Messages

1

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Modding non technics machines

« on: March 20, 2008, 03:08:15 PM »

FYI

The BIII only has a 2 track heads on it. So I emailed Otari asking about the 4 track playback heads and received a response.
"The heads can be bought from Adrian Pro Audio in Los Angeles. The price is $375.00. Please call 818-347-9271 and ask for Adrian."

Just wanted to pass that on.

Thanks,
John

2

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Modding non technics machines

« on: March 20, 2008, 05:29:56 AM »

Hi, just wanted to let you guys know I just picked up a Otari BIII yesterday. This thing is beautiful and I got a great price on it. This thing is almost brand new. I think the guy mentioned he only ran a couple tapes through it. I ordered a blank tape couple weeks back so tonight I will try to do a little recording. Right now I feel like a kid in a candy store and can't wait to get home. So any mods you guys come up with for this thing would be great.
Thanks,
John

3

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Modding non technics machines

« on: March 11, 2008, 06:29:41 AM »

I'll have to check on the cost of the option that adds the quarter track playback head.

Hi, can you explain the head option a little more. I don't think I have a grasp on that yet. Would the quarter track be a head that plays tapes that are recorded in 4 track mode? Would a half track head be a tape that is recorded in 2 track mode? What are the tape project tapes recorded at?
Thanks,

John

4

General Discussion / Re: A magnetic question ?

« on: March 06, 2008, 05:05:19 PM »

Thanks Paul, I will do as you suggested. The website and the actual box that the demagnetizer came in had the 8 hour suggestion. I read the instructions on the box but any tips or tricks to doing this.

Thank you,

John

5

General Discussion / A magnetic question ?

« on: March 04, 2008, 03:46:07 PM »

I just need to ask this question so I don't ruin something. So I ordered a new demagnetizer for the R2R. Its a handheld unit that mentioned that tapes should be more than 4 feet away when this unit is used. So my question is, what about all the other electronics? Most of my electronics are within that four feet, ex: CD player, turn table, tuner, receiver, mono blocks. Will this cause any problems with any of these circuits? To be on the safe side I was going to bring the R2R outside, demagnetize the heads, and then bring it back in. But if I have to do this every 8 hours I think that will get old after a while. I am new to this so just wanted some more experienced opinions.
Thanks,

John

6

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MX5050BII2

« on: February 29, 2008, 06:46:12 AM »

I just bought one of these also a little while ago. The seller sent me a manual for it in PDF. If you want it just give me your email and I will send it to you. In there it shows how to wire up the XLRs to RCAs. I will be doing this, this weekend because I just received my XLR connectors. Also if you go to Otari's website they have a parts list for this thing to download. So if you need any parts for it you will have the original part numbers.

John

7

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: which machine to get

« on: February 21, 2008, 06:37:39 AM »

Well got a Otari Mx-5050 BII yesterday. Its in prety good shape but shipping did a number on it. They cracket the plastic on the bottom by the foot. Its not a big deal. Ill just try to glue it back together. Now I just have to get some tapes and try it out. Does anyone know of a good place to get parts for this thing?
Thanks,
John

8

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: which machine to get

« on: February 12, 2008, 02:57:44 PM »

Sweet, can you guys tell me his name. I have been scanning Ebay for one for a little while now so If I see him on there I will ask him about it.
Thank you,

John

9

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: which machine to get

« on: February 12, 2008, 06:47:31 AM »

Guys thanks for all the info. I was worried about the XLR connections but if they can be converted easily like mentioned then thats not a problem. I will try to pick up an Otari 5050 whick seems the best machine for me right now. Thanks for all the help and I will let you guys know when I get one. Thanks again,

John

10

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Otari MX-5050 series tape head direct wire out

« on: February 11, 2008, 07:46:56 AM »

Hi,
Can you take some pictures of that. I would like to know where the tech hooked up to and how he wired up the RCAs. As much detail as possible would be appriciated.
Thank you,

John

11

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: which machine to get

« on: February 11, 2008, 06:10:24 AM »

Guys,
Thanks for the input so far. I did do a search for the Telefunken and did not find anything about it but a picture. I also have been looking at the Otari 5050 B II machines. They look real nice but only have balanced outputs. All the stuff I have has RCA connections and I don't want to run converter boxes. Unless there is a way just to rewire them to RCAs but I don't know how they work. I would guess there is a signal wire, ground wire, and a earth ground wire??? If you guys would have a easy way to rewire that I probably would get one of these machines to get started. So thanks for the help and I will keep on looking.

John

12

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: which machine to get

« on: February 08, 2008, 10:59:12 PM »

Q: Why does an engineer always answer a question with another question?

A: And why shouldn't an engineer answer a question with another question?

So here are a few. If you answer these it will help people here make recommendations. Just what price are you looking for? Do you want a machine that will play 7-1/2 ips quartertracks as well as Tape Project albums? Do you want a machine that will record also? If so, at what speed, and quarter track or half track? Do you have a collection of tapes that you also want access to? If so, what speed etc. are they? Are you in a position to repair a deck if it needs it?

I should have expected that so here is a little more info.
I think the most I want to spend is about $600 dollars.
I would like it to play as many speeds as possible but 7-1/2 and 15 would do.
I am not sure if I will record but it would be nice for future use. Not sure about speed or track. What would you recommend?
Right now I don't have any tapes but want to start a collection.
I have a shop that is close that does repair reel to reel machines.

Now a little about my setup:
Project turn table running into a Seduction running into a Foreplay 2 running into ParaBees running into 166esr BLH speakers. I also have a Sony DVD player for CDs.

Thanks for the help.

John

13

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / which machine to get

« on: February 08, 2008, 02:00:47 PM »

Hi,
I am looking for a reel to reel machine and need some help in which one to get. Just wondering what you guys would recommend. I know the Technics are the preferred ones but hard to find and expensive. Which one can I get for now to start listening to tapes and then modify to perfection later when money is more available. I guess it would also have to have RCA outputs unless I can change the balanced outputs to the unbalanced RCAs. Thanks for any help.

John