Yamaha MT8XII Welcome to the MT8XII

Welcome to the MT8XII

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MT8XII—Owner’s Manual

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Welcome to the MT8XII

Thank you for choosing the Yamaha MT8XII Multitrack Cassette Recorder. The MT8XII is a

high-quality, easy-to-use multitrack cassette recorder that will allow you to capture your music

at a very high level of quality. To take best advantage of your MT8XII, read this

Owner’s Manual

thoroughly.

MT8XII Features

Mixer

The MT8XII mixer has 14 inputs and 4 groups. Including the 8 tape tracks and stereo TAPE IN,

up to 20 inputs are available for mixdown.

• Continuously variable GAIN controls on input channels 1 through 4 allow the MT8XII to

handle microphone and line-level signals with ease.

• Balanced XLR-type and phone jack inputs with switchable phantom power for condenser

microphones on input channels 1 and 2.

• Insert jacks on input channels 1 and 2 for external processor patching.

• Musical three-band EQ (High, Mid, Low) with sweepable Mid on each input channel pro-

vides ﬂexible tone-shaping capabilities.

• Two auxiliary sends for external effects processor patching.

• FLIP button allows you to route input signals to either the channel fader or CUE controls.

• Flexible monitoring of Groups, CUE, Stereo bus, and TAPE IN.

• Direct outputs for direct connection to another mixer.

• TAPE IN to monitor facility for monitoring during mixdown.

• Long-throw accurate faders.

Recorder

The MT8XII eight-track recorder is a precision engineered compact cassette transport.

• Logic-controlled tape mechanism ensures smooth and reliable operation.

• Hard Permalloy record–play head for long life and high performance.

• dbx™ noise reduction system provides a signal-to-noise ratio in excess of 80 dB.

• Variable pitch of approximately

±

12%.

• Two-color FLD (Fluorescent Display) shows recording and playback levels, plus a tape

counter and other indicators.

• RTZ (Return To Zero) and two memo points for quick locate.

• Manual, footswitch, and automatic punch in/out functions, all with rehearse.

• Repeat playback and Auto Punch In/Out rehearsal repeat.

• Stripping Track 8 with a sync signal allows the MT8XII to synchronize MIDI sequencers

and MIDI drum machines. The dbx noise reduction can be turned off just for Track 8,

ensuring reliable synchronization operation.

• 9.5 cm/second tape speed for greater sonic performance.

Contents

Main MULTITRACK CASSETTE RECORDER Owners Manual E 12345678 STEREO IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM Connecting the Plug and Cord Explanation of Graphical Symbols SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS CAUTION iii Important Cautions Warnings Read the Following Before Operating MT8XII Keep This Manual For Future Reference v Table of Contents 1. Welcome to the MT8XII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5. Ping-Pong Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 4. Punch In/Out Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 3. The First Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Page 1 Welcome to the MT8XII Recorder Mixer MT8XII Features Buying Cassette Tapes for the MT8XII MT8XII Maintenance About dbx Noise Reduction MT8XII Recording Format Touring the MT8XII 12345678 STEREO REC/PAUSE PHONES PUNCH I/O Input Channels FLIP switch CUE PAN & LEVEL controls AUX controls Stereo Inputs Master Section Display 1 0954 6 7 8 2 3 Transport Section 6 7 8 9 0 Rear Panel Connectors 2 3 456 1 2 3 7 8 0 9 0 Front Connectors 3 Connecting the Power Cord Turning On the MT8XII Loading a Tape 14 Quick-Start System The following illustration shows the basic equipment necessary to start recording with the MT8XII. Recording the First Track 16 Listening to the First Track Overdubbing Page 18 Mixdown Multi-Source Mixing 20 An Overview of Multitrack Recording Basic Multitracking Advanced Multitracking About Monitoring 22 4 Punch In/Out Manual Punch In/Out Using the REC/PAUSE Button 2. Press the [REC SELECT] button of the track that you want to record. 3. Press the [PLAY] button to start playback. 4. At the point where you want to punch in, press the [REC/PAUSE] button. Using the REC SELECT buttons 4. Press the [PLAY] button to start playback. 5. At the point where you want to punch in, press a [REC SELECT] button. 6. At the point where you want to punch out, press the [PLAY] button. 7. Press the [STOP] button to stop playback. Using a Footswitch 26 Auto Punch In/Out Setting the Punch In/Out Points 2. Press the [AUTO PUNCH I/O] button. 3. Press the [PLAY] button (or footswitch) to start playback. 5. At the point where you want to set the punch-out point, press the [PLAY] button (or footswitch). Rehearsing Auto Punch 1. Press the [REC SELECT] button of the track that you want to record. 2. Press the [PLAY] button (or footswitch) to start the Auto Punch In/Out sequence. 28 Performing Auto Punch for Real 1. Press the [REC/PAUSE] button. 2. Press the [PLAY] button (or footswitch) to start the Auto Punch In/Out sequence. Ping-Pong Recording 29 5 Track 7 Track 6 Track 5 Track 4 Preparing for Ping-Pong Rehearsing the Ping-Pong Performing the Ping-Pong for Real Checking the Ping-Pong Operation 31 Checking the Ping-Pong Operation Avoid Okay You should now be able to hear the new combined track. Ping-Pong Notes 32 Ping-Pong with Overdub Track 7 Track 6 Track 5 Track 4 6 34 Applying Effects at Mixdown Applying Effects when Recording Applying Effects with Ping-Pong Patching In Signal Processors To processor's input From processor's output Connect to MT8XII INSERT I/O 36 7 Using the Tape Speed Function Mixing Tips 38 8 RTZ (Return To Zero) Memo 1/Memo 2 Entering the Memo Points Locating the Memo Points Repeat Playback 40 9 Using the MT8XII in a MIDI System SYNC Signal Formats Connecting the MT8XII to a MIDI System 41 Connecting the MT8XII to a MIDI System FSK/MIDI System Synthesizer with onboard sequencer Drum machine FSK/MIDI Converter 42 SMPTE/MIDI System Synthesizer Drum machine Computer & MIDI sequencer software SMPTE/MIDI Converter Striping the Tape Synchronized Operation 44 10 One-Take Recording MIDI Home Studio 45 MIDI Home Studio 46 Multi-Source Mixing Using the TAPE OUT/GROUP OUTs 48 Troubleshooting Appendix Maintaining the MT8XII Cleaning the RecordPlay Head and Other Parts 50 Demagnetizing the RecordPlay Head Specifications 51 Specications Mixer Recorder Tape Transport 52 General Input Connections Output Connections 0 dB is referenced to 0.775 V r.m.s. Specications are subject to change without notice. Block Diagram Page Glossary 56 Page 45678321 9-10 11-12 13-14 96 07 1000 AP Printed in Japan 12345678 MT8XII Tracking Sheet Track List Session Info Title: Mixer Setup