md8 erases blank space across all tracks!

[catdog]

While in the middle of working on a song I'd sweated blood over, my good ol' md8 erased a blank spot across all 8 tracks, and then did it again after I copied/moved the song, repaired the blank space as best I could, and started again in the new spot. I've heard about this problem in early md8's, but mine has only done it a few times (four, now) over the two years I've had it, in which time I've done tons of tracking. The Yamaha tech guy via email said that since it had only happened a few times and sporadically that it was probably bad discs and not the unit. Anyone have any experience with this? I've only bought 15 discs or so, so I'd hate to think that the rate for bad discs is that high (2/15)... do these units do this because of bad discs, or is it only the early units with the motherboard problem or whatever that erase a half-second blank spot over all 8 tracks? HEP ME! Thanks.

 

[The Green Hornet]

YO CATDOG DUDE:]

When you record one or two tracks at the same time and want to add more tracks, YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RECORDED TRACKS ARE SWITCHED TO THE CUE MODE. If you do not switch RECORDED tracks to CUE when you are overdubbing, you will lose data, some or all of it. This happened to me a couple of times when I forgot to go to CUE for finished tracks.

In THE CUE mode, while you're adding tracks, the volume, EQ, ect., means nothing; you just need to hear the recorded tracks as you add in the next track, like a vocal or a horn solo or guitar solo.

Then, when you're all done recording, you SHUT DOWN the CUE MODE, push in the PLAYBACK buttons, and set your levels for mixing to whatever.

No, man, you can't have all bad discs. If it isn't what I've described above, then you have something wrong with your gear. As for the Yam techs, they speak in English but think in Japanese. [like their manuals]

You can take a vacuum cleaner and carefully vacuum your discs and CAREFULLY, vacuum the insert tray for the disc; less dust is good. I've had a couple of "disc errors" and put the vacuum to work; it seemed to have stopped the problem. Now, I use the vacuum cleaner before I start if I've been out of the studio for a few days.

Hope this helps,

Green Hornet