USB Audio Adapters
Concerning the problem of Windows sounds being output on USB connected audio interfaces during recording:
In Winamp at least, you can choose the output device it uses: open the Preferences window (Ctrl+P is the quickest way), click on Plugins-> Output, double-click on the waveOut plugin, and choose "USB Audio Device" for output. Then you can go about your business in Windows with the "bings and such" going to your soundcard while Winamp plays to the Xitel DG-x [or whatever USB interface you are using]. Then when you finish your MD recording, change Winamp back to Wave Mapper output. -Richard Rudie
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | CatchSound PC Link | USB to TOSLink digital audio output device | $140 Availability: | In: USB Out: TOSlink (optical digital) | |
Description: Connects from your PC's USB port to the optical port on your MD recorder. Compatible with Windows 98/2000 and Macintosh computers. Includes Jet-Audio internet music player software and optical cable (TOSlink/miniplug ends). Links: Machine translated manufacturer's homepage for the CatchSound. Brian comments on using the CatchSound adapter with MD gear. You can purchase the CatchSound from Japan-Direct. Reviews: | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Creative Soundblaster MP3+ | USB based audio I/O adapter Intro: 6/2003 | Street: US$60 Availability: | Out: line, headphones, optical (TOSLink). In: line, mic, optical (TOSLink). Data: USB | |
Features:
Links:
Specifications: Sampling rates: In: 32, 44.1 and 48kHz. Out: 44.1 and 48kHz. 16 bit DAC/ADC. Reviews: | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Griffin iMic | USB audio input device | $35 Availability: | In: 1/8" stereo analog (mic, line level) Out: 1/8" stereo analog | |
Description: High quality analog audio input to Macs/PCs/laptops. Connects to USB port, full duplex I/O support. Can be ordered direct from the manufacturer. Links: Griffin's official iMic webpage with further information and reviews. Also see ordering information for the iMic. Tony Kwong gives a brief but useful review of the Griffin iMic being used with a Mac. Reviews: | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Onkyo SE-U55 | USB to TOSLink/Coax digital audio I/O device Intro: 10/2000 | ¥22,500 Availability: | In: line, mic, TOSlink, coax. Out: line, headphone, TOSlink, coax. Data: USB "type B" | 50w x 216h x 166d mm, 600g |
Description: USB to digital and analog audio I/O adapter. Input sampling rate converter. PC (W98, WME, W2K) and Mac (9.0.4 + Media update) compatible. Links: Onkyo page for the unit. Specs: SNR > 100dB. Freq. Resp. 0.3Hz-20kHz (line out, +0/-0.5dB), THD 0.002% Reviews: | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Xitel MDPORT-DG2 | USB to TOSLink digital audio output device | Street $60 Availability: | In: USB Out: TOSlink (optical digital) | |
Description: USB to TOSlink device. Generally compatible with all MD units. Sony includes this unit with their MZ-RxxxDPC portable MD recorders with USB PC Link kits. Links:
Reviews: User Manual: MDPORT-DG2 | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Xitel MDPORT-DG1 | USB to TOSLink digital audio output device | $100 Availability: | In: USB Out: TOSlink (optical digital) | |
Description: USB to TOSlink device. Not compatible with Sharp or JVC MD units, or the Sony MZ-R3, MZ-R5, MZ-R30, MZ-R37, MZ-R55 units (because the DG1's optical output is turned off when no audio is being output, and the synchronization delay to reaquire the S/PDIF stream causes certain MD units to clip the beginning of the recording). Sony includes this unit with their MZ-RxxxDPC portable MD recorders with USB PC Link kits. Links: Xitel's official page for this unit. Brian comments on using the Xitel MDPORT-DG1 with MD gear. This item is available from Minidisco and Planet MiniDisc. Reviews: User Manual: MDPORT-DG1 | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Xitel MDPORT-AN1 | USB to line level analog audio output device | $60 Availability: | In: USB Out:1/8" stereo phone jack | |
Description: USB to analog (audio line level) device (incorporates D/A converter). Allows audio played on a PC to be recorded on an MD recorder (i.e. realtime audio transfer). Generally considered to have higher quality audio output than what is provided by most PC soundcards. Sony includes this unit with their MZ-RxxxPC and MZ-RxxPC portable MD recorders w/USB PC link kits. Links:
Reviews: User Manual: MDPORT-AN1 | |||||
| Picture | Name | Desc | Price | Connectors | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Xitel MD-Port I/O | USB based PC to digital/analog audio output and analog audio to PC input device Intro: 05/2003 | AU$130, US$70 Availability: | In: line. Out: line/optical. Data: USB | |
Description: USB "soundcard" that provides analog (LINE) and digital (TOSLink) audio output from PC as well as analog (LINE) level audio input to PC. Unit comes with special software to simplify recording of MD tracks to PC (automatically making separate files when silence is detected). Links:
Reviews: User Manual: MD-Port I/O | |||||