Thriftstore find - Yamaha MT400 - Keep or sell?

  • Thread starter Thread starter happycannibal
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happycannibal

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Hey everyone,
Yesterday my son and I were thriftshopping at Goodwill and I came across an old Yamaha MT400 4-track recorder. It's in really good cosmetic shape and I tested the transport controls/recording and it works fine.

Is this machine worth anything or should I just keep the thing? I think if I can get $50 for it on eBay, I'll probably sell it.

Thanks in advance for any input you all have.

blake.
 
If you're new to the game and want a bit of fun or somewhere to put down ideas, go for it.
If not, I'd just pass it on for $50.
The same money could get you a second hand interface for your computer and crystal clear unlimited audio recording, comparatively.

My very first recording experience was on a Yamaha mt120! We paid £25 about 12 years ago!
I never ever made anything that sounded good on that thing, but I was about 15 and knew nothing about anything.
I'm not convinced I could do any better with it now, but who knows what others might say.
 
I made outstanding live recordings on the MT120. Granted, no bouncing tracks or anything - just live to 4 tracks with NR. Under those circumstances, the fidelity certainly does not get in the way of the performance. In fact, the character of the narrow tape + NR sound added useful color.

You'll find some 4-track cassette love here in the anaolg forum. Personally, I dig the sound as long as you use the right tape at 3-3/4 ips and don't bounce tracks. I do digital or open-reel now, but mostly because I've been able to invest in some high-end analog and no one would hire me to record with a cassette format.
 
I think you could get more than $50 on ebay. It's a perfectly nice 4-track that's probably capable of some great recordings. I hate the reputation that cassette 4-tracks get. I think it stems from the fact that most people start out on them right out of the gate, so:

they're often not good musicians yet
they often have crappy other equipment (instruments, mics, etc.)
they have no recording experience

With that combination, you'll get crappy results on any medium.

If you know what you're doing, have good skills, and have good instruments/equipment, those higher-end cassette 4-tracks can get some really good sounds. You just have to know what you're doing. I'm willing to bet nowadays that most people who dismiss these machines either fall into the above category (or did when they used one) or have never even used one.
 
famous beagle said:
they're often not good musicians yet
they often have crappy other equipment (instruments, mics, etc.)
they have no recording experience

With that combination, you'll get crappy results on any medium.

If you know what you're doing, have good skills, and have good instruments/equipment, those higher-end cassette 4-tracks can get some really good sounds. You just have to know what you're doing. I'm willing to bet nowadays that most people who dismiss these machines either fall into the above category (or did when they used one) or have never even used one.
Click to expand...

Those are some very encouraging replies.
I think I fall (fell) into those categories above! :p
 
Thanks everyone for your informative replies. Regarding my experience with recording, I started in the mid 90's with a Tascam 414 for demoing my teenage rock songs. I since have owned a Roland VS840, Roland VS880, Roland VS1880, Fostex MR8, and have a little Reaper setup on my computer. I have always been nostalgic for the old tape 4-track simpler days and actually really like their sound. Since the birth of my son (11 month old), I haven't had much room (physical or mental) for recording music, so I have concluded I'll put the Yamaha up on eBay to hopefully gain some much needed diaper cash!

Thanks again everyone!

blake.
 
Good luck with the sale, and congratulations on becoming a dad! It's the best! :)
 
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