Yamaha MT120

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$149.99 Price Tier: Budget

4.5 (3)

1 Critic Review

1 Review

Find out who is using Yamaha MT120

3 wishlisted

13 saved

Page last updated May 01, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated May 1, 2026.

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Price

$149.99 2 available New

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Average Price: $150

Budget/Beginner

$499

$1700+

Price Tier

In the Analog category, Yamaha MT120 is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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High-end

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Description

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For those who cherish the warmth and authenticity of analog recording, the Yamaha MT120 is a standout choice. This classic 4-track cassette recorder offers a robust and intuitive platform for musicians who want to capture their creativity without the complexities of digital interfaces. Whether you're laying down a demo or experimenting with soundscapes, the MT120 provides a reliable medium that encourages innovation and spontaneity.

The Yamaha MT120 sports a straightforward design, ensuring that your focus remains on the music. With individual track level controls and an integrated mixer, you have the flexibility to shape your sound precisely as you envision. This recorder also features a built-in microphone preamp and EQ, allowing you to fine-tune your recordings on the fly. The pitch control function is a notable feature, offering a unique way to adjust playback speed and pitch, which is perfect for creative experimentation or matching particular performance needs.

The MT120 is an excellent tool for musicians who appreciate the tactile experience of analog recording. Its portability and simplicity make it an ideal choice for home studios, on-the-road sessions, or any setting where inspiration strikes.

Key Features:

4-track cassette recording capability
Integrated 6-channel mixer with individual track level controls
Built-in pitch control for playback speed and pitch adjustment
Onboard microphone preamp and EQ
Compact and portable design
Easy-to-use interface designed for seamless operation

Videos

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Khoral

New Adventures in K7 #1 : The Yamaha MT120

Khoral

New Adventures in K7 #23 : Basic Recording Tutorial (Yamaha MT120)

Khoral

Yamaha MT120 Tear Down

Tetrakan

Yamaha MT120 Transport Problems

JC Haywire

Flashback || Yamaha MT120 | Tape loop | Volca Keys

Mattia Di Cretico [aka MDC]

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha MT120.

Features and functionality

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The Yamaha MT120 may sound too clean for lo-fi enthusiasts, as it lacks the ability to reduce playback speed below 4.8cms, unlike some modded machines.
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Yamaha MT120 doesn't playback while recording loops, requiring manual input toggle to hear recorded loops.
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Comparisons

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Compared to Tascam Portastudio 424 mk1, the Yamaha MT120 might not achieve the desired lo-fi sound due to its cleaner recording capabilities.
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Mods and upgrades

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Modding machines for lower playback speeds can achieve a more lo-fi sound, a method applied to various models for similar purposes.
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Use cases and applications

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For lo-fi recordings, a device capable of slower speeds than 4.8cms is preferred, suggesting the MT120 might not be ideal for this specific application.
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Setup and maintenance

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Owners report common issues with the Yamaha MT120's power circuit, potentially affecting input/output audio, suggesting it may require troubleshooting or a rehaul.
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A multimeter is often used for initial troubleshooting, but an ESR meter might be more effective for diagnosing internal component issues.
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Despite cosmetic excellence, underlying circuit problems can persist, highlighting the importance of thorough internal checks beyond visible inspection.
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Users struggle with recording loops unless input is switched back to "Tape" after recording, a necessary step for playback on Yamaha models.
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Repositioning the looped tape in the cassette, such as flipping the loop, can solve non-recording issues during loop usage.
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User experience

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Some users experienced reversed audio from tracks 3 and 4 during playback, indicating a potential diagnostic area for similar problems.
Source

Critic Reviews

Yamaha MT120 (SOS Feb 92)

muzines.co.uk

Yamaha's MT120 4-track cassette recorder is a solid entry-level choice, building on the MT100's success with features like a 5-band graphic EQ and high-speed transport for better audio performance. Its compact design and intuitive operation earn praise, although limited inputs for live MIDI sources and a cumbersome cassette cover are drawbacks. The dbx noise reduction is effective, though it can reveal tape noise with certain low-frequency tracks. Overall, the MT120 is a well-crafted, flexible unit that excels within its category, despite minor inconveniences.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

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tel_nobody

3007

over 9 years ago

Durable and reliable

God help me if I have to explain to some of the younger Equipboard members exactly what they are looking at here. This is a multitrack cassette recorder... which allowed you 4 straight tracks of continuous recording (drop ins and overdubs of sections resulted in an audible shift... so if you messed up, rewind and get it right again!) or the ability to ping pong tracks to provide even more layers (e.g drums bass and keys mixed down onto a single track... freeing up three tracks for additional recording... at some sacrifice of audio quality.

This was home studios back in the day.

wesley_reid

9 years ago almost 9 years ago

Hello there---I actually still have one of these 4 track recorders. But I have a question for you. I am attempting to transfer many of my older songs on cassette to digital and separate stems. (drums, vocals, synth etc) I cant seem to figure out how to export the sound//individual tracks to the computer. Do you know if this is possible?

tel_nobody

3007

9 years ago almost 9 years ago

I have used mine recently to send one audio track (the complete song) out of the multitrack and into an audio channel of my DAW so that I have a reference track to recreate the old songs accurately. This being said, the transfer quality is nasty, very audible tape hiss. I am sure if you wanted to this could be cleaned up. During the transfer process, all sliders for volume and EQ are active and as I was not going to broadcast this recorded version, the adjustments I made were clearly audible. Because they are active, simply activate an audio track in your DAW from the monitor or headphone outputs of your MT-120 to your audio interface and play the song into your DAW with 3 monitor sliders at zero and only with volume to monitor slider 1, then repeat the song three more times, with only the next slider (2, then 3, then 4) active. This will give you 4 audio tracks in your DAW. Then you simply align the 4 individual tracks at a start point. Obviously, if you have a way to treat the tape hiss, include that in the process for each track. Of course, if you ping ponged several instruments into one track, this will not be separated. Hope this helps.