MARK IV: history
In the period press, 1990–1994↑ TOP
The MARK IV replaced the MARK III as the table-top line, in two-, four- and eight-track versions, announced with the B-III at the spring 1990 NAB show. Like the B-III, it left a short trail in the press.
Mar 1990 · US
The first listing: "MX-5050 MKIV-2, -4, -8: ¼", ½" transports, 2-, 4-, 8-track; three memory point autolocator; 20% varispeed". Broadcast Engineering, March 1990 (page 178 of the PDF).
June 1991 · Canada
A Canadian new-products note on the fourth-generation MX-5050, with gapless punch in and out on the Mark IV-4 and IV-8. Canadian Musician, June 1991
Aug 1991 · UK
The UK trade news of the renaming. Studio Sound, August 1991
Oct 1991 · US
Otari's radio line-up ad introduces the 5050 MKIV Series with a built-in autolocator. Broadcast Engineering, October 1991
Jan 1992 · US
A distributor's insert names the Mark IV-4 and IV-8 among the models with gapless punch-in and punch-out. Radio World, January 22, 1992
Mar 1992 · US
The launch story, as the fourth MX-5050 generation, beside a dealer selling off the last MARK IIIs. Radio World, March 25, 1992
Sept 1994 · US
In use: a California radio reading service for the blind bought "two new Otari MX5050MkIV-2 BIII reel-to-reel machines". Radio World, September 21, 1994 (page 55 of the PDF).
Sources↑ TOP
The research dossier behind this page lists 21 MARK IV sightings.
- Canadian Musician, June 1991: new products
- Studio Sound, August 1991: the renaming
- Broadcast Engineering, October 1991: "RADIO'S TOP TEN!"
- Radio World, January 22, 1992: the distributor's insert
- Radio World, March 25, 1992: the launch story
- Broadcast Engineering, March 1990, PDF p.178: the first listing
- Radio World, September 21, 1994, PDF p.55: in use