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The Otari MX-5050 BQII is a professional quality two-speed, 4-track, audio tape recorder/reproducer built in 1983. It accommodates a 1/4-inch wide tape and tape speeds of 7 1/2 ips (19.05 cm/sec) and 15 ips (38.1 cm/sec). Included with the machine are: remote control unit, splicing block, owners manual, and brown-laminate side panels.
Otari reputation for well-built tape machines
Otari decks are known for great sonics, great build quality, and long life. Otari never marketed to consumers, the machines were built to production studio standards — built to a far higher standard then any of the consumer and "pro-sumer" machines (Tascam, Tandem, Technics, Teac, Akai, etc.). In fact, the MX5050 is said to give any of the so called "holy grail" decks (Ampex, Revox, Studer) a good run.
Features that recording engineers want
The deck was designed with many features that were favored by recording studio engineers: automatic motion sensing control, edit control that permits tape spilling, dynamic braking, adjustable cueing for audible monitoring, built-in test and cue-tone oscillator, switchable NAB and IEC equalization, and many more.
History of this particular Otari
The deck was originally purchased by a Milwaukee audio-visual production for its in-house recording studio. The company produced corporate films and slide presentations. The company went out of business in the early 1990's. I acquired the deck; I had a "bucket list" project in mind of one day having a basement recording studio.
Service and maintenance history
In November of 2011, I had the deck serviced by Midwest Audio. Not much was wrong with it. Midwest Audio adjusted the tape transport mechanism, aligned the capstan solenoid drive assembly unit, adjusted and aligned the tape guide and path and cleaned the unit and tested the unit against factory specifications. I've had it on a shelf in a closet ever since. My bucket-list project isn't going to happen. So I thought it best to find a buyer who could use it.
Condition
The machine is in excellent condition. Cosmetically, it has a little bit of a dent in the top of the metal, leatherette-finished cabinet, there is some adhesive glue remnants on the back (upper right) that I couldn't remove, and the remote control unit cord has about a half-inch long slit through the outer insulation. You can see it in the photo of the front of the machine.
Specifications
Serial number: 18680582 L
Dimensions: 19"W, 9"D, 21.5"H
Weight: 60 lbs.
Tracks and width: 4 tracks, 1/4 inch tape
Tape speeds: Two speeds -- 7 1/2 and 15 ips
Reel sizes: 5", 7", or 10 1/2" plastic or metal (reels not included)
Heads: Four-head stacks -- 1/4" erase x 2; (1-3, 2-4CH); 1/4" record' 1/4" reproduce
Motors: Capstan -- DC servo controlled motor; Reels -- Two torque motors
Rewind time: Approx 90 seconds for 2,500 ft
Operating positions: Vertical or horizontal
Connectors: LINE INPUT, LINE OUTPUT -- staNdard three-pin XLR; MICROPHONE, EXT OSC -- standard single-conductor phone jack; PHONES -- standard two-conductor phone jack
Frequency response: at 15 ips -- 30 Hz to 20kHz +2 -3 db; at 7 1/2 ips -- 30 Hz to 18kHz +2 -3 db
Crosstalk: greater than 50 db 1kHz
Wow and Flutter: at 15 ips -- less than 0.06%; at 7 1/2 ips -- less than 0.08%
Price and shipping
Price: $1,200. Includes shipping within continental U.S. (FedEx Ground).
Otari reputation for well-built tape machines
Otari decks are known for great sonics, great build quality, and long life. Otari never marketed to consumers, the machines were built to production studio standards — built to a far higher standard then any of the consumer and "pro-sumer" machines (Tascam, Tandem, Technics, Teac, Akai, etc.). In fact, the MX5050 is said to give any of the so called "holy grail" decks (Ampex, Revox, Studer) a good run.
Features that recording engineers want
The deck was designed with many features that were favored by recording studio engineers: automatic motion sensing control, edit control that permits tape spilling, dynamic braking, adjustable cueing for audible monitoring, built-in test and cue-tone oscillator, switchable NAB and IEC equalization, and many more.
History of this particular Otari
The deck was originally purchased by a Milwaukee audio-visual production for its in-house recording studio. The company produced corporate films and slide presentations. The company went out of business in the early 1990's. I acquired the deck; I had a "bucket list" project in mind of one day having a basement recording studio.
Service and maintenance history
In November of 2011, I had the deck serviced by Midwest Audio. Not much was wrong with it. Midwest Audio adjusted the tape transport mechanism, aligned the capstan solenoid drive assembly unit, adjusted and aligned the tape guide and path and cleaned the unit and tested the unit against factory specifications. I've had it on a shelf in a closet ever since. My bucket-list project isn't going to happen. So I thought it best to find a buyer who could use it.
Condition
The machine is in excellent condition. Cosmetically, it has a little bit of a dent in the top of the metal, leatherette-finished cabinet, there is some adhesive glue remnants on the back (upper right) that I couldn't remove, and the remote control unit cord has about a half-inch long slit through the outer insulation. You can see it in the photo of the front of the machine.
Specifications
Serial number: 18680582 L
Dimensions: 19"W, 9"D, 21.5"H
Weight: 60 lbs.
Tracks and width: 4 tracks, 1/4 inch tape
Tape speeds: Two speeds -- 7 1/2 and 15 ips
Reel sizes: 5", 7", or 10 1/2" plastic or metal (reels not included)
Heads: Four-head stacks -- 1/4" erase x 2; (1-3, 2-4CH); 1/4" record' 1/4" reproduce
Motors: Capstan -- DC servo controlled motor; Reels -- Two torque motors
Rewind time: Approx 90 seconds for 2,500 ft
Operating positions: Vertical or horizontal
Connectors: LINE INPUT, LINE OUTPUT -- staNdard three-pin XLR; MICROPHONE, EXT OSC -- standard single-conductor phone jack; PHONES -- standard two-conductor phone jack
Frequency response: at 15 ips -- 30 Hz to 20kHz +2 -3 db; at 7 1/2 ips -- 30 Hz to 18kHz +2 -3 db
Crosstalk: greater than 50 db 1kHz
Wow and Flutter: at 15 ips -- less than 0.06%; at 7 1/2 ips -- less than 0.08%
Price and shipping
Price: $1,200. Includes shipping within continental U.S. (FedEx Ground).
Attachments
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OtariMX-5050BQII_09_OwnerMan_1_4x6.jpg -
OtariMX-5050BQII_01_Front_12_4x6.jpg -
OtariMX-5050BQII_06_HeadsRollers_1_4x6.jpg -
OtariMX-5050BQII_03_Left_2_4x6.jpg -
OtariMX-5050BQII_02_Right_2_4x6.jpg -
OtariMX-5050BQII_08_BackCU_2_4x6.jpg -
OtariMX-5050BQII_05_Top_2_4x6.jpg -
OtariMX-5050BQII_07_VUs_2_4x6.jpg -
OtariMX-5050BQII_04_Back_1_4x6.jpg