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Yamaha MT4X User Manual
Summary of MT4X
Page 1
Yamaha multitrack cassette recorder user's guide.
Page 2: Precautions
Precautions 1 precautions 1 avoid excessive heat, humidity, dust, and vibration. Keep the mt4x away from locations where it is likely to be exposed to high temperatures or humidity, such as direct sunlight, near radiators, stoves, etc. Also avoid locations which are subject to excessive dust accumul...
Page 3: Introduction 2
Introduction 2 introduction your mt4x multitrack cassette recorder is a powerful recording tool that will allow you to capture your music at a very high level of sound quality. It is an advanced technology, easy-to-use four-track cassette tape recorder with a comprehensive four-channel mixer. In ord...
Page 4: Structure Of The Mt4X
3 introduction structure of the mt4x user's guide.
Page 5: Structure Of The Mt4X
Introduction 4 structure of the mt4x the mt4x can be divided into three basic sections - the mixer, the recorder, and the bus lines which connect them: mixer the mixer has four input channels. It adjusts the input signals at each respective channel and sends them to the bus lines. The signals input ...
Page 6
5 controls and connections 1 controls and connections power connections rear panel connections channel modules master module recorder controls transport controls front panel connections user's guide.
Page 7: Channel Modules
Controls and connections 6 user's guide pan control this rotary control sets the stereo pan position of the channel signal. It is also used to select the individual track groups for recording. Use the pan control to select the individual track groups. Selects the first track group - groups 1 and 2. ...
Page 8
7 controls and connections user's guide odd/l: rotated fully counter-clockwise sends the signal to the odd (1 or 3) numbered track of the selected track group (assign keys channel of the stereo bus. And to the left track of the selected track group (assign keys) and to the right channel of the stere...
Page 9: Recorder Controls
Controls and connections 8 user's guide note: the tape speed cannot be changed while the tape transport is in motion. Press the stop key then press the tape speed select key. The tape speed (4.8/9.5) select key is used to switch the tape speed between 9.5 cm/ sec and 4.8 cm/sec. 9.5 cm/sec will be s...
Page 10
9 controls and connections user's guide rec select keys these keys are used to arm the tracks for recording. When you press a rec select key/ the record select indicator for the corresponding track flashes on the multi-function display repeat key this key is used to start and cancel the repeat funct...
Page 11
Controls and connections 10 user's guide locate (1, 2) keys these keys locate to the stored memory points. When you press one of these keys, the mt4x will fast forward or rewind to the corresponding memory point. Note: the locate interval must be more than three counts on the tape counter counter re...
Page 12: Multi-Function Display
11 controls and connections multi-function display this section details the indicators of the fld (fluorescent light display) multi-function display tape indicator this indicator illuminates when a cassette tape is inserted in the cassette tape compartment. If you press any of the transport keys bef...
Page 13: Front Panel Connections
Controls and connections 12 user's guide repeat indicator this indicator illuminates while the repeat function is active. Rec select - track indicators these indicators flash when you arm the corresponding trade by pressing one of the rec select keys when you press the rec/pause key the armed indica...
Page 14: Power Connections
13 controls and connections user's guide aux return (1, 2) connections input impedance: 10 nominal input level: -10 db (aux return - level control nominal) these 1/4" phone connectors are used to input the signals from external effects devices and other signal processors. If the external device is m...
Page 15: Example System 14
Example system 14 2 example system user's guide.
Page 16: 3 Recording Functions
15 recording functions 3 recording functions user's guide the basic functions of multitrack recording are as follows: monito r ing initial recording overdub recording punch-in/out recording ping-pong recording mixdown monitoring the recording or playback to listen for mistakes or unwanted distortion...
Page 17: Initial Recording
Recording functions 16 initial recording the first step in multitrack recording is to record the initial tracks. Usually these are your rhythm tracks: bassguitar, rhythm guitar, and drums. Note: before you record anything, you must connect the mt4x to both an input source and a monitoring system. Se...
Page 18: Set The Recording Levels
17 recording functions group 1 group 2 group 3 group 4 -> -> -> -> track 1 track 2 track 3 track 4 5) using the assign keys want the input signal to go to. And the pan control select the group bus you press the assign key: press the assign key: press the assign key: press the assign key: and rotate ...
Page 19: Record The Track
Recording functions 18 the mt4x is equipped with sensitive peak-hold level meters level of the individual tracks and the stereo bus. Use the level meters in conjunction with the monitoring modes (see "monitoring" on page 15) to set your recording levels. Note: the meters display a range of-20 db to ...
Page 20: Overdubbing
1 9 recording functions overdubbing overdub recording is the basis of all multi-track recording. It enables you to record additional instruments or parts track-by-track while listening to the previously recorded tracks. Track to be overdubbed drum track preparations for recording 1) connect the inpu...
Page 21
Recording functions 20 the indicator above the key lights and any flashing rec select - track indicators will be illuminated. 10) set the channel fader to the nominal level between "7" and "8" and adjust the gain controls. Rehearsal after you have set the recording levels, you should rehearse the ov...
Page 22: Punch-In/out Recording
21 recording functions to overdub another part, simply repeat steps 1 to 17. Bassguitar track track to be overdubbed drum track punch-in/out recording this technique is used to re-record short sections, correct mistakes, or add new sections to silent passages. You play your part while punching in an...
Page 23: Recording Functions 22
Recording functions 22 the rec select - track indicator on the display will flash. Note: you can skip step 2 at this point. However, you must select a track before you perform the actual recording. Set the working points: post-roll is 10 counts on the tape counter at 9.5 cm/sec (5 counts at 4.8 cm/s...
Page 24
23 recording functions note: the auto punch indicator will either be flashing or illuminated while the automatic punch-in/out function is active. 4) press the play key (or step on the footswitch) to play the tape. The start indicator will light and the in indicator will begin flashing. The indicator...
Page 25: Recording Functions 24
Recording functions 24 note: in this mode, you can press the repeat key will automatically perform rehearsal playback between the pre-roll point and the post-roll point. For more detail, see "repeat function" on page 42.) at the punch-out location, the in indicator and indicator above the rehe key w...
Page 26
25 recording functions play the punch-in part. At the punch-out location, the in indicator and indicator above the rec/pause key will switch off, the rec select - track indicator will flash, the out indicator will light, and monitor source will switch back to the tape. At the post-roll point, the ou...
Page 27
Recording functions 26 status indicators during the operation of the automatic punch-in/out function, you can determine the status by checking the indicators shown in the following table: function display indicators leds mark the pre-roll point (see step 3). Start the tape playing (see step 4). If y...
Page 28
27 recording functions using the rec/pause key and the play key blank space blank space punch-in segment to be punch-out point re-recorded point note: when you perform a punch-in/out recording, you need to find a blank section of about 1 second for your punch-in and punch-out locations. This is beca...
Page 29
Recording functions 28 using the optional footswitch punch-in segment to be punch-out point re-recorded point play record play stop note: when you perform a punch-in/out recording, you need to find a blank section of about 1 second for your punch-in and punch-out locations. This is because of the ga...
Page 30: Ping-Pong Recording
29 recording functions ping-pong recording ping-pong recording allows you to bounce several previously-recorded tracks onto an unrecorded track. Using this technique, you can create a recording with effectively more than four tracks. There are two basic techniques you can employ when making a bounce...
Page 31: Recording Functions 30
Recording functions 30 if required, add effects using the aux send and aux return controls and connectors. Adjust the effects for each channel. Note: you cannot apply effects to the individual tracks nor can you adjust the sound balance once you have mixed them onto a single track. You must apply an...
Page 32: 31 Recording Functions
31 recording functions this technique is a combination of overdubbing (see "overdub recording" on page 15) and ping-pong recording. 1) connect the input source for the overdubbing channel to its corresponding mic/ line input connector. 2) set the input select key to the mic/line position. 3) rotate ...
Page 33: Mixdown
Recording functions 32 mixdown mixdown is the process of combining the four individual tracks into a final stereo mix. You blend and polish the sounds before you record them onto a stereo cassette recorder or dat recorder. The mix is created using the various mixer controls. You adjust the track lev...
Page 34: 33 Recording Functions
33 recording functions note: you may want to remove any count-ins before you create your master tape. There are several ways of doing this. One method is to switch (input select key) the track that contains the count-in to the mic/line position until the count is completed and then switch it to the ...
Page 35: Synchronization 34
Synchronization 34 4 synchronization the mt4x has the ability to synchronize midi sequencers, rhythm programmers, and other devices to the existing tracks on your tape. The following section describes some of the advanced techniques you can employ. When you create an overdub recording, you play alon...
Page 36: Fsk Recording
35 synchronization note: these instructions assume you have recorded a song on your midi sequencer or rhythm machine that consists of a song start, tempo, and a song end. If you programmed tempo changes, these will also be recorded on the fsk track. 14) fast-wind or rewind the tape to the beginning ...
Page 37: Synchronized Playback
Synchronization 36 run the song program on the midi instrument from beginning to end. The song start, tempo (and tempo changes), and song end are recorded onto the fsk track. 17) when the midi program has completed, stop the midi instrument and press the return to zero key to stop and rewind the tap...
Page 38
37 synchronization set the connected midi instrument to fsk sync mode, to receive the fsk signals from the mt4x. Set any other connected midi instruments to midi clock mode to slave to the midi device receiving the fsk signals. Perform any other required setup on your midi instruments to ensure they...
Page 39: Synchronization 38
Synchronization 38 play the overdub part along with the midi instrument(s) and the previously recorded tracks. 7) adjust the recording and monitoring levels while watching the level meters. 8) when you are satisfied with the levels, press the return to zero key to stop the rehearsal and rewind the t...
Page 40: Synchronized Mixdown
39 synchronization synchronized mixdown you can use the fsk signal to synchronize midi instruments to the previously recorded tracks on the mt4x while you are creating a mixdown recording (see "mixdown" on page 32). One of the advantages of this technique is that you can add multiple instruments to ...
Page 41
Synchronization 40 3) plug compatible cables from the other tape out connectors (1, 2, and 3) into the inputs of your mixer. Tip: an alternative approach is to create a stereo mixdown with the built-in mixer and send that to the external mixer from the stereo out connectors. 4) connect the audio out...
Page 42: 5 Memory Functions
41 memory functions 5 memory functions memo function store a memory location you can mark two memory locations which can be used to quickly return to a specific point on your tape. 1) fast-wind or rewind the tape to the location you want stored. For example, you can locate the end of a track just by...
Page 43: Repeat Function
Memory functions 42 repeat function the mt4x will repeatedly play a section of the tape between two memory locations. 1) press the repeat key 2) as soon as the mt4x has reached the first memory location, playback is started. The repeat indicator is illuminated. Repeat notes • if only one memory loca...
Page 44
43 memory functions note: if the maximum level is reached a several locations, only the first location is displayed. Note: the maximum recording level data is not cleared automatically. Before each recording, you should reset the stored levels. Otherwise you could mistake the levels of a previous re...
Page 45: Appendix
Appendix 44 appendix troubleshooting if you experience difficulty operating the mt4x, or it does not seem to be working as it should, look up the problem in the following table. You may find it is just a simple error, easy to correct. Symptom the mt4x cannot be powered on. Cannot record. Cannot hear...
Page 46: 45 Appendix
45 appendix maintenance the mt4x requires regular maintenance to remain in top operating condition. If you observe the following problems, you should clean and possibly demagnetize the unit: • a drop in level at high frequencies. • an increase in wow and flutter. • fluctuating sound or signal dropou...
Page 47: Specifications
Appendix 46 specifications model 4-track/4-channel one direction recording and playback cassette recorder with mixer c-46 ~ 90 cassette tapes cro 2 - typeii (bias: high; eq 70 µs) 4-track/4-channel one direction recording and playback 4-track hard permalloy record/play head x 1 4-track ferrite erase...
Page 48: Specifications (Continued)
47 appendix specifications (continued) signal-to-noise ratio (at nominal input and output) 68 db / ihf-a 75 db/ihf-a distortion (1 khz at nominal input and output) 0.1%/30khz lpf 0.03%/30 khz lpf equalizer low mid high mic in - stereo out (gain control max) line in - stereo out (gain control mdm) mi...
Page 49: Block Diagram
Appendix 48 block diagram dimensions user's guide.
Page 50: 49 Appendix
49 appendix tracking sheet there is a tracking sheet template on the back cover of this manual. You should make a number of photocopies and use them to keep a log of your recording sessions. Initial tracks recording the bassguitar and drum machine: overdubbing recording the synthesizer and midi tone...
Page 51: Appendix 50
Appendix 50 recording the vocals: mixdown add equalization and effects and record to the master recorder: glossary auxiliary bus the mt4x has two auxiliary buses. These buses are generally used to send signals to external signal processing units. Auxiliary send — each channel module includes an aux ...
Page 52
51 appendix capstan a slender metal pillar adjacent to the pinchroller. The capstan is driven by the dc servo motor and controls the tape speed. The tape pulled across the erase and record/playback heads by the pressure between the capstan and pinchroller. Cue monitor this bus is used to listen to p...
Page 53
Appendix 52 master recorder a second tape recorder used during the mixdown process. The master recorder can be any two-track stereo recorder, such as a stereo cassette, reel-to-reel, or dat recorder. Mic/line input each channel module includes a mic/line input to connect a microphone, musical instru...
Page 54
53 appendix pre-fader a signal that is sourced before the fader, therefore, the fader has no control on the signal. Punch-in/out recording a recording technique used primarily to correct mistakes by re-recording over a short section of a track. Stereo mix a two-track mix with left and right stereo c...
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Yamaha corporation.
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Mt4x om 5/20/99 19e0112.