Sony MZ-S1 SonicStage v1.5 User manual

Portable
MiniDisc Recorder
Operating Instructions
Recorder Operation
Software Operation
_0 _ [_ MDLP
_We3_,Ll.#.,lll_Ut_jUe_
"WALKMAN" isa registered trademark of Sony Corporation to
represent Headphone Stereo products, _U_L_V_ is a
trademark of Sony Corporation.
MZ-S1
© 2003 Sony Corporation

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do
not expose the unit to rain or
moisture.
Do notinstalllhe appliance in a
confined space, such as a bookcase or
bu t-n cab net.
ib prevent fire, do not cover the
ventilation oftbe apparatus with news
papers, table cloths, curtains, etc. And
don't place lighled candles on |he
apparams.
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not
place objects filled with liquids, such as
vases, on the apparatus.
Certain countries may regulate disposal of
_he battery used to power this product.
Please consult with your local authority.
Caution
The use of optical instruments with this
product will increase eye hazard.
CAUTION INVISIBLE LASER
RADIAPION WHEN OPEN
AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM
Information
IN NO EVENT SHALL SELLER BE
LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT,
INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF
ANY NAT/JRE, OR LOSSES OR
EXPENSES RESULTING FROM
ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT OR
TIlE USE OF ANY PRODUC'E
For customers who purchased
this product in the USA
Owner's Record
The serial number is localed at _he rear of
the buckle and 1he model number is
located at |he lop and bot|om. Record the
serial number in _he space provided
below. Retkr m 1hem whenever you call
upon your Sony dealer regarding this
product.
Model No, MZ-SI
Serial No.
Product registration
Please register 1his product on line at
www.sony.com/walkmanreg
<http://www.sony.com/walkmanreg>
Proper registration will enable us 1o send
you periodic mailings about sof|ware
upgrades, new products, services and
other important announcements. Thank
yOU.
if you have any questions about
this product, contact:
-- http://www.sony.com/
walkmansupport
-- Sony Network Portable Audio
Support Line
1-(866)-456-7669
-- Sony Customer information
Services Center
12451 Gateway Blvd. Fort Myers,
FL 33913

DeclarationofConformity
Trade Name: SONY
Model No.: MZ-SI
Responsible Party: Sony Electronics
Inc.
Address: 680 Kinderkamack Road,
Oradell, NJ 07649 USA
Telephone No.: 201-930-6972
This device complies wtih Part 15 of
|he FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
_he following two conditions: (I) This
device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) _his device must
accept any interference received,
including interl_rence that may cause
undesired operation.
This equipment has been lesled and found
to comply wi|h the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Par'. 15 oflhe
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential
installation. 'iI_is equipment generates,
uses, and can radiale radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance wi_h the instructions, may
cause harmful inlerference to radio
communications. However, tbere is no
guaranlee that inlerference will not occur
in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful
inlerference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the
inlerference by one or more oflhe
lbllowing measures:
Reorient or relocate |he receiving
antenna.
increase _he separation between tbe
equipment and receiver.
Connect |he equipment into an outlet
on a circuit different from lhat Io
which _he receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced
radio/TV technicias_ lbr help.
You are cautioned that any changes or
modifications not expressly approved in
_his manual could void your aulhority to
operale this equipment.
SONY MZ-S1
Tested To Comply
With FCC Standards
FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE
The validity oflhe CE marking is
restricted to only those countries where it
is legally enforced, mainly in 1he
countries EEA (European Economic
Area).
•SonicStage, OpenMG and _he OpenMG
logo, MagicGate, Net MD and the Net
MD logo are trademarks of Sow
Corporation.
• Micmsol], Windows, Windows NT and
Windows Media are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Microsol]
Corporation in the United Stales and/or
other countries.
• IBM and PC/AT are registered
trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation.
• Macintosh is a trademark of Apple
Computer, Inc. in the United States as_d/
or other countries.
• MMX and Pentium are trademarks or
registered trademarks of intel
Corporation.
• All other trademarks and registered
trademarks are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders.
•"rMand ® marks are omilted in _his
manual.

Notice for users
On the supplied software
•Copyright laws prohibit reproducing the
sotlware or the manual accompanying it
in whole or in p_rt, or renting 1he
software without the permission of the
copyright holder.
• In no event will SONY be liable lbr any
financial damage, or loss of profits,
including claims made by third parties,
arising out of the use of the software
supplied with this recorder.
• In the event a problem occurs with this
software as a result of dellzctive
manufacturing, SONY will replace it.
ltowever, SONY bears no other
responsibility.
• The software provided with this
recorder cannot be used with equipment
other than that which is so designated.
• Please note thai, due to continued efforts
to improve qualily, the software
specifications m_y be changed without
notice.
• Operation of this recorder with soltware
other than that provided is not covered
by the warranty.
Program © 2001, 2002 Sony Corporation
Documentation © 2003 Sony Corporation
4

Table of contents
Recorder Operations
Looking at the controls .................................. 12
Getting started! .............................................. 15
Recording an MD right away!
(Synchro-recording) ........................................ 17
Playing an MD right away! .............................. 22
Various ways of recording .............................. 24
Note on digital and analog recording (Digital input and analog input) 24
Recording in analog (Analog Recording) ............................................. 25
Long-fime recording (MDLP) .............................................................. 26
When you do not want "LP:" added automatically at the
beginning of a track ......................................................... 26
Recording tracks using the group function (Group Mode Recording) .27
To activate group mode (Group Mode Recording) ........................ 28
Recording a track into a new group ................................................ 28
Recording a track into an existing group ........................................ 29
Recording without overwriting existing material ................................. 29
Adding track marks automatically (Auto Time Mark) ......................... 30
Adjusting the recording level manually (Manual Recording) .............. 31
Checking the remaining recordable time .............................................. 32
Various ways of playback .............................. 33
Using the group function (Group Mode) .............................................. 33
Listening to tracks in a specific group (Group Mode Playback) ....33
Selecting and playing groups (Group Skip Mode) ......................... 33
Changing play modes ............................................................................ 34
Emphasizing bass (DIGITAL MEGA BASS) ...................................... 35
Checking the remaining time or the playing position ........................... 36

Editing recorded tracks .................................. 37
Labeling/relabeling recordings ............................................................ 37
Labeling recordings ....................................................................... 38
Relabeling recordings .................................................................... 39
Registering tracks or groups as a new group (Group Setting) ............. 39
To release a group setting .................................................................... 40
Moving recorded tracks ....................................................................... 41
Moving a track to a different group ..................................................... 42
Changing the order of a group on a disc (Group Move) ...................... 42
Adding a track mark ............................................................................. 43
Erasing a track mark ............................................................................ 43
Erasing tracks ....................................................................................... 44
To erase a track .............................................................................. 44
To erase the whole disc .................................................................. 44
To erase a group ............................................................................. 45
Other Operations ............................................ 46
Protecting your hearing (AVLS) .......................................................... 46
Turning offthe beep sounst .................................................................. 46
Locking the controls (HOLD) .............................................................. 47
Power sources ................................................ 48
Additional information .................................... 49
Precautions ........................................................................................... 49
System limitations ................................................................................ 52
Troubleshooting ................................................................................... 54
List of menus ........................................................................................ 57
Messages .............................................................................................. 62
Specifications ....................................................................................... 64
Explanations ......................................................................................... 65
7

Software Operation
What is a Net MD? .......................................... 69
Basic Operations ............................................ 70
Basic operational flow using the Net MD ............................................ 70
Providing the required system environment ......................................... 71
System requirements ...................................................................... 71
Installing the software onto your computer .......................................... 72
Before installing the software ......................................................... 72
installing SonicStage Ver, 1.5 ......................................................... 73
Connecting the Net MD to your computer ........................................... 75
Storing audio data to your computer ..................................................... 76
Starting SunicStage ........................................................................ 76
Recording audio CDs to the hard disk drive .................................. 77
Labeling audio data ........................................................................ 79
Transferring audio data from your computer to the
Net MD (Check-out) ........................................................................ 80
Checking out audio files to the Net MD ......................................... 80
Listening to an MD ............................................................................... 83
Listening to an MD with the Net MD connected to the
computer .......................................................................... 83
Listening to an MD with the Net MD disconnected from the
computer .......................................................................... 83
Advanced operations ...................................... 84
Using othar functions! .......................................................................... 84
Using the SonicStage online help ................................................... 84

Other information ........................................... 86
Settings and Precautions ...................................................................... 86
Settings according to OS ................................................................ 86
For users with OpenMG Jukebox, SonicStage, or SonicStage
Premium installed on their computer .............................. 88
Note on hard disk drive space ........................................................ 89
Notes on system suspend/hibernation mode .................................. 89
Backing up the audio data .............................................................. 89
Uninstalling the SonicStage software .................................................. 90
For Windows XP users .................................................................. 90
For Windows Millennium EditionFvVindows 98 Second Edition
users ................................................................................ 90
For Windows 2000 users ............................................................... 91
Troubleshooting ................................................................................... 92
if your computer does not recognize the Net MD ......................... 94
if the installation was not successful ............................................. 94
Information and explanations ............................................................... 96
Net MD FAQ ................................................................................. 96
On copyright protection ................................................................. 98
Glossary ............................................................................................. 100
Index ................................................................................................... 102
9

Before using this product
This manual explains the recorder operations and the installation and basic use of the
supplied SonicStage soflware. For details on the various operations, relhr to 1he pages
indicaled below.
When using the recorder
Recorder Operation (pages 11 to 66)
P3ges 11 to 66 in this manual explain the use oflhe Net iVIDas
an ordinary MiniDisc Walkman.
Additional information (page 49)
This section shows the troubles you may find while using the
recorder, and their solutions.
When using the Net MD (the recorder) connected to your
computer
Software Operation (pages 68 to 101)
Pages 68 to 101 in this manual explain the installation and basic operations of the supplied
SonicStage software. Rel_r to lhese pages for details.
Other information (page 86)
This section shows the troubles you may find while using the SonicStage software, and
their solutions. It also has the list of frequently asked questions and answers.
SonicStage Ver. 1.5 Help
This is an online help that you can view on your computer
screen.
Refer to online help for details on the use of the software. 'Ib
display the help window, see page 84.
Notes on the "Software Operation" section
•The displayed items in tile illustrations that appear in this section may differ from the actual items
displayed by the software.
•Explmlalions ill this section assume Pamiliafity with basic Windows operations. For details on the use
of your computer and the operating system, please ret_r to the respective mmmals.
• Explmlalions ill this section cover general Net MD products. For this reason, some explanations (and
some illuslrations) may not be applicable to your Nel MD. Please ret_:r to the operaling instructions of
your Net MD as wel!.
10

Checking the supplied accessories
Supplied accessories
AC power adaptor (1)
Headphones/earphones ( 1)
Dedicated USI3 cable (1)
CD-ROM (SonicStage Vet. 1.5) (1)*
Hand strap (1)
Blank Minidisc (1)
* Do not play a CD-ROM on anaudio CD player.
11

Looking at the controls
Front of the recorder
Ii)_]Display window
Ii_] GROUP/CANCEL button
Ii_] MENU/ENTER button
Ii_] DCIN 3V jack
Ii_'] Buckle
K_I]T MARKFREC button
K_] END SEARCH button
[_] USB connecting jack
[_i] LINE IN (OPTICAL)jack
[i_] _ (he3dphones/earphones) jack

Rear of the recorder
m Hand strap attachment point
[_] HOLD switch
[_] II (pause) button
[_] Buckle
[-_] Baiter,! compartment lid
[_] OPEN switch
[_] 5 way thumb control key
Push lhe key in any of the four
directions or press down lhe • button
lbr various oper3tions.
ID,-* (play)
/1_1_t (search/AMS)
• (stop)
VOL +*_
*There is a tactile dot above I_- and to
the right of VOL +.
Using the hand strap
While jogging, use the supplied hand strap.
Put your hand between the recorder and the strap, and then hold the recorder as the
illustrations below:
13

The display window of the recorder
[)_] MONO (monaural) indic3lion
[_] LP mode indic3lion
[_] Mega bass indication
[g] Disc indication
Shows that the disc is rotating ibr
recording, playing or editing an MD.
[__ Level meter
Shows the volume oflhe MD being
played or recorded.
[_ REC REMAINfREMAIN (remaining
time/tracks) indication
Lights up along with the remaining
time of the track, the remaining time
of the MD, or the remaining number
of tracks.
[_] SYNC (synchro-recording) indication
[_:] REC indication
Lights up wbile recording. When
flashing, the recorder is in record
standby mode.
[_:] Battery indication
Shows approximale battery condition.
[i:_]Time display
[i::_]Disc name/track name indication
Lights up when labeling a disc or a
track.
[i:_]Group indication
Lights up wben group mode is on.
[i:_]Character inlbrrnation display
Displays the disc and track names,
error messages, track numbers, etc.
[i:_]Play mode indication
Shows play mode of the MD.
14

Getting started!
Insert an alkaline dry battery.
Lift up the buckle andthe Closethe lid and the
battery compartment lid to buckle.
open.
Insert an LR6 (SG)alkaline
drybattery minus end first.
Using on a house
current
Connect _he AC power ad_p|or.
It is preferable |o use |he
recorder on house current when
recording lbr a long time.
Toa wall _'_
outlet
ACpowe
adaptor
To DCIN 3V
Battery life
For details, refer to "Battery life" (page 48).
l o ma,
4O
(Unit: Approx. hours)
54
continued 15

earphones and unlock the HOLD
control.
(_) Pull offthe rubbercapthat coversthe ,_,jack.
(_) Connect the headphones/earphonesto the ,_,jack.
_) Slide the HOLDswitchin the direction shownin the illustration below:
Connectfirmly.
Headphones/earphones
16

Recording an MD right away!
(Synchro.recording)
This section explains the basic procedure for making digital
recordings using an optical cable connected to a CD player, Digital
TV or other digital equipment. (For further information, see "System
limitations" (page 52)) During synchro-recording, the recorder starts
and stops recording in sync with the sound source. Track marks are
added wherever they appear in the sound source. It is recommended to
use the AC power adaptor when recording.
"i_ record fi'om an analog source such as a cassette deck or a radio --_ "Recording in analog
(Analog Recording)" (page 25).
To record using group mode --_ "Recording tracks using 1be group function (Group Mode
Recording)" (page 27).
Insert an MD.
(Use a recordable MD for recording)
Belbre you open the MD disc lid, open |he buckle first.
@Slide the OPENswitchto the direction
of the arrow shownin the illustration
below.
(_) Insert an MDwith the label sidefacing
front, and pressthe lid down to close.
Make sure to checktl record-
protecttab is closed.
continued 17

(_) Closethe buckle.
firmly and completely into the appropriate jacks)
CD player, MD _ _ _--'_ PortableCD
to awall player, DVD _player, etc.
outlet video player, etc. J
v
ACpoweradaptor _to a digital (Optical) outjack
Optical plug
Opticalcable
POC-15B*,
etc.
Optical mini-plug
to DCIN 3V
* See "Optional accessories" (page 64)
to LINEIN (OPTICAL)

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Record an MD.
(_) While the recorder isstopped,press
REC MENU.
Controlkey iMenu items appear in the display.
_) II _) PressI_ or _repeatedly until
"SYNC-R" flashes in the display, and
END then pressENTER.
SEARCH
MENU/ENTER
(_) Press_or _repeatedlyuntil
"ON" flashes in the display, and then
pressENTER.
(_) PressI=_ while pressingREC.
The recorder pauses and stands by for
recording.
(_) Playthe sourceyou wantto record.
"['he recorder starts recording
automatically when it receives the
playing sound.
To stop recording, press II.
After you press • _-o_top, the recorder will _utornalica_|y tutti oft- i'_ _b_ut ]t_ se_or_ds (wherJ ttsir_g 1he
dry battery) or about 3 mi:_utes (when using tile AC power adaptor).
To cancel synehro.recording
Press _ or _ repeatedly unti! "OFF" flashes in the display in step (_),and then press ENTER.
Note
If you record on a previously recorded disc, the recorder is factory set to overwrite the
entire contents of the disc. If you want the recording to start after the existing contents,
do the procedure "Recording without overwriting existing material" (page 29) before
doing step 3, ("Record an MD.', page 19).
To Press
Record from the end of the if "R-Posi" (the record-starting position setting) is set to
current contemsl/ "FrHere", press END SEARCH, and then press II_
while pressing REC.fl
if "R-Posi" is set to "Fr End", press _'- while pressing
REC. I
Record over parlway through I=,'-, b_r,ll, or _ to find the start point of recording and I
the previous recording _/ press • to stop. Then press _ while pressing REC.
Pause II _).
Press II again to resume recording.
Remove the MD •, and open the lid.3/(The lid does not open while
"Edit" is flashing in the display.) 19

li If "R-Posi" is sei to "Fr End", recording operafions will always start from the end of tile previously
recorded material without p_s_ng END SEARCH butthn (page 29).
zi A track mark is added at the point where you press || again to resume recording while pausingi thus
the remainder of the track will be counted as a new track.
3i If you open file lid while "R-Posi" is set to "FrHere", _cording will begin from the top of the disc the
next time you record. Check the point to .start recording on file display.
If the recording does not start
• Make sure the recorder is not locked (page 16, 47).
• Make sure the MD is no_ record-protected (page 50).
• Premastered MDs cannol be recorded over.
About the DSP TYPE-R for ATRAC
"TYPE-R" is a high-level Sony specification
used in the Digital Signal Processor (DSP),
which is the heart of the MiniDisc somrd. This
technology gives tile MiniDisc recorder twice
the signal processthg copabilily as previous
MiniDisc Waikman models, producing a sound
quality close to thai of MiniDisc decks. This
unit supports the "TYPE-R" function only
during recording or playback in normal stereo
(or monaural) mode. It does no1 support INS
function in MDLP mode, or during the
checking out of audio data from the computer
in normal s_ereo (or monaural) mode using
SonicStage.
Notes
•The pause function cannot be turned on or off
manuaily during synchro-recordthg. Press •
to slop recording.
• Do no_ change SYNC-R setting while
recording. Recording may not be done
properly.
• Even when there is no recorded sound on tile
sound source, there may be cases when
recording does no_ pause automatically during
synchro-recordthg due to the noise level
emitted from the sound source.
• Ira silent portion is encountered for
opproxim_lely 2 seconds during synchro-
recording from a sound source other than a
CD or an MD, a new track mark is
automatically added a_ file point where the
silent portion ends.
• You cannoi change the recording mode during
recording.
• "Saving" or "Edit" flashes while data of the
recording (the track's start and end points,
ete.) is being recorded. Do not move file
recorder or disconnect tile power source while
the indication is flashing in the display.
•The lid does no_ open until "Edit" disappears
in the display.
• lfthe power supply is disrupted (i.e. the
battery is removed or becomes exhausted or
the AC power adaptor is disconnected) during
a recording or editing operation, or while
"Edit" appears in the display, then it will not
be possible to open the lid until power is
restored.
• You can make a digital recording only from an
optical type output.
• When recording from a portable CD player,
set the CD player to pause, mrd then do the
recording procedure on the recordeL
• Note the following when recording from a
portable CD player:
--Some portable CD players may not be
capable of digital out when the AC power
adaptor is disconnected. If this is the case,
connect the AC power adaptor to the
portable CD player and use it on AC power
as the po_,¥er source.
_n some portable CD players, optical
output may not be possible when using an
anti-skip thnction (e.g., ESP* or G-
PROTECTION). If this is the case, turn off
the anti-skip function.
* Electronic Shock Protection
• When there is no somrd from the player for
more than 3 seconds during syochro-
recording, the recorder goes into tile s_andby
mode automatically. When the sound comes
t¥om the player again, the recorder resmnes
synchro-recording, lfthe recorder is hepi in
the standby mode for 5 mthutes or longer, the
recorder stops automaficaily: