Music Center for PC

Music Center for PC

Music Center for PC version 2.0
Developer(s)	Sony
Initial release	August 29, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-08-29)[1]
Stable release	2.7.0 / March 21, 2024; 10 months ago (2024-03-21)
Operating system	Windows (8.1, 10, 11)
Predecessor	Media Go / x-APP
Type	Music player
License	Freeware
Website	www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/MC4PC020001

Music Center for PC is a music player and transfer software for Microsoft Windows, developed by Sony and first released in 2017.[2]

Overview

The software was created to replace Media Go and x-APPLICATION (Japanese: x-アプリ). Unlike those, Music Center for PC only focuses on audio and as a result it has had several features removed,[1] such as CD burning, or non-audio media functionalities like photo or video playback and transfer.[3] It is also not compatible for transfer with phones or consoles, but only with audio devices like Walkman,[4] home stereos and theater systems, active speakers, and others.[5]

Version 1.0 of Music Center for PC is based on x-APPLICATION (and in turn, SonicStage).[1] Version 2.0 was released in late 2018 and had a major overhaul of the user interface[6] developed on Electron.[1] Additionally there is now also support for DSEE HX.[3]

Gracenote tagging of music is also integrated into Music Center for PC.[7] The mora music store is also integrated for Japanese customers to directly purchase music.[8]

Format support

Music Center for PC supports the playback of numerous formats including high-resolution audio, namely: ATRAC (.oma/.aa3), ATRAC Advanced Lossless (.oma/.aa3), WAV (.wav), MP3 (.mp3), AAC (.3gp/.mp4/.m4a), HE-AAC (.3gp/.mp4/.m4a), WMA (.wma), DSD (.dsf/.dff), FLAC (.flac), MQA (.mqa.flac), APE (.ape), ALAC (.mp4/.m4a) and AIFF (.aiff/.aif).[9]

It can also play audio CDs, but ripping a CD is only possible into FLAC, WAV, MP3 or AAC formats.[9]

References

1. neko. "ソニーの音楽管理ソフト「Music Center for PC」と「x-アプリ」（提供終了）の違い". えらびかた erabicat.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-05-16.
2. "Discontinuation of Media Go - Welcome Music Center for PC! - 18th October 2017 | Sony UK". www.sony.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
3. "What is the difference between "Music Center for PC" and "Media Go"? | Sony Latin America". www.sony-latin.com. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
4. "Discontinuation of Media Go - Welcome Music Center for PC! - 18th October 2017 | Sony UK". www.sony.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
5. "Supported Devices (Music Center for PC Ver.1.0) | Sony UK".
6. "ソニー、音楽再生/管理アプリ「Music Center for PC」にUX/UI "根本的見直し" のバージョン2.0". PHILE WEB (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-05-16.
7. ryu (2021-07-12). "Gracenoteでタイトルを取得する方法 Music Center for PC". とは (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-05-16.
8. "はじめての音楽ダウンロード｜音楽ダウンロード・音楽配信サイト mora ～WALKMAN®公式ミュージックストア～". mora ～WALKMAN®公式ミュージックストア～ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-05-16.
9. "Main features/Specifications | Sony UK". www.sony.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-05-16.