Hi I have a Mac 733, and a MD MZ-R37, how do I record

[Dimension Code]

Hi I have a Mac 733, and a MD MZ-R37, how do I record mp3 from the computer onto the MD?
Is it there a digital cable, like firewire? How do I do it, and what kind of cable, set up I need, Thank you so much.

 

[micmac]

Hi again Dimension Code,

If your Mac is a standard 733, it doesn't have the digital audio output you need to hook up to your MD (that's the optical S/P-DIF i talked about before). What you could do for example:

-Get a USB audio canvas like the Roland UA-30 (a web search for UA-30 should provide info for you, it's about $250 if i remember correctly). This thingy can convert an audio signal from your Mac's USB port to any common format for audio, including optical S/P-DIF that your MD uses. You'll probably need to get an optical cable. I forgot to say in the post in the MD-forum that there are two different sizes of connectors, the MZ-R37 uses a miniplug, the UA-30 a regular size plug. There are cables that fit this need, nothing to worry about. Just make sure you get the right one. Also, I have only looked at the UA-30, i cannot vouch for its quality, but it should work fine.

or,

-Use the analog output on your mac with the anlog input on your MD.

There might be other options. Please, anyone, fill in.

Basically, what you want to do in any case when recording onto you MD, is to get an optical S/P-DIF input signal for it to record. Some computers/soundcards have such an output, others do not. I looked at the 733's specs and unfortunately it doesn't list S/P-DIF.

micmac

 

[Dimension Code]

Dimension Code

The mac has 2 USB ports it's the Super Drive.

 

[micmac]

Since the iMac came out, all desktop Macs have at least 2 USB ports. But to get that USB audio signal into your MD, you need somekind of converter. The Roland UA-30 would do the job, but it isn't any high end gear.

If using the MD is a must here's a totally different approach: if you have a regular CD-deck that isn't too old with an optical out, you could burn your audio files (AIFF files) to CD with the CD-RW in your Mac. Then hook up the CD-deck to your MD and record. An older CD-deck might have problems playing a CD-R or, especially, a CD-RW.

If i'm making no sense here, please let me know...

micmac

 

[Dimension Code]

micmac, the cd I have it's the one that comes with the G4 733 dc-rw and dvd, thaanks man, but I am confused.

 

[micmac]

Sorry for not being clear, i'll try to boil it down to an as simple scenario as possible.

Go to a local Macdealer and say you want to transfer audio from your Mac to your MD. They will most likely tell you these are the ways to go:

------------------------
Mac USB port out --a--> Converter --b--> MD optical in.

The "a" arrow is a USB cable, the "b" arrow is an optical cable.

The Converter could be the Roland UA-30, or anything else that does the same job (converts USB signal to analog/digital audio signal).
-------------------------

The other way:

They will tell you to get a new soundcard for your Mac, a sound card that has the approporiate outputs (which would be optical S/P-DIF). This will allow you to go directly from your Mac to your MD.

-------------------------

If you're confused, the best way is to go down to a store and ask and check stuff out (bring your MD). Text and pictures on the internet are a good help and can point you to the right direction, but i still recommend the old fashioned hands on experience to straighten out question marks and for the final decision.

micmac