Excellent tune. I have a yamaha mt4x and tascam 488 and watchyour repair videos. Also a subscriber. Never knew about this deck. I like your vids cause you are in depth in your explanations.
My aim here is to cover all the 4 tracks ever made eventually, but it does kinda depend when such things turn up affordably on UK eBay....GBV cover is a cool idea, I'll try to work that into a demo of one of the units in the review queue
@@Tetrakan nice, yea they used the ministudio porta one specifically with type I cassettes. Looking forward to that content when or if you ever make it homie.
I have one of these, bought in 88' the original owner paid 900.00 CDN according to the receipt ( I was lucky I got the extra replacement Yamaha drive bands plus the Service manual ) looking forward to using it in my studio
I had this 4-track and the MIDI FSK sync! it worked great but also you lost a track... Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I got rid of it when I dumped all our 4 track originals and band recordings into Studio Vision Pro...
I have 5 videos about repairing that model, here’s the playlist ua-cam.com/play/PLYsfQOh0tsJUgWJ7I0U1FpNnBqxXN-ksQ.html&si=T3TOC-GAW6D2BRRl The MT8XII is my favourite all in one cassette 8 track - the original lacked parametric mids and the 488mkii lacks direct outputs, but the MT8XII has both.
Wait what?? Yooo I just commented yesterday that I wish you had a vid on the mt2x. And low and behold you've provided. Thank you cassette God Tetrakan. I might actually be able to fix my sad mt2x now. Edit: oh this isn't a repair one is it lol. Oh well. Might give me some insight. Still really cool. Love this tape deck
I'll be publishing a tear down separately later, but there's not too much repair info here, unfortunately. At least once yours is working you'll have a good video manual to use the thing?
Hey love videos. I have problem with this unit. Channel 2 seems to be picking up microphonics (when I press play or rewind the meter goes up on channel 2) Also there's no playback on that channel. Any idea of the problem? I have the SM
Thanks. Access the board and visually inspect for obvious issues. Failing that, desolder dismantle, and deep clean and reassemble the fader and replace any of the electrolytic capacitors separating audio path gain stages for that channel, also electrolytic caps filtering the power rail for those opamps.
morning, I bought one of these years ago, wasn't working last year, thought I could fix it, made a right mess. I subsequently bought an old 8 track cassette desk, would you be interested in what I have left of the MT2X for spare parts FOC, except postage?
This is awesome! I just snagged one of these for cheap as it needed the belts replaced. I have a few other issues with it I'm working on but I'm excited to see what the machine can do once functional! BTW Your videos on the GEC Transport has been a life saver. Happy new year :^)
This is the primary model PJ Harvey used to record most of ‘4-Track Demos’ (1993). Always thought those tracks sounded amazing, but she was also using good outboard gear and mics as well as another 4-track in conjunction with this one. The individual tracks have a very wide, true-stereo sound to them, but I doubt that has much to do with this particular model.
Wonderful breakdown of your methods. The only analog purism that ever made sense to me was with old synthesizers. Be it the failing components, or just the design approach they took in the 70s...nothing really matches my old Minikorgs. Of course, they are stupid expensive these days, so embracing the new things is a must for anyone just getting into it. My conclusion over 20 years or so is that the sound itself is mayyybe 50% of the experience, the rest is the tactile use, the limits of no memory, and the sheer heft & size of the fuckers....which is why I bought a 246 lol.
Thanks. I don’t harbour much skepticism about the superiority of vintage gear vs emulations. In my limited experience (more with pedals and amps than synths) the real thing usually sounds at least slightly better in an A B test…but I know from bitter experience that there is a form of procrastination which stems from knowing that better sounding gear out there. Like, I if I had a song in my head which required a minikorg , there’d be a part of me that wanted to abandon the song until I’d tracked down and paid for a real 70s unit, even if I already had a half decent soft synth emulation, even if I didn’t really have the economic bandwidth to buy a real one in todays market, and I do consider that sort of perfectionist impulse to be a traitorous and pathological one!
I watched a whole video on it a guy made. It’s called GAS (gear acquisition syndrome). You make excuses not to work or record cause you don’t have a certain piece of gear. Or you spend a lot of money on new gear cause you wanna improve your sound. Like the whole idea too is that the A and B is only really noticeable to you or it’s like a very slight deference to the perception of other ears. Also you spend all this time and money on new gear that you spend time having to learn and sometimes repair. Taking time from recording and creating. Interesting phenomena that I’m very guilty of since day one.
I'm pleased someone made it nearly an hour and a half into the video. Even if you used Chapters to skip. Making a video this long, on a topic this niche, the fear that nobody watches more than the first 2 minutes is real.
I have thought since snagging an affordable MT3X that it’s a bit like a poor man’s 246. Even has a slightly more sophisticated transport system. And this one isn’t too far behind it. The clarity on the ‘3X is quite something considering how cheap you can grab one and I read that the 2X is about the same in terms of sound. Also, love the new BGs, very trippy. Also this is totally something you’d find laying on the side of a scraggly, sooty road on the Gorgoroth plain… 💍 🤘🏻 🔥 👁️ 🔥 🤘🏻 💍
Amazing videos! You have a true gift of explaining things clearly and directly. I just finished binging your stuff, while in the process of researching which unit to buy for my first. This particular unit hadn’t been on my radar, but the feature set, size and aesthetic seems real good. Would love your opinion: MT2X, 244/46, 414/424 family, or that fancy marantz you showcased? I value design/simplicity in workflow, and don’t need a massive feature set per se (ie double bussing w/eq 5&6 on 246). However, XLR, 4 sep line outs for DAW, and the commercial regular speed option would be a bonus to be able to use it to replace my regular tape player, along with regular mixer function. I have a line on a good price 244, but it’s lacking some of the above. 424mkiii obvs is rich with features but layout looks more hectic/less pleasing and intuitive as the 244 for example, which I like. Also the latter seems easier to work on for maintenance like you’ve said. I know it’s often to each their own, but personally which one would you lean toward? Is the original 424 also worth a look? Is longevity there compared to 244? Weird proprietary & elusive power supplies something to consider? Thanks so much in advance and keep the videos coming! Do a King Diamond cover next : ) Cheers from Canada
PS right now locally I see both a 414 (regular) and 244 for $300 CAD! (No servicing info…) so I’m wondering how fast I need to think on my feet. Also see a recently serviced clean $500 PMD740…I’m otherwise OK to be patient with it though
@@danmozy there’s less unobtanium parts and better access & portability on the 414. The 244 is more pitch stable. The different eqs are both useful in different ways. I’d rather the marantz than either honestly.
@@Tetrakan and 244 is only one without slow speed right? Marantz added XLR bonus too! I liked your take about build quality misconceptions…it’s really only the steel case that’s diff on the 244
Nice video! Thanks for using the Drome collabo tape! You don't happen to own a Yamaha MT-400 unit? I really like that one and would like to know your thoughts on that.
It’s such a great tape, humans everywhere should own a copy. I’ve never seen an MT400 in the wild, I’m mostly familiar with it from your videos tbh! I’ve got a good handle on the Tascam stuff but I’m still exploring other brands but all the Yamaha stuff I’ve worked with so far seems well thought out both for users and repair persons perspective. Im pretty sure from forum gut-shots the MT400 has that generic GEC transport that’s also in the MT2X as well as a bunch of fostex and tascam stuff. I’m sure you can hear it’s not as stable, pitch-wise, as say the 244 you guys used at one point, though a bit of subtle wow and flutter has its own charm.
@@Tetrakan ahh yes I was just hipped on the GEC transport on your video. Tascam definitely knocked it out of the park with their tape transport on the 244-246. I was still impressed by that MT-400. Thanks for digging the tape!
Excellent tune. I have a yamaha mt4x and tascam 488 and watchyour repair videos. Also a subscriber. Never knew about this deck. I like your vids cause you are in depth in your explanations.
Thank you. Very nice MCRs you have there.
Aye homie, can you Do a review of the yamaha cmx100ii and cover a guided by voices song please, gracias
My aim here is to cover all the 4 tracks ever made eventually, but it does kinda depend when such things turn up affordably on UK eBay....GBV cover is a cool idea, I'll try to work that into a demo of one of the units in the review queue
@@Tetrakan nice, yea they used the ministudio porta one specifically with type I cassettes. Looking forward to that content when or if you ever make it homie.
Guided by voices is so sick!
Just ordered one in supposed working order. Between the MT50 and the MTXs it really seems like Yamaha is the winner for value in MTR land.
33:33 What you call garbage. I call experimental freeform jazz 😂
I have one of these, bought in 88' the original owner paid 900.00 CDN according to the receipt ( I was lucky I got the extra replacement Yamaha drive bands plus the Service manual ) looking forward to using it in my studio
I had this 4-track and the MIDI FSK sync! it worked great but also you lost a track... Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I got rid of it when I dumped all our 4 track originals and band recordings into Studio Vision Pro...
I had one of these back in the day, recorded many of great tunes on it and learned how to record music w it, great machine!
If you have the Yamahas manual you can copy and print out a tracking sheet from the back.
recommend having a look at an MT8X if you ever get your hands on one, wicked machines nice and easy to use too.
I have 5 videos about repairing that model, here’s the playlist ua-cam.com/play/PLYsfQOh0tsJUgWJ7I0U1FpNnBqxXN-ksQ.html&si=T3TOC-GAW6D2BRRl The MT8XII is my favourite all in one cassette 8 track - the original lacked parametric mids and the 488mkii lacks direct outputs, but the MT8XII has both.
Wait what?? Yooo I just commented yesterday that I wish you had a vid on the mt2x. And low and behold you've provided. Thank you cassette God Tetrakan. I might actually be able to fix my sad mt2x now.
Edit: oh this isn't a repair one is it lol. Oh well. Might give me some insight. Still really cool. Love this tape deck
I'll be publishing a tear down separately later, but there's not too much repair info here, unfortunately. At least once yours is working you'll have a good video manual to use the thing?
@@Tetrakanohh yea I see that now. Lol. All good still cool to see. Love this deck.
big clive but with cussette 4 track reocrders. cool green screen fx too
Hey love videos. I have problem with this unit. Channel 2 seems to be picking up microphonics (when I press play or rewind the meter goes up on channel 2) Also there's no playback on that channel. Any idea of the problem? I have the SM
Thanks. Access the board and visually inspect for obvious issues. Failing that, desolder dismantle, and deep clean and reassemble the fader and replace any of the electrolytic capacitors separating audio path gain stages for that channel, also electrolytic caps filtering the power rail for those opamps.
morning, I bought one of these years ago, wasn't working last year, thought I could fix it, made a right mess. I subsequently bought an old 8 track cassette desk, would you be interested in what I have left of the MT2X for spare parts FOC, except postage?
Thanks, I would! Message me to arrange it? There's an email form on my Facebook account, or you could use instagram or Facebook messenger
This is awesome! I just snagged one of these for cheap as it needed the belts replaced. I have a few other issues with it I'm working on but I'm excited to see what the machine can do once functional! BTW Your videos on the GEC Transport has been a life saver. Happy new year :^)
Thanks, glad to be if help, happy refurbishing and recording!
This is the primary model PJ Harvey used to record most of ‘4-Track Demos’ (1993). Always thought those tracks sounded amazing, but she was also using good outboard gear and mics as well as another 4-track in conjunction with this one. The individual tracks have a very wide, true-stereo sound to them, but I doubt that has much to do with this particular model.
Wow, I didn't know that. How was this been established...photos? Interviews?
@@Tetrakan The exact unit was put up for auction with, I believe, some kind of authentication several years ago.
Wonderful breakdown of your methods. The only analog purism that ever made sense to me was with old synthesizers. Be it the failing components, or just the design approach they took in the 70s...nothing really matches my old Minikorgs. Of course, they are stupid expensive these days, so embracing the new things is a must for anyone just getting into it. My conclusion over 20 years or so is that the sound itself is mayyybe 50% of the experience, the rest is the tactile use, the limits of no memory, and the sheer heft & size of the fuckers....which is why I bought a 246 lol.
Thanks. I don’t harbour much skepticism about the superiority of vintage gear vs emulations. In my limited experience (more with pedals and amps than synths) the real thing usually sounds at least slightly better in an A B test…but I know from bitter experience that there is a form of procrastination which stems from knowing that better sounding gear out there. Like, I if I had a song in my head which required a minikorg , there’d be a part of me that wanted to abandon the song until I’d tracked down and paid for a real 70s unit, even if I already had a half decent soft synth emulation, even if I didn’t really have the economic bandwidth to buy a real one in todays market, and I do consider that sort of perfectionist impulse to be a traitorous and pathological one!
I watched a whole video on it a guy made. It’s called GAS (gear acquisition syndrome). You make excuses not to work or record cause you don’t have a certain piece of gear. Or you spend a lot of money on new gear cause you wanna improve your sound. Like the whole idea too is that the A and B is only really noticeable to you or it’s like a very slight deference to the perception of other ears. Also you spend all this time and money on new gear that you spend time having to learn and sometimes repair. Taking time from recording and creating. Interesting phenomena that I’m very guilty of since day one.
1:29:42 This is how it's done, Iron Maiden!
I'm pleased someone made it nearly an hour and a half into the video. Even if you used Chapters to skip. Making a video this long, on a topic this niche, the fear that nobody watches more than the first 2 minutes is real.
I have thought since snagging an affordable MT3X that it’s a bit like a poor man’s 246. Even has a slightly more sophisticated transport system. And this one isn’t too far behind it. The clarity on the ‘3X is quite something considering how cheap you can grab one and I read that the 2X is about the same in terms of sound.
Also, love the new BGs, very trippy. Also this is totally something you’d find laying on the side of a scraggly, sooty road on the Gorgoroth plain… 💍 🤘🏻 🔥 👁️ 🔥 🤘🏻 💍
Amazing videos! You have a true gift of explaining things clearly and directly. I just finished binging your stuff, while in the process of researching which unit to buy for my first. This particular unit hadn’t been on my radar, but the feature set, size and aesthetic seems real good. Would love your opinion:
MT2X, 244/46, 414/424 family, or that fancy marantz you showcased?
I value design/simplicity in workflow, and don’t need a massive feature set per se (ie double bussing w/eq 5&6 on 246). However, XLR, 4 sep line outs for DAW, and the commercial regular speed option would be a bonus to be able to use it to replace my regular tape player, along with regular mixer function. I have a line on a good price 244, but it’s lacking some of the above. 424mkiii obvs is rich with features but layout looks more hectic/less pleasing and intuitive as the 244 for example, which I like. Also the latter seems easier to work on for maintenance like you’ve said.
I know it’s often to each their own, but personally which one would you lean toward? Is the original 424 also worth a look? Is longevity there compared to 244?
Weird proprietary & elusive power supplies something to consider?
Thanks so much in advance and keep the videos coming! Do a King Diamond cover next : ) Cheers from Canada
PS right now locally I see both a 414 (regular) and 244 for $300 CAD! (No servicing info…) so I’m wondering how fast I need to think on my feet. Also see a recently serviced clean $500 PMD740…I’m otherwise OK to be patient with it though
@@danmozy there’s less unobtanium parts and better access & portability on the 414. The 244 is more pitch stable. The different eqs are both useful in different ways. I’d rather the marantz than either honestly.
Btw 424 mk iii feels more intuitive to use than most I’ve tried despite appearances. These decisions come down to availability in the end..
@@Tetrakan and 244 is only one without slow speed right? Marantz added XLR bonus too! I liked your take about build quality misconceptions…it’s really only the steel case that’s diff on the 244
@@Tetrakan Thanks a million!
Great to see a video from you! Thanks!!
Nice video! Thanks for using the Drome collabo tape! You don't happen to own a Yamaha MT-400 unit? I really like that one and would like to know your thoughts on that.
It’s such a great tape, humans everywhere should own a copy. I’ve never seen an MT400 in the wild, I’m mostly familiar with it from your videos tbh! I’ve got a good handle on the Tascam stuff but I’m still exploring other brands but all the Yamaha stuff I’ve worked with so far seems well thought out both for users and repair persons perspective. Im pretty sure from forum gut-shots the MT400 has that generic GEC transport that’s also in the MT2X as well as a bunch of fostex and tascam stuff. I’m sure you can hear it’s not as stable, pitch-wise, as say the 244 you guys used at one point, though a bit of subtle wow and flutter has its own charm.
@@Tetrakan ahh yes I was just hipped on the GEC transport on your video. Tascam definitely knocked it out of the park with their tape transport on the 244-246. I was still impressed by that MT-400. Thanks for digging the tape!