yamaha md4

[David Lockwood]

Howdy:
I have an interesting question regarding my yamaha md4 and md8. I have heard that it is possible to slave these to machines together for a possible of 12 track recording. However, I have been unable to do this. I've read through both manuals of the two machines and I can't find anywhere how to do this. I was thinking about selling my md4 because I no longer use it. It is still a great mini disc recorder for anyone wanting to record digital. It has been barely used. E-mail me if interested. Thanks...
David.

 

[Andy Martin]

Lord Atrac invites you to join the Atrac order..

This is rumour control! Some of the brothers have been caught trying to syncronise MD8´s and MD4´s together. This is a waste of time and clarification is needed on this point - so let us be clear:

Unfortunately the MD8 does not receive MIDI sync! Although it will recieve MMC (MIDI Machine Control) commands. MD4´s will however syncronise together by setting one unit as the master and the other as the slave. The master sends Midi Time code and the slave is set to recieve it.

Our thanks are now due to Brother Brian - who has found a way that works consistantly.

You will need a start/stop footswitch, a 1/4 Y-adapter (all female if possible will work best, otherwise 2 male, 1 female), and 2 patch cords to connect to the MD8 (they MUST be the same length, 1-2 ft is usually sufficient).

Depending on the Y-adapter and patch cords you have, you may also need some 1/4-1/4 couplers.

Plug the footswitch into the single end of the Y-adapter. Using the patch cords (and maybe couplers), plug the other ends of the adapter into the footswitch jack on each MD8. You're all done.

A few notes though:

One unit may be a few milliseconds off from the other. This is normal and will be constant every time.

You will not be able to "sync" in the middle of the song due to the offset.

Due to the offset, you will also need to mark your discs and recorders so you know wich one goes in wich recorder. If you mix them up, the two discs will sound out of sync.

This method does reduce some of the functionality of the MD8, but it does work. Brother Brian has used it many times to record a few local bands.

Lord Atrac ( aka Andy Martin )

See also: http://www.minidisc.org/yamaha_cata_md8.pdf (See midi diagram)

 

[A Reel Person]

Okay,...

I know the MD8 sends MTC as master, but it won't slave.
If the MD4 can play MTC as master and slave, what's stopping you from configuring the MD8 as master and the MD4 as slave?
Just on the logic of your statements, this should work, but I'll have to check into to the MD4 more to verify it.

 

[A Reel Person]

I just did a quick check of the MD4 manual.

The MD4 is the same as the MD8, that it will server as MTC master, but NOT as MTC slave. I'm afraid there's no way to sync the MD4 and MD8 together.

Maybe Lord Atrac's thinking of the Fostex FD-4, which will serve as MTC master or slave.

 

[Andy Martin]

This is Rumour control...

Brethren, your attention is required.

Once again, there has been idle talk and worrying rumours circulating that are causing some distress and nervousness amongst you. Let me re-state what I have said before:

There is no way that an Md8 will midi-sync with another one - neither will it run along with an Md4. Read your manuals in the distasteful section concerning midi time code!

My eager helper "Reel Person" has obviously been spending too much time with brother "Green Hornet" and I have already fobidden these rumours to be bandied about.

Brother Brian has devised a quasi-midi method that seems to work, using a footswitch to run the two machines at the same time. And whilst he is the first to admit there is some time delay - we are talking in milliseconds of course - he deserves to be commended for at least finding a reasonable solution.

Once again, I will se-state the position: The Md8 is not a "slaveable" device where midi is concerned - it is a MASTER that will trigger other midi devices but not a fellow Md8 or Md4. However, an Md4 WILL trigger another Md4.

In this way, one Md4 will send a midi signal to another Md4 which will recieve such a command. This compatibility does not exist between Md8´s - so it is no use scouring the Japlish manuals or the small print! No amount of hopeful searching will reveal a solution! Have I made myself clear brothers ?

I, Lord Atrac, have already solved the "unsolveable" question that has been vexing you all for so long, thanks to Brother Brian who visited the inner sanctum and risked my foreskin being drawn back and the snake head tattoo to be fully revealed if he had been wrong! He was not wrong brethren. He left the inner sanctum without anything unpleasant happening to his gonads or minidisc because I personally checked his methods and these are not in question.

Ergo, I have added the "syncronisation" decree to the "new" manual, which as you know, I am busy re-writing in the inner sanctum.

I require no further "guidance" or comment on the matter and consider this subject to be closed, once and for all. Any confusion that lingers on does not come from my words, decrees or anything written by me. Of this, you can be certain.

What I have written, is the only source of the real truth. All other comment will cease a.s.a.p. and you will go back to work immediately on your various questionable and dire musical projects/experiments, with feelings of gratitude to Brother Brian and myself.

An atmosphere of calm will now return. Thank you.

Lord Atrac