pro tape recorder? ... 3m m23 value?

[biscuithead]

What’s the hierarchy?
Otari , 3m ?



8 track, 1”tape ...
worth the trouble?
Seller is asking 2500...

 

[biscuithead]

I found this on Wikipedia:


But does anyone have experience with one?
Would it still work in a home studio?

Found the manual too:
http://thehistoryofrecording.com/Manuals/3M/3M_M23_Series_400_Instruction_Manual.pdf

 

[swechsler]

I doubt it's worth anywhere near that as a curiosity or collector's item. I'd imagine that anyone needing to transfer multi-track tapes to digital would want a much more modern machine, and since most studios would have transitioned to digital years ago, there are probably more decks available than needed.

 

[biscuithead]

I wonder if it could be converted to a 1/4” machine...
I just went through an Otari with issues, and went back to a Teac I’ve used for years.
This sale is local, and I’m not familiar with the 3m machines...

 

[swechsler]

At the asking price, why would you bother? You could get any number of high-end consumer machines for less.

 

[Dazaa]

If you wanted such a machine for a home studio i'd go for something that you can easily find parts/service info for such as a Studer. This could easily become a boat anchor if something goes wrong and nobody can fix it.

 

[biscuithead]

Thanks guys. I’ll shy away from it . I’ll just be happy with my X-1000r.

When a local sale like this pops up, I get excited... thanks for calming me down.

 

[Leland47]

That 3M is certainly a cool piece!

An Otari 2" 24 track has come up for sale near me.....asking $4500. Also a cool piece.

But don't know what I'd do with either of these....

Have seen a Tascam 388 8track mixer-1/4" recorder come up also. These seem to still be pretty popular....and produce a respected "sound."

Far afield from anything I know about...

My brother in law build a Recording Studio many years ago in Silver Springs Md.....I think he had an Ampex.

 

[biscuithead]

That 3M is certainly a cool piece!

An Otari 2" 24 track has come up for sale near me.....asking $4500. Also a cool piece.

But don't know what I'd do with either of these....

Have seen a Tascam 388 8track mixer-1/4" recorder come up also. These seem to still be pretty popular....and produce a respected "sound."

Far afield from anything I know about...

My brother in law build a Recording Studio many years ago in Silver Springs Md.....I think he had an Ampex.

There is just something so very cool about a tape machine. I’ve had an Otari and Ampex... once the fun wears off(about a month or two) then they just become cool to look at... then they become “in the way”. Then someone comes over and says “that’s cool, if you ever want to sell it” . And it goes away.
Then a tape machine pops up in a local ad, and the cycle begins again.

 

[SaturationPt]

I have that problem with big receivers.

 

[Leland47]

There's a couple for sale on ebay....but couldn't find any completed sales.

Yours looks of a more vintage age...

Both have a dozen watchers....so some interest.



Here's the Otari close to me...