R2R deck for mastering

MAXRB · 23rd March 2009

Hi,

I'm looking for a reel to reel deck for mastering.
At the moment I'm tracking with a Tascam Tsr-8 and my new studer 169 and dumping and mixing digital.
I'm so happy with the Studer sound that I'd like to use it as a summing mixer, so I suppose it would be nice to have a mastering deck.
So I'm looking for a compact deck (7ips, and 15 ips, not sure if 1/4 or 1/2).
I'm browsing some models: Otari MX5050, Tascam 32 and 42, Revox PR-99 MKIII. Which one do you think is the best of those prosumer decks?
TAscam are 1/2 if I'm not wrong, that makes a difference?

On the other hand, there is a Studer A810?, but it's a lot more $$$... Do you think it worths to wait and save some more money for that one? I'm recording raw blues and garagey stuff, so maybe a Studer is too much or too clean?

Thanks in advance

ricknroll · 23rd March 2009

The Revox PR99 is not a prosumer deck - definitely a quality piece. I don't know about the Mk III, but on earlier incarnations, the EQ was not switchable, so I'd look for one with IEC cards.

On the other hand, you can also get an Otari MTR10 pretty cheap these days (I bought a nice one for $300), and those have switchable EQ and multiple bias settings.

MAXRB · 24th March 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricknroll

The Revox PR99 is not a prosumer deck - definitely a quality piece.
On the other hand, you can also get an Otari MTR10 pretty cheap these days

Thanks a lot for your answer! I didn't mean to bother anybody when I said prosumer. I like my Tsr-8, although I'm planing to get a 1'' deck eventually
So you think that the PR-99 it's the best of those compact recorders (MTR10 are probably too big and heavy)?
Another question, do you think any of those -or another model- has an specific sonic character?

Thanks in advance

dbbubba · 25th March 2009

Look what-ever deck you buy over closely.

You probably need to have the heads evaluated.
That determines the value of analog decks.

One problem I have seen with PR99s is leaking caps that cause the REPRO signal to get back into the INPUT.
There will be a slight echo on everything you record.

We had a pair of PR99s for years at one of our facilities that were used for light dub work.
These decks were barely used, but we had them for about seven years.
Somewhere towards the end of their life (for us) they developed the "echo" problem.
I never looked into the repair specifics because we sold them off.
Our tech decsribed this as a common problem with PR99s.
It seemed that he said the caps were in the power supply and that was the path of the errant signal.

The MTR10s are OK, but everyone I ever see has the heads worn smooth.
They are somewhat the red-headed stepchild of analog decks, but they are serviceable.
OTARI decks fall somewhere between great decks like Ampexes and Studers and TASCAMs.
If maintained, they are fairly stable tape decks.
An OTARI in good shape might be a good unit for a novice.

Any deck that needs attention and has not been maintained will be a HUGE hassle.

Remember...
Analog recorders will start to deteriorate at a slow rate and then start to cascade towards being completely useless. It takes time.
Digital recorders either work or they don't.
Because analog decks keep recording as they deteriorate people tend to put off maintenance.
It is kind of like putting off getting your hair cut.... wait long enough and one day it looks bad!
Analog decks are like this if not maintained.... and most were and are not.

23rd March 2009	#1
MAXRB Gear interested Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Spain Posts: 19 Thread Starter	R2R deck for mastering Hi, I'm looking for a reel to reel deck for mastering. At the moment I'm tracking with a Tascam Tsr-8 and my new studer 169 and dumping and mixing digital. I'm so happy with the Studer sound that I'd like to use it as a summing mixer, so I suppose it would be nice to have a mastering deck. So I'm looking for a compact deck (7ips, and 15 ips, not sure if 1/4 or 1/2). I'm browsing some models: Otari MX5050, Tascam 32 and 42, Revox PR-99 MKIII. Which one do you think is the best of those prosumer decks? TAscam are 1/2 if I'm not wrong, that makes a difference? On the other hand, there is a Studer A810?, but it's a lot more $$$... Do you think it worths to wait and save some more money for that one? I'm recording raw blues and garagey stuff, so maybe a Studer is too much or too clean? Thanks in advance

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23rd March 2009	#2
ricknroll Gear maniac Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 209	The Revox PR99 is not a prosumer deck - definitely a quality piece. I don't know about the Mk III, but on earlier incarnations, the EQ was not switchable, so I'd look for one with IEC cards. On the other hand, you can also get an Otari MTR10 pretty cheap these days (I bought a nice one for $300), and those have switchable EQ and multiple bias settings.

25th March 2009	#4
dbbubba Banned Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 7,099	Look what-ever deck you buy over closely. You probably need to have the heads evaluated. That determines the value of analog decks. One problem I have seen with PR99s is leaking caps that cause the REPRO signal to get back into the INPUT. There will be a slight echo on everything you record. We had a pair of PR99s for years at one of our facilities that were used for light dub work. These decks were barely used, but we had them for about seven years. Somewhere towards the end of their life (for us) they developed the "echo" problem. I never looked into the repair specifics because we sold them off. Our tech decsribed this as a common problem with PR99s. It seemed that he said the caps were in the power supply and that was the path of the errant signal. The MTR10s are OK, but everyone I ever see has the heads worn smooth. They are somewhat the red-headed stepchild of analog decks, but they are serviceable. OTARI decks fall somewhere between great decks like Ampexes and Studers and TASCAMs. If maintained, they are fairly stable tape decks. An OTARI in good shape might be a good unit for a novice. Any deck that needs attention and has not been maintained will be a HUGE hassle. Remember... Analog recorders will start to deteriorate at a slow rate and then start to cascade towards being completely useless. It takes time. Digital recorders either work or they don't. Because analog decks keep recording as they deteriorate people tend to put off maintenance. It is kind of like putting off getting your hair cut.... wait long enough and one day it looks bad! Analog decks are like this if not maintained.... and most were and are not.