Table of Contents
Software
There are numerous tools that interact with MiniDisc hardware, both for NetMD music transfer and earlier devices.
New software
New software created by community members. Most are derived from the linux-minidisc project and are free and open source (GPL)
Web MiniDisc Pro
A online cross-platform web app that allows for easy copying of music to a NetMD recorder. Requires a Chromium-based browser. Supports groups and full-width titles.
The Pro fork is under active development and adds features such as audio export from discs, external LP encoders for higher quality, and numerous bug fixes.
Warning! There are several sites hosting older or modified versions of Web MiniDisc (Pro) - these versions are often outdated or have bugs that have been fixed in the official version. Please ensure you are always using Web MiniDisc Pro from web.minidisc.wiki.
Zadig USB Driver [*] (req. for Windows only)
ElectronWMD
A desktop version of Web MiniDisc Pro, available on Linux, macOS and Windows.
ElectronWMD has some benefits over the web version, such as improved support for Hi-MD modes, Shazam song recognition, and the ability to run a local version of the Sony ATRAC3 decoder for better LP audio quality.
Zadig USB Driver [*] (req. for Windows only)
NetMD Wizard
A desktop application for Linux, macOS, and Windows that can copy CDs to NetMD devices, similar to Sony's Simple Burner. Includes CDDB lookup and is the only tool that can copy gapless audio tracks.
CD2NetMD GitHub (command line version) [*]
Zadig USB Driver [*] (req. for Windows only)
Platinum-MD
A desktop application for Linux, macOS, and Windows that behaves similarly to ElectronWMD, but has less features. It is designed to be a simple, easy-to-use tool for copying music to NetMD devices.
Zadig USB Driver [*] (req. for Windows only)
netmdcli, himdcli, QHiMDTransfer (linux-minidisc)
A reverse-engineered, cross-platform set of libraries (libnetmd, libhimd), command-line tools (netmdcli, himdcli) and a Qt-based GUI (QHiMDTransfer) for NetMD and Hi-MD devices. Allows full quality SP transfer over USB, unlike SonicStage.
Various forks exist:
Upstream project (GitHub) [*] - Original project
minidisc-ffwd fork (GitHub) [*] - Clean-ups, fixes, backports of netmd-js features, UI improvements (both CLI and GUI)
NetMD fork by Jo2003 (GitHub) [*] - Clean-ups and updates, used by NetMD Wizard
Vuori fork (GitHub) [*] - NetMD download support fixes (see here for details [*])
Platinum fork (GitHub) [*] - Used by Platinum-MD, contains Vuori's fixes plus some additional changes
UkoziMD
A native macOS app that enables users to control their PCLK'd (non-NetMD) MiniDisc decks, such as the MDS-PC1, MDS-PC2, and MDS-PC3. Currently in the early stages of development, updated frequently. Requires macOS 12.4 or higher. Universal (Intel and Apple Silicon) app.
md-rec
A Python-based tool that automatically records, labels and marks tracks on compatible Sony MiniDisc recorders without NetMD.
Requires a Raspberry Pi (or similar SBC) and a basic circuit to connect to the remote port.
NetMDTool
Newly-announced GUI tool for copying audio to NetMD devices.
Because it has not been tested by wiki staff and source code has not been published, no link will be provided here. Suspected to violate the GPL if it uses linux-minidisc code without making that source available.
SonyMDRemote
AKA LA2YUA SonyMDRemote. A C# application for controlling MDS-E12 over Serial Port. It should work with the MDS-E11 and MDS-E52 as well.
Old software
Software tools that were created during MD's commercial life, such as SonicStage and Simple Burner.
SonicStage
Sony's official NetMD software for Windows.
Installation of SonicStage on a modern PC is possible, but driver install requires disabling “Driver signature verification” which reduces system security and may break some other tools.
SonicStage Digital Archive (Includes retail, Japanese and Ultimate releases) [*]
MD Simple Burner
Sony tool to record CDs to MDs via USB. Aiwa Simple Burner Ver. 1.2 instructions
Simple Burner 1, not sure what specific version
Simple Burner 2.0.04.18080 (Jun 8, 2004)
Simple Burner 2.0.05.25150 (Jan 15, 2005)
Early Sony NetMD drivers, I think distributed with CMT-M333NT decks and N10's.
Windows ATRAC codecs
Sony ATRAC3 Decoder (use with Windows Media Player 6.4 and 7)
atrac3 ACM codec - rar with Sony installer version 0.98.15 D
On modern systems, VLC can play ATRAC files.
Creative MiniDisc Center
Creative MiniDisc Center [*] - Another analogue assistant for copying music from the PC to the MiniDisc through analogue connections.
Thanks to Nicolas Bahamondes for sharing.
Stock NetMD Software
Sony X-app [*] - Download [*] Download (MiniDisc Wiki mirror) [*]. supports Windows7, 8, 10. Officially only supports the MZ-RH1, but through ini editing can support other players. Link 1 [*] Link 2 [*]
Sony Hi-MD Music Transfer for Mac Ver.2.0 [*] on Sony's MZ-RH1 support site and our local archive copy (unzip to reveal Apple disk image .dmg).
Sharp BeatJam ISO Mega Link v1.2.3.0 [*] BeatJam NetMD Drivers
Sony MDclip Editor for MDS-DL1 Ver1.0J (local archive copy, zipped)
sony_cmt-c7nt_flash_updater
PlayStation Broadband Navigator [*] before the last version (.32) could transfer music to a NetMD device plugged into a usb port.
PC Link software (non-NetMD)
Sony MD Editor 1 (for PCLK-MD1 / MDS-PC1) [*] MDEditor112J
Sony MD Editor update page (mac software as well) [*] Sony MD Editor update page (mac software as well) (MiniDisc Wiki mirror) [*]
Sony MD Editor 2 (for PCLK-MD2 / MDS-PC2) [*] Sony Update page [*] Sony Update page (MiniDisc Wiki mirror) [*]
Sony Media Communicator Ver 1.02J (for PCLK-PX1) [*]
Sharp MD-PC Link uses AD-PCR1, AD-PCR2, AD-PCR3 cable to connect to MD-MT831 and MD-MT832 units over pc.
Also released [*] for Sharp's Zaurus PDA. Uses MD-Saurus connection cable AD-ZAR1. Sharp Zaurus Link Software for PC and PDA
MDClip
(For the firewire units: MDS-DL1 + MDS-LSA1)
Sony MD Clip Editor V1.0J - MDClip v1.0J zip download archive.org iso [*]
Sony MD Clip Editor V2.0J - MDClip v2.0J zip download (the Piclabel folder is omitted to keep the file size under the 50mb wiki limitation) archive.org iso [*]
Misc Deprecated projects
M3U2SBurner - tool that allows you to pipe mp3/ogg/vqf/wma files into simple burner and auto add title info to openmg's database from id3 tags. Requires Simple Burner + OpenMG to be installed.
Xmd [*] Xmd (MiniDisc Wiki mirror) [*] - an Open source and primitive NetMD GUI for Mac OS X. The software can only edit disk titles, control playback etc. It has no uploading or downloading functionality.
Aiwa software
Aiwa mp3inflist - Aiwa MP3 editor (Japanese language) Has trouble installing under Windows 8. Most likely desgined for Winxp/2000. Original compressed installer
Aiwa MMFX500Manager ?? Original Compressed Installer
Palm OS
Palm MD Titler v1.2 - Website [*] Website (MiniDisc Wiki mirror) [*] - allows you to use control Sony MD decks and write titles over IR. PalmDB download [*]
Missing Software
Sony BitPlay netmd software, part# VUCD-PR1 [*] Sony BitPlay netmd software, part# VUCD-PR1 (MiniDisc Wiki mirror) [*] Update-bp-1.0.1.0.exe (1.6MB) - updated 2001.12.28 readme [*] music life page [*] Bitplay HDD Jukebox Backup Tool - BackupWizard_for_DMT-PR1
Minidisc Transfer Editor [*] Minidisc Transfer Editor (MiniDisc Wiki mirror) [*] PDF Brochure
Sony Vaio Music Clip Music Clip [*] (for flash based players)
Liquid Audio Player somewhere after v5.0 likely supported atrac3 playback, if not encoding [*] Liquid Audio Player somewhere after v5.0 likely supported atrac3 playback, if not encoding (MiniDisc Wiki mirror) [*]
Sony ATRAC3 player [*] Sony ATRAC3 player (MiniDisc Wiki mirror) [*] test version created for evaluation purposes- developed to run on Microsoft Windows(R) 95, 98, 2000 or Apple(R) Mac OS 8.5 or higher
sharp pictureworks photoenhancer special fun edition