Yamaha MD8

[Abbott]

Currently I own a Tascam 414 portastudio, but I am really interested in getting something with 8 tracks. Since 8 track cassette doesn't seem to be the best option, i was looking at the yamaha md8. Does anyone know if this is any good? If not, what is better?

 

[kansasblues]

Big improvement over the Tascam tape unit, the Md8 is very easy to use but be aware of the mindisc format, just do a search on this board and you can get a very good explanation of the shortcomings of the minidisc. I'm very happy with mine but if I were going to spend $1000.00 bucks on one today I would probably go with a DAW. I've seen them on ebay anywhere from $500.00 to $700.00.

kansasblues
I spend most my money on mandolins the rest I just waste.............

 

[DigitalDon]

You might want to try the Minidisk Forum at the bottom of the Forums main page. Probably get more response there.

DD

 

[mixmkr]

Does anyone know if this is any good? If not, what is better?

yeah...it'll be half decent, but they are being phased out, technically nowadays...so beware of that. Since your using a computer to view these boards, can you use said computer (or another one) to record on? That is by far the best solution/bang for your buck, imo. For basically the cost of a software program (or even $50 N-tracks), you'll be much better off.

 

[atomictoyz]

There are quite a few options better than the MD8, even though it might seem like an 8 track bargain, the difficulties will soon overshadow you. Ive got one...wish I had waited a few months and got something without compression. If you have a newer PC you can easily get a Roland Studio Pack and still have some money for some preamps or perhaps a chinese condensor mic. Just my humble frustrated opinion.


Peace,
Dennis

 

[The Green Hornet]

HEYYYYYYYYYYYYY ABBOTT:

My MD8 is still sitting in my studio but probably not for very long. It is a nice box and it was easy to use right out of its box; however, the music I can produce with the Yamaha 2816 has sound far superior than anything I've ever done with the MD8.

Convenience, I think, is a good term for the MD8. I'll probably still use the MD8 for odds and ends. But, since I can run 16 bit and 24 bit sound out of the back end of the 2816 right into tape, use of the MD8 will be limited. By the way, the cassette tape is absolutely great. I've yet to burn a CD but since it is part of the 2816, I'll be doing that soon.

Best bet? Go with the DAW of your choice, PC or standalone.

Green Hornet

 

[windowman]

I've never owned one but I know that they really improved the codec tremendously the last couple of years and the sound is supposed to be quite good now. About the only negative thing I've heard about that particular Yamaha unit was something about the laser getting a bit hot inside them after a while and ruining disks. I don't think that was just a rumour either but the other guys here could probably tell you more about it.

We record with a PC now and to be honest I wish we would have waited till we could've afforded a good stand-alone work station. There's always compatability problems with computer stuff. It just seems like it's always something. It's a never ending battle. You buy a new recording software and suddenly find out your soundcard has issues with it. Then you get another soundcard, it works great, but you still have some bugs with the new software and then you find out that it'll work better with a newer operating system. So you get the new W-XP Pro and then find out your soundcard drivers aren't compatible with XP yet. And then you find out your VIA chipset is.....yada, yada, yada. I ain't really knocking computer recording because it's better sounding and cheaper than a lot of alternatives, but it also has it's drawbacks. I'd much rather have a couple of A-DAT's.