from 8 tracks to 2

[LPK]

My MD8 was working fine just recorded a church group on all 8 tracks. used 3 disk and one song on each disk.
two days later I put in a new data disk and started to record. pressed the record first 2 tracks record button.
After recording the song and started to eject the disk. Got message writing "toc".
And now every time I put in a 8 track data disk it loads the toc and says it is only a two track disk. and I have lost 6 tracks.
I tried two brand new in the wrapper data disk so now have three 8 track disk with only two track recordable.
Oh yes I write protected the the 8track disk of the church group and it loads all 8 tracks and I can mix from it but if I unprotect it it loads only the first two tracks.
Anybody have any ideal to help me out.
Thanks
LPK

 

[A Reel Person]

It sounds like the MD8 is recognizing the Data MD as an Audio MD, by mistake.

I inspected both the MDD and the Audio MD, and the only difference I can see, is that the Minidisc-Data disc has a bevelled front-right corner, where the Audio MD has a more square-rounded corner.

It would be my best guess, that this bevelled front/right corner of the MDD is how the MD8 distinguishes normal Audio MD's from the required Data Minidisc.

My MD8 is in a box now, so I've not pulled it out to inspect the mechanism, but I'd recommend that you inspect the MD8's loader mechanism, inner-right corner, to see if there's a mini-microswitch mechanism in that corner. It may be loose or out of adjustment.

The MD8 obviously uses some kind of sensing switch to tell the difference between the Data MD and the Audio MD. BTW, the Audio MD is the one that will only record 2-tracks/stereo, max, so it's my assumption that the MD8 is erroneously recognizing the MDD as an Audio MD. Sorry, no pics!

That's all I came up with, but it bears our further investigation.

Good luck!