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How to Convert a Sony MiniDisc into a CD

A Sony MiniDisc player is a convenient way to record and listen to music on the go. The discs are small and easy to store, and you can record good-quality live audio. A drawback of MiniDiscs, however, is that you can play them only on a MiniDisc player, limiting your ability to share and enjoy the recordings. Because of this, you may want to convert your MiniDisc recordings to CD, which you can do on your home computer using free software.

Things You'll Need

  • Internet access
  • Audacity software
  • Computer with stereo 1/8-inch input
  • MiniDisc player
  • MiniDisc you want on CD
  • Stereo 1/8-inch-to-1/8-inch audio cable
  • CD creation software
  • Blank CD-R
  • CD burner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Go to audacity.sourceforge.net. Select your operating system, and download and install Audacity to your system. This is a free, multitrack recording studio environment capable of editing and manipulating a variety of audio formats.

    • 2

      Open Audacity and go to "File -> Preferences." Select your sound card from the "Recording Devices" drop-down menu.

    • 3

      Switch on your MiniDisc player and insert a MiniDisc you want to convert to CD. Plug one end of the audio cable into the device's headphone jack and the other end into the computer's 1/8-inch stereo input.

    • 4

      Press "Record" in Audacity and "Play" on the MiniDisc player. Allow the MiniDisc to play all the way through, then press "Stop" on both devices. Go to "File > Export," name the file and choose the audio format you want to save it as (WAV, MP3, OGG, etc.). Press "OK."

    • 5

      Insert the blank CD-R into the drive. Open your CD creating software and select "Create Audio Disc." Locate the file you just saved in Audacity and select "OK." Choose "Burn Disc" and allow the project to complete. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for multiple MiniDiscs.

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Recording Music

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