Otari MX5050 II B2 ISSUES !!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter aljecaro
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aljecaro

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I just bought an Otari MX5050 II B2, the first issue is it will not record, while in record mode, the input signal while in "source" is good no issues, when i switch over to tape mode i get nothing!!! I tried everything, it'll record the clicks that are made from the slightly noisy switches but no audio what so ever… It plays audio perfectly, with no issues… "when i put a reel on with music" The other issue i have is the "fast forward and reverse" it will not rewind or fast forward with the reels on the machine. If i take the reels off it'll rewind and fast forward but i can stop the motors by hand quite easily… Does anyone have any sort of idea or solution to these issues ???? Does anyone know of any trust worthy techs?? Im 15min south from the Delaware Water Gap in PA !!! Please let me know Thanks Ron :facepalm:
 
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How are you connecting to the machine? If you're using XLR, that may be part of the problem. From what I've heard, the Otaris often used them in an unbalanced configuration, but connecting via pin 3 instead of pin 2.

As for the winding, what kind of tape are you using? If it's Ampex 456 it may have gone sticky - severe cases will upset the transport. Have you tried with brand-new RMGI or ATR tape?
 
aljecaro said:
Does anyone know of any trust worthy techs?? Im 15min south from the Delaware Water Gap in PA !!! Please let me know Thanks Ron :facepalm:
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There's JRF Magnetics in north Jersey.

JRF Magnetics

If they won't/don't do basic service on that specific machine, I'm positive they can give you names of techs that do in the area They are in the analog/tape network loop for the audio biz, so they should have plenty of contacts....but I'm sure they do basic service too.

Before you go....check the machine over. Look at the manual, make sure everything is connected the right way perform some basic maintenance. Also, make sure the tape you are using isn't suffering from SSS, as that would certinaly stop things from moving with the tape on the deck.
 
I tried both balanced xlr and a microphone! same result for both methods! When I'm in record mode "recording" and i switch in and out of tape and source mode the noisy switch noise is recorded and plays back… but when i enter in tape mode my audio drops out!!



jpmorris said:
How are you connecting to the machine? If you're using XLR, that may be part of the problem. From what I've heard, the Otaris often used them in an unbalanced configuration, but connecting via pin 3 instead of pin 2.

As for the winding, what kind of tape are you using? If it's Ampex 456 it may have gone sticky - severe cases will upset the transport. Have you tried with brand-new RMGI or ATR tape?
Click to expand...
 
No its definitely not the tape, i put 2 empty take up reels on and it barely turns them.. i can easily stop the drive motors while its in either fast forward or rewind and thats without the reels on the unit!! It seems to be a voltage problem to me.. playback runs fine though!
 
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