Turtlerock Forum

Not quite a for sale post... yet:

I have an Optro (Optronics) 1000 2" 24trk tape recorder which has been sitting in my Dad's garage unused for nearly 15 years. It needs repair before it can be used, but I'm told the heads are in good condition & the motors work fine. You would need to be or have access to a tech to get this thing running. I have all the schematics. I never tackled it because I purchased a fully functioning 2" 24trk & then eventually went digital.

Is this the kind of project anybody is interested in taking on these days? I'm toying with the idea of either selling it or parting it out (all good quality components, multipin connectors, 48 xlr's, etc). I haven't thought about cost yet, I'm just looking for ideas on how best to part with it since I have a family that needs my care more than the tape machine does. Anyone have any ideas or any interest?

Thanks,
Glenn

All I know about those machines is I read a really
Detailed tech report when festival was going to
Buy one when they where new
And it was to put it politely ..damning !
"Actually it's said this thing is fucked
Over my dead body would I recommend it ! "
( paraphrased)

So they didnt buy and we where indoctrinated that
They were junk and they didnt ever work

I told somebody on the forum this years ago
And I am pretty sure I offended them and there
Sense of Australian loyalty !

I could of coarse be wrong because I have been indoctrinated
By studers and mci machines .. That worked

In today's market when the best studer is worth
Mere thousands .. I think this machine
Should be cleaned up and have a "made in australia "
Sticker put on it and wheeled into the power house
Museum .. Then run away before they see who you are
And charge you for littering

Thanks for the info Rick, though I think it may be a tad romantic to think that the Powerhouse would be interested in such a thing, unless I convinced them it was a robot.

Hi Glenn, please don't part it out.
There may be some interest from me at the right price, but I am in Melbourne.
Cheers,
Paul Maybury

Good to know of the tech report from festival. From the little i know the major issue was with the solenoids packing up over time. It would be a great shame for it to be parted out.

Oh good Chris I thought it was you that tore me a new
Arsehole for bagging out that machine a decade or so back

Thirkell and his mates had a very interesting
Time with tariffs .. That machine made studios
Have to pay 22% more for the studers and mcis because
The locals ( optro and rola ) needed government
Protection

So it was probably looked at extremely harshly
And any perceived " fault" was demonized
Because we all wanted the studers ..

Christ nothing that had tape on it ever worked
Perfectly in those days .. Any brand !

So it wasn't you I offended .. Must be another thirkelfile ?

I am softening with time .. Maybe it's a great project
For somebody ..

Lucky it's not the version that they made that used 3" tape!

I was talking to Gil Mathews (Aztecs drummer and Aztec Music) recently about working at Armstrongs. The look of horror on his face when I asked about the Optro machines was priceless.
Nonetheless, I am still interested. I believe the solenoid problems where caused by some switching that allowed current to flow where it shouldn't, wrecking the solenoids over time. Maybe there is a fix for this?
Cheers,
Paul

Paul Maybury wrote:I was talking to Gil Mathews (Aztecs drummer and Aztec Music) recently about working at Armstrongs. The look of horror on his face when I asked about the Optro machines was priceless.
Nonetheless, I am still interested. I believe the solenoid problems where caused by some switching that allowed current to flow where it shouldn't, wrecking the solenoids over time. Maybe there is a fix for this?
Cheers,
Paul

There is....... I know a studio owner who has two Optro 2 inch recorders and I just gave him a call......... here is his opinion;
the problem wasn't wiring, rather that the solenoids where very small and over time needed replacing as they gave out. The problem is the current replacements available have a different pin out and a daughter board needs to be made to fit them. Also it's tight work room wise. The Optro's where a bit slower stopping, starting and re wind/fast forward than the other machines at the time but where reliable in all other ways. He also has an MCI 24 track 2 inch.
He described the electronic design as conservative and therefore reliable and the motors and speed control where made and designed by Thirkle and where a very clever, well implemented design.

Sound Park in Melbourne have one of these that was their main machine before they got a studer a800. I know that they had various issues with it but they also had spare parts and kept it working for years. Might be worth a call to them. You want to speak to Idge...

Thanks everyone for info on this machine. Of course I would prefer not to part it out but I figured it would be better using it as a resource in some way than a waste. I really do hope someone will take on the whole machine.

Paul, would you like me to contact you further with more details?

Hi Glenn, that would be great.
Cheers,
Paul

No problem. I will get over to my parent's place on the weekend & make note of exactly what I have & then send you a message.

Cheers,
Glenn

Great, thanks a lot.
The one time I used an Optro machine for recording (at SoundPark) I thought it sounded very good.
This machine had no meters, tape counter or remote, so it was rather nerve wracking to use...
Must have been a prototype? Shame it was hooked up to a Soundcraft Spirit.
Cheers,
Paul

This machine has meters (obviously) & a remote, but no tape counter. It does, however, have an Editron which is used as a counter, an autolocator &, I believe, to sync to video.

GlennS wrote:This machine has meters (obviously) & a remote, but no tape counter. It does, however, have an Editron which is used as a counter, an autolocator &, I believe, to sync to video.

Cool! Editron where also designed and manufactured by Graham Thirkle.
Editron did fairly well in the US studio market. I think that increases the historical value, having those together.

For sure, I wonder if Editron can work with smpte? Or is that how it works anyway?
Anyone know how long these machines were made for? Any revisions/ different versions along the way?
Cheers,
Paul

Hi Paul,

I have PM'd you.

Best regards,
Glenn

Hi I paid $500.00 for the 16 2" Optro with about 8 used reels not working in a garage
and paid $500 for the same machime without VU"s that i used for parts, spent a bunch on it to get working but never stopped spending $$ on it. For the time I had "the tank" it sounded huge built like a brick shit house. I remember the amps needing a kick start at times.
Sold them to Idge in 2005 he has been using since then and got a Studer as well. I ask if was ready to give it back and he just laughed and said NAH. Was hard work and costly to keep but you can not get that sound with a DAW.

thats my 200000000000000 cents of them

GlennS wrote:Thanks for the info Rick, though I think it may be a tad romantic to think that the Powerhouse would be interested in such a thing, unless I convinced them it was a robot.

Lol
That was funny.