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.
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
June 1981 · US
The MARK III/8 launches as the successor to the MX5050-8D, with a microprocessor real-time counter, dynamic braking and automatic monitor switching. Recording Engineer/Producer, June 1981
July 1981 · UK
ITA's advert: "OTARI MX5050 BQII — The first compact 4 track for the serious" studio. Studio Sound, July 1981
Oct 1981 · UK
The UK launch notice for the MARK III/8. Studio Sound, October 1981
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
Dec 1982 · US
"From Our Hands To Jeff Baxter's": Otari's testimonial ad for the eight-track, run again in Billboard the next June. Modern Recording, December 1982
Mar 1983 · USReview
The first full review of the MARK III/8: a Lab Report with bench plots, then a Hands-On Report from sessions in the reviewer's own studio. Modern Recording, March 1983
Apr 1983 · US
A feature on working in half-inch eight-track: a mobile studio that tracks on the MARK III/8, and a note on its remote and autolocator. Recording Engineer/Producer, April 1983
June 1983 · UKReview
Hugh Ford's bench review, with Otari UK's spread quoting it in the same issue. Studio Sound, June 1983
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
Feb 1984 · US
"KEVIN CRONIN ON MAKING IT: ON AN OTARI.": REO Speedwagon's singer with his MARK III/8. Billboard, February 25, 1984
May 1984 · UK
A UK dealer's copy for the "5050 III" in 2, 4 and 8 track formats. Studio Sound, May 1984
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
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
Apr 1985 · US
"PLAY OTARI": the Mark III-8 with its autolocator, pitched at musicians. Musician, April 1985
Sept 1987 · US
A price cut: "The professional Otari 8-track for a new low price of $4795." Electronic Musician, September 1987
Jan 1988 · US
A dealer's ad for the MARK III-2 as a table-top two-channel. Broadcast Engineering, January 1988
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 came first and was the line's most advertised machine: Otari sold it to studios, to broadcasters and, through testimonial ads, to musicians building their own rooms. It is also the only MARK III the press reviewed in full, twice in 1983: Modern Recording's Lab and Hands-On Reports and Hugh Ford's review in Studio Sound.
What it cost↑ TOP
| Date | Model | Price as printed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1981 | BQ-II | $2,995 | Mix, May 1981 |
| June 1982 | BQ-II / Mark III/8 | $2,995 / $5,295 | R-e/p, June 1982, PDF p.61 |
| Feb 1983 | Mk III-2 | $2795 | BM/E, February 1983, PDF p.62 |
| Sept 1987 | Mark III/8 | $4795 | Electronic Musician, September 1987 |
| July 1990 | MkIII-8 / MkIII-4 / BQ-II | $5,495 / $5,935 / $4,345 | Mix, July 1990 |
Sources↑ TOP
The research dossier behind this page lists 318 MARK III sightings, many of them the eight-track in ads, rosters and used lists. The ones with their own page are in the Period Press library.
- Mix, May 1981: the BQ-II in new products
- Studio Sound, July 1981: ITA's BQII advert
- Broadcast Communications, August 1982: the MARK III/4 launch
- Broadcast Engineering, December 1983: the MARK III-2 launch
- Studio Sound, May 1984 and June 1984: UK dealer copy and ITA's range advert
- Mix, October 1984: "Solutions"
- Broadcast Engineering, January 1988: a dealer's MARK III-2 ad
- Mix, July 1990: the analog multitrack survey
- R-e/p, June 1982, PDF p.61: suggested retail prices
- BM/E, February 1983, PDF p.62: the Mk III-2 price
- Recording Engineer/Producer, June 1981 and Studio Sound, October 1981: the MARK III/8 launch
- Modern Recording, December 1982 and Billboard, June 25, 1983: "From Our Hands To Jeff Baxter's"
- Modern Recording, March 1983 and Studio Sound, June 1983: the MARK III/8 reviews
- Recording Engineer/Producer, April 1983: working in half-inch eight-track
- Billboard, February 25, 1984 and Musician, April 1985: testimonial and musician ads
- Electronic Musician, September 1987: the III/8 price cut