#135 - 07/21/01 04:03 PM
What the hell is this thing?(alesis MMT8)
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ricknbokker
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As I have admitted on these boards previously...I am a '4-tracker'...
(ooohs, titters, and quiet mumblings from the audience)
Anyway, someone just gave me something called an MMT-8 Multi Track Midi Recorder, without an instruction book.
I have to admit I don't know squat about this thing. Amazingly, it has a flip-up panel on it that explains how to operate all of the functions that it's capable of performing, but I need to know how to best hook the damn thing up to my Fostex X-28, and how to get the best performance out of it.
Any help out there? Please keep in mind that you're dealing with a 'Techno-feeb', so... as simple as possible, O.K.? 
Thanx in advance for any assistance...
Steve
(the guy who bought his first CD player just last year...)
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#136 - 07/21/01 05:02 PM
Re: What the hell is this thing?(alesis MMT8)
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Jonathan Hughes
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Loc: Amherst, NY, USA
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It's a sequencer. You'd need some sort of MIDI keyboard to enter notes into it and then it will playthose notes back on either that keybaord or another MIDI sound module.
You can't hook it up to the X28 unless it has a sync jack that would let you print a sync toone to one of the tracks of the X28. You would then have to run a line out from that track (probably track 4) and send it to the sync in jack on the MMT8 (if it has one -- I don't know)
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#137 - 07/21/01 08:26 PM
Re: What the hell is this thing?(alesis MMT8)
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Philip O'Keefe
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Hey Steve:
Jonathan's correct - it's a 8 track hardware sequencer... as far as a manual goes, you're got everything you really need under that fold up panel.
If you're willing to give up a track of your 4 track, you can use something like a JL Cooper PPS to lock the sequencer to tape... this would give you MIDI "virtual tracks" - the sequencer and 4 track play together in sync, and the sequencer is triggering playback of the connected synths / samplers / drum machines "live" instead of tracking them to tape. Of course, with an X-28, you'll need an additional mixer to be able to bring the synth inputs and 4 track audio together...
Run, don't walk, to Amazon.com and buy a copy of "MIDI For Musicians" by Craig Anderton. It's going to explain MIDI far better than I can in the limited space I have available here - the book's a classic, and is easy to understand.
Phil O'Keefe
Sound Sanctuary Recording
Riverside CA
http://members.aol.com/ssanctuary/index.html
email: pokeefe777@msn.com
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#138 - 07/21/01 09:33 PM
Re: What the hell is this thing?(alesis MMT8)
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-
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Registered: 03/13/01
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Hi Steve --
A little off topic, but if you have your own computer (I'm assuming you're not typing in your posts from a friend's computer or at a library), have you considered going a low-cost DAW route?
If you have a semi-decent sound card and are using Windows, you can probably get rolling with something cheap like n-Track .
I have to admit, there's something about tape (especially 4-tracks) that I like... I think that since you have a limited number of tracks, you're forced to simplify things... But if you have the resources and the inclination to try something new, I'd consider checking out what it might take to get a simple multitrack program running on your computer and learn it instead of that Alesis sequencer, IMO...
Of course, using a computer to record just opens up a whole big money pit, so perhaps you might be better off from a financial standpoint if you stick with the 4-track.
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#140 - 07/22/01 12:18 PM
Re: What the hell is this thing?(alesis MMT8)
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ricknbokker
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Excellent feedback, folks!! Thanx much.
Yes, a DAW is in my future, but I figure since I got this thing for free, I would see what I can do with it.
Phil-- I'm ordering the book today. I just now dug up the manual for the Fostex, and it does have a Tape Sync feature to work with MIDI tracks.
However, I need to know if the MMT-8 incorporates an FSK to MIDI converter.
If it does, it looks like I can hook this thimg up right away!
Btw, although only a 4-trac, I've found the X28 to be a fairly powerful machine. I use it in conjunction w/a Carvin 16 ch Studiomate.
When playing all of the instruments/drum machine myself, I usually end up with 8-9 instruments and vocals on each song.
Not bad for 4 tracks...
Thanks again to all of you.
Steve
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#141 - 07/22/01 12:30 PM
Re: What the hell is this thing?(alesis MMT8)
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lrossmusic
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Registered: 05/29/00
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Loc: Washington DC , UNITED STATES
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Steve,
Send me your address and I'll send you a copy of the operator's manual.
One of the best things about this old unit is that it is easy to use. I even showed my blind buddy how to work it and he's been getting some great results for years. Check out Take Some Time to hear what we did with the MMT8.
Lincoln
This message has been edited by lrossmusic@hotmail.com on 07-22-2001 at 09:34 AM
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#142 - 07/22/01 01:12 PM
Re: What the hell is this thing?(alesis MMT8)
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aliengroover
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Registered: 03/25/00
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Loc: Cydonia, Mars (By way of PA)
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You guys are correct for the most part, however...
With a sync box you're going to have to sacrifice a track for the time code. So you'll get 3 tracks plus MIDI. The way I see it is, the fourth track would be used for drums or keys anyway, so you're really not losing anything.
Peace
_________________________
If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking 'til you do suck seed!
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#143 - 07/23/01 12:12 AM
Re: What the hell is this thing?(alesis MMT8)
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ricknbokker
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Thanks, Lincoln.
Whaddaya know? Yet another representative of the finest forums in the land!!
Of this, I have no doubt...
Steve
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#144 - 07/24/01 09:36 PM
Re: What the hell is this thing?(alesis MMT8)
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Anderton
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Registered: 01/28/00
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<>
I also did a book called "The Complete Guide to the Alesis HR-16 and MMT-8." It did pretty well at the time, but is hard to find now. Still, if you can rustle up a copy, it has a lot of useful tricks and tips that are not in the manual.
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#145 - 07/24/01 09:37 PM
Re: What the hell is this thing?(alesis MMT8)
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Anderton
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Ooops...forgot to mention it's published by AMSCO, a division of Music Sales.
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#146 - 07/24/01 10:00 PM
Re: What the hell is this thing?(alesis MMT8)
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Gus Lozada
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Registered: 03/19/01
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Loc: Bunda Léle Studios - Mexico
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Originally posted by ricknbokker:
I just now dug up the manual for the Fostex, and it does have a Tape Sync feature to work with MIDI tracks.
However, I need to know if the MMT-8 incorporates an FSK to MIDI converter.
If it does, it looks like I can hook this thimg up right away!
Steve
Hi Steve !
I took a look to my friend's MMT8 by myself as I promised. It has no SYNC funtion other than MIDI. Its "Tape" I/O are for tape storage, not for syncing it.
So, ALIENGROOVER is right. You will absolutely need a sort of a sync box and "sacrifice" an audio track for the time code.
However, "sacrifice" means adding 8 tracks of MIDI to your whole project.
And finally, try to find that book Craig Anderton wrote for getting fine details on how to do it... I'm sooo sure it will help a lot.
------------------
Gustavo G Lozada
Moderador de:
MusicPlayer.com/NuestroForo
"La voz en Español en Música y Tecnología"
GusTraX @yahoo.com
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#147 - 07/25/01 01:01 AM
Re: What the hell is this thing?(alesis MMT8)
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ricknbokker
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Registered: 12/10/00
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Loc: Telford,PA,UNITED STATES
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Alrighty, then. So the search begins...
Thanks, Craig. I'll let you know if I find a copy.
Gus-- As you said, I certainly don't mind giving up a track, considering the return. I always end up using it for the damn drum machine anyway!
The sinc box is no problemo...after all, the MMT-8 was free!!!
Jeez, I can't wait!!
Thanks again, everyone...
Steve
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