Just got this Otari...

  • Thread starter Thread starter backline
  • Start date Start date
GORGEOUS DECK!!

At one point I had the smaller form-factor 1/2" 8 track Otari. Alas like the rest of my recording equipment it made its way into other hands.

But, last I heard, that Otari was in use at a high-profile studio in downtown Austin, TX. The guy I sold it to also put new mahogany side panels onto it, and installed it into his patch bay. He said he likes using it for tracking acoustic and string instruments, and mixing it into his other digital tracks -- says it gives those instruments a really cool atmosphere.

Hope this deck gives you years of enjoyment and some awesome tracks!
 
I am not expert at this, but I think a Mackie 1604VLZ-Pro Mixer would work well for you- it is a 16-channel mixer, and can be used as an 8-channel in-line mixer. As I do not have one here, nor do I have the manual, I can't recall exactly how, and there are probably other, modern mixers that can be used, as well.
 
Follow up to my troubles because they have been resolved.

The Otari MX5050 8 track I have is in great operating order. My issues were resolve by the folks at Mr. Wizards in Austin, TX. I took the deck in and provided them a reel of tape to work with. They said it just needed lube in the points that needed it and a general cleaning as it had been stored for about 5 years without being used or taken care of. When I got the deck back it was working great. It runs at 7 and 15 ips and the guys said the motors and and heads are in pristine shape! Barely used apparently.

Anyway, I'm still trying to find a maintenance manual and the operation manual. I don't undestand some of its features. I have already been recording... drums on 7 tracks and bass on one track, then I feed it into the computer and overdub keys, vocals and guitar into Logic Pro. It works for me.

Any word on manuals would be great!
 
I seen the picks you posted and was wondering how old that deck is. I like the style.
 
otari mx5050 8 shd

first-timer here. i picked up the same machine as backline recently, minus the trolley. i haven't been able to find much information on it outside this thread. i know this thread is old, but is anyone who posted here still using this machine? i tried some personal messages but didn't hear back. any help would be great. i rewired it to pin 2 hot and want to get an mrl tape. however, i'm not sure if it's nab or iec (iec is my best guess).
 
Hi there, I have an Otari MX-50 NII, which is a 2 track 1/4" machine.

I know the wiring is a little funny on it, and I'm pretty sure it's IEC, but I've never calibrated it myself.

Sorry, but I don't have any experience with the 5050.

Welcome to the forum!
-MD
 
otari mx5050 8 shd

thanks.
i can probably pull out a card and check for numbers if none of the authors of this thread chime in. the unbalanced pin 3 hot thing really threw me off at first though, thankfully i found a few threads on it. were they (otari) just sexing it up to pander to the semipros? i've contacted them for manual, but they told me to expect to pay about 400 clams for a photocopied one from japan. i politely declined.
 
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