Talldog, saw the pics of the MX-70 internet last night on craigslist...really cool. Congrats again.
I was reading an
article regarding typical response curves of different ATR's...the author didn't have any 1" 16-track Otari machines in the lineup, but a couple MX-80 2" 24-tracks and an MTR-90 2" deck as well as an MX-5050 1/2" 8-track, and of all of them he doesn't have
bad things to say...you have probably seen this article...and not having
bad things to say is actually very good considering some of the other machines in the lineup...Studer and Ampex and the like. The author also had kind things to say about the MS-16...referred to it as analogous to a faithful work-horse truck that just keeps going, and sounds pretty good especially at 15ips with +9 tape.
Interestingly enough most of the decks reviewed presented a clear advantage at 15ips vs. 30ips...the multitrack decks...because of where the lumps and bumps are in the response curve, and the fact that the curve, in general, moves up an octave at 30ips...depending on where the dropoff is at the low-end this can do terrible things to the low-end response at 30ips. This is not so for the half-track decks though...there are some unbelievable response curves in that arena.
Anyway, what am I trying to say? I can infer (based on the favorable comments of the MX-80 and MTR-90 decks which are part of MX-70 lineage) that the MX-70 and the MS-16 are, electronically, worthy adversaries and solid performers. This is definitely an IMHO deal, but I was thinking of you and this thread as I read the article and that is what I came away with after reading it. That doesn't help you necessarily, other than chalk one up to those that are in the "there isn't a clear-cut choice" camp.
I'm biased toward the Tascam decks...I'm very pleased with some of the MS-16 comments in the article because there is so much that the MS-16 and the 58 share electronically. However, I've always sort of, in my gut, considered the Otari decks more, well, professional
. Maybe its because Tascam did and has done so much more production geared toward the entry-level market. Dunno.
BUT...I believe there is greater support today for the Tascam deck both from the manufacturer and the user community, plus tried and tested mods to the MS-16. Pianodano
loves his MS-16 for many reasons and among them how well it chase-locks...the transport is very responsive.
If it were me I'd probably be sticking with the Tascam simply out of familiarity, and long-range serviceability, plus it is a known solid performer both mechanically and electronically...honestly I don't think I've heard of a true achilles heel to the MS-16 except from the "if its not a Studer/Ampex/MCI deck its a toy" camp, or worse yet "the only true analog is 2"" idealists. I think the linked article supports my impression of the MS-16. Its a good deck. The MX-70 is still somewhat of an unknown commodity as far as this thread goes, and I haven't helped any!
Anyway, keep us posted!
