Identifying the MX-5050 B-III
In the line-up↑ TOP
Otari's 1991 series data sheet shows the two-channel upright and the four-meter BQIII. The BIII-F is not separately pictured in this set, and the two-channel front does not distinguish the DIN 2E from the standard 2.
Track-format examples
Click an image to enlarge it. Meter count shows channels: a quarter-track stereo deck can still have only two meters.
B-III-2 / 2E
⤢ zoom- Tracks
- 2
- Channels
- 2
- Tape
- ¼″
BQIII
⤢ zoom- Tracks
- 4
- Channels
- 4
- Tape
- ¼″
These are brochure photographs; use the rear plate and head configuration to confirm the exact version.
The two-channel front view does not distinguish NAB from DIN.
How to recognise one↑ TOP
- Upright. Otari's 1991 configurations table heads every B-III column — BIII-F, BIII-2, BIII-2E and BQIII — "Upright", against "Desk Top" for the MARK IV (MX-5050 Series data sheet OA-321C, p.3).
- A direct-drive, brushless capstan. The same sheet gives a "D.C. brushless type quartz PLL servo-controlled capstan motor" (p.3) and describes the capstan motor as direct-drive (p.1); the B-III/MARK IV manual says the capstan shaft "is directly driven by a DC servo motor" (OS3-298, PDF p.35).
Read the rear plate↑ TOP
| Machine | Plate reads | Suffix | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIII-F | MX-5050 BIII-F | ¼″ full-track mono | |
| BIII-2 | MX-5050 BIII-2 | ¼″ 2-channel, NAB | |
| BIII-2E | MX-5050 BIII-2E | DIN | ¼″ 2-channel, DIN |
| BIII-P | MX5050 BIII-P | 2-track, described by Otari both as with ¼-track playback and as playback-only | |
| BQ-III | MX-5050 BQIII | ¼″ 4-channel |
The BIII-P is described two ways by Otari: as a "2-Trk version with 1/4" Trk Playback" (BIII product sheet, p.2) and as a "Playback Only Machine" (otari.com).
When it was sold↑ TOP
By 1990. Otari introduced the "MX-5050-B-III 2-track featuring improvements to the B-II" at the spring 1990 NAB show (Radio World, March 14, 1990, page 56 of the PDF); the press record is on the History page. The earliest dated B-III paper is the MX-5050 Series data sheet OA-321C, ©1991 (OA-321C, p.4). The BIII-P is not in it, and its date is unknown.
Sources↑ TOP
Factory manual
- MX-5050 MKIV-2, BIII-2 operation and maintenance manual, OS3-298 — PDF p.15 (the models it covers), p.35 (the directly driven capstan). The scan is at /manuals/otari-mx5050-mkiv-2-biii-2-operation-maintenance-manual-os3-298.pdf.
Sales and product sheets
-
MX-5050 Series data sheet OA-321C — ©1991. p.1 (direct-drive capstan), p.3 (configurations table and capstan motor), p.4 (date). The scan is at /manuals/otari-mx5050-series-data-sheet-1991.pdf.
-
MX-5050 BIII product sheet — ©1999, 2008. p.2, the BIII-P as a 2-track with quarter-track playback.
Otari online reference
- Otari, MX-5050 specifications — the BIII-P as a playback-only machine.