Pricing and availability

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The MD4 4-track digital Mini Disc Multitrack Recorder by Yamaha

The Yamaha MD4 is a 4-track digital multitrack recorder from the mid-1990s that uses MiniDisc (MD Data) media instead of cassette tape. It combines a full-featured mixer with digital recording, allowing users to record, overdub, and mix multiple tracks with minimal noise and no wow or flutter. The unit supports track bouncing and non-linear editing, enabling more complex productions despite its four-track limitation. With precise random access and fast locate times, it offers a significant workflow upgrade over traditional analog multitrack recorders. Its built-in EQ, MIDI sync capability, and flexible routing made it a popular choice for early home studio setups.

Specs:

• Type: 4-track digital multitrack recorder (MiniDisc-based)
• Recording Medium: MD Data discs (also supports standard MiniDisc in stereo mode)
• Tracks: 4 simultaneous playback/record tracks
• Sampling Rate: 44.1 kHz
• Frequency Response: approx. 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Recording Time: ~37 min (4-track), 74 min (stereo), 148 min (mono)
• Mixer Section: Integrated 4-bus mixer with 8 inputs and 3-band EQ per channel
• Inputs: 4× mic/line (¼"), stereo sub-in (RCA), aux return
• Outputs: Stereo out, monitor out, 4× direct outs, aux send, headphones
• MIDI: MIDI Time Code (MTC) support for sync
• Editing Features: Track bouncing, song copy, non-linear editing
• Positioning Accuracy: ~11.6 ms locate precision
• Dimensions / Weight: 376 × 72.3 × 364 mm; ~4.8 kg

Long Thành Audio JP-US

Long Thành Audio JP-US

Test Mixer Yamaha MD4 clip 1

Video thumbnail for Test Mixer Yamaha MD4 clip 1 by Long Thành Audio JP-US

Test Mixer Yamaha MD4 clip 1

Long Thành Audio JP-US

Long Thành Audio JP-US

Reviews

Critic Reviews

Yamaha MD4

soundonsound.com

Yamaha's MD4 digital multitracker shines with its superior sound quality and user-friendly design, making it an enticing upgrade from analogue cassette recorders. It offers flexible search and locate functions, auto punch-in features, and a Cue List system, all packed into a compact, affordable unit. Despite its outdated TOC update requirement and lack of digital output, the MD4's separate track outputs and seamless integration into larger setups make it a strong contender for studio owners seeking simplicity without sacrificing audio fidelity. A promising tool for musicians ready to produce polished, commercially viable tracks.

positive

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

More Yamaha Digital

Yamaha AW4416

$210.40

# 27

Rank

Ryuichi Sakamoto Jon Anderson Kenny Greenberg
5 artists using
Yamaha AW16G

$17.89 - $164.11

# 31

Rank

 
Yamaha AW1600

$13.99 - $223.47

# 38

Rank

 
Yamaha MDF2

 

# 86

Rank

 
Yamaha MD8

 

 
John Frusciante Paysage D'hiver
2 artists using
Zoom R16

$150.00 - $399.99

# 1

Rank

Flatsound POLARE Creature.
3 artists using
Zoom R8

$140.00 - $258.00

# 3

Rank

Jaakko Eino Kalevi Gaku Taura
2 artists using
TASCAM DP-24SD

$409.00 - $699.00

# 6

Rank

Kanye West Lil Ugly Mane
2 artists using
Boss GT-001

$118.00 - $341.99

# 9

Rank

Steve Lukather Karl Sanders
2 artists using
Boss BR-800 Digital Recorder

$145.00 - $272.00

# 10

Rank

Viviankrist
1 artist using
TASCAM DP-32SD

$420.00 - $599.99

# 11

Rank

Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein
1 artist using
Zoom Livetrak L-12

$375.00 - $549.99

# 12

Rank

 
Alesis HD-24

$360.00

# 13

Rank

Ethan Kath The Prodigy Klaus Schulze
6 artists using
TASCAM DP-006

$149.00 - $249.00

# 15

Rank

 
TASCAM DR-60DMKII

$129.00 - $246.94

# 19

Rank

 
Tascam 2488neo

$6.88 - $223.47

# 20

Rank

Adam Schlesinger
1 artist using
Tascam DP-32

$420.00 - $699.00

# 23

Rank

 
TASCAM 2488

 

# 24

Rank

Madlib
1 artist using
Digidesign Pro 1

$155.00 - $173.00

# 25

Rank

 
TASCAM DP-02

$224.43 - $291.00

# 26

Rank

 

Artist usage

Community setups

Similar