New Adventures in K7 #23 : Basic Recording Tutorial (Yamaha MT120)

Let's record an analogue electro EP on K7, episode 23.
Where we take a refresher course on how to operate the Yamaha MT120 4-track tape recorder.

[@phk70]

Very nice tutorial. This machine is a bit unintuitive but very nice when you know how it works. I previously had a Tascam -more intuitive but build quality is much higher on the Yamaha MT120 👍

[@objectsinspaceman]

I love my MT120! Thanks for keeping its use alive.

[@darthzoidberg]

Thanks, I've been having lots of difficulties with it, weird level drop on some of the 4 tracks, trying to fix that!

[@objectsinspaceman]

@@darthzoidberg Persistent drop in volume, or intermittent?

[@darthzoidberg]

@@objectsinspaceman On a couple of the 4 tracks at least, everything's fine when monitoring, but listening to the recording itself, the volume is very low. Even after more cleaning, trying different tapes.

[@objectsinspaceman]

@@darthzoidberg The issue is likely with the playback bias settings. There are little screws inside that adjust these settings. If you can track down a PDF of the Service manual it will tell you which ones do what. Tetrakan has a good vid about opening up the machine.

[@darthzoidberg]

@@objectsinspaceman That Tetrakan video looks amazing, I'll check that out, thanks, I really need to fix that because recording on the remaining 2 tracks isn't that fun!

[@hieunguyen-kk4lg]

so touching for an excellent video

[@wes2819]

thnx for this tutorial. :)

[@ricardopotoroo1993]

Thanks mate. I'm using the MT4X and there's a decent amount of overlap it seems. Reading the manual is quite hard!

[@darthzoidberg]

Sound on mine was getting really weird. I've opened the unit up to deep clean, which did some good. But now I'm having a hell of a bad time putting back together again!

[@daviator4720]

I still have this same machine... My first multitacker in 1991. MD8 is my current favourite, I use a Boss BR 600 on the road, and have a Roland 880EX which is a pain to use. Analogue board while playing is easiest to use so the MD8 fits that bill nicely... The MT120, still a great machine for scratch recording.... Good explanation on bouncing sir! A need to know using the 4 track...

[@darthzoidberg]

Does it work okay? I've got this nagging issue with recording levels falling very low on some tracks, for no apparent reason

[@daviator4720]

@@darthzoidberg On the MT120 no problems with the levels... Funny but my transport motor just died on the mT120. I have not decided whether or not to repair it, or junk it. I have a lot of original music on the tapes recorded over 20 years not yet digitized . Trying to decide whether or not to let the technology go.

[@murdle9921]

can this record to each track live

[@darthzoidberg]

Yes. I'm actually doing it that way, recording sequenced stuff to track X while playing live to track Y.

[@StevAnandfriends]

Hey this is a great video but I have one of these and I can't seem to get a signal on any 4 of my mic/line inputs I'm hoping my machine is not damaged

[@darthzoidberg]

It's odd that all 4 would be dead. Nothing at all in monitor mode?

[@StevAnandfriends]

@@darthzoidberg yeah its actually dead capacitors in the mix board. really strange that it's every channel. My guess is someone blew a channel and kept trying the others. Thanks for the reply.

[@Chaga1314]

Im missing the door too lol

[@darthzoidberg]

And I have zero memory of ever losing it

[@Chaga1314]

@@darthzoidberg Right? 😂😂

[@whiterottenrabbit]

Don'T you love easily impressed people in the comment section, acting as if this unfocused half-assed video is the best thing they ever watched... **slow clap**