Re: Otari MTR 90 MKIII or Studer A800 MKIII

[Vortex]

Based on sonic quality and reputation, I'd go with the Studer 1st
seeing as it's the MKIII. Studer is still the "Rolls Royce" of recorders.

Although the parts on the Otari might be easier to find and a little
less expensive.

You can see some response curves of the Otari MX-80 and Studer A80 MKII
on Jack Endino's web site from tests he performed:

http://www.endino.com/graphs/index.html

The Studer has a flater response curve, not that it's better than the Otari,
just more faithful to the original recording.

Mario


> I am in the market for a 24 track recorder, and I've kind of narrowed
> my decision. I'm thinking getting an Otari MTR 90 MKIII or a Studer
> A800 MkIII. Both have relatively low hours around 5000. I am just
> writing to get some opinions on these 2 decks. Any help would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> William

[Rob Adelman]

Vortex wrote:

> Based on sonic quality and reputation, I'd go with the Studer 1st
> seeing as it's the MKIII. Studer is still the "Rolls Royce" of recorders.
>
> Although the parts on the Otari might be easier to find and a little
> less expensive.
>
> You can see some response curves of the Otari MX-80 and Studer A80 MKII
> on Jack Endino's web site from tests he performed:

The A800 seems to be a favorite among the Studer lovers.

[Jeffrey Landgraf]

Go for the Studer, hands down.

Jeff


"William" > wrote in message
m...
> I am in the market for a 24 track recorder, and I've kind of narrowed
> my decision. I'm thinking getting an Otari MTR 90 MKIII or a Studer
> A800 MkIII. Both have relatively low hours around 5000. I am just
> writing to get some opinions on these 2 decks. Any help would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> William

[LeBaron & Alrich]

EggHd > wrote:

> << The A800 seems to be a favorite among the Studer lovers. >>

> And in such a compact package. (not!)

Probably takes up twice the space of the MTR90III? Or close to that.

--
ha

[EggHd]

<< Probably takes up twice the space of the MTR90III? Or close to that. >>

The 800 is pretty wide.



---------------------------------------
"I know enough to know I don't know enough"

[Rob Adelman]

EggHd wrote:
> << Probably takes up twice the space of the MTR90III? Or close to that. >>
>
> The 800 is pretty wide.

Sounds like there is lots of room for stuff to breath. Probably a good
thing. Assuming you have the space.

[Kurt Albershardt]

LeBaron & Alrich wrote:

> EggHd > wrote:
>
>>> The A800 seems to be a favorite among the Studer lovers.
>
>> And in such a compact package. (not!)
>
>
> Probably takes up twice the space of the MTR90III? Or close to that.


Yeah--but it looks sooooo niiiice in the dark with all those lights!

[Fletcher]

Glenn Davis wrote:

> >though the MTR-90 is more of a 'capstanless' tape path
>
> I think he meant to say Pinchroller-free. The MTR-90 III has a 9600 Hz capstan
> motor, but the tape transport is of a Pinchroller-free design.

Yup... that's what I meant... thank you for coming up with the right phase... I had
a brain cramp. D'oh

> If the two Decks
> in question are the same price, the Studer may have some issues. I would fine
> tooth comb both Machines before a commitment is made.
>

Absolutely spot on advice!!!
--
Fletcher
Mercenary Audio
TEL: 508-543-0069
FAX: 508-543-9670
http://www.mercenary.com
"this is not a problem"

[Josh Snider]

Personally I love working with the MTR90, however, I've always been
fortunate to work with a machine that was kept in VERY good shape.
Until some putz dropped a 14" reel on the left tension arm and pushed it
down. It became a nice tape shredder after that slight change in tape path.


J



in article , Fletcher at
wrote on 9/5/03 06.28:

> Glenn Davis wrote:
>
>>> though the MTR-90 is more of a 'capstanless' tape path
>>
>> I think he meant to say Pinchroller-free. The MTR-90 III has a 9600 Hz
>> capstan
>> motor, but the tape transport is of a Pinchroller-free design.
>
> Yup... that's what I meant... thank you for coming up with the right phase...
> I had
> a brain cramp. D'oh
>
>> If the two Decks
>> in question are the same price, the Studer may have some issues. I would fine
>> tooth comb both Machines before a commitment is made.
>>
>
> Absolutely spot on advice!!!
> --
> Fletcher
> Mercenary Audio
> TEL: 508-543-0069
> FAX: 508-543-9670
> http://www.mercenary.com
> "this is not a problem"
>
>

[Bob Olhsson]

In article >, Fletcher
> wrote:

>They'll punch about the same,
>though you have to hit 'play and record' on the 800 when you're doing a
>punch which takes a bit of time to get used to doing

Can't you just hold down play and then hit record when you need to?

--
Bob Olhsson Audio Mastery, Nashville TN 615.385.8051
Mastering, Audio for Picture, Mix Evaluation and Quality Control
http://www.hyperback.com/olhsson.html
Over 40 years making people sound better than they ever imagined!

[Fletcher]

Bob Olhsson wrote:

> In article >, Fletcher
> > wrote:
>
> >They'll punch about the same,
> >though you have to hit 'play and record' on the 800 when you're doing a
> >punch which takes a bit of time to get used to doing
>
> Can't you just hold down play and then hit record when you need to?

That's the way most people do it... though I usually punch with my right
index finger... so I'll usually hold down 'record' and punch with the "play"
button... I still find it bloody annoying...
--
Fletcher
Mercenary Audio
TEL: 508-543-0069
FAX: 508-543-9670
http://www.mercenary.com
"this is not a problem"

[Fletcher]

Jay - atldigi wrote:

>
> That way you won't erase the perfect vocal take by mistake when you
> reach for rewind.

Uhhh, paying a modicum of attention would do that... and even if you did have
your head up your ass... 'rewind' and 'record' are on entirely opposite ends
of the switch bank... which would mean you'd have to be a complete and total
****up to accomplish that kind of "ooops"...
--
Fletcher
Mercenary Audio
TEL: 508-543-0069
FAX: 508-543-9670
http://www.mercenary.com
"this is not a problem"

[OKden]

That's the way I do it as well. Punching in and out with the right index
finger on the play key. It also insures that a worn/dirty play button won't
punch you right back out.

Fletcher wrote:

> I usually punch with my right
> index finger... so I'll usually hold down 'record' and punch with the "play"
> button... I still find it bloody annoying...
> --