Yamaha MT3X(or general MT series) Monitor output faulty?

[boblob]

Just picked up an MT3X as an upgrade to my trusty little Fostex X-24 and have a couple of questions.

When recording and listening on the monitor ("PHONES SELECT" set to "MONITOR"), it seems to be only recording on the left or right channel on each track. Strangely to me it alternates between left and right depending on which track you use (ie - track one only records on the left, track 2 only on the right).

When the "PHONES SELECT" is set to "STEREO" (listening to the mixer output), everything seems fine - the pan knobs work as they should.

Not sure if it's broken or "user error" on my part (and yes, I have read the manual, but find it a bit vague as to what's supposed to happen).

I assume the MT series all work the same, so any guidance would be much appreciated.

 

[TASCAM MAN]

I think they may be a mono button on it for when you are over dubbing?? Is the MT3X cassette based as my MT2X is?

 

[boblob]

Yes, this is a cassette 4-track with a 6 channel mixer.

As far as I can see there is no "mono button".

There a "PHONES SELECT" switch that lets you listen to the monitor, the mixer output or a blend of both. As I say - mixer output is fine, but there's only the left or right (depending on the track number) channel on the monitor.

I got this off eBay and would like to send it back as it was sold as "in full working order", just need to make sure I'm not doing something stupid (likely).

 

[A Reel Person]

Sight unseen, and based on what I know of other multitrackers,...

that would seem normal to me.

In most old school multitracker's architecture, Tracks 1 and 3 would be associated with Buss Left, and tracks 2 and 4 would be associated with Buss Right. Most more capable multitrackers would have an allowance or way to control that (Mono Monitor section, or Stereo Monitor section with Pan,... or MONO-button), perhaps the MT3x doesn't,... so you get what you pay for. This IMO would be a feature rather than a problem.

You can record, play back, overdub and mix to stereo, so you're ok.

 

[boblob]

Quite right. This is by design.

There are little 3-position slide switches on each mixer channel marked "TAPE-OFF-LINE/MIC" that set the input of the mixer to the output of the tape, line in, or nothing in the OFF position. All the switches were set to "OFF", so when listening back on the stereo monitor you hear nothing as it's not connected to any mixer channels and only hear something when listening to the track monitor (which only uses the left or right channel as you say).

The MT3X is a big step up from the little Fostex I've been using - the results have been pretty impressive so far. The dbx is particularly impressive - doesn't chop off a big chunk of the high end like Dolby B does (though I have heard that Dolby B works pretty well in this respect if it's properly calibrated).

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction - definitely saved me a lot of time.

 

[TASCAM MAN]

Quite right. This is by design.

There are little 3-position slide switches on each mixer channel marked "TAPE-OFF-LINE/MIC" that set the input of the mixer to the output of the tape, line in, or nothing in the OFF position. All the switches were set to "OFF", so when listening back on the stereo monitor you hear nothing as it's not connected to any mixer channels and only hear something when listening to the track monitor (which only uses the left or right channel as you say).

The MT3X is a big step up from the little Fostex I've been using - the results have been pretty impressive so far. The dbx is particularly impressive - doesn't chop off a big chunk of the high end like Dolby B does (though I have heard that Dolby B works pretty well in this respect if it's properly calibrated).

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction - definitely saved me a lot of time.

There is always a way to get you a mono mix in your headphones,a matter a fact i used to have a pair of phones that had a mono/stereo switch on the phones!! But there are ways with adapters to get the mix on both sides of your head phones I can assure you !!