Transporting Otari MX-80

  • Thread starter Thread starter CurlyMon
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CurlyMon

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Hello everyone. I am looking for some advice on how to move an Otari MX-80 24 track recorder a short distance. My plan is to remove the audio cards and lay the machine on its side in a minivan. It won't be going too far, only a few miles. Is it alright to lay these machines down for moving? Any advice would be great! Long live analog!
 
Why are you taking the amp cards out? Not questioning...just learning...I hadn't heard that one.

You should be fine, IMO laying it on its side...if it were me I'd be looking for a dense foam pad or a camping pad or something to lay it on to reduce shock vibrations and then I'd be strapping it in with ratcheting tie-downs or something, but I'm not aware of any reason why there would be any problem with laying down.

How far you going with it? Just moving or something?
 
sweetbeats said:
Why are you taking the amp cards out? Not questioning...just learning...I hadn't heard that one.

You should be fine, IMO laying it on its side...if it were me I'd be looking for a dense foam pad or a camping pad or something to lay it on to reduce shock vibrations and then I'd be strapping it in with ratcheting tie-downs or something, but I'm not aware of any reason why there would be any problem with laying down.

How far you going with it? Just moving or something?
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I wonder why remove the cards too. My brother moved his JH24 and Sony APR 24 no problem at all. But he did it in normal standup position in his van. I think he built up some 2" styrofoam and prolly cut holes for the wheels to set in so that the machine bottom rested on the foam.

My MS-16 got here (Virginia Beach) from Boston on a 18 wheeler on a pallet. I had to align it, for sure.
 
I moved my Tascam ATR-60 on it's side a few years ago without any problems. We just used a few blankets to cushion it in the back of a wagon and brought it home and it kept it's alignment, etc.

:cool:
 
I used to haul my Tascam 80-8 on a near daily basis in the back of an old Datsun station wagon. I never removed cards to do so and it held up great. Of course, an 80-8 isn't an MX-80, but I wouldn't think you would have a problem leaving the cards in place.
 
No need to remove the PCB's, they're pretty tight in the slots so leave them there. Try to transport the machine standing up in a bigger van like the VW.

My MX80 was transported that way over more than 400km's without any problem. But on it's side in a car with decent suspension won't be a problem I guess. I have a Citroen XM that doesn't bump at all, that would be perfect. :D
 
Hey dano...bet THAT was a memorable day huh? When your MS16 arrived? :D
 
sweetbeats said:
Hey dano...bet THAT was a memorable day huh? When your MS16 arrived? :D
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Sweet,

I was not that happy with what the seller had done. I paid $1800.00 + $550.00 for crating and shipping to my door, but I picked it up at the nearby truck terminal. The lousy seller had put it on a regular pallet and strapped it down. I was also told the machine had just been gone over by a Tascam repair center with a $450.00 charge That was a lie also. Seller told me he would refund the $450.00. Another lie. Be extremely wary of Ebay. I should have negged him and filed a snad with paypal. But I tried to be a nice guy and get over it. After a month or so of work and a head stack relap, it worked out ok.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I guess leaving the cards in would be ok, I wasn't sure. I may try hauling it on its side, that way I won't have to get a van with a lift gate. The only thing that makes me weary is putting stress and weight on components that were never designed for being in a horizontal position. I bought this machine about three months ago and its basically brand new. It's currently at a friends studio and would like to move it to mine within the next month or so.
 
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Update: I've been talking to someone from Otari and they informed me that they DO NOT recommend laying the larger Otari decks sideways. I guess I will be transporting it in the upright position.
 
Huh!

Be interesteing for the good of all to know why...did they give any reason why it is not recommended?

Another vote for leaving the cards in is that I can't think of a better place to store amp cards than in the card cage...it is an aluminum and steel custom fit shipping crate for them. ;)
 
I did not get a reason from them. They said "I would not recommend to lay the machine on its side, it's not designed to be that way, so we don't know what's gonna happen." Better safe than sorry I guess.
 
FWIW, I've had good luck moving my large 3M machines in a van by laying the machines on their backs on top of several blankets. Never removed the audio cards. I would think laying a machine on the side in a moving vehicle would typically give a lot of side to side bouncing on audio cards, etc. that would not be good. You might check with those in the know and see if laying it on its back would also be a no-no. Probably depends on the brand, since the physical layout varies a bit. I remember the layout on the old MX-7308, but never worked with an MX-80. It may need to stay upright. Good luck!

Cheers,

Otto
 
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