Just got a cassette four-track...

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forsaknazrael

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I'm on a budget, so to speak, so I got a used old Yamaha MT100 Multitrack recorder for about 40 bucks.
So far, I've kinda gotten the hang of it, and I mic my amp to record stuff, and it sounds alright.
I'd just like to know if anyone has any tips for me or some general know-how about this model.
 
I don't know anything about that particular model...but I used to own a Tascams 4 track cassette mixer. It was pretty fun.

So, this one you have is a cassette, as in the old tapes that were around before cd's?
 
Yamaha MT-100-II

1) Always use High Bias/Type II (Chrome) tapes.
2) Always leave the dbx noise reduction ON.
3) Always use the High Speed setting.....................;)
 

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Yamaha MT-100

..................;)
 

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A Reel Person said:
1) Always use High Bias/Type II (Chrome) tapes.
2) Always leave the dbx noise reduction ON.
3) Always use the High Speed setting.....................;)
Click to expand...

4) Listen to Dave. He has some good tunes up, recorded on analog. He might have a clue as to help you..... ;) :D
 
Thanks for the tips. I had heard that quality tapes were very important.
Problem is, these days, cassettes aren't regularly available in normal shops. Should I just get them online?

Does the MT100 allow for simultaneous recording?
Also, can I mix tracks at all on it? I really have no clue how to work the thing outside of just straightforward recording.

Monkey Allen: Yep. Cassettes. Ancient.

Also, what's the best way to get my tapes to some manner of digital media?
 
forsaknazrael said:
Thanks for the tips. I had heard that quality tapes were very important.
Problem is, these days, cassettes aren't regularly available in normal shops. Should I just get them online?

Does the MT100 allow for simultaneous recording?
Also, can I mix tracks at all on it? I really have no clue how to work the thing outside of just straightforward recording.

Monkey Allen: Yep. Cassettes. Ancient.

Also, what's the best way to get my tapes to some manner of digital media?
Click to expand...
There's a few free programs, and several that cost money. I'll let someone else chime in on the free ones, as I don't use them, so know nothing about them. I think N-track is free. You can use whatever comes with your soundcard, but it may be iffy, at best. Some cd burning software will also let you do it. I'd look into some decent software, that will allow more flexability. It will give you the ability to add some FX, and mix with it.
 
Well, I mean, specifically, to put my analog stuff on my PC.

Do I run it through my soundcard, or something?
 
I don't own a MT-100 & I've not studied it closely, but...

a friend of mine left me with his MT-120 that suffered a drop and needs some repair. From what I can tell, this series of recorders will record up to 2 tracks simultaneously in Buss-L/R mode, and up to 4 tracks simultaneously in Direct mode.

I've been picking up a few Sony High Bias 90's from Walmart, (CD-it,... I think),... but there's a great site that sells cassette tapes for great deals:
www.tape.com I think the Emtec CE-II/60's are the best deal at $2/10-pack,... and Emtec's a high quality brand name. They have other brands/models of cassette tapes for reasonable prices, too, (Maxell/TDK).

Yes, you can mix down on the unit, itself.

If you do your entire recording on the Mt100 to 4-tracks on cassette, you may then mix down to stereo, and dub that onto your typical 'puter (with recording software), then burn cds on the 'puter of the mixes. All that's needed is a simple RCA-to-1/8" stereo Y-cable adapter, to connect the outputs of the MT100 to your typical soundcard's Line-In.

Thanx Dogman, eh!

PS: the Yamaha website has all the users manuals for their old products:
(MT100 User's Manual):
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/Documents/ProAudio/MT100.pdf
 
Really? The manual? That is useful information.
Thanks for the link, I'll definitely use that.

Alright, cool, I was hoping it would be as simple as using a converter. I got one of those.
 
I've got a MT120 and ues it frequently for remote recording, it's a lot easier to move around than a pc. It's easy to transfer the recordings to PC, just conect the stereo line out on the deck to the aux in on your soundcard, then record to PC the same as you normally would. I know that a lot of people on the forum discourage the use of these types of recording machines but for some applications they work great.
Afew tips for using...Keep the recording heads clean, at least once for every 20 minutes of recording time (between each take if possible) Use chrome tapes at the high speed setting, regular tapes will work and wont hurt the machine but will not have the same clarity and will have a lot more background noise. Use a preamp (even the line out from a PA system) especially for vocals. Do not set the unit on top of an amp or speaker cab (viberations cause a lot of waiver on the tape) place the unit on foam or a piece of carpet on a solid table. If you bounce tracks remember they will be panned to one side. Try to keep your recording volune levels set to around 70% for maximum clarity. Lighten up a little on bass parts, these types of machines tend to get a little boomy and a bad bass line will muddy up the rest of the recording. I hope some of this helps. These types of recorders work fairly well for getting the "60s garage band" kind of sound, (add a compressor and you have as much as a lot of studios had back then) so experiment and have fun. (OK, i exagerated, 60s studios had a bit more but most of them were only 4 track analog untill Tom Dowd introduced them to 8 track)
 
Use a preamp, eh? so like, plug it into something else, like a PA, and just have it line out from there and record that?
I'm not really familiar with how to record vocals, so what exactly do you mean?
 
Hey, that first picture is the exact unit I got back in 1990, when I was 13 years old, wow takes me back!

Had alot of fun with that unit.

A Reel Person said:
1) Always use High Bias/Type II (Chrome) tapes.
2) Always leave the dbx noise reduction ON.
3) Always use the High Speed setting.....................;)
Click to expand...
 
I have the Yamaha MT120, first off I would like to say that this should not be a permanent choice for somebody, but is very good to start out with with a pair of headphones and a few Shure mics lying around. I would eventually look into computer recording, although it is a bottomless pit. But for writing purposes, this is good for you. I would definitly get the higher quality tapes and higher quality microphone cords make the world of difference. Although I am not completely sure, but the MT100 does not have XLR inputs am I correct? good microphone cables will be very important here. And seeing as how you are limited to channels, when recording with a four track analog, I would record 3 of my parts, and then mix them together to a desirable level, and then bounce everything over to one track by just recording all tracks to one, play it back with a quarter inch cable running everything into it. Now you have 3 other tracks. This was a technique commonly used in the earlier days of analog where tracks were very limited. I must say though, its a good thing to start off with for $40.00. If you have any other questions, drop me a message. Hope this helps
 
I'd respectfully disagree on whether using a preamp or PA as preamp is a good idea.

The MT-series of recorders are made to accept mic~line signals through the basic inputs. Granted, the MT100 mixer is not very generous on features, (no EQ), but I'd be concerned that if you used a preamp or PA (especially), you'd run the risk of improper gain staging, which in turn would risk burning out the inputs of the MT-100.

...

Yeah, the MT100II is a nicer unit than the MT100(std),... (has somewhat better features). I couldn't find any difference between the MT100II and the MT120, (based on the picture, above).

...

Just MO,... that it's probably best to start off with using the basic functions of the unit. Not that having a preamp is a bad idea, but it's another consideration on how & when to integrate additional gear, (cost & technical issues). The MT-series units were made to be a self-contained solution, (Portastudio-clone).

I've heard of several cases where improper use of preamps has burned out inputs on porta's,... not as a rule,... but as a common concern. The power-out of a PA would be a no-no, but a proper "line-level" output of a PA would be as workable as an external preamp signal, (which should be used with caution).

The MT100 begs the issue needing EQ & better features, which might be addressed by a preamp unit or sourcing a porta' with more high-end features. YMMV. (It seems kinda silly to get a $40 recorder & have to buy a $99 preamp for it!!) :eek:

If you use a preamp for sonic improvement, use extreme caution with the gain staging of these units. When properly staged, a preamp may boost the sonics of the basic MT100 recording, which may be great, but as the MT100's a self-contained unit, this is an add-on and not a necessity.

If it were up to me, I'd be inclined trade the MT100 up for a more capable porta. However, a mic preamp or accessory or two is an acceptible upgrade to the MT100, if used with caution.

I guess I'm on the fence about mic preamps fronting porta's,... (as I've heard too many horror stories).

I know this is your first starter unit,... (and the price was right!), so the objective is to learn the ropes, have fun & create great sounding tapes!!

Good luck!

;)
 
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Definitely not a permanent choice, I just don't make alot of money, so 40 bucks seemed reasonable to me.

You make alot of sense when you say a 99 buck premp seems silly to buy when the 4 track was 40....Maybe i'll just record everything, kinda seperately, and just import it all onto my computer, and then mess EQ and whatnot on there.
 
Sure!

The best thing about home recording, is that there's no one "right" solution for e'body. You do whatever works best! :eek: ;)
 
Why not just, like, record everything straight into the computer?
 
Sorry if i wasn't clear about conecting a PA to your recorder. Never use a power (speaker) line out, use the line out or monitor out to the input on your recorder and you should be fine. You can also use the line out from an amp, this works well for seperation of parts (bass, guitar etc..) Here is a link to one i recorded on a MT120 useing line out from PA for vocals, line out from bass amp, and 2 room mics. http:www.soundclick.com/sixfeetover It's not great but should give you some idea of the sort of stuff you can get from these types of machines.
 
Old Yamaha four tracker at your service.

forsaknazrael said:
Well, I mean, specifically, to put my analog stuff on my PC.

Do I run it through my soundcard, or something?
Click to expand...

I had a blast working with my Yamaha 4-track (mine was a little different model but a 4-trk none the less.
I went and bought an AUDIGY SOUND BLASTER card (with the external connection box)for my P.C. and plugged the 4-trk directly into it to dump my material on to CD. If you use the right tapes, keep the heads de-magnatized and clean, it is amazing how good of quality you can get out of one of those little machines.
 
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