Operating the tuner Listening to the radio.. 86 Listening to the radio using the TUNER bar.. 86 Listening to the radio using the TUNER window.. 87 Assigning names to radio stations.. 88 Adding an image to the TUNER Jacket display.. 89 Editing preset numbers.. 90 Operating the computer Listening to file albums.. 92 Registering music files to a file album.. 92 Listening to file albums using the AudioFile bar. 93 Listening to file albums using the File window. 93 Editing a file album.. 94 Creating a new file album or folder. 94 Moving music files. 95 Erasing file albums or folders. 96 Assigning names to file albums.. 97 Adding an image to the File Jacket display.. 98 Using the disc library.. 99 Viewing the disc library.. 99 Searching the disc library. 100 Recording disc information in the disc library.. 101 Erasing data in the disc library. 102 Setting optional items.. 103 Setting the audio input from the computer. 103 Choosing an Internet search engine... 104 Creating an original genre.. 105 Using the timers How to use the timers.. 106 Setting the time.. 106 Setting the playback timer.. 107 Setting the recording timer.. 109 Enabling the timers.. 112

Preparation

Functional restrictions that vary with the connected system stereo component
The functions that can be used and the icons displayed on the M-crew Tool bar depend on the system stereo component connected to your computer. For example, M-crew may not support timer and CD-TEXT information display functions for certain system stereo components, even if those components have timer and CD-TEXT information display functions. For more information about the system stereo components that are compatible with M-crew and the functions that are supported, please go to the following URL on the World Wide Web. http://www.sony.co.jp/en/Products/homeaudio/ Notes
In this manual, the term system stereo component refers specifically to component stereo systems (incorporating CD and MD decks) and discrete MD decks that support PC-LINK connections. The displays shown in this manual are those for a CMT-PX3 stereo system.
Display items and functions

Main bar

The Main bar is referred to as the CD bar (page 9) when CD is selected in 2 Function Name display, as the MD bar (page 13) when MD is selected, as the TUNER bar (page 18) when TUNER is selected, and as the OTHERS bar (page 21) when OTHERS is selected. 58
1 SONY logo Drag the logo with the left mouse button to move the Main bar up or down. Right-click the logo to display a pop-up menu. 2 Function Name display Displays the name of the selected function. Click to display and select a function. The selectable functions will depend on the nature of the system stereo components connected to your computer. 3 URL button Opens the website for the selected disc or radio station. Notes
To view websites, we recommend that you use Microsoft Internet Explorer (Ver.4.0 or higher) or Netscape Navigator (Ver.4.0 or higher) as your Internet browser. Internet access is necessary for viewing websites. For details on how to gain access to the Internet, consult the manufacturer of your computer.
4 Volume control (only when connected to certain system stereo components) Adjusts the volume.

(continued)

5 Tool bar switch Click to show or hide the Tool bar (page 7). 6 Help button Click to open Help (see Using Help on page 29 of Operating Instructions for M-crew Version 1.05E). 7 Minimize button Click to reduce the size of the window. 8 Close button Click to exit M-crew.

Tool bar

To view the Tool bar, click the Tool bar switch (page 6) in the Main bar. The icons displayed and their positions depend on the stereo system component connected. When you click a function icon in the Tool bar, the system switches to the selected function and the corresponding window appears. Note that only one window can be opened at a time.

Example 1

Example 2
1 CD icon Click to display the CD window (page 10). 2 MD icon Click to display the MD window (page 14). 3 TUNER icon Click to display the TUNER window (page 19). 4 OTHERS icon Click to display the OTHERS window (page 22). 5 TIMER icon Click to display the Timer window (page 39). If the clock has not been set yet, the Clock Set dialog box (page 106) will appear. The time must be set before the Timer window can be displayed. Note
M-crew does not support this function for certain system stereo components, even if those components have a timer function.
6 File icon Click to display the File window (page 28). 7 Disc Library icon Click to display the Disc Library window (page 32). 8 Rec window icon Click to display the Rec window (page 34). 9 Option icon Click to display the Option dialog box (page 38). 0 PC-CD icon (only when connected to an MDS-series MD deck) Click to display the PC-CD window (page 24).

CD bar

To view the CD bar, click CD in the Function Name display (page 5) in the Main bar. Use this bar during CD player operations (page 40).

To deselect the currently selected track, click on an empty area (i.e., a place with no button or function key) in the Time display.

MD bar

To view the MD bar, click MD in the Function Name display (page 5) in the Main bar. Use this bar when performing MD operations (page 46).
1 Function Name display 2 Disc Information display Click to select the MD to play. (MDs other than MD1 are available only when your system stereo component is equipped with an MD changer.) 3 Track Number/Track Name display Click to select the track to play. 4 Time display Click to select the time display mode. Display mode Total Time Elapsed Time Track Remain Disc Remain Display contents Total playing time of all tracks on the MD Elapsed playing time of the current track Remaining playing time of the current track Remaining playing time of the MD
5 MD operation buttons : Play button : Pause button : Stop button : AMS* (PREV and NEXT) buttons

MD window

To view the MD window, click the MD icon in the Tool bar (page 7). Use this window to perform MD operations (page 46).

qh 4 qg

1 MD operation panel : Play button : Pause button : Stop button : AMS* (PREV and NEXT) buttons : Reverse and fast-forward buttons
3 Reload button Click to refresh the qf Track Name display and qg Disc Information display. 4 Jacket display Displays an image of your choice (bitmapped or JPEG file) (page 53). Click to select all tracks on the MD. 5 Function Tree display Click on the icon of the MD to play. The icon flashes while the selected disc is being loaded. During this time, no M-crew operations can be initiated. You can drag the boundary to resize the display box. 6 Disc property button Click to enter the properties of the currently selected MD. Artist : Enter the name of the artist. URL : Enter the URL of the website that is displayed when the URL button in the Main bar is clicked. Genre : Enter the music genre. 7 Play mode button (Play mode button appears only when your system stereo component is equipped with an MD changer.) ALL DISCS : Plays all MDs loaded in the system stereo component. 1 DISC : Plays a single MD. MD SEAMLESS ON/OFF : Selects seamless play mode or normal play mode. 8 Repeat mode selector Selects a repeat mode. REPEAT : Plays a single MD repeatedly. REPEAT 1 : Plays a single track repeatedly. REPEAT OFF : Turns the repeat function off. 9 Print button Click to activate the Label Maker software.

0 Internet search button Initiates a search for websites based on keywords entered in the dialog box. Notes
qa MD edit buttons : Undo button Click to cancel the most recent edit action performed (except during a data entry or S.F edit operation). : MOVE button Click to open the Move dialog box (page 64). : COMBINE button Click to open the Combine dialog box (page 67). : A-B ERASE button Click to open the A-B Erase dialog box (page 69). : DIVIDE button Click to open the Divide dialog box (page 66). : FADE IN button Click to open the Fade in dialog box (page 71). : FADE OUT button Click to open the Fade out dialog box (page 73). : LEVEL SHIFT button Click to open the Level Shift dialog box (page 75). : ERASE (recycle bin) button Click to open the Erase dialog box (page 76).

qs Disc Capacity display

Disc space already used

Free space

Disc space to be used
qd Time display to select the time display mode. Click Display mode Remain Time Total Time Elapsed Time Track Remain Disc Remain Display contents Total remaining recording time of the MD Total playing time of all tracks on the MD Elapsed playing time of the current track Remaining playing time of the current track Remaining playing time of the MD
qf Track Name display Displays the track names. Click the track number to select it. Click the track name to modify it (page 48). Right-click the track name to display a pop-up menu, and then select Save to CSV file to save the disc name track names to a CSV (Comma Separated Value) formatted file (page 52). You can also copy and paste text that has already been entered (page 48). qg Disc Information display Displays the disc number and disc name. Click the disc name to modify it (page 48). Right-click the disc name to display a pop-up menu, and then select Save to CSV file to save the disc and track names to a CSV (Comma Separated Value) formatted file (page 52). You can also copy and paste text that has already been entered (page 48). qh Close button Click to close the MD window. Note

TUNER bar

1 Jacket display Displays the image assigned to the disc. 2 Function Tree display Selects the medium within the disc library. You can drag the boundary to resize the display box. 3 Disc property button Click to enter the properties of the currently selected disc library window. Artist : Enter the name of the artist. URL : Enter the URL of the website that is displayed when the URL button in the Main bar is clicked. Genre : Enter the music genre.
4 Print button Click to activate the Label Maker software for the MD. 5 Internet search button Initiates a search for websites based on keywords entered in the dialog box. Notes
6 Disc library search button Click to open the Disc Library Search dialog box (page 100). 7 Erase (recycle bin) button Click to erase discs in the disc library one at a time (page 102). 8 Track Name display Displays the track name. Click the track number to select it. Right-click the track name to display a pop-up menu, and then select Save to CSV file to save the disc and track names to a CSV (Comma Separated Value) formatted file. 9 Disc Library Information display Displays the disc name and disc properties registered in the disc library. Right-click to display a pop-up menu, and then select Save to CSV file to save the disc and track names to a CSV (Comma Separated Value) formatted file. 0 Close button Click to close the Disc Library window.

Rec window

To view the Rec window, click the Rec window icon in the Tool bar (page 7). Use this window to record to an MD from the CD player, tuner, optional external component connected to a system stereo component or other sources (pages 54, 59, 60, 62). The recording destination window on the right is always the MD window. The recording source window on the left can be selected from the Function Tree display. The Rec window has a different appearance in synchro recording mode and in manual recording mode. In synchro recording mode, it is possible to record from a CD, PC-CD, or file album.

Synchro recording mode

1 REC button Starts recording the tracks and radio stations that have been entered in the right-side (destination) window. 2 Add button Adds the tracks that have been selected in the left-side (source) window to the right-side (destination) window.

3 Undo button Deletes specified tracks from the destination window (before the REC button is clicked). 4 Manual button Selects manual recording mode. 5 Synchro speed change button Changes the synchro speed to NORMAL (normal speed) or HIGH (high speed). 6 Recording Mode display STEREO : Stereo recording MONO : Monaural* recording LP2 : 2 (2 normal recording time) stereo recording LP4 : 4 (4 normal recording time) stereo recording
* The monaural recording time is about twice that of stereo.
7 Erase (recycle bin) button Erases a recorded track (This function does not work when the system stereo component is in recording pause mode.). Deselects a track selected for recording. Drag the track number from the Track Name display in the MD window and drop it into.
8 Close button Click to close the Rec window. Note
To deselect currently selected track, click on an empty area (i.e., a place with no button or function key) in the Time display.

Manual recording mode

1 REC button Changes the unit to recording pause mode. Click window to start recording to the MD.

in the MD

* To start recording immediately, click the Rec button before playing the source CD or sound file.
2 Fader button Starts the fade-in/fade-out effect. 3 Synchro button Activates synchro recording mode. 4 System recording mode button (The system recording mode button appears only when your system stereo component is equipped with an MD changer.) ALL DISCS : Recording is performed in sequence to all MDs loaded in the system stereo component. 1 DISC : Recording is performed to a single MD. MD SEAMLESS ON/OFF : Selects MD seamless mode or normal recording mode. When ALL DISCS and normal recording mode are selected, playback will continue even while the MD is being changed, resulting in a break in the recorded sound. In MD seamless mode, playback is paused while the MD is changed. Tracks recorded and played back in MD seamless mode will have no break in the recorded sound.
5 Recording level adjustment button Opens the Rec Level Adjust dialog box (pages 56, 60, 61, 63). 6 Set up button Opens the Set Up dialog box for use of the following functions: Smart Space : The gaps between recorded tracks are trimmed to about 3 seconds. Track Mark Level Sync : Sets the gap detection level for automatic track marking. Fader : Sets the fade-in/fade-out effect. 7 Recording Mode display STEREO : Stereo recording MONO : Monaural* recording LP2 : 2 (2 normal recording time) stereo recording LP4 : 4 (4 normal recording time) stereo recording

Right-click to display a pop-up menu, and click Paste. In this example, the track names created and copied through the text editing software are entered as the track names of the third to eighth tracks.
Open the MD window (page 14). Right-click the Track Name display. A pop-up menu appears. Click Save As CSV File in the pop-up menu. A Save As dialog box appears. Input a CSV file name and click Save. The CSV file is saved and becomes available for use in database software or spreadsheets.
M-crew cannot read CSV files, but it can record disc and track names that have been created by and input from another application (page 50).
Adding an image to the MD Jacket display
Open the MD window (page 14). Drag a bitmapped image file from the Explorer and drop it onto the Jacket display. The bitmapped image will appear in the Jacket display.

Recording to an MD

Recording from a CD to an MD
You cannot record to a write-protected MD. Slide the write-protect tab on the MD to enable writing. Before you begin the recording, double-click the disc icons of all the MDs to be recorded to. This will cause the system to upload TOC information necessary for the recording operation. Click on the Recording Mode display (page 35) to select the recording mode. z Tip
You can also record from a PC-CD to an MD using the same procedure described below.
Synchro recording from a CD to an MD
Open the Rec window (page 34). Click the Synchro button (page 36). (Only for certain system components) Click the Synchro speed change button (page 35). Click the destination MD in the Function Tree display in the MD window. The names of the tracks on the MD appear in the Track Name display in the MD window. If the track names do not appear, double-click the destination MD. Click the source CD in the Function Tree display in the CD window. The names of the tracks on the CD appear in the Track Name display in the CD window. If the track names do not appear, double-click the source CD.
Drag the number of the track you want to record from the Track Name display in the CD window and drop it into the Track Name or Disk Information display in the MD window. The dropped track appears in orange in the Track Name display in the MD window, which indicates that it is a track to be recorded. You can register a track to be recorded by selecting the track and pressing the Add button. Repeat the procedure from step 4 to specify other tracks for recording. Two or more tracks can be selected at the same time by clicking the desired track numbers while holding down the CTRL key. To specify all tracks on a CD, drag and drop the CD disc icon (for example, CD1) from the Disc Information display into the MD window. Repeat the procedure from step 4 to record from more than one CD. Note

If the tracks that you have dragged and dropped cannot be contained on a single MD, the dragging operation is canceled and the message Insufficient free recording space appears.
Click the REC button in the Rec window. Recording from the CD to the MD starts. To stop recording, click in the MD window.
Deselecting tracks that have been selected for recording
To deselect a track that has been selected for recording, drag the track number from the Track Name display in the MD window and drop it into. Alternatively, you may click the track, and then click the Undo button to cancel the track selection. To cancel all selected tracks, click in the MD window.
Recording from a CD to an MD manually
1 Open the Rec window (page 34). 2 Click the Manual button (page 35). 3 Click the System recording mode button in the Rec window to make settings for the MD changer (page 36). (System recording mode button appears only when your system stereo component is equipped with an MD changer. Otherwise, proceed to step 4.) 4 Click the REC button. The MD recorder changes to record-pause mode. or the Fader button in the MD window. 5 Click Recording to the MD starts. To start recording with the fade-in effect, click the Fader button. 6 Play the CD in the CD window that you want to record to the MD (page 40). in the MD window. To stop recording, click If you click the Fader button, the fade-out effect is recorded and the MD recorder changes to record-pause mode. z Tip
SmartSpace, TrackMarklevelSync, and Fade can be set with the Set up button (page 37).
Adjusting the recording level
Open the Rec window (page 34). Click the Manual button (page 35). Click in the CD window. Click the REC button. The newly added track is highlighted in orange in the Track Name display in the MD window and the MD recorder changes to recordpause mode. 5 Click the Recording level adjustment button (page 37). The Rec Level Adjust dialog box appears and a red line points to the peak level. Drag the slider to adjust the recording level. 6 Click If you want to cancel the setting, click.
Making settings for manual recordings
Open the Rec window (page 34). Click the Manual button. Click the Set Up button to display the Set Up dialog box.
Make settings for each items.
1 Make space between each tracks equal If this function is set to ON during manual recording, any space between tracks that is longer than 30 seconds will be automatically shortened to 3 seconds. Click ON to activate this function or OFF to deactivate it. 2 Assign track numbers to each track automatically If this function is set to ON, when an input signal level goes below the preset level (track space detecting level) for more than 2 seconds and goes above the preset level again, a track number is assigned to the track. Click ON to activate this function or OFF to deactivate it. Click to select track space detecting level to assign track number.

Editing recorded MDs

Moving tracks
You can rearrange the order of tracks on an MD, but you cannot move tracks from one MD to another. Note
While this dialog box is displayed, the MD cannot be operated by the system stereo component.
Open the MD window (page 14). Click the number of the track in the Track Name display in the MD window that you want to move. The name of the track is highlighted in yellow. Note
You can move only one track per move operation. If you select more than one track, the move function is disabled.
Click the MD edit button. The Move dialog box appears.
To cancel the move, click
Click to select the number to which you want the selected track moved. Click. The track that you selected in step 2 moves to the track number specified in step 4.
Moving a track by drag-and-drop operation
1 Open the MD window (page 14). 2 Drag the number of the track in the Track Name display in the MD window that you want to move and drop it at the desired destination.
Moving a track that is being played
1 Open the MD window (page 14). 2 Play the track that you want to move (page 46). 3 Click the MD edit button. The Move dialog box appears. To cancel the move, click Note
Verify that the track you want to move is indicated in the Move dialog box.
4 Select the new number to which you want to move the track. 5 Click. The track being played moves to the track number specified in step 4. Note
To deselect a track, click in an empty area in the MD window (e.g., the empty area in the Time display).

Dividing tracks

You can divide a single track into two tracks. Note
Open the MD window (page 14). Play the track you want to divide (page 46). Note
Only the track being played can be divided.
Click the MD edit button where you want to divide the track. The division point is selected temporarily. The Divide dialog box appears and Rehearsal playback starts from the position you clicked.
To cancel the divide, click
Adjust the division point. Each click on or in the Divide dialog box moves the division point by 1-frame intervals* (1 frame = 1/86 second) during stereo recording. You can also slide to the left or right to adjust the division point. Rehearsal playback starts again from the new division point. * In Monaural and LP2 stereo mode : 2-frame intervals In LP4 stereo mode : 4-frame intervals When the adjustment is completed, click The track is divided into two.

Combining tracks

You can combine two tracks into one track. Note
Open the MD window (page 14). Select two tracks you want to combine from the MD window. Click the track number of the first track, and then click the track number of the second track while holding down the CTRL key. Notes
If you select the first track only, and then proceed to step 3, the system assumes the second track to be that which immediately follows. You cannot select and combine three or more tracks. You cannot combine tracks recorded in different recording modes.
Click the MD edit button. The Combine dialog box appears. Rehearsal playback is performed for about 4 seconds of a segment consisting of the last 2 seconds or so of the first track and the first 2 seconds or so of the second track.
To cancel the combination, click
To enter the combination sequence of the two tracks shown in the Combine dialog box, click. The selected tracks are joined. To reverse the sequence of the tracks in the Combine dialog box, click.
Combining the track being played with the track that immediately follows
1 Open the MD window (page 14). 2 Play the first track that you want to combine (page 46). 3 Click the MD edit button. The Combine dialog box appears. Rehearsal playback is performed for about 4 seconds of a segment consisting of the last 2 seconds or so of the first track and the first 2 seconds or so of the second track. To cancel the combination, click. 4 To enter the combination sequence of the two tracks shown in the Combine dialog box, click. The selected tracks are joined. To reverse the sequence of the tracks in the Combine dialog box, click. Notes
To deselect a track, click in an empty area within the MD window, e.g., the empty area within the Time display. The track being played can only be combined with the track that immediately follows it. If two tracks are selected in the Track Name display, they are combined no matter what track is being played.

Erasing part of a track

You can erase a portion of a track. Note

While this dialog box is displayed, the MD cannot be operated by the systemstereo component.
Open the MD window (page 14). Play the part of the track that you want to erase (page 46). Note
Erasing part of a track can be done only while the track is playing.
Click the MD edit button when the part that you want to erase begins playing. The starting point (point A) of the erasure is temporarily set. The A-B Erase dialog box appears, and Rehearsal playback is performed of a 2-second segment ending at point A.
To cancel the erasure, click
Adjust the starting point (point A). Each click of or in the A-B Erase dialog box moves point A by 1-frame interval* (1 frame = 1/86 second) during stereo recording. You can also slide to the left or right to adjust point A. * In Monaural and LP2 stereo mode : 2-frame intervals In LP4 stereo mode : 4-frame intervals When adjustment of point A is completed, click.
The track starts playing from point A. Clicking or moves the track position backwards or forwards, allowing you locate the ending point (point B) of the erasure easily.
Click when the part of the track that you want to erase finishes playing. The ending point (point B) is set temporarily. Rehearsal playback is performed for about 4 seconds of a segment that begins about 2 seconds before point A and ends about 2 seconds after point B. Adjust the ending point (point B). Adjust the location of point B using point A.

as you did with

When adjustment of point B is completed, click The part from point A to point B is erased.
Adding the fade-in effect after recording
You can add a fade-in effect at the beginning of a track. The fade-in can range from 1 second to 15 seconds. Notes
The fade-in effect cannot be added to a track that has been recorded in an LP mode (LP2 or LP4). While this dialog box is displayed, the MD cannot be operated by the system stereo component.
Please note that it is impossible to undo the results of this MD edit operation.
Open the MD window (page 14). Select the track in the Track Name display in the MD window for which you want to add the fade-in effect. Click the MD edit button. The Fade in dialog box appears, and Rehearsal playback of the track starts.
To cancel the fade-in procedure, click
Adjust the fade-in starting and ending points in three steps. 1 Drag in Start Point to roughly locate the starting point. 2 Drag in Rate to fine-tune the starting point. 3 Click or to adjust the position in increments of 0.1-second within a range of 1 to 15 seconds. Set the fade-in curve type. Select Curve1, Curve2, or Curve3. When the adjustment is completed, click Updating of the track begins.
Adding the fade-out effect after recording

You can add artist names, website URLs, and genres to the disc library.
Open the Disc Library window (page 32). Open the window for the function (audio source) for which disc information is to be recorded. Click the icon. The dialog box for setting disc properties appears.
Enter the artist name and URL, choose the genre, and then click. The settings you entered are reflected in the disc library. Artist names may be entered automatically in the case of CDs containing MP3 files, or CDs containing CD text.
When entering an URL, make sure the URL is related with the artist or the genre. If you click the URL button in the Main bar while the disc is displayed, the website of the URL will be displayed (except for discs displayed in the disc library). You can choose from a supplied set of 148 genres or from a set of six genres provided under the Original Genre tab in the Option dialog box (page 38). Artist names may be entered automatically in the case of CDs containing MP3 files, or CDs containing CD text.
Erasing data in the disc library
You can erase discs in the disc library one by one.
Open the Disc Library window (page 32). In the Function Tree display, click the beginning part of the tree (the letters MD, CD, or PCCD, etc.) in which the disc to be deleted is contained. Click the disc you want to erase. To select multiple discs at the same time, click the discs while holding down the CTRL key. Click Click. to display the Erase dialog box.
You cannot erase data that is currently being used.

Setting optional items

Setting the audio input from the computer
The following setting must be made when you play or record from CDs in the CD-ROM drive of the computer or from music files on the hard disk of your computer. The PC Input tab in the Option dialog box specifies the input terminal of the system stereo component that is connected to the audio output terminal (analog/digital) of the PC cabling kit. Notes
Before setting the audio input, make sure that the input terminal that you want to specify in the PC Input tab is correctly connected to the PC link kit. (For certain system stereo components) If the PC Input setup is not made, your computer continues to play CDs or music files even if you select another function.
Open the Option dialog box (page 38). Click the PC Input tab. A list of the system stereo component input terminals appears. (The actual input terminals that are displayed depend on the audio equipment connected).