What kind of input on RTR machines?

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darwin

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What kind of input does a typical RTR machine accept? Is it balanced or unbalanced. If it is balanced, is it TRS or XLR?

I am specifically looking at 2" 16 track machines like the Otari MTR-90 II, MCI JH16, or Studer A80 Mark II.
 
tape deck or mixer ?

most often - what you'll find on the Fostex and Tascam level tape deck is RCA jacks at the inputs and ouputs - the kind of features you're refering to are usually found on the mixing console/ desk - where you'll find balanced XLR's and unbalanced 1/4" phone jacks, and possibly RCA ins as well, and RCA outs to the recorder.

I know that doesn't directly speak to Otari / Studer machines - but I believe the splitting of features between tape decks and mixers was pretty universal - with the mixers getting all the input variables and capabilities, and the decks focusing on the recording aspect

b-h
 
Man, this is just not the kind of stuff that you can easily search on the internet. I think it is because the stuff is just not made anymore. Imagine not being able to learn that kind of information from the latest Avalon stuff.

SoMm, you are speaking about the tape deck and not the console?
 
The high end pro tape decks are typically balanced +4, yes. The budget stuff (like 1/4" 8-tracks and 1/2" 16-tracks) are often unbalanced -10db.
 
darwin said:
Man, this is just not the kind of stuff that you can easily search on the internet. I think it is because the stuff is just not made anymore. Imagine not being able to learn that kind of information from the latest Avalon stuff.

SoMm, you are speaking about the tape deck and not the console?
Click to expand...
Yes, Im speaking about the tape deck.
Its pretty easy to find alot of information if you know how to look, or where to look. Im always having to track down info on stuff so Im used certain sites. The Otari weighs a little over 400 lbs sans the power supply and remote. It has 24 male and 24 female XLR connectors for I/O, it also has several Pin out connectors for the remote, and metering bridge which is 24 VU types meters. The Otari MTR-90 II was originally a 16 track machine and the MTR-90 III the 24 tracks replacement, but the head stacks are interchaneable if I remember correctly. Correct me If Im wrong but I think the only machines that do not use balanced xlr or trs connectors are the narrow format prosumer recording decks. I wish I had the money for my own, but then again 1/2 inch tape is cheaper.
There +4 rca connections on some of the 1/2" machines and older consoles because the outboard gear was almost always designed using +4, my desk has both +4 and -10 using rca connections, so I have alot of intermixing with my racks, I have to careful on how I patch. Anyone wanna buy me a
Otari MTR-90 II with a 16 trk head stack?


SoMm
 
Thanks alot for that information. Can you post some of those sites that you are always using?
 
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