Turtlerock Forum

so in my planning my return to aus I'm keen to do some 8 track analogue recordings so I'm on the hunt for a good quality "portable" 8 track 1/2" like an otari or a Ta@#$%. Not a trolley unit because I'm going to want to lug it all over the place (yeah I'm an edit I know).

Anybody got any leads?

I see them from time to time. Not sure how "portable" any of them are though man. An ATR-60 is one of the densest pieces of gear I've ever lifted...

Will keep an eye out!

A nice one if you can find one in a Revox C278. There were quite a few around in the early 90s

yeah I don't think an ATR will be figuring in my future but an mx5050 is reasonably portable and there are some other 8 track units out there that don't require a trolley and truck.

I'll keep an eye out for the revox, anybody have any leads as to where I might look?

and just so you know this is pretty cool but not what I would call "portable".

http://wikigear.org/wiki/index.php?title=APK_20100116

I once owned a tricked out 5050. Was a great machine and made quite a few records on it.

casey_rice wrote:I once owned a tricked out 5050. Was a great machine and made quite a few records on it.

I have a 5050, bog standard that has not seen much use before I bought it. Ive done around 40 projects on it scince i've had it. It's the one Myles borrowed a while.


It's a great machine but I'm hanging on to it I paid $3000 for it in 96 and that was seemingly way overpriced then but I gathered since it had only recorded two half hour reels in it's life that it was a great price for a virtually new machine......and they where $15,000 new!
What are the mods that where done on your tricked out machine Casey?

One of the things to keep in mind about the otari's here is that they have often seen many hours of use as most 2nd hand units where from radio stations. Hey Myles, ask Serge to hunt for one as he was the Otari service agent back in the day and might have a few leads on one that hasn't seen too many hours.

Maybe we could rack-up/roadcase one of the MCI's?

Probably still not quite as 'portable' as you would like though.

Mine was not modded by me but the previous owner. It had Athan roller kit and some sort of JRF head something something or other. I know, really technical!

It also had something done to the amplifier electronics to increase headroom. Not sure exactly anymore as it has been nearly 20 years since I owned it.

It sounded good. And was pin 3 hot.

Umm that would be these guys, I think they may know a thing or two about tape decks.

http://www.jrfmagnetics.com/

Barney Loveland wrote:Umm that would be these guys, I think they may know a thing or two about tape decks.

http://www.jrfmagnetics.com/

Yes Barney, that's right. I think maybe they had just relapped the heads.

Bumpadiddlydo... That's Sesotho for anybody got an 8 track...

Hi Myles
Perhaps ask Kev from 555, he did have one around, pm me if you need his details

G'day myles. Did you get my email a week or so back re. Adelaide auction?
Two Otari 5050 machines went for about $150 or so.