Akai MG614/1212/1214 Multitrack Recorders

i got a 1212.

schits way too huge and hasnt seen much use.

i couldnt figure out if i could route to what looked to me to be 2 busses, couldnt find the manual i have for it... then just switched it out for the mackie which i knew how to do what i desired without researching.

its been stored ever since.

neither the 1212 nor the mackie 1604 have been used in a few years.


im such a slacker.

fobedafied wrote:
i couldnt figure out if i could route to what looked to me to be 2 busses

I can understand that, I havent figured out the routing scheme yet as I havent recorded anything to tape. There is a BUS A and a BUS B push button on each mixer channel, and similar for the recorder section, but the manual doesnt exactly make it easy to understand. Guess I'll figure it out with some testing.

The MG1212 would be nice if it used tapes that were not obselete and costly. I think thats a 10 track recorder with 2 sync tracks or something like that. Its huge, big in the game.

Bus A and Bus B are alternative recording inputs to the 4 tracks, rather than the corresponding mixer channel output.

You can use them for ping-pong recording (bouncing) two already recorded tracks onto one, or for mixing multiple mixer channels onto a single track, or pair of tracks, or for using a single input mixer channel to record onto different tracks, for example.

You set the mixer channel to output to Bus A, Bus B, or both, and then record enable the track you want to record onto with the shift key held down, to record enable the Bus A or B input to the track, rather than the mixer channel input to the track.

Simon, you should have written some of these manuals. You're good at explaining stuff like this, or I'm just not understaning Japanese English lol. Cheers mate!

SimonInAustralia wrote:Not sure I understand the 4-track cassette hype going on here, beyond being a product with similar design to the MPC60.

Don't think I would get too excited about using a Tascam 4-track cassette recorder in productions, is this really any different in terms of sound quality and features?

Is this really useful in today's recording processes?

SimonInAustralia makes a good point regarding the use of these old machines.

My angle however, is that its less about the ‘sound quality’ than the character these machines provide. – If we were concerned about fidelity, everyone on this forum would be using 24-bit samplers, rather than sp1200s, MPC60s/ 3000s.

Not convinced? – Consider that all the tracks on ‘36 Chambers’ were bounced down to a 4-track Tascam 244 with Type IV tape! “Character goes a long way”.

So Clint, I use the MG614 as my main mixer. I tend to embrace the character and limitations of the machine. When sampling through the MG into my mpc3000, theres a sweet spot just before it starts distorting. Personally, I ignore the visual cues (such as the VU hitting red), and rely on my ears. I see this as an advantage of analogue mixers – there’s a no-man’s-land between the point the signal starts distorting, but before its excessive. It’s kind of similar in this sense to sampling hot into the s950 (although obviously the 950 is digital).

The MG has some tasty parametric EQs, so I often EQ my samples through the MG when sampling into the MPC.

Final tip: you can get some nice texture/ atmosphere/ presence from having the DBX on during recording, but leave it off during playback. I’m not sure why this is the case! – I think the DBX was designed to eliminate tape hiss, but it also spills over to create some nice compression on certain harmonic ranges. (Obviously have the tape speed on high!)

I hope this helps Clint.

Sound quality isn't a concern for me. I have an MPC4000, but also an MPC60. I have a Mackie Onyx 1640 with FireWire, but also the Akai MG614 which prompted this thread. Most of all I like messing with older gear which still adds something and compliments/contrasts with what I already have.

Thanks for the tips, this is a lovely bit of analogue kit with that most elusive of components, 'character'.

I agree Clint! And let me know if you come up with any other tips using the mg614. I actually bought an mg1214 yesterday - for £60 I couldn't resist!

steviequorn wrote:I actually bought an mg1214 yesterday - for £60 I couldn't resist!

You got to be kidding me? You get tapes with it? Pics or it didn't happen...

steviequorn wrote:I use the MG614 as my main mixer. I tend to embrace the character and limitations of the machine. When sampling through the MG into my mpc3000, theres a sweet spot just before it starts distorting.

Took the liberty of reposting this stevie as it was already posted elsewhere, relevant here as it shows the MG614 in situ...with the LE.

dig that armrest

Thanks for reposting the photo there Clint.

No the mg1214 doesn’t come with tapes – and I’m buying it on the condition that the mixer is fully functional, but the tape section may be faulty.

I agree with your earlier post – it’s not worth getting caught up in using the proprietary tapes which are rare and expensive. My thinking was that for £60, I could get multiple channels with those tasty pre-amps and EQs. If I’m mastering to tape I’ll track out of the MG to reel to reel.

Fair deal for £60, the analogue mixer is worth having alone as you know.

Couldn't resist it so...

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/akai- ... 1021179972

Seller's photo:


Bought an Akai MG1214 today from Gumtree for £150 with 7 tapes (2 new/unused) and what appears to be an original dustcover. Dude wanted £300 for it but then took my first offer. Tape mechanism/recording section works flawlessly. Downside, a few scratchy pots/faders. So it could do with a service. Cosmetically, mint condition. Not bad for semi-pro hardware from 1986. Damn, I couldnt believe the size of the thing when I walked in. It's a two-man lift for sure.

Link below shows the Akai Professional product catalogue for 1986, featuring the MG range of multi-track recorders and a few other familiar pieces which formed the 'Akai Professional Electronic Musical Instrument Control System'. Specs included, worth a peek back in time to the pre-MPC days...

http://www.acc.umu.se/~polarn-p/irr/99m ... t_1986.pdf

Good job Clint - Im picking up mine tomorrow. It sounds like Ill have to rope a mate in to come and carry it with me! Keep me posted on how you get on with the tape section?

So did you cop and collect stevie?