Otari
MX-5050 BII
Introduced 1980$950 MSRP
Workhorse half-track production recorder found in countless studios and radio stations, with a 4-track reproduce head for playing consumer tapes. Abundant parts and documentation make it a favorite first pro machine; expect to service capstan motor and audio boards on unrestored units.
MSRP
$950
Used market · Very Good
$2,125
+124% vs MSRP
as of Sep 1, 2026MSRP to used market
From $1,800 at launch to $2,125 today.
Specifications
- Heads
- 4 (erase, record, 2-track repro, 4-track repro)
- Motors
- 3
- Weight
- 24 kg (~53 lbs) per tonepearls.com; reel-reel.com lists 65 lbs for the BII-2 rack variant
- Outputs
- XLR balanced
- Dimensions
- 527 x 430 x 225 mm
- Speeds
- 7.5/15 ips
- Tape speeds
- 7½ and 15 ips (factory default); convertible to 3¾ and 7½ ips
- Motors drive
- 3 motors — 1 direct-drive DC servo-controlled capstan motor + 2 reel motors, no drive belts
- Track format
- 2-track (half-track) with 4-track reproduce head
- Max reel size
- 10.5"
- Maximum reel size
- 10.5"
- Tape width tracks
- ¼" tape; 2-track (half-track) record/play standard, with switchable 4-track (quarter-track) playback via head-cover switch
- Frequency response
- 22 Hz–21 kHz ±1.0 dB (BII-2 variant, per reel-reel.com); Otari's official BIII spec sheet lists 30 Hz–20 kHz ±2 dB at 15 ips for the related BIII model
- Signal to noise ratio
- 66–68 dB
- Total harmonic distortion
- 0.5%
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