I am becoming an addict. Just picked up an Otari MX5050 B3 in excellent condition for a great price. It was local and I spent over an hour testing it out mechanically and for suido performance. The only problem is that the seller couldn't find the manual. I downloaded a B2 manual from the web (thanks Steve Koto) and it looks very similar. This machine is 15/7.5 2 track only - there is a dummy head in place of the 4 track playback head.
The manual tells how to set the bias, record level and record equalization.
I can set the bias myself using the internal 1 K oscillator and the directions in the manual. Looks straightforward. Question - can I set the bias for two or three different tapes? Or do I have to reset everytime I switch tape types? Currently I am using RMGI SM468 (pancakes from TP) and NOS Emtec SM911 and its thin clone, RMGI LPR35.
On the record equilization, it looks like I need an external oscillator. Is it OK just to use the internal 1K and 10K oscillators. The manual shows a graph which shows flat response and then curves at high frequencies above and below the flat curve - with notations CW and CCW above and below the flat curves. I plan to record only at 15ips using IEC EQ.
Thanks, Larry
