Otari MX-5050
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MARK III›History

Generation

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MARK III

OverviewIdentifySpecsHistoryDocumentsService

Machines

III/2III/4III/8BQ-II

MARK III: history

In the period press, 1981–1990↑ TOP

The MARK III line grew backwards in print as it did in the catalogue: the quarter-inch four-channel BQ-II in 1981, the half-inch eight-track the same year, the half-inch four-track in 1982 and the quarter-inch two-track last, at the start of 1983.

  1. May 1981 · US

    Mix's new products: the BQ Series II, a compact quarter-inch four-channel replacing the QXD, at a suggested list price of $2,995. Mix, May 1981

  2. July 1981 · UK

    ITA's advert: "OTARI MX5050 BQII — The first compact 4 track for the serious" studio. Studio Sound, July 1981

  3. Aug 1982 · US

    The half-inch MARK III/4 launches beside the eight-channel MARK III/8: "FROM OUR HANDS TO YOUR HANDS". Broadcast Communications, August 1982

  4. Dec 1983 · US

    The two-track arrives: the 5050 MARK III-2, "the compact console version of the legendary OTARI 5050 'B'". Broadcast Engineering, December 1983

  5. May 1984 · UK

    A UK dealer's copy for the "5050 III" in 2, 4 and 8 track formats. Studio Sound, May 1984

  6. June 1984 · UK

    ITA's "THE OTARI 5050 RANGE.": the B2-II, MkIII-2, BQ-II, MkIII-4 and MkIII-8 side by side. Studio Sound, June 1984

  7. Oct 1984 · US

    Otari's two-page line-up spread puts the Mark III-2, III-4 and III-8 beside the B-II. Mix, October 1984

  8. Jan 1988 · US

    A dealer's ad for the MARK III-2 as a table-top two-channel. Broadcast Engineering, January 1988

  9. July 1990 · US

    Mix's survey of analog multitracks prices the MkIII-8 at $5,495, the MkIII-4 at $5,935 and the BQ-II at $4,345. Mix, July 1990

The MARK III/8↑ TOP

The half-inch eight-track was the line's most advertised machine, and the only MARK III the press reviewed in full. This site cites eight-channel sources by link rather than transcribing them:

  • the review in Modern Recording & Music, March 1983, page 51 of the PDF;
  • the review in Studio Sound, June 1983, page 74 of the PDF.

By 1987 Otari was advertising it as "The professional Otari 8-track for a new low price of $4795." (Electronic Musician, September 1987, page 70 of the PDF).

What it cost↑ TOP

DateModelPrice as printedSource
May 1981BQ-II$2,995Mix, May 1981
June 1982BQ-II / Mark III/8$2,995 / $5,295R-e/p, June 1982, PDF p.61
Feb 1983Mk III-2$2795BM/E, February 1983, PDF p.62
Sept 1987Mark III/8$4795Electronic Musician, September 1987, PDF p.70
July 1990MkIII-8 / MkIII-4 / BQ-II$5,495 / $5,935 / $4,345Mix, July 1990

Sources↑ TOP

The research dossier behind this page lists 318 MARK III sightings, most of them the eight-track in ads, rosters and used lists. The ones with their own page are in the Period Press library.