MMT-8 Q's

[kamp+slip+stytch]

Hello MMT-8 users I do have some questions....

1) can an MMT-8 function like a midi looper (much the same as an audio looper - echoplex digi pro, et.)

2)how much do they weigh, and how big are they?

3)are they road worthy?

[kamp+slip+stytch]

For the future wonderers t->wordz an mmt-8:

mmt8.com : Home

+slutz'stytch+

[kamp+slip+stytch]

Originally Posted by kamp+slip+stytch

For the future wonderers t->wordz an mmt-8:

mmt8.com : Home

+slutz'stytch+

(hint): 8x Memory expansion for the Alesis MMT8 | midiutils.org

+peaces+

[Popbott]

Sup Stitch, howz that Prophet 600?

Originally Posted by kamp+slip+stytch

Hello MMT-8 users I do have some questions....

1) can an MMT-8 function like a midi looper (much the same as an audio looper - echoplex digi pro, et.)

Yes, and it is very simple to operate. It has a bitton on the upper left that say "loop". As long as this button is pressed, it will continuously play whatever you have sequenced. If you want to record along in loop mode I believe you can press PLAY + REC at the same time to jump in there. Loads of sequencing fun.

Originally Posted by kamp+slip+stytch

2)how much do they weigh, and how big are they?

Hmmm...about 2 pounds, maybe less? Very light weight. Dimentions are about maybe a little bit bigger that a standard sheet of paper.

Originally Posted by kamp+slip+stytch

3)are they road worthy?

The MMT-8s have a reputation for crashing every once in a while. If you try and perform too many tasts at once and too quickly... it jams. When this happens, it re-boots, it comes back on and smiles at you like nothing is wrong. You then realize you have just lost all sequence data. But it is now working again. Recommend having two on stage.

Membrane buttons become dead after prolonged usage. You may have to press down hard on them to get them to work. Stitch's recomended site has a great repair technique.

Clock resolution sucks, so getting a sampled drum loop in time is out of the question. But I think that is what everyone love about em, it's raw and tempermental. Gotta love the MMT-8.

[Strobian]

I used an MMT-8 in the early stages of my music, and never had any problems with them. I used to daisy chain like 6-7 midi devices and run parts on almost every channel. It does flex if you overload it with sequence data, and I mean, slightly loose timing when the part is turned on, so I would probably think 8 parts may be pushing it, but they are like 75 I think now, I used to run my like 8 hours a day, was a workhorse, real limited, but worked. I'd probably use a computer now.

[kamp+slip+stytch]

Thank you PB and Strobian, I very much appreciate the input. This box is my answer to a cheap live performable rig to busk on any street i wish as long as I have batteries. I havn't got it yet, but will expand it as much as i can on the cheap. if I loose it or it breaks, i can just buy another one and loop midi on the fly. the sky is the limit, and i'm traveling with my MMT-8 to play anywhere i want for free and unexpected compensation.

again, thanks for the input, it makes gearslutz all the better!

myspace.com/slipstytch (i only have one song because all of the plays for one week started to make me feel too listened to, and for some reason kind of freaked me out, so i left the one that got the most plays over all) my first "electronic, EDM" album is complete and waiting for me to actually display it, my second album is half way done. The words on my space are just creative ways of expressing....nothing more, nothing less. I'm just trying to express myself from my own experience, using creative inspirations!

and for the sake of any idiot possible, i hope no one accuses me of being an !!!!!


+musings+

[clusterchord]

how is sync to external clock doin?


is it acceptably accurate?

for example id like to run it with clock from SP-12 or RS-7000..


i know there is a software to transfer midi files into sysex which MMT-8 reads, and thats awesome.. so loosing data becomes non issue if u make your sequneces on your DAW seq.


so i if i were to run no more than 4 tracks, would it be safe to say it wouldnt be as prone to crashin down?



thanks for all the info guys

[kamp+slip+stytch]

Originally Posted by clusterchord

MMT-8 demands, "Feed me midi! I am starving for data....".





Caution: MMT-8 may take a dump at anytime. If so, just do wut you can w/ wut ya' got.

hint: (lol)

exactly, the thing is like a blank midi slate......total-totallity in agreement with yah........yep golly........(lololol)

[initself]

Originally Posted by kamp+slip+stytch

3)are they road worthy?

One word: Orbital

[initself]

Alesis MMT-8 Multi Track MIDI Recorder - eBay (item 270205782968 end time Jan-28-08 18:59:29 PST)

[Irritator]

Originally Posted by initself

Alesis MMT-8 Multi Track MIDI Recorder - eBay (item 270205782968 end time Jan-28-08 18:59:29 PST)

I love how that auction says "Makes a great gift for Any Occasion". Sure, my mother-in-law would love one of those for her birthday.

[HoPMiX]

DubTribe Sound System

[HoPMiX]

i have a mmt-8 ill sell.. its grey..
i use to use 3 for my live show..
The freaking things will def crash on that ass at least once.. all data gone..
i remember there being a loader for it though. where you could back your data up.. sysex

[rallycapmusic]

So with the MMT8, is there a way to "over-dub" on the same track? like if i play the kick and snare on one track, can i also go over it with hi hats?

[Popbott]

Originally Posted by rallycapmusic

So with the MMT8, is there a way to "over-dub" on the same track? like if i play the kick and snare on one track, can i also go over it with hi hats?

Gosh, it's been so long since...but if I remember correctly: You cannot overdub on an MMT-8. BUT, once you have different tracks recorded, if they are on the same MIDI channel, you can bounce them to one another and combine them to one track. Problem solved!!

[Jim Stout]

I rocked the MMT-8s for many years with Nebula 9. They were great for making remixed versions of songs on the fly. Programs like ableton live have far surpassed the possibilities .

But they are still fun.

[rallycapmusic]

Well I got a shot to get an alesis mmt8 for less than $100 or an mpc 2000xl for $425. I will only be using the mpc mainly for its sequencer and some trickery with the note repeat button. all my drums and sounds will come from my sound modules. Either piece i get, I will be flying the tracks into Protools as audio anyway to do my mixing and editing. I just wanted something simple enough to just lay midi tracks down to and then track in the audio into PT's

[The_Crooked_Man]

Originally Posted by rallycapmusic

Well I got a shot to get an alesis mmt8 for less than $100 or an mpc 2000xl for $425.

I'm not a big MPC guy, but if you can can a 2kxl for $425, I say go for it. Plus, it won't crash on you

[Acid Hazard]

I've used many MMT-8s. They're easy to use and understand. I've only found that they start wigging out then you have the memory almost full. Something about the OS in the Gray versions. Supposedly, the Black ones fix this issue, but i've never had a black one. Make sure to always hit the quantize button after recording. It won't totally quantize on it's own for some reason. As long as you don't stick 100 patterns in there, you should be safe from it crashing on you.

[rallycapmusic]

Cool! Like i said, i will be dumping the tracks over as audio into ProTools so I dont think I will be loading up the memory to much on the thing, lol!

Im also a bit confused on the track vs channel thing with the MMT8. So there are 16 channels but 8 tracks? Not sure how I would run this thing, having a Mo Phatt(16 channels) and a Roland VP 9000(6 channels). Now im sure I wont be using ALL the channels from both pieces at the same time but say im only using the Mo Phatt and i want to lay drums down. I dont want to waste all 8 tracks on the MMT8 on just drums. Is there a work around?

[Popbott]

Originally Posted by Acid Hazard

I've used many MMT-8s. They're easy to use and understand. I've only found that they start wigging out then you have the memory almost full. Something about the OS in the Gray versions. Supposedly, the Black ones fix this issue, but i've never had a black one. Make sure to always hit the quantize button after recording. It won't totally quantize on it's own for some reason. As long as you don't stick 100 patterns in there, you should be safe from it crashing on you.

I have a black one and a grey one. The black ones crash too I am sorry to say!

[Popbott]

Originally Posted by rallycapmusic

Cool! Like i said, i will be dumping the tracks over as audio into ProTools so I dont think I will be loading up the memory to much on the thing, lol!

Im also a bit confused on the track vs channel thing with the MMT8. So there are 16 channels but 8 tracks? Not sure how I would run this thing, having a Mo Phatt(16 channels) and a Roland VP 9000(6 channels). Now im sure I wont be using ALL the channels from both pieces at the same time but say im only using the Mo Phatt and i want to lay drums down. I dont want to waste all 8 tracks on the MMT8 on just drums. Is there a work around?

Yes there is a work around. Use all eight tracks to record your drums and then you can bounce them all to one track. In other words, lets say you have a kick on track one and you have a snare on track two, you can copy (or bounce) track two INTO track one. As long as they are on the same MIDI channel, it should work. That way you can free tracks up for other sounds. Unfortuately you will only have 8 sounds or channels to work with at one time within a part.

If 8 tracks are not enough, get a Yamaha RM1-X, it is more complicated but gives you more tracks and options.

[Novosibirsk]

Hi all, I'm a major MIDI newb and I have a quick question about the MMT-8. I'm using a TR-505 and a HR-16 to program beats, but so far I can't figure out how to get the MMT to control these units, unlike the synths I use.

I don't want to use up the (limited) internal memory on the 505, so I was hoping that a track on the MMT-8 could store the drum data, but instead the sequencer will just "play" whatever track is selected on the drum machine. You know?
What completely obvious thing am I missing?

[Derp]

Originally Posted by Novosibirsk

Hi all, I'm a major MIDI newb and I have a quick question about the MMT-8. I'm using a TR-505 and a HR-16 to program beats, but so far I can't figure out how to get the MMT to control these units, unlike the synths I use.

I don't want to use up the (limited) internal memory on the 505, so I was hoping that a track on the MMT-8 could store the drum data, but instead the sequencer will just "play" whatever track is selected on the drum machine. You know?
What completely obvious thing am I missing?

Set the pattern on the machines to a blank one with no drum data so it won't play back anything via clock. Match the channels from the MMT-8 to the drum machines, match the notes, record said notes, bliss.

[Novosibirsk]

Originally Posted by Derp

Set the pattern on the machines to a blank one with no drum data so it won't play back anything via clock. Match the channels from the MMT-8 to the drum machines, match the notes, record said notes, bliss.

That's it! Awesome, thank you! :]

[Novosibirsk]

Ooof. So I really want to replace the battery on my MMT-8 which I'm certain is 20 + years old. However, I have some tracks on the unit that I don't want to lose and am too lazy / incompetent to achieve a sysex or tape dump.

If I change the internal battery, will the unit lose all my stored MIDI data? I'm thinking so, but I'd like to be sure...

Edit: I mean, I haven't had ANY problems with the unit yet, but I'm certain it's only a matter of time before the battery poses problems, anyway, right? I'm surprised it's lasted this long.

[Kerzwhile]

Originally Posted by Novosibirsk

Ooof. So I really want to replace the battery on my MMT-8 which I'm certain is 20 + years old. However, I have some tracks on the unit that I don't want to lose and am too lazy / incompetent to achieve a sysex or tape dump.

If I change the internal battery, will the unit lose all my stored MIDI data? I'm thinking so, but I'd like to be sure...

Edit: I mean, I haven't had ANY problems with the unit yet, but I'm certain it's only a matter of time before the battery poses problems, anyway, right? I'm surprised it's lasted this long.

Uh, "back in the day" When I first got mine new, after 6 months my battery died. Coincidentally the day before, I backed everything up to tape. If I remember correctly, if you change the battery with it turned on, It keeps the data!

[Novosibirsk]

Originally Posted by Kerzwhile

Uh, "back in the day" When I first got mine new, after 6 months my battery died. Coincidentally the day before, I backed everything up to tape. If I remember correctly, if you change the battery with it turned on, It keeps the data!

Changing the battery while turned on? Wouldn't that either fry the unit or electrocute me?

[Novosibirsk]

Has anyone suddenly had their MMT-8 stop transmitting MIDI? Could it be a battery issue? I've been meaning to change the darn thing.

[All Souled Out]

Have had 2 greys, and NEVER a crash ever. Heck, I am gonna get it out of the closet and use it this week just for fun.