Studer vs. Otari

[Kasey]

Alright... so i've been convinced finally into getting a reel to reel tape recorder. I don't know that much about them really, but i've gotten the impression that the two best companies that made these are Otari and Studer. Which of these two makes a better recorder? Is there another company that i dont know about that i should? and also, are there certain models you guys would recommend? At this point I still don't know if i want to get a two track to run everything though it, or a multitrack system for tracking. thanks in advance.

 

[Dr ZEE]

Alright... so i've been convinced finally into getting a reel to reel tape recorder. I don't know that much about them really, but i've gotten the impression that the two best companies that made these are Otari and Studer. Which of these two makes a better recorder? Is there another company that i dont know about that i should? and also, are there certain models you guys would recommend? At this point I still don't know if i want to get a two track to run everything though it, or a multitrack system for tracking. thanks in advance.

Kasey, I am not the guy who would know nor have enough experience with vary decks to do some sort side-by-side compare'n'advice, but I tell you, that it would help if you'd tell what kind of music (what instruments etc) do you (or have plans to) record, what is your main gear set-up so far and how much about you can spend? This way guys who know the machines well could give you better (more targeted, and thus more useful) advice.

General, I'd say overall 'accepted' line-up brand-wise looks like this:
Studer
Otari
Tascam
Fostex
.... these are most popular, also this "lineup" is full of pimps and questionable inperfection. Practically any of this machines can be a great deal, depending on your personal situation and goal. Also, never forget, that the price of the unit always includes the cost of bunch of special features and self-serving extras, which often simply there, but have no practical application(s) in home-based studio.

/respects

 

[Beck]

Any of the following Otari 1/4" 2-tracks:

MX5050 BII/BIII
MX50N
MX55

You will pay a lot more for Studer with no real advantage over Otari as far as sound goes. In fact you would do well with a Tascam 32 or BR-20.

One major difference with the higher-level pro decks is ease of maintenance. They are built to withstand the abuse of a 24/7 studio or broadcast facility. In those environments things need realignment much more often, so the machines are built with more accessible internals.

In the average home or project studio you just don’t put so many hours on a machine that you would need to check alignment more than twice a year.

-Tim

 

[Dr ZEE]

Any of the following Otari 1/4" 2-tracks:

One major difference with the higher-level pro decks is ease of maintenance. They are built to withstand the abuse of a 24/7 studio or broadcast facility. In those environments things need realignment much more often, so the machines are built with more accessible internals.

In the average home or project studio you just don’t put so many hours on a machine that you would need to check alignment more than twice a year.

-Tim

Yeah, this is what I was sort trying to point out. Some analogy came to mind... You can do just fine job and get great result at your back-yard with THIS , but you can get yourself THIS , just cos that's what pro(s) use on pro golf courses
I , know, it's a bit crippled analogy, but... you get the point.

/respects

 

[Beck]

Yeah, this is what I was sort trying to point out. Some analogy came to mind... You can do just fine job and get great result at your back-yard with THIS , but you can get yourself THIS , just cos that's what pro(s) use on pro golf courses
I , know, it's a bit crippled analogy, but... you get the point.

/respects

That's a great analogy.

 

[Quantagee]

Alright... so i've been convinced finally into getting a reel to reel tape recorder. I don't know that much about them really, but i've gotten the impression that the two best companies that made these are Otari and Studer. Which of these two makes a better recorder? Is there another company that i dont know about that i should? and also, are there certain models you guys would recommend? At this point I still don't know if i want to get a two track to run everything though it, or a multitrack system for tracking. thanks in advance.

Studer makes a better machine for sure. But, Otari is a good choice for less $$$. I doubt you would hear a substantial difference. The only problem with Studers is that they are pretty much pro only machines and you will need to know exactly what you are looking for to find a good one. Finding an Otari in good shape is a hell of alot easier.

 

[acorec]

Alright... so i've been convinced finally into getting a reel to reel tape recorder. I don't know that much about them really, but i've gotten the impression that the two best companies that made these are Otari and Studer. Which of these two makes a better recorder? Is there another company that i dont know about that i should? and also, are there certain models you guys would recommend? At this point I still don't know if i want to get a two track to run everything though it, or a multitrack system for tracking. thanks in advance.

You did not say how many tracks you were looking to get.

Are you looking to use it for multi-tracking or mixdown?

Makes a huge difference. If multitrack, then Otari all the way as you would be spending a small fortune on a Studer. If 2 track, then the decision gets much closer as far as $$ are concerned.

 

[Kasey]

Kasey, I am not the guy who would know nor have enough experience with vary decks to do some sort side-by-side compare'n'advice, but I tell you, that it would help if you'd tell what kind of music (what instruments etc) do you (or have plans to) record, what is your main gear set-up so far and how much about you can spend? This way guys who know the machines well could give you better (more targeted, and thus more useful) advice.

I record anything and everything (want me to be a bit more broad?). But really, typical stuff like vocals, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, bass, drums, piano... but also stuff like cello, viola, choirs, "noise" such as me banging on vents with drum sticks, wind, various sounds from the street...etc. etc.

right now my set up consists of..
2 small diaphragm condenser mics (Audio technica Pro 37's)
1 SM57
1 Audio technica dynamic
1 Audio technica 4040 condenser

for a mixer i have a Yamaha MG16/4
i have one presonus tubepre preamp
a BBE 362NR (sonic maximizer and noise reduction)

and i record it all into an ADAT XT20

right now I'm not sure if i want to get a multitrack reel to reel and just record certain things like drums and bass through analog, or master everything onto a 2 track reel to reel. maybe you guys have some suggestions for that?
oh, and if it means less maintenance, i'll pay more money for a better recorder. I'm guess "pro" ones that require less maintenance are the Studer's?

 

[acorec]

I record anything and everything (want me to be a bit more broad?). But really, typical stuff like vocals, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, bass, drums, piano... but also stuff like cello, viola, choirs, "noise" such as me banging on vents with drum sticks, wind, various sounds from the street...etc. etc.

right now my set up consists of..
2 small diaphragm condenser mics (Audio technica Pro 37's)
1 SM57
1 Audio technica dynamic
1 Audio technica 4040 condenser

for a mixer i have a Yamaha MG16/4
i have one presonus tubepre preamp
a BBE 362NR (sonic maximizer and noise reduction)

and i record it all into an ADAT XT20

right now I'm not sure if i want to get a multitrack reel to reel and just record certain things like drums and bass through analog, or master everything onto a 2 track reel to reel. maybe you guys have some suggestions for that?
oh, and if it means less maintenance, i'll pay more money for a better recorder. I'm guess "pro" ones that require less maintenance are the Studer's?

The multitracks to consider will be the Otari MX5050 8 track 1/2" tape, the Tascam TSR 8 track 1/2" tape or either the Fostex E or G 16 (16 tracks) 1'2" tape or the Tascam MSR 16 (same thing). These machines are better for your purposes than any pro machine (unless you have tohave a pro machine). The cons of the pro machines are maintainence and they are very big and heavy. You stand a far better chance of getting one of the home recording machines in workable condition than any pro machine. Look at the first machines that I listed. They are all very comparable.

 

[Muckelroy]

Nothing against Tascam or Fostex -- they both made some killer multitrackers, but I would search for an Otari MX-5050 1/2" 8 track. They're built much sturdier than the other brands, have more features, and are MUCH easier to calibrate.
Unless it's a STEAL, I would stay away from Fostex's, as parts are no longer made. (however, they're GREAT sounding decks if you find one for cheap, and it's in good shape.)
The only downside is that the Otari's have no built-in noise reduction system. You gotta either get 8 tracks worth of external NR gear, or just hit the tape hard to keep noise outta the way, or just not care about noise
Tascam and Otari still make parts for their machines. I think Tascam has been slowly discontinuing certain parts though. Otari, however, still has a FULL catalog of parts, down to the last screw.
Just something to consider. You'll probably pay a little more, and get a LOT more out of an Otari deck.

 

[acorec]

Nothing against Tascam or Fostex -- they both made some killer multitrackers, but I would search for an Otari MX-5050 1/2" 8 track. They're built much sturdier than the other brands, have more features, and are MUCH easier to calibrate.
Unless it's a STEAL, I would stay away from Fostex's, as parts are no longer made. (however, they're GREAT sounding decks if you find one for cheap, and it's in good shape.)
The only downside is that the Otari's have no built-in noise reduction system. You gotta either get 8 tracks worth of external NR gear, or just hit the tape hard to keep noise outta the way, or just not care about noise
Tascam and Otari still make parts for their machines. I think Tascam has been slowly discontinuing certain parts though. Otari, however, still has a FULL catalog of parts, down to the last screw.
Just something to consider. You'll probably pay a little more, and get a LOT more out of an Otari deck.

I do heartily agree. I will add that I have had them all at one time or another and strangely, I have only the Fostex E-16 left. The others got worn away. I have to give the Fostex a ton of credit 'cause it sounds great, has NR (Dolby yet) and still works perfectly. I love the Otari, but I managed to kill it along with the Tascam 8 track I had. The Fostex is the only survivor and still sits in it's rolling rack. I must say I had no idea that Otari still has parts. In all the BBS boards I frequent people are constantly looking for parts and can't find them.

 

[Kasey]

The only downside is that the Otari's have no built-in noise reduction system. You gotta either get 8 tracks worth of external NR gear, or just hit the tape hard to keep noise outta the way, or just not care about noise

i have a nice stereo noise reduction unit, so i'm fine with that - plus noise isn't a big deal with me anyways. often times in my opinion it can add texture. but thats just me... i'm not much of a traditionalist.