Understanding the Yamaha 4416... Possible?

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Titanship

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Yo Yamaha people,
As I look at the possibility of buying a 4416, I see where many people have trouble figuring the darn thing (manual?) out. What gives? I'm technically challanged as is, and I don't need a few nerd Jap's screwing with my head because they lost the war.

If I buy one, and have trouble, is there a user forum available that you know of?
Thanks much!
Titan
 
Titanship,

http://www.socialentropy.com/aw4416/

has a 4416 specific messageboard and some other resources that you might be interested in (such as an app that extracts wave files from backups). It doesn't get near the traffic that HR does but is an alternate source to ask questions.

Pete
 
Yo Titan of the Ship::::]]]

The Yamaha 4416 and 2816 operate in a similar fashion. The routing systems still kind of mystify me; however, I can mix down and burn CD's and the sound results are GREAT.

Also, you can run 24 bit out the back of the either box into cassette tape and the sound is very good depending on your tape deck.

The manual for the 2816 isn't very good. As well, I assume the 4416's manual is a vacuum. But, you can get help here from folks, like Burgundy Band, and me.

You will need to buy a UPS power supply if you get either unit. They don't tell you that in the promos. But, if you are recording and the power goes out, as it does here often, you will lose your work and, possible, screw up the HD. So, for a "few dollars more," you need the back up power supply. Mine gives me 11 minutes and it only takes 15 seconds to shut down the 2816 or 4416.

The shut/down info was on page "12" of the manual for the 2816 and that is a vacuum. I'm glad I waited about 33 days before I turned on the unit because if you don't shut the unit down in sequence, as per the directions, you can screw up the HD.

Other than those anomalies, the 2816 is a great unit. You will love its ability to do CD's. And, it doesn't take too long to outwit the guys at Yam who tried to write the manual.

Hope this helps you.

Green Hornet:D :D :D :p :p :p :p
 
I've had my aw4416 for a little over a year now. It is an awesome machine. And it makes great recordings. There is a big learning curve.... but it is well worth your time.

Not long after I had it.. Yamaha sent me an "add on" to the manual. Overall... the manual is not as bad as has been stated in my opinion. Grant it.. there is some stuff that it doesn't discuss... but it covers most things. The biggest curve is just understanding the software. It's like buying excel, or access, or some other software that you've never ever used. The more you use it... the more it makes sense... and the more things you find that it can do. Yamaha has also sent me 3 software upgrades since I got the machine. All have loaded easily with absolutely no problem.

But the other poster was right... mix down.. burning a CD. Straight forward, easy, and sounds as good as you are. It will not be in anyway a limitation to your sound quality.

I would replace mine tomorrow if something happened to it.
 
Yo KJam of Catch 22:]

I'd replace my 2816 if I had some catastrophy as it is quite similar to your 4416 except for the number of faders.

Do you use a UPS in case you lost power while recording?

As I read the manual, damage could occur to the HD if this happens and you would probably lose your current data, if not all of it on the HD.

It took me a while to get operational with the unit but, as you state, it is a great box. I still don't quite fathom all of the routing avenues but when something happens, I just keep pushing buttons until I get it right.

Green Hornet:D :D :p :p :p :cool:
 
I've considered buying the 4416, however I am sketchy as I read more and more posts about pre-amps. How are the preamps in this thing?

AND

I've also heard a million different stories from people regarding my concern to record 16 tracks at the same time and hhave play-back while recording with all 16. I know I probably won't use 16, but just incase I for some reason have the whole band recording all at once, I want to have 16 mic's recording at the same time, with all of them being able to hear the others and themselves in the headphones. I think a guy needs to buy the Analog 8 imput card...am I right?


Thanks if you answer this. Greg.
 
Yo Greg of Wor:

The preamps in the 2816 are good. Of course there are outboard mic pres that are VERY GOOD, alas but expensive.

I'm looking at the Grace Design 101 mic pre which has very good reviews but is a bit more than an ART dual which I have in my studio.

I think there is a difference between gain and smooth gain and that difference is usually $$$.

I wonder how many folks really record 16 tracks at once? I know studio musicians and they record parts and those parts are later mixed. Like, they can call a dude in California and have him do a horn part there and then, later, it can be mixed into the final tune.

Seems that the more mics you plug in, the tougher the recording task becomes.

But, the 4416 and 2816 are fine sounding boxes not impossible to get through the learning curve.

Green Hornet
:D :D :p :p :cool:
 
I don't use a backup power source. I probably should though. Not a bad idea at all.

Here is a link to a song I recorded on the 4416 in my home studio. Contemporary christian lyrics.... and dylan style voice you'll have to get past.... but you can hear a pretty good mix... and it was all done on the 4416.

http:\\members.cox.net\kjam22\index
 
pretty good mix. fairly good dylan imitation. Bob didn't last long in the Christian circles though. Hope you do better. :>)
 
I own the AW4416. It is a very capable piece of recording equipment. It is also a challenge to learn for a beginner. Perhaps an education in recording in of itself. I wish that it was more focussed for the simple minded such as myself. I hoped that I would become inspired, turn it on, push a button and make a beautiful recording. I still find myself struggling with the thing, and divining why it does not respond as I think it should. I am getting better. As the other participants related, the final recording and cd's shound great. It offers allot of room to grow.
 
Those translated Japanese manuals, especially on synths! Roland, Korg, Yamaha... all pretty much incomprehensible. Now, whatever else you might think about Greg Mackie - he can write one hell of a manual!!!
 
Even the guitars come from that machine?
Pretty good if they do.
 
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