Yamaha MD8 advice
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Posted on Jun 03, 2002 07:46 am
Wight
Member Since: May 11, 2002
I found a Yamaha MD8 unit today (new) selling for $1300 Australian, normally $2700 - word is the new model is on the way...
Anyway, I have been thinking about purchasing either the Roland VS or Tascam digital 8 track units - still don't know which. Then I came across the Yamaha, which seems like a good bargain. I was initially after the ability to record 8 tracks digitally, and have access to a range of onboard effects, mainly compression, EQ and reverb.
The Yamaha doesn't come with onboard effects, has no digital out, only gives you 18 minutes of recording time using all 8 tracks (and MD's are $50 a pop over here!), doesn't offer an undo function... I was on the MD8 website today, and quite a few people seemed unhappy with the unit (although they did seem to expect miracles from it)
I am just wondering if anyone knows anything about this unit, or minidisc recording in general - I have also found that several people aren't happy with the ATRAC compression when bouncing - strange things happen. I own a number of yamaha products and I am very happy with them, and this unit must offer something for the price. If I have access to outboard effects units, would this represent better value for money than a Roland or Tascam model?
Thanks for your time
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Jun 03, 2002 08:02 am I don't know much about the Yamaha, however, I do know a handful of people with the Roland VS (various models) and they have all been very happy with that. The only bummer with Roland's gear is that their users manua;sare never translated very well, so they can be very difficult to understand.
If people are unhappy at the forums, well, I would take that as a good sign to stay away from it if the complaints are legitimate...there will always be a few whiners, but if many are valid complaints you may want to spend your money elsewhere.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jun 03, 2002 09:11 am The following is only a humble opinion so please take it with a grain of salt.
We use a minidisk recorder (sony portable) for two track live recordings sometimes. It performed well and captured very clear audio. When I looked into the minidisk for multi-track applications I was scared off. There is not a huge following of the media either in terms of users or audio manufacturers. Minidisk seems to be moving to the jurnalistic side of the industry a lot of radio and tv applications because of it's portability. Hard disk recording seems to very much dominate the "music" industry. Obviously with the HD approach options are limitless with it's wide acceptance.
Obviously I don't know where your are going with this or your specific application. I will say that for stereo recording a little portable with a dc power supply and a small mixer that offered phantom power with a couple of good Rode mics gave me a number of very good recordings for the price! Actually I will say phenomonal to me as I look at the little recorder that will fit in the palm of my hand!
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 03, 2002 09:50 pm I also own a MiniDisc portable stereo recorder. I use it for recording sample's and material for sample's. I have been very happy with it, the audio quality is superb, even using a low budget stereo mic. In this type of application, the little unit reine's supreme. But as far as being a good choice for multi-track recording, I will say definatly stay away.
The option's available for other alternative's are a much better value dollar for dollar. I will alway's recomend PC as the first choice, even laptop's for portable recording are coming on strong now. Then the portable DAW's, such as Roland VS's and the Tascam and Akai unit's.
The editing is limited compared to the PC, but the audio quality is equal, and the maker's of those unit's have realized the PC play's a big part for most editing and have began to make software the allow's downloading their compressed file's to PC or Mac for editing and then bringing it back in for final mixdown, if so desired.
So final word from my side, stay away from the MD8, even though Yamaha make's some great gear, this is not one of those piece's.
Jun 04, 2002 11:33 pm You know, I thought about the MD8 when I was upgrading to digital. I ended up buying Yamaha's 4-track MD recorder. I've made good use of outboard gear but there are times I wish I had the extra tracks, that's for sure.
Some of the pros of multitrack MD, at least for me, is having a removable media, but you're right about the expense. Editing is easy to get used to, but it does take some time and patience. I believe the MD8 is similar in those regards.
I agree with an earlier reply; that its features don't quite cut it with other 8-trackers, esp. those that make the most of "digitalness."
