Yamaha MD8 Owner's Manual

MULTITRACK MD RECORDEROwner’s ManualEMULTITRACK MD RECORDERGROUP 1CH 1 CH 2 CH 3 CH 4 CH 5 CH 6 CH 7 CH 82345678REC SELECTDISPLAYREPEAT MARK SEARCH MA

2 Welcome to the MD8 MD8—Owner’s Manual • The convenient MD DATA disc medium requires no formatting before use, and when a project is complete, simpl

92 TroubleshootingMD8—Owner’s ManualMIDI sequencer does not synchronize to the MD8!Make sure that your MIDI sequencer supports MTC or MIDI Clock.Make

MD8 Transport Modes 93MD8—Owner’s ManualAppendixMD8 Transport Modes● On z FlashingModeIndicatorsMD8 StatusREHE REC PLAYStop———No activity.Play——● Nor

94 AppendixMD8—Owner’s ManualDisplay MessagesMessage MeaningAAAADDDDJJJJSSSSTTTT SSSSttttooooppppThe [STOP] button was pressed, so the Adjust funct

Specifications 95MD8—Owner’s ManualSpecificationsRecorderMixer0 dB is referenced to 0.775 V r.m.s.Digital/AudioSampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz Compression

96 AppendixMD8—Owner’s ManualGeneralSpecifications subject to change without notice.Power Requirements USA & Canada: 120 V/60 Hz, Others: 230 V/50

Block Diagram 97MD8—Owner’s ManualBlock DiagramPBMIC/LINE3 Band EQ3 Band EQLINEMIC/PBCUE MASTER21DIRECT2to Ch2 FLIP (CUE)GROUP 2CH 2Tr2to Ch2 FLIP (EQ

98 AppendixMD8—Owner’s ManualDimensionsW: 484 mmD: 412.3 mmH:102 mmUnit: mm

Glossary 99MD8—Owner’s ManualGlossaryATRAC—An acronym for Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding. This is the compression technique used to fit the same am

100 GlossaryMD8—Owner’s ManualLow-Level Signal—A signal in the range from –100 dB to –20 dB. Microphone and elec-tric guitar signals are in this range

Glossary 101MD8—Owner’s ManualPhono Jack—Also know as an RCA jack, this type of connector is often used on semipro-fessional audio and video equipment

Buying Discs for the MD8 3 MD8—Owner’s Manual Buying Discs for the MD8 It’s important that you buy the correct type of disc for use with your MD8. Fo

102 IndexMD8—Owner’s ManualIndexNumerics2TR INConnecting 852TR IN connectors 142TR IN MONITOR SELECT switch 7AA-B buttons 11A–B repeat 58AC IN connect

Index 103MD8—Owner’s ManualErasingDiscs 62Markers 56Parts 69Songs 68Tracks 68Error messages 94EVEN, pan 18EXE, definition 99EXIT button 11FFaderInput

104 IndexMD8—Owner’s ManualMIDI Clock 79Definition 100Indicator 8Sequencer setting 76System setup 74Using 76MIDI Timecode see MTCMiniDiscDefinition 10

Index 105MD8—Owner’s ManualREHE button 10Rehearse Pause mode 93RehearsingAuto punch 34, 37Mode 93Ping-pong 43Remain 28REMAIN, time counter 9Remote con

YAMAHA [Multitrack Recorder] Date: 11 Sept 1997Model: MD8MIDI Implementation ChartVersion: 1.0Function... Transmitted Recognized Remarks Basic Channel

Source: Source: Source: Source:Source: Source: Source: Source: Source: Source:12345678Tracking SheetTitle:Session InfoTrack ListMixer SetupDate:Step:P

4 Touring the MD8 MD8—Owner’s Manual 2 Touring the MD8 This chapter takes you on a tour of the MD8, identifying the various parts to help you become

Input Channels 5 MD8—Owner’s Manual Input Channels A GAIN control This rotary control adjusts the sensitivity of the MIC/LINE input so that both mic

6 Touring the MD8 MD8—Owner’s Manual F GROUP ASSIGN switches These switches are used to assign (i.e., send) the input channel signal to groups. They

Master Section 7 MD8—Owner’s Manual Master Section A 9–10/11–12 input level controls These rotary controls are used to adjust the level of the 9–10

8 Touring the MD8MD8—Owner’s ManualDisplayA Status indicatorsThese indicators show the current operating mode.B Pitch indicatorsThese indicators show

Display 9MD8—Owner’s ManualREMAIN—This mode shows the time remaining for a song or when you are recording a new song, it shows the available time rema

10 Touring the MD8MD8—Owner’s ManualDisc Transport SectionA Disc Transport buttonsREHE—This button is used to enter Rehearse mode. The REHE indicators

Disc Transport Section 11MD8—Owner’s ManualE A B Repeat buttonsThese buttons are used to enter the A and B points for A-B Repeat.F REPEAT buttonThis b

Laser Diode Properties* Material : GaAlAs* Wavelength : 780–790 nm* Emission Duration : Continuous* Laser Output Power : Less than 44.6 µWLaser output

12 Touring the MD8MD8—Owner’s ManualRear PanelA AC INConnect the supplied power cord here.B POWER ON/OFF switchThis switch is used to turn on and off

Rear Panel 13MD8—Owner’s ManualD AUX SENDThese 1/4-inch phone jacks are used to send the Aux Send signals to external effects pro-cessors. Connect the

14 Touring the MD8MD8—Owner’s ManualG INSERT I/OThese TRS phone jacks are used to connect signal processors for use with input channel 1 and input cha

Front Connectors 15MD8—Owner’s ManualM PHANTOM POWER ON/OFF switchThis switch is used to turn on and off the phantom power for the XLR-type MIC/LINE (

16 The First SessionMD8—Owner’s Manual3 The First SessionThis chapter explains how to record and mix your first MD8 session. If this is your first time

Connecting the Power Cord 17MD8—Owner’s ManualConnecting the Power Cord1. Connect the supplied power cord to the AC IN socket on the rear of MD8.2. Pl

18 The First SessionMD8—Owner’s ManualMaking the Connections (GRP & DIR)1. Connect a sound source to MIC/LINE INPUT 1.If you are using a condenser

Recording the First Track 19MD8—Owner’s ManualDIR Method1. Press the REC SELECT [1] button.The TRK 1 DIR indicator flashes, indicating that track 1 is

20 The First SessionMD8—Owner’s ManualOverdubbingOverdubbing is the technique used to record new sounds to empty tracks while listening to the sounds

Mixdown 21MD8—Owner’s ManualMixdownMixdown is the final technique in multitrack recording. Here you mix the sounds from all eight tracks, with EQ and e

• Explanation of Graphical SymbolsThe exclamation point within an equilat-eral triangle is intended to alert the user tothe presence of important ope

22 The First SessionMD8—Owner’s ManualAn Overview of Multitrack RecordingThis section describes the fundamental principles of multitrack recording.Bas

About Monitoring 23MD8—Owner’s ManualAbout MonitoringThe MD8 features a flexible monitoring system, allowing you to monitor signals at various points.

24 The First SessionMD8—Owner’s ManualMulti-Source MixingIn addition to the eight disc tracks, you can also connect external sound sources to the MIC/

Multi-Source Mixing 25MD8—Owner’s Manual4. Set the input channel and STEREO faders to the 7–8 mark, and set the CUE LEVEL controls midway.5. Set the [

26 Recording & Mixing TechniquesMD8—Owner’s Manual4 Recording & Mixing TechniquesThis chapter explains MD8 recording and mixing techniques.Rec

Recording a New Song 27MD8—Owner’s ManualSetting the Recording ModeThe following table shows the four MD8 Recording modes. Songs on the same disc can

28 Recording & Mixing TechniquesMD8—Owner’s ManualRecording1. Press the [REC] button to engage Record Pause mode.The display shows the number of t

Manual Punch In/Out 29MD8—Owner’s ManualManual Punch In/OutThe Punch In/Out technique allows you to rerecord specific sections of a track. This can be

30 Recording & Mixing TechniquesMD8—Owner’s ManualUsing the REC SELECT buttons1. Locate to a position before the point at which you want to punch

Manual Punch In/Out 31MD8—Owner’s ManualUsing a Footswitch1. Connect an optional footswitch to the PUNCH I/O jack (front panel).2. Locate to a positio

ii MD8—Owner’s Manual Important Read the Following Before Operating the MD8 Warnings • Do not locate the MD8 in a place subject to excessive heat or

32 Recording & Mixing TechniquesMD8—Owner’s ManualAuto Punch In/OutThe Auto Punch In/Out function automates the punch in/out procedure, allowing y

Auto Punch In/Out 33MD8—Owner’s ManualUsing [SET] and LAST REC SEARCHAnother way of setting the Punch In and Out points on the fly is by using the [SET

34 Recording & Mixing TechniquesMD8—Owner’s ManualSingle Take Auto Punch In/OutRehearsing Auto Punch (Single Take)1. Press the [REC SELECT] button

Auto Punch In/Out 35MD8—Owner’s ManualPerforming Auto Punch for Real 1. Press the [REC SELECT] button (or [GROUP] + [REC SELECT]) of the track that yo

36 Recording & Mixing TechniquesMD8—Owner’s ManualAuto Punch with a FootswitchAn optional footswitch can be used to start the Auto Punch In/Out se

Auto Punch In/Out 37MD8—Owner’s ManualMulti Take Auto Punch In/OutAs previously mentioned, Multi Take Punch In/Out means that you can record several v

38 Recording & Mixing TechniquesMD8—Owner’s ManualPerforming Multi Take Auto Punch for Real 1. See steps (1)–(3) above.The display now reads TAKE

Auto Punch In/Out 39MD8—Owner’s ManualAuditioning Your TakesHere is how to audition all the takes you recorded:1. At the NEXT TAKE message that appea

40 Recording & Mixing TechniquesMD8—Owner’s ManualSetting the Pre-Roll & Post-Roll TimesPre-Roll and Post-Roll are used in conjunction with th

Ping-Pong Recording 41MD8—Owner’s ManualPing-Pong RecordingThe ping-pong recording technique (also known as bounce down) is used to free up tracks for

iii MD8—Owner’s Manual Ventilation Allow a distance of 10 cm between the unit and the wall so that heat generated from the unit will be released effe

42 Recording & Mixing TechniquesMD8—Owner’s ManualPreparing for Ping-Pong1. Press the [ ] SONG SEARCH button to locate the beginning of the song.2

Ping-Pong Recording 43MD8—Owner’s ManualRehearsing Ping-Pong8. Press the [REHE] button.The REHE indicators flash.9. Press the [PLAY] button to start th

44 Recording & Mixing TechniquesMD8—Owner’s ManualPing-Pong with OverdubThe ping-pong technique can be combined with overdub recording. This allow

Ping-Pong with Overdub 45MD8—Owner’s ManualFor mono Ping-Pong operations, be sure to connect the additional signal sources to the LINE INPUTs that can

46 Recording & Mixing TechniquesMD8—Owner’s ManualPitchThe Pitch function allows you to adjust the pitch for playback and recording. The pitch can

Using a Footswitch 47MD8—Owner’s ManualUsing a FootswitchAn optional footswitch can be used to control the MD8. Apart from a few small differences, fo

48 Recording & Mixing TechniquesMD8—Owner’s ManualApplying EffectsThe AUX SENDs 1 and 2 allow you to connect external effects processors and apply

Applying Effects when Recording 49MD8—Owner’s ManualApplying Effects when Recording1. To send an input channel signal to an effects processor, set the

50 Recording & Mixing TechniquesMD8—Owner’s ManualPatching in Signal ProcessorsInput channels 1 and 2 feature INSERT I/O jacks. These make it easy

Quick Search Functions 51MD8—Owner’s Manual5 Quick Search FunctionsThis chapter explains the quick search functions.Searching for SongsThe [ ] and [ ]

iv MD8—Owner’s Manual Contents 1. Welcome to the MD8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 MD8 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

52 Quick Search FunctionsMD8—Owner’s Manual3. Turn the CURSOR shuttle to the left to rewind at the desired speedThe display shows the value of the sel

Searching for Markers 53MD8—Owner’s ManualSearching for MarkersThe [ ] and [ ] MARK SEARCH buttons are used to search for markers within a song. The [

54 Quick Search FunctionsMD8—Owner’s ManualAdjusting MarkersOnce inserted, markers can be finely adjusted in one-frame steps. This also applies to the

Adjusting Markers 55MD8—Owner’s Manual4. Use the DATA dial to adjust the marker and the [PLAY] and the CURSOR shuttle to audition the new marker posit

56 Quick Search FunctionsMD8—Owner’s ManualErasing Markers1. Press the [ADJUST] button.The display shows MAR X: ADJST .2. Use the DATA dial to select

Repeat, Cue List & Program Play 57MD8—Owner’s Manual6 Repeat, Cue List & Program PlayThis chapter explains the Repeat, Cue List, and Program P

58 Repeat, Cue List & Program PlayMD8—Owner’s ManualA–B RepeatA–B Repeat playback allows you to repeatedly play a section of a song. Playback repe

Cue List Playback & Copy 59MD8—Owner’s ManualCue List Playback & CopyThe Cue List function allows you to compile a cue list (i.e., a sequence

60 Repeat, Cue List & Program PlayMD8—Owner’s ManualProgram PlaybackThe Program Play function allows you to compile a program of songs for custom

Editing Songs & Tracks 61MD8—Owner’s Manual7 Editing Songs & TracksThis chapter explains the edit functions that can be used with songs and tr

v MD8—Owner’s Manual Ping-Pong Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Preparing for Pi

62 Editing Songs & TracksMD8—Owner’s ManualErasing DiscsThe Disc Erase function allows you to erase all songs on disc. Erasing all songs formats a

Copying & Converting Songs 63MD8—Owner’s Manual6. Turn the CURSOR shuttle to the right to select the first track of the song copy.The number of thi

64 Editing Songs & TracksMD8—Owner’s Manual12. Press the [TOC WRITE] button to update the TOC.The following illustration shows a few possible appl

Moving Songs 65MD8—Owner’s Manual4. Press [ENTER] to renumber the songs.After renumbering the songs, the display will briefly show TOC Write to signal

66 Editing Songs & TracksMD8—Owner’s ManualDividing SongsThe Song Divide function allows you to divide songs into several independent songs. Songs

Combining Songs 67MD8—Owner’s ManualCombining SongsThe Song Combine function allows you to combine adjacent songs that were divided using the Song Div

68 Editing Songs & TracksMD8—Owner’s ManualErasing SongsThe Song Erase function allows you to erase individual songs, which may be necessary to ma

Erasing Parts 69MD8—Owner’s ManualErasing PartsThe part Erase function allows you to erase a section of a track. The section to be erased is determine

70 Editing Songs & TracksMD8—Owner’s ManualCopying TracksThe Track Copy function allows you to copy individual tracks. The copy is recorded at the

Copying Parts 71MD8—Owner’s ManualCopying PartsThe Part Copy function allows you to copy a section of one track to another track. The sec-tion of the

vi MD8—Owner’s Manual 9. The MD8 & MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Using the MD8 in a Synchronized MIDI System . . . . . . . . . .

72 Other FunctionsMD8—Owner’s Manual8 Other FunctionsFrame DisplayThe Frame Disp function allows you to choose whether the display counter shows 86 fr

The MD8 & MIDI 73MD8—Owner’s Manual9 The MD8 & MIDIMIDI sequencers and MIDI controlled musical instruments have become essential tools for mod

74 The MD8 & MIDIMD8—Owner’s ManualSetting Up a Synchronized MIDI SystemThe following system shows how the MD8 can be integrated into a MIDI-based

Using MTC 75MD8—Owner’s ManualUsing MTCSetting the MD8 for MTC Operation1. Press the [UTILITY] button and use the DATA dial to select the MIDI Sync fu

76 The MD8 & MIDIMD8—Owner’s ManualUsing MIDI ClockSetting the MIDI SequencerThe MIDI sequencer must be set to receive and synchronize to an exter

Using MIDI Clock 77MD8—Owner’s Manual5. Use the CURSOR shuttle to select the measure and time signature param-eters and set the desired values using t

78 The MD8 & MIDIMD8—Owner’s Manual5. Use the CURSOR shuttle to select the measure, beat, and tempo param-eters and set the desired values using t

Using MIDI Clock 79MD8—Owner’s ManualThe following example shows how sorting works when a tempo step is deleted.Saving a Tempo MapThe Song Tempo (Mete

80 The MD8 & MIDIMD8—Owner’s ManualControlling the MD8 with MMCQuite a few of the MD8’s functions can also be controlled using MIDI Machine Contro

Controlling the MD8 with MMC 81MD8—Owner’s ManualSetting the MMC Device IDBecause MMC messages are universal commands, you may have to set the MD8 so

Welcome to the MD8 1 MD8—Owner’s Manual 1 Welcome to the MD8 Thank you for choosing the Yamaha MD8 Multitrack MD Recorder. The MD8 uses the MiniDisc

82 The MD8 & MIDIMD8—Owner’s ManualTempo Map ChartMeterTempoStepMeasureTime SignatureStep Measure -Beat TempoA001 /A001–1B/BC/CD/DE/EF/FG/GH/HI/IJ

MD8 Applications 83MD8—Owner’s Manual10 MD8 ApplicationsThis chapter shows how the MD8 can be used for various applications.One-Take RecordingOne-Take

84 MD8 ApplicationsMD8—Owner’s ManualMIDI Home StudioIn this system, acoustic instruments are recorded to the MD8, while MIDI instruments are controll

Using the MD8 with Another Mixer 85MD8—Owner’s ManualUsing the MD8 with Another MixerIn this system, the MD8 is used in conjunction with another mixer

86 Beyond the BasicsMD8—Owner’s Manual11 Beyond the BasicsThis chapter provides some advanced tips and techniques for MD8 recording. Effects ReturnYou

Pitch Applications 87MD8—Owner’s ManualPitch ApplicationsAdjusting the pitch is a common multitrack technique. It’s useful when recording instru-ments

88 Beyond the BasicsMD8—Owner’s ManualMixdownThis section provides tips and techniques for achieving the perfect MD8 mix.• Balance levels—you should a

Q&A Section 89MD8—Owner’s Manual12 Q&A SectionThis section is intended to answer your questions about the MD8 and MD DATA discs.What’s the dif

90 Q&A SectionMD8—Owner’s ManualDo I have to sacrifice one track to record timecode?No. The MD8 generates MTC (MIDI Timecode) or MIDI Clock from th

91MD8—Owner’s ManualTroubleshootingIf you’re having difficulty operating the MD8 or if it doesn’t seem to work as expected, look up the symptoms in the