Minidisc to MP3 on a Mac... Help!

[Pasha]

Got a problem here.

500 pieces were recorded on a Minidisc Deck on standard Minidisc Deck in LP mode.
Beside that I have got a NET MD (with USB port and Sony SOftware) which
plays older disks but does not let you move the content on a PC due to
protection scheme (thanks Sony). When material is recorded into NET MD
via analog connection (little loss of quality) then I can move the tracks
to my PC in ATRAC format. Sony Software let me create an MP3 CD from that.
When I refer to PC is because Sony Software exists only for PC and works fine
on my Mac via VMWare Fusion XP Virtual Machine.
Minidisc format is almost dead by now and this material is needed to work for my
wife when she performs live. We need to prepare for a switch later along the way.
(Mac/Netbook/iPod Touch/Whatever)

So I'm left with some options here:

Option 1
Record all to a NET MD with 1GB Drive and then move ATRAC files to PC
Then create MP3 CD and save MP3 library elsewhere for reuse.
Even Live with a Launchpad might do (need only to launch tracks, no DJing)

Option 2
Record directly on Mac using analog inputs or audio card line inputs
Which software?

Option 3
Get a digital recorder like this http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/h2/
and let the old MD play.
The process has to be easy and being all in the hardware domain helps.

What would you do?

- Best
- Pasha

[timothyallan]

I had to do something like this a while back, however I was able to use VMWare and the sony software to get the files in .wav off the MD. However, If I was going to do it the analog way, I'd just record straight in to a good soundcard using Live

[Pasha]

I had to do something like this a while back, however I was able to use VMWare and the sony software to get the files in .wav off the MD. However, If I was going to do it the analog way, I'd just record straight in to a good soundcard using Live

I was looking for unattended recording, because every disk holds about 2.5 hours of music.
If I'd use Live (arrangement or clip in session view) I'd have to split each of the about 40 tracks manually per disc and that will be time consuming. I need an auto split feature of some kind able to detect the 2sec space between tracks. I do not think Live has that capability but I could be ignorant....
SonicStage is a useful software but makes WAV out of ATRAC not Mp3 directly. Then I could use iTunes for batch mp3 conversion.
What else?

[lord toranaga]

if you mac is half way modern, it has digital inputs.
tje 1/8 inch input is a combo analog/digi input.

just get the right type of cable

[timothyallan]

Audio Hijack can do file/time splitting I believe...

[Pasha]

if you mac is half way modern, it has digital inputs.
tje 1/8 inch input is a combo analog/digi input.

just get the right type of cable

iMac 08.

should have.

[Pasha]

Audio Hijack can do file/time splitting I believe...

I'll take a look, thx!!!!!!

[lord toranaga]

def have digi input

mini tos/link