Software
New software
New software created by community members. Most (but not all) 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.
Zadig USB Driver (req. for Windows only)
Platinum-MD
Platinum-MD is a modern NetMD writing tool, using similar libraries as Web MiniDisc. Popular with Mac users for ease of install. At the time of writing has experimental support for Hi-MD, but lacks groups / full-width support.
Zadig USB Driver (req. for Windows only)
NetMD Wizard
Qt-based desktop application that can copy CDs via NetMD, including CDDB lookup.
CD2NetMD GitHub (command line version)
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
Vuori fork (GitHub) - NetMD download support fixes (see #62)
Gavin Benda's fork (GitHub) - Used by Platinum-MD, contains Vuori's fixes plus some additional changes
minidisc-ffwd fork (GitHub) - Clean-ups, fixes, backports of netmd-js features, UI improvements (both CLI and GUI)
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. Has not been tested by wiki staff and source code has not been published.
Zadig USB Driver (req. for Windows only)
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. 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)
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)
Sony MD Editor update page (mac software as well)
Sony MD Editor 2 (for PCLK-MD2 / MDS-PC2)
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
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 - 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.
Missing Software
Sony MD Clip Editor ( MDClip ) Version 2.0 (supports writing MDClip art to MD)
Sony BitPlay netmd software, part# VUCD-PR1 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
Sony Vaio Music Clip Music Clip (for flash based players)
Liquid Audio Player somewhere after v5.0 likely supported atrac3 playback, if not encoding