What it is
The Mark II puts first-generation electronics in a separate-electronics chassis: a desk-top box with the transport and the electronics as two units, and the DC-servo capstan that the plain silver-face deck sold as an option fitted as standard. Otari's own line-up ad in db, January 1978 puts the Mark II-2 (¼″ two-channel) and Mark II-4 (½″ four-channel) beside the MX-5050-2S, and describes them as "All MX-5050 features plus: separate transport and electronics · 15 & 7½ ips · variable speed (±7%) dc capstan servo."
It was announced at the AES show in late 1976 for February 1977 availability, and first shown in the UK in July 1977 (Studio Sound, January 1977, p.38; Studio Sound, July 1977, p.56) — before the B series existed — and it is the oldest member of the MARK line. The wider family page tells the long version: why a "MkII" is not a BII, and how the MARK line grew from here.
Specifications
Otari's November 1976 preliminary specification sheet now supplies figures for both formats, including speed tolerance, flutter and wow, response, signal-to-noise, dimensions and weight. Read the Mark II specs page for the complete sourced table. The sheet calls itself preliminary, so the figures are the factory's printed claims at that date.
| Item | Mark II-2 | Mark II-4 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tape | ¼″ | ½″ | S-114 |
| Channels | 2 | 4 | S-114 |
| Speeds | 15 & 7½ ips | 15 & 7½ ips | S-114 |
| Capstan | DC servo, ±7% varispeed, standard | DC servo, ±7% varispeed, standard | S-114 |
The later db ad agrees on these four points.
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Sources
Factory sheet
- Mark II preliminary specification sheet S-114 — effective November 1976; the original paper is held and scanned here.
Period press
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db, January 1978 — Otari's nine-photo line-up ad, the Mark II-2 and II-4 at numbers 5 and 6.
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Studio Sound, January 1977 — p.38, the AES 55th Convention report: the Mark II "will be available (February 1977)".
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Studio Sound, July 1977 — p.56, the APRS preview: on show for the first time in the UK.
Wider family context
- The wider family — the Mark II's place in the MARK line, with the binder and brochure evidence.