OTARI MTR-90 vs. MX-80

[Outlaw Hans]

The only time I´ve used an MX80 was when my JH-24 broke down and I had to finish the record and went someplace else. I used it for a couple of voice overdubs and playback. So I haven´t got that much experience tracking with it. It sounded good. The JH-24 was a bit bolder in my memory (I didn´t have them side by side) but the MX80 did sound nice. I kinda liked the locate functions a little better than the MCI. With the MCI you have to type in the minutes and seconds when you wanna go somewhere on the tape. With the MX80 you just press as many as 6 or 8 (?) locate buttons by ear. Very clever. Another good thing is that it rewinds really smoothly and slows down near the end of the tape. So no bits of tape flying around with this machine. It´s a fairly small machine which comes in handy when you need the space. Again, I haven´t tracked much with it (no drums etc.) but as a mixing machine it performed really well.

[Antony Scott]

Outlaw Hans:
Thank you. Yes, I agree with you, the MX-80 - good for tracking, in her precise tape transport mechanism (and besides - power consumption is less than the MTR-90)))). It is not as large dimensions as MTR-90, and perhaps it will be easier to deliver ...

[toolz]

I went for the Mx80 over the MTR90, it was more practical, as mines a home studio.

The Mx has cool features, like being able to play and record backwards, without flipping the tape!

[Rolf Ebitsch]

Hello Antony,

has here in my studio a Otari MX80. Splendid machine in the handling. Very, very quiet. You can use the maschine in your Controlroom. The tape transport is jutting. The sound of 'recording' and 'playback' is also really good.

I'am very satisfied.
R.

[Antony Scott]

Cool)))

[Commish]

I'll hop on the MX-80 bandwagon. Great machine, even aside from the prices they go for these days. The MX was the first tape machine i bought, never had so much as a hickup with it in the 6 years i owned it. If i hadn't had my Studer literally fall into my lap i would still have the MX today. They aren't the most tone drenched of the analog machines, a tad on the cleaner side of 2in machines. Is that a bad thing, Nope. Still sounds warm, still sounds like a great analog machine. I'd say hop on the MX and don't look back. You will enjoy making great recordings and great music with this machine. If you pick it up, please post a sample of something you've done, i'm sure we'd all love to hear it.

Sent from my PC36100 using Gearslutz App

[Antony Scott]

Originally Posted by Commish

I'll hop on the MX-80 bandwagon. Great machine, even aside from the prices they go for these days. The MX was the first tape machine i bought, never had so much as a hickup with it in the 6 years i owned it. If i hadn't had my Studer literally fall into my lap i would still have the MX today. They aren't the most tone drenched of the analog machines, a tad on the cleaner side of 2in machines. Is that a bad thing, Nope. Still sounds warm, still sounds like a great analog machine. I'd say hop on the MX and don't look back. You will enjoy making great recordings and great music with this machine. If you pick it up, please post a sample of something you've done, i'm sure we'd all love to hear it.

Sent from my PC36100 using Gearslutz App

Ok! Now it is hoped that the head will be there in good condition ...

[Antony Scott]

Originally Posted by Rolf Ebitsch

Hello Antony,

has here in my studio a Otari MX80. Splendid machine in the handling. Very, very quiet. You can use the maschine in your Controlroom. The tape transport is jutting. The sound of 'recording' and 'playback' is also really good.

I'am very satisfied.
R.

Capacitors have not changed? As the machine is working now?

[Rolf Ebitsch]

Hello Anthony,

Capacitors never changed.
Working nearly every day, without trouble.
Sometimes the Locator CB 142 (Remote) make a little trouble...

But that's only my maschine.
Other MX80, no idea, how they work....

R.

[Trakworx]

Another very happy long-time MX-80 user here! Mine sounds quiet, clean, clear and warm. It moves tape like a dream and is utterly reliable. 13 years and counting with no major maintenance issues. The one thing to watch out for is that you have to press lightly when aligning it due to the way the pots are mounted on the cards. The only times I had to repair mine have been to replace bent pots.

[Antony Scott]

OTARI MTR-90 16 tr.!!!
Evaluate the unit! I can pick it up for .... $ 700. In the Russian Federation. From the device someone stole capstan motor...
and... front panel

[Rick Sutton]

Originally Posted by Antony Scott

OTARI MTR-90 16 tr.!!!
Evaluate the unit! I can pick it up for .... $ 700. In the Russian Federation. From the device someone stole capstan motor...
and... front panel

If it has been cannibalized it probably has more problems than 2 missing parts.
I'd only buy it if it had parts I needed for another machine.

[Antony Scott]

This is definitely the device may be other defects. The device has got a new owner, and he does not know exactly in which state it is. But the machine had worked. I have to go to another city (500 kilometers) to view this Otari. I have experience repairing studio equipment and little experience repairing tape recorders. I need to see the machine itself, and once "everything will fall into place." Most likely, the machine is hopelessly flawed. If I buy the missing or damaged parts, it will cost me a lot of money. Rather, "the game is not worth it." Thanks to everyone who answers me. My Otari's "Odysseys" is not over yet.))))

[Rolf Ebitsch]

Originally Posted by Rick Sutton

If it has been cannibalized it probably has more problems than 2 missing parts.
I'd only buy it if it had parts I needed for another machine.

The first thing before you buy, have a look at the tape heads !!
Good luck,
R.

[Antony Scott]

Rolf Ebitsch:
Thank you. Next week I'm going to see the unit. As for the heads agree! And definitely need to look inside the machine. The question may arise - where you can buy capstan motor? On Ebay - it is very rare.

[Rolf Ebitsch]

Hello Antony,

This is a really good shop in Munich, Germany. With realistic prices and good service. The chief, Mister Thomas Riedmeier is a very nice man, with a lot of know-how. Hope, he can help you with that.

We have a proverb in Germany: Questions cost nothing.
R.

secondhand studiogear

[Antony Scott]

Hello Rolf! Thanks for the link, I found a great MX-80 for an excellent price!

[Rolf Ebitsch]

Originally Posted by Antony Scott

Hello Rolf! Thanks for the link, I found a great MX-80 for an excellent price!

Hello Antony,

sounds good to me !!
Wish you all the best !!

Lovely greetings,
Rolf

[Antony Scott]

[Antony Scott]

Originally Posted by Rolf Ebitsch

The chief, Mister Thomas Riedmeier

Hi Rolf! We have been communicating with Thomas via e-mail about the purchase of the MX-80. Have difficulty with transportation through the customs service, but the purchase is worth it. I'll let you know about the result!

[Rolf Ebitsch]

Hello Antony,

what's the news ?

R.

[Antony Scott]

Originally Posted by Rolf Ebitsch

Hello Antony,

what's the news ?

R.

Hi, Rolf! "The peace of mind can only dream of." The whole week was spent in hard work. I was invited to another city to record a blues concert. Several bands played, recorded 24 channels.
On Monday, we carry out the purchase of the MX-80. In the middle of the month will go to Germany and will take the device itself. I hope that everything will turn out. Now we have the end of the week, and pay through a bank these days is not possible... However, I do not know whether Thomas would agree to put the MX-80 in reserve for our payment.
Thank you for your interest!

[Antony Scott]

As we say, laughing, on the Russian forums: some people in our country can not get rid of the machines with the "wide tape," while others are beginning to "drag" it all to Russia from other countries.

[Rolf Ebitsch]

Hello Antony,

great to hear from you, and thank you very much for message and the kind words!

That sounds great ! Yesterday, I saw on Thomas website, that the Otari MX80 is reserved.
I thought that's the reservation for you.
Beautiful, that everything work so well.
Sorry, that I can't help you with the MRL Test Tape... but for that, my technical knowledge is to small. Please excuse me.

If you're in Germany, please send me a mail.
Wish you a beautiful weekend !
Lovely greetings,
Rolf

[Antony Scott]

Hello to everyone who answered me in the topic! I finally bought a great machine - the MX-80. In mid-May we will go pick her up from Germany. Now we have to buy the MRL. And a new 2 "tape. I already have an oscillator, frequency meter and millivoltmeter (I sometimes use them to test my MX-5050).
Thanks to everyone who participated in the discussion!

[Roy drage]

Originally Posted by Antony Scott

Hello to everyone who answered me in the topic! I finally bought a great machine - the MX-80. In mid-May we will go pick her up from Germany. Now we have to buy the MRL. And a new 2 "tape. I already have an oscillator, frequency meter and millivoltmeter (I sometimes use them to test my MX-5050).
Thanks to everyone who participated in the discussion!

Enjoy your MX80 ,

It,ll last as long as you do.

[Antony Scott]

Originally Posted by Roy drage

Enjoy your MX80 ,

It,ll last as long as you do.

Hi Roy! Thank you for your kind words!