Check out the new Tape Project website at tapeproject.com, now with online ordering. Inventory is updated every week, so stop by often to see what we have in stock.

Author Topic: OTARI MX5050  (Read 4629 times)

Offline mossfred

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 25
    • View Profile
OTARI MX5050
« on: November 02, 2010, 10:07:52 AM »
Just playing with my newly acquired MX5050B11 2, but  i am having difficulty understanding how it works.
My first attempts at recording after setting bias and level sounded ok but rather hissy on low flux position. Changing to high seems to do more than adjust the level shown on the meters improving the hiss level substantially even though i am keeping the recorded level the same ie on the tape.
My understanding of the instruction manual was that as i switch higher the actual level put on the tape would be higher for a reference level of 0db on the meters,and that was the only effect, is this correct?
I must be missing something.
Difficult to explain!
Fred

Offline jcmusic

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 345
    • View Profile
Re: OTARI MX5050
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2010, 01:13:38 PM »
Fred,
What type tape are you using? With today's type tape you should use the middle setting.

Jay
Redpoint Model D TT/Soundsmith Sotto Voce Cartridge Otari MX 5050 BII/BH Tube Repro deHavilland Model 222
 Ah Njoe Tjoeb 4000, Rogue Magnum 99, Korneff 45 SET Amp, Klipsch K-Horns Bass Bins/2" Tractrix Horns 2" BMS Drivers, Vintage Tubes.

Offline dollysowner

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 3
    • View Profile
Re: OTARI MX5050
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2010, 02:53:21 PM »
The level switch on the back of the Otari is very misleading.  While one would think that it would allow the user to adjust the bias for different kinds of tape, in fact all it does is to change the playback levels to compensate for the amount of headroom which various types of tapes have. I believe the positions are for Ampex Operating Level (low), 250 nw/meter (comparable to Ampex/Quantegy 456 tape) (medium) and (320 nw/meter) (high).  The recording bias on the Otari needs to be adjusted manually.

Offline mossfred

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 25
    • View Profile
Re: OTARI MX5050
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2010, 04:57:49 PM »

I have tried several tapes, Basf, Maxell XL1 and TDK GX but whichever i use it seems the noise floor decreases with the higher settings, which would make sense except that i am equalizing the recording levels!
Fred

Offline jcmusic

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 345
    • View Profile
Re: OTARI MX5050
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2010, 03:48:01 AM »
The level switch on the back of the Otari is very misleading.  While one would think that it would allow the user to adjust the bias for different kinds of tape, in fact all it does is to change the playback levels to compensate for the amount of headroom which various types of tapes have. I believe the positions are for Ampex Operating Level (low), 250 nw/meter (comparable to Ampex/Quantegy 456 tape) (medium) and (320 nw/meter) (high).  The recording bias on the Otari needs to be adjusted manually.

There is a switch on the front for recording.

Jay
Redpoint Model D TT/Soundsmith Sotto Voce Cartridge Otari MX 5050 BII/BH Tube Repro deHavilland Model 222
 Ah Njoe Tjoeb 4000, Rogue Magnum 99, Korneff 45 SET Amp, Klipsch K-Horns Bass Bins/2" Tractrix Horns 2" BMS Drivers, Vintage Tubes.