MD8 Recording Media

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mikeh

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Can a standard Mini disk (re: 74min) work on the MD8?

I don't own an MD8 - my guitar player wants to record some gigs, using his MD8 - but given 8 track recording only gives 18min we would need a whole lot of disks.

He claims only a specific data disk (vs mini disk) works on his machine and there is no "format option" to format a mini disk. He seems to think this "data disk" can only be obained through a Yamaha dealer. I just can't believe the recording media would be that limited.

If he is right, that only a data disk (vs. mini disk) will work - can anybody suggest the best place to buy these disks at some type of volumn discount (like buying 50 at a time)?

We could use an ADAT I have laying around - but the media for ADATs ain't that cheap either (and would take up a whole lotta room).

Thanks for any help you can offer.
 
:D Yo Mik-EH?

You can use two types of minidiscs on the MD8; you can use the DATA disc which will record 8 tracks whichever way you want; you can use a two track disc which will record on one track, then the other, or two at once.

But, if you use the DATA disc, that is 8 track territory; however, would you be recording all 8 tracks at once? Nay. I think not.

You might record keys and drums on two tracks and then add {overdub} other tracks like horn, bass, and maybe voice/vocals.

The best DATA disc is Sony; I have some TKD discs I got from Musician's Friend through a phoney ADVERTISING SCHEME; they work so far; but, I would never buy any DATA disc except Sony in the future; however, the future of my MD8 is limited as I'm expecting to get the AW Yam 2816 digital 16 track/CDRW box soon.

If I can help you out further, give me a track.


Green Hornet:D :D :p
 
Green Hornet, thanks for the reply. Actually we were looking to record all eight tracks at once - we wanted to do a live recording of some gigs, and have some mixing control.

We have recorded stereo several times and get good results but what ever ends up on tape is what it is. We would like to at least be able to bring different things up or down in the mix.

At least I now know that 8 tracks can't be done until we get more data disks. Thanks for the advice on the Sony vs. TDK. I had already told my guitar player to check out Musicians Friend.
 
Heya, Mike? I use the MD-8 like you do, it works GREAT for that app. I suggest half-normalling your inserts for each track and using a 1/4" snake to get to your MD-8. If you have a sustain pedal for a keyboard (or not, they're like $14.95 anywhere), then you can use it for the stop/start on your recordings, which helps when you're jamming for a long time but just want to get the real JUICE on tape. Yes, only 18 minutes, but think of that as one song. If you have time left, bonus for solo projects that you can control the length on. But I'd try and have a fresh disk for each song, in case they jam on...

5 pack Sony DataMD's: $75 (in-town store. online a little better, but... s n a i l m a i l).

If you don't mind me asking, what mixer is your band using right now? If I had a CD burner in the barn, we'd have some awesome mixes from the CFX-16's built-in effects. If that's kinda what you've got, the MD-8 is the perfect missing link.

I wish they'd update the ATRAC and somehow make the MD-8 CD-based. THAT'D be awesome. You could get an hour and a half of 8-tracking on there using the MD compression technique. Not bad; I'd do it if there were an easy upgrade for it.

You'll like the MD-8. Let us know how it goes!

p.s.: How big is your band? We have a core of 3 people, with two "extras" at any time, and it BARELY squeezes in there. 2 drum overheads, 1 kick, 1 bass, 1 guitar, 1 lead vocal, 1 keyboard, and 1 lead. That's a full MD-8 disk there, and we haven't touched backups yet. BUT, most of the "jam" stuff is going to be core instruments, and you can add the other stuff later on (like the lyrics after you get PLASTERED later on that night. just watch your beer while you're recording, lol).
 
Kelly, we're useing the Mackie 808S (we don't run stereo, we use the second "amp section" for monitor mix).

We are a 3 piece (guitar bass and drums - 2 vocals) and occasionally have a 4th (chick singer/rhythem guitar).

If we record as a 3 piece we eat up 4 tracks for the guitar, bass and 2 vocals. If we record as a 4 piece we eat up 6 tracks (another guitar and vocal). That leaves either 4 or 2 tracks for drums.

I will probably use a Mackie 1604 to submix the drums (4 close mics and 2 area mics). I normally submix my drums, to the main mixer anyway, so I'm sure I can get an even drum mix - we just need to have better control on the mix for the guitars and vocals.

The main reason for recording is to get a "demo" CD for getting more gigs, but we have had people express an interest in buying a CD, so it would be nice to have something to sell from stage.

We have to do a live recording, cause we all work day gigs and freelance in various bands, so there is no way we could find time to do an actual studio project.

I'm sure the MD8 will give us a good product - I just wish we could get more recorded time on a disk. We don't do extended jams, so we can proably get 3 songs per disk, but that still equates to a whole lotta disks for a whole show (or even part of a show)
 
Heya, Mike.

Here's how we have the CFX-16 setup. It allows for stereo spread while performing and we use the inserts for recording. It's an 8-track snake, with color-coded 1/4"s. Here's a picture:

Crud, image tags aren't supported in this forum. Here's a link.

http://home.hiwaay.net/~kellyh/Closeup_Board.gif

Tracks 8 and 9 are the drum overheads, they should have colored snake inputs (it looks like we were just picking up ambient drums because of the other stuff we had going on at this time). But you get the idea.

I like the CFX for playing because it has JUST enough of everything that we use. Notice that the inserts are half-normalled (that the 1/4"s are not all the way in). This allows them to become direct outs. When the preamps are set just right, it's BUTTAH, and the MD-8 does little or no work (preamp wise). I recommend getting a picture of your board when it sounds (and is set up) just right. That way you can hand it to a monkey when you next set up and not worry about having to be THAT GUY setting up the mixer.

Dig it.
 
Thanks for the info. Great idea about taking a picture of the board. I did some sub work for a band this summer, and the regular sound guy couldn't make the gig, the fill in sound guy had no idea what went where (nor did anyone in the band).

They gave me a bundle of 8 cables (duct taped together - no color codes, no nothing) and a cable tester. They expected me to figure out which cable should be kick, snare, etc.

I spent five minutes, on a dark stage trying to test the cables, said screw this, hooked up my submix, fed them 1 mono send, told them to plug it into whatever channel they wanted and went to sit at the bar. We started about 45 minutes late while they screwed around with the snake and the mixer.

A good example where color coded cables and a picture could have saved a whole lotta headache. Everything in my studio is color coded with a master diagram - I'll be taking pictures very soon.
 
Yeah, those pictures also help when you don't want to sit and guard your stuff. We have open practices on Friday nights, and whoever wants to sit in is welcome. Unfortunately, the sit-ins generally bring their GF or buddies, and soon you have Delaymania goin' on (you know, everyone playing with delay to an annoying degree). Used to be I'd ask them to get off and reset the board, but nowadays I walk out to the campfire and start cooking wings or doing some HEAVY drinking. As long as one of us is in the barn to control the volume, I don't care what dials they twist. The pictures are there for fixin', and the guests have a good time comin' over (which is fine, in the end. everybody has fun, which is the point).

No anxiety that way. Beats spending 5 mins trying to write it all down, that's for sure.
 
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