Transferring data from minidisc recorder to computer: help please

[m1469]

I am wanting to be able to transfer recordings I have made from my minidisc digital recorder to my computer (PC) and I am wondering if anybody has information on what kind of cable (or whatever) I would need to accomplish this.  I have tried asking people at computer stores and they don't know what I am talking about (so it would seem anyway).

I am looking for a specific name of the connecting cable so I can ask for specifically that when I go to look for it.

Please let me know if more info is needed, but any help with this would be GREATLY appreciated 

Thanks,

m1469 Fox

[willcowskitz]

If your sound card has optical input, its probably the best way.
Or, you can just get a simple cable that fits into your MD's output and the other end goes to your sound card's input, this is analogic so the quality suffers, but if you've recorded them with a regular microphone I doubt the quality will go down much. The jacks in the latter kind of cable would be similar to ones your microphone or earphones have when you plug them to your MD.

That's all I can tell. 

[Bob]

Just a plain stereo cable, like he says, with male ends on both sides.

I'm guessing you're burning something to a CD or making compressed files for the internet?

It's not the greatest quality, but the only other thing I can think of is a mixer and all that.  Big bucks.

Of course, you'll want to backup everything on your computer before you do any work with sound.  Mac's are probably a little better for audio.  Computers can crash a lot when working with audio because the files can be huge.  PC's were built for the business world, not the music world.  So... backup, backup, backup... every step of the way for whatever audio work you do.  Or, just buy a separate computer that is only used for audio work (seriously).

[FST2]

  If you are looking for a simple 'data dump' and then convert to mp3, or whatever, i am afraid you are out of luck.  Minidisc data will be in the wrong format.

You're only route from a Minidisc to pc is probably through realtime recording and playback. (Analog method)
 This means playing back the MD track while recording it into a '.wav' file on the pc

 
 Does your soundcard have a 'Line in', which takes a 1/8 inch miniplug ?
 (Take a look around the back of the pc, look for  'line in',  'line out',  'mic' and the 15-pin midi/joystick connection)


 Yes ?  then all you need is a 6 ft. Stereo Mini Cable. (or cord as it is called in U.S.)

 Here is one sold by radioshack.com

https://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1&catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F007%5F002%5F003%5F007&product%5Fid=42%2D2387

and here is another sold by radioshack.ca
 https://www.radioshack.ca/estore/Product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=RadioShack&category=Stereo+Cables&product=4202387


 But really, any audio accessory type of shop should sell this.


 Of course, you will need audio recording software, (not the windows recorder).
 Perhaps you already have this ?  If not, something similar to www.goldwave.com which gives a free trial. This allows you to record the wav file and edit it.  It will even convert the wav to mp3 format if you want.

 I disagree that the quality will be poor.  It depends mainly on the quality of the Original recording.

 Record the wav file at  'cd quality', which means using 16 bit, 44100 hz sampling rate.
 If you convert to mp3, use 44100 hz and at least 128 kb 'bit rate'

 Good Luck . .

[m1469]

Okay, aside from the fact that I feel a little bit as though I have just read Japanese (foreign to me), I feel that you three people have been very helpful toward me.  Thank you very much for the insights and links!  I will give it a try.

m1469

[Bob]

I just meant that it's not going to be pristine pure digital sound.  Not professional CD quality.  Everytime the sound is run through a cruddy computer sound card it'll be messed up a little more.  It's far better than cassette tape though, and probably good enough for most things unless you're trying to make professional CD's.

[m1469]

I just meant that it's not going to be pristine pure digital sound.

This is okay for now