Features in Detail

Separate Transport and Electronics. To give you maximum versatility in mounting and installation, the MX-5050-8 is contained in two separate packages. One is the transport and control assembly, the other is the electronics. The cases are made of vinyl covered wood with rugged steel reinforced rubber corners. Each can be supplied with optional front and rear covers to convert the already heavy-duty cases to true road cases for remote assignments. For studio use, rack mounting adaptors and a floor console with wheels are available.

⤢ zoomThe centre of the MX-5050-8 deck with the head cover hinged up: the head stacks and their plug-in base exposed, the CUE lever and minutes-and-seconds counter to the left, the capstan and tension arm to the right, and the MX5050 push-button row below

Accessible Heads, Min/Sec Counter, Adjustable Cue. For ease of cleaning, degaussing, and marking edit points, the head cover of the MX-5050-8 is hinged to provide complete front access. For improved head life, tape lifters are automatically activated in fast modes. To the left of the head assembly is the counter, accurately calibrated in minutes and seconds. This is indispensible for recording applications and far more useful than the more common reel rotation counter. Above the counter is the adjustable cue control which defeats the head lifters in the head assembly to permit an audible signal in the fast modes for cueing. To the right of the head assembly, note that the capstan is located on the non-oxide side of the tape, to reduce tape scratching.

MX-5050-8 Click-Free Electronics. Of advanced design, the MX-5050-8 electronics have many user oriented features and controls. Starting at the left, note that the line and microphone input level controls for each channel are ganged on the same shaft. This makes it simpler to mix inputs without having to jump back and forth between controls. Below the input controls are individual Record interlock controls for each channel, which allow you to come in and out of record without pops and clicks. Selective Reproduce controls at the right provide reproduction of previously recorded tracks in perfect time synchronization with new material. Front adjustable bias with the built-in test oscillator makes changing bias level for the specific type being used a fast, simple operation. Similarly, setting standard operating reproduce level and record equalization are front adjustable. Output levels can be varied or fixed by operating the Standard Reference Level (SRL) front panel switch. The large panel meters are true VU meters that meet ANSI specifications for response and ballistics characteristics.

⤢ zoomThe front panels for channels 1 to 4 of the MX-5050-8 electronics: ganged LINE and MIC input knobs at the left of each panel, the two VU meters in the middle, the output knob at the right, and a row of record, selective reproduce and calibration controls beneath

⤢ zoomA hand drawing a transport logic board out of the MX-5050-8 transport from behind, with the rear panel lowered and the wiring and relays inside exposed

Plug-in Transport Boards. Transport control logic electronics are contained on plug-in boards, easily accessible by lowering the hinged rear panel. Note uncluttered construction and ease of access to reel motor brake bands and other components for routine maintenance.

⤢ zoomA hand holding a plug-in audio card from the MX-5050-8 electronics, its gold-plated edge connector at the left

Plug-in Electronics Boards. Gold plated contacts and complete plug-in modularity provide reliability and serviceability of MX-5050-8 electronics.

⤢ zoomThe rear of the MX-5050-8 electronics for channels 1 to 4: XLR line input and output connectors for each channel, the rear-panel adjustment holes beside them, and a multi-pin socket and a pair of jacks at the right

XLR Connectors and Rear Accessible Adjustments. Both line input and output connectors are heavy duty professional type XLR’s. High impedance microphone inputs are standard quarter-inch phone type. Secondary electronic adjustments, all rear panel accessible, include reproduce equalization, selective reproduce level adjust, record level and calibration, test oscillator calibration, output level selector switch High (+4 dBm) or Low (−10 dBm), and noise reduction system (dbx, Dolby) interface jack.