People often complain about disk drives — usually because a certain piece of their equipment hasn't got one, which means that they have to use either a computer or RAM cards to store data. Both of these options are expensive, especially RAM cards. Personally, I just can't get used to the idea of something that small being worth so much money. And if your synth (or whatever) doesn't have a card slot? Then you need a piece of equipment to store your MIDI dumps. Cue Yamaha.

THIS YEAR'S MODEL

Yamaha's MDF2 is their second MIDI Data Filer — the previous model, the MDF1, used 2.8" Quick Disks and was much less versatile. This latest model uses standard, double-density 3.5" disks, and features compatibility with Format 0 Standard MIDI Files and Yamaha ESEQ sequencer files. This makes it easy to use with many other pieces of MIDI gear, including the many Yamaha products which don't have a disk drive (good news for anyone with a QY10, RY30, SY55, SY22, TG77, TX7 etc.).

The MDF2 can cope with files up to 600K in size, which is sufficient to handle any System Exclusive Bulk Dump I can think of. Up to 99 files can be stored on one 720K disk, space permitting. The basic storage of dumps uses the MIDI Data Recorder (MDR) functions and stores them as format 0 MIDI Files, which means that you can take the disk away and read the files in any device with an internal disk drive and MS-DOS disk compatibility.

NOTABLE ADDITIONS

You can also use the MDF2 as a simple real-time single-track (all 16 MIDI channels at once) sequence recorder/musical notepad, with a capacity of about 80,000 notes — you just play the music and the MDF2 records it onto disk. A small red LED flashes to tell you that the MDF2 is receiving MIDI, which is also very useful for testing MIDI cabling. When using the internal clock, you need to preset the tempo if you don't want to use the default setting of 120bpm, but by syncing to an external clock you can record directly at any tempo. The resolution in Sequencer mode is 96 clocks per quarter note for internal sync or 24 for MIDI sync, and 10 milliseconds (a tempo of 60bpm) in MDR mode.

Playing back MDR files is as simple as pressing the +/- buttons to find the file name and then pressing the Start/Stop button. Although the unit comes with a 64-page A5 manual, MIDI Implementation chart, MIDI details, and two quick reference cards, I had no problems using it without looking at the manual, and only needed to glance inside for confirmation once or twice. Playing back sequencer files involves checking the sync mode and setting the tempo, if necessary.

A nice touch is the ability to prevent the MDF2 sending MIDI Start and Stop messages when you press the Start/Stop button; this precludes any other sequencers or drum machines from starting up when you don't want them to. There are no editing functions beyond the option of re-recording the entire performance, but of course you can easily load the data into a computer sequencer, via a MIDI File, and edit it there.

The MDF2 also allows you to carry out lots of file management functions on your disk collection. The major advantage of 3.5" disks is their low price; the disadvantage is that you quickly fill up lots of them. The MDF2 allows renaming, erasing and merging of files, as well as formatting of blank disks and making backup copies of disks. MDR files are stored with a .Bnn suffix, where the nn indicates the number of the file (hence the 99-file limit), so .B01 would be the first file to be displayed on the single-line, non-backlit, 16-character LCD. MIDI Files are stored with a .Xnn suffix. Further functions allow you to check how much space on the disk is occupied by files, as well as how much space is left.

SY99 MIDI Files (.Xnn suffix) and SY77 ESEQ files (.Lnn suffix) were both played back by the MDF2 during testing, although a quirk in the operating system means that you can't see ESEQ files if there are any MIDI Files on the same disk. I could not persuade the MDF2 to read files from the built-in MDR in the SY99, although the unit will apparently read QX3 MDR files. Just to be difficult, I tried storing a sequence from Vision 1.2 on a Macintosh as a format 0 MIDI File, transferred it using Apple File Exchange to a 720K PC disk, and used that to play back the sequence in the MDF2: it worked perfectly. I also tried sending a bulk dump from the 'MIDI-troublesome' Kawai K5, saved it using the MDF2's MDR, and then played it back to the K5, with no problems.

SMALL WONDER

The MDF2 is light and compact, with the added advantage that six AA batteries provide about four hours of use, which means that you can move the unit around between bits of equipment. The mains adapter is an optional extra for use in more permanent applications. Using it as a portable musical notepad was quick and easy, with the advantage of easy transfer to a full sequencer via MIDI File when you want to consult your notes.

If you want a MIDI File player and MDR that is portable, easy to use and low-cost, then take a good look at the disarmingly neat MDF2 — even I, a dedicated computer bulk librarian user, found myself seduced by the convenience and immediacy it offered.

Further information

Yamaha MDF2 £299 inc VAT.

Yamaha-Kemble Music UK Ltd, (Contact Details).