Otari MTR-10

[not_so_new]

So someone talk to me about an Otari MTR-10, I never used one.

The MX80 was never my favorite machine, a pretty generic sound... not HORRIBLE but not an exciting 2 inch either. I assume the MTR-10 is about the same? Not the worst thing in the world but not a Ampex ATR 100 by any stretch.

The ATR 100's are going for $5,000 to $9,000 a pop. With tape machines coming down in price I am suprised the ATR 100 would still fetch that. They might be worth it but that is too rich for my blood.

Anyway they worth anything (the MTR-10 that is)?? I see them going for a few $100 or so.

Thanks....

[seaneldon]

i used to have one of those. decent mixdown deck. here it is after we installed it.

[seaneldon]

that was a fun studio, actually. here's one of our wall racks. check out the fun, riduclous equipment we got from a local recording museum (10 DATATEK PRES!). the big guy is a friend of the studio. he worked at the tattoo shop upstairs.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by seaneldon

that was a fun studio, actually. here's one of our wall racks. check out the fun, riduclous equipment we got from a local recording museum (10 DATATEK PRES!). the big guy is a friend of the studio. he worked at the tattoo shop upstairs.

Cool, thanks.

I know it is a bit like dancing about architecture but how did the MTR-10 sound?

[lemix]

Michael ,
Many years ago our place had an MTR-12. It had 1/4" as well as 1/2" two & 1/2" four track head blocks.
It was a workhorse, easy to align ..but can't remember having a specific sonic character.
Here is a pix from around 1985-86 ;


best of luck,

[JohnNy C]

Originally Posted by lemix

Michael ,
Many years ago our place had an MTR-12. It had 1/4" as well as 1/2" two & 1/2" four track head blocks.
It was a workhorse, easy to align ..but can't remember having a specific sonic character.
Here is a pix from around 1985-86 ;


best of luck,

That is one sweet ass studio for 1985 man.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by JohnNy C

That is one sweet ass studio for 1985 man.

Tissue paper on the NS10's and everything!!

LOL Way cool.



Thanks Andrew

So I guess the question that I have to weigh in my mind is... is it worth mixing down to the MTR-10 then dumping the mix back into Samplitude with my Apogee AD-16X or just mix straight to the Apogee and forget about the Otari?

Decisions decisions.

I think it was Jay Kahrs that posted a sample of a mix tracked back through a Lavry I believe and then on to 2 track tape and then back to the Lavry and there was very little difference. The point is that if the MTR-10 does not have more than a little color (in a cool way) it's probably not worth it.

I am on the fence I guess.

[seaneldon]

why not just mix down to tape and send an analog mix for mastering? less conversions! better for archiving!

[lemix]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

Tissue paper on the NS10's and everything!!

LOL Way cool.



Thanks Andrew

So I guess the question that I have to weigh in my mind is... is it worth mixing down to the MTR-10 then dumping the mix back into Samplitude with my Apogee AD-16X or just mix straight to the Apogee and forget about the Otari?

Decisions decisions.

I think it was Jay Kahrs that posted a sample of a mix tracked back through a Lavry I believe and then on to 2 track tape and then back to the Lavry and there was very little difference. The point is that if the MTR-10 does not have more than a little color (in a cool way) it's probably not worth it.

I am on the fence I guess.

I don't think the MTR-10 1/4" will justify the expense of buying/maintaining /tape cost the sonic improvement that you might end up with.
I'm so spoiled by tape that I had to get another mixdown machine very recently.
It was free from a buddy so no complaint from me..
Still need to source the MRL tape, a new 1/4" NAB hub and a new pinch-roller to use it for mixing/mastering. Only fired it up for tape slap and she was...gorgious It's a Sony APR 5002.

>>OH, the tissue paper ! And that "sweet ass" place..Man it was my life. Had so much fun and great sessions there. The place was right in the heart of Toronto's club area, doing commercial and post work at day and I would start at midnights recording lot's of music.
Here are two more shots, although a couple of years apart, as you can see the Otari MTR-90 remote on one and the old AMPEX 1200 on the other;