User manual YAMAHA MT-2X

[. . . ] YAMAHA Multitrack Cassette Recorder ® AUTHORIZED PRODUCT MANUAL YAMAHA Multitrack Cassette Recorder Operating Manual Congratulations on your choice of the Yamaha MT2X Multitrack Cassette Recorder. The Yamaha MT2X Multitrack Cassette Recorder is a complete multitrack recording package which elegantly integrates a high-performance six-channel mixer and dual-speed 4-track cassette recorder. It is fully compatible with advanced MIDI tape synchronization applications, and accepts an optional plug-in YMC2 MIDI Converter that makes MIDI timing signals from any appropriate MIDI device usable for synchronization With a full complement of carefully planned features and functions, the MT2X is a musical instrument in its own right. It can vastly expand your creative scope. [. . . ] Solo instruments with a stereo output can have their left channel connected to a delay machine, while the right channel is recorded directly. You can probably think of many other different ways to "arrange" the soundstage. These are the steps in our example: Record the drums on track 1 Record the bass on track 2 Record the rhythm guitar on track 3 Ping-ponging tracks 1 ­- 3 onto track 4 (freeing tracks 1 ­ 3) Record the keyboards on track 3 Record the lead guitar on track 2 Record the vocals on track 1 Mixdown tracks 1 ­ 4 to produce a stereo master tape Track 1 Track 2 Track 3 Track 4 Mixdown EQUALIZATION AND EFFECT PROCESSING Equalization and effect processing are usually added at the ping-pong and mixdown stages. In multitrack recording, these types of signal processing can be decided on later, and employed to any degree necessary. However, the MT2X is limited in the number of effects which can be used during mixdown, so it's best to use them during the initial recording stages. n BEFORE RECORDING RECORDING LEVEL In making a good recording, the most important step is setting the ideal recording level. If the level is too low, the recording will contain a lot of noise and hiss; if the level is too high, the recording will sound distorted and unclear. The MT2X is equipped with peak level meters which show the level of each track, as well as the level of the stereo output signal. Use these meters to help you set the ideal recording level. If the level meters "peak out" (show the maximum reading) briefly, it's not a problem. However, if they're peaking out for more than a second or two, then distortion may become a problem. MONlTORlNG In addition to circuits for signal recording, this unit also features a separate monitor circuit to allow the performer to monitor the levels of the recording in progress through a pair of headphones. In this case, set the PHONES SELECT switch to the "MONITOR" position. Adjust the volume level of each track with its MONITOR LEVEL controls. In addition, powered monitor speakers can be directly connected to the ST OUT jacks or the AUX SEND jack. dbx SYSTEM Keep the dbx switch "ON" to expand dynamic range and to reduce inherent tape noise. SELECT THE BEST TAPE SPEED The MT2X gives you a choice of two tape speeds. The low speed gives you about double the record/playback time of the high-speed mode -- at the expense of reproduction quality. Use the low-speed mode when making test recordings or simply trying out ideas. Use the high-speed mode when you need the best possible sound quality -- when recording an important demo, for example. 16 n MULTITRACK RECORDING RECORDING THE DRUMS The drums will be recorded on track 1. In recent years, drum machines and rhythm machines have made an appearance, with Yamaha coming out with the highperformance RX-series. In this example we'll use an RX-series Digital Rhythm programmer to record a high-quality drum track. The "L" and "R" stereo outputs from the rhythm programmer are fed to input channels 1 and 2 of the MT2X, and these are mixed down onto track 1 of the tape. The Yamaha SPX90 Multi-effect processor is an ideal way to add live-sounding reverb to the drums. The SPX90 is connected between the MT2X AUX SEND and stereo AUX RTN jacks. PLAN YOUR RECORDING A clear plan is essential before you begin multitrack recording. If you begin cold, without regard to all the steps involved, you may "record yourself into a corner" by running out of available empty tracks, missing the chance to add effects at the proper points, losing control over the final stereo positioning of the instruments, and creating the need for more ping-pong and mixdown recording operations than really necessary. Although you can perform ping-pong and mixdown operations without limit, a certain amount of noise and sound degradation results during these operations. [. . . ] If too high, the sound may be distorted, and if too low, there may be excessive noise. The level meters have a switch for STEREO/4 TRK switchover. Use this switch according to the recording mode. When it is set to STEREO, the signal output to the ST OUT jack will be displayed on the level meters. [. . . ]