Mini disc was a great format, especially as we used to record our live sets on a portable Sharp mini disc, although TBH, that four track playback sounded better than I was expecting!
Great video! Thanks for doing such a great job filming and documenting these two! I think there is a great deal of interest in MD and tape sound quality. The company’s really did a great job back then, quality was great even by todays standards
picked up a sony mini disc recorder recently with net md and using it on a PC was perfect, software was platinum md and for cd to mini disc software netmd both programs can be found on githuib with latest releases etc. bought some jbl tune 720 bluetooth headphones that also uses a chord so headphones is a both win win for all devices. everything worked flawlessly.
they were cool in 1998 - we used them heavily for 5 years in radio , bumpers commercials , interview segments ect...- and then the players / recorders started to fail.. discs started having issues , now disc rot ect... then HDD / USB came into commercial space , no more playing through a MDD juste to record the data to edit it on a computer.. this is an obsolete format.. CD-R has also obsoleted this (even before MDD was released LOL - as it's better sound quality - more ubiquitous today and much less expensive. )
Thanks for sharing this comparison, both sounds good because you recorded your tracks with no distraction,to my ears the digital dm sounds more compressed, the tape tracks has more frequency response sound full widh
Interesting!! Both sound good to me to be honest, though of course the tape takes the lead 😃 Both machines look fun to work on though, well built! The noise reduction is amazing.
Hey Will, thanks for having a listen! Yeah the tape always seems to have the edge with these things and adds a bit of secret sauce 😀. I liked the MD8 but have decided to move it on to make some space!
Peace great vid as always . But honestly how’s the Tascam 488mkii video coming ? Thinking about selling mine because I can’t figure how to use it really hope you make this vid soon I know I’m not the only one who’d appreciate it
Hey man, I’m about halfway through it at the moment so hopefully be finished in the next couple of weeks? Hold off selling your 488mkii if possible, they’re great machines when you get up and running!
Definitely seems like a good time to buy one price wise. It reminds me of when multitrack cassette recorders were cheap around 2008-2010 (then shot up in price).
Perhaps a comparison with high hi-fi analog (2 inch tape high speed recording etc), and hi fi digital (best pre amps d/a convertors etc) you will get a more similar result. While lower fidelity formats in those domains will color the sound more. The mini-disc was adequate but a bit sterile, and the cassette had instant groove.
3:082:47 8 track sounded better the md8 the snare seemed like it lost the sound or was weak ? But over all the md8 is good but maybe stick with the analog !
On my Yamaha mt8x I can't get the aux return to work If I use send I have to use a track as the return. Could you do a tutorial on using aux send and return. It should be simple but it's not working using the return
That’s a pain that your aux return isn’t working. The aux send on my unit was a bit iffy on tracks 1&2 on mine when I used it last, but I’ll see if it works well enough for a tutorial. 🤞🏻
Thanks for having a listen and leaving a comment! Yeah, I’d assumed the difference would be greater, but the MD8 put up a good fight. The MT8X is my favourite too though 🤩
@@wehappyfewmusic How in your opinion MT8X compare to Tascam 688 in the mixer's quality, cross-talks and of course the tape recording and playback quality?
@@mateuszwozniak8049 I’ve not done a full comparison yet but they seem to be pretty close on the sound quality front. The mixer might have the slight edge on the 688, but the MT8X is easier to get your head around. I can feel another comparison video coming on! 😅
The Yamaha MT8x mk2 sounds tighter and more natural and punchier. The DBX add to make it snappy and its very quite for cassette 8 track. If you go digital just go with a DAW or million other 24 bit multitrack HDD based. IMHO
Excellent points and thanks for having a listen! They did a good job with the noise reduction on the MT8X and you’re probably right about the digital route being far easier with a 24 bit multitrack/DAW. I was intrigued by the nostalgia for MDs and the impressive mixer with the MD8.
I remember when the md came out.... Such a buzzz but unfortunately they didn't sell well and were replaced. The MT8X mk2 is outstanding in performance and backward compatible with Tascam 238 and 488 mk2 which is incredible for people with different systems. At least this is my recollection from couple years ago. I've done another testing in those years where I've mixed it from the mt8x to digital wav file and rerecord it again from digital to MT8x. No noise was added.and it became more analog sounding...
@@Producer4Realz yes it impressive that tapes from the MT8X play on the Tascam 8 tracks too, that’s great planning by Yamaha! Do you still have your MT8X? I love mine but channel 1&2 are playing up on the mixer, think I’ll need to find some replacement faders…
The MTX8 looks more sturdy and professional. MD8's knobs and switches looks as if they has been mad by a Chinese toy factory. MiniDisk support would have deserve a better build quality for its recorder. Thank you very much for this comparison test.
Many thanks for sharing your thoughts and checking out the video! Yes the colour scheme of MD8 is kinda wacky😅, they also made a dark one which is a bit more serious looking (and similar to the MT8X). The knobs and switches are more sturdy than they look on the MD8, but the MT8X faders are larger and more professional feeling.
Both even I see nothing wrong with the md8 at all .I have a tascam dp008ex it very hi-fi sounding with what I learn about SD cards they can with Stand cold and hot more better than cassette like for cold -31f to 180f what ever that a be in c. than it can also withstand 10 tons lol.butt yes that md8 nice I also have a tascam dp01 it don't sound good at all.
Thanks for checking out the video and sharing your experiences. Those Tascam DP008EX’s look super handy and very compact! I’ve not tried a DP01, but is the audio really compressed sounding?
@wehappyfewmusic the dp01 sounds real flat like it don't have eq likes it's very cheap 4 track cassette recorderwith out eq it only has high and a low no mids fir eq with it and 40 gb hard drive butt it does have hands on controls and and knobs.
@wehappyfewmusic thank you for video I'm looking at the md8 right now the price on them look cheap wow ! I have ideals going all ready.do like the pro did back in the day. on md do basic mix then on the line outs to a mixer than a master mix there just like the old days there's a lot that can be done with that unit. Lol
@@ephraimwarrior6766Yeah the MD8 has a very versatile mixer, so there’s lots of scope for different configurations with outboard gear. Make sure you can get hold of a bunch of HD MiniDiscs though if you decide to get one.
Mini disc was a great format, especially as we used to record our live sets on a portable Sharp mini disc, although TBH, that four track playback sounded better than I was expecting!
Yeah, minidiscs were a useful compact format for live recordings! Thanks for checking out the video. 🙏🙌
Always impressed at the sound quality of the 4 track cassette machines.
Yeah, the big manufactures had really refined the 4/8 track cassette machines by this stage.
Great video! Thanks for doing such a great job filming and documenting these two! I think there is a great deal of interest in MD and tape sound quality. The company’s really did a great job back then, quality was great even by todays standards
Thanks very much for watching and glad you enjoyed the video! It was a fun one to make and they are both well designed machines.
Mini discs sounded great
Yeah, I have found memories of them!
picked up a sony mini disc recorder recently with net md and using it on a PC was perfect, software was platinum md and for cd to mini disc software netmd both programs can be found on githuib with latest releases etc. bought some jbl tune 720 bluetooth headphones that also uses a chord so headphones is a both win win for all devices. everything worked flawlessly.
Sounds like a nice setup! Which md recorder have you got?
I have a Yamaha MD8 and the four channel Sony multitrack recorder. I love the idea of physical media in 2024, especially at high fidelity.
Cool, yeah there’s something reassuring about being able to hold your musical project in your hands with physical media 🙌
Man Mini Discs were so cool
Yeah, there is something really nice about those little discs! 😀
they were cool in 1998 - we used them heavily for 5 years in radio , bumpers commercials , interview segments ect...- and then the players / recorders started to fail.. discs started having issues , now disc rot ect... then HDD / USB came into commercial space , no more playing through a MDD juste to record the data to edit it on a computer.. this is an obsolete format.. CD-R has also obsoleted this (even before MDD was released LOL - as it's better sound quality - more ubiquitous today and much less expensive. )
@@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777 that probably explains why they were a short lived format in the industry.👍
Thanks for sharing this comparison, both sounds good because you recorded your tracks with no distraction,to my ears the digital dm sounds more compressed, the tape tracks has more frequency response sound full widh
My pleasure, thanks for checking it out and sharing your thoughts!
Wow Adrian, the MT8 is a beast and sounds awesome.
Cheers mate, yeah they’re cool machines and nice to work on!
It's obvious that the drums are much more lively on that Yamaha
Yes, thanks for having a listen 🎧.
Interesting!! Both sound good to me to be honest, though of course the tape takes the lead 😃 Both machines look fun to work on though, well built! The noise reduction is amazing.
Hey Will, thanks for having a listen! Yeah the tape always seems to have the edge with these things and adds a bit of secret sauce 😀. I liked the MD8 but have decided to move it on to make some space!
Peace great vid as always . But honestly how’s the Tascam 488mkii video coming ? Thinking about selling mine because I can’t figure how to use it really hope you make this vid soon I know I’m not the only one who’d appreciate it
Hey man, I’m about halfway through it at the moment so hopefully be finished in the next couple of weeks? Hold off selling your 488mkii if possible, they’re great machines when you get up and running!
Okay bro I appreciate you soo much thanks again . I’ll definitely keep it !
ive thought about getting one of the multi track md units for a while now, might have to snag one up while theyre still kind of cheap.
Definitely seems like a good time to buy one price wise. It reminds me of when multitrack cassette recorders were cheap around 2008-2010 (then shot up in price).
Hrm, they both sounded similar, except the lead guitar recorded on the MD8 was in the center, where on the MT8Xii it was panned to the right....
Yeah, the lead guitar is a bit different on the MT8Xii. Oops 😬
Perhaps a comparison with high hi-fi analog (2 inch tape high speed recording etc), and hi fi digital (best pre amps d/a convertors etc) you will get a more similar result. While lower fidelity formats in those domains will color the sound more. The mini-disc was adequate but a bit sterile, and the cassette had instant groove.
Thanks for having a listen, and I think you’re right. A hi fi digital analog comparison would be much harder to tell apart.
dolby was always an amazing technology!
Yes it’s clever stuff, makes a big difference with the noise levels on 8 track cassette portastudios.
They both sound great. The cassette was a bit more pleasing, very small differences.
Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.
Thank you dear for this video =)
You’re welcome, thanks for stopping by!
3:08 2:47 8 track sounded better the md8 the snare seemed like it lost the sound or was weak ? But over all the md8 is good but maybe stick with the analog !
Good observations! Yeah, I’ll be sticking with analog machines for my music, but enjoyed checking out the MD8.
On my Yamaha mt8x I can't get the aux return to work
If I use send I have to use a track as the return. Could you do a tutorial on using aux send and return. It should be simple but it's not working using the return
That’s a pain that your aux return isn’t working. The aux send on my unit was a bit iffy on tracks 1&2 on mine when I used it last, but I’ll see if it works well enough for a tutorial. 🤞🏻
Both of machines sound good. I am surprised by the quality of MD8. However, the MT8X sounds fuller to me and drums sound dense and great.
Thanks for having a listen and leaving a comment! Yeah, I’d assumed the difference would be greater, but the MD8 put up a good fight. The MT8X is my favourite too though 🤩
@@wehappyfewmusic How in your opinion MT8X compare to Tascam 688 in the mixer's quality, cross-talks and of course the tape recording and playback quality?
@@mateuszwozniak8049 I’ve not done a full comparison yet but they seem to be pretty close on the sound quality front. The mixer might have the slight edge on the 688, but the MT8X is easier to get your head around. I can feel another comparison video coming on! 😅
@@wehappyfewmusic Thank you.
@@mateuszwozniak8049 👍
MD❤
Thanks for having a listen 🎧 👍
The Yamaha MT8x mk2 sounds tighter and more natural and punchier.
The DBX add to make it snappy and its very quite for cassette 8 track.
If you go digital just go with a DAW or million other 24 bit multitrack HDD based.
IMHO
Excellent points and thanks for having a listen!
They did a good job with the noise reduction on the MT8X and you’re probably right about the digital route being far easier with a 24 bit multitrack/DAW. I was intrigued by the nostalgia for MDs and the impressive mixer with the MD8.
I remember when the md came out.... Such a buzzz but unfortunately they didn't sell well and were replaced. The MT8X mk2 is outstanding in performance and backward compatible with Tascam 238 and 488 mk2 which is incredible for people with different systems. At least this is my recollection from couple years ago.
I've done another testing in those years where I've mixed it from the mt8x to digital wav file and rerecord it again from digital to MT8x. No noise was added.and it became more analog sounding...
@@Producer4Realz yes it impressive that tapes from the MT8X play on the Tascam 8 tracks too, that’s great planning by Yamaha! Do you still have your MT8X? I love mine but channel 1&2 are playing up on the mixer, think I’ll need to find some replacement faders…
Yes I've kept it. Ch 1 Fader is dead too... Never found a replacement but its inline mixing so I route track one through the flip button (tape).
@@Producer4Realz that’s a good work around, I’ll try that too! Thanks
Yamaha mt8x II win! and mini disk same same daw!
Thanks for watching and letting me know your vote! 🙌🙏
The MTX8 looks more sturdy and professional. MD8's knobs and switches looks as if they has been mad by a Chinese toy factory. MiniDisk support would have deserve a better build quality for its recorder. Thank you very much for this comparison test.
Many thanks for sharing your thoughts and checking out the video! Yes the colour scheme of MD8 is kinda wacky😅, they also made a dark one which is a bit more serious looking (and similar to the MT8X). The knobs and switches are more sturdy than they look on the MD8, but the MT8X faders are larger and more professional feeling.
Both even I see nothing wrong with the md8 at all .I have a tascam dp008ex it very hi-fi sounding with what I learn about SD cards they can with Stand cold and hot more better than cassette like for cold -31f to 180f what ever that a be in c. than it can also withstand 10 tons lol.butt yes that md8 nice I also have a tascam dp01 it don't sound good at all.
Thanks for checking out the video and sharing your experiences. Those Tascam DP008EX’s look super handy and very compact! I’ve not tried a DP01, but is the audio really compressed sounding?
@wehappyfewmusic the dp01 sounds real flat like it don't have eq likes it's very cheap 4 track cassette recorderwith out eq it only has high and a low no mids fir eq with it and 40 gb hard drive butt it does have hands on controls and and knobs.
@@ephraimwarrior6766oh yeah, that doesn’t sound too good. 😊
@wehappyfewmusic thank you for video I'm looking at the md8 right now the price on them look cheap wow ! I have ideals going all ready.do like the pro did back in the day. on md do basic mix then on the line outs to a mixer than a master mix there just like the old days there's a lot that can be done with that unit. Lol
@@ephraimwarrior6766Yeah the MD8 has a very versatile mixer, so there’s lots of scope for different configurations with outboard gear. Make sure you can get hold of a bunch of HD MiniDiscs though if you decide to get one.
I live Reel 2 Reel 😉
Good choice 👍 😄
Analog!!
Thanks for your vote! 🙌
Much prefer the sound of the cassette tape. Made my head bob more for sure.
Thanks for having a listen and think you’re right!