Sony's most underrated format never really went away. From NetMD portables to Hi-MD home decks, this section covers everything you need to record, archive, and enjoy minidisc in the modern era.
Beginner Guide
NetMD is still the most accessible entry point into minidisc. This guide covers which decks to look for, how to get your computer talking to them in 2025, and the best software workflows for PC and Mac — including the open-source tools that have replaced Sony's abandoned SonicStage.
Read the guide →Hi-MD offers higher bitrates and PCM recording, but standard MD is cheaper and better supported. We break down exactly when each makes sense.
A practical roundup of portable and home units that hold up in 2025 — what to look for on eBay and what to avoid.
Capturing vinyl to minidisc for archiving or relistening — getting levels right, managing optical vs. analogue inputs, and the best settings for clean transfers.
Sony's SonicStage hasn't been updated since 2006. Here's a guide to the open-source tools that replaced it — and how to get them running today.
From Japan's thriving collector scene to underground tape labels adopting the format, the story of minidisc's strange second life.
Sharp and Sony portables as field recorders — handling noise floors, battery life, mic inputs, and what ATRAC compression actually does to environmental sound.
Community
r/minidisc
The most active minidisc community online. Good for gear questions and disc sourcing.
Software
platinum-md
Cross-platform open-source NetMD transfer software. The SonicStage replacement that actually works.
Reference
minidisc.org
The definitive archive of minidisc technical specs, compatibility lists, and format history.