Otari 
Otari, Inc. International Division
4-29-18, Minami, Ogikubo, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, 167-0052 Japan
Not to be confused with retro video game maker Atari, Otari manufactures professional audio equipment. The company's products are used in the music recording, broadcasting, filmproduction, and live music industries. Otari audio products include analog recorders, digital recorders, and mixing consoles. Its industrial products include cassette and CD duplication systems, digital archiving systems, and sample rate converters. Otari products are sold across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The company also has distributors in California, Australia, and New Zealand. Otari was founded in Tokyo in 1965
June 1 1974 Billboard - Masayuki Hosoda 39 (10 years as a Teac engineer) founded Otari Corp in 1964. He & Mitsuo Takekawa 48 created Otari Corp in the US which is the company's first foreign subsidiary. Takekawa will head the US subsidiary. Brian Trankle (Ampex 17 years) is marketing Manager. San Carlos, CA
Hosoda has seen his company in Japan grow from 4 employees to the present 200 in three factories and one HQ building. Sales of $5 million in 1974. Otari got its name from Hosodas father because it is a village in the so-called Japanese Alps where senior Hosoda lived.
In 2012, we contacted Otari to obtain more information and received the following response.
From: T. Hora <hora@otari.co.jp>
Subject: Re: Otari History Resources
Date: March 22, 2012 7:55:03 PM CDT
Dear Sir,
We are proud as last producer of professional tape recorder.
And we still can manufacture MX-5050 according to the inquiries.
Now, regarding to our history, we will send it when finding it.
Best regards
T. Hora - "Otari History Resources" において、
We also contacted the US distributor in 2012 who advised they had 5 units in stock @ $7900.00 each.
Otari is the only company still manufacturing reel tape recorders. The MX-5050 is available on request from this link https://www.otari.com/product/recorder/mx5050/index.html
2017 Update - Pat Johnson, AheadTek, the US Otari representative shared this information
"Hi Martin,
We are negotiating with them now for a redesign effort. I should have some news in another 90 days or so. Best case is units could be available in mid-2018. We can add you to our list of call backs.
In the meantime, we could refer you to a gentleman in OKC who has been rebuilding some units…for LBJ Library in Austin among others. Let me know if you would like his contact info.
Best Regards,
Pat Johnston
AheadTeK
Otari reel tape recorders from the Reel2ReelTexas.com vintage reel tape recorder recording collection
Otari MX-5050 BQ III 4 track reel tape recorder in the Reel2ReelTexas.com vintage reel tape recorder recording collection - Specs
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Otari MX-50 2 track reel tape recorder no longer in the Reel2ReelTexas.com vintage reel tape recorder recording collection
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Otari 7500 2 track reel tape recorder no longer in the Reel2ReelTexas.com vintage reel tape recorder recording collection
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Otari MX5050 B2 HD
This Otari MX-5050 B2 HD was donated to MOMSR by the Hugh Sparks Estate
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Otari reel tape recorders photos from various studios
The Block House Studio- Austin, Texas |
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Otari reel tape recorder ads
Otari reel tape recorder photos contributed by others
We appreciate all photos sent to our museum. We hope to successfully preserve the sound recording history. If we have not credited a photo, we do not know its origin if it was not taken by the contributor. Please let us know if a photo on our site belongs to you and is not credited. We will be happy to give you credit, or remove it if you so choose. Please note that none of these recorders are available for sale from our Museum.
See also Multi-Track recording
