WHAZZZZZZZZZZZUP with you MD8 folks?

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The Green Hornet

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Yo NILBOG:

Must be that everyone who owns an MD-8 knows how to do everything. Yea, verily, it is a simple box to begin with; however, it it complicated in certain aspects.

So, I'll give this problem to all you expert MD-8 users.

How in the hell do you bounce a track or copy a recorded track on the virtual tracks of the MD-8. Like, you know, when you want to do a vocal and you do one, how do you do seven more on the same track.

Please,,,,,give me a one, two , three, four, step progression rather than theory.

Thanks, because I don't know how to really use all of the features of this nice box which I don't think I'll be using too much longer. I long for the 24 bit recording stuff. Please, I hope they have shortened the menus for 24 bit recorders.

Green Hornet
 
16 bit

Yo Greeney,

Are you dissatisfied with the sound of the MD-8? Would you attribute it to the ATRAC, or the fact that it's 16 bit, the analog mixer, the analog output, or have you just outgrown it? Which 24 bit machine are you considering? Have you had any trouble with it outside of the self destructing pre-amp syndrome? No more questions.

TTFN
Twist
 
the atrac is very noticeable vs adat. I use mine strictly for a note pad.
 
Yo Twisty:

No. I still like using the MD-8; only thing is that technology moves forward in electronics and those 24 bit boxes are pretty darned nice.

I've had no real trouble with my MD-8. Got the "disc error" message once while recording; used my vacuum cleaner to get the dust out of the disc and gently vacuumed the MD-8's disc holder. No more disc error and I'm still using the same disc.

I'm sure Yamaha programs their products to age quickly so they can sell updates or just plain better boxes. That's the way it goes.

Hey man, you must be a fan of Chubby Checker....

Green Hornet
 
Yo Green One,

CHUBBY CHECKER? DUDE IS OLD!

But seriously, spill the beans. Do you think most of the people around here for example - people with at least some experience with sound/recording equipment, if listening to a recording made on the MD without an A/B comparison to a recording made on something without ATRAC would say " Man that sounds like crap." or would they seldom even notice? (Wow! Run on sentence!) I do not wish to include people who would be considered to be experts in this question, as they obviously have a more trained ear for the subtle differences. But really, is it that obvious when ATRAC is used?
Twist

P.S. How's Kato?
 
Yo Twisty:

Probably anyone who has used 24 bit or higher recording gear would definitely say that the MD-8 is of less quality than the up gear boxes with better bits.

But, when you use some good techniques and a good mic pre for vocals, and a good reverb box, you can get some nice stuff from the MD-8.

I just figured out how to erase a track part on the MD-8. It takes a while for the track to erase -- it's not as fast as erasing the entire disc; however, I needed to do some drum sounds for a site member from the Boss 770; so I did them on one track; when I was finished, I didn't need that track so I erased it. The key for that is to punch in and IN point, then the OUT point or quit-erasing point, and, bingo, it's done.

But, back to your point, the non-compressed boxes probably make a better product. But, it is hard to get hands on demonstrations unless you find a store in your area, like Full Compass or Sweetwater where you can go there and ask for a demo.

Finally, the MD-8 isn't the best box for sure; however, it is a fairly easy box to start with right out of the carton.

I'm sure an Adat or the new Yam 44 whatever, or the Roland new 24 bit box will do a better job in the sound final department. Will let you know when I buy a better box.

Got to run, Kato is trying to steal my last three ounces of Gin for a martini which I need right now.

Green Hornet

PS No run-on sentences please; I just finished a career correcting those mothers at the college level of English Composition.

GH

[Edited by The Green Hornet on 10-20-2000 at 17:32]
 
Erasing or recording right over the track....

To add to my last post:

You engineers new to the MD-8: It doesn't really make any difference to the MD-8: you can record right over a given track; or, you can erase that track utilizing the punch in and out buttons -- easy to do; just read the pages in the manual regarding "partial erasure."

Erasing the entire data disc takes about 3 seconds. Erasing one or two or three tracks using the in/out punch-in takes longer and the disc spins slowly, like when it's recording, to erase those designated tracks.

So, take your pick and experiment; I'm finding the manual isn't as bad as I thought; I guess I'm getting familiar with the box.

Enjoy and have a good new week.

Green Hornet
 
Hey Gang,
I haven't been using th MD8 very long but I think it really kicks ass! I just got a NT1 mic and that made a huge difference in my vocal recording. I guess I don't know what the ATRAC is supposed to sound like, but I don't hear anything except exactly what I recorded. In a world where a mic alone cost more than the MD8 I feel it is a perfect solution for guys like me who like the familiar mixer setup and general ease of use. I looked at some other models that are all menu driven but I'm just not that into it to want to read/learn about all that stuff. With this thing you just hit record and your making a recording!
I figured out how to use group mode and I have my effects loops hooked up through AUX1 and AUX2 and the I/O's on tracks 1 and 2. So far I'm using Midi background tracks running stereo on 2 tracks, lead and harmony vocals on 2 tracks, and pedal steel guitar through 2 amps running stereo effects, mic'd with 1 mic through 1 track. I ran the steel stereo into the board but I think it sounded better through the amps, kinda facing each other in a "V" shape with both speakers pointed at the mic. So far I haven't read anything about ping-ponging. I've been mostly just recording and mixing down some easy stuff to get used to how to set all the levels and stuff.
When I bought the NT1 I also bought 10 TDK140 mini data disks and they were $9.98 each at guitar center (they list them at $12.99 ea.). Is this a good price or is there a better place to get MDD's from?
I would say if you know what ATRAC is and it offends you, you have alot of other choices. I just wanted to get a home recorder a notch up from cassette, and it seemed like the best deal and easiest to use unit in my price range.
The guy at the store sells the Rolands and Korgs and a few others but he said for stuff at this level of technology the MD8 is the best sounding and easiest to hook up and use. I have to agree.
I'm sure I'll have questions soon!
-pete
 
Yo Pedro:

Nice to hear that you are having so much fun with the MD-8; that's what it is for -- FUN; and, with good periphial equipment, you can get some pretty good results.

Don't depend upon bouncing; when you bounce, like two tracks or three tracks down to one track, you LOSE CONTROL OF MIXING THOSE TWO/THREE SEPARATE TRACKS; your bounced track is the only one you can EQ and you may not want the drums or vocal or horn solo eq'd the same way, or have the same reverb input.

I've found that 8 tracks are plenty to do, plenty. I would imagine if I had 12 or 16 tracks, I might be able to create more; however, I don't do stuff for television; hence, 8 tracks are plenty for me. NO BOUNCING. This way, I can tweak each track exactly the way I want to. Mostly, I tweak bass lines so I can pump up a pffatt sound by lowering the hi and increasing the low EQ.

But, it's such a world of experimentation that who knows what you will discover tomorrow.

Have Phoon,

Green Hornet
 
I've had my MD8 for about a year and a half and am still completely satisfied with it. I know the sound is compressed for the md format but so f'in what! It sounds awesome compared to any tape format I've used and if you have any brains at all, you'll be up and recording within minutes.
Might I recommend getting a footswitch. The auto punch feature is bad-ass, but sometimes it's alittle difficult to find your place in the 5 or so seconds it gives you before record starts. Footswitches are relatively cheap and if you do any overdubbing and punch-ins, it quickly becomes your best friend. Unless, of course, you have three arms.
 
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