Hi all - long time lurker (since I don't own a Neotek - but have worked on a few of them at various studios).
I have a MTR-90 mkIII. From what I understand of the lineage, the audio circuitry improved from the mkI to mkII (I'm fuzzy on that part, so I could be totally wrong) - but the audio cards are interchangeable from the II to IIIs. The significant difference was in the transport/handling of the machines over the years. The IIIs also added some features to prevent the swing arm assembly from bending, something that happened on earlier revisions. I've also heard the late revision IIs can be just about as good as the IIIs. Based on the info here: http://www.jrfmagnetics.com/index.html?JRF_mainframe=/audioprices.html I'd say it looks like lots Q & R were the last of the IIs, or the most desireable IIs - as they share that new swing arm/roller assembly. (you can tell the lot and date of manufacture from the serial number) I have had zero issues with my machine in probably 3 yrs (how long I've had it). The only thing I've done is routine audio calibration/maintenance. Session usability wise, I find it easier to work on than the MCIs or older studers (faster locate/punch/etc) and pretty comparable to the fancy studers like the 820 - without all the fancy bells and whistles. (no autocalibration, reverse record, or cool meters) But for the meat and potatoes of session work, the III stacks up pretty well IMO. Haters argue the otaris lack character, but it's been a fine machine in my mind. I'd way rather do a session on a machine that punches well, moves me through my session quickly and is *reliable* than a 'cool sounding' (but 1/2 working) machine. Only other thing somewhat of note I think is the audio cards on all the otaris are on a single card vs having a distinct repro, record, sync card per channel. Not really a big deal, but it might be easier to limp through a session on a multi-card-per-channel machine is something bites it. Though I haven't personally run a session on either, pros and cons of the other otari 2"s I've heard from various people over the years are: MX-80 Pro - cheaper/smaller footprint Con - basically the MX70 frame w/2" heads on it, and the motors can't really handle it (you've got a Hyundai trying to be a big ford pickup or some such analogy) heard people say they love them, and others they'd never do a session on them again.... MTR-100 Was trying to be the studer 820. fancy autocalibration, all the advances of the mkIIIs - but then they also tried to reinvent the wheel in some respects (again very fuzzy, but I think maybe they changed the audio circuitry as well??). I've heard they're great when working, but the downside is they didn't make a ton of them so it'll be much harder to come by spares/other studio owners you can bounce ideas off of when it goes south. The MTR-90 definitely has the largest 'user group' out there of the series. I think the III was kind of a poor mans (or Spartan to put a positive spin on it) 827. For me, the III is great. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 5:14 PM To: [email protected] Cc: Jim Subject: Re: NEOTEK: Need a few parts Yeah...I'm still lurking. I've been swamped the past year or so with several high-def TV studio projects....working On The Dark Side <g>. My experience has been that the MTR-90 Mark III's are quite reliable. I am unaware of any "bad rev levels" within the III's production, but that might be the case. I currently maintain a "Mk I" that is great when it is in a good mood, but is very prone to problems, such as Molex connectors in the power supply harness melting down. I briefly worked with a MK III, but it was just routine stuff...not repairs. As for Stephens, I did some work on a 24 track here years ago, and it was relatively problem-free. But, with John now deceased, I'd be leery of the machines, unless you can find two or more to have a parts donor. Speaking of which, a pair of Stephens 40 tracks owned by Leon Russell are now here in my area. The plan is to get one running so that Leon's old masters can be transferred. Bri ---- Jim <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi Terry, > > In general, the Otari MTR-90 series 3 (and no doubt some other models) > were really good machines. > > (As an aside, I worked on a recording on one a few years ago; we a/b-d > different tape types by recording the Otari output to a DSD machine. While > there were obvious differences it actually held its own against the > "straight to DSD" control tracks) > > HOWEVER! Some were more or less good than others. I was at an analog > tape machine seminar at the last AES in NYC. John Klett (renowned studio > gear guy) had some very interesting comments on the different versions of > Otari decks. It really came down to revision levels, etc. I do not have > sufficient memory on board to recall all the detail, but if you (or anyone > else here) is seriously considering the purchase of one I'll do my best to > get these details. The wrong rev level could mean the difference between a > great machine and a dog. > > BTW, IIRC John is one of the few other techs with any experience on the > Stephens machines. Brian Roth (who may be another) is/was a Neotek list member. > > Brian.............are you still out there?! > > Regards, Jim > www.analogbros.com > > > > At 04:56 PM 3/5/2009, you wrote: > >I hear you, Don........ > > > >What is the group's opinion of an Otari 2" 24 trk??? > > > >Terry McInturff > >President, Terry C. McInturff Guitars, Inc. > >919-742-2958 > >223-A North Chatham Avenue > >Siler City, NC 27344 USA > > > >--- On Thu, 3/5/09, Donald Put <[email protected]> wrote: > >From: Donald Put <[email protected]> > >Subject: Re: NEOTEK: Need a few parts > >To: [email protected] > >Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009, 4:48 PM > > > >I guess it was longer ago than I thought. He died in August of > >'07. Here's a link to an obit: > > > ><http://mixonline.com/news/john-stephens-obituary-081807/>http://mixonl ine.com/news/john-stephens-obituary-081807/ > > > >I'd love to have a Stephens 24-track machine, but I have an MCI JH24 I'm > >in the process of restoring here and I don't really need another > >project. Besides, the way the economy is going I'm not sure I'll ever > >have the extra cash to get the MCI up and running! > > > >Cheers, > >-- > >Don > > > > > >On Thu, Mar 5, 2009 at 1:10 PM, Terry McInturff > ><<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]> wrote: > >Good greif, I am sad to hear of his passing. Another legend gone??? > >I am so pleased and proud to know that there are appreciators of fine work > >..such as you guys.. left in this world!!! > >Terry > > > >Terry McInturff > >President, Terry C. McInturff Guitars, Inc. > >919-742-2958 > >223-A North Chatham Avenue > >Siler City, NC 27344 USA > > > >--- On Thu, 3/5/09, Donald Put > ><<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]> wrote: > >From: Donald Put <<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]> > >Subject: Re: NEOTEK: Need a few parts > >To: <mailto:[email protected]>[email protected] > >Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009, 1:47 PM > > > > > >On Thu, Mar 5, 2009 at 10:40 AM, Jim > ><<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > >Hi Andy, > > > > Pretty cool, a Stephens! That's a rare and outstanding machine. Where is > > your studio and what kind of condition is it in? Have you used it? > > > >Regards, Jim > ><http://www.analogbros.com/>www.analogbros.com > > > > > >Agreed. I'd be concerned about parts as Stephens passed away recently and > >from what I've heard he was pretty much it when it came to > >parts/service. If anyone knows differently, feel free to correct me as I > >think it'd be a shame to lose these machines to history. > > > >Cheers, > >-- > >Don > > > > > > > > > ------ > > View the list online at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > You can unsubscribe at anytime by sending an email to mailto:[email protected] with "unsubscribe neotek" in the message body. If you have any difficulties, or questions --please send an email to mailto:[email protected]. > > The Neotek list is lovingly hosted by Catapult Web. Remember that any message or reply sent to the list will be automatically forwarded to all subscribers. > > Vive Le Neotek! > > Thanks. ------ View the list online at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] You can unsubscribe at anytime by sending an email to mailto:[email protected] with "unsubscribe neotek" in the message body. If you have any difficulties, or questions --please send an email to mailto:[email protected]. The Neotek list is lovingly hosted by Catapult Web. Remember that any message or reply sent to the list will be automatically forwarded to all subscribers. Vive Le Neotek! Thanks. ------ View the list online at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] You can unsubscribe at anytime by sending an email to mailto:[email protected] with "unsubscribe neotek" in the message body. If you have any difficulties, or questions --please send an email to mailto:[email protected]. The Neotek list is lovingly hosted by Catapult Web. Remember that any message or reply sent to the list will be automatically forwarded to all subscribers. Vive Le Neotek! Thanks.
