the old Sony 5.25 MD computer drives (they sell drives & firmware/softeware packages). Other than that (which, last I heard, will cost a few thousand dollars), you can: 1. get a home unit with a digital output or 2. get the hhb portable with the digi out built in. The only other option really is an analog (line/headphone output) transfer. If you have a bunch of masters, get the standalone. If its just a couple, find someone here who is already equiped and willing. Hope this helps...LS

Thanks. I actually have a home MD deck with a digital out, which I connect to a standalone CD burner with digital inputs. The problem is that I don't have a computer at home. And this computer here at work doesn't have a fancy soundcard with optical inputs. So EAC or enlisting help are my only options at this point.

[jpschust]

There is a company in Europe that developed software to extract MDs from the old Sony 5.25 MD computer drives (they sell drives & firmware/softeware packages). Other than that (which, last I heard, will cost a few thousand dollars), you can: 1. get a home unit with a digital output or 2. get the hhb portable with the digi out built in. The only other option really is an analog (line/headphone output) transfer. If you have a bunch of masters, get the standalone. If its just a couple, find someone here who is already equiped and willing. Hope this helps...LS

Thanks. I actually have a home MD deck with a digital out, which I connect to a standalone CD burner with digital inputs. The problem is that I don't have a computer at home. And this computer here at work doesn't have a fancy soundcard with optical inputs. So EAC or enlisting help are my only options at this point.

so then your options are as follows:

a) get EAC set up properly

b) get a computer with a soundcard with a bit perfect optical in

c) switch to a microtracker/jb3 and get recordings without compression and be able to transfer sin sound card

[machinelf]

c) switch to a microtracker/jb3 and get recordings without compression and be able to transfer sin sound card

Heh. I was waiting for this response. 

I guess I'm leaning towards EAC, then. I suppose I can always reseed someday when I can afford more gear.

[poorlyconditioned]

There is a company in Europe that developed software to extract MDs from the old Sony 5.25 MD computer drives (they sell drives & firmware/softeware packages). Other than that (which, last I heard, will cost a few thousand dollars), you can: 1. get a home unit with a digital output or 2. get the hhb portable with the digi out built in. The only other option really is an analog (line/headphone output) transfer. If you have a bunch of masters, get the standalone. If its just a couple, find someone here who is already equiped and willing. Hope this helps...LS

Thanks. I actually have a home MD deck with a digital out, which I connect to a standalone CD burner with digital inputs. The problem is that I don't have a computer at home. And this computer here at work doesn't have a fancy soundcard with optical inputs. So EAC or enlisting help are my only options at this point.

Believe it or not, I'm using a cheap Creative Soundblaster MP3+ external USB device.  It has optical and analog I/O.  Don't use analog, but optical *appears* to be bit accurate for me.  And it is cheap!

Richard

[machinelf]

Believe it or not, I'm using a cheap Creative Soundblaster MP3+ external USB device.  It has optical and analog I/O.  Don't use analog, but optical *appears* to be bit accurate for me.  And it is cheap!

Richard

Thanks, Richard. Cheap is Good.

[poorlyconditioned]

Believe it or not, I'm using a cheap Creative Soundblaster MP3+ external USB device.  It has optical and analog I/O.  Don't use analog, but optical *appears* to be bit accurate for me.  And it is cheap!

Richard

Thanks, Richard. Cheap is Good.

By the way, be careful not to buy other models, like so-called 24bit versions.  They are more money and may not be bit accurate.  Oh yeah, the option the CoreSound recommends is the Maudio Transit.  This is around $80USD and is supposed to be bit accurate.  It also has decent analog I/O.  The Transit is probably better for Windows, but it won't work with Linux.  Oh yeah, if anyone tries the Transit I'd like to know the ADC quality, and how good the mic pre is on it.  It might be interesting for Laptop taping in a pinch.

  Richard

[nameloc01]

i have a sony rcdw500-c cd burner(stand alone)i can probably help you out with some transfers in you need it.i also just purchased a new sony hi-md mdr/with a digital eq to clean up sound before running it into the cdr
nameloc01aol.com

[blu666z]

I can do digital transfer for you.  Drop me a PM if you still need help.

-Kevin

[machinelf]

i have a sony rcdw500-c cd burner(stand alone)i can probably help you out with some transfers in you need it.i also just purchased a new sony hi-md mdr/with a digital eq to clean up sound before running it into the cdr
nameloc01aol.com

Thanks, but I have a standalone CD burner also. That was how I was going to get the audio discs for EAC purposes.

[Stumptown Matt]

The dude can transfer.  He just wants to know the best way to extract the audio CD so he can upload it.  EAC is just fine unless someone has a better sugestion for extraction software.

[MDnewuser]

There is a company in Europe that developed software to extract MDs from the old Sony 5.25 MD computer drives (they sell drives & firmware/softeware packages). Other than that (which, last I heard, will cost a few thousand dollars), you can: 1. get a home unit with a digital output or 2. get the hhb portable with the digi out built in. The only other option really is an analog (line/headphone output) transfer. If you have a bunch of masters, get the standalone. If its just a couple, find someone here who is already equiped and willing. Hope this helps...LS

Would be nice to know the companys name, and if they have a homepage, anybody who knows ?. Sounded like a cheap solution rather than to buy a deck, before the age of Hi-MD you have some old MDs lying around that i would like to transfer as well.