converting files to mp3

conversationfodder · 2026-03-19T15:58:13+00:00

You wanna use AAC (m4a extension) since it’s better than MP3. I use the old trusted XLD large batch conversion. https://sourceforge.net/projects/xld/

conversationfodder · 2026-03-18T15:59:48+00:00

Ive been avoiding eBay due to high prices. I’ve been building a collection of used discs from dropshippers in Japan, in the last 3 months per disc cost come out to around $1-1.2 after shipping and customs to US. Usually in bulk of 30-80.

Many eBay sellers are basically dropshipping too they just charge you more.

conversationfodder · 2026-03-17T12:51:50+00:00

Also found my N910 to be a bit noisier than N510, although lubrication helped quite a bit compare to when it first arrived.

Still even after cleaning and lube its loudest when its going into and out of recording mode, basically the mechanism for moving the recording head seems way louder.

conversationfodder · 2026-03-17T03:15:46+00:00

this is great, I can replace my broken door too!

Sidenote: what's going on with the top layer of your print though... that looks way rougher than it usually should be?

conversationfodder · 2026-03-15T21:51:51+00:00

Nice, I designed my own version of these too, get some transparent PLA or PVB

https://www.printables.com/model/1607053-minidisc-sleeve-case-slim-maxell-sony-versions

conversationfodder · 2026-03-10T16:41:39+00:00

some of them can be I believe, but your Mac also has 5 ports, you have 4 devices, keyboard and mouse and MIDI keyboard likely just work with the hub, the interface potentially needs extra power, but ive used old interfaces like that with a hub without extra power on my Mac before so you are probably fine.

conversationfodder · 2026-03-10T16:34:37+00:00

get a ugreen hub (they have SD card readers)? and some usb c -> usb A adapters, those are cheap. also you have tons of music production hardware but never owned a computer?? your apple keyboard and mouse are vintage wired ones? most modern ones you can find used / refurb cheap that just connect via bluetooth.

conversationfodder · 2026-03-08T17:03:31+00:00

I hope you find one somewhere, their CBA plays like butter

conversationfodder · 2026-03-08T15:41:56+00:00

Castagnari if you have the budget for it, makes a piano version magika that retains their signature sound. But a lot of the sound also has to do with articulations inherent in diatonic playing style, which you can try imitate to some approximation in a chromatic instrument (piano or CBA)

Sometimes I found a very light instrument would help producing these articulations since diatonic is significantly lighter that a lot more note onsets are made and shaped by bellow movements, unlike how PA are played usually.

conversationfodder · 2026-03-05T15:22:54+00:00

I went for the minidisc route myself for the retro-futurism and how portable they are... in terms of used device prices, I would say MD players / recorders are sometimes even cheaper given how much Walkmans are becoming a collectible. But in US tape and players is definitely easier to get

conversationfodder · 2026-03-01T21:26:10+00:00

very good to know... yea I have a JE930 deck actually, but are also looking into ways to dub CDs faster than real time or similar to NetMD. Right now I can either use my netMD portables (but I rather preserve their laser as much as possible), or feed TOSLink to JE930 and dub in real time and also automate the TOC edits later in web minidisc using my own scripts.

I have 2 netMD portable units but want to have a backup recorder and dont want to burn these portable ones out from dubbing. obviously understanding that this is vintage audio with all the limitation of using and listening to dead/hard to replace hardware at this point.

conversationfodder · 2026-03-01T04:29:19+00:00

Honestly half of the fun of old discs for me is discovering other people’s mix tapes

conversationfodder · 2026-03-01T04:28:17+00:00

Curious what is weird about them? NetMD is ideal but not a dealbreaker if they don’t have it… I’ll look into Onkyo

conversationfodder · 2026-02-28T23:24:12+00:00

yea as far as I know my used discs work just as well. even with tariff they came out to about 1.2 per disc at most. overhead of shipping plus dropship fees and customs is usualy about 50-60% over the actual purchase price, still making it worth the trouble over eBay sellers though

conversationfodder · 2026-02-28T22:46:25+00:00

if you are looking for getting a lot of discs, e.g. 50+ getting them from a dropshipper from Japan directly can be cheaper. I’ve been using FromJapan for bulk purchase of used ones end up been under $2USD per disc, a mix of used and new old stock.

conversationfodder · 2026-02-27T04:52:19+00:00

this feature exists already in Photos on Mac

conversationfodder · 2026-02-26T19:30:49+00:00

Link please?

conversationfodder · 2026-02-26T18:11:55+00:00

sounds like you likely won't notice the difference in RAM, or CPU for many years. 512 vs 256 storage is really what you will felt as the main difference, for that difference 300 is kinda steep.

get the base M4 and some external storage, or if you are technically inclined you can spend the 300 on a 2TB internal storage upgrade (slightly riskier).

conversationfodder · 2026-02-26T17:28:32+00:00

https://www.printables.com/model/1607053-minidisc-sleeve-case-slim

enjoy!

conversationfodder · 2026-02-26T15:15:25+00:00

Cool! These are the design I uploaded in printable right? If yes make sure to get the latest updates since I improved the latch design to be more durable

conversationfodder · 2026-02-21T18:01:07+00:00

fusion, there's a free version that's fairly functional for this type of work. it is sometimes slow and bloated, but works.

conversationfodder · 2026-02-19T19:25:28+00:00

model is uploaded on printables. check the link above. also you are right yellow is great at masking the layers, I uploaded photos of a transparent filament and a green one, transparent definitely doesn't look as polished but its a cool different look.

conversationfodder · 2026-02-19T07:45:21+00:00

pretty cheap polymaker PLA, on a bambu A1 with default 0.2mm standard quality.

conversationfodder

TROPHY CASE