Full-Featured Cassette Multitrack That's Easy and Economical

FEATURES Ever had a great musical idea that never got past the idea stage simply because it wasn't recorded or presented properly? If so, you probably need some sort of multitrack recording capability. And if you don't need the premium features - and price - of high-end multitrack workstations, the Yamaha MT400 4-track Multitrack Cassette Recorder is probably exactly what you need.Simplicity With the MT400 you can record basic ideas, layer sound on sound to build up complex musical compositions and textures, add equalization and effects to polish your sound, and much more. The simplicity of the MT400 makes it a convenient "musical notebook," while at the same time its many advanced features make it a very versatile creative tool. 4 Mono and 2 Stereo Input Channels With four mono microphone/line inputs and two pairs of stereo line inputs, the MT400 will accept just about any source you need to create your sound. You can connect microphones; keyboards, guitar preamps, and other musical instruments to the mono input channels, while stereo sources can be connected directly to the stereo inputs. 3-Band Equalizers Each of the MT400's four mono input channels features a full 3-band equalizer section that provides considerably more response-shaping flexibility than the 2-band types found on most multitrack recorders in this class. Mid-Band The mid-band control is particularly useful for emphasizing or de-emphasizing frequencies in the mid-band region which are critical in determining the tonal color of many musical instruments as well as the human voice. High-Band The high band can be used to add a little extra sparkle or "air" where needed, or to tame a hissy or noisy track. In the same way the low-band control can give you a more solid-sounding low end, or reduce low-frequency noise and rumble that can significantly degrade the overall sound. Selectable Tape Speed The MT400's recorder section runs at either the standard 4.8 cm/sec. cassette speed, or at double speed (9.5 cm/sec.) for extended high-frequency response, lower noise, and more stable tape run, thus improved overall sound quality. The standard-speed mode provides compatibility with tapes recorded on other cassette machines, and allows you to create tapes that will play back properly on other cassette machines. Standard Speed Standard speed also provides maximum tape economy for "jotting down" musical ideas and recording simple demos. But when you want the best quality the MT400 has to offer, the high-speed mode is the best choice --particularly if you plan to use ping-pong techniques to record more than four tracks. Simultaneous 4-Track Record Surprisingly, not all multitrack recorders let you record on all tracks at the same time. The MT400 does. So you can record your band or any other group of performers to separate tracks all at once, thus maintaining the spontaneity and life of the performance. Dual AUX Sends The MT400's dual aux send controls place it well ahead of the competition . With two completely separate auxiliary mixes you can feed two separate signal processing devices - say, a reverb unit from the AUX 1 mix and a multi-effects unit from the AUX 2 mix - for maximum processing power. The output from external signal processors can be conveniently returned to the MT400's stereo inputs. Performer's Headphone Mix You could also use one auxiliary output to provide a performer's headphone mix, or any other type of post fader auxiliary mix you need for your particular application Versatile Monitor System with Cue Controls The MT400's cue system makes monitoring during recording, over dubbing, or mixdown easy and flexible. When recording a track to tape, the INPUT FLIP switch for that channel will be set to MIC/LINE so the signal received at the channel's input is routed to tape. The signal from the corresponding tape track will be routed via the channel's CUE control to the cue buss, which can be monitored via the MT400's monitor or headphone outputs.   INPUT FLIP Switch When mixing down or overdubbing the INPUT FLIP switch for tracks to be played back from tape will be set to the TAPE position (the playback signal from the corresponding tape track is routed through the main channel controls to the stereo bus through the CUE control). 

Cue Controls You have an exceptionally versatile monitor system which will let you hear what you need when you need it, and allow you to route both tape playback and channel inputs to the stereo buss. Extra tracks, played live or via synchronized MIDI gear, can be added when mixing down to a stereo recorder.
MIDI Synchronization f you record with MIDI synthesizers and tone generators using a MIDI sequencer or computer, the MT400's MIDI synchronization capability lets you use a single track to synchronize playback of your MIDI equipment without having to use actual tape tracks available for live sources such as vocals and acoustic instruments.
FSK MIDI When the dbx switch is set to the SYNC position, dbx noise reduction on track 4 is bypassed so you can use that track to record an FSK MIDI clock signal provided by an optional FSK/MIDI converter such as the Yamaha YMC-10, or SMPTE/MTC converter. When played back the synchronization signal will keep your MIDI sequence in perfect sync with whatever is on tape.
Monitor Level Control and Source Selector n addition to an independent level control for the line-level monitor outputs and PHONE jack, the MT400 features a monitor source selector which allows the monitor signal to be taken from the stereo buss, the cue buss, or both the stereo and cue busses at the same time. Insert I/O Jacks For extra signal-processing flexibility, the MT400 provides INSERT I/O jacks on input channels 1 and 2. These can be used to easily patch in compressors, equalizers or other external gear you might only want to apply to a single channel.
Variable Pitch Control A continuously variable pitch control allows the MT400's tape speed to be varied over approximately a +/- 10% range. This can be used to create special effects, shrink or stretch a composition to fit certain time requirements, or match the playback pitch to that of live instruments.
Footswitch-Controlled Punch-In Recording f you make a mistake or play a few less-that-perfect measures in the middle of an otherwise perfect take, there's no need to record the entire track again. With an optional footswitch (Yamaha FC-5) you can "punch-in" and record over only those measures that need to be replaced.
Bar-Graph Level Meters with Model Switch The four bar-graph level meters on the MT400 can be switched to provide accurate visual monitoring of signal levels from the four tape tracks, or on the stereo buss.  Ping-Pong The MT400 is a 4-track machine but that does not mean that you're limited to recording four parts. Using the ping-pong technique it is possible to record up to 10 independent parts on the MT400's 4 tracks. First record 3 of the 4 available tracks, then transfer these 3 tracks to the 4th track while simultaneously adding a 4th source via the mixer. Previously recorded tracks can be erased and recorded over. Newly recorded tracks can be transferred to an open track while adding an external source.